You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Chapter 82 A Backhand Slash
Hong Shiming covered his swollen cheek, remaining calm.

"Mother, a woman must get married."

"I ask you, where is the shame and propriety in marrying off your sister like this?"

“Censor Jiang is young and promising, and of noble character. It would not be a disgrace to our family for my sister to become his concubine. As for what is happening in the room now, it is just happening a little earlier than expected.”

"Good, good. You really are your father's good son, you're even more shameless than him."

"Mother, you're tired, you should go back."

……

Under the ever-burning lamp, the memorial tablet bestowed by the imperial court stood quietly on the table.

Li was moved to tears:

"Heng Jiu, why didn't you die at Songshan with the hundreds of thousands of Ming soldiers? You died for your country, and I died for my husband. We died with a clear conscience, instead of being treated like this, neither human nor ghost."

"Heaven has eyes. The sins you committed back then can only be repaid by your son and your daughter! My Hong family is truly a family of loyal martyrs."

"Hahahaha~"

Li shouted hoarsely, spewing vulgarities, completely lacking the demeanor of a well-bred lady.

Memorial tablets cannot speak.

The hour of You (5-7 PM) has passed, and the nine gates are closed.

Jiang Qingyun was having a wonderful time; he couldn't go back, nor did he want to. He was indulging in all sorts of pleasures, feeling extremely happy.

"Pen and ink are at your service."

With a whoosh, the wolf-hair brush, laden with ink, was used by Jiang Qingyun, who used the backs of a group of beauties as paper, to write: Big is beautiful. Many is good. It is wonderful.

After finishing writing and admiring himself for a while, he burst into laughter.

……

In a room not far away, Hong Shiming muttered to himself, "Father, only today do I realize the difficulties Goujian faced."

After saying that, he sat on the bed in a daze and fell asleep fully clothed.

This is actually a self-protective mechanism of the brain. When a person is subjected to great stimulation, there is a chance that they will fall asleep quickly and fall into a deep sleep.

He started to have a fever at night.

The person caught a cold while drowning, and the immense psychological pressure quickly led to a high fever.

……

The next morning.

Jiang Qingyun returned to the mortal world from the Heavenly Court.

He felt refreshed and his memory was intact; he remembered exactly what had happened the night before, so he did not suspect Hong Shiming of any wrongdoing.

Inside the room, the women all stood up and bowed in greeting.

"This servant pays homage to the young master."

But one person was clutching the corner of the blanket, weeping in that corner.

"Lift your head up~"

Jiang Qingyun stared at the familiar face and instantly became suspicious.

"you are?"

"Hong Tao, the second young lady of the Hong family."

The female opera troupe member standing nearby quickly explained.

Jiang Qingyun only felt regret for a moment before letting it go. After all, he had lived two lives, so he had a broad-minded attitude and even started humming a little tune.

Even the living Hyung-gu was no match for him, so how could the dead Hyung-gu turn the tables?
This game is getting more and more interesting.

Since these siblings are sticking to me like glue, and I can't shake them off, then I'll just let them be.

A honey trap? I'll be the one getting scammed.

"Come on, change your clothes."

"Yes."

……

Dressed impeccably, Jiang Qingyun casually hooked Hong Tao's chin with her finger. She had the typical face of a well-bred lady, though her appearance was not considered top-notch.

At most, moderate.

"Miss Hong, do you want me to take responsibility?"

Hong Tao lowered her head and sobbed. Years of Confucian teachings and the shameless reality had a huge impact on her, leaving her dazed.

He hates his own brother, he hates Jiang Qingyun, and he hates this world.

"I'm asking you one last time, do you want it or not?"

Jiang Qingyun's expression changed instantly.

"I beg my husband to have mercy on me."

Hong Tao immediately admitted defeat. If he angered Jiang Qingyun and caused him to leave in a huff, his fate would be even worse.

Jiang Qingyun took a deep breath:

"Change your clothes and wash up. Tomorrow evening I will send a sedan chair to carry you to the mansion."

"My husband, is this evening alright?"

Jiang Qingyun nodded, got up and left.

……

Hong Shiming came out with a high fever, looking like a leaf that could be blown away at any moment.

He didn't expect Jiang Qingyun's attitude to suddenly make a 180-degree turn.

