Chapter 939: Wu Jinxiu Is Jailed (4)
“Is there any food?” Wu Jinxiu asked with a smile.
“Yes!” Zhang Ronghua replied.
He hadn’t finished the stewed dishes that he had prepared earlier. He took a portion of each dish, including roast chicken, braised beef, peanuts, and so on. He placed them on the table, along with two pairs of chopsticks.
Wu Jinxiu swirled the wine cup. Smelling the rich wine fragrance, she was intoxicated. She took a sip and put down the wine cup. She sighed.” This is probably the last time I drink the Heavenly Jade Brew.”
“No,” said Zhang Ronghua.
“You shouldn’t have come forward.”
” I’ll do it.” Zhang Ronghua filled the wine pot for him. His expression remained unchanged.” There are things to do and things not to do.”
“What about Your Majesty’s punishment?” Wu Jinxiu asked.
“Then treat him.”
Their eyes met.
Wu Jinxiu smiled and raised her wine glass.
The two clinked their glasses and downed the wine in one gulp.
“If only I had known you earlier.” Wu Jinxiu poured wine from the jug.
Zhang Ronghua understood the meaning of his words. Wu Jinxiu’s body had been marked with the Crown Prince’s mark from the beginning. It was very deep. If she betrayed, her reputation would be ruined. Unlike Chen Youcai, who had defected halfway because of him, she was fine.
He changed the topic and asked.
“What happened to Yang Haowen?”
“Sigh!” Wu Jinxiu sighed heavily, and her mood instantly became heavy. She downed the cup in one gulp, and her face revealed memories. Bitterness, happiness, satisfaction, and other expressions appeared one by one.
After a while, he slowly opened his mouth and told her everything that had happened.
Fifteen years ago.
He was the governor of Changping County, and Yang Haowen was his best friend. They had a very deep relationship, and they had gone through life and death together. The two of them walked different paths. The latter had a very tough temper. Although he was talented and smart, he was not suitable for officialdom. If that was all he had, it would be fine.
If he couldn’t stand injustice, he would speak up for justice and even publish an article. With his prestige in school, an article would have a great influence. It would be a bad thing if it was light, but it would also lead to a major disaster. Wu Jinxiu had advised him many times not to make enemies everywhere. Otherwise, if he kicked an iron plate one day, it would be a disaster.
They didn’t get along well with each other and had a big argument at that time.
Yang Haowen scolded him for being a profiteer. As the father and mother of a county, he only had compromise and exchange in his eyes and did not care about the lives of the people. Wu Jinxiu retorted. Although she was not a good official and dared to interfere in the affairs of the world, the people under her rule were well-fed. Everyone had food to eat and had extra money in their hands. During the New Year, they could even go to restaurants. There were no major cases. She was not worthy of heaven and earth! He even bluntly told Yang Haowen that the world was not what it looked like. It was black, white, and gray! Some things were not something that you could manage just because you wanted to. Before you had the ability, you had to learn to endure. When you had the ability, you could settle accounts and show your ambition.
Yang Haowen directly said,” I’m afraid of death.” He flung his sleeves and left. The two of them also broke off their relationship. Just as Wu Jinxiu said, half a year later, because of his bad temper, Yang Haowen provoked the aristocratic families in the state capital and had a close relationship with the officials. Even she couldn’t protect him and could only watch as his family went to prison.
They had been friends for many years. Even if their friendship was severed, he could not bear to watch his good friend’s family be beheaded. After thinking about it, he asked his confidant, Li An, to take care of this matter. Before the other party’s people arrived in Changping County, they would take Yang Haowen’s family away and find an opportunity to let his children go. Without evidence, the other party could not do anything even if they pushed him to the throne.
Coupled with his superb methods, he managed to muddle through this matter without any danger.
Later on, his official career was smooth and he climbed to the position of the governor of Feng Province. He found an opportunity to get rid of that official and aristocratic family to avenge Yang Haowen’s family.
” I thought this matter was over,” he said with a bitter smile.” I didn’t expect it to be dug up so many years later.”
Zhang Ronghua couldn’t comment. Just as he had said before, there were things to do and things not to do. During the morning court session, he knew that the consequences of stepping out could be big or small, but he still stepped out without hesitation.
Wu Jinxiu’s approach seemed a bit silly, but it was reasonable on second thought. If it were him, he should have done the same, but he would have done it better. He would have solved all the hidden dangers without leaving any trouble.
“Li An, how did you deal with it?”
” Under my promotion these years, he has already become a county lieutenant of Changping County.”
“You’re muddle-headed!” Zhang Ronghua shook his head.
Wu Jinxiu regretted what she had done. There was no other way now.” When I first stepped into the officialdom, my teacher warned me that a kind-hearted person should not be an official.”
“Li An has betrayed us!” Zhang Ronghua said.
“I guessed it. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have confessed in court just now.”
“I will get rid of them and avenge you.”
“Find out who Li Yuliang is?” Wu Jinxiu asked.
” It could be the Empress, or someone else. We’ve already taken up one of the Imperial Censors, so the possibility of someone else is very high.”
“The situation is getting more and more chaotic. You have to be careful. Remember, no matter who you face, don’t be soft-hearted.”
The word “who” was very heavy!
Both sides were smart people, so there was no need to make things too clear.
“I know what I’m doing.” Zhang Ronghua nodded.
“I’m afraid they’ll attack Hang ‘er. Help me take care of him!” Wu Jinxiu pleaded.
Hang ‘er’s name was Wu Hang, his son. He was a professor at the Imperial College and a sixth-grade official.
“Relax.” Zhang Ronghua solemnly agreed.
“You should go.”
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Zhang Ronghua stood up and reminded him.
He strode away and went to the main hall to instruct the prison head to take good care of him. He had to consider whether he could withstand his anger if he played tricks. When he reached the prison door, Ding Yi rushed over.