Three families hire each other, the mistress of the marquisate accidentally offends the treacherous

The next morning.

The ministers were waiting at the palace gate early.

The palace gates had not yet opened, and the ministers gathered in groups of three or four, talking and chatting casually.

When Ji Yun got off the carriage, many officials came forward to greet him.

He drew aside the curtain and immediately saw Dong Lingyan standing not far away.

Seeing Dong Lingyan, he frowned slightly.

Today's Dong Lingyan is very different from the past.

He stood far ahead with his hands behind his back, not speaking to anyone, but with a slight smile on his face, as if something good had happened.

What good can Dongling Yan bring?

If there is, it must be related to Jiang Qingyue.

Ji Yunzhi was alert and solemn. He waved to the other ministers and walked towards Dong Lingyan.

"General Dong Ling."

"Oh, Prime Minister?" Dong Lingyan was in a good mood today. He had no intention of challenging Ji Yunzhi, and his tone softened a little.

"Is there any good news for General Dongling?"

"Yes, I hope the Prime Minister will do me the honor of coming to drink a glass of wedding wine."

Wedding wine...

Ji Yunzhi was shocked.

Just as he was about to speak again, the palace gate opened, Dong Lingyan bowed, and entered the palace.

It was almost July, and the morning breeze was a little chilly. The ministers quickened their pace and headed towards the Qinzheng Hall.

Jiang Mansion.

In a remote courtyard.

desolate.

After the incident with Jiang Peilan, Cao's hair turned white overnight.

At this time, she looked haggard, sitting on the doorstep, looking ahead with a dull look in her eyes.

She watched with her own eyes as her daughter hit her head against the pillar, and saw with her own eyes as blood flowed from Jiang Peilan's forehead like streams.

She saw her own daughter die in front of her.

She even wondered: If Jiang Peilan had not broken off the engagement and married into the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery’s Mansion, would everything be different?

If Jiang Peilan married into the Marquis's Mansion, she would not ignore her like she did to Jiang Qingyue. She would teach her how to manage the mansion, how to win people's hearts, and how to make the elders in the mansion feel guilty.

If Jiang Peilan married into the Marquis's Mansion, the Xue family would definitely not dare to divorce, and those concubines would not dare to make trouble.

She would teach her how to suppress those concubines.

If the Marquis's Mansion still returned to the old house, with her support, Jiang Peilan would not have to live a hard life, but the Xue family's eldest son would be devoted to her.

In any case, it's better than now...

Her daughter would not marry a man who did not love her, would not elope with a groom, would not be bullied by a group of untouchables, and would not...

Cao burst into tears.

The nanny behind her came over to help: "Auntie, please get up quickly, the ground is cold."

Cao didn't move, tears welled up on her face, and she couldn't utter a word.

A shrewd old woman came in, looking a little anxious, but she still bowed to Cao before speaking.

"Auntie, today, the master was impeached in the court."

Cao looked at her and said, "How do you know what happened in the court?"

"I don't know. I don't know how. It's spreading outside."

"It's being spread outside..." That was done by Jiang Shuo's rivals. That's why they wanted to spread it outside as well.

Unscrupulous and blatant.

Ha ha.

Jiang Shuo has come to this day.

"What else did you say?"

The woman glanced at Cao and said tremblingly: "The emperor has dismissed the master from his post."

"what?"

"Have they withdrawn yet? Or is it just rumors?"

“They have already withdrawn.”

"So soon? Where has the master been transferred to? Should we pack up and follow the master to take up his new post?"

The woman answered with difficulty:

"Auntie, you don't have to leave the capital. The emperor has appointed me as the clerk of the City Guards."

"Ah? The City Guards' Secretary?"

Cao was stunned and didn't recover for a long time.

The City Guard Secretary was just a minor official of the seventh rank in the capital.

Jiang Shuo was the Minister of War, a second-rank official in the imperial court, with a high position and generous salary, but now he has become a seventh-rank official.

He always thought highly of himself, and once he fell to the bottom, it was more painful for him than if he were killed.

If he was transferred to another place, no one would notice it, but in the capital, the former subordinate became the boss...

This is killing people and destroying their hearts.

Cao had been married to Jiang Shuo for almost twenty years and knew him best.

Even though she didn't understand the affairs of the court, she knew that someone was targeting Jiang Shuo.

Just when she was thinking about how to use this matter to her advantage and make Jiang Shuo see her again.

A maid came to report: "Auntie, it's bad, the master wants to see the eldest son."

Cao was shocked: "What about the eldest son? Has he gone?"

"No, the eldest master... the eldest master is in Chunfeng Tower."

Cao stumbled: "Quick, go and get that person back."

"Auntie, there's no need to go. The master has already sent someone, and they should be in the study by now."

