Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 722 Back to the starting point
Seeing that Jiang Zhenru looked unwell, Madam Wu immediately asked, "What's wrong?"

Jiang Zhenru shook her head and instead looked at the two jars on the table. Wu Niangzi understood and said, "These are side dishes that Father asked me to bring."

After becoming the Princess of Qin, some foods were not convenient to be served, so the household never prepared them, and only her family would think of her.

"Is everything alright at home?" Jiang Zhenru asked Wu Niangzi.

Madam Wu nodded: "Two months ago, Father fell ill, but he has now fully recovered."

Jiang Zhenru immediately frowned: "Why haven't I heard you mention this before?"

Madam Wu said, "Father doesn't allow it, not wanting the Princess to worry. The Princess is pregnant and still has to manage the Prince's residence; it's already very hard for her."

Jiang Zhenru was well aware of her family's thoughts. Not only was her father sick, but her family always reported good news and never bad news.

Jiang Zhenru immediately felt a pang of guilt. Since her marriage, she had always been involved with her own family and had never brought them any benefits.

Jiang Zhenru asked her nephew with concern, "Ye-ge must be quite tall by now, right?"

Madam Wu gestured with her hand: "He's about the same height as me now, and he looks more and more like your older brother. Father teaches him to read every day, so you can rest assured about things at home."

Jiang Zhenru couldn't rest easy: "Father is getting old, and he's still working hard all day long. I'm worried..."

“It’s alright,” Madam Wu tightened her grip on Jiang Zhenru’s hand, her gaze deepening slightly. “Father said that as long as you’re well… We can’t come to the capital often these days, so you have to take good care of yourself.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhenru felt the fire in her heart burn even brighter, and she couldn't help but say, "In the end, they are still afraid of our Jiang family. But we have already fallen to such a state, is that not enough? Back then, my great-grandfather fought alongside the Taizu Emperor, and our Jiang family made great contributions to the founding of the dynasty. After the Taizu Emperor ascended the throne, I'm afraid that military power would fall into other hands, and our family would also relinquish power. But even so, there are still doubts."

"If they truly doubted us, why did they force me to marry into the royal family? Could it be that they wanted to use this opportunity to completely control the Jiang family?"

Wu Niangzi was startled and almost covered Jiang Zhenru's mouth.

Jiang Zhenru said, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. I've had people guarding the courtyard, so no one will come near. We can talk without worry." She was right. If the prince's rebellion had been confirmed back then, the Jiang family would have been implicated. Perhaps this was all arranged by the officials long ago.

"Let's not talk about these things," said Madam Wu. "It's better this way now, at least your family won't drag you down."

"What do you mean by implicating me?" Jiang Zhenru said. "How can I possibly remain unscathed? If that's the case, how will I face my elder brother in the future?"

Madam Wu fell silent.

Jiang Zhenru's eyes flickered: "Furthermore, the matter from back then should be settled. The debts that the founding emperor owed to several families should be repaid. If the prince successfully inherits the throne, everyone can rest assured."

"Now, whoever stands in our way, we must find a way to eliminate them. The Prince's Mansion can no longer withstand any more turmoil."

After being sent back once, and finally managing to make a comeback, can you expect to do it a second time?

This time, Madam Wu didn't refute, but nodded: "So, just now, the reason you invited those women to the banquet was..."

Jiang Zhenru placed her hand on her high, protruding belly. The baby inside her had just kicked her. Being so far along in her pregnancy, the sudden movement made her very uncomfortable.

Jiang Zhenru said, "Spread some news so that people think the Prince's Mansion is angry that the Wang family father and son are too ostentatious. In this way, someone will suppress their arrogance."

They still knew how to read the Prince's expression and act accordingly.

"Isn't this a bit too direct?" Madam Wu said with some concern. "If Master Wang finds out, it will cause trouble for the Wang family. We should leave this matter to him to figure out a solution."

