The Red Mansions

Chapter 1709: Concubine Duanrong: Jia Ziyu, how could you treat her like this?
Shenjing City

The Jade Rabbit sets in the west and the Golden Crow rises in the east. Time flies and three days have passed before you know it.

Chen Ze's case has spread throughout the entire Shenjing City, and has attracted much attention and attention from the scholars and common people in Shenjing City.

After all, he was a prince, involved in a major case of treason, and the murder of the powerful Prince Wei.

Palace Garden, Wenhua Hall
The chief minister of the cabinet, Qi Kun, was sitting behind a lacquered wooden table in the hall at this moment, with a worried look on his solemn face.

In other words, this cabinet chief who had been in the political arena for many years had a bad premonition in his heart.

The Minister of Industry, Zhao Yi, was very sensitive to Qi Kun's "restlessness". He turned his head and asked in surprise, "Master Qi, what's wrong?"

Qi Kunqiang smiled to himself and said, "It's nothing, I just felt a little sleepy."

Zhao Yi nodded, feeling suspicious, but he didn't know where to start, so he just waited and saw what would happen.

Qi Kun raised his eyes and glanced outside the hall. It was almost noon, the sun was shining brightly outside the hall, summer was approaching, and the cicadas were chirping.

Qi Kun frowned and picked up a pile of memorials on the corner of the table. He couldn't help feeling annoyed.

Zhao Yi raised his sword-like eyebrows, his eyes were as clear as rainbows, and he whispered: "Lord Qi, the official road from Shenjing to Luoyang has been repaired, but the Ministry of Works is still short of a sum of money."

Qi Kun whispered, "Didn't the Ministry of Revenue allocate a sum of money according to the official road renovation plan?"

Zhao Yi was silent for a moment, then said, "The official road from Luoyang to Nanjing passes through several provinces. It's a long journey and the workload is quite large. We have recently added some budget."

Qi Kun nodded and said, "It's fine to pay it in installments, but the local authorities should be more frugal."

At this moment, Lin Ruhai, who was not far away, glanced at Qi Kun and said with a smile: "Lord Qi, this year's customs duties and silver are 20% more than last year."

Qi Kun was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "This is a good thing. We can spend the treasury more freely this year."

Lin Ruhai looked at the absent-minded Qi Kun, shook his head secretly, picked up the memorial on the desk and began to read it.

At this moment, there were suddenly bursts of chaotic footsteps outside the hall. Then, just as the cabinet ministers were surprised, they saw a large number of Jinyifu guards pouring into the hall.

Liu Zheng slowly stood up, shouted, and whispered, "How dare you break into Wenhua Palace without permission."

The officer in charge was Liu Jixian, the deputy commander of the Jinyi Palace. Under his thick eyebrows, his tiger eyes were piercing and his face was stern. He cupped his hands and said, "I am here on the orders of the King of Wei to arrest the King of Yan and his gang of rebels!"

As soon as these words came out, Liu Zheng's expression suddenly changed, his eyes flashed fiercely, and he said in a deep voice: "Everyone in this palace is a cabinet minister, how can there be any Yan Wang rebel party?"

Liu Jixian, however, cast his cold eyes towards the cabinet chief Qi Kun, and asked in a bad tone, "Lord Qi, do you still need me to be rude?"

After all, he was once the Prime Minister of the Han Cabinet, and he was in the Wenhua Palace. The Jinyiwei did not want to make things look bad.

Qi Kun stood up, stiffened his neck, and with a look of dignity and awe from being in a high position for a long time, he shouted in a deep voice: "Liu Jixian, I am an assistant minister of the imperial court. When have I ever been a rebel?"

Liu Jixian said coldly: "Lao Qi colluded with Yan Wang Chen Ze to murder Wei Wang. Isn't he a traitor?"

Liu Jixian's face grew colder, and he shouted in a deep voice, like a spring thunder, "Come here, take down Qi Kun!"

"promise."

The Jinyifu guards around responded, came forward, handcuffed Qi Kun's arms behind his back, and walked quickly to the outside.

Qi Kun looked pale, but his voice remained calm as he said, "I want to see the King of Wei."

Liu Jixian's face was as cold as frost, and he said in a deep voice: "Master Qi, please be patient, you will be able to see the prince in a while."

After a while, Jia Heng, surrounded by a group of Jinyifu guards, quickly entered the hall.

Zhao Yi stepped forward, called out, and said respectfully, "I greet the King of Wei."