"what……"

Cao asked in a panic, "Did the master say anything? Is there anyone guarding the front? What news is there now?"

She only has this one child, and nothing can happen to him. This is her only hope.

The maid shook her head.

Cao was anxious: "Hurry up, go and guard it, and report any news at any time."

"Yes." The maid retreated and came back to report the news shortly afterwards.

"Aunt, the eldest son was beaten by the master and told that he doesn't need to go to school anymore."

Cao felt as if a bolt from the blue had struck her, as if the sky was about to fall.

Jiang Chao originally studied at the Imperial College, but now he is not allowed to go...

This is going to destroy him, how can this be possible...

Cao stood up and was about to look for Jiang Shuo, but after taking two steps she stepped back.

Because of Jiang Peilan's incident last time, Jiang Shuo no longer had any feelings for her.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have missed seeing Jiang Peilan for the last time and would have found her buried when she woke up.

Now that her son has been brought back from Chunfeng Tower and is angry again, if she goes there now, it will only backfire.

Cao suppressed her emotions and turned to go to Jiang Chao's courtyard.

Before I even entered the door, I heard Jiang Chao's voice.

She hurried into the room and saw Jiang Chao lying on the bed, screaming like a pig being slaughtered.

When Jiang Chao saw her coming, he cried and shouted for help. Cao asked him about what had just happened.

Jiang Chao didn't want to say it at first, but when he saw Cao's expression, he knew it was a serious matter and he didn't dare to hide it.

After Cao heard him tell the whole story, she collapsed to the ground.

Jiang Chao was puzzled: "Mother, I just went to find a few prostitutes, why would father do this?

"As for those questions, I really haven't learned them, but my father got so angry. If I had learned them and he asked me questions but I couldn't answer them, I wouldn't be angry. If others can answer them, that's their own fault.

"I answered the questions he asked me about my strategies. What can I do if my father is not satisfied with me..."

Jiang Chao looked aggrieved, and Cao looked disheartened.

Jiang Shuo has completely given up on this son.

She knew that her son had poor talent. Before, she was the wife and could get away with taking care of him. Later, she became the concubine and could not take care of many things.

Otherwise, Jiang Chao would not dare to go to the brothel openly.

Jiang Chao had no status, no education, no ambition, no repentance, only pleasure, and no achievements...

Plus Jiang Peilan's matter...

She was completely despised.

Cao closed her eyes and tears fell like rain.

I don't want to accept it, but I have to accept it.

This situation was something she had never imagined before.

But now, it actually happened.

I just felt like all my hard work over the years was destroyed in an instant, and I was speechless.

To make matters worse, Jiang Shuo's official position also changed.

If it was still the residence of a second-rank official, even if she was a concubine, she would still be a concubine of status.

But Jiang Shuo became a small seventh-rank official, and a seventh-rank official in the capital. She could almost foresee how difficult her future life would be.

Cao couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears.

Qifeng Villa.

Jiang Qingyue was sitting under the grape trellis, weaving grapes.

Lu Huan hurried into the yard.

Jiang Qingyue put down the work in her hands and looked towards Lu Huan:

"What's wrong? What happened?"

"Miss, something big happened during the morning court session today."

Jiang Qingyue frowned: "Attending the morning court? What big deal could it be?"

Lu Huan took a breath before continuing, "At the morning court session, the Prime Minister beat General Dong Ling."

"what……

"The Prime Minister beat someone during the morning court session? In front of the Emperor? Will the Emperor punish him?"

"There is no punishment. It was Lord Zhao from the Ministry of Rites who came to deliver the news."

Lord Zhao is Ji Yunzhi's man. When the princess gave her rewards before, he came to give her things several times.

This matter is really weird. Ji Yunzhi is not such an impulsive person. If he really did it, there must be a reason.

"Because of what?"

"The Prime Minister said that General Dong Ling has not been feeling well recently. He heard that he had some kind of manic disorder. He saw General Dong Ling's face flushed during the morning court session and was afraid that he might get sick and hurt the emperor, so he took action during the morning court session."

"...Does the Emperor believe this reason?"

"Yes, after all, the Prime Minister has always been steady and self-controlled."

Jiang Qingyue knew that something must be going on here.

"Can the Prime Minister return home now?"

Lu Huan shook his head: "No, after the incident, the Prime Minister personally sent General Dong Ling to the General's Mansion. I don't know what happened, but the two of them started fighting again in the General's Mansion."

"So what happens now?"

Lu Huan replied: "General Dong Ling is no match for the Prime Minister."

Seeing her worry, Lu Huan asked, "Miss, do you want to go and have a look?"

Jiang Qingyue shook her head: "It's not appropriate for me to go, you can ask someone to find out some information."

