166. Bandit Emperor (12) (1/2)
The state of Jin has changed.
In just three days, the blood on the beheading platform in the capital was shed layer after layer. By the third day, a thick smell of blood seemed to be floating in the sky above the entire capital.
This new ruler, who has always been benevolent and righteous, has no mercy at all towards those corrupt officials who have committed heinous crimes. His homes should be confiscated and his heads should be beheaded. The originally empty treasury actually became empty after killing batch after batch of corrupt officials. It became plump.
The soldiers who were ordered to ransack the homes carried out boxes after boxes of property from the corrupt officials' houses, especially the imperial concubine's family. Treasures that ordinary poor people would never see in their lifetimes were taken out. Boxes of gold, the entire family of the imperial concubine. After copying for a whole day, the objects that had accumulated the blood and tears of countless people were moved to the treasury.
Although the new master came from a mud-legged man, he did not completely replace the civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty. It was just that after the corrupt officials left behind by Emperor Tianshun were killed, only a few of the civil and military ministers of the Manchu Dynasty were left.
On the third day, the new owner dropped some heavyweight news.
Enke was opened, taxes were reduced, and officials sent abroad returned to Beijing to report on their duties.
The people who were still anxious at first were finally appeased after learning about the tax reduction.
Although he is still afraid of the mighty soldiers patrolling the city, at least he no longer hides at home and dare not go out like before.
Some people who have been persecuted by corrupt officials at home will have the courage to go to the execution ground to watch corrupt officials beheaded.
Those high-ranking officials who did not regard them as human lives and killed them indiscriminately finally knelt on the ground at this moment, waiting for the machete to fall with snot and tears on their faces.
The royal families who used to be rampant in the township did not directly eradicate the weeds. Instead, they first investigated the crimes and sentenced those who committed crimes to death. Those who really did not commit any crimes were directly demoted to paupers and had all their property confiscated.
Ji Xiawan's step-sister, Ji Xiating, who opposed her marriage, was kicked out of the palace. Her husband, Prince Liang, had many lives on his hands and was pushed to the execution ground to be beheaded.
Wei Mingyan's benevolence in treating these people may be because he did not involve the female family members. The King of Liang was beheaded, and the wives, concubines, and children in the mansion were demoted to commoners. Almost every woman who was once aloof and jealous of the King of Liang was pushed out.
They were unfortunate and lucky. At least, the crimes committed by their husbands did not fall on them. Although the soldiers and generals were rough in attitude, at least they did not do anything terrible to them.
In the past, outside the mansions of dignitaries, the female relatives were crying together. Those who had a natal family could still go back to their natal family, but those who did not have to live on their own.
Ji Xiating found it by herself. When she was pushed out, all the gold hairpins on her head were taken away. She really had nothing to offer.
There were sounds of crying and begging. She saw that the concubine, who was usually favored by King Liang due to her beauty, had messy hair. She desperately wanted to return to the house, but was pushed away impatiently by the soldiers. The concubine who relied on her beauty to be favored said to her several times Her sarcastic woman cried in a state of embarrassment.
Ji Xiating couldn't help but feel a little more happy in her eyes.
She looked at the other concubine who was sitting on the ground blankly, and the contempt in her eyes became even heavier.
The King of Liang loved beauty, and as long as she was good-looking, he would pamper her to the heavens. This concubine was born as a peasant girl. She was originally just a maid. Later, she was favored by the King of Liang. The next son was named a concubine.
Ji Xiating, the princess, had not given birth yet, so how could she be willing to see such a bloodline of Prince Liang alive? She just used a little trick, and the baby was gone as soon as it was born. I don’t know how the concubine found out that it was her. After his complaint to the King of Liang failed, he kept eyeing Ji Xiating and used every possible means to oppose her.
She was very good-looking. Although she had a miserable face every day when she was raped by the drunk Prince Liang, and she was disgusted by her refusal to serve him, but after the death of her child, she cheered up and tried her best. He tried every means to please King Liang, so that he would not go to Ji Xiating's room once a month.
