Yang Ling returned to the Provost Office and changed into a robe. He ordered four guards to stay in the Provost Office and went to the Musical House in the south of the city alone. Officials could not openly go in and out of the brothel, not to mention during the mourning period for the Former Emperor.
Although Yang Ling was not going to visit a prostitute, he was also nervous, so he pressed the brim of his hat low. Although he did not know many people in Beijing, and most of them were old men or old eunuchs, the more careful he was, the better.
Yang Ling sneaked into the Musical House and saw more than a dozen men, who were also sneaking in, one after another. All of them were wearing inconspicuous robes and wide-brimmed hats, and some of them even covered their faces with a small fan. All of them were looking around with shifty eyes.
The Former Emperor passed away, and the untouchables in the brothel did not even have the qualification to mourn for the Emperor, so the brothel was open as usual. It was strange that the people who came to visit prostitutes today were as sneaky as him. Yang Ling secretly looked around and did not find the servant of the Musical House wearing a green headscarf. When he was feeling strange, a man with a fan covering his face looked at him and came over.
He covered his face and laughed in a low voice, "Brother, the money is doubled. Do you also want to taste the magic doctor? Hehe, I think you'd better come to wash the pot for me in a couple of days. "
Hearing his dirty words, Yang Ling could not help but frown in disgust, but when he heard he said to open the pot, he was relieved. "Hasn't that Miss Gao been raped?"
He hurriedly hid his disgusted look and also pretended to be a whorehouse guest, saying, "The magic doctor is famous, and I just came here to try my luck. Of course, I can't compare with you in wealth and power."
Seeing that he spoke politely and did not know him, the man put away his fan, looked around, and said in a low voice, "I have been here for a long time. The Musical House has not violated the families of officials for many years, and it is difficult to play with a girl from a good family."
Yang Ling took a look at this man who called himself elder brother. Although his hair was black, his face was full of wrinkles. He looked really haggard and old.
The man was still complacent and said, "Brother, this kind of lady from a big family doesn't know how to spend money. It's not suitable for you. I'm here to spend money, not to enjoy the feeling of being in bed with my brothers, understand? What I want is precisely her status, to be able to press down the daughter of a sixth-ranked Imperial Physician under my body, how comfortable. "
Hearing him being so shameless, Yang Ling wanted to kick him out. But this "big brother" continued shamelessly, "I heard that she bumped into the corner of the table just when she was about to open the door to welcome the guests. The people of the Musical House have gone in to save her. I don't know if the sign can be lifted today. Tut, tut, tut. I don't see red at the bottom, but I see red at the top first."
A horse-faced man in a blue robe in the front heard his voice and suddenly turned his head. When he saw his face clearly, he immediately whispered, "Boss Guan?"
The man was startled and hurriedly wanted to cover his face with a fan, but it was too late. When he saw the man in front of him, he couldn't help but say, "Steward Dai, why is it … hmm hmm hmm …"
Before he finished his words, Steward Dai had rushed over and covered his mouth, and said in a hurry, "Be quiet, don't be heard by others." Boss Guan broke away from his hand, stared at him, and said, "Who doesn't come here with the same idea? Are you afraid to see others? "
Steward Dai smiled embarrassedly and said, "You are not afraid? If you are not afraid, why do you cover your face? "
Boss Guan smiled dryly and said, "She just bought medicinal materials from me, and I don't owe her anything. If she wants to support me, I will do it. But Miss Gao has saved countless lives, and is a famous Divine Doctor in the capital. Her popularity is too good, and if others know about her, it will affect my reputation. "
He looked at Dai Official Dai and sneered, "However, you, Dai Xiao Lou, shouldn't have come. Not to mention the fact that you have nine wives and concubines, at the very least, Miss Gao has saved your life before. How dare you take advantage of someone when they are down?"
