Happy Spring Every Year

Old Lin really couldn't stay in the palace. After lunch, he clamored for Jiang Xun and Shen Jiasui to take him out of the palace.

The little old man lifted the quilt and pouted, as if if the young couple abandoned him and left, he would crawl back to the Lin Mansion by himself!

Jiang Xun raised his eyebrows: If you have the ability, then climb.

Shen Jiasui glanced over and gave him a sharp look: Axun, you are so heartless.

Jiang Xun: “…”

"Okay, let's go back."

Old Lin's eyebrows curved, look! Look! It's still the beautiful and kind-hearted girl, she is his own daughter!

So Jiang Xun and Shen Jiasui asked for permission from the Crown Princess and the Emperor's grandson, and carefully took Mr. Lin back.

Jiang Xun didn't dare miss a thing along the way, until Old Lin lay down on the couch at home, and then he saw that he was truly relieved.

"Go, go, go. I am very comfortable now. There is no need to serve me. You can all go back."

As soon as Mr. Lin wrapped himself in the quilt, he turned his back on people.

In fact, thinking about how Shen Jiasui and Jiang Xun had been running non-stop and had been in a thrilling situation for the past two days, he felt so distressed that he didn't want to trouble them anymore.

Shen Jiasui tugged at the corner of the quilt for Mr. Lin and said with a smile, "Teacher, it's not appropriate to cover yourself up so tightly in August."

"Teacher, have a good rest. Axun and I will be back soon and will come to see you again tomorrow morning."

Shen Jiasui smiled widely, seeing through Mr. Lin's thoughts, and pulled Jiang Xun over and left.

Mr. Lin heard footsteps and looked over.

Shen Jiasui was seen walking briskly in front, and Jiang Xun was holding her hand, and he followed her obediently without saying a word.

He couldn't help but grin.

Good boy, he has grasped the essence of the wife following the husband's lead.

Before leaving, Jiang Xun looked back worriedly, and happened to meet Mr. Lin's teasing eyes.

His heart suddenly felt at ease, a smile appeared between his brows, and he caught up with Shen Jiasui in two steps, walking side by side with him.

.......

When they arrived at the gate of Anyang Marquis's residence, before the carriage had even stopped, Nanfeng came forward and whispered:

"Sir, Madam, the young master of the Cui family has been waiting for a long time."

Inside the carriage, Shen Jiasui was stunned when he heard this and lifted the curtain.

I saw Cui Mingjue standing quietly in the shadow of the wall not far away, looking over here.

Jiang Xun leaned forward and turned his head to look at Shen Jiasui, and said softly, "Sui Sui, I'm here to see you?"

Shen Jiasui turned his head, a flicker of emotion flashed across his eyes, and he smiled and said, "Of course, he must be here to find you."

The two got off the carriage.

Shen Jiasui bowed to Cui Mingjue from a distance.

Cui Mingjue did not come forward, but looked at Shen Jiasui steadily, then bowed in return.

After Shen Jiasui turned around and entered the mansion, Jiang Xun walked towards Cui Mingjue.

"Master Jiang."

Cui Mingjue was the first to salute Jiang Xun. When he raised his head, his handsome face looked haggard.

"Master Cui."

Jiang Xun nodded, his expression unchanged.

Cui Mingjue's eyes fell on Jiang Xun's crimson official uniform. He thought of the last time they met at the Dali Temple. At that time, he could still review the case files with Jiang Xun, but now...

There was a hint of confusion in Cui Mingjue's eyes. The pride he had developed since childhood made him subconsciously straighten his back.

But in a flash, he remembered the purpose of his trip, took a deep breath, and bowed again.

He bowed very low, his voice trembling slightly:

"Lord Jiang, I escaped from the Cui Mansion before it was raided, just to... see you."

"The Cui family has been overthrown. The victors are kings and the losers are bandits. I have nothing to say. Even if my grandfather still has regrets in his heart, I believe he has already accepted the defeat."

"This time... the reason for this time..."

Cui Mingjue's eyes wandered, and he seemed to be unable to speak.

But when he lowered his eyes and saw the dusty surface of his boots, he slowly closed his eyes and then gritted his teeth and said resolutely:

"My grandfather formed a clique for personal gain. Although the women and children in my family did not participate, they nonetheless enjoyed the wealth and glory. I cannot claim to be innocent."

"Thanks to God's grace, I was sentenced to exile, but I was spared. This is a great blessing."

Having said this, Cui Mingjue slowly opened his eyes, a look of sadness flashed in his eyes, he took a small step forward, then seemed to feel something was wrong and stopped.

"But the journey to Lingnan is full of dangers and difficulties, and the women and children at home are weak and may not be able to endure it."

"I, a humble servant, boldly ask Lord Jiang to look after the Cui family. I dare not ask for any special treatment, but only... only ask that my family, young and old, can reach Lingnan alive."

"As a male member of the family, I have the responsibility to support the Cui family. As long as I can get Lord Jiang's help and save my family's lives, I will be responsible for everything from now on."

"The Cui family has been at loggerheads with Lord Jiang before. I know what I'm asking for today is shameless, but...but..."

Having said this, Cui Mingjue felt a pang of soreness in his eyes and could not help but bury his head deeply. The words in his heart were stuck in his throat and he could no longer speak.

Proud young man, in the past you were full of ambition, with a clear mind and a backbone as strong as a pine tree.

