Аftеr hеаring Cheng Сhi's wоrds, еvеrуone remаinеd silent for а long time.
Еvеn fоr аn оrdinаry weаlthy family, losing four sons аt оncе would bе а dеvаstating blоw.
Whilе sееing Сheng Сhi off, Zhou Shaоjin сouldn't hеlp but whisper tо him, "Could it rеally bе thе Fоurth Рrinсе whо did it?"
"It's still uncleаr аt this pоint," Сhеng Chi рondеrеd. "At the vеrу leаst, there is evidеnce that thе арhrodisiаc incensе wаs lit bу somеоnе frоm thе Fifth Рrincе's sidе amid thе chаos... In my viеw, it's likelу thаt еverуоnе wаs targeting the Сrown Prince. Onсe something hаppеned tо him, thеy аll took the opportunity to kick him while he was down, ultimately leading to this situation."
Zhou Shaojin sighed.
The next day, not only was the decree for A Bao's conferment issued, but the Emperor also designated the eldest imperial grandson as the Crown Prince.
This once again coincided with the events of her previous life.
What would happen from now on was completely beyond her control, and she had no way of knowing.
After Madam Xie formally entered the household, the wedding celebrations concluded, and the customary three-day return visit was completed, Cheng Shao also recovered from his illness. Choosing a rest day, Zhou Shaojin hosted a banquet at home to entertain Madam Xie.
Cheng Shao and others all attended.
Aunt Chang served by their side.
The men gathered at a table in the flower hall, while the women sat in the side room. Several of the Cheng family's sons-in-law were also present, creating a pleasant atmosphere.
After the meal, the wine was cleared and tea was served. The men discussed anecdotes from the court and society, while the women chatted about household matters. Children ran and laughed in the courtyard, and Yun Ge'er clapped his little hands in his wet nurse's arms. The lively noise inside the house added to the festive atmosphere.
Listening to the clamor of the children outside, Old Madam Guo said with a smile, "On the eighth day of the fourth month, let's all go together to Zhetan Temple to offer incense."
Zhetan Temple was located in the suburbs, requiring a full day's journey there and back. If they went to offer incense, they would inevitably have to stay overnight.
With Old Madam Guo saying this, her intentions clearly went beyond the surface.
Everyone rarely had such an opportunity to go out and enjoy themselves, so they all eagerly agreed. They also sent someone to inform Aunt Chang, who was serving Cheng Shao in the flower hall.
Aunt Chang was somewhat surprised but then smiled and agreed.
The men of the Cheng family in the flower hall soon learned of the plan as well.
Cheng Jing said with a laugh, "Shall we go along too? It would be a good opportunity to offer incense for Second Uncle."
The matter of the Fifth Prince might be a secret to others, but not to a high-ranking cabinet official like Cheng Jing.
Cheng Jing thought Cheng Shao's illness had come at just the right time. As for the nature of the illness... since the Emperor had acknowledged it, he naturally shouldn't question it either.
Meanwhile, Cheng Chi had taken this opportunity to leave an extremely deep impression on the Emperor. Not only did the Emperor consider him upright in character, but also erudite, proficient in all six arts of a gentleman. The Emperor had even privately joked with Cheng Chi, "If you could focus your mind and study only the Four Books and Five Classics, you might have achieved more than just passing the imperial examinations." He also told Cheng Shao that Cheng Chi should be appointed as a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy to teach the princes.
Cheng Shao had thanked the Emperor on Cheng Chi's behalf at the time, saying that it would be wonderful if he could become a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy.
Unfortunately, after the Emperor mentioned this matter, there was no further follow-up. It was said that on the second day of the month, when the Third Prince, Fourth Prince, and others went to pay their respects, the Emperor thought of the deceased Crown Prince and sighed deeply. He then issued an edict to reassign all the former officials of the Crown Prince's household, including the supervisors and deputy supervisors of the former Household Administration of the Heir Apparent who had been sidelined and ignored, to provincial posts.
Gu Xu was no exception.
