Published at 1st of April 2021 5:16 am

Chapter 292 The First Branch Seems Too Idle, Make Them Busy!

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Before they could speak, Empress Jiang began to laugh, “Then do as you say! Don’t say I’m harbouring people from my own family. Qiu Dian is in charge of investigating the Tao Family. As for the Duan Family, Dalisi will investigate!”

After she finished, she looked provocatively at Empress Dowager Gu, “What do you think, Mother? If Duan Jin is innocent, he definitely won’t miss this opportunity to prove his innocence, right?”

Empress Dowager Gu was full of bitterness. Empress Jiang sacrificed her own family for the battle. What else could she say? If she opposed the investigation, it would give the Empress’s party another good reason to screw Duan Jin to death! But if she agreed to investigate, Duan Jin was innocent or not… Everyone knew he was certainly not innocent!

Duan Jin was a dead man already!

Empress Dowager Gu had to nod and agreed to the suggestion. After Duan Jin saw it, he sat limply on the ground as if his bones had been taken out – Seeing him like this, anyone would know how the investigation had turned out.

The assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice was investigated and imprisoned. And the Empress’s party sacrificed the Tao Family but won the battle. However, they had no time to celebrate. After the court was dismissed, they gathered again in the Marquess’s Mansion study to discuss what to do next!

“Yashuang’s suggestion sounds good. Yashuang, how did you come up with the idea to start with the dowries of the Princess?” Although Jiang Yashuang was not even qualified to participate in today’s court discussion, the people in the study praised his good suggestion, especially Sir Jibei, who had spent most of his life in the military and just returned to the capital as an officer last year. His only son, Jiang Tiancan, had remained in the capital as an officer. Jiang Tiancan spent a lot of time with his nephew Jiang Tianchi. So the bond between them was intimate.

As the saying went, “love me, love my dog.” Therefore, for Jiang Tianchi’s son Jiang Yashuang, Sir Jibei felt closer. Jiang Yashuang was young, but he could make a plan to make the Empress Dowager’s party suffer a big loss. Sir Jibei began to praise him, “This year, the royal family has several weddings. Everyone is just watching. However, only you proposed this good idea. In this way, you also incidentally cleaned up the Tao Family who helped the outsiders secretly! You are worthy of being the grandson of Marquess Qin…”

“Well, Sir Jibei, stop praising him. He just proposed a plan. That’s all.” Marquess Qin said. He was also pleased in his heart. However, he was worried that Jiang Yashuang would be proud of himself because of it. At the same time, he was also worried that Jiang Tianao and the others would feel awkward. Therefore, he hurriedly interrupted Sir Jibei, “You should know that there are many people who really use their brains to make it possible. Don’t give all the credit to him alone!”

The always smiling Jiang Yashuang took the opportunity to say, “Yes, grandfather. It is coincidental. I thought that Zhaoyi Miao favoured Ningyi’s sister and intended to make her as Princess of Wei? But the prospective Princess of Wei’s family and her uncle’s family are not well-off, so they can’t come up with a rich dowry. They were worried like ants on a hot pot. After Ningyi knew about it, she was also very anxious about them. She even wanted to contribute a part of the dowry for Princess of Wei. However, her idea was firmly rejected by the mother of the prospective Princess of Wei…”

“Stop speaking! Do you think we don’t know what you are thinking about?” Marquess Qin interrupted him without good grace. He continued, “The Empress ordered Dalisi to investigate the Duan Family. You feel happy now?”

Yuan Wenhong, the Secretary of the Dalisi, was not a member of the Empress’s party but a member of the neutral party – So he would never get involved in this mess! He would be “sick” soon, as Marquess Qin and others knew him. He would be so sick that he would have to leave things to his men. But he would get better until his men finished the job.

The officer who was one level below the Secretary of the Dalisi was the Chief Minister – Lian Jianhai was the newly promoted Chief Minister. As long as he was not stupid, after investigating the Duan Family’s property, he would know Wang Qingqian’s dowry would be on his table!

Lian Jianhai might also make Lian Ding’s reputation better with a little luck.

This was why Empress Jiang assigned Dalisi to investigate the Duan Family – When offering the plan, Jiang Yashuang stressed again and again that his wife Qiu Yelan was concerned about the dowry of his cousin Wang Qingqian! Considering her anxiety, he came up with the plan!

His plan killed two birds with one stone. He dealt with his public and private affairs once in all. After the business was done, he pestered Marquess Qin to cash in on his private business reward. This gave grandfather a headache. If Marquess Qin lectured Jiang Yashuang, he felt that Jiang Yashuang had just made merit. His merit was because of the private matter that came to mind. Therefore, it could be seen that he had not reversed his priorities; if Marquess Qin did not lecture Jiang Yashuang, Marquess Qin felt that Jiang Yashuang was always thinking of doing something for his wife. As a man, his mind always focused on pleasing his wife, which made the elders who had high hopes for him worried. They, of course, would worry that sweet words might ruin him!