But today, he resolutely abandoned his dignity and pride, bent his back, and came here shamelessly and uninvited. All he asked for was that his family’s lives would be safe during their long exile.

Jiang Xun lowered his eyes.

The person in front of me was once the most successful young man in the Imperial College, with everyone around him looking up to him and receiving his support.

In Sui Sui's past life memories, in just two years, Cui Mingjue would rise to prominence like a dragon in water, becoming a rising star that all the civil and military officials in the court envied, and they would compete with him with all their abilities.

However, the trajectory of fate took an abrupt turn here. This time, with the changing situation, they did not leave Cui Mingjue the opportunity to grow and become stronger.

"Master Cui."

Cui Mingjue was about to raise his head when he heard this, but suddenly he felt a soft and powerful force on his arm. It was Jiang Xun who helped him up.

"If Master Cui sees things so clearly and harbors no resentment, I, Jiang, would also like to say a few good words for Master Cui."

"As the ancients said, the environment changes with the mind. I once read a poem in an ancient book that said:

"When asked if Lingnan was a bad place, he replied: 'Wherever my heart is at peace is my home.'"

"Lingnan is remote and the people are simple. Many people regard this place as a disaster, but for people of noble character and ambition, it is a good place to achieve great things and benefit the people."

"If Mr. Cui has a heart for saving the world and cares about the suffering of the people, he can go to Lingnan to display his talents and ambitions, promote education, and improve people's livelihood."

"In this way, the emperor's grace can be extended to remote areas of the country, and the people can benefit the common people."

"This is truly a blessing for our country and our nation, and it is worthy of Master Cui's talent and ambition."

Jiang Xun paused for a moment before continuing, "Besides, Minister Cui is definitely concerned about his family and will definitely submit a petition to seek mercy."

"From this trip, Jiang wishes Mr. Cui great success and great achievements. Take care of yourself and we'll meet again if the opportunity arises."

Jiang Xun said this, nodded slightly to Cui Mingjue, and then turned and entered the mansion.

Cui Mingjue stood there in a daze, his eyes following Jiang Xun's departing back, until Jiang Xun was about to step into the mansion, and then he came to his senses as if waking from a dream.

He became anxious and subconsciously took two steps forward. His figure instantly stepped from the shadows into the bright sunlight.

But when he opened his lips slightly, thousands of words came to his mind, but at this moment, it seemed as if something was choking his throat.

He came here with a smug look on his face today, having actually prepared himself to be driven away by cold words, but he never expected...

He knew that Jiang Xun had agreed.

With Jiang Xun's current status, with just a word from him, my grandmother, mother, nephews, and nieces should be able to save their lives and arrive safely in Lingnan...

The struggle for power is always a life-and-death struggle. My grandfather and cousin lost, but they could afford to lose.

And Jiang Xun's willingness to help him today is a great favor.

Thinking of this, Cui Mingjue lifted up the hem of his clothes and knelt down in the direction of Anyang Marquis' Mansion.

He is now a criminal sentenced to exile, and he may not be able to see her again in the future. He has no way to repay her, so he can only kneel, kowtow and bow.

“Where my heart is at peace is my hometown?”

Cui Mingjue murmured, hot tears bursting out of his eyes and falling to the ground, but he smiled with relief through his tears.

He wants to support the Cui family. From now on, wherever he is, there the Cui family will be!

If I can still achieve something, I will live up to my grandfather's careful upbringing, my years of hard study at the Imperial College, and...

Miss Shen’s blessing back then, and Lord Jiang’s message today.

This prosperous capital city is not Cui Mingjue's home, and Lingnan will not be Cui Mingjue's final destination.

Cui Mingjue slowly stood up, gently brushed off the dust on his clothes, straightened his back, and returned to the Cui family with a determined look in his eyes.

.......

Ministry of official affairs.

The decree from the morning court had already arrived. Cui Daoyuan took the imperial edict without changing his expression, bowed his head to express his gratitude, and was then taken to the Ministry of Justice in the afternoon.

Zhang Xian received the order from the Crown Prince and still had full authority to deal with the case of forming a clique for personal gain.

When he led his men to the Ministry of Personnel and opened the door, Cui Daoyuan was already hanging from the beam, dead.

On the desk, documents were neatly stacked in a pile, with a letter written in blood on top:

Your Majesty, please understand:

Your Highness, Cui Daoyuan, has committed heinous crimes. I now prostrate myself before the court and confess all my sins. For the past several years, I have been blinded by greed and self-interest, forming cliques and pursuing selfish ends, undermining the integrity of the court. My crimes are too numerous to count, and they are truly the sins of this treacherous minister.

Now I dare not conceal anything and have listed the details of the factional activities over the years and the names of all the people involved and presented them to Your Majesty for your judgment.

I know that my crime is unforgivable and I have no desire to live. I only wish to be punished to uphold the law.

However, I am afraid that the old and young in the Cui family are completely unaware of my evil deeds. My crimes are serious, but I cannot bear to bring trouble to my relatives.

I humbly hope that Your Majesty will be benevolent and remember the past relationship between the monarch and his subjects. Show mercy and show leniency to the Cui family, saving them from heavy disasters. Even if I die, I will be endlessly grateful for your kindness.

The guilty minister Cui Daoyuan kowtows with tears and blood, and deems himself guilty of death.