Red Mansion: After being expelled from the family, I was granted the title of Marquis of Mobei

Chapter 67 Breaking into the Marquis' Mansion in the Dark

After going there, Sheng Changfeng found out that the so-called great scholar was actually a disciple of the eldest prince.

These children of powerful people came not because this great scholar had any real talent or knowledge, but because this great scholar controlled the questions for the imperial examinations.

After Sheng Changfeng chatted with this great scholar in the study, the great scholar sold five imperial examination essay questions to Sheng Changfeng for five thousand taels of silver.

After hearing this, Sheng Hong felt his blood run cold, and Sheng Hong said while suppressing his anger.

"Do you know the risks of cheating in the imperial examination?"

"For a mere five thousand taels of silver, would he really leak the imperial examination questions to you?"

Sheng Changfeng said weakly.

"That great scholar said, said, said that Daddy is now a Bachelor of Imperial Academy and has the qualifications to enter the cabinet."

"Given time, we will surely achieve great things. When that time comes, all we need is for father to lend a helping hand to the eldest prince when he needs it."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong felt his blood boiling and he was extremely angry.

At this time, Sheng Hong had already understood that this incident was definitely a huge trap.

And this foolish son of his actually dared to get involved in such a thing.

It was both cheating in the imperial examination and a fight for the throne. If anything went wrong in either case, the person would lose their head.

How could I have deserved to be caught up in two whirlpools that could bring ruin to the entire Sheng family?

No, I can't just sit there and wait for death. I have to go to my brother-in-law Kang Haifeng immediately to discuss countermeasures.

Just as Sheng Hong was about to get up, a light bulb suddenly flashed in his mind and he realized that something was wrong.

That's not right. My brother-in-law Kang Haifeng is not a kind-hearted person. How could he be so kind to remind me for no reason?

Kang Haifeng is not good at anything else except playing with women.

Master Lou, yes, Master Lou.

Needless to say, there must be something fishy behind this matter.

This Master Lou did not have much connection with the Wang family. Even when his mother-in-law, Old Lady Wang, celebrated her birthday, Master Lou did not go to celebrate or send any gifts.

He had long looked down upon the impoverished Wang family, so how could he help the Sheng family for no reason?

There is a conspiracy here, a big conspiracy.

Sheng Hong himself really couldn't figure out the reason, but he quickly thought of a way to break the impasse.

After making up his mind, Sheng Hong stood up and looked at Sheng Changfeng coldly.

Sheng Changfeng was frightened by Sheng Hong's sharp eyes and turned pale. As far as he could remember, he had never seen Sheng Hong look at him like this.

Sheng Hong said after a slight hesitation.

"Someone is coming."

Then several servants came into the side hall.

"Master, what do you want?"

Sheng Hong said calmly.

"Drag this little bastard away and give him sixty lashes of the cane."

"If there's even a hint of falsehood, I'll sell you out when I get back."

"After you're done beating him, lock him in the woodshed and let him die."

"Dad, Dad, please spare my life, please spare my life."

Sheng Changfeng was so frightened when he heard this that he quickly crawled to Sheng Hong, hugged Sheng Hong's thighs and begged for mercy.

Sheng Changfeng knew about the punishment cane. If he was hit by it sixty times, he would be crippled if not dead.

Facing Sheng Changfeng at this time, Sheng Hong was not moved at all. He kicked Sheng Changfeng to the ground with one foot, and then shouted angrily.

"You are all deaf, drag this evil creature away."

"Yes."

Several servants hurriedly took Sheng Changfeng away. As soon as he walked out of the door, Sheng Changfeng saw Lin Xiaoniang waiting anxiously at the gate of the courtyard and hurriedly said.

"Little girl, little girl, save me, save me, daddy is going to beat me to death."

When Lin Xiaoniang heard this, she turned pale with fright and hurried to Sheng Hong at the door.

"Husband, husband, what happened to Feng'er? Why are you treating him like this? Even a tiger won't eat its own cubs."

Sheng Hong said angrily.

"I don't have such a bastard son. By the way, I haven't settled the score with you yet."

"Where did you get five thousand taels of silver to give to this beast? If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have gotten into such a big trouble."

"I almost forgot to deal with you."

"Come on, take this bitch to the ancestral hall and lock her up. I'll deal with her when I come back."

Lin Xiaoniang was completely stunned. She never expected that not only her son was not rescued, but she was also put in jail.

Lin Xiaoniang immediately used her old trick, pretending to be weak and began to beg desperately.

However, this method that has always worked was completely useless this time.