Ji Xiating hated her to the core. Of course she would not think that it was she who killed the concubine's child first that made her, who originally only wanted to live a good life, hate her. She often scolded her for being a bitch behind her back.
Now that the King of Liang had fallen, she was in a state of panic and felt a little proud of herself as she looked at the crying women here.
She is different from them.
She was favored by her father and mother at home, and her father was still the governor. Although she was implicated by the imperial concubine and the Prince of Liang, she could no longer be the same as before, but with her mother and father taking care of her, she would still be the miss of the Ji family in the future.
The pain of childlessness was better now. At least no one was bothering her. Her appearance had never changed and she was still as attractive. As long as she returned home, she could still marry a second time.
Ji Xiating gently raised her chin, looking at the group of weeping women with some pity and more with schadenfreude. She just felt that their pitiful appearance made people feel happy.
The arrogance in her eyes stopped when she saw a couple leading a carriage, carefully handling the soldiers, and walking towards the concubine whose child she had killed with a lot of thanks.
"Qiniang, don't cry. Go to your parents' house quickly. Dad will find a good husband for you."
After the old man with white temples finished speaking, the concubine's mother also said, "Yes Qiniang, our family saved up enough silver to redeem you but we couldn't redeem you now. It's better now. You can do it without spending a single copper." Can go home."
As she spoke, she wiped away her tears. Her wrinkled face was filled with tears and happiness at the same time. It was extremely complicated.
When the head of the family was seriously ill, the family really had no money, so they had no choice but to sell their youngest daughter and work as a maid in the palace. It was a good time, but although the master in the palace had a weird temper, Qiniang was just a little maid and couldn't get close to the master. After receiving the monthly silver every month, someone would be asked to bring it back to them.
After Dang's illness recovered, the family worked hard, and together with the silver brought back by Qiniang's entrustment, they finally collected enough silver to redeem themselves. However, they were told that Qiniang had been favored by the prince and had already taken it into his house. .
If a family who wanted to rely on their daughter to gain wealth would have been happy about this news, but to the ears of the couple, it was almost like a bolt from the blue.
They knew about their daughter and knew that she had always wanted to go out of the house so that she could marry the boy from the neighbor's family. This was why the old couple were so anxious to take their daughter home.
Outsiders all said how beautiful their Qiniang was as a concubine, but only Qiniang's mother, who had been to the palace once, knew how miserable her daughter was.
"It's good now. Thanks to your care over the years, the family has gained some foundation. When we return home, let's prepare the dowry, but Zhu Zhu has never been married..."
The family cried and laughed with tears, supporting each other and walking away.
Not everyone in Prince Liang's mansion stayed voluntarily.
Now that Hao Duanduan was set free, they could not shed a single tear at the news of their former husband's death and returned home happily.
Ji Xiating stood there, looked around, and saw that people were coming to pick her up one after another, but she was the only one with no news at all.
Didn't mother receive the message she sent?
Or is it that the lowly maid who took her money has become an adulterer herself?
She waited, maintaining her dignified posture, until sunset.
Finally, Ji Xiating couldn't wait any longer and found her home by herself.
When she went back, the door of Ji's house was closed. Ji Xiating looked a little surprised, but she still stepped forward and patted the door.
In the room, Ji's father, who had rushed back to the capital, was frowning and sipping tea, not knowing what he was thinking. When a servant came up, "Master, the second lady is back."
Ji's father frowned more and more. He slammed the tea cup on the table, "What second lady? That is the useless princess."
The servant was so frightened that he trembled, "Yes, sir, it's the useless princess..."
"The deposed princess is back now. Master, there are many people outside watching..."
The implication is that it is not good to just let Ji Xiating knock on the door.
Ji's father's eyebrows were so furrowed that he could pinch a fly.
He had a cold face, and although he was reluctant, he still said, "Let it in."
"Send it directly to Madam."
"Yes, sir."
Father Ji stood up and went to the study. His mind was restless and his writing was unsteady. He looked at the handwriting on it and sighed.
How could something like this always happen to him so unluckily?
Ting'er must not stay. With such a former princess in his home, isn't that always reminding the present person that he was once a relative of the former emperor?
After all, this is a relationship between father and daughter, so let her settle it on her own.
