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Chapter 104: The Shadow of the Heavenly Sect
When Jiang Xuening left the Shuxiang Inn, she felt somewhat relieved.
She hadn’t revealed her identity, instead asking Ren Weizhi many questions, discussing the scenery of Shu, learning about the salt business, and occasionally mentioning You Fangyin, all while observing Ren Weizhi’s reactions.
She had to admit, despite Fangyin’s naivety, her intuition was quite sharp.
Although Ren Weizhi had repeatedly failed the imperial exams before inheriting the family business, he was still a scholar, well-spoken and well-mannered, without the cunning of a typical merchant.
Even if it were a real marriage, he would be a suitable husband.
As she got back into the carriage, she glanced at the lit window of the inn and finally allowed herself a genuine smile of relief.
However, visiting You Fangyin at the Jinyiwei prison and then talking with Ren Weizhi at the inn had taken quite a bit of time. By the time she returned to the Jiang residence, it was already dark.
Jiang Boyou and Madam Meng were anxiously waiting inside.
The servants escorted Jiang Xuening to the door with lanterns. She entered, bowed, and apologized, “I had some matters to attend to on the way back, so I returned late. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
Madam Meng was about to speak.
But Jiang Boyou spoke first, “With the recent incident at the Yongyi Marquis’s estate and the government arresting more Heavenly Sect rebels, no one dares to go out in the capital. What were you doing out so late?!”
Jiang Xuening lowered her eyes and remained silent.
Madam Meng sighed, her attitude towards Jiang Xuening surprisingly gentle, and she even tried to calm Jiang Boyou, “With such big events happening inside and outside the palace, you’re already scared enough. Don’t frighten the child. Didn’t you want to ask about the situation in the palace?”
Jiang Boyou relented.
He had been worried because Jiang Xuening hadn’t returned, but he didn’t intend to scold her. He quickly calmed down and asked about the situation in the palace.
First, the companions were dismissed; second, Jiang Xuehui was left behind.
Jiang Boyou and Madam Meng knew about the good news in the palace: Consort Wen of the Fragrant Hall was pregnant and promoted to Zhaoyi Wen. They also heard that Jiang Xuehui had been rewarded but didn’t know the details.
Jiang Xuening recounted the events in the plum garden.
She included how Yao Xi had bad luck, and how Jiang Xuehui was rewarded and gained Zhaoyi Wen’s favor.
Jiang Boyou said, “It might not be a good thing.”
Madam Meng sighed, “The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be fallen. This might draw too much attention.”
Jiang Xuening thought to herself, they underestimate Jiang Xuehui’s abilities.
But she didn’t say it out loud.
Jiang Boyou shook his head, “I’d rather she come home like Ning’er. The palace is full of schemes, and if they can harm someone once, they can do it again. Last time it was the Yao family’s girl; who knows if it won’t be Xuehui next time?”
Madam Meng frowned.
But she remained optimistic, “Xuehui has always been cautious. Zhaoyi Wen’s pregnancy is highly valued by the emperor, and the entire palace won’t dare to be negligent. The emperor even dismissed the companions for this. If Zhaoyi Wen gives birth to a prince, and Xuehui gains her favor, it could be a great opportunity. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
Jiang Xuening thought, that’s exactly right.
But her silence made them think she was feeling sour and low-spirited.
Madam Meng comforted her, “Don’t be discouraged, Ning’er. With the Yongyi Marquis’s estate in trouble and our families having discussed a marriage alliance, it’s good for you to keep a low profile. With Xuehui in the palace, you’ll benefit too.”
Madam Meng might not have liked Ning’er’s past behavior, but Xuehui’s entry into the palace was thanks to Ning’er. She remembered she was Jiang Xuening’s mother and wouldn’t be too biased.
Especially in such difficult times.
The family’s honor and disgrace were shared, and they couldn’t afford to be divided now.
Jiang Xuening looked at her mother strangely.
Madam Meng prioritized the family’s honor.
If this had been in her previous life, Jiang Xuening might have softened and teared up. But having faced life and death, she felt detached. Whether Madam Meng was kind or harsh, it didn’t affect her deeply.
Especially such mild comfort.
She responded calmly, “Yes.”
Jiang Boyou noticed her coldness and sighed inwardly but said nothing. Instead, he remembered something and turned to Madam Meng, “I need to speak to Ning’er alone. You should go rest.”
Madam Meng was taken aback.
What couldn’t be said in front of her?
She felt a bit displeased but suppressed it and left.
After she left, Jiang Xuening looked up at Jiang Boyou.
She knew what it was about without him saying.
Her heart raced as she asked, “Has the matter I asked you to handle been taken care of?”
