Chapter 77: blackmail

Chapter 77: blackmail

In a courtyard deep in Xiejie Hutong, Zhou Yinzhi got up and sent Jiang Xuening to the door, and said: "If the second girl wants to visit that You Fangyin, she has to wait until later, so as not to be distracted by too many people."

Yao Niang followed behind him and also came out to see Jiang Xuening off.

Jiang Xuening said, "Then I'll go later."

She went down the moss-grown steps from the gap in the doorway, but stopped and looked back at Yaoniang, and said with a smile, "Thank you for making tea for me this time."

Yao Niang was flattered.

She is just Zhou Yinzhi's maidservant, and she doesn't know how this noble person who is in her own family is so polite to her, she hastily said: "I didn't treat you with good tea last time, Yaoniang's craftsmanship is rough, I'm afraid the girl won't be used to drinking it , as long as you like it."

Only then did Jiang Xuening take her leave and go back home first.

At this time, the news that You Yue and You Fangyin were detained by the Jinyiwei yamen and awaiting trial had also reached the Qingyuan uncle's mansion.

Everyone just thought that You Yue went out to play, thinking that she would come back later.

How could he have expected that he was arrested after not seeing anyone for a long time?

For a while, the whole mansion was not at peace. Mrs. Bo almost closed her eyes and fainted when she heard about it. It was Miss You Shuang who was more stable, and only asked the servant who came to pass the message: "What did my sister do? How could she be arrested?" ?”

The man said: "I heard people said that they fought with the third lady in the teahouse, and the second girl from Jiang Shilang's mansion was nearby, and went to report the case. Unexpectedly, when Jin Yiwei came, he took both of them away He said that he couldn't figure it out for a while in the teahouse, so it's better to go back to the Yamen and explain."

These words are heard from people.

At that time, it was actually You Fangyin who moved, but when everyone heard that both of them had been taken away, they naturally thought that it was the two who moved each other's hands, and the message naturally changed.

Mrs. Uncle immediately scolded: "You Fangyin's little hoof, it's always bad to touch her!"

You Shuang, however, noticed the existence of "Second Girl Jiang" with some keenness.

But she was not selected to be a companion in the palace. She only heard about the grievances between her younger sister and Jiang Xuening, but she didn't know the details clearly. Although she had some suspicions that it was related to Jiang Xuening, it was not easy to jump to conclusions right now.

He only said: "My younger sister has been selected as a companion in the palace. It is a rare opportunity. This time I went back to the palace to rest and bathe, so I must not make a big deal out of it. No matter whether my sister is innocent or not, it is always wrong to hear it in the palace. Good. If someone is careless and takes advantage of the loopholes for those who are interested, I am afraid that the position of the accompanying student will not be guaranteed. And I will go back to the palace in another day. If my sister is still detained in prison, it will be even more difficult. I will wait for a woman If you can't handle this well, you need your father to come forward to deal with the public."

Mrs. Uncle immediately said: "Yes, yes, we are also a family of nobles! These Jinyiwei people take people as soon as they say they want to take people. Why did they take us seriously? I will go to see Uncle right now, and invite Uncle to come deal with."

A group of people hurried to report to Uncle Qingyuan.

But who would have expected that Uncle Qingyuan's face would change drastically when he asked about the specific situation, and he stood up suddenly and asked, "The one who took Yue'er was Zhou Qianhu, who was just promoted from Jin Yiwei?!"

People don't know why.

However, Uncle Qingyuan was furious: "Stupid! Stupid! What are you doing to provoke Jin Yiwei? The original Zhou Qianhu was able to get along with our mansion, but now the one who just took office is also called 'Zhou Qianhu', but I I have asked someone to visit several times, but they have not answered me. Jin Yiwei and the gang are evil ghosts who eat people and don’t spit out their bones. What do you want me to do to satisfy their appetite now! You will only cause trouble for me!"

Mrs. Uncle has already burst into tears: "But uncle, if you don't save us, what will we do with Yue'er? I heard that those detained for trial are staying in the same prison as those criminals. God knows what a pitiful situation it is..."

Uncle Qingyuan's face was gloomy, and he began to think about it.

Recently, there have been rumors in the palace that they will choose a concubine for the king of Linzi.

With great difficulty, Yue'er was chosen to be a companion in the palace by virtue of the first painting and calligraphy at the Double Ninth Banquet that day, but it is a rare opportunity, if she can find a good marriage in the future, it will be of great help to Yu Bo's residence.

could go to jail...