Ting'er has always been sensible and will definitely be obedient and go on the road.
If she refuses and still wants to live in this world, then she can only let others take action like she did to Wan'er's mother.
It's a pity that if he had known that this day would happen, he would not have forced Mother Wan'er to die.
The man with a kind face thought, and sighed full of kindness. The brush fell down, and the ink dripped lightly on the fine paper.
In this family, Ting'er is not the only one who has a relationship with the former royal family, so let them, mother and daughter, go on the road together.
On the road to hell, you will not be lonely.
***
In the small yard
Ji Xiawan wore loose clothes to cover her protruding belly. Fortunately, the weather was cold now and everyone wore more clothes. After she covered it, it was not so conspicuous.
"Miss, Your Majesty is probably very busy and it's time to pick you up."
Qing Ziru looked at the girl in front of her, her eyes filled with joy for her, "From now on, you don't have to hide anymore."
Ji Xiawan's expression was still a little dazed, and she subconsciously stretched out her hand to protect her abdomen.
In the past, when Wei Mingyan's victory or defeat was uncertain, she could rely on his proper arrangements for her and be willing to go with him, but now, he has won.
That man has become a high-ranking emperor. Even if he takes her into the palace, how will they get along with each other in the future?
Ji Xiawan never thought that she could be a queen. When the new emperor ascended the throne, it was impossible to marry a queen with no family background, and even her stepmother's maiden family was a concubine of the former country.
She is pregnant, so that person should be granted the title of concubine.
In the future, what will she do if that man has a harem of three thousand beauties?
Ji Xiawan did not tell Qing Ziru these thoughts. She was not very young and handled things properly, but in some thoughts, she seemed to trust the man's feelings for her too much.
Ji Xiawan could tell that Ziru thought the two of them were in love, and that's why they had this child.
But who knew that this child was just an accident.
At night, Ji Xiawan lay down carefully protecting her abdomen, and suddenly said to Qing Ziru, who was about to put out the lights, "If I enter the palace, I can protect the people around me."
Qing Ziru smiled and replied, "Of course, don't worry, young lady, Your Majesty will not just watch those people bully you."
"My brother is by your Majesty's side. He told me that Your Majesty is protecting his shortcomings."
Looking at the look of trust on her face under the light, Ji Xiawan closed her eyes.
But, she is not his shortcoming at all.
Ji Xiawan closed her eyes and saw darkness in front of her. Ji Xiawan couldn't help but sketch the man's appearance in her mind as usual.
His clothes were dirty and ragged, and he had a big beard when he first met. Later, as if he was afraid of scaring her, he ran to shave. After shaving, he lost the fearful arrogance and seemed to be a different person. Ordinary people.
Ji Xiawan still remembered the fear she felt at that time, thinking that this man was sent by her stepmother to deliberately humiliate her. She was relieved until he was sent to the room properly.
She still remembered that he skillfully climbed over the wall under her surprised gaze. Later, before leaving, he took her hairpin and forced a piece of jade into her hand. He was arrogant and looked out of sorts.
But for such an unconventional person, it turned out that he had planned a way out for her long ago.
Ji Xiawan didn't know what she felt in her heart. She couldn't even tell what kind of emotion she felt towards that man.
She could die together because of his friendship, but she was afraid of getting along with him.
In the darkness, the girl stretched out her hand and found the jade pendant under the pillow.
This is a jade pendant that is very rough in workmanship and even has a corner missing.
At that time, she didn't know what kind of mood she was holding, so she brought this jade pendant back. Maybe it was because the man said he would marry her and be responsible.
Maybe it's because his eyes are too bright, he doesn't look like a ruffian at all, and he looks serious.
Ji Xiawan rubbed the jade pendant in her hand and let herself fall asleep amidst thousands of thoughts.
Let’s think about what the future will bring.
Anyway, it's not as bad as before.
The next day, at dawn, the palace did not release the eunuch, but continued to keep the eunuch at Ji's side.
When the eunuch who delivered the edict arrived, he didn't rush to open the imperial edict and read it out first. Instead, he looked at the Ji family members who were kneeling below, "Master Ji, is Miss Ji here?"