“From now on, you are my godson. Once I’ve pulled some strings with the Ministry of Personnel, I’ll send you to your hometown in Fujian to serve as a local official.”

"Thank you godfather."

Hong Shiming quickly knelt down and kowtowed, thus confirming this complicated relationship. "Are you sick?"

"Cough cough, I probably caught a chill yesterday, it's nothing serious."

"In that case, you should stay at home and rest well for a few days."

As they were speaking, Hong Tao also came out.

The brother and sister each have their own way of defining their relationship, it's all very confusing.

……

Summer had arrived in the 7th year of the Shunzhi reign; the sun was scorching and the air was stiflingly hot.

Jiang Qingyun left the Hong residence and galloped away on horseback.

"Sir, where are we going?"

“Go east, pass through the Zhenglan Banner defense zone, and then return to the south city through Chongwen Gate.”

"Yes."

Two miles east of the central government office, the area becomes noticeably desolate.

The streets were sparsely populated, and those who did pass by hurried along, heads down, as if there were wild beasts outside.

After the February 226 Incident, the Plain Blue Banner stationed in the capital suffered a severe decline, losing more than half of its population. The Manchu Banner suffered the highest loss rate, followed by the Han Banner, and finally the Mongol Banner.

Jiang Bei suddenly leaned closer: "Sir, many houses are vacant, and half of the shops on Chongwenmen Inner Street have closed down."

"You like what you see?"

"Hehe, I'm a little envious. This is the inner city, what a pity."

Jiang Qingyun turned his head and glanced at it.

"Zhou Cang, what are you thinking about?"

"I wonder what the reaction of those Plain Blue Banner soldiers fighting on the southern front would be?"

"This is a matter for the imperial court to worry about; it has nothing to do with us."

In fact, Jiang Qingyun had thought of this long ago, as had other important officials, but no one was willing to mention it.

Because this is a landmine.

……

Evening~
A sedan chair emerged from the back gate of the Hong residence and carried Hong Tao to the Jiang residence.

The difference between a wife and a concubine is like heaven and earth.

Taking a concubine is done quietly and secretly, without any ceremony.

After entering the mansion, Hong Tao first paid his respects to Jiang Qingyun.

Jiang Qingyun nodded.

"Go and pay your respects to the Madam. She will take care of everything in the manor."

"Yes~"

Another room.

Hong Tao served tea to Jiangnan, Lüzhu, and Wanchun in turn, thus completing the process of entering the mansion.

Jiangnan took the teacup, took a sip, and calmly gave the order:

"Aunt Sun, could you tidy up the north wing?"

"Yes."

He didn't say much and his attitude was very cold.

Outsiders all thought that the First Madam was putting on airs and setting rules.

Actually~
Jiang Nan secretly approached Jiang Qingyun.

"Husband, isn't this arrangement too negligent?"

"She offered herself up and forced me to take a concubine, so she should have been prepared to humiliate herself. Just do as I say and spread the whole story so that everyone in Beijing knows that the Hong family is shameless."

"Wouldn't that be too embarrassing?"

"It's the Hong family's face that's lost, what does it have to do with me?"

Jiang Qingyun's attitude was firm and indifferent. From today onwards, he would not touch that woman. He would wait until Hong Shiming was transferred to his hometown in Fujian as a local official before removing the woman from the government office.

……

The study is a man's cave.

Close the door, no one will bother you, no need to pretend.

Jiang Qingyun pondered for a moment, then unfolded a sheet of Xuan paper and wrote: "Use heroes to fight heroes, use good men to defeat good men." He then wrote: "Never let the capital be peaceful for a single day."

Then, the paper was held up to the candlelight, and it was watched as the Xuan paper quickly turned to ashes in the basin.
……

The next day.

Two white flags guard the area, Qianliang Hutong.

Chang Family Bank.

Although the two burly men standing at the door did not recognize Jiang Qingyun, they recognized his fourth-rank official robe and, combined with his youthful face, he was definitely a rising star in the officialdom.

The two of them quickly knelt down and bowed deeply.

"Distinguished guests have arrived."

"Please~"

The shopkeeper personally served them.

"Imperial Censor Jiang, would you like some tea? What can I do for you in the private room?"

Jiang Qingyun leisurely skimmed the tea leaves floating on the surface and casually remarked, "You're quite familiar with the Plain White Banner, aren't you?"

(End of this chapter)