He was appointed as the prefect of Taiyuan.Cheng Zheng wanted to accompany Gu Xu to his official post. The elders of the Gu family were very supportive, but Gu Xu was worried that Cheng Zheng wouldn't adapt to the climate of Taiyuan and refused. However, Cheng Zheng had already made up her mind. She even decided to take Gu Ning and Gu Zhong along to Taiyuan. Because of this matter, Gu Xu had asked Madam Yuan a few days earlier to persuade her.
After Madam Yuan's persuasion proved ineffective, she sought help from Old Madam Guo.
The result was that Gu Xu failed to convince Old Madam Guo to make Cheng Zheng and the children stay in the capital. Instead, Old Madam Guo persuaded him to agree to take Cheng Zheng and the children with him to Taiyuan.
They had to arrive in Taiyuan before the second day of the third lunar month.
This might be the last meal Cheng Zheng and Gu Xu would have at the Cheng family home in the coming years.
Thinking of this, Cheng Jing felt somewhat reluctant.
Of the other two children, Cheng Xiao had married into Tongxiang and only came to the capital in the past two years. Cheng Xu had grown up in Jinling and only came to the capital a few years ago to take the provincial examination, staying with him for a few years. Only Cheng Zheng, since her marriage, had always been in the capital, spending the longest time with him and being the most considerate.
Cheng Jing couldn't help but advise Gu Xu: "With your abilities, governing a Taiyuan Prefecture is more than sufficient. If you have time, you might as well spend more time with Azheng and the children. They are going to Taiyuan with you, knowing no one there, and can only rely on you. Taiyuan is in the Yan-Zhao region, full of heroic figures. While studying is important for men, the six arts should not be neglected either. It would be a good opportunity to hire someone to teach Ning Ge'er and Zhong Ge'er some martial arts to strengthen their physique. As for studying, it can wait a bit.
"His Majesty has now designated the Imperial Grandson as the heir. You once served his father. As long as you stay quietly in Taiyuan, keep calm and avoid causing any trouble, returning to the capital will only be a matter of time once the Imperial Grandson ascends the throne.
"When you go to Taiyuan, remember to keep a low profile and not stir up any incidents."
Cheng Chi listened with disapproval.
It was hard to say whether the Imperial Grandson felt gratitude or resentment toward his father's former subordinates. If a former Vice Supervisor of the Household of the Heir Apparent went to Taiyuan and acted timidly without achieving anything, it would at least indirectly prove Gu Xu's incompetence—what promotion could there be then? Moreover, according to Zhou Shaojin, the Imperial Grandson might not outlive the Emperor.
But deciding whom to support for the throne was truly a headache.
Thinking this, Cheng Chi turned to fetch a letter for Gu Xu and said, "This is the name card of Wang Zhi, a renowned scholar in Taiyuan. Yang Shoushan is a close friend of his despite their age difference. When you go to Taiyuan, you might as well visit him first and have him tell you about Taiyuan. A powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Only with the support of local gentry can you serve as prefect peacefully."
Everyone present was astonished.
Cheng Jing was even more direct: "You still have contact with Yang Shoushan?"
"Yes!" Cheng Chi said nonchalantly, "I sent someone to deliver two hundred taels of silver to his family a few days ago—Yang Shoushan's mother is ill."
Yang Shoushan was ultimately demoted to commoner status and returned to his hometown in Hebi.
He came from a humble background and had never embezzled during his tenure. After returning, he relied on a few meager acres of farmland and immediately fell into hardship. Cheng Chi regularly provided him relief.
Cheng Jing did not quite approve and wanted to say something. Seeing Cheng Chi's indifferent expression and considering the presence of several sons-in-law, he swallowed the reprimand that had reached his lips.
Yuan Ming, however, was full of admiration and whispered to Cheng Xu, "Look at Fourth Uncle Chi. This is a man of true character, a real gentleman!"
Cheng Xu did not respond, lowering his head to drink.Cheng Jing couldn't criticize Cheng Chi, but he certainly could reprimand his own son-in-law!
"Stop talking nonsense!" he scolded Yuan Ming. "You spend all day thinking about such trivial matters. With that energy, you might as well study hard and earn an official title, so you can win a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes for A Xiao to wear."
Cheng Jing had never been particularly satisfied with this son-in-law. It was only because his wife agreed and his daughter had taken a liking to him, and considering that even if the Yuan family's ship sank, there would still be three pounds of nails left, that he had consented. Now it seemed this young man studied lazily and had no intention of pursuing an official career at all.