Miss Qianjin was not born to the concubine of the third daughter, so she can't give up casually. If the news gets out, who will marry her in the future?

This is really a sudden disaster. Although the uncle's mansion is also passed down from a family, no one has real power in the three generations. In today's court, it has long been on the edge, and there is only an empty shelf left to look good, but I don't know how much it will take to settle this matter!

The more Uncle Qingyuan thought about it, the angrier he became.

But there is nothing to do with the matter here, so I can only grit my teeth and tell the housekeeper: "Go, first count the money in the inner treasury, and prepare the carriage immediately. I will go to the yamen to have a look first!"

When Jiang Xuening returned to the Jiang Mansion, the sun had already set.

After entering the door, a woman said to her: "It's rare for you to come back from the palace. The master and wife said that dinner will be served in the main room at night, and the old servant was worried that you would come back late and miss the time, but now it looks just right."

When Jiang Xuening heard this, she paused and said, "Got it."

No matter how they get along on the inside, they are still a family on the outside.

It's time to come back for a meal.

She went back to her room to tidy up a bit, then went to the main room.

At this time, lamps were lit everywhere on the veranda.

In the room, Jiang Boyou and Mrs. Meng have been sitting for a while.

Jiang Xuehui sat beside Meng Shi.

There was a gold-plated invitation card on the table, Jiang Boyou was looking down, frowning.

Jiang Xuening came in to salute.

Jiang Boyou asked her to get up, but looked at her but hesitated to speak.

Jiang Xuening noticed it, and when she raised her eyes to see the invitation card in his hand, the strong handwriting on the outer cover was somewhat familiar—it was Yan Lin's handwriting.

Jiang Boyou felt that she should take a look, so he handed out the invitation and said, "This is an invitation from the residence of the Marquis of Yongyi, inviting people to watch the crowning ceremony of the crown prince."

When Jiang Xuening opened the invitation, her fingers trembled slightly.

Because every word on this invitation was written by Yan Lin himself. Although there is no word about her, it seems to be just some words on the ordinary invitation. , it is impossible to have only this one, let alone every invitation written by Yan Lin himself.

This invitation from her is special.

Even though he had already disregarded his relationship with her to others in public, this young man still hoped that he could be beside him and witness the moment when he was crowned an adult.

Jiang Xuening slowly closed the invitation.

Jiang Boyou asked, "Are you going then?"

Jiang Xuening said, "Go."

Listening to the conversation between his father and daughter, Mrs. Meng couldn't help showing a little worry in her eyes. She wanted to say that something happened to the Yongyi Hou's mansion, and she didn't know what happened next. I'm afraid most of the high schools in Beijing would avoid it. How could they come up like this? In a hurry?

Just seeing that Jiang Boyou also nodded his head, so it's hard to talk about it.

She said, "Sit down and eat first."

The cooks in the mansion are so-so, but Jiang Xuening is a little picky about the word "eat", so her appetite has always been mediocre, and she eats very little.

Jiang Xuehui sat next to her and didn't speak.

After a meal, the family finished eating in a muffled voice, and it was inevitable that they would feel a little heavy.

When a few cups of tea were served after the meal, Mrs. Meng said: "It is always the master who makes up his mind in the mansion, and some things are not easy for me to say. It's just that everyone knows that the Yongyihou's mansion has been abandoned by the Holy Majesty. We would rather My sister and son have been taken care of by the young master in the past. Although the in-laws will not be established, the crown ceremony is indeed going to be done logically. I have no objection to this. But sister Hui and the Hou family have nothing to do with each other. In terms of communication, when I was drinking tea with Mrs. Dingguo and others a few days ago, I heard that His Royal Highness Linzi will start to choose a concubine soon. I think, on the day of the coronation ceremony, sister Ning can go, but sister Hui forget it Bar."

After all, Jiang Xuening joined the palace to study with her, and she also earned face for her family.

Although she felt that she was fighting like a black-eyed chicken with the lady of the Qingyuan uncle's house in the palace, and it was inevitable that they, adults, would be embarrassed when they met outside, but Meng didn't say much about her, just wanted to be able to Sister Hui picked out some, and left more points for future marriages.

Although Jiang Boyou had a close relationship with the Yongyihou's Mansion, they were faced with a great crisis, their arms couldn't twist their thighs, so naturally they had to consider the situation of the whole mansion, so they couldn't refute Meng's words.

