Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 330 Which family has such ability?
After the person sent to the Yan family brought back Yan Liang's words, Jin Yun's heart was somewhat at ease.

Upon hearing this, Jin was dejected for another night.

The Yan and Jin families, as well as the Embroidered Uniform Guard, were not spared any peace that night.

The subordinates sent over the mission gathered information about the Jin family's situation over the past day and night before dawn and brought it to He Ping.

"...In short, although Jin was sent back to the mansion, the Yan family has not made any further plans so far. Even after Jin Ziyao returned to the mansion, Lord Yan has not reprimanded him again."

His subordinate gave a long and detailed account, which He Ping listened to quietly without interrupting. However, by the end, his brows furrowed into a knot.

After a long while, he waved his hand and said, "I understand."

His subordinate bowed and withdrew. He finished the tea on the table, which had long since gone cold, and then stood up, gripping his riding whip.

Jin Yun and his wife dismissed Jin Shi, who was about to return to the Yan family: "When you get there, be sure to pay your respects to your mother-in-law. Whether you see her or not, you must keep a low profile. As long as the letter of divorce hasn't been issued, anything is possible."

But having been the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yan family for many years, Madam Jin was worldly-wise and naturally knew these things. However, given Madam Yan's resolute attitude yesterday, the hope was truly slim.

Her current predicament cannot be salvaged by simply pleasing her in-laws, and Yan Liang's cold dismissal of her yesterday proves that eight years of marriage are no match for her.

However, it was Yan Liang's intervention that prevented Madam Yan from divorcing her on the spot. If there is any hope left, it can only be Yan Liang.

Yan Liang was taught by his grandparents from a young age that he believed in the mutual benefit of husband and wife. Over the years, he has trusted and relied on her. For example, when she asked Yan Liang to find Yan Qu last time, Yan Liang obeyed unconditionally.

So instead of putting too much effort into winning over her in-laws, she should focus her attention on Yan Liang, whose mind is at least as clear-headed as Madam Yan's.

Therefore, he was impatient to listen to these things and silently agreed to them one by one.

As the three men stepped out of the front yard, the gatekeeper jogged up to them: "Commander He of the Embroidered Uniform Guard requests an audience with you, sir!"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard?!"

The family of three stood frozen at the threshold.

Everyone knows that the Embroidered Uniform Guard only obeys the emperor's orders, and anything that comes their way is never good. Jin looked at her parents: "Why did He Ping suddenly come?"

The couple exchanged a glance and then dismissed her, saying, "Go by yourself, we'll go greet the guests." With that, they left her behind and hurried to the gate.

Seeing this, Madam Jin couldn't help but follow.

"Lord Jin."

He Ping bowed to Jin Yun in the front yard.

Seeing that there was no guards following him as usual, Jin Yun quickly returned the greeting: "A rare guest indeed!"

He Ping smiled and said, "I have a few questions for Lord Jin. May we find a quiet place?"

Upon hearing this, Jin Yun felt even more uneasy. He quickly lifted his robe and led the way, saying, "My study is quite quiet, please come in, sir."

The study was located on one side of the small garden, and it was indeed quiet. After entering the room and waiting for the tea to be served, Jin Yun dismissed everyone, glanced at He Ping who was standing with his hands behind his back, looking at the four walls, and then followed him: "My lord is busy with many affairs of state. Today, I wonder if there is anything I can do to help you?"

He Ping turned around and sat down in the chair: "Lord Jin, how is the canal transport going?"

Jin Yun carefully considered his words: "I am not in a high-ranking position, but I am responsible for daily affairs, which is manageable."

He Ping stroked his short beard: "No wonder. If one is busy with official duties, one certainly will not have time to study calligraphy, painting, and antiques." He picked up his teacup, examined the cup in his hand, and then raised an eyebrow and took a sip. Jin Yun's heart skipped a beat: "You flatter me, sir. Most of these are fakes. They are just for show, a pretense of elegance."

He Ping nodded, put down his cup, and pointed to the side: "Lord Jin, please sit down and speak."

Jin Yun sat down with a deep breath.

He Ping continued, "I just went to Shuntian Prefecture and heard that you have been in some trouble recently, so I took some of the lawsuits against you."

"It seems that you have offended quite a few people during your years in office."

He paused to look at the other person, then said, "However, you've always managed to turn big problems into small ones, which shows that you're quite lucky. Your father, Senior Jin, wasn't so lucky back then."

Hearing the end, Jin Yun's heart skipped a beat again.

He Ping's gaze was deep: "Your father failed in his duty when he was escorting military funds. After being imprisoned by Grand Commandant Shen, he committed suicide in prison less than three days later. According to the military doctor's autopsy, he took poison."

"That's impossible!" Jin Yun categorically denied. "My father was clearly severely injured and then tortured to death by Grand Commandant Shen! This is the Shen family trying to evade responsibility for my father's death by excessive torture and to distort the facts!"

He Ping looked at him and picked up his cup again: "Military pay is used to maintain the stability of the country and society. Embezzling even a tael is a serious crime. If 300,000 taels falls into the Jin family, it would be enough to make your entire family die for three generations."

Jin Yun stood up, supporting himself on the table: "This case was settled long ago, and the Jin family has received all the punishments they deserved. Although my father was at fault, he also lost a son and his own life. The Emperor has already forgiven him and allowed me to remain in the officialdom. I wonder why you are bringing this up again, sir?"
"If you do not believe me, you can verify it yourself. I believe that with the capabilities of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, a fair judgment will surely be reached."

He Ping lowered his eyebrows, took two sips of tea, then put down the cup and started walking around the room with his hands behind his back.

Jin Yun dared not leave him for a moment, but in the end, He Ping stopped and smiled at him: "Then I'll take my leave."

……

He Ping left the Jin family's gate, rode his horse alone to the alley entrance, and summoned several imperial guards with a whistle: "Go to the yamen and summon the coroner to his post. Follow me immediately to the Jin family cemetery outside the west city!"

Only eight years have passed. Whether Jin Huai died by poisoning or not, we will know the answer once his remains are examined.

If it was indeed poisoning, who gave it to him?
Given the gravity of the crime, would Grand Commandant Shen dare to let anyone approach him so easily?

If outsiders have no opportunity to approach him to deliver the medicine, then it can only be medicine that has been prepared in advance.

In that case, why would a grain transport officer need to prepare medicine in advance under normal circumstances?
Unless, of course, he knew that such an accident was about to happen.

……

With a pounding heart, Jin Yun returned to his study and looked up to see Jin Shi emerging from behind the flower bushes.

"What did He Ping mean by what he just said?" She frowned. "He mentioned the 300,000 taels of military pay and that my grandfather died by poisoning. Could it be that my grandfather really embezzled that batch of military pay?"

"What nonsense!"

Jin Yun blurted out angrily, then looked around warily before striding into the room.

Jin followed him inside, then turned and closed the door: "He Ping has already come to our door, and Father still wants to hide it? Grandfather certainly doesn't have that much courage or ability!"
"After the incident, the imperial court must have thoroughly investigated the Jin family. This batch of silver is definitely not with the Jin family. Where did it go?"

Pressed relentlessly, Jin Yun had nowhere to evade the question, so he could only grit his teeth and turn around: "Since you know the Jin family doesn't have that kind of ability, then which family do you think does?!"

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