Marquess Qin began to talk about the main topic when he lamented that each of his sons and grandsons was a cause for concern. “Today’s incident happened very suddenly. Duan Jin certainly did not have time to destroy many account books. Next, we have to take advantage of his relationship with Qingfeng Ji and then investigate others through Qingfeng Ji – especially Tang Zimo!”

Although Jiang Tianxiao was Jiang Yashuang’s uncle, he was not much older than Jiang Yashuang. Because he was the son of a concubine and his talent was not particularly outstanding, Marquess Qin didn’t take the time to train him. Although he was qualified to sit here, he could only understand a little bit of what they said. He asked, “Father, Duan Jin’s relationship with Tang Zimo is much closer. Why do we have to go through Qingfeng Ji to investigate him instead of investigating him directly? Anyway, he must have embezzlement. And, he will definitely go to jail. After he goes to jail, we definitely have ways to make him confess as well.”

“Confess?” Marquess Qin sneered, “I believe that within two hours, there will be news that he is dead.”

“Tianxiao, think about it. Duan Jin is the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice. He must know very well what will happen to him after he is imprisoned.” Jiang Tianao explained to him, “He has a very laid-back life. It’s unlikely that he can carry the life as a prisoner. Nor could he necessarily bear the humiliation of going from the minister of a country to a prisoner. Such a blow would make him think of death. In that case, Empress Dowager Gu and Tang Zimo could find a reason to pardon his family. Therefore, there is no hope for us to start with him. We can only start with Qingfeng Ji!”

“…” Jiang Tianqi, who originally also wanted to explain to Jiang Tianxiao, looked at him coldly. Jiang Tianxiao was his own brother!

Jiang Tianao pretended not to see him. Although he was a cousin, he was the oldest of his generation. What was wrong with him helping his brother say a few words?

Marquess Qin and Sir Jibei ignored the little spat between the brothers. Anyway, there had been a contradiction between Jiang Tianao and Jiang Tianqi for a long time. The contradiction couldn’t be reconciled even though they spoke it out now. It was better to deal with the Empress Dowager’s party first and then come back to reconcile them.

“The people of Qingfeng Ji, such as Gu Zonghao, may be silenced.” Marquess Qin said in a slow voice, “Of course, Qingfeng Ji is, after all, a long-established store throughout our country. To take care of such a big business, it can’t be done by a few dozen people! It is impossible to kill so many people in a short period of time. This time is our chance! Before the court meeting, they have sent people out to do this. Now, I guess all the people who should be arrested have been arrested. The next step is to interrogate and send them to the capital alive. Remember to be alert on this.”

When the opportunity came, one must also be able to seize it. So Marquess Qin simply explained the approach and direction, and then he adjourned the meeting. He wanted everyone to hurry up and get to work!

Once he turned around, he saw Jiang Yashuang standing in place without moving. He frowned, “Are you sure you want me to write you a letter before you dare to go back and explain to your wife?”

“That’s not what I meant. Ningyi doesn’t even know that I came up with this idea!” Jiang Yashuang curtly came up to him, squeezing his shoulders and pounding his back. He laughed, “I just want to talk about Tao Junior!”

“Hmm?” Marquess Qin asked lazily, “She’s almost well enough. She should have moved back into her house. What’s wrong with her again?”

Jiang Yashuang had always been straightforward in front of him, “Duan Jin is finished. The Tao Family is also going to be finished. Although this is their own fault, Tao Junior did not get involved in their affairs! In the past years, since she got married, she has been very virtuous. You know it. Since ancient times, there have been three not-to-divorce rules…”

Here, the marriage law of the time should be explained again – Unless it was compulsory divorce, there were three cases in which a husband was not allowed to discard a wife. One, the girl’s parents were alive when she married, and at the time of divorce, there was no one left in her mother’s family; two, the wife had been in a mourning period for her father-in-law or mother-in-law for three years; three, the husband was poor when she married him, and later became rich. These rules were the law on protecting women’s rights at that time, although only three rules…

As the Tao Family declined, Madame Tao Junior met the first one. That was “the girl’s parents were alive when she married, and at the time of divorce, there was no one left in her mother’s family”. The Tao Family was now gone. If Madame Tao Junior was divorced, she had no place to go.

Marquess Qin understood Jiang Yashuang’s meaning and nodded, “Tao Junior is indeed very virtuous, but Jiang Yadan has always been unruly! Before the Tao Family declined, he had already bullied her wife many times. Now that the Tao Family is in trouble, if I don’t stand up for Tao Junior, Tao Junior’s future will be challenging indeed.”

This kind of thing, for Marquess Qin, cost nothing. What he would do could appease Madame Tao and Empress Jiang and do a favour for Jiang Yashuang. So Marquess Qin quickly called someone over, “You go to my private treasury to pick a set of the best headdress jewellery, take a few good herbs and clothing, and send them to Tao Junior. Then, you tell her not to think too much. Since she is a member of our family, everything that happens outside has nothing to do with her!”

