bookcurios Chapter 225: Never Marry [Chapter 2 Merged]
Chapter 225: Never Marry [Chapter 2 Merged]
The assassination of the princess was not a big deal, but it was not a small deal either. The princess was a small matter, while the assassination in the capital was a big deal.
The emperor punished many people for this, and the people in the three yamen were terrified. From the time of the incident to now, there has been no conclusion, but many officials have been fired.
The achievements of these people were earned bit by bit. Once they were thrown out of the Three Yamen, it was like they had been busy for half their lives and finally started from scratch.
But there is nothing to feel sorry for. We can only say that it is all their own fault. However, those who were implicated are really too unlucky.
Zhou Qinghe was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's prison, where he had a strong sense of presence and had to watch the Ministry of Justice try the prisoners in this case every day.
After the eldest lady and the old lady went to the harem, the former dynasty began to become vaguely chaotic. Some people took advantage of the situation, some attacked directly, and some people took advantage of Zhou Qinghe's attempt to challenge the third prince to suggest that the third prince might be a suspect in this case.
The emperor looked at the man's memorial carefully. Oh, it's from the Censorate, so there's nothing to worry about.
The Censorate can accuse someone without providing evidence. This has been the ancestral rule for many years. If he were to show it to others now, this censor would definitely go down in history...
It makes people feel like they have shit on their hands but can't wash it off.
The emperor drank the tea served by Erqing, accompanied by Qian Jiangping. His gloomy eyes fell on the memorials, and the teacup rotated slowly in his palm.
"When did the third brother marry his wife?"
Qian Jiangping immediately replied: "Your Majesty, the Third Prince's wife married into the family in the second year of Tianbao."
When the emperor had nothing to do, he liked to change the reign title. In the second year of Tianbao...
The emperor always felt that all the bad luck seemed to have started in the second year of Tianbao.
Ever since the Third Prince married the Third Prince's wife, this man has been causing all kinds of jokes, even targeting Zhao Fangyu for no apparent reason, leading to such a big scandal in the Zongzheng Temple.
As the third prince's legal wife, she was jealous and sensitive, and failed to advise the third prince properly, which led to him doing such a ridiculous thing as visiting a prostitute in Longxi!
The more the emperor thought about it, the more he felt that Yang Xiaofei was unlucky, and he even looked at Prime Minister Yang with some displeasure during the morning court the next day.
Although the old fox Yang Gushan didn't know how he had caught the emperor's attention, he silently lowered his head again.
·
Zhao Fangyu was assassinated in the middle of the night. He did not wake up until the eldest lady and others came out of the palace and it was getting dark.
At that time, Chunshao was lighting a lamp beside her bed. When she saw her open her eyes, she quickly called the imperial physician.
"The reason why the princess was unconscious before was because of the high fever. Now that the fever has subsided, she is fine."
"The wound on the forehead is not easy to touch. If your majesty has felt dizzy or retched recently, it is not a problem. After all, the wound is on the head, and this place is precious. But it will be fine after resting."
"Don't eat hairy food, and there are some taboos. I have written them down on paper and can send them to the kitchen."
Zhao Fangyu lay in the brocade quilt and groaned weakly. When Chunshao sent the imperial physician away and served porridge to people, Chunshao told him everything that had happened that day.
"The prince went to the Third Prince's Mansion and made a scene. The Third Prince's Mansion summoned the imperial physician immediately. The eldest lady also got the news and went to the palace with the old lady at home to seek justice for her master."
Zhao Fangyu was not surprised that the eldest lady was running around for her. After all, the eldest lady was willing to tell her such a life-threatening thing, which showed that she really liked her. But what Zhao Fangyu did not expect was that the old lady, at such an old age, would actually enter the palace for her.
"The old lady is there too?"
Chun Shao nodded: "The eldest lady helped the old lady into the palace."
Zhao Fangyu had just woken up, her brain was a little slow, and the wound on her forehead was still painful. When Chunshao moved, she suddenly felt nauseous.
Zhao Fangyu lay down and relaxed for a while, then asked someone to open the windows wider. The wind outside brought in the fragrance of osmanthus, and Zhao Fangyu felt better.
"Pack up the prince's clothes, prepare some of his favorite dishes, and ask someone to send them to him."
Zhao Fangyu didn't expect Zhou Qinghe to rush to the Third Prince's house and get beaten up for her, but he was now imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, so it shouldn't be a big problem. He was one of the victims, and even if the emperor didn't like him, he would at most suffer some physical pain.
Chun Shao nodded, and Zhao Fangyu asked again: "How are you guys? How is the wound on Su Re's face? Will it leave a scar?"
At this point, Chunshao couldn't help but lower her head: "Diecui injured her arm and is still recovering. Suer can move...but the wound is too deep, leaving a scar is inevitable."
Zhao Fangyu felt guilty and said to Chunshao, "When she wakes up, ask her to come to me, and Diecui too. The three of you should come together."