Jiang Zhenru's gaze was deep: "I can't just stand by and do nothing. No matter what, I can't sit idly by and watch the Wang family become powerful. The prince's eldest son is very close to Wang Yan. In order to please Wang Yan, he even gave up the marriage he had chosen. If such a person gets the opportunity, where will my child have a place to live?" She not only had to support the prince to ascend the throne, but also had to pave the way for her children. The two children were still young, so the only way was to bind the prince firmly to the Jiang family.

In other words, the Jiang family cannot be allowed to fall into trouble, otherwise her child will have no way out. "Furthermore, the Wang family is pressing us relentlessly, and we absolutely cannot let them continue like this."

Wu Niangzi looked at Jiang Zhenru and said, "I hope everything will go smoothly after this matter is over."

Jiang Zhenru looked confident: "Don't worry, I have my own plans." She didn't want to get involved, since Wang Yan and Xie Yuyan had caused too much trouble.

From Bianjing to Fujian, their people were everywhere.

As the two were talking, the steward came in and reported, "We have received news from the yamen that the Xie clan has brought a lawyer to the yamen to file a lawsuit."

Jiang Zhenru frowned slightly: "A member of the Xie clan?"

The steward nodded: "Clan Chief Xie went with several men."

Jiang Zhenru then asked, "How were their lawsuits written?"

The steward immediately relayed the news circulating within the Xie clan: "To seek justice for Xie Yisong and his wife, we request the court to investigate the cause of death of Old Madam Xie and the stewards and servants of the estate."

At this point, the steward paused and immediately added, "There are also suspicious points surrounding the sudden passing of Prime Minister Xie. The Xie clan has also requested the court to review the case files again."

Jiang Zhenru said, "Xie Yuyan is using the Wang family to coerce the Xie clan to stand on her side. Once all the clansmen related to Xie Yizhi are arrested, the rest will naturally not dare to oppose her. Perhaps she will soon be able to control the Xie clan."

This gave Xie Yuyan even more confidence.

Jiang Zhenru's gaze darkened as she pondered how to deal with the situation and whether there was a way to sabotage it. Then, she glanced at Wu Niangzi and saw her nod slightly, clearly indicating that she had made some arrangements.

Jiang Zhenru was immediately overjoyed.
Jiang Zhenru said, "Then let's see what the final result will be."

……

Dali Temple.

Xu Huaiyi has been reinstated to his original position as Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. This is not only because he has made contributions in several cases, but also because he had questioned Xie Yizhi before and had repeatedly requested a re-examination of Xie Yizhi's body.

Now that Xie Yizhi is in jail, those who questioned Xu Huaiyi have changed their tune and are now admiring him, saying that he is meticulous and cautious in his investigations.

Actually, she was afraid of being implicated by Xie Yizhi and bearing the blame.

Looking at the complaint in his hand, Xu Huaiyi suddenly felt a sense of disorientation, as if he had returned to the starting point.

He submitted an official document requesting a reinvestigation into the cause of Xie Lao Xiang Gong's death. After numerous twists and turns, the court finally granted his request.

Xu Huaiyi took a deep breath, straightened his official robes, and looked at the Xie clan members.

“Since you have submitted a complaint, you must cooperate with the court in investigating the case,” Xu Huaiyi said, straightening his back. “You must also choose a day to open the coffin and re-examine the body.”

Old Master Xie's face turned solemn. Previously, under Xie Yizhi's instigation, the Xie family had come to the yamen to obstruct Xu Huaiyi. They also accused Xu Huaiyi of repeatedly disrespecting the old minister Xie in order to gain fame, which was a disrespect to a minister and a disgrace to the country. As a result, Xu Huaiyi was demoted.

At that time, they never imagined that one day they would voluntarily request Xu Huaiyi to reinvestigate the case...

Old Master Xie sighed in his heart. Xie Yizhi had already fallen, and the Xie family was no longer what it used to be. Even if they fought to the end, they couldn't stop them.

Thinking of this, Old Master Xie's back slumped down slowly. He bent down and bowed to Xu Huaiyi, saying, "I will follow the arrangements of Magistrate Xu."

(End of this chapter)