Jia Heng nodded, extended his hand to support him, and said, "Lord Zhao, there is no need to be so polite."

Zhao Yi glanced at the Jinyifu guards behind Jia Heng, his face showing surprise, and asked: "Prince Wei, this is..."

Zhao Yi was not frightened at all, after all, they were relatives of Jia Heng's wife's family.

Jia Heng said: "The Prince of Yan and Qi Kun colluded with each other and intended to murder me. Now the Prince of Yan has confessed that Qi Kun was secretly helping him."

Qi Kun's expression suddenly changed, and he argued, "Prince Wei, when did I collude with the Prince of Yan to murder you?"

Jia Heng had no expression on his face and said in a deep voice, "Liu Jixian, hand the confession of the Prince of Yan to Lord Qi for review."

Liu Jixian responded softly, then took a letter of resignation from the clerk beside him and handed it to Qi Kun.

Qi Kun's face was as pale as paper at this moment. After looking over the letter for a while, his hands and feet became cold and he was clearly speechless.

"Lord Qi, it's written in black and white, how are you going to deny it?" Jia Heng's eyes flashed fiercely under his thick dark green eyebrows, and it was clearly a cold shout.

Qi Kun opened his mouth, but was clearly speechless.

Jia Heng said coldly: "Come here, take Qi Kun to the imperial prison and interrogate him strictly. There must be no mistakes!"

"Yes."

All the Jinyi Guards said yes in unison, and then, amid the pale faces of the cabinet ministers, they escorted Qi Kunli into the palace.

However, Qi Kun said: "Prince Wei, you are so disloyal and unrighteous, and you are trying to usurp the Han Dynasty. Aren't you afraid of punishment from heaven?"

Jia Heng said, "I have been assisting the government for four years, working hard and conscientiously. How can you slander me?"

"Someone, come here, take him away!"

Qi Kun wanted to argue again, but was held down by the arms by several Jinyifu guards and carried out.

Lin Ruhai stood up from behind a pink lacquered wooden table, looked at the young man in the python robe, and asked, "Zi Yu, what's going on with Elder Qi?"

Jia Heng said in a cold voice: "Not only Qi Kun, but also Minister Shi of the Military Affairs Council, they all hate me and previously joined forces with the Prince of Yan to harm me, but now the Prince of Yan has confessed.

Lin Ruhai was silent for a moment after hearing this.

Jia Heng said solemnly, "Uncle, during this period of time, you will be in charge of the cabinet affairs."

After Qi Kun's downfall, even according to the order of succession, Lin Ruhai should have been the prime minister of the cabinet.

The Han Dynasty has now entered the fourth year of Qiande. The national strength is growing day by day, and it seems to be a prosperous and peaceful era. The government affairs are also more in full swing.

Lin Ruhai nodded and did not refuse.

Jia Heng said, "Then my uncle will be in the cabinet first. I will go to Wuying Palace."

Lin Ruhai nodded slightly and watched Jia Heng go away.

……

……

Palace Garden, Wuying Palace——

The noise happening in Wenhua Hall has not yet reached Wuying Hall, but the atmosphere in the hall is still a bit weird.

The Minister of War Shi Jie was wearing a scarlet official robe and sitting behind a lacquered wooden table. He also looked a little restless.

No one knows the methods of King Wei better than him. Now that King Yan Chen Ze has been captured, it won't be long before he is dug out.

Hang Min and Shi Shu raised their heads and glanced at Shi Jie, also feeling a little uneasy.

As members of the Chu Party at that time, the two assistant ministers of the Ministry of War, Hang Min and Shi Shu, had naturally heard about some of the actions of their immediate superiors.

Prince Beijing Shui Rong picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, and looked at the military book on the table.

He was also thinking about the arrest of King Yan.

Could it be that Zi Yu really has the intention to establish his own regime in place of the Han Dynasty?

As one of the four great princes of the Han Dynasty, what should he do?
Whatever, now that Zi Yu has taken control of the entire government and the country, what else can he do?
At this moment, a series of noisy footsteps were heard outside the hall. Soon, the dignified young man in the python robe could be seen walking quickly, surrounded by a group of Jinyi Palace guards.

The embroidered spring swords hanging on the waists of the Jinyifu guards were shining brightly under the sunlight.

All the military ministers in the Wuying Hall stared at the young man in the python robe with inexplicable fear in their hearts.

Shi Jie also saw the young man in the python robe, and a hint of panic appeared in his eyes.