"Yes." Lu Huan responded and was about to leave when Zi Su came in and delivered a message:

"Miss, the Prime Minister is here."

"Please."

Not long after, Ji Yunzhi came over.

He was dressed in clean white clothes, without any signs of fighting.

Ji Yunzhi saw her looking at him and explained with a smile:

"I just changed my clothes in the carriage, so it can't be seen. I came from the backyard of the general's mansion and no one noticed.

"You know everything that happened in the court?"

Jiang Qingyue nodded and asked him to sit on the chair next to her.

Ji Yunzhi sat down and said, "I was afraid that you would worry, so I came to tell you."

"Today's morning court session, Dong Lingyan wants to ask the emperor for permission to marry me."

"Marriage?"

Jiang Qingyue was shocked.

"Don't worry, I have stopped him. He only said the words 'granted marriage' but didn't say who it was.

"I see he often comes to see you, I'm afraid he has other intentions towards you. If you can't refuse to kill him first and ask for your permission later, then stop him."

Jiang Qingyue felt relieved instantly.

Her heart really skipped a beat just now. If the emperor really granted the marriage, she would have to marry no matter what.

She was a divorced woman, yet she was granted marriage by the emperor. If she refused, it would be an insult to the emperor, and it was not something that could be resolved with just a few words from Dong Lingyan.

She was afraid she would have to get married.

"So you took action in the court?"

"Yes. I sent word, and they told you."

Jiang Qingyue nodded, a worried look on her face.

"One bad thing is to lose etiquette in front of the palace, the consequences will be disastrous."

Ji Yunzhi shook his head: "It's not that serious. I have my reasons and the emperor won't do anything to me."

Jiang Qingyue took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Although she didn't see the scene, she knew that the situation must have been very urgent.

It is impossible for Ji Yunzhi to prepare in advance for things that happened suddenly, which only shows that he is brave, resourceful, and fearless in the face of danger.

He helped her solve a big problem.

"You have helped me so much, how can I thank you?"

"No, you're exaggerating. It's just a small favor."

He was always like this, never putting any pressure on her.

"I was afraid that I had done something wrong and ruined your marriage, because I had seen Dong Lingyan outside several times before, and you hadn't seen him, so I subconsciously thought that he was pestering you, and you didn't want to have anything to do with him. I hope I didn't ruin your marriage."

Jiang Qingyue lowered her head slightly, then looked at Ji Yunzhi:

"He wanted to marry me, but I didn't want to."

Ji Yunzhi smiled at her soothingly: "That's good, I was afraid that I might have misunderstood and ruined things, but this turned out to be a blessing in disguise."

Jiang Qingyue looked into the distance and thought for a long time before deciding to speak:

“When I was in the Marquis’ Mansion, before Xue Feimu returned to the capital, the old lady sent me away for the future of the Marquis’ Mansion.

“She gave me to Dong Lingyan.

"He and I had physical contact."

Jiang Qingyue finished speaking with a look of relief on her face.

She once regarded this matter as a shame. She felt sick just thinking about it and didn't want anyone to know about it.

But now, she spoke out.

She reconciled with herself.

She didn't try to guess what Ji Yunzhi would think. This was a thorn in her heart. She just wanted to give herself a chance.

If Ji Yunzhi hated her because of this, she understood and accepted it.

Having come to this point in her life, she thought, at least she should be honest with herself.

Ji Yunzhi looked at her, his eyes full of heartache.

"I know."

"what……"

Jiang Qingyue's face was filled with astonishment.

She had thought about Ji Yunzhi's reaction and answer, but she had never thought of this one.

She never thought that the secret she thought she was hiding, Ji Yunzhi, he knew.

She felt indescribable shock in her heart, and an inexplicable emotion swept through her heart.

He knew, and he still said those words? He knew he still meant that...

"When did you know? How did you know?"

"I sent Nie Qianjin back to Beijing. On the day I saved you from the execution ground, I took your pulse and found out that you had just had a miscarriage.

"Later, I met Xue Feimu once in the palace. He knew that I valued you and wanted to please me. He talked about some things that happened in the Marquis' Mansion in the past, and mentioned that you did not consummate your marriage.

"Thinking back on how Dong Lingyan came to see you over and over again, you'll understand.

The air was still for a moment. Jiang Qingyue was stunned for a long time before she spoke:

"The Marquis' Mansion..."

"It's me, and the Jiang family. Jiang Shuo was dismissed today and became a seventh-rank official in the capital. As for the Lin family, I also secretly protect them."

Jiang Qingyue's nose felt sore and her eyes turned red.

I heard Ji Yunzhi say, "I do this and tell you this not to impress you, but to let you know that you are not alone and that someone is backing you up.

"When you said this just now, I only blamed myself for not protecting you.

"Xiaoyue, I'm sorry!"