After hearing this, Chun Shao knew that Zhao Fangyu was going to reward them. She nodded and followed Zhao Fangyu's instructions to pack things for Zhou Qinghe.
Xuanbi was also recovering from his injuries, but his way of recovery was different from others. He clamped two templates on his arms, hung one hand around his neck, and looked longingly at the garden wall.
Xuanbi was the prince's attendant. He had always arranged the prince's food, clothing, housing and transportation. When he heard that Zhao Fangyu was going to send something to Zhou Qinghe, he was the first to rush out to pack it for Zhou Qinghe, including a strange cloak that was as thick as a quilt, a change of clothes, and even two pairs of underwear...
After packing up a huge package, Xuanbi excitedly went to the prison of the Ministry of Justice, and Zhao Fangyu also waited for the three maids.
The maidservants around her always ate well and dressed well. Even the clothes they wore were made of bright silk, and the hairpins they wore on their heads were mostly made of pure gold, with very few made of silver.
Suer usually works in the kitchen, so she dresses more simply. This time, she was injured the most seriously, and half of her face was wrapped in cloth.
Zhao Fangyu glanced at the maids and asked them to bring the box on his jewelry table.
"This incident happened suddenly, and I have implicated you all. Some of you are injured, and some are disabled."
"As long as you still want to stay in the mansion, you can continue to be my maidservants. If you want to go home, I will not let you go back empty-handed."
"This is a shop in Jiangnan. From now on, the profits from this shop will be given to you. Chun Shao Diecui will take 30%, and Su Re will take an additional 10% if he is seriously injured."
What Zhao Fangyu said meant that he would support them for the rest of their lives and give them dividends every month after they returned home. Jiangnan was a prosperous country and Zhao Fangyu's shop made money. Even if it was only 30%, it would still be an income.
What's more, if there is money every month, how much extra money can be saved in a year?
Zhao Fangyu suddenly knocked his head and felt like his brain had turned into a paste.
"You can still get the share of the shop if you stay in the mansion. When you get married, you will also get your dowry. If you want to go home, I will give you two hundred taels of silver each as a settlement fund."
Su Re kowtowed the fastest: "Princess, I will never marry and will serve you for the rest of my life!"
···
Zhao Fangyu settled a few maids, and the three people around him did not leave. The three of them were recuperating from their injuries. Zhao Fangyu asked someone to go to the farm to call Xiangyao to take care of the affairs in the yard.
The three maids are familiar with Xiangyao, so naturally nothing will go wrong. He wants to take over the position of manager of the main courtyard quickly so that the three maids can rest and recuperate.
Zhou Qinghe had been imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice. As soon as Zhao Fangyu recovered from his injury, he sent someone to deliver a letter.
"Tell the people of Nanzhao to get a few more incense machines. Once the Yang family's goods are delivered, we will immediately arrange a large number of caravans to enter Daliang to sell incense."
Yang Xiaofei was greedy and wanted to order new perfumed dew as soon as she got some of her money back. Now that the Third Prince was unemployed at home and had no filial piety to pay, she had to cut the money from her original capital.
If money only goes out but never comes in, the capital will not grow on its own and will naturally become thinner and thinner.
The Yang family wanted to hoard a large amount of fragrant dew and make a fortune, but it also depended on whether Zhao Fangyu agreed.
There are many varieties of scented lotions in Nanshao, with different prices and packaging.
People in the capital would naturally see it as a rare commodity, but if this perfumed dew was everywhere, how could the Yang family sell its expensive perfume?
If the Yang family wants to recoup their investment, they can only cut their own flesh. If they don’t, Zhao Fangyu can still fight with them.
The Fourteen States are ready for transformation, and the Yang family's blind copying of the Fourteen States is doomed to fail in the long run.
After Zhao Fangyu recovered from his injury, he asked someone to move all the gatehouse posts over in his spare time, and sorted out the spices and medicines one by one.
"Princess, the Fourth Prince has also sent a letter."
"Besides that, there is also Princess Hualuan."
Zhao Fangyu picked up the two letters and took a look. The one from the Fourth Prince was just a daily inquiry, sending some supplements. The one from Princess Hua Luan was more considerate, saying that she was shocked to hear the news, and was very worried about Zhao Fangyu being bedridden, so she wanted to come and visit him.
Zhao Fangyu had a good relationship with Princess Hualuan, so Zhao Fangyu put this letter aside and picked up the next one, which was Zhao Fangjin's letter.
This invitation was delivered a few days ago. Although Zhao Fangjin is her sister, there are soldiers sent by the emperor standing at the door, not allowing ordinary people to enter or leave.
Princess Hua Luan is a member of the royal family, so she can naturally come in and out, but it is not easy for Zhao Fangjin to come in.
Zhao Fangyu asked for paper and pen to write a letter to Zhao Fangjin. In the letter, she specifically reminded Zhao Fangjin that her family was the most important thing and that she had basically recovered from her illness and just needed to rest.