The military minister Shui Rong asked, "Prince Wei, what happened?"

Xie Zaiyi's face was solemn, and a hint of understanding appeared in his fierce and flashing tiger eyes.

There were also rebels in the Grand Council who secretly supported Prince Yan.

Jia Heng nodded to Shui Rong, then looked at Shi Jie and said in a deep voice: "Master Shi, you colluded with the King of Yan and tried to murder me. Do you know how angry I am?"

In fact, he and Shi Jie were political allies who cooperated happily in the early days, but as time went on, the two sides eventually parted ways due to different political ideas.

Shi Jie's face suddenly turned pale, and he kept complaining, saying in a low voice: "Prince Wei, how could this have happened to me?"

My heart has sunk to the bottom.

I am afraid that today is a matter of sacrificing my life for justice.

Jia Heng said coldly, "Yan Wang Chen Ze has confessed. The Minister of War Shi Jie secretly informed him and contacted the officers and soldiers of the Beijing camp. He intended to support Yan Wang's restoration after murdering Yu Gu."

At this moment, Shi Jie, the assistant minister of the Ministry of War, showed a look of panic on his face and said, "Prince Wei, I am innocent."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then he shouted, "Come here, take Shi Jie to the imperial prison! Interrogate him strictly!"

"Yes." The Jinyifu guards on both sides responded in unison, then surrounded Shi Jie like wolves and tigers, and escorted Shi Jie to the imperial prison.

Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, turned his eyes to Shui Rong, and said, "Prince Shui, you will be in charge of the affairs of the Military Affairs Office for the time being."

Shui Rong nodded and said, "Don't worry, Zi Yu, the Military Affairs Office will handle all the key matters without any mistakes."

After Jia Heng finished speaking, he glanced at the two military ministers Shi Shu and Hang Min, looking at their pale faces, and said in a deep voice: "As for the collusion between Shi Jie and the Prince of Yan, if any officials involved in this matter can surrender themselves to the Jinyi Mansion and confess their crimes, I will consider pardoning them."

Hang Min and Shi Shu were both talented people, but because they were members of the Chu party, they had no choice but to be demoted. They would be kept until he ascended the throne and would be re-employed a few years later.

After saying this, he did not linger in the hall any longer, but walked quickly outside, surrounded by a group of Jinyifu guards.

……

……

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace
Queen Song, wearing a scarlet wide-sleeved dress embroidered with a phoenix, sat quietly in the palace. Her fair and delicate face was flushed, as bright and beautiful as rose petals.

At this moment, Jia Heng entered the palace, bowed to Queen Song, and said, "Your Highness, I greet you."

Queen Song's eyebrows were as beautiful as black ink. When she saw the visitor, her beautiful eyes softened a little and she said softly, "Prince Wei, please stand up."

Then he looked at Jia Heng and asked, "Zi Yu, have you finished dealing with the previous matters?"

Jia Heng nodded, his eyes sparkling, and whispered, "We have found out the civil officials and military officers who tipped off Prince Chen Ze of Yan."

Queen Song's expression suddenly changed, and she asked, "Who is this person?"

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "The chief minister of the cabinet Qi Kun, the military minister Shi Jie, and several officers of the Beijing camp were all involved in the case of treason."

Queen Song's eyebrows were as curved as crescent moons, and her crystal clear eyes looked at the young man in the python robe as if condensed dew, and whispered: "After these people are imprisoned, who will take over the government affairs?"

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "The cabinet will be replaced by the deputy assistant Lin Ruhai, and the head of the military council will be temporarily replaced by Prince Beijing Shui Rong."

The reason why Xie Zaiyi was not used was to unite other forces more broadly and seek unanimous recognition.

Queen Song immediately said, without saying anything else, "Then...what do you say?"

Jia Heng said, "Let's do this for two or three years."

After that, he still needed to adjust slowly. It was impossible that he had just forced King Yan Chen Ze to death and then usurped the throne.

Doesn’t that mean that King Yan Chen Ze and others are righteous?
Moreover, he still needs to adjust the governors and governors of various provinces as well as the officials of local prefectures and counties.

Queen Song said yes softly, then suddenly remembered something and said, "You'd better keep an eye on Concubine Rong. She sent someone to summon Xianning to the palace these days, and she seems to want to plead for Chen Ze."

Jia Heng nodded, was silent for a moment, and said, "I will."

Queen Song sighed and said, "Tell me, how did it turn out like this?"

