Ban Han opened his mouth and looked at the row of teeth marks on the back of Rong Xia's hand. He snorted, "If I'm a pig, what are you?"
"I'm just an honest pig that follows you around …"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Ban Han felt that if he didn't make some noise to make his presence known, the two people in the room probably wouldn't see him.
"Brother Heng." Ban Han saw Ban Heng and pushed Rong Xia aside so that he wouldn't block her view.
"Sister, Marquis Rong." Ban Heng walked in and bowed to Rong Xia. Although his attitude wasn't perfunctory, it definitely wasn't warm. He looked down at Ban Han who was lying on the bed. He turned his head and wanted to say something, but when he saw the bruises around Rong Xia's eyes, he swallowed his words.
"Are you feeling better?" The room was filled with the bitter smell of medicine. There was an empty bowl on the wooden table next to her. It was obvious that she had used the medicine.
Ban Heng nodded. Her nasal voice was a little heavy. Her pale face, big eyes, and sad little face softened Ban Heng's heart. He still didn't know what happened the night before, but judging from the Rong family's servants' attitude, his sister must have helped Rong Xia a lot.
"Father and Mother are very worried about you, but they also know that Marquis Rong is a steady person, so they don't worry about you recuperating here." Ban Heng turned to look at Rong Xia and smiled politely.
Rong Xia smiled bitterly. It sounded like they were relieved, but in fact, it was a warning.
Ban Han smiled embarrassedly, "I made them worry."
"It's okay. Before I left, Mother had specially told me that you don't have to think too much. Just rest well." Ban Heng looked at ease. Apparently, he had already expected Rong Xia to have such a reaction. "Anyway, Mother said that there are not many times when you and I are free of worry."
Ban Han didn't think it was a compliment.
Rong Xia, who was standing beside the siblings, could not help but laugh out loud. When he saw Ban Han turn to look at him, he clenched his fist and coughed twice. "Sorry, I …"
Ban Han said generously, "If you want to laugh, laugh. Don't hold it in."
In the end, Rong Xia did not laugh. He ordered the servants to bring Ban Heng to have breakfast. After Ban Heng left, he laughed again.
Ban Han looked at him with a doting and helpless expression, as if saying, "I really don't know what to do with you."
Seeing Ban Han's expression, the smile on Rong Xia's face widened.
In the residence of the Count Of Zhongping, the Xie Family sent wave after wave of doctors. But everyone's answer was the same. They could save their eldest son's life, but they could not save their eldest son's life. Xie Jinke only had two sons and one daughter. His youngest son was muddle-headed and hurt his eyes. Now, other than meeting with his friends in poetry and painting, he was like a cultivator. He was not interested in any emotions. His youngest daughter had married well on the surface, but Prince Ning was not a doting person. His daughter was a princess consort in name, but she would not live as freely as if she had married a normal man.
Now, his eldest son …
What kind of sin had the Xie Family committed to cause such unlucky things to happen one after another?
"The imperial physicians in the palace have no solution. The doctors of the Ban Family also have no solution." Madame Xie sat in a chair absent-mindedly, "Lao Ye, what should we do?"
"Count, Madame," A servant girl hurriedly ran over, "Eldest Young Master and Eldest Young Mistress quarreled. Eldest Young Master told Eldest Young Mistress to scram."
Madame Xie suddenly stood up from the chair, "Then where is Eldest Young Mistress?"
"Eldest Young Mistress is crying in her room right now," the servant girl said anxiously, "You should go take a look."
Although the commoners did not know that Xie Zhongjin's family jewels had been injured, many people in the capital had heard a few words. There were also many people who gossiped behind their backs. The Xie Family pretended not to know.
Xie Jinke and Madame Xie walked into the courtyard where their eldest son and daughter-in-law lived. They heard their eldest son smashing and scolding in the room. Their daughter-in-law only cried and did not speak. Madame Xie was worried that if her eldest son continued like this, her daughter-in-law would leave in anger. She went in and said, "Zhongjin, what are you doing?"
Xie Zhongjin looked at Madame Xie with a red face, "Mother, has the culprit been caught?"
Madame Xie did not dare to look into her son's eyes, "The capital government is investigating. You are not in good health right now. You can't get angry and harm your health."
"Investigating?" Xie Zhongjin laughed strangely, "I think the capital government is busy worrying about the Rong Junpo case. How would they have time to care about our family?"
