The great changes in the political situation of this dynasty occurred twenty years ago. A reform made many old dignitaries become criminals. They were dismissed from their posts and their homes were confiscated.
Xu Chunjun's grandfather, Xu Youguang, the Minister of Finance, advocated reform at that time, and it was indeed effective.
But within ten years, Emperor Dezong, who supported the reform, passed away, and the reform was abolished.
Those ministers who participated in the reform were all punished, exiled and demoted.
Marquis Chengyi was considered neutral at that time and had never been involved in the old and new party disputes, so he did not have any grudges with the Xu family.
"Since there is no conclusion yet, why are you in a hurry to unblock it? If you are convicted, it won't be too late for you to petition for the overturn of the case." Mrs. Marquis responded lightly, and asked the people who followed to see if the carriage was repaired.
No more.
It seems that he still doesn't want to care.
"If we are really convicted, we will naturally appeal. But it is always best to reduce major issues to trivial matters. It is a favor to ask for intercession, but to appeal after a final verdict is a fight between the people and the officials." Xu Chunjun's eyes were dark and shining.
, showing a tact that belies her age: "We are quiet people, so it's easier said than done."
At this point, Mrs. Hou Ye couldn't help but look at her deeply, while Xu Chunjun lowered his eyes slightly, waiting for her to ask again.
But Mrs. Marquis did not speak for a long time.
The wind started blowing outside the side hall, and the vines entangled on the ancient trees were blooming with fine white flowers. They were swept into the door by the wind and fell on the water-polished blue bricks.
The Buddha statue enshrined above has his eyebrows lowered, as if he knows everything well, but also seems to be forever aloof.
After a long time, Mrs. Hou Ye asked: "Where are you from the Xu family?"
"Madam, it's the third bedroom." Xu Chunjun replied.
"Your mother is the Wei family?" Mrs. Hou Ye seemed a little surprised.
"That's my aunt, and I'm a concubine." Xu Chunjun didn't hide anything.
Mrs. Houye nodded almost invisible and asked her again: "How old are you this year? When were you born?"
Xu Chunjun was a little confused as to why Mrs. Hou asked him this, but he answered truthfully: "I am sixteen years old this year, and I was born in the first month of the first lunar month."
"Miss Xu, if Mr. Hou is in Beijing, what will you say when you meet him?" After a pause, Mrs. Hou returned to the original point.
"The method I agreed with Third Aunt at home is to go to see Master Mao Yizheng first after arriving in Beijing, and then ask him to pay his respects to the Marquis." Xu Chunjun said.
"Oh, that bamboo pole! He is your grandfather's disciple, but it's a pity that he is so rigid." Mrs. Hou Ye couldn't help but smile, and suddenly said: "No wonder his wife wanted to see me several times in the past few days, but I was not feeling well.
This must be the reason why you want to meet someone?"
"Madam, your expectations are good, so Chunjun has no choice but to come here and wait for you." Xu Chunjun has been in Beijing for half a month.
Mao Yizheng was only a small seventh-rank official, several steps behind the Hou family.
What's more, he has always been aloof and aloof, so others naturally don't buy his fault.
"Although my Marquis serves in the Ministry of Punishment, there are still other officials in the Ministry of Punishment. Why don't you go to the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Justice? Why don't you ask him, the Minister of Justice?" Mrs. Hou's eyes became shrewd and sharp again.
"To be honest, I brought something with me this time, and I plan to give it to Mr. Hou in exchange for a personal favor." Xu Chunjun said: "This thing may not be precious in the eyes of others, but Mr. Hou probably is.
like."
"What is it? Are you so sure?" Mrs. Hou Ye couldn't help but wonder.
"It's the authentic work of Fu Yuanying, the saint of the previous generation." Xu Chunjun could see that Madam Hou Ye had a strong temperament, and the more she concealed it, the easier it was to offend her, so as long as she asked, he told her everything: "My family was once rewarded by the previous emperor with a book of pills and iron."
The coupon, the handwriting on it is Fu Yuanying's own handwriting."
Cheng Yihou loved calligraphy and was especially obsessed with Fu Yuanying. Unfortunately, very few of Fu Shengshou's original works have survived, and most of them are copies.
"You guys are really willing to spend a lot of money," Mrs. Hou Ye said repeatedly: "Thank you for coming up with this idea. But having said that, I advise you to give up on this idea. Our family will neither help you nor help you."
I won’t ask for your things. The Marquis is not in the capital, and I’m a woman, so I can’t get involved. You’d better try your luck with someone else!”
After saying that, he stood up to go out. Xu Chunjun hurriedly stepped forward and said: "I only ask for my wife, and I don't ask for anyone else."
"Why is this?!" Mrs. Hou Ye laughed angrily at her: "I never promised to help you, why would you hang yourself on a tree?"
"As the saying goes, it is better to have nothing in one family than to have hundreds of families. Now that I have identified my wife, I will not even ask for the prince anymore." Xu Chunjun knew that by the time Marquis Chengyi returned to Beijing, it would be too late.
Although Mrs. Houye said that she could not intervene, it was actually just an excuse. With her status, how could she not control a magistrate?
Moreover, this is a private matter, and there is no need to use public documents.
"If Madam doesn't believe it, just send a reliable person to Siyuan to inquire and see if my brother is really unjust." Xu Chunjun stopped in front of Mrs. Hou Ye. Her expression was eager, and her previous poise and dignity were gone: "Second brother is our property.
The backbone of our family, if something happens to him, dozens of members of my family will not be able to survive. If Madam doesn't agree, I will crash to death here, and I won't be able to go back anyway."
"How unreasonable!" Mrs. Hou Ye was furious: "You actually dare to threaten death! Do you want to rely on me?!"
Xu Chunjun knelt down on his knees and looked up at Mrs. Hou Ye.
Her eyes were like black crystals under a deep pool, cleansed of blemishes. Her tears were shining brightly, full of pity: "Chun Jun does not dare."
"Ha, you don't dare?! I have never seen a woman more courageous than you!" Mrs. Hou Ye sneered: "Didn't you say that if I don't agree, you will die here?"
"It was Chunjun who was reckless." Xu Chunjun lowered his head and cried.
"Okay, get up! Let's find other ways, don't delay." Mrs. Houye's tone softened a little.
But Xu Chunjun seemed to be possessed by a stubborn bull and refused to let go.
The wife and maid of the Hou Mansion had no choice but to step forward and drag her away.
But she hugged Madam Hou Ye's legs tightly and refused to let go. Her clothes were torn to pieces and there were red marks on her arms.
Seeing that she still didn't let go, Mother Ye grabbed her hair and tried to pull her away, but the lady stopped her.
Everyone then calmed down and listened to the lady's instructions.
"Why must it be me?" Madam Hou Ye was really puzzled.
"Because I see compassion in your eyes." Xu Chunjun's eyelashes were wet with tears, her eyes looking up were filled with prayers.
"I'm not a kind person," Mrs. Hou Ye said with a cold face: "If you want me to help you, unless you can do three things."
"Thank you madam!" Xu Chunjun saw the turn of events and immediately thanked her.
"Don't be too happy too early. None of these three things is easy. If you can't do it, stop pestering me as soon as possible. Can you agree?" Mrs. Hou looked at Xu Chunjun and asked with a cold face.
