On the road toward Shu Zhou, everyone was on high alert. Wang Chuan and Huang Quan would occasionally look out the window, paying attention to the movements of the carriages.
The carriages were sandwiched between Feng Yu Heng's group to ensure that both the front and back could be protected. The hidden guards on horses were also focused on protecting the two sides of the carriages. Only Ban Zou continued to ride behind Feng Yu Heng's carriage, not moving an inch away from it.
Xiang Rong sat in the carriage with a face full of resentment. She could not understand: "If they want to find military prostitutes, even if they need to search from far away, are those brothels' girls not enough? Why do they need to kidnap a girl from a good family? Second sister, that girl just said that she is the daughter of a concubine from Peng Zhou's prefect's family. Could that be true? Just how bold is that granny's group to actually dare kidnap a girl from an official's family? Is she not afraid that Peng Zhou's prefect will investigate and have her head cut off? "The more Xiang Rong spoke, the angrier she became. She was so angry that she stomped her foot in the carriage.
Wang Chuan and Feng Yu Heng had thought of the same thing. Seeing that Feng Yu Heng did not speak, she took the initiative to answer Xiang Rong's question, saying: "Could it be that third young miss has forgotten what that granny said? They were using His Highness the Ninth Prince's banner. With His Highness the Ninth Prince's name suppressing them, even if Peng Zhou's Prefect found out, what could he say? She's just the daughter of a concubine. If she was the daughter of the first wife, it's possible that they would go to the capital to cause a ruckus. Offending His Ninth Highness for a daughter of a concubine is truly not worth it. But directly kidnapping the daughter of the first wife is definitely difficult. Normally, the daughters of the first wives of large families will have guards following them when they go out. That granny does not have too much ability. As for those merchants, if the daughter that was kidnapped happened to be someone that their family loves very much, I fear that this matter will cause a ruckus in the capital. "She looked at Feng Yu Heng and asked:" Young miss, what do you think? Peng Zhou is not far from the capital. "
Feng Yu Heng still didn't say anything. Huang Quan also analyzed at this time, "A kidnapped woman is equivalent to a bad reputation. I'm afraid some people won't even look for her, right? Even if such a daughter was found, she would be a useless person. Not only would she not be able to get married, but she would also be criticized at home. Even the other daughters in the family would suffer. In my opinion, more than half of them will choose to remain silent and swallow their bitterness. "
"After arriving in Shuzhou, think of a reason. At least, don't embarrass those women too much," Feng Yu Heng suddenly said. Then, he closed his eyes again and said nothing.
Wang Chuan understood what she meant. He nodded and said, "Don't worry, Miss. The Shu Zhou Zhizhou is on good terms with His Highness the Seventh Prince. The two Highnesses have already sent people to greet us on our way to the fief. When the time comes, we'll have the Shu Zhou Zhizhou appear and say that those girls were invited by his wife to Shu Zhou as guests. Then, we'll send people to notify their families. We'll clearly write the situation in a letter. Then, we'll have their families proudly take their daughters back. "
"The letter must clearly state that His Highness the Eighth Prince's people kidnapped their daughters and used His Ninth Highness' name to ruin His Ninth Highness' reputation. Our family's young miss has a good heart and saved them, "Huang Quan interjected from the side," In short, we can't let the Eighth Prince get away scot-free. "
Feng Yu Heng nodded, "That's a must." It seemed that the battle in the South was about to begin. There had probably already been some movement. However, the journey was too far, so it hadn't reached the capital yet. But the Eighth Brother definitely had an idea. His communication with the small desert country should not have been cut off even after reaching the capital. Otherwise, he would not have come up with this idea ahead of time. It was just that this fat, tanned granny's luck was not good. Running into her, who knew what she was thinking, but she ended up taking this path. The Eighth Prince did not even tell her that it was very likely that she would run into her if she went this way?
Feng Yu Heng furrowed her brow tightly, as she suddenly had a very bad premonition. She suddenly opened her eyes, giving the people in the carriage a fright. Especially Shan Cha, who was pouring water for Xiang Rong. With this, she nearly threw the copper pot away. It was fortunate that Huang Quan supported her from the side.
"Young miss, what is it?" Wang Chuan saw this and quickly asked, "Could it be that you thought of something?"
Feng Yu Heng nodded, "This granny running into us was not a coincidence, nor was it bad luck. This was something that the Eighth Prince deliberately arranged. He wants to use this as a warning to us. It can also be considered a reminder that the battle between him and Xuan Tianming has already begun. Regardless of whether it's in the open or in the dark, he will do everything he can to surround and obstruct Xuan Tianming. As for that fat, tanned granny, there should not be just one group transporting military prostitutes. Right now, there might be groups like this all over Dashun. They are all using His Ninth Highness's name to ruin His Ninth Highness's reputation. After that, they will directly transport people to the South and make a big fuss in the South. When Xuan Tianming arrives in the South, I fear that he will be boycotted by the citizens. " She rubbed her forehead. "The resistance of the people in the South is still not bad. These people have picked on so many officials. It's possible that there will be an official who will report it to the capital. Then, the people of the eighth prince's party will deliberately exaggerate it in the court …"
"Then wouldn't His Ninth Highness's reputation be ruined?" Huang Quan gritted his teeth in hatred, "Damn it, that Eighth Prince only knows how to play dirty. If he has the ability, why doesn't he use it? Fight with real swords and spears! "
"How can something like the throne be fought for with real swords and spears?" Wang Chuan shook his head helplessly, but there was nothing he could do about this matter. He could only place his hopes on Feng Yu Heng, "Miss, what do you think we should do about this? Are we just going to watch His Ninth Highness take the blame? "
Feng Yu Heng smiled bitterly, "What else can we do? I'm afraid that from the moment the Eighth Brother handed over the military power in the South, this matter has already been secretly planned. If there were one or two groups, we might be able to send people to stop them, but how can there be only one or two groups? I'm afraid there might be eight or ten groups. We can't stop them all. "
"Then what should we do?" Huang Quan also became anxious, "If there's really no other way, how about we have the young misses in the carriages behind us testify for His Ninth Highness?"
