Chapter 943: A Major Incident Occurs

The Monk from Da Li Temple is advanced in age, while Ming Shaoqing comes from a noble background and is skilled in handling cases. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be in charge of Da Li Temple in the future. Therefore, any dossier presented by him is casually reviewed by the Monk from Da Li Temple before he stamps it with the seal.

The case of Granny Gu and Lord Lai conspiring to harm Yuan Jiaman was approved in less than ten days and returned to He’an Prefecture.

Jiang Sheng, previously known as Zou Jiang, watched the prison guards of Da Li Temple mounting their swift horses and leaving, only relaxing once they were out of sight, and returned to Da Li Temple.

At last, the dust has settled.

Xu Chongfeng saw him returning and tossed a pile of dossiers at him: "Elder Jiang, what’s there to be so anxious about with that case? Hurry up and help me go through these cases, see if there are any issues? I’m nearly exhausted."

Ever since Xu Chongfeng took office at Da Li Temple, he has been as tired as a dog. Many peers or classmates envy his good fortune, getting promoted to a Capital Official, but Xu Chongfeng scoffs at it.

"Bah, what’s there to envy? I’m almost dead from exhaustion, not to mention having to act like a grandson every day. Can’t even stroll around town without running into either royal family members or high-ranking officials, my knees are about to give way. Being a County Magistrate was better, at least in the county, I was the biggest."

People would kneel to him; he never had to kneel to anyone.

It’s just that there were too many gossiping women; even his bathroom habits could be gossiped about all over the county.

Jiang Sheng listened to Xu Chongfeng’s complaints and reminded him: "My lord, mind your words, this is the Capital."

Are you not afraid of death?

Are you asking for it talking like that?

And...

"My lord, when are you going to change your accent? Sometimes it’s ’I’, sometimes it’s whatever; this is the Capital, where elegant language is spoken. Speaking like a country folk would be ridiculed."

"What’s there to laugh at!" Xu Chongfeng replied: "I’m just a farmer, what’s wrong with speaking country talk?"

Although it was a complaint, he still changed it; instead of using ’what’s up’, he used ’what’s wrong’.

Jiang Sheng saw him changing the subject and spoke about the matter concerning Lord Lai’s case: "That case is not simple; there might be some trouble. I’m anxious that it might implicate the Gu Family."

Xu Chongfeng, being a Monk from Da Li Temple, had a small courtyard for working, so Jiang Sheng felt comfortable speaking here.

Gu Family?

Gu Jin’an’s family?

Xu Chongfeng still remembered Gu Jin’an’s family; upon hearing his words, he said: "What does this case have to do with his family?"

It must be said that this is where Qin San Lang, Gu Jinli, and Gu Jin’an’s cleverness lies. They skillfully separated the case of Granny Gu and Lord Lai conspiring to harm Yuan Jiaman from Granny Gu conspiring to harm Mrs. Fei, even if the dossier reached the Capital. Among thousands of dossiers, seeing two Mrs. Gu Pan wouldn’t be strange.

Another point is, unless Lord Lai’s master investigates deeply, he won’t trace it to Gu Jinli’s house; he’d only sever ties with the Lai Family and Old Gu Family.

"Tch." Jiang Sheng made a sound, why after three years, is there still no progress?

He looked at Xu Chongfeng and whispered about Liu Shiliu being Gu Jin’an’s step-grandmother.

Upon hearing, Xu Chongfeng was somewhat frightened: "God, wouldn’t they be doomed?"

He grabbed Jiang Sheng and whispered: "I heard Lord Lai is one of the Eldest Imperial Prince’s men; the Eldest Imperial Prince is not easy to deal with."

Just like Emperor Chu, they might state they want to sever ties without any negotiation.

Jiang Sheng wasn’t too nervous: "During the famine, the two families have already severed ties, and Ming Shaoqing will be protecting Gu Jin’an’s house."

Ming Shaoqing has seen Gu Jin’an; during the Water Bandit Case, Gu Jin’an, the Qin Brothers, including Luo Wu, all contributed greatly. Although Ming Shaoqing is a scholar, he appreciates Gu Jin’an, especially after learning that Gu Jin’an passed as county top scorer and created pigeon leaf tofu and konjac tofu, seen him as of great potential. So he deliberately separated Mrs. Fei’s case and Yuan Jiaman’s case to be stamped by the Monk from Da Li Temple, preventing the Capital people from linking the two cases.

Moreover, the Eldest Imperial Prince is in danger; even if it leads to Gu Jin’an’s house, there’s no time to act against them.

Upon hearing, Xu Chongfeng felt relieved: "I thought his family would be doomed, having King Ming protect them is good."

King Ming is the nickname Xu Chongfeng privately gives Ming Shaoqing; because Ming Shaoqing is terrifying. Although he looks good, like an immortal, indescribably beautiful, when he deals with people, he doesn’t blink. He’d smile while dealing with a Third-Ranking Imperial Official.

That’s a Third-Ranking Imperial Official! He’ll never possibly reach third rank in his lifetime!

Jiang Sheng reminded: "My lord, mind your words; if Ming Shaoqing’s men overhear, you’ll be in trouble again."

Ming Shaoqing’s men are everywhere in Da Li Temple; you never know when one will appear.

After reminding, he pushed that pile of dossiers back to Xu Chongfeng: "My lord, I’m heading out of town to investigate the Situ Family’s case, can’t review the dossiers for you, check on your own."

Then he left.

Xu Chongfeng was bewildered, shouting: "Come back, there’s so much, when will I finish reviewing?!"

Jiang Sheng didn’t mind this; the Situ Family case was more important than checking these dossiers and successful execution could bring immediate achievements.

Xu Chongfeng had no choice but to distribute these dossiers among the two petty officials under him, letting them review together, but even so, it was past midnight before finishing.

Xu Chongfeng dragged his tired body home, and upon returning, livened up to gossip with his wife about Lord Lai and Liu Shiliu, leaving Mrs. Xu shocked, endlessly calling Granny Gu divine.

She sighed: "I heard Gu Jin’an passed as county top scorer? Truly a talented young man, if only his family was better, he’d be a good match."

Gu Jin’an is decent, his family is honest, and he has means to make money; Mrs. Xu considered matching her daughter with him.

But Sister Shu has already been matched, to a son of a Capital Official family, vetted by Elder Jiang, said to be reliable, marrying him brings no loss, the ceremony will be this August.

Xu Chongfeng gossiped with his wife for an hour, and the next day going to Da Li Temple, he heard even bigger gossip stating something significant happened in the palace last night.

"The Emperor raged last night, executing many in the palace, Eldest Imperial Prince Mansion was surrounded overnight."

"What, Brother Gao, what did you say? The, the Eldest Imperial Prince Mansion was surrounded last night?" Xu Chongfeng was so scared his body shook, can’t this Capital be peaceful? How does the Emperor casually execute people, keeping him sleepless for three years, fearing that one day he’ll be killed while sleeping?

The Fuhu Army is one of the Emperor’s three major imperial guards, specialized in killing, not just officials but noble families, or nobles. Over these years, many officials, nobles, noble families, and even royal family members have died at their hands.

"Shh, Brother Xu, keep it down, I’m telling you so you’d be cautious, not to shout it out." Lord Gao was also a Monk from Da Li Temple, his office courtyard was right next to Xu Chongfeng. He inspected surroundings, seeing no outsiders present, whispered: "You know my brother-in-law is with Fuhu Army, he brought us news early to behave recently, don’t make mistakes, avoid displeasing the Emperor."