Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 85 The Emperor's Methods
Chen Qing seemed to be deep in thought.

He has done all he could so far. In general, even if the court investigates, as long as he enforces the law impartially, he should not be implicated.

However, upholding the law impartially in this era is not necessarily so simple.

For example, that judge surnamed Yang.

Because it was in a government office and they weren't very familiar with each other, Chen Qing momentarily forgot about social etiquette and didn't slip them any money.

If Magistrate Yang goes back on his word, this matter could still implicate him, and even the Gu family.

If it only involves himself, at most he'll get a beating, squat for a while, and maybe he'll also get a good tug on his cheap old man's pants leg, pulling him down from his climbing path.

However, this thing belongs to Gu Jiayin and was lost from the Gu family. If it is not handled properly, Master Gu will not only be unable to rescue his sworn brother's family, but he himself will also be in trouble!

Thinking of this, Chen Qing pulled the chubby boy to his seat and said with a smile, "Brother Shen accompanied me today. Even if the Jingzhao Prefecture does nothing, they can't just pretend this never happened."

"Let's have some drinks first."

At this point, Chen Qingcai looked at Prince Jiang, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "When you have an audience with His Majesty tomorrow, please bring it up if it is convenient. If it is not convenient, there is no need to force yourself."

The chubby boy patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, there's nothing inconvenient about it."

"After all, we're family."

Prince Jiang said with a smile, "Even if I said something wrong, it won't be enough to get me beheaded. At most, I'll just have to go back to my hometown in Bianzhou and reflect on my mistakes. Anyway, I'll be going back to my hometown after spring."

At this point, he looked at Chen Qing, sighed, and said, "To be honest, we two get along quite well."

He patted Chen Qing on the shoulder and said, "If you ever can't make it in the capital, come to Bianzhou to find me. My family has some influence in Bianzhou. I can guarantee you a comfortable life."

“Even if your father came to our door, he wouldn’t dare to raise his voice at my family in Bianzhou.”

Chen Qing smiled and nodded, saying, "If I ever have nowhere to go, I will definitely go to Bianzhou to bother the young master."

"Ah."

The chubby boy nodded and sighed, "If I inherit the title in the future, it will be very difficult for me to leave Bianzhou for the rest of my life. It will be no different from being in prison."

The Jiang Qi vassal king in this world is in a much better situation than the Zhu Ming vassal king. At least within his own vassal state, he still has considerable influence. However, like the Zhu Ming, he cannot easily leave his vassal state.

Although Bianzhou was not small, it was not too big either. For these princes who had no worries about food and clothing, it was indeed like a cage.

Chen Qing poured him a cup of wine and comforted him, saying, "This is common among nobles; Your Highness need not worry too much."

Upon hearing this, Commander Shen coughed violently several times, almost spitting out the wine in his mouth.

Although Chen Qing didn't say it explicitly, his words clearly implied that this was the case for all members of the royal family, which naturally included His Majesty the Emperor!
In reality, the scope of the emperor's imprisonment was even smaller. Once he ascended the throne, he was not even allowed to easily leave the palace, let alone the capital.

Upon hearing this, the chubby boy beamed with joy, clinked his wine glass with Chen Qing's, and said with a smile, "You scholars really know how to talk! Come on, let's drink!"

Chen Qing also raised his wine cup, looked at Commander Shen beside him, and said with a smile, "Come, Brother Shen, let's drink until we drop today!"

Although Shen Qianhu was uneasy, he still raised his wine cup and clinked it with the two men.

"Get drunk and then you'll rest!"

…………

The following day, in the afternoon.

Dressed in a purple python robe, Prince Jiang, guided by palace eunuchs, entered the imperial palace compound. He walked for a long time within the compound, until he was panting heavily, before finally arriving at his destination.

The eunuch who led him to a room to rest then bowed respectfully and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has asked you to wait here in Hongde Hall. His Majesty is currently meeting with ministers and will be there shortly."

The chubby boy waved his hand: "Okay, I understand. You can go do your thing."

The eunuch, who was in his thirties, bowed respectfully to Prince Jiang and said, "This servant takes his leave."

The eunuchs of the Great Qi Dynasty wielded considerable power. Although there was no official department like the Directorate of Ceremonial, the inner court did have a "secretariat" composed of eunuchs who advised the emperor and even assisted him in handling some political affairs. This was already the rudimentary form of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

In other words, the only thing separating the eunuchs of the inner court from the true Directorate of Ceremonial in another world was an emperor who neglected his duties.

These eunuchs were often sent out of the palace by the emperor to monitor various regions, holding high positions and great power.

However, no matter how powerful these eunuchs were, and no matter how high and mighty they were in front of the officials, they still had to be respectful and courteous in front of Prince Jiang.

Because they were servants, while the chubby boy was a member of the Jiang family.

Prince Jiang was bored in the Hongde Hall and had been waiting for a long time. Just when he was about to doze off, a young man wearing a round-necked imperial robe, who was slightly plump or rather, had a slightly noble air, finally walked into the Hongde Hall with his hands behind his back.

This young man looked to be in his early twenties. He had a beard, but he wasn't thin at all. Instead, he had a rather burly and robust appearance. He was wearing an imperial robe, which gave him a rather dignified air.

After all, skinny people usually can't fill out this kind of clothing, and it doesn't give them much of an air of authority.

He was half a head taller than the chubby boy, and the two looked about five or six points alike, so he could be called the "big fat boy".

As soon as he entered Hongde Hall, Prince Jiang immediately stood up and was about to kowtow to him.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty!"

The Qi dynasty was a Han Chinese dynasty, so there was no need for kneeling or bowing. Even when court officials met with the emperor, they often simply cupped their hands in greeting.

The two were cousins, so they wouldn't normally need to kneel and bow. However, since they hadn't seen each other for many years and might not see each other again, the chubby boy still performed the full ceremony.

His Majesty the Emperor helped him up, smiling as he said, "We're family, why are you kowtowing?"

"Sit down, sit down and talk."

After saying that, he sat down in the main seat, glanced at the chubby boy who was still standing, and asked, "Is Uncle in good health?"

The chubby boy nodded quickly and said with a smile, "My father is doing very well. When my brother was in Bianzhou, he chased after me every day and ran very fast."

Upon hearing this, the emperor chuckled.

"You little rascal, you're still as naughty as ever."

He paused for a moment, then continued, “Last year, after my brother was enfeoffed and left the capital, there were no close family members left in the city. You are one of them. I should have seen you sooner, but I have been tied up with state affairs these past few days and haven’t had the time.”

"I finally had some free time today."

The emperor rubbed his temples and then continued, "Don't leave for a while. Stay in the palace and let's have a meal together as brothers."

The chubby boy bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I wish to visit my grandmother in a little while. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request."

The Emperor nodded and said, "I know you want to see Consort Jing. After we finish talking, you can go see her yourself."

At this point, the emperor looked at the chubby boy and chuckled, "Besides this, is there anything else?"

The emperor's words were clearly amused. Prince Jiang was undoubtedly a smart man, and he sensed something was amiss. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Your Majesty, I... I don't think I have anything else to say."

His Majesty the Emperor looked him over and chuckled.

"Speak your mind. Don't you still have matters concerning the White Lotus Sect to discuss with me?"

At this point, His Majesty the Emperor straightened his clothes, looked at his cousin with a smile, and then said eight words in a nonchalant manner.

"This is common among the imperial family and nobility."

Prince Jiang was taken aback upon hearing this, then knelt on the ground, bowed his head in respect, and was covered in cold sweat.

"Your Majesty, you..."

(End of this chapter)