Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 331 Search of Prince Beijing's Mansion

Yanjia Palace.

When Daiyu and Tanchun returned hand in hand, they saw Cheng Qian standing beside the Empress Dowager, speaking in a low voice with great energy.

The two looked at each other in surprise.

Aunt Cheng was so devastated by what Supervisor Tao said that she sat there in a daze late at night with a chill in her body. How come it's only been two or three days and she's like nothing happened?

After Cheng Qian finished her report, she turned around and saw the two of them coming in. She took a half step back, knelt down and crossed her hands, "Hello, Princess and County Lady."

Daiyu was more and more surprised, and she and Tanchun also bowed in return: "Aunt, you have recovered from your illness, which is a cause for celebration."

"I'm ashamed." Cheng Qian lowered her head and said nothing more.

The Queen Mother smiled and pointed at Daiyu and the other girl, saying, "Tell them what you just told me."

Cheng Qian hesitated for a moment, then stood up straight and said calmly: "The news that the corpse burned in the Desolate Posthouse was not the Northern King has spread.

"Your Majesty issued an edict this morning, listing the ten major crimes of Prince Beijing, issuing a nationwide wanted notice, and ordering all localities to capture him alive and bring him to the capital.

"As soon as the decree was issued, several old ministers came to the Taiji Palace crying and making a scene to appeal to the Supreme Lord for justice.

"Ganlu Palace sent Dai Xiang over to say in person: Such a rebellious, arrogant, disloyal and unrighteous beast is not worthy of being a descendant of the Shui family.

“The ministers were speechless.

“Since Prime Minister Dai has gone, His Majesty has taken the opportunity to announce that His Majesty will go on a secret tour of the south to investigate the merits and demerits of officials along the way and reward or punish them accordingly.

"Liangjiang Governor Ding Mingyi was resolute and thoughtful, and his performance evaluation this year was rated as top. His mother and wife were rewarded with imperial edicts.

"The governor of Shandong was stupid, slow and weak, and was demoted to the magistrate of Huaiyuan County."

"The governor of Suzhou loves the people and works hard, and his performance evaluation this year was rated as top. The staff member Guan who died protecting the Northern King was posthumously awarded the rank of fourth-rank Hanlin Academy Attendant Bachelor.

"The county magistrates along the Jiangnan River will be rewarded or punished according to the merits and demerits recorded by the Supreme Being.

"Among them, there was only one person, Cao Yu, a newly-appointed Jinshi and the magistrate of Jiangning County, who was personally selected by the Supreme Lord. He seemed to be the younger brother of Cao Feng, the official of the Ministry of Personnel. The Supreme Lord praised him highly, and Your Majesty rewarded him with 100 taels of gold and silver, promoted him to the position of the co-magistrate of Jiangning Prefecture, and ordered him to take up the post after the new year.

"After listening to this, Prime Minister Dai left with a big smile on his face."

After Cheng Qian finished speaking, she glanced at the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother looked at Daiyu with a smile and asked, "What's the matter? Did the Emperor leave anyone behind?"

Daiyu couldn't help wanting to laugh, but she quickly suppressed her laughter and answered in all seriousness, "General Feng and his son have worked hard on the journey, and General Feng was injured and poisoned, and his arm is crippled. Your Majesty should compensate him."

Tanchun's face turned red and she quickly lowered her head.

The Queen Mother looked at Tanchun with a smile, then looked at Daiyu, and nodded repeatedly with a smile: "You are absolutely right."

So he ordered Cheng Qian, "Go ask the emperor which of the Feng family's father and son he plans to reward? And what the reward is. Just tell him that I am very concerned!"

Cheng Qian left with a smile.

Tanchun felt shy when being stared at by the Empress Dowager and Daiyu, so she quickly put the matter aside and went back to her room.

Daiyu smiled at her back, sat down at the Queen Mother's feet, and said, "General Feng is a very smart man, and his wife is also very insightful.

"I think the old general will take this opportunity to retire. Queen Mother, please think about what kind of job Feng Ziying should find for Yimin."

The Queen Mother thought about it carefully, and nodded with a satisfied smile: "You are right. If father and son were to serve in the same court, he would always suppress his son.