Steward Dai's face turned red, and shamelessly said, "So what if I saved my life? Humph! You don't know how many times I begged her before she was willing to come and treat me. I spent twenty taels of gold, and before she left, she told me to do more good deeds, and not to be a heartless rich man. Fine, today I will give her face, and let her know what it means to be a heartless rich man. "
This pair of shameless bastards! If it were not for the fact that Yang Ling was also sneaky, he would definitely find an excuse to send these two scums to the Imperial Bodyguard to be taught a lesson. While the two lechers were talking, Kong Ming, the Right Shao Dance Master, who was dressed in the standard Musical Arts Officer of the Musical House, walked out from the back hall. He was wearing a red gown and a blue headscarf.
Sikong Ming walked into the hall and clapped his hands, and the people who were whispering around immediately quieted down. Sikong Ming smiled and said, "Thank you for your support, gentlemen. I think everyone knows that today's girl is the daughter of the imperial court's sixth-rank criminal, Imperial Doctor Gao Tinghe. She, Wild Chrysanthemum Shop's Golden Needle Liu, and Apricot Flower House's Sanzhi Tian are the three great Divine Doctors in the capital. Gentlemen, usually, no matter how high your status is, or how much money you have, you can't even touch her finger, is that right? "
There was a buzz of response, Sikong Ming smiled proudly and said, "But today is different, as long as you are willing to spend money, you can play with this young lady however you want. Hehe, this opportunity is hard to come by. Well, let's not talk nonsense, tonight's opening price is three hundred taels of silver, gentlemen, if you think it is suitable, just name your price."
As soon as he said three hundred taels of silver, the crowd was in an uproar. Although three hundred taels of silver was the daughter of a big family, it was still too expensive, and at that moment, some people had already given up. Although Boss Guan and Steward Dai also felt a bit of heartache, but when they thought that the young lady, who they could only nod their heads and smile, would be exposed to the wind and rain today, they really didn't want to let go.
Boss Guan calculated for a long time how many medicinal ingredients he would have to sell to earn back the money, and finally clenched his teeth and shouted, "I bid three hundred taels!" Steward Dai gave him a look, and raised his voice, "Three hundred and one taels!"
Yang Ling touched his chest pocket, and felt a bit relieved. Today he had taken the money to return to Ma Yongcheng, and he still hadn't had the time to return it to Young-niang. With four thousand taels of silver in his chest pocket as a base, he wasn't too worried. If he really couldn't do it, then tonight he would pretend to be a brothel customer and book Miss Gao, and tomorrow when the palace gates open, he would go find the steward eunuch.
The people in the hall who were willing to spend money competed with each other, and in the end, only Boss Guan, Steward Dai, and a gentleman were still bidding. At this time, the price had already reached four hundred and sixty taels. Yang Ling suddenly raised his voice and shouted, "I bid five hundred taels."
He suddenly increased the price by forty taels, and the three people couldn't help but look at him in surprise. Sikong Ming beamed with joy and said, "Good, good, this gentleman, please come forward and answer."
Yang Ling braced himself and walked forward, and the two immoral scoundrels and the gentleman carefully sized him up. Right Shao Wu Si Kongming chuckled as he walked forward, and suddenly he was startled, and his face revealed a surprised expression. That surprised expression only flashed for a moment, and then he immediately laughed and said, "This gentleman looks like a romantic and elegant man, a man who has tender and protective feelings for the fairer sex. Miss Gao is new to the world, and won't be able to withstand such a beating. Tonight I'll leave it to you."
When Steward Dai heard this, he hurriedly said, "Wait, I bid five hundred and twenty taels." Yang Ling immediately said, "Six hundred taels!"
Sikong Ming laughed, and said, "The price is up to you gentlemen to decide, but who the young lady is to be betrothed to, that is up to me. Just now in front of so many people, I already said that Miss Gao will belong to this gentleman tonight, can I still go back on my words? Just five hundred taels, Young Master, please step back! "
Everyone was startled, was there something wrong with this music official? How could he still push away the money? Yang Ling was also secretly puzzled, but at this time he didn't care so much, and immediately followed the Shao Wu to the back hall in the midst of the crowd's discussion.