Letters had to be checked by the soldiers outside the gate before they could be sent to other places. Zhao Fangyu found it troublesome, so he only sent letters to the Song and Zhao families.
The days of recuperation were not too difficult. Zhao Fangyu waited for Princess Hua Luan while he was recuperating.
At that time, Zhao Fangyu was sitting in the yard resting.
The wind blew away the remaining books, and Zhao Fangyu smiled and teased the cat slave standing on the small stone table.
The fingertips, which were as white as snow, were slightly pink. Her black hair was loosely tied up, and her wisteria-like long gait swayed gently, making her look even more charming.
After she fell ill, Zhao Fangyu no longer liked to wear those gold and jade jewelry, as she always felt pain on her scalp. Recently, she began to like these light things with silk and velvet flowers.
Princess Hua Luan followed Chun Shao slowly all the way, passed through the exquisite corridors, and finally met Zhao Fangyu in a courtyard beside a lotus pond.
This courtyard is specially designed for viewing the scenery. There are many flower windows outside the wall. Zhao Fangyu noticed Princess Hua Luan's gaze and looked up. A gust of wind blew up the petals of the hibiscus beside her, which happened to fall on her cat slave.
The raccoon was so frightened that he shuddered and jumped into Zhao Fangyu's arms.
Seeing that Zhao Fangyu was doing well, Hua Luan felt a little relieved.
Zhao Fangyu's personality was quite to her liking. Princess Hua Luan knew that Zhao Fangyu was a scheming person, but she couldn't help but indulge her again and again when Zhao Fangyu acted coquettishly.
Who doesn’t like a cute little girl standing next to you, holding your hand and calling you auntie?
Zhao Fangyu is sweet-talking and never does anything to make things difficult for others. For such a pleasing and sensible child, it doesn't matter if he is a little cunning, it's just a means of self-protection.
If he really didn't have any tricks at all, Hua Luan would still despise this person for being so stupid that he couldn't even understand what she was saying.
Hua Luan sat beside Zhao Fangyu, watching Zhao Fangyu caressing the raccoon in his arms. She thought he was sad, so she tried to persuade him, "You and He'er are still young. How old are you? You will have children eventually."
Zhao Fangyu paused after touching Li Nu's hand, and then realized that Princess Hua Luan had misunderstood. He did not explain, but only said to her: "I will listen to my aunt."
Princess Hua Luan smiled sincerely, and as she held the hands of the maids who were also recovering from their injuries, her face couldn't help but darken.
"You've really been in big trouble this time."
Zhao Fangyu also felt that she had suffered a great punishment. If it weren't for Chunshao and the others, she might have been the one with a broken forearm and a scar on her face.
"I was so scared at the time. Luckily, they held me inside. Otherwise, I don't know how badly I would have been injured."
The two chatted for a while and then gradually got to the point.
The eldest princess didn't come to gossip with Zhao Fangyu: "Has He'er sent you any news? When will he come back? You are so injured now, will he really not come back to see you?"
Zhao Fangyu's eyes flashed, and a bitter smile appeared at the corner of his lips: "Aunt knows the prince's temper better than I do. If he makes a decision, nine horses can't pull him back."
"Don't even mention it. I didn't even bring back a word of it."
The message was brought back, but Zhao Fangyu didn't need to tell Princess Hualuan. Princess Hualuan was secretly shocked that Zhao Fangyu and Zhou Qinghe seemed to be in love, but they were so indifferent in private.
However, there will be a dispute between the second and third sons eventually, and it is the best choice for the second son to take advantage of the situation.
Zhao Fangyu held the raccoon in his arms, thinking, "It's a pity that my birthday is almost here. I wonder if the prince will be able to come back by then."
Zhou Qinghe is also a disgusting person in the Ministry of Justice jail. He cannot investigate any case because everything is handled by the emperor's people. He just keeps an eye on those people to make sure they don't play tricks.
In prison, no matter how many things are given to you, how can it compare to the comfort of home?
Zhao Fangyu also wanted Zhou Qinghe to come back earlier. With the caning in court and the prison, how could he be as calm as he appeared to be?
But Zhou Qinghe certainly couldn't figure it out on his own, so Zhao Fangyu accepted Princess Hua Luan's invitation at such a critical time.
Zhou Qinghe was a hot potato. He didn't want to live in the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Justice didn't want to keep him. It must be that the wife of the official in the Ministry of Justice begged Princess Hualuan, so the princess came to test her attitude.
Zhao Fangyu naturally passed the words to the eldest princess, who smiled faintly: "Your prince knows how to care for others the most, and he will definitely come back to accompany you."
A smart person can understand the elegant meaning of a sentence by just hearing it. When Zhao Fangyu mentioned it, the princess found a ready-made excuse.
Regardless of whether the couple had a harmonious relationship or not, the Ministry of Justice had enough reasons to send them away.
"I just got a bottle of fragrant dew from Nanzhao. Auntie, please smell it. It smells familiar."