Jiang Xuening didn't speak either.

Jiang Boyou said, "That's fine."

But no one expected that at this time, Jiang Xuehui, who hadn't said a word, raised her head and said, "I'm going too."

Meng's eyes widened: "Sister Hui!"

However, Jiang Xuehui glanced at Jiang Xuening, and she didn't mean to change her mind: "Father is the head of the family, and he has already gone to the crown ceremony. It doesn't matter how we wait for the children to choose. And now the matter of the Yongyi Hou's House may not be unreversed If there is room, my father and sister have gone, and my mother and I should also go."

Meng Shi was stunned for a moment.

Even Jiang Boyou didn't think of it.

However, Jiang Xuening looked at her fixedly, seeing her beautiful face and calm expression, thinking about what she said, it was reasonable, how could such a lady of the family be worse than Xiao Shu?

So he smiled slowly.

Meng Shi thought about why this is not the case?

Jiang Boyou sighed that sister Hui was really sensible.

After drinking tea, Jiang Xuening and Jiang Xuehui retreated from the room together, walked on the veranda, stopped in their footsteps, and said: "If I were you, I would not miss such a great opportunity. After all, the capital is full of people. I know that His Royal Highness the King of Linzi has a good relationship with Yan Lin, and he will definitely go for the Yan Lin Crown Ceremony."

Jiang Xuehui's complexion changed, as if she didn't expect her to say these words, her whole body couldn't help but tense up.

Jiang Xuening looked ordinary.

She lowered her eyes and saw the embroidered handkerchief she was holding in her hand at the moment, she gently stretched out her hand and pulled it out from between her fingers, spread it out and put it in her palm, revealing a light green Cymbidium embroidered on the face, There was still a small red **** flower on the corner, so she slightly raised her eyebrows, looked at Jiang Xuehui and said, "I hope it will be later, you'd better enter the palace with this square embroidered handkerchief."

The embroidered handkerchief was put back into Jiang Xuehui's hands by Jiang Xuening.

Jiang Xuehui looked at her, as if she didn't understand what she said.

Jiang Xuening has never been close to her, he planned his own, and he didn't want her to understand, let alone explain anything, he was still thinking about going to see You Fangyin, after returning the embroidered handkerchief to her, he turned around and went to the house went out.

This is going out at night.

But no one in the entire family dared to say anything, as if they were used to it.

Jiang Xuehui stood there watching her back, as if she didn't care what other people thought, all the rules imposed on women in the house seemed to be trampled under her feet by her, and she felt a little envious for a while.

But it was all put away in an instant.

She had never experienced Jiang Xuening's life, so she naturally did not have her temperament. In the final analysis, everyone has their own destiny.

It was very late, Zhou Yinzhi was still in the yamen and did not go back.

His subordinates asked him, "Master Qianhu still hasn't come back?"

Zhou Yinzhi replied: "There is something to do, you go first."

Those guards in brocade clothes didn't dare to ask any more questions, they took off their official robes in groups of three and five, hooked their shoulders and went out to drink, leaving Zhou Yin alone.

Jiang Xuening came at exactly the right time.

He wore a black cloak on the outside, a big hood, and a light yellow dress on the inside, but it made his figure more and more slender. When he got to the Yamen, he put down the hood, revealing a white face. Eyebrows are like pictures.

Zhou Yinzhi took a look, then lowered his gaze, and said: "In the afternoon, Qingyuan uncle's mansion came to hunt for people, but Zhou remembered that the second girl said that she would rest for two days, so there is no rush for the time being, and if she wants to release people tomorrow, it is fine." Not too late."

Not long after he was promoted to Qianhu, it was the first time he felt that he was in control, and it turned out to be so easy to use.

Uncle Qingyuan came in person in the afternoon, but he didn't dare to speak when he saw him.

A box of bank notes was handed over, three thousand taels.

Zhou Yinzhi glanced at him, only frowned, and said: "You don't have to be like this, the yamen will release you after the interrogation, at most seven or eight days, if Ling Ai really has nothing to do with provoking quarrels, naturally nothing will happen .”

Uncle Qingyuan's eyelids twitched.

He took out another five thousand taels of silver note from his left sleeve and put it on.

Zhou Yinzhi's brows frowned even deeper: "It's all about the juniors, and Jin Yiwei's side has taken care of it, so that it won't have anything to do with the Heavenly Religion and the chaotic party. Uncle, please go back."

When Uncle Qingyuan heard this, he almost knelt down in fright.