This Sikong Ming really did know Yang Ling. A few days ago, Hongzhi's funeral, the new emperor's ascension ceremony, the Musical House's Right Shao Wu, Right Shao Wu, and Right Si Si Si, who were responsible for the palace music, were busy all day in the palace. Yang Ling was the commander of the imperial palace guards, and had always been patrolling inside the imperial city, so he didn't pay attention to these performers, but Sikong Ming recognized his appearance. Just now he recognized that this was Mister Yang, who was so popular in front of the emperor, so how could he not deliberately buy him?
Sikong Ming took Yang Ling to the front of a small building with richly ornamented beams and painted rafters, and said in a low voice with a smile, "This is where I will serve Young Master. Miss Gao has a violent temper, but I have already forced a pot of liquor and tied her to the bed. Young Master, tonight you will definitely enjoy yourself to the fullest."
The female relatives of the convicted officials never used drugs, because most of the people who were eager to support them liked their ashamed and resentful expression. Sikong Ming thought that Yang Ling also liked this kind of thing, so he smiled apologetically and said, "I have no use for things like trembling voice and flower of love, but I see that Young Master is extraordinary, so it is easy for you to carry a spear, ride a horse, and command a thousand troops, let alone ride a woman."
Hearing this, Yang Ling was shocked, and suddenly looked back at him. As soon as Sikong Ming's eyes met his, he immediately lowered his head humbly, slightly bowed, and said, "I am Sikong Ming, the Right Shao Wu of the Musical House. It is my honor to serve Young Master today. Young Master, please enjoy yourself. I will leave now."
Sikong Ming secretly pointed at Yang Ling, sent this favor, and quietly left. Listening to his tone, Yang Ling seemed to know who he was, so he was surprised and doubtful. But now that he was in front of the door, he couldn't turn around and leave a poor woman. Yang Ling pulled himself together, opened the door, and walked in.
The pavilion was not big, and there were tables and chairs in the room, a pot of liquor, and a few platters on the table. It seemed that the Musical House was quite considerate to entertain the guests after receiving the money. Further inside was a Zhang Xiu bed, and the bed curtains were hung on two golden hooks. A woman was lying on the embroidered bed, wearing only her underwear. As soon as she saw someone come in, she was so shocked that her eyes almost popped out of their sockets, and she immediately struggled in horror.
As she struggled with all her might, even the embroidered bed began to shake. Only then did Yang Ling find that her hands and feet were tied to the four corners of the wooden bed by white silk. The woman's beautiful hair was messy, and her head was wrapped with white cloth, which was faintly oozing with blood. Her face was red, and a white silk was tied to her mouth to prevent her from biting her tongue to commit suicide. Such a twisted and struggling look like a madman, except for her graceful and mature figure, he really couldn't tell whether she was beautiful or ugly.
Yang Ling hurriedly locked the door and walked to her side. The woman's eyes were more anxious and indignant. She struggled desperately and kept screaming. Yang Ling hurriedly said, "Don't be afraid, I … want to save you."
Hearing this, the woman was stunned and stopped struggling. She looked at him with panicked eyes, as if she didn't believe him. Yang Ling saw that she only wore underwear, showing the curves of her delicate body, and her plump breasts raised the lake-green bra high, which was quite indecent in front of a strange man. So he hurriedly pulled a brocade quilt to cover her, and softly said, "Miss, don't be suspicious. I was entrusted by Gao Wenlan and Gao Wenju to save you."
When Miss Gao heard her cousin's name, she finally believed it. She mumbled and couldn't stop the tears from flowing from her eyes. Yang Ling hurriedly said, "I'll untie you. Don't make a sound. Later, we'll talk about how to save you and escape."