The items you gave me last time were indeed valuable, but selling them in a hurry meant accepting lower prices. I didn’t want to undervalue the marquis’s belongings, so I only sold half. The other half was stored in our treasury, and I took out 18,000 taels from our funds to cover the cost,” Jiang Boyou said, placing a box in front of Jiang Xuening.
“Altogether, I’ve gathered 30,000 taels. Here it is.”
30,000 taels.
Even if the entire Qingyuan Marquis’s estate were emptied, it might not immediately produce such a sum.
It showed how much Yan Lin had given her over the years.
Jiang Xuening opened the box and counted the thirty thick stacks of thousand-tael notes.
“Thank you for your efforts, Father,” she said softly.
Jiang Boyou replied, “The Yongyi Marquis’s estate has been our old friend. We should help if we can. But the case will soon go to the Three Judicial Offices for trial. If it’s for future support, that’s fine, but if you plan to bribe officials, I’m afraid…”
Jiang Xuening assured him, “I know what I’m doing. I won’t act recklessly.”
Although she said this, Jiang Boyou felt she had become more decisive and shrewd lately.
He suspected she had seen through the situation with Zhaoyi Wen in the plum garden but chose not to get involved or seek attention.
Still, he worried about the court’s affairs.
He couldn’t help but remind her to be careful with such a large sum of money.
Jiang Xuening agreed, knowing his advice was sound.
The Yongyi Marquis’s case, overseen by the emperor, wouldn’t be easy to influence.
A single mistake could cost lives.
But the court was never unbending; there were always gaps to exploit.
For information, no one was more informed than Zheng Bao, but she was outside the palace, making communication difficult.
Outside the palace, there was only Zhou Yinzhi.
After receiving the money from Jiang Boyou, Jiang Xuening added 3,000 taels from the sale of the zither, totaling 33,000 taels. The next day, she sought out Zhou Yinzhi to inquire about the Yongyi Marquis’s case.
Zhou Yin, now a Jinyiwei commander, could only smile wryly, “The case is with the Three Judicial Offices. The Jinyiwei only have the authority to interrogate prisoners with the Ministry of Justice. My rank is too low to influence the case. Besides, the new Minister of Justice, Gu Chunfang, has been suppressing the Jinyiwei’s power. We have little chance to intervene.”
The Three Judicial Offices comprised the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate.
The Jinyiwei had no role in this.
Any attempt by the Jinyiwei to intervene would be met with resistance from the Three Judicial Offices.
Jiang Xuening said, “The Yongyi Marquis’s estate is vast, and the confiscated items are numerous. The evidence is likely still being sorted. While you can’t intervene, keep an eye on any unusual activity among the officials entering the prison.”
If she remembered correctly, the case was peculiar.
Initially, letters between the marquis’s estate and the rebel Prince of Pingnan were found, related to the long-dead heir. But after half a month, another letter surfaced, written by Yan Mu to the Heavenly Sect, discussing secretly supporting the sect and integrating its members into the army.
This letter was damning evidence.
Half the estate was executed, and the rest exiled, with few officials daring to speak for them.
Why did this letter appear after half a month?
Why was a letter from Yan Mu to the Heavenly Sect found in the estate?
Confiscations were swift but thorough.
This letter should have been presented to the emperor immediately.
Jiang Xuening didn’t know what had happened, but if there was an opportunity and she missed it, she would regret it.
So she instructed Zhou Yin.
Zhou Yin didn’t understand her reasoning but recalled her sharp insight before. He felt a deep sense of her growing complexity.
This second young lady was becoming increasingly formidable.
Not knowing her backers, Zhou Yinzhi dared not be negligent.
Back at the Jinyiwei office, he frequently patrolled the prison.
He often encountered officials from the Ministry of Justice.
Like Gu Chunfang and his trusted subordinate, Zhang Zhe.
The Three Judicial Offices disliked the Jinyiwei but had no reason to expel him, assuming they were trying to meddle.
Zhou Yinzhi didn’t mind.
Soon, he noticed a suspicious person: a minor official from the Ministry of Justice, frequently observing the prisoners as if plotting something.
After two days of observation, Zhou Yinzhi was convinced.
On the third day, he cornered the man in an alley, pressing a knife to his throat.
Under threat, the man revealed a significant secret!
Zhou Yinzhi detained him and visited Jiang Xuening that night, “I caught a man, a Heavenly Sect spy in the government. He had orders from ‘Master Gongyi’ to present a letter to the Ministry of Justice, which would ruin the marquis’s estate. But ‘Master Gongyi’ has gone silent, and the spy, fearing something happened to him, planned to use the letter to extort the estate. I caught him in the act.”
Jiang Xuening was shocked! The Heavenly Sect was involved in the case, with the infamous ‘Master Gongyi’ implicated!
But…
How had such an important person disappeared?
Her eyes narrowed, and she asked, “Do you have the letter?”
If they could get the letter, it would be a huge breakthrough!
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