Madame Xie was angry, embarrassed, and distressed, "You child, what nonsense are you talking about? There are so many cases in the capital. Is the capital government only focusing on the Marquis Cheng'an case? "
"Isn't this the way of the world?" Xie Zhongjin was expressionless, "These people will curry favor with whoever has more power."
"Who cares about the Duke of Marquis? What's so great about that? The one in charge of the court is Prince Ning." Madame Xie was worried that her eldest son would go down a dead end, so she helped him sit down on the bed, "If you are angry, you can talk to your mother. How can you vent your anger on your wife?"
Eldest Grandmother Xie sat in the corner and wiped her tears. She did not react much to Madame Xie's words.
However, for Xie Zhongjin, as long as he saw his wife and concubines, it would remind him of the pain of losing his manhood. So, he did not want to see these women at all. No matter how Madame Xie tried to persuade him, he did not give in to his wife.
Xie Jinke and his wife came in a hurry and left in a hurry. Eldest Grandmother Xie also left the courtyard. Xie Zhongjin remembered what happened that day and kicked over the only stool by his feet.
Four hours later, a young man dressed as a manservant ran into Xie Zhongjin's courtyard with a look of panic on his face.
"Young, young master," the manservant panted, "I found the person, but …"
"But what?" Xie Zhongjin saw that the manservant's expression was strange, "Explain it clearly."
"I've asked someone to investigate. A few days before the incident, those ruffians who disappeared without a trace were in contact with a man called Sullen San 'er. This Sullen San' er is a street fortune teller swindler. He doesn't have much ability, but his mouth is very powerful. Some old women and poor daughters-in-law believed him." The manservant saw the impatient expression on Xie Zhongjin's face and quickly got to the point, "I heard that this Sullen Third Son has a brother who works in the palace. His brother … happens to be serving His Highness Prince Ning in the palace."
"Prince Ning?" Xie Zhongjin froze. His eyes widened as if he had gone crazy, "Why would he do that?"
The manservant didn't dare to say anything else. He muttered, "Perhaps there was a misunderstanding …"
"What misunderstanding?" Xie Zhongjin sneered, "He didn't even give face to an important official in court. It wouldn't be strange if he did something like this."
There had long been rumors that Prince Ning liked a girl from the Shi Family. However, because the Crown Prince married the eldest daughter of the Shi Family, it was impossible for the Shi Family to have two daughters marry into the imperial family. Therefore, the Emperor wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Xie Family, who didn't have much influence in court. In terms of military influence, the Xie Family couldn't compare to the Ban Family. In terms of civil officials, the Xie Family couldn't compare to the Rong, Yao, Yan, and Shi Families. Therefore, the Xie Family was the best candidate to curb Prince Ning's ambitions.
After Prince Ning married his younger sister, he was unhappy. It wasn't strange that he wanted to take revenge on the Xie Family. If it was someone else, they probably wouldn't do such a brainless thing. However, if it was Prince Ning, everything made sense.
Prince Ning, Jiang Luo.
"Jiang Luo …"
Xie Zhongjin spat out this name word by word. He was so angry that the roots of his teeth were bleeding. As a man, how could he not be angry after encountering such a thing?
In Jingting Gongfu, the Yin Clan was sitting by the window embroidering a pouch. She had been embroidering this pouch for a long time and it was especially beautiful.
"Madam," her personal mammy walked in and gestured for her to be quiet. She placed the pouch in a basket and covered it with a brocade handkerchief. She moved the basket away from the basket and said, "This is the pouch I embroidered for Huahua's wedding. It can't be tainted by anything unlucky."
The mammy bowed. When the Yin Clan returned to her seat, she whispered, "The matter has been taken care of."
The Yin Clan didn't show any emotion on her face, "Mm."
"Don't worry, it was all a coincidence. No one will suspect us."
The Yin Clan sneered, "I'm just giving them a taste of their own medicine. Who can I blame?"
"Madam, you're still too soft-hearted," the mammy said with some dissatisfaction, "That Eldest Young Master Xie wanted to take Master's life."
"Soft-Hearted?" The Yin Clan laughed, "I'm afraid that Eldest Young Master Xie wouldn't think so."