Gao Wenxin nodded repeatedly. Yang Ling untied the cloth around her mouth and the white silk that bound her limbs. Miss Gao hugged the quilt and said in a trembling voice, "Qie thanks Benefactor for saving my life!"
Yang Ling turned his head away and said, "Miss Gao doesn't need to thank me first. If I can help you, I will help. But I have to say something unpleasant first. "He took a breath and said in a low voice," You are a criminal, I don't have the confidence to save you. "
Gao Wenxin's red and swollen eyes stared at him for a long time. Then she smiled mournfully and said, "Qie still has to thank Gongzi. As long as qie can die innocently, qie can't thank Gongzi enough for your great kindness and kindness."
Hearing this, Yang Ling sighed in his heart. He hardened his heart and said, "Miss Gao, it's not that Yang is heartless, but Yang is also a man with a family and a business. I can't do things without scruples. Ay … whether or not you can be pardoned depends on the Emperor's word. Tomorrow morning I'll enter the Palace and take charge of the eunuchs in charge of your punishment. As for saving you … I'll have to think of another way. "
Gao Wenxin wiped her tears and said, "Qie isn't afraid of death. I'm only afraid that my innocence will be tainted. If I can escape, it'll be good. If I can't, it's just death. Gongzi doesn't have to be too difficult. Gongzi saving qie today is already a great kindness. May I ask Gongzi's name? "
Yang Ling turned his head and looked at her. Without hiding anything, he said, "This one is Shenji Battalion General Yang Ling!"
Gao Wenxin's eyes widened and she said with surprise, "Yang Ling, Yang?" Her heart, which had already given up all hope, was instantly filled with joy. The person in front of her was the Eastern Palace Study Attendant who dared to defy the imperial edict. He was the official favored by both the new and old Emperors. If she could really escape her suffering, who else could do it other than him?
…
The sky was slightly bright. Gao Wenxin was still in a deep sleep. She had been in fear for a few days. Yesterday, she had lost too much blood and was forced to drink a pot of strong wine. She stayed up until the second half of the night and finally fell asleep.
As Gao Wenxin was sleeping, she suddenly felt as if there was someone beside her. These days she had been constantly on guard and was very sensitive to such things. Although she had just woken up, she still shivered and suddenly opened her eyes. When she saw a pair of bright eyes, she was so shocked that she shivered. She looked carefully and saw that it was Yang Ling. She couldn't help but pull the blanket up to her chin in embarrassment.
Yang Ling smiled and straightened his back. He said, "I saw that you were sleeping soundly and couldn't bear to wake you up. I didn't expect you to wake up."
Gao Wenxin said with a little embarrassment, "Mr. Yang, please don't laugh at me. I'm too tired …"
Yang Ling smiled and said, "I know. I'm going to the palace now. If everything goes well, the Musical House will send someone to move you to live alone in the afternoon at the latest. I will find a chance to slowly talk to the Emperor. If there is no news from me at night …"
Gao Wenxin's face instantly turned pale. She bit her lips and calmly said, "I understand. If there is no change in my situation before the lantern is lit tonight, it means that things cannot be done. I will find an opportunity to die … No matter what, I am eternally grateful for Daren's kindness."
Yang Ling waved his hand weakly, sighed, and walked out without looking back.
* * *
In the yamen of the Bell and Drum Department, Liu Jin was majestically directing dozens of little eunuchs to hit the bell and beat the drum. The Jingyang Bell was hit by a giant wood supported by eight little eunuchs. This kind of giant bell was not engraved with the Eight Diagrams but only the Qian hexagram in Ming Destiny. One was in the Temple of Heaven, one was in the Dongyue Temple, and one was in the Imperial Garden, representing the three talents of heaven, earth, and man.