Yuan Ming felt both ashamed and anxious. Peng Zao quickly interjected, "Jiashan, the imperial examination is in a few days. The chief examiner is Wang Chun, the Vice Minister of Rites. My father was his classmate. Minister Wang passed the imperial examination one round earlier than my father, but they still keep in touch. Our family still has a few of his old examination essays. I originally intended to bring them for you, but I was afraid something might go wrong. Why don't you come home with me later? My father happens to have something to discuss with you."
This meant Peng Zao's father intended to give Cheng Xu guidance on examination essays.
Peng Zao's father, Peng Xiang, was renowned for his scholarship, even within the Hanlin Academy.
Cheng Jing was overjoyed and personally thanked Peng Zao.
Meanwhile, Cheng Chi called Yuan Ming over. "When we first moved in, your aunt buried several pounds of wine under the osmanthus tree in the garden. Da Lun is about to leave. Come with me to fetch the wine—we'll use it to welcome Da Lun."
Gu Xu repeatedly said, "You shouldn't have gone to such trouble."
Cheng Chi led Yuan Ming to the garden.
Yuan Ming thought Cheng Chi might offer him some comfort, but to his surprise, Cheng Chi said nothing to him along the way, simply instructing him to fetch the wine with the servants.
After a few shovelfuls of digging, his mood lifted.
He couldn't help but glance gratefully at Cheng Chi.
A young servant came running over and said, "Fourth Master, Huaishan has returned."
Cheng Chi said to Yuan Ming, "Take the wine back to the flower hall first. I'll go see him and return shortly."
Yuan Ming nodded.
He wondered who this Huaishan was.
Cheng Chi met Huaishan in the study of the outer courtyard.
Huaishan looked grave and said, "News from the palace says that during the Crown Prince's funeral, a young eunuch from the Qianqing Palace fell ill. He was moved out and soon died, and his body was discarded in a mass grave. Two days ago, another young eunuch went to offer incense for him. It was later confirmed that this eunuch was also from the Qianqing Palace and was the adopted grandson of Chen Li, the chief eunuch of the Qianqing Palace. After the Crown Prince's funeral, this eunuch was transferred to the Wine and Vinegar Bureau. What do you think? Should we inform the Li family's maternal relatives and try to establish contact with this eunuch?"
"Don't startle the snake for now," Cheng Chi pondered. "Besides this eunuch, investigate whether any palace maids disappeared during those days. Whether they delivered messages to the Second Prince or led the Second Prince to meet that palace maid surnamed Dai, no matter what task they were assigned, they were surely doomed after completing it. As long as we follow this trail, we'll eventually find the source."
Huaishan respectfully replied, "Yes," and added, "But the palace personnel are intricate and complex. With such limited time, we can only bribe minor underlings, who aren't very useful."Cheng Chi smiled and said, "We can't bribe the senior palace maids and eunuchs around the Empress Dowager and Empress either! Rather than dealing with those mediocre, half-baked types, it's better to engage with these minor underlings. Don't underestimate them—they know a great deal!" He then instructed him, "Investigate Cheng Lu. Now that he has Chen Li as his backer, it's unlikely he's being so well-behaved!"
Huaishan acknowledged and left.
Cheng Chi sat in the study for a while before slowly making his way to the inner courtyard.
In the flower hall, everyone was drinking merrily.
But Cheng Chi spotted Cheng Xu standing alone under the corridor eaves.
He stood with his head bowed in the shadows, looking desolate.
Cheng Chi thought for a moment, then walked over and said, "Is something on your mind?"
This was the first time Cheng Chi had taken the initiative to speak to Cheng Xu since Zhou Shaojin married Cheng Chi.
Cheng Xu was delighted and called out, "Fourth Uncle."
Cheng Chi said, "Don't overthink things. Focus on preparing well for the imperial examination! Once you become a jinshi, you'll realize there are many things you can do."
Cheng Xu looked at Cheng Chi in surprise.
Cheng Chi smiled, turned, and entered the flower hall.
Cheng Xu watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.
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Dear readers, today's update.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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