Ji Xiating was so frightened that she froze up and hurriedly took a few steps forward on her knees, "My daughter is here."
The eunuch who delivered the order was now satisfied, but still said, "Master Ji's family members are all here. If they are all here, the miscellaneous family will begin."
Now that the new master has just come to the throne, he has bloodbathed the capital. It is obvious that he is a petty person. Ji's father is too frightened to relax. He quickly said, "There is another girl who is seriously ill. I will let her out right now."
When he asked Ji Xiawan to come out, he remembered that he had never seen his daughter since he returned to Beijing.
I just heard from my wife that she fell ill after coming back from the temple. She couldn't even get out of bed all day, so she could only drink medicine every day to stay alive.
Thinking of this, Father Ji added to the servant who was delivering the message, "If Miss feels uncomfortable, ask someone to help her out."
After he finished his instructions, he quickly took out the banknote and handed it to the eunuch who delivered the order. Seeing him accept it calmly, he felt relieved.
The attitude of the eunuch who passed the order generally represented the attitude of the emperor. Now that he is willing to accept the cash, at least it means that this time it is not a bad thing.
"Father, I have just returned to Beijing. What orders does your Majesty have for me?"
After the eunuch received the check, his expression no longer looked businesslike, but revealed, "Master Ji, this is a great thing."
The eyes of the new lady and Ji Xiating, who were kneeling on the ground, wavered slightly, and they all listened to the eunuch's words with their hearts raised.
Ji's father felt happy at first, and then he managed to keep his expression on his face, "I dare to ask my father-in-law, what kind of good thing it is."
"From now on, you will be the father-in-law of the country, which is not a great blessing."
The eunuch who delivered the order also had a smile on his face, "In this order, it is said that His Majesty will marry the daughter of the Ji family as the Queen."
Queen!
Ji's father's pupils shrank suddenly. He, he was going to be the father-in-law of the country?
Ji Xiating, who was on the ground, was startled at first, and then her heartbeat couldn't help but beat faster.
There are only two daughters in the Ji family. Ji Xiawan's sick son has not been seen in the capital seven years ago. He became seriously ill after returning and has never been seen in front of others.
She went out to socialize, and some ladies didn't even know she had a sister.
But she herself was different.
Her appearance was not so much that she took after her mother, but that she resembled the imperial concubine from the previous dynasty. According to the words of Prince Liang, her bones would melt away just by looking at her.
Before she got married, her mother had publicized her appearance well so that she would be favored as soon as she entered the house.
Otherwise, when she married Ji Xiawan, Prince Liang would not have had any objection at all.
As Princess Liang, she went to various occasions, acted with dignity and etiquette, all of which could be seen by everyone.
Could it be that this new king wants to admit her into the palace...
Not only Ji Xiating thought so, but also the new lady thought so.
She was even more sure than Ji Xiating.
In her eyes, men cherish beauty. Could her Ting'er be so beautiful and well behaved, not as good as the sick man on the hospital bed who looked so pale that he couldn't even stand up?
Thinking of the several times she went to visit with pretense of kindness and saw Ji Xiawan who was as pale as a ghost and unable to speak, the new lady felt even more happy.
Among the three, only Ji's father was still conscious.
Which man would want to marry a married woman, let alone as a queen, a niece who is currently designated as a demon concubine, no matter how beautiful she is, she can never be a queen who honors her mother in the world.
Father Ji came to his senses and asked, "Eunuch, your Majesty, can you tell me which of your daughters this is?"
"Of course I said so."
The eunuch who delivered the order replied with a smile, and glanced calmly at the two women on the ground, whose entire bodies were almost stiff, waiting for his answer.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Ji Xiawan being helped out and wearing heavy clothes, and her eyes immediately lit up.
"His Majesty has said it himself that the young lady from the Ji family who was born by the first wife will be brought into the palace as the queen."
Ji Xiawan heard such words as soon as she arrived, and her steps immediately stopped.
Queen, he was actually willing to make her his queen.
The author has something to say: The first ten little angels will give out red envelopes. There will be another update at eleven o'clock.