No matter what Lin Xiaoniang did, Sheng Hong remained unmoved and directly had Lin Xiaoniang taken away.

As soon as Sheng Hong walked out of the hospital, he ran into Sheng Molan, who seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Sheng Hong said coldly upon seeing this.

"Why, are you going to say anything too?"

Sheng Molan was so scared that she waved her hands repeatedly.

"My daughter doesn't dare, my daughter doesn't dare."

Sheng Hong said calmly upon seeing this.

"Go back to your room and don't go anywhere for now."

After saying this, Sheng Hong went straight to the residence of Old Lady Sheng in Shou'an Hall.

After the mother and son discussed it for a while, they left the house together and set off in a carriage.

Late at night, in the bedroom at the back hall of the Marquis of Guanjun's mansion, Jia Jue was writing leisurely.

Zhang Guifen, who was standing by, said with a smile when she saw this.

"Why is my husband interested in practicing calligraphy?"

Jia Jue said with a slight smile.

"I'm just bored. Where's Minglan? Why hasn't she come yet?"

Zhang Guifen said playfully, sticking out her tongue.

"She went to check the accounts with Sister Feng'er. She should be here soon."

Jia Jue chuckled and said after hearing this.

"Then why don't you follow?"

Zhang Guifen waved her hand and said.

"Husband, please forgive me. I get a headache just seeing all that. I think it's fine with Minglan and Sister Feng'er taking care of the household. I won't join in on the fun."

Jia Jue couldn't help but shook his head.

There is no problem letting Zhang Guifen wield swords and guns, but it is indeed a bit difficult for her to manage the household.

However, even Wang Xifeng, a concubine, can participate in the management of the affairs of the Marquis of Guanjun's Mansion. It would not be appropriate if Zhang Guifen, the legal wife, had no idea about this.

Jia Jue said after a moment of thought.

"How about this, your mother-in-law gave you a few maids who are good at managing the household as a dowry. Let them help you take care of the affairs of the mansion from now on. You should also listen to them talk about the affairs of the mansion more, so that you don't get to know anything about them."

Zhang Guifen said with a hint of helplessness.

"Husband, I can't just ignore it."

Jia Jue kissed Zhang Guifen lightly and said.

"Of course not. You should at least know what's going on in the mansion."

"Okay, it won't take you long."

As the couple chatted, a maid knocked on the door and said, "My Lord, Madam, Old Madam Sheng and Lord Sheng want to see you. They say they have something important to discuss."

Zhang Guifen was very surprised when she heard this.

"It's so late, my husband. It seems something serious has happened, otherwise they wouldn't come here in the middle of the night. You should go there quickly."

Jia Jue nodded slightly and said.

"I see. When Minglan comes over, tell her not to worry. If anything happens, I'll tell you when I get back."

Zhang Guifen said this very obediently.

"Don't worry, my husband. I understand."

Then Jia Jue changed his clothes and went to the main hall.

Not long after, in the main hall, after seeing Jia Jue come in, Old Lady Sheng and Sheng Hong stood up and bowed at the same time.

"Master Hou."

Jia Jue returned the greeting and said.

"My dear old lady and father-in-law, I am so embarrassed. Please take a seat."

"You all go down."

"promise."

Then the maids and servants left the main hall.

Jia Jue looked at Old Lady Sheng and Sheng Hong and continued.

"Old lady, father-in-law, I came here in the middle of the night because something urgent has happened."

Sheng Hong hesitated for a moment and then looked at Old Lady Sheng and said.

"Mother, why don't you tell me?"

Old Mrs. Sheng sighed and said.

"Okay, let me tell you then."

"My Lord, I am ashamed to say that this is truly a misfortune for our family."

Old Lady Sheng then told Jia Jue everything that had happened before, and then looked at Jia Jue and said.

"My Lord, if it weren't for this, we wouldn't have come to disturb you in the middle of the night."

Jia Jue waved his hand and said.

"You are too kind, old lady. We are one family and should keep our differences separate."

"This matter is indeed urgent, but there are some things I still need to ask clearly first."

"I wonder what the old lady and my father-in-law think about the roles played by Master Lou, Kang Haifeng, and the eldest prince in this incident."

Mrs. Sheng said after a moment's thought.

"I discussed this with your father-in-law on the way here."

"We both feel that this incident is most likely related to the Crown Prince."

"The eldest prince should be using this incident to select suitable allies in the court."

"According to Kang Haifeng, there are a total of six identical test papers. I estimate that these six people should be in a similar situation to the Sheng family. Their official positions may not be very prominent, but they have intricate connections in the court."