This time I clenched my teeth, as if my flesh was falling off from the pain, and took out a five thousand tael bank note from the right sleeve and put it on.

When she spoke, she almost burst into tears, and said: "My daughter hasn't suffered anything since she was born, and the family loves and loves her. Although she is always a bit stupid, it doesn't matter to anyone. She It’s hard to choose to enter the palace as a companion, and I’m going back to the palace in a few days, so I ask Lord Qianhu to hold her hands high and be accommodating.”

Only then did Zhou Yinzhi say: "Uncle loves his daughter so much, it sounds pitiful. If so, I will order someone to interrogate her overnight. You can come tomorrow."

Only then did Uncle Qingyuan go with gratitude.

The 13,000 taels were naturally left behind.

As for whether he insulted him after leaving, it is not known.

At this moment, Zhou Yinzhi took out an envelope from his sleeve, handed it to Jiang Xuening, and said: "The uncle's mansion will send someone to pick up You Yue tomorrow, but there is no mention of another concubine in the mansion. I will tell Uncle Qingyuan , This matter still needs to keep someone pending trial, and You Fangyin is the one who caused the trouble, so he cannot be released for the time being. The uncle said, that is natural, and then left. "

Jiang Xuening took the envelope.

I took it apart and saw two silver notes of five thousand taels.

She stuffed the banknote back again, secretly thinking that the broken ship did have three nails. Although it's not much, it's definitely not much, and she knows who Zhou Yinzhi is. I'm afraid that Uncle Qingyuan gave more at that time, and she has only 10,000 in her hands.

I don't know how the uncle looked at that time, how much should You Yue hate him if he knew it?

Jiang Xuening frowned from the bottom of her heart.

He only said that the money was used for the Ziliujing saltworks, and he would make up for it later, and the difference would not be much different.

She said: "It took a lot to get a Youyue, so the uncle's house will not waste the money for the second time. One is a prostitute daughter, one is a concubine daughter, one is a companion to the palace, and the other is a father who does not love his mother or loves him. No one cares about you in prison, and they think you need to keep something in their hands to be at ease, so they deliberately left You Fangyin to you, so that you can feel at ease when collecting the money."

It's a common practice in official circles.

Zhou Yinzhi listened and nodded.

Jiang Xuening asked again: "How is Fang Yin?"

Zhou Yinzhi took her to Houya's cell.

The jailer saw Master Qianhu bringing a woman, all wrapped in a cloak, although he couldn't see her appearance clearly, he didn't dare to ask any more questions, so he ordered to open the door without further ado and lead them in.

Jin Yiwei mostly arrests people for the emperor, and those involved are either princes or nobles. They often have to use some means to get these people to tell the "truth", so there are all kinds of hideous instruments of torture everywhere in this prison.

Jiang Xuening had never been to this kind of place in her previous and present lives, and when she glanced at it, she was shocked.

However, the next moment he couldn't help but think of Zhang Zhe.

In the last life, that person was imprisoned, and it was his enemy who interrogated him. With all kinds of torture, how painful should it be?

There are no windows on all sides of the prison, it is dark and damp, and it is still very cold in winter.

Some of the cells held people, most of them already asleep.

There are also some who have their eyes open, but they don't respond when they look at people passing by, like walking dead, their eyes are numb and palpitating.

It's just that the further you go, the fewer cells there are.

Mostly empty.

When she got to the innermost room, Jiang Xuening even saw a few pieces of bright candlelight falling on the ground outside the prison door. Looking inside, although this room is still a prison cell, it is tidy and tidy: the bed in the corner is tidy, with thick quilts; there is a desk against the wall with pens, ink and paper Inkstone; at the moment there are bright candles on the table. There was a person who leaned down under the lamp and carefully looked at the volume of booklets in front of him. His hair was untied and simply tied into a bunch, hanging from the front of his shoulders to his chest, but he had delicate features and a gentle and gentle posture.

It was You Fangyin.

Jiang Xuening was stunned immediately, standing outside the cell, looking inside, not knowing what to do for a while.

Zhou Yinzhi walked behind her without speaking.

It was quiet here, when they came from outside, You Fangyin heard footsteps easily, turned her head and saw Jiang Xuening standing outside, she was very pleasantly surprised, got up quickly, and closed it immediately The door of the cell was opened, and he said, "Why is the second girl here!"

Jiang Xuening: "..."

She glanced at Zhou Yinzhi faintly.