Although the Ban Family wasn't as powerful as it used to be, there was a saying that a starving camel was still bigger than a horse. As long as the Emperor didn't deliberately target the Ban Family, they would be able to live comfortably. The Master had a simple personality and didn't understand these twists and turns. Therefore, she would do these things.
In a family, someone had to use their brains.
"Madam, about the Princess …"
"Don't worry too much," the Yin Clan shook her head, "She's a child with a sense of propriety. She knows what she should do and what she shouldn't do. Moreover, Marquis Cheng 'an is a good match. After they get married, if they can get along well, I'll be able to rest assured. "
When the mammy heard this, she didn't say anything else.
The Yin Clan got up and walked out of the courtyard. She looked at the grass and trees in the courtyard. They were all planted by her husband according to her preferences. In her life, when she was in the Yin Clan, she was tortured by all kinds of methods and learned all kinds of methods. Originally, she thought that marrying into the Princess Royal Residence was just jumping from one fire pit to another. Who would have thought that she would jump into a hot spring?
If anyone touched her hot spring, she would fight with them.
When she was in the Yin Clan, if she didn't have any methods, how could she protect the dowry left for her by her mother and marry into the Grand Royal Residence?
Everyone had a bottom line, and her bottom line was her man and her child.
In Cheng 'an Marquis' Fu, Ban Jin lived a beautiful and decadent life where she stretched out her hand for clothes and opened her mouth for food. When she closed her eyes, there was a handsome man accompanying her in bed. When she opened her eyes, there was a handsome man smiling at her. Although she had not officially married into the Rong family, everyone in the Rong family had already regarded her as the mistress of the house.
"Princess, please try this." A beautiful maid fed Ban Han a grape with its skin peeled and seeds removed into her mouth. On the other side, there was another beauty fanning Ban Han, and another beauty holding a bottle and massaging her legs and shoulders. If Ban Han was a man, no matter who saw this assassin, they would have to sigh and say, "What a lecherous man."
However, in the Marquis Cheng 'an Mansion, the beautiful maids loved to rub against Ban Han, as if it was a great honor to serve Ban Han.
Sitting on the other side, Ban Han was peeling the grape himself with an expressionless face. The manservant behind him came forward to help, but he gave him a disdainful look. It was fun to be served by beauties. What was the point of letting a manservant do this work?
He glanced at Ban Han, who was lying lazily on the soft couch, and turned to listen to the female storyteller. Among other things, the storyteller in the Marquis Cheng 'an Mansion was really good, and the story she told was very novel. He had long been tired of the story of the poor scholar, the rich lady, and the beautiful fox demon. Were all the rich ladies and foxes in the world blind? They didn't like the elegant gentleman, so why did they have to marry the poor scholar?
The story of the Marquis Cheng 'an Mansion was different. There was a story of a poor scholar who was motivated and finally came back to marry his childhood sweetheart. The two of them worked together in the officialdom and lived a loving life. There was also a story of a poor scholar who coveted the beauty of a rich lady. In the end, he was beaten with a stick and failed to pass the exam. As for the beautiful fox demon, she naturally disappeared into the mountains after playing with the outstanding scholar. She wouldn't turn into an ordinary person to sew clothes and cook.
"Good, that's the flavor," Ban Han slapped his thigh and said, "This kind of poor scholar should be taught a lesson. This story is very interesting!" He took out two pieces of silver from his pouch and gave them to the storyteller. "Tell us another story tomorrow."
"Yes, Heir Apparent." The storyteller thanked him and put the silver away.
Ban Han didn't have such a big reaction as Ban Heng. After listening to Rong Xia's story, she felt that other stories were too ordinary. Fortunately, Rong Xia had some free time recently. If he had nothing to do, he would chat with her and tell her stories to pass the time.
Just as she was thinking, Rong Xia walked in. He was wearing a white and silver satin robe, and his hair was tied up with a jade crown. He looked fresh and elegant.
Nowadays, there were some famous scholars who didn't tie their clothes around their waists or tie up their hair. They thought that this was romantic and free. However, Ban Han still admired this kind of well-dressed nobleman with his hair tied up meticulously. Because only this kind of person could make her have the impulse to pull open his clothes and look at his collarbones.
She was always worried that the hair of those with disheveled hair would be knotted or stained with dirt. As long as she thought of this, she couldn't appreciate this kind of handsome man.
Ban Heng saw that his sister's eyes fell on Rong Xia. He lowered his head and continued to peel grapes.