"As for Master Lou, he is originally the eldest prince's man. Kang Haifeng is probably just an errand boy, just to facilitate communication with the Sheng family."

Jia Jue nodded slightly and said.

"The old lady is still clear-headed. Her analysis makes a lot of sense."

"Father-in-law, you have served in the court for many years. I don't need to explain the severity of this incident. You must be aware of it."

Sheng Hong nodded and sighed.

"My dear son-in-law, I am really at my wit's end. I have no choice but to come to the Marquis' Mansion to seek help."

"Although you are young, you have rich experience. I wonder if you can think of a way to help the Sheng family."

Jia Jue said after thinking for a while.

"Father-in-law, if that's the case, then I'll speak frankly."

"The imperial examination cheating also involves the struggle for the throne."

"Any one of them could be fatal. If something goes wrong, not only the Sheng family, but even the Wang family and the Marquis' Mansion would likely be involved."

"Once this case is exposed, it will surely be a shocking case that will reach the ears of the emperor. I wonder how many people will be killed."

"But then again, since the matter may involve the eldest prince, it will inevitably be impossible to get to the bottom of it."

"The eldest prince is the eldest legitimate son of the Empress Dowager, and his status is noble. Even if Your Majesty really ordered the Imperial Guard to investigate thoroughly, it would be impossible to get to the bottom of it."

"By that time, there will inevitably be many people who will take the blame."

"There's no need to talk about Master Lou. He's incredibly cunning and a leader of the clean government."

"He certainly wouldn't risk his life. Since he dared to directly raise his own name, it shows that he is confident that he can sever all ties to the imperial examination cheating case and clear himself completely."

"As for that wealthy and powerful friend Chang Feng mentioned, and that great scholar, I don't think they'll survive tonight."

"If the higher-ups can't hold anyone accountable by then, who do you think will be blamed?"

When Sheng Hong heard this, he felt cold all over. Needless to say, since he couldn't hold the matter up higher, he could only hold Sheng Changfeng and the Sheng family accountable.

When the time comes, the Sheng family will be charged with framing the prince by pretending to cheat in the imperial examination, and they will not be able to bear the consequences. Even if Jia Jue pleads for them and spares the entire family from execution, they will still be exiled.

Sheng Hong said hurriedly.

"My dear son-in-law, since you can see this, there must be a way to solve the problem."

"I beg you, please help the Sheng family."

Jia Jue waved his hand and said.

"Father-in-law, the key to this matter is not me, but you, father-in-law."

Sheng Hong said in confusion.

"My dear son-in-law, what do you mean by this?"

Jia Jue said calmly.

“If the problem cannot be solved, then solving the person who created the problem is also a solution.”

"Of course, I'm just making a suggestion. It's up to your father-in-law to consider the details."

After hearing this, Sheng Hong immediately looked hesitant, not knowing what to do.

Sheng Hong naturally understood what Jia Jue meant. Sheng Changfeng was a direct participant in the imperial examination cheating case and was indirectly involved in the fight for the throne.

If this case were to be exposed, the Sheng family would definitely not be able to escape responsibility, even if Jia Jue tried to help.

After all, no matter how favored Jia Jue was, Emperor Yongping would not depose the eldest prince for this reason. This was related to the dignity and face of the royal family.

In this case, there is only one way to keep the Sheng family out of this matter, and that is to get rid of Sheng Changfeng so that he can no longer speak. The dead cannot speak.

Once Sheng Changfeng died, this matter became much simpler. As long as the Sheng family did not become the fuse that triggered this major case, with Jia Jue's protection, the Sheng family could definitely survive this crisis safely.

In fact, Mrs. Sheng had thought about this method before, but she couldn't say it out loud.

Only Jia Jue, the Sheng family's biggest backer, is suitable to say this.

Although he understood the reason, Sheng Hong really couldn't bring himself to deal with his son.

Jia Jue and Old Lady Sheng sat there calmly, waiting quietly for Sheng Hong to make his own decision.

After a long time, Sheng Hong squeezed out two tears and said very sadly.

"My dear son-in-law, if the person who created the problem is dealt with, can you help the Sheng family overcome this difficulty?"

Jia Jue nodded slightly and said.

"Don't worry, father-in-law. The dead are the greatest. If anyone wants to make a fuss about the dead, I will never agree to it."

"They are plotting against the Sheng family, and they are also plotting against the Marquis' Mansion."

"I will never let the mastermind have an easy time. Saburo won't be alone on the road."

Sheng Hong held Jia Jue's hand tightly and said.

"My dear son-in-law, I leave everything to you. The old lady and I will return to the mansion to take care of the affairs."

(End of this chapter)