It has to be said that although this person has the heart of a tiger and a wolf, there are reasons why she liked to use this person and favored him in her previous life.

Doing things so beautifully.

The cell door was originally unlocked, it was just closed like an ordinary person's door.

Seeing this scene, Zhou Yinzhi retreated into the distance.

Jiang Xuening walked in, looked it over, and finally felt that the place was too narrow, looked at You Fang and said, "I came up with this idea on a whim, and it will make you suffer from this prison..."

You Fangyin has never been so happy.

Looking around her cell, she felt extremely comfortable. Hearing Jiang Xuening's words, she shook her head quickly and said, "No, no, no! Master Zhou arranged for me very well, and I know that the second young lady doesn't want me to go back to the mansion either. Going to be punished is all my fault for being too impulsive. I, I live here, very happy, very happy."

Jiang Xuening was startled: "Happy?"

You Fangyin nodded vigorously, unable to hide the joy on her face, and wanted to tell her that this place is much better than the firewood house, and there are still lamps and candles to light it, and I can learn it if I have accounts, but When he was about to say something, he met her gaze, but felt that she couldn't let her know about it.

So she opened her mouth and she closed it again.

The head also drooped down, lost the joy before, and became the most common timid look again.

Jiang Xuening saw her like this, even if she didn't know, she guessed about it.

Looking at her thin and haggard appearance again, how can she not know that during the period of her stay in the palace, it is not easy for You Fangyin to live in the mansion?

The bottom of my heart was very sad for a moment.

She forced a smile, and La Youfang sat down on the clean bed, with hot flashes in her eyes, and said: "I know you are bullied by them in the mansion, but I can't get involved in the affairs of the uncle's mansion. It was only later that I came up with this method. Fortunately, there are adults from thousands of households here who can take care of you, and they can’t take care of anything else. At least you can live a life like a human in this uninhabited place. After two more days I will ask Mr. Zhou to be more lenient and let you go out secretly. I will enter the palace in a few days, so I have to rely on you for the Ziliujing saltworks and Ren Weizhi. You are in such a If I can be happy, I am naturally happy; but if I am not happy, I must not give up on myself, I have to rely on Fang Yin to solve everything."

She said it with a smile, but the sourness in her voice made You Fangyin feel sore, and she quickly assured her: "Second girl, don't worry, although Fangyin is stupid, she has already learned how to read the account books these days." This time I saw Mr. Ren, and we have already talked about it. After the second sister in the family knew about this, she also wanted to do it. Fangyin still remembers what you said. Since this cell can go out, it can also go out to discuss business , there is no better place in the world than this. I, you, I am very happy anyway..."

She speaks in a mess.

In the end, I wanted to say something to comfort Jiang Xuening, but my mouth was stupid and I didn't know how to speak.

There are actually people in the world who feel that living in prison is more comfortable than at home...

When Jiang Xuening heard this, she felt relieved at first, but after thinking about it, she found it funny but also very pitiful.

I don't dare to say more about this topic right now, I'm afraid I can't help but ask what kind of life she lived in the mansion

So he took out the envelope that Zhou Yinzhi had given him just now, handed it to You Fangyin, and said, "A skinny camel is bigger than a horse, and no matter how dilapidated the Ziliujing Ren family's saltworks are, it is far beyond ordinary people's imagination. You can’t do things well without any money, and you hold all of these in your hands.”

You Fangyin opened it and looked, but was frightened.

She had never seen so much money in her life.

However, Jiang Xuening knew that the money came from the Qingyuan uncle's house, so she thought it should be in You Fangyin's hands, so she should make up for it. It's just that it's not easy to tell her. Thinking of the current predicament, he said: "The Qingyuan uncle's house doesn't treat people as human beings, and you have such a harsh sister like You Yue, so you shouldn't be wronged to stay at home. But for a while For a while, I still can't think of a way to get you out..."

You Fangyin hurriedly comforted her: "It's okay, Fangyin is really okay, it's okay to live here for the rest of her life."

Jiang Xuening didn't smile.

She looked at her, and felt that this girl was too tender for the first time: "The best and most legitimate way to leave the uncle's house is to find a safe person to marry, so that no one can make irresponsible remarks. But I To protect you, you can only do this badly, and you have been sent to prison once, but it will be hard to find a future marriage."

The best way to leave Bofu is to get married.

You Fangyin blinked.

Looking down, he looked at the envelope containing the ten thousand taels of silver in his hand and thought about it.