After all, they have been sisters for many years.

Jia Heng said: "Whenever there is a change of dynasty, it is inevitable to fight against the remnants of the previous dynasty."

Upon hearing this, Queen Song rolled her beautiful eyes at the young man in the python robe and said, "According to what you said, this palace and Luo'er are also remnants of the previous dynasty?"

Jia Heng said, "Look at you, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Queen Song's beautiful, straight nose seemed to let out a soft hum, and without saying anything else, two bright red clouds appeared on both sides of her snow-white face.

She is nearly fifty years old now, and this man is still so greedy for her body.

An indescribable joy and sweetness seemed to surge in the beautiful woman's crystal clear heart, and the sides of her snow-white face were as red as rose petals.

While the two were talking, they also stayed together for a while.

Queen Song stared at the young man in the python robe and whispered, "Okay, stop making a fuss. How is things in Xianning?"

Jia Heng said: "Xianning is actually fine, but she will be sad for a while because of Chen Ze's matter."

Xianning has his children, and in essence, they are now a family.

Today, the Han Dynasty is thriving, with steam engines being improved and official roads being renovated. The country is in a state of rapid development, and its prestige throughout the world is rising rapidly as its national strength grows.

Queen Song said: "We can only wait for time to pass."

She was no exception. Her son also died young, and it took her several years to recover from the grief.

……

……

Palace Garden, Funing Palace
Concubine Duanrong was wearing a scarlet dress embroidered with a phoenix. She had thick, dark black hair and her beautiful, crystal-clear eyes were as soft as water beneath her willow-shaped black eyebrows.

The beauty was already filled with worry. She looked at the female official coming from outside with her beautiful eyes full of affection and asked, "Did you send someone to the Princess's residence?"

The female official replied softly, "Your Majesty, we have already sent two groups of people over."

Concubine Duanrong opened her pink lips slightly and whispered, "Come here, send someone to take a look."

On her side, the female official said "hmm" softly to the other female official, then quickly walked out.

However, the female official had just arrived at the palace gate when she saw the young man in the python robe with a heroic and tall figure, a dignified face, and an imposing aura.

"Prince Wei." When the female official saw the person coming, she was so frightened that she immediately knelt down. Her clear and pleasant voice was filled with panic.

Jia Heng nodded and whispered, "Get up."

"Yes, Your Highness." As she spoke, the young female official thanked him and then stood up.

As Concubine Duanrong raised her eyebrows and gazed at him, Jia Heng walked quickly into the hall and asked, "Is Concubine Rong well?"

The fair and delicate face of Concubine Duanrong was filled with anger, and she shouted, "Jia Ziyu, you still have the nerve to come over here?"

Jia Heng said, "My lady, I have captured the civil and military officials who informed the King of Yan about the incident."

When Concubine Duanrong heard this, her snow-white face turned pale as paper, and her heart was terrified to the extreme.

Has Ze'er confessed?
As Chen Ze's mother, Concubine Duanrong naturally knew about Chen Ze's behind-the-scenes planning and knew that the reason Chen Ze dared to start a rebellion was because he had the secret support of important officials in the court.

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Madam Rongfei, the evidence of Yan Wang Chen Ze's rebellion is irrefutable. According to the laws of our Han Dynasty, he should be sentenced to death!"

Concubine Duanrong was filled with inexplicable fear. When she raised her delicate head with long black hair like a waterfall, she was already glaring at Jia Heng.

Jia Heng said coldly: "Your Majesty, please don't send anyone to ask Xianning for help again. Xianning has done his best for Chen Ze over the years."

He has also done his best for Concubine Rong and her son.

Concubine Duanrong's face was as pale as paper, and she shouted, "Jia Ziyu, do you really want to kill them all?!"

Jia Heng raised his sword-like eyebrows, his face was as cold as frost, and he retorted sarcastically: "Madam, isn't the King of Yan the same?"

Concubine Duanrong's snow-white face turned pale as paper, her plump and graceful body stiffened, and worry welled up in her heart.

Jia Heng's face was as cold as frost. He said, "Your Majesty, please think carefully about what to do next."

Well, it’s fun to come and have some fun from time to time.

Having said that, he did not linger in the mansion for long, but quickly left the palace, intending to go and see Zhen Qing and Concubine Liu.

In the Funing Palace, Concubine Duanrong's snow-white face turned pale, and endless resentment surged in her heart.

Jia Ziyu, how could you treat her like this?
……

……

(End of this chapter)