Tianliangyuan

Chapter 299 Immediately Heading to the Capital

Ms. Lin only said two sentences before Xie Xiaowei led her away.

The main reason is that Xie Xiaowei knows his wife too well. He can talk to her nicely now, but he might turn hostile in a moment.

Moreover, since his niece-in-law said she was fine, there was no need for them to stay here any longer. If they ran into Xie Zheng again, that would be a real problem.

However, when Kobayashi returned home, she muttered to herself, "I remember when Saburo got married, the pomegranate tree wasn't this big. How come it seems to have grown so much taller all of a sudden?"

Mr. Kobayashi's perception was not mistaken.

In fact, ever since Xu Zhaozhao got married, almost all the plants in the courtyard have become more lush and taller than before.

Perhaps because of Xu Zhaozhao's special ability, she naturally loves being close to nature and prefers places with more greenery or lush vegetation.

So, after she moved in, whenever she had free time, she would feed the plants and trees here some supernatural abilities.

Little by little each day, in just over a month, these green plants have grown exceptionally well.

The servants who were there to watch over the place every day didn't really notice anything amiss.

However, people like Ms. Kobayashi, who only come once every month or so, naturally noticed that something was wrong.

But this feeling of unease seems to be just my imagination.

Because Ms. Kobayashi felt that the pomegranate tree had grown taller, but she also noticed that the height difference between the magnolia tree not far from the pomegranate tree seemed to have remained unchanged.

Therefore, she wasn't sure whether the pomegranate tree had actually grown taller.

This is very interesting.

Because the ability was fed indiscriminately, all the green plants in the yard grew. So, if someone only remembered the previous height difference, they would think that all the flowers, plants and trees in the yard were growing well, and wouldn't think that a particular plant had grown taller.

As for Xie Zheng, who also lives here, he doesn't care about these things at all, so he has no idea whether he's growing taller or not.

The reason why Xiao Lin came to make trouble for Xu Zhaozhao was simply because her father had declared that he was not allowed to have any more contact with Jia Shi, and he was also urging the younger generation in the family to study hard and make progress, and even put several of the younger generation under house arrest.

Among Lin's brothers and nephews, there were naturally some who were not thinking clearly. They felt that Xu Zhaozhao was wantonly retaliating against Sun Qian, which would also prevent the Lin family from making any more money.

When the news reached Madam Lin, it naturally took on a different meaning, as if Xu Zhaozhao, relying on the power of the Duke's mansion, deliberately suppressed her cousin, and was truly heartless and unintentional.

It was precisely because Kobayashi was simple-minded that she was used as a pawn this time.

Last night, Xie Xiaowei gave her a good scolding, explaining the whole story to her in detail, and she finally understood that she had wronged Xu Zhaozhao.

But even if she was wronged, she was still an elder. How dare Xu Zhaozhao treat her badly and speak disrespectfully? Xu Zhaozhao should be the one apologizing to her.

Unexpectedly, he himself came to apologize.

Not only that, but some of Kobayashi's housekeeping authority was also taken back.

After this trip to Jinxiu Courtyard, I will be confined to my quarters once I return.

Mrs. Kobayashi was filled with deep regret.

If she had known it would turn out this way, she would never have gone to cause trouble for Xu Zhaozhao.

But there's no going back in life!

Xu Han presented his findings to the Emperor, standing below with his head slightly bowed, barely daring to breathe.

The Jia family alone sent at least eight thousand strings of cash to Prince Qing's mansion every year from their businesses in tea, cloth, and silk.

In addition, the Jia family purchased a large amount of land in previous years, and about 60% of the produce from their estates has disappeared.

According to the information Xu Han found, the goods were transported to Prince Qing's fiefdom, but whether they actually entered Prince Qing's residence is difficult to ascertain.

After all, it took too long.

The Jia family alone sent at least eight thousand strings of copper coins to Prince Qing's mansion every year, which shows how clever Prince Qing's methods of accumulating wealth were.

The key question is, what about the grain?

Prince Qing already has his own fiefdom and estate, so what does he need so much extra money and grain for?

The answer is almost obvious.

"Xu Mutou, what do you think?"

Xu Han pursed his lips; no matter what he said, it was wrong.

"Your Majesty, in my opinion, we should send someone to the fiefdom to investigate. Whether or not the Jia family's backer is Prince Qing, we must find out. If not, then we must clear Prince Qing's name. If so, as a prince, he should provide an explanation."

Emperor Yong'an sighed, feeling he had already shown extraordinary leniency to his younger brother.

After all, he was just a half-brother. If it weren't for the fact that the late emperor didn't have many children, why would he be so lenient?

Ultimately, he was still concerned about his reputation.

"In your opinion, who should be sent to investigate?"

"Your Majesty is unaware of this. I am merely a military officer, and I am not skilled in investigating cases. However, the officials of the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review are adept at judging cases. I believe Your Majesty may issue an edict to question them."

"Hey! I didn't say you were going, what's the panic!"

Xu Han looked aggrieved: "Your Majesty, I'm not flustered. I just feel that for such an important matter, why are you asking a rough man like me? You should have invited the prime ministers instead."

Emperor Yong'an looked disgusted and said, "Alright, you may leave!"

"My minister retire."

Xu Han couldn't be happier.

He dared not get involved in this matter again.

If it weren't for Sun Qian being involved, he wouldn't even have bothered investigating the Jia family.

Now at least I have an explanation, and I can go back to drinking and boxing.

For such an important matter, Emperor Yong'an would naturally only summon his trusted ministers.

Although nothing seemed to have changed in the court, Xie Zheng could clearly sense that the atmosphere in the palace was somewhat tense.

After much deliberation, Emperor Yong'an decided to send his son-in-law out.

Princess Ning Shuo's husband, Cui Chong, is perfectly suited to handle this matter.

Emperor Yong'an issued an edict ordering Prince Qing to come to the capital immediately. Such an urgent edict often indicates a certain degree of uncertainty.

Cui Chong went to deliver the imperial edict, and of course, he also brought several thousand soldiers with him.

The warning message is already quite clear.

Prince Qing never expected that, despite his years of hiding and keeping a low profile, he would still be discovered.

After receiving the imperial decree, Prince Qing naturally said that he would settle the affairs of his residence and then go to the capital with his son-in-law.

Cui Chong was quite efficient: "Please don't make things difficult for the junior, Uncle Wang. We'll be setting off in half an hour at most."

"Alright, please wait a moment, Lord Cui. I will go and say goodbye to the Princess and her children, and then make some arrangements for things in the manor."

Even if they were to depart immediately, Prince Qing would still need to prepare some changes of clothes, so this request wasn't too unreasonable.

When Prince Qing changed into casual clothes and came out again, the ceremonial carriage belonging to a prince was also set up.

As long as the Emperor has not punished him, he will remain a prince for a day.

Therefore, this ceremonial procession cannot be abandoned.