He was very glad that this was his sister and not his brother. Otherwise, if she developed this kind of personality, the coffins of their Ban Family ancestors wouldn't be able to cover them.
Seeing Rong Xia come over, the beautiful servants who were surrounding Ban Han hurriedly retreated to the side. They bowed their heads and didn't dare to take another look.
Ban Han rested her chin on one hand and reclined on the soft couch. Seeing Rong Xia, she was too lazy to get up. "Didn't you go to see Commander Chen?"
"He said that he had already investigated the case. I thought that you might be interested in this case, so I came to ask you." Rong Xia's gaze swept over the servants who were standing quietly with their heads lowered. He smiled and said, "It seems that you get along well with the servants of this humble residence."
"Probably because I like beautiful women, and beautiful women like me?" Ban Han sat up straight and took out a handheld mirror from under the soft pillow. She looked at herself a few times to make sure that her hair was not messy. She stood up and said, "It's only been a few days, and he already investigated it?"
Rong Xia held her hand. The summer was hot, but he had a body that was warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Ban Jin's slightly hot hand was held by Rong Xia, and a trace of coolness passed into her palm. She raised one of her eyebrows and glanced at Rong Xia. She smiled and did not break away from his hand.
"I …" Ban Han looked at the backs of the two people who were leaving. He wanted to say, "I also want to go," but he didn't have the chance to say it. He thought about it and decided not to ask. He shamelessly followed them.
Some things were not a big deal after you got used to it.
The only side effect was that he wanted to marry a wife.
The two people walked to the door of the reception hall. Rong Xia glanced at Ban Han and reluctantly let go of her hand. He thought regretfully that if they were married now, he could openly hold Huahua's hand and appear in front of everyone. He wouldn't have to worry about people gossiping.
"Greetings to Marquis, Princess, and Ban Shizi." The officials led by Commander Chen stood up and bowed when they saw them enter.
"No need to be so polite. Please sit." Rong Xia and Ban Han walked into the room. Ban Han sat down next to them and didn't say anything.
"A few days ago, Princess Rong Xia caught a cold. We didn't have the chance to greet you properly. How are you now?" Commander Chen bowed to Ban Han. "His Majesty is very worried about your health. He said that after you recover, you should go to the palace to see him."
"I'm much better now." Ban Han coughed. "I'm sorry for making His Majesty worry."
Commander Chen saw that Princess Fule was indeed much better than the last time he saw her. He was relieved. "I'm here today to report the case of the assassin."
Rong Xia put down the teacup that he had picked up. "Who is it that hates me so much?"
Commander Chen said a name. This person was the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. At the same time, he was a former subordinate of the Yan Family before the Yan Family lost power.
"It's him?" Rong Xia frowned. "I just found that some of his account books were unclear in the Ministry of Personnel. After he sorted them out, I didn't mention it again. I didn't expect him to still hate me."
"Marquis is a gentleman. How could he know what these people are thinking?" Commander Chen smiled. "Marquis, please don't worry. His Majesty won't let this person off easily."
Rong Xia was still shocked and sad. No matter what Commander Chen said, she just nodded silently.
Commander Chen saw that Rong Xia was greatly affected and sighed in his heart. This was just a scapegoat. He couldn't drag the people behind him into this, so the investigation could only stop at him.
Jing Zhaoyi and Liu Banshan didn't dare to say anything about this case. Seeing that Commander Chen had closed the case, they didn't have any objections. Now, anyone with a brain could guess that this case was very likely related to the fight for the throne. Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn't have sent someone he trusted to handle this case.
Strictly speaking, Commander Chen shouldn't be in charge of this case. However, His Majesty insisted that Commander Chen be in charge of this case in the name of caring for his subjects. What else could others say?
Poor Marquis Rong was loyal to His Majesty. He almost died under the knife of the assassins, but he didn't get justice.
Jing Zhaoyi looked at the sad Rong Xia and sympathized with him even more. Some things were better left unknown. Knowing would only make things more troublesome.
"I see that Marquis Rong's injuries are much better. When will you return to court?" Commander Chen asked. "The current Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is only temporary. There are many things that you have to deal with personally."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I'm not very energetic recently, and I haven't recovered from my injuries. I'm afraid that I won't be able to be loyal to Your Majesty for a while. Please forgive me."