There was a leaky room in the Imperial Garden, in which there was a giant Seven Treasures Lamp, which was six feet high. It led the running water in the Imperial Garden to stimulate the mechanism and make it run automatically. There were cloud beads and bead beams in the mechanism, and there were dragon heads at both ends of the beam to adjust the speed of the water flow. In the Seven Treasures Lamp, there were 12 wooden puppets holding the hour sign, and they took turns to walk out and report the time. There were also four small wood to hit the bell, drum, gong, and gong respectively.
The little eunuchs who saw the time stood at the door and used a small flag to inform the eunuch Liu Jin who was standing on the Jingyang Bell Tower. Liu Jin then ordered the little eunuchs to hit the Jingyang Bell and beat the Si Chen Drum, announcing the beginning of the morning court and the hundreds of officials entering the hall.
After hitting the bell and drum, Liu Jin went downstairs and was about to go to the yamen of the Bell and Drum Department to drink some tea and eat some snacks when he suddenly saw Yang Ling coming over. He quickly went up to him and said with a smile: "Mr Yang, how did you find the time to come here?"
Yang Ling cupped his hands and said: "Eunuch Liu, Yang is here to look for you."
Liu Jin asked curiously: "Why is Mr Yang looking for me? Come, come, come. Let's go to the Bell and Drum Department and have some tea. We can discuss the details later. "
Yang Ling hurriedly pulled him back and said: "Eunuch Liu, wait a moment. Yang's matter is a bit urgent. The Bell and Drum Department does not have time to go." He pulled Liu Jin aside and told him the matter from beginning to end.
Yang Ling did not hide anything from him. Since he wanted Zhengde to open his mouth and pardon the people, instead of hiding it and letting Zhengde know that he was deceiving the Emperor, it was better to be a good person. At that time, even if Zhengde did not agree, he would not blame him.
After listening to him, Liu Jin said with a smile: "Well, this matter is most likely the punishment that the Hong Official added to the punishment in order to please the Emperor. The Emperor does not understand that the family members of the offending officials can be put into the Musical House."
He looked around and lowered his voice: "Let me tell you the truth. The Emperor is angry that Imperial Physician Gao killed the Former Emperor, so he dragged them out and beheaded them. But after the investigation, it turned out that when the Former Emperor was sick, Zhang Yu panicked and took the wrong medicine. Hey! Imperial Physician Gao and Director Yang died of injustice, but what can we do about it? We can only make the best of the mistake. "
Yang Ling was in a daze when he heard this. Even the Son of Heaven could die in such a cowardly manner. He could behead tens of thousands of people with a single decree, and he himself had lost his life because of an inconspicuous little eunuch who had grabbed the wrong item in a moment of panic.
He frowned and said: "So, isn't Miss Gao even more wronged? The dead are already dead. How can you let innocent people suffer for nothing? "
Liu Jin disapprovingly said: "What is this? For the dignity of the royal family, even if a thousand or ten thousand people die, what does it matter? The rumor that Zhang Yu took the wrong medicine has been spread out. If the Emperor pardoned her, wouldn't it be even more true? Therefore, it was impossible for her to be pardoned. But … "
When Yang Ling heard it, he hurriedly said: "But what? Eunuch Liu, don't keep me guessing, please teach me quickly! "
Liu Jin sneered twice and said: "Your Excellency, you have a compassionate heart. If you really want to save people, it is not difficult. As long as this matter is done well, the Emperor's face can be restored, and the Emperor can show that he sympathizes with his subjects. Hehe, what is the big deal about pardoning an insignificant little girl?"
Yang Ling knew that Liu Jin was the best at guessing Zhengde's thoughts, so he hurriedly asked: "Yang originally wanted to ask Eunuch Liu to introduce me to the steward of the Musical House, but I didn't expect Eunuch Liu to have such a wonderful plan. I hope Eunuch Liu is generous enough to teach me. If that girl can get out of this disaster, she will definitely be grateful to Eunuch Liu, and set up a longevity tablet for you, and worship you three sticks of incense every day."