Jiang Yashuang sighed with relief – After Marquess Qin took a stand, Madame Tao Junior’s position was considered solid as a mountain in the family.

“I hope Qiu Yelan’s deceptive words to her will come true. No matter whether it is a boy or a girl, it would be good for Madame Tao Junior to have her own child!” He prayed this in his heart and smiled as he excused himself.

On this day, they figured out how to get the dowry for Wang Qingqian and solidified Madame Tao Junior’s position – Jiang Yashuang happily returned to the courtyard to take credit with his wife. Unexpectedly, Qiu Yelan was not there. Qiu Yelan asked Chen Shui to leave a message for him, “I’m going to see Sheng Shishui and her daughter. I will have dinner there today and not return until evening.”

Sheng Shishui gave birth to a daughter in the middle of October. But at that time, He Shuijin’s miscarriage and Jiang Jingzhui’s committing suicide happened. The Jiang Family was in a mess because of these. Although she gave birth to a daughter, the Jiang Family did not have a big banquet. Hence, her new-born baby did not attract too much attention. In the Jiang Family’s great-grandchildren generation, Sheng Shishui’s daughter was the twenty-first child, which proved there were many children in the family before her daughter. Besides, Jiang Yazhu was not very important to the family. So, others just followed the rules to send gifts for the new-born baby. The ceremony was very uneventful.

Qiu Yelan was the only one who often went over to visit her.

But…

Jiang Yashuang looked at the sky and frowned, “Why will you not come back until evening? Won’t Jiang Yazhu come back for dinner today?”

“I think Prince Yazhu just went out. He’s going out of town on a business trip, and won’t be back until a few days later,” Chen Shui explained promptly.

Jiang Yazhu probably went to deal with those Qingfeng Ji’s top brass outside the capital – Jiang Yashuang sighed and said listlessly, “Well, make tea for me!”

“Yes, sir!” Chen Shui respectfully said. While she was about to go to make tea, Caiqi suddenly came in to report, “Prince, Young Prince Ou is here!”

“Ou Bicheng?” Jiang Yashuang was a little surprised. He immediately stood up, being about to welcome him. Ou Bicheng had already rushed into it. If Jiang Yashuang did not dodge quickly, the two almost collided!

When Jiang Yashuang saw him, he quickly asked Chen Shui to serve tea. Then he dismissed the maids, leaving two alone in the hall. He asked in a low voice, “What’s so urgent?”

“A pigeon letter has come from the north!” When Ou Bicheng saw that all the maids had left, his face turned serious, “Jiang Yayue was slightly injured and had to go back to the capital to recuperate!”

If it were just like this, it would not be worth Jiang Tianchi arranging his men to send such an urgent message, and Ou Bicheng wouldn’t be in such a hurry to come over to report the news – Jiang Yashuang understood as soon as he heard it, “Can’t get along in the Northern Army? Want to hold the Western Army then? There was no war in the north, and Jiang Yayue was not an important person in the northern army. How could he be injured and need to return to the capital to recuperate?

“Hey, his idea may really come true!” Ou Bicheng reminded him with a cold smile, “He is in the Northern Army. Although he has Major General to take care of him, he has no real power. But he must have learned a little bit from Major General as he stayed with him all the time! He may not have the ability to lead an army, but, we can’t underestimate him! He is now back in the capital, recovering from his injuries. When Qiu Jinglan has finished dealing with the father and son of the Kuang Family, the Western Army will have no leader. He will then ask Marquess to send him there, helping manage the army – Marquess has always taken better care of the people in the first branch. And at the same time, Marquess would not allow the Western Army to fall into Qiu Jinlan’s hands. Hence, Marquess definitely would agree with his proposal?!”

The Jiang Family was willing to send men to protect Qiu Jinglan along his westward trip with the power of the entire family because they wanted to wipe out the Empress Dowager’s party and seize the military power of the Western Army. There were no odds that the Jiang Family would do this just because of Qiu Yelan, a grandson’s wife.

Therefore, when Qiu Jinglan succeeded in revenge, the Jiang Family also began to reap the rewards – Both the Jiang Family and Qiu Jinglan himself knew it very well. They were using each other. Without the Jiang Family’s help, it would be impossible for Qiu Jinglan to take revenge; and the Jiang Family could not give every care for Qiu Jinglan just because his sister married one of the grandsons of the Jiang Family.

But, the harvest of the Jiang Family was not equal to the harvest of all Jiang Family members!

Among them, only Jiang Yashuang worried the most about this. He was the closest to Qiu Jinglan. How could he possibly tolerate Jiang Yayue sitting on his hands on behalf of the first branch?

“It seems that the eldest uncle’s family has been too idle lately. They even have time to covet the Western Army.” Jiang Yashuang sneered, “Since that’s the case, I’ll find something for them to do!”

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