“Now there is the matter of Yimin, and since Feng Tang has clearly proposed marriage to Yeongja Palace, he must have made a decision long ago.

"As for Feng Ziying..."

The Queen Mother suddenly felt troubled.

She had no children in her life.

Although the emperor later called her mother, which was considered filial and respectful, she was just a clay or wood sculpture of a Bodhisattva that the other party worshipped.

Yimin was her first nominal daughter.

Yimin's filial respect for her was genuine and sincere. His every word, action and gesture made her feel relieved and happy.

When choosing a son-in-law for Yimin, she naturally wanted to pick a young talent with good looks, good temperament, good abilities, and who would be good to her daughter.

But Feng Ziying was not a top-notch person, nor was he considerate. If he was sent out to fight, he was worried that he would not be able to protect himself. If he was kept in Beijing, he was worried that he would not be able to achieve his ambitions and would vent his anger on Yimin...

For a moment, the Queen Mother was in a state of confusion.

Seeing her in such a dilemma, Daiyu knew that the Queen Mother was making all sorts of plans for her adopted daughter, and she was sincerely happy for Tanchun, smiling and saying:

"Her Majesty, are you overwhelmed by the choices?"

The Queen Mother laughed, sighed and shook her head: "You are so concerned that you become confused. I have never been so indecisive in my life."

Daiyu smiled, leaned on the empress dowager's knees, and winked: "How can you know so much about the duties of the court officials? You should consult the Queen Mother about this matter."

The Queen Mother was startled, then surprised, and said with a smile: "You are right! The Supreme Lord will definitely be interested in this matter! Wait for Cheng Qian to come back and see what the Emperor says. If he still has not said anything, I will go to find the Supreme Lord immediately!"

The two looked at each other and laughed softly.

At this moment, the eunuch who had sent Princess Hongchang and Shi Xiangyun out came back and reported to Daiyu:

"Princess Hongchang has ordered Princess Zhaoqing to tell her that she and her mother will go to Marquis Shi's residence in the next one or two days.

"Since the Supreme Lord mentioned Miss Shi's marriage, there must be one or two members of the royal family who would like to express their opinions. The Kejin Palace has taken on this task."

The Queen Mother immediately raised her eyebrows, looked at Daiyu, and said with a smile: "You are really good at choosing people! The Kejin family is all kind and intelligent. Your sister from the Shi family will have the help of his family, so her marriage will definitely be worry-free."

Daiyu said, "I am ashamed. Hongchang is a warm-hearted person. We hit it off right away. I can't help her at all, but I have caused her so much trouble."

The Queen Mother smiled and said no more.

Cheng Qian came back with another piece of big news: "His Majesty ordered General Feng to lead the team, and also ordered Marquis Huaiyuan and Prince Nan'an to cooperate, and go to the Northern Palace to search together!"

search!?

Are they going to search Prince Beijing's Palace?!

Daiyu was surprised: "What about the Northern King's Consort and Princess?"

"Under house arrest in the bedroom." Cheng Qian sighed, "Originally, His Majesty did not want the soldiers to enter the back house to harass the women.

“But Prince Zhongshun and Prince Yu both said that the Northern Prince is young, and if there really is something wrong, the Queen Mother and the Princess must be involved and must be imprisoned.

"Your Majesty had no choice but to order the women to be locked in their rooms and only to search their belongings and letters, and not to hurt anyone.

"Now the families of the Concubine Dowager and the Princess have also closed their doors to visitors and prohibited anyone from coming in or out, as if they are waiting for punishment."

The Queen Mother and Daiyu both remained silent.

Although no one had seen Liao Changshi's confession or asked about it in person in order to avoid suspicion, they could guess that there must be many unspeakable things in it.

From the perspective of national affairs, it was only a matter of time before Prince Beijing’s Mansion was raided.

"Those who came were all old friends from the Northern Palace, and they would always remember the incense and incense. Although I dare not show favoritism, it is already a special care of Your Majesty to ensure that the rear house is not humiliated."

Daiyu sighed softly and tried to persuade the empress dowager.

The Queen Mother nodded silently.

After a moment, he cheered up and raised his hand to order Cheng Qian: "Come on, you accompany me to Ganlu Palace, let's go and ask the Supreme to find a job for Feng Ziying that is worthy of Yimin!"