Springtime Affairs in a Noble Family

A few days later, Xie Yunting impeached Qian Jin during court.

The Duke of Dingguo and Xie Yunting got into a big argument.

However, the emperor trusted Xie Yunting greatly and immediately ordered Xie Yunting to lead a team to investigate the Qian family.

Qian Jin could never have predicted that even the Duke of Dingguo couldn't stop Xie Yunting.

Seeing Xie Yunting and his men surround the Qian residence, Qian Jin finally realized he was afraid. "General Xie, Lord Xie, let's talk this out!"

"When I was speaking to you politely, why didn't you think about it?" Xie Yunting arrogantly raised an eyebrow at Qian Jin. "I'll give you two quarters of an hour to think carefully about what to do today!"

Xie Yunting patted Qian Jin's shoulder heavily. "The Northwest suffered a drought two years ago, and there was the Yunyan yarn that was presented as tribute from the northern desert seven years ago. Do I have to explain each and every one of these things to you?"

In fact, Xie Yunting had no evidence for these things. What he had was a witness who said that Qian Jin had accepted bribes from merchants two years ago.

A single crime may not warrant the death penalty; at most, it could result in demotion or exile.

But if you add it all up, then Qian Jin's head will be in serious trouble.

Xie Yunting deliberately tried to scare Qian Jin, but from Qian Jin's perspective, he didn't know that Xie Yunting had no evidence.

When Qian Jin saw the Duke of Dingguo arrive, he hurriedly pleaded for help, "Your Excellency, please speak to General Xie on my behalf."

Before the Duke of Dingguo could speak, Xie Yunting interjected, "Your Excellency, I am here on the Emperor's orders. The evidence of Lord Qian's embezzlement and bribery is irrefutable. You are a pillar of the court; you wouldn't be trying to show favoritism, would you?"

The words that the Duke of Dingguo wanted to say were swallowed back down.

Indeed, Xie Yunting had evidence, which is why the Emperor issued an order for him to handle the matter. If he were to let Xie Yunting leave it alone now, Xie Yunting would find a way to use it against him.

"Yunting, we're all colleagues, can we not be so bitter?" Duke Dingguo said helplessly.

"Those who dedicate themselves to the country and its people are true colleagues. But those who embezzle and accept bribes should go see the King of Hell. Duke, if you continue to obstruct my work, I will report back to the Emperor and we will investigate your Duke Dingguo's mansion together." Xie Yunting had always thought that the Duke Dingguo was generous and had made great military achievements, making him one of the few people he could respect.

It turns out that the Duke of Dingguo and Qian Jin were birds of a feather!

The Duke of Dingguo's face flushed red. Xie Yunting's mouth was truly formidable, and he couldn't think of a reply for a moment.

Xie Yunting looked at Qian Jin again and said, "There's only a quarter of an hour left. If you waste any more time, don't blame me for being impolite."

Qian Jin was truly panicked. He was pushed into the mansion by Xie Yunting, and the front hall was filled with unease.

Qian Jin was pulled behind a screen by his wife, Madam He. "How long are you going to be so foolish? Your sister is fooling around with Princess Rongjia, and now you've offended someone incredibly powerful. Don't you know how to repent?"

In the past, Madam He had advised Qian Jin not to spoil his sister-in-law. But Qian Jin wouldn't listen, and no matter what happened, he would always clean up after his sister-in-law.

Right now, Xie Yunting has led his men to surround the entire Qian residence, and the two of them know perfectly well whether the Qian family has been clean or not over the years.

"But...but I can't betray my sister for my own sake!" Qian Jin said with difficulty.

"So you just want to watch our whole family die?" Seeing that Qian Jin was still stubborn, Madam He rushed out from behind the screen, disregarding the difference between men and women, and went straight to Xie Yunting. "General Xie, I can testify that Cui Zeyu is innocent. I'll tell you whatever you want to know. Please spare our Qian family's life."

Madam He adopted a humble posture. She also had sons and daughters, as well as grandchildren. She couldn't let her sister-in-law ruin her whole family. Even if Qian Jin wanted to divorce her, she would stand up and resolve the situation today.

She knew that Xie Yunting was giving her time because his target wasn't the Qian family, but Princess Rongjia.

Qian Jin, who rushed over, heard what He Shi said and, in a fit of anger, slapped her across the face, yelling, "You crazy woman, do you even know what you're saying?!"

He stumbled and fell, the taste of blood filling her mouth. Ignoring Qian Jin's threats, she continued, "General Xie, regarding Cui Zeyu's matter, it was all Princess Rongjia who begged my sister-in-law for help. You asked me to testify at the government office, and that's exactly what I said!"