Liu Jin's old face was like a blooming chrysanthemum after being praised by him. He hurriedly waved his hand to show his modesty. When Yang Ling couldn't wait, he pulled his arm and whispered in his ear for a while. After hearing it, Yang Ling gladly bowed and said: "Yang Ling thought that it was a difficult matter, but with Eunuch Liu's help, it will be solved immediately. This is a wonderful plan. When it is done, Yang Ling will definitely hold a banquet to thank Eunuch Liu."
Liu Jin said with a smile: "Mr. Yang, you don't need to be so polite. Based on our friendship, shouldn't I help you with such a small matter? Let's go, I will take you to see Eunuch Si Jing of the Musical House first and help that girl settle down. Eunuch Si Jing used to be indifferent to me, but since His Majesty ascended to the throne, he often smiles obsequiously and tries to please me. He will definitely agree to this small matter. "
…
After the morning court session ended, Hong Zhong, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, and Xu Guan, the Minister of the Ministry of Works, returned to the imperial court room to pick up the documents that were submitted to the Cabinet yesterday. They saw Ma Wensheng, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, sitting in the imperial court room, frowning and looking worried. Hong Zhong couldn't help but ask curiously, "Official Ma, why are you sighing?"
Ma Wensheng saw that it was his two colleagues and good friends, and couldn't help but sigh and say, "The three scholars have gone to the back palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager, to discuss the matter of His Majesty's wedding. This old man is waiting here to ask for their opinion. Once the edict of an official taking up a post in a different place comes out, there will be an endless stream of officials coming to this old man's court to complain every day. This old man really can't bear it."
Hong Zhong smiled and said, "Not all of them. Some officials from poor provinces have the opportunity to go to a rich province, and they are cheering and jumping for joy. However, His Majesty's edict is really not small. Which of those high-ranking officials doesn't have friends and relatives? Returning to their original places to take care of each other is also a matter of affection. If they move back, they won't have this opportunity. Don't tell me they are moving all their family and relatives? "
The Minister of the Ministry of Works, Xu Guan's younger brother, was an official in his hometown in Jinling, and this time, he was also moving. When he heard this, he coldly snorted and said, "This idea was originally not thought through. I heard that it was the Gong and Drum Department's eunuch Liu Jin and Personal Guard Commander Yang Ling, these two idiots who don't understand politics, who slandered them, causing the complaints to be heard everywhere."
Ma Wensheng knitted his white eyebrows and said, "Although this matter is somewhat rash, it may not necessarily be without benefits. Otherwise, the three Grand Scholars of the Cabinet would not have drafted it. Now that the imperial edict has been issued, as officials, we should carry it out as one. This kind of words should not be said again in the future."
Seeing his displeasure, Xu Guan also laughed coldly and said, "Daren is using the heart of a gentleman to measure the heart of a lowly person. Although Yang Ling is favored by the Emperor, he really cannot interfere in court affairs. Who knows if he wants to use his official position for personal gain to find a rich place to be an official?"
He took his own document and angrily walked out of the court room. At a glance, he saw his trusted aide, the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Works, Li Jie, hurriedly coming to greet him. He could not help but be surprised and said, "Li Jie, supervising the construction of Tailing Mausoleum is a very important matter. Why did you come back to the capital without permission?"
At first, Li Jie's face was full of anxiety, but as soon as he saw him, he could not help but be surprised and happy. He quickly came forward and said, "Daren, something big has happened on the mausoleum."
Xu Guan was bewildered and said, "Something happened on the mausoleum? What actually happened? "
Li Jie looked around and leaned closer to him and whispered, "Daren, the Tailing Mausoleum Black Palace has deflated, the Golden Well has water!"
Hearing this, the Minister of the Ministry of Works, Xu Guan, let out an "Ah!" and his face changed greatly. The documents in his arms immediately fell to the ground.
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