Commander Chen nodded silently. "Don't worry. I'll convey your message to His Majesty."
Now that Prince Ning's power in the court was growing, His Majesty couldn't sit still anymore. He wanted Marquis Cheng'an to return to court and suppress Prince Ning's morale. However, looking at Marquis Rong's pale face, he probably couldn't work too hard for the time being.
After these people left, Ban Han sneered lazily and patted Rong Xia's shoulder. "Don't take it to heart. People have to look forward. Don't let unnecessary people and things spoil your mood. However, it's too difficult for you to treat this as unnecessary. "
She looked at Rong Xia, who was slightly depressed, and pinched his nose with her index finger. "Come on, little handsome man, smile for me."
Rong Xia smiled.
"That's right." Ban Han pulled him up from the chair. "A few days ago, I saw that the lotus flowers in the lotus pond were blooming. Come with me to take a look."
"Okay."
After Commander Chen returned to the Great Moon Palace, he reported the matter to Emperor Yunqing.
When Emperor Yunqing heard that Rong Xia couldn't return to court for the time being, he frowned slightly. "It's been almost two months. His injuries haven't healed yet? Is it because his injuries haven't healed, or is he blaming me? "
"Your Majesty, it takes a hundred days to recover from a serious injury. I saw that Marquis Rong's complexion didn't look too good." Commander Chen said. "Marquis Rong is a civil official. He's not like me, who has been learning martial arts since I was a child. I can withstand falling and beating."
"Are you blaming me for ordering someone to flog you at the end of last year?"
Commander Chen was stunned. He didn't expect His Majesty to think about this matter. Because of the assassination of De Ning Princess Royal, he and Shi Jin were both flogged. When Shi Jin was able to ride a horse, he was still "lying" in bed. Therefore, it was rumored that he couldn't make it.
In fact, for many days afterward, he helped His Majesty deal with some things that couldn't be dealt with openly. Therefore, after he was reinstated, many people came to congratulate him.
Commander Chen knelt on one knee in front of His Majesty and asked for forgiveness. "Your Majesty, I didn't mean that."
"You didn't?" Emperor Yunqing sneered. "I know you all blame me for being unreasonable. It's just that this world is an unreasonable place to begin with. "
"Get out." Emperor Yunqing seemed to have thought of something. He picked up his dragon-headed crutch and hit Commander Chen. "Kneel outside."
Commander Chen lowered his head even more. "Yes."
"Wait." Emperor Yunqing stopped Commander Chen. "Have you dealt with those assassins?"
"Your Majesty, those assassins have committed suicide in the prison of the Supreme Court." Commander Chen knelt back to his original position. "Please rest assured."
"Yes." Emperor Yunqing nodded. "Has the Crown Prince repented?"
Commander Chen sneered in his heart. Repented? A good son was tortured to a pulp by His Majesty. What did His Majesty want him to regret?
Did he regret having an affair with his concubine mother? Or did he not dare to be too famous and make the Emperor suspicious?
However, the Eastern Palace didn't lack beauties. Even if it did, as long as the Crown Prince said so, many people would think of ways to send beauties into the palace. Why would he have an affair with his concubine mother? Did His Majesty really not understand, or was he pretending not to understand?
His Majesty was old, and he was afraid. He was afraid that his son would become more powerful than him. Therefore, he pretended to believe that the Crown Prince did these things and took the opportunity to destroy the Crown Prince's prestige among the people.
If he treated his son like this, how would His Majesty treat his subordinates?
Marquis Cheng 'an Mansion. Countless gifts were received. This time, they were gifts to suppress the shock.
There were gifts from scholars, courtiers, young women, and nobles. There were even gifts specially prepared for Ban Han. It seemed that the news that she was recuperating in Marquis Cheng 'an Mansion and that she had saved Rong Xia on a rainy night had spread.
Otherwise, why would there be so many gifts that only women would like to use, even though they didn't say it out loud?
"Marquis, Princess, His Highness the Changqing Of Gojoseon is here."
Ban Han put down the gift list in his hand and said to Rong Xia, "Eighth brother, have you arrived?"
Hearing Ban Han's words, Rong Xia couldn't help but smile. Before he could get up, another servant came in.
"Marquis, Prince Ning's servant has come to visit with gifts."
Ban Han put down the gift list and smiled at Rong Xia. "The pig and the lackey are also here."
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.