Xie Yunting, having received a satisfactory answer, grabbed Qian Jin by the collar. "Lord Qian, hitting a woman is no skill. Your wife is far smarter than you. In that case, come with me to the government office."

Meanwhile, at the Rong Prince's Mansion, Madam Qian learned that her family was besieged and hurriedly summoned Princess Rongjia.

"How did Song Shulan's first wife get involved with Xie Yunting?" Madam Qian asked anxiously. "Xie Yunting actually led people to surround the Qian residence! I went to see Father and Mother, and they told me to protect myself. But I did all this for you; you can't just watch the Qian family fall!"

They grew up together, and later, when Qian married into the Rong Prince's Mansion, their relationship became even closer.

Therefore, when Madam Qian said she disliked Madam Wu, Princess Rongjia joined Madam Qian in ostracizing Madam Wu, and the two became like sisters. So when Madam Qian learned that Princess Rongjia only wanted to punish a merchant, she agreed without hesitation.

Unexpectedly, things went awry, and he ended up getting involved with Xie Yunting, that devil incarnate.

Mrs. Qian was so anxious she almost cried.

Princess Rongjia said she would go to her father for help, and the two of them hurried to Prince Rong's study.

When Prince Rong saw his daughter enter, he was both helpless and angry. "I know what you're going to say. Your mother has already gone to the palace to see the Empress. You two come from noble families, yet you've been reduced to this state by the daughter of a minor official. How dare you come to us for help?"

Since the matter concerned his daughter and daughter-in-law, Prince Rong had no choice but to intervene.

"Father, I never expected Xie Yunting to go to such lengths for Cui Zeyu." Princess Rongjia was very puzzled. The two had only known each other for a short time, yet Xie Yunting seemed to be going all out, clinging to the Qian family relentlessly.

Madam Qian was also puzzled. "I don't know where Xie Yunting found out about my elder brother's affairs. I only asked my elder brother for help after Rongjia complained to me. I never thought that I would harm my elder brother's family. I beg you, Father, to help the Qian family. We will be eternally grateful."

"Hmph, that Xie Yunting is a mad dog!" Prince Rong looked at the two people in front of him with disdain. "He'll take a bite out of anyone he can catch. Since Xie Yunting has already found something to hold against you, your elder brother will have to suffer some injustice. You need to think about yourself. You are the second mistress of Prince Rong's mansion. If you are dragged into this, where will the reputation of Prince Rong's mansion be?"

Prince Rong meant that Qian Jin should take the blame and not involve Prince Rong's mansion.

Ms. Qian, "But..."

"Stop saying 'buts'! If you had been any smarter and had plotted against Cui Lingrong and Cui Zeyu, you wouldn't be in this predicament now!" Prince Rong took a deep breath. "As for the Qian family, once this is over, I will find a way to help your elder brother regain his official position."

Prince Rong waved his hand, not wanting to say any more to Lady Qian.

Lady Qian was asked to leave, leaving only his daughter behind. He walked up to her, his tone disappointed, and said, "Do you know how much your mother and I sacrificed to clean up the mess left by the Du family?"

Princess Rongjia pursed her lips and remained silent. As a princess of the Rong Prince's Mansion, it was only natural for her father and mother to do things for her.

"I'm warning you seriously, since you can't beat the Cui family, learn to be a docile cat. After all, it was you who insisted on marrying Song Shulan as a concubine. You said the Cui family was just the daughter of a minor official and no match for you, and what happened?" Prince Rong looked at his daughter, his impatience growing. "Don't let something like what happened to the Du family happen again, understand?"

He emphasized, "If you can't win, then admit defeat!"

"Father, I..."

"I don't want to hear your explanations. You just can't beat the Cui family. That's a clear fact." Prince Rong had cleaned up his daughter's messes too many times, and no matter how much he doted on her, he was tired of it.

Princess Rongjia was unconvinced. She believed that it was because she had not been to the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence for long enough. Once she was more familiar with the Jiangyuan Marquis's residence, she would definitely be able to defeat Cui Lingrong!

Seeing that his daughter remained silent, Prince Rong knew that she must not have figured it out.

But before he could reprimand his daughter again, a servant came to deliver a message, saying that Xie Yunting had brought people from the government office to invite Princess Rongjia and Madam Qian to the government office for questioning.

Princess Rongjia's face turned pale instantly. She was a noble lady from Bianjing; if she went to the government office, wouldn't she lose all face?!