"How could that be possible." Xiang Rong said: "You just said that they were worried about their reputation being ruined. If they came out to testify, wouldn't they have made the matter of them being kidnapped public? But … "She paused for a moment then looked at Feng Yu Heng," Second sister, say, if we give them a certain amount of benefits, would they be willing to testify? "
The carriage fell silent for a while, as everyone was thinking about the possibility that Xiang Rong had brought up. But if they were given benefits, what sort of benefits would they need to give? The young misses of official families did not lack money, did not lack status, did not lack … that's not right! Feng Yu Heng blinked. Did they really not lack money or status? Although they were young misses of official families, they were just daughters of concubines from official families. There were also daughters of the first wives of merchants. The daughters of concubines lacked status, while the daughters of the first wives of merchants lacked a more noble status and a higher social circle. Perhaps, she could do these things.
Feng Yu Heng had an idea and told the driver to speed up. Finally, they entered Shu Zhou City in the evening.
Just as Wang Chuan had said, on the way from the capital to Ji 'an County, Xuan Tianming and Xuan Tianhua had already made arrangements with the various prefectures and prefectures. Basically, whenever Feng Yu Heng arrived in a city, she would be received with the utmost respect. Even if she went to a small county, the county magistrate would make arrangements. When their group entered Shu Zhou City, the soldiers guarding the city recognized them. After confirming their identities, they trotted back to report to the prefectural magistrate. The prefectural magistrate had been waiting for Feng Yu Heng's arrival for the past few days. Hearing that she had entered the city, he quickly led his subordinates and his wife out to welcome her.
Feng Yu Heng's carriage went all the way to the entrance of the yamen. As soon as she alighted, she saw a group of officials kneeling on the ground and greeting her in unison. Even the surrounding commoners knelt down. Everyone wanted to see Princess Ji 'an's elegance.
Feng Yu Heng was not in the mood to exchange greetings with the officials and commoners today. She simply greeted them and followed the prefectural magistrate, Song Tianqi, into the yamen. The carriages carrying the girls were arranged to enter through the second gate. After the girls alighted, they went to wash up. On the other side, Feng Yu Heng had already told Song Tianqi what had happened.
Song Tianqi was one of the Seventh Prince Xuan Tianhua's people. He had followed Xuan Tianhua for many years and could be considered a trusted aide. When he heard about this matter, he immediately frowned and quickly said: "Imperial Princess said for this official's wife to come forward and say that it was to invite those young ladies to be guests. This is not a problem. However, if there are such groups in other places, then His Ninth Highness's reputation will be worrying!" He was so anxious that he spun around and continuously muttered: "What method do we have to think of to expose His Highness the Eighth Prince's evil deeds?"
Feng Yu Heng advised him: "Lord Song, don't be anxious. I have my ways of dealing with this matter. You and your wife only need to handle the previous matters beautifully. In addition, I'm afraid that we will have to disturb your residence for a few days. I hope that you will be magnanimous enough to forgive us. "
"Imperial Princess, what are you saying?" Song Tianqi waved his hand, "This is what this official should do." As he spoke, he seemed to have remembered something and immediately looked at his wife: "I remember that madam seems to have a younger sister born of a concubine who married into Peng Zhou and is now a concubine in the Peng Zhou Prefect's manor?"
Song Tianqi's wife, Liu-shi, nodded her head, "Husband is correct. I have some dealings with that younger sister born of a concubine. Every year, we exchange some New Year's gifts. She also gave birth to a daughter for the Peng Zhou Prefect, but I don't know if it's the one that the imperial princess saved. " As she spoke, she stood up and bowed towards Feng Yu Heng: "However, this concubine will first go to the rear courtyard to take a look! If it really is her, she should be able to help with this matter. "
Feng Yu Heng also gave her thanks and said: "That would naturally be for the best. Madam, do not worry. I will do my best to protect the reputation of those girls. If any of those girls really is madam's relative, as long as she is willing to come out and testify for the Ninth Prince, I will naturally give her and her daughter good fortune."
Liu-shi hurriedly thanked Feng Yu Heng for her grace and said at the same time: "It must be said that my younger sister born of a concubine cared the most about her identity as a concubine's daughter. It was also because she was a concubine's daughter that she could only be a concubine. Although I am not close to her, I have never treated her poorly. She was a concubine and the daughter she gave birth to is also a concubine's daughter. This has become the most frustrating matter for her and her daughter. She does not want her daughter to walk down the same path as her, but there is nothing that she can do to change it. If imperial princess can provide some assistance in this area, it should be the best place to start. "After she left behind these words, she quickly left with her maidservant.
Song Tianqi, however, felt that this matter was a bit difficult and wanted to provide an explanation for his madam; however, Feng Yu Heng said: "It's fine. It's just a status. As long as she nods and agrees, this imperial daughter naturally has a way. As for the people in the rear courtyard, the granny and some of the men will be sent to the capital tomorrow. They will be sent directly to the governor, Xu Jing Yuan. I will send some hidden guards to escort them along the way just in case. "
Song Tianqi nodded and complied. Feng Yu Heng continued: "Aside from this, I will need lord Song to put on a play …"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
