Feng Lin did not stand outside the door for a long time, and quickly went in. The street door was closed to block prying eyes, but the crowd was getting bigger and bigger.
Yesterday, the news that Mrs. Cheng fainted at the gate of Fenglin Palace has spread from officials to the people, and this kind of thing spread far faster than among officials.
"I knew that ghosts are afraid of God."
"Back then, a group of scoundrels went to Taiping Residence to cause trouble. Vajra Buddha stamped his feet, killing five of them on the spot."
"Is this Judge Feng here to admit his mistake and apologize?"
Listening to the people talking and joking around, several scholars holding pens, ink, paper and inkstones and wrapped in cloaks were waiting to practice calligraphy with ugly expressions.
"Even if the imperial censor is wrong, it is up to the emperor to make the judgment. How can anyone admit his mistake and apologize to the person who heard about the incident?" Someone frowned and said, "Where is the character?"
"Actually, it's not true." Someone nearby heard this and couldn't help but show off to these talented scholars, saying with a bit of pride.
Several scholars looked over.
"I heard someone say that Mrs. Cheng is Feng Lin's savior," the man said hurriedly.
Several scholars looked at each other in surprise.
"Then this Feng Lin turns out to be a righteous exterminator." One said, nodding.
"That's not necessarily the case." The other person raised an eyebrow and said, "It could also be to gain fame and reputation."
"Whether it is to kill relatives out of justice or to gain fame and reputation, we will find out later." Someone said, "But I want to know more, will Mrs. Cheng still come out to write today?"
A few days ago, when I learned that Feng Lin was questioning her, this lady continued to write as if nothing had happened. Now things have become more complicated and confusing, and I don't know if she can still maintain her original intention.
Several people looked at the door of Cheng's house and saw that the door was opened. It was not Mrs. Cheng who came out, but a boy. He didn't say anything and put a notice beside the door.
The crowd rushed over immediately.
Naturally, the scholars would not lower their status to see it in person. They only asked the servant to go and came back not long after.
"Ms. Cheng has guests today so she won't be able to practice calligraphy," the servant said.
The scholars looked at each other and smiled.
"It seems that the benefactor and the enemy have been arguing for a long time." Someone said.
"Actually, it's not true." The man who came back from watching the fun said hurriedly after hearing it.
The scholars looked at him again and frowned.
"Two guests came to Mrs. Cheng's house today." The man raised his eyebrows and shook his two fingers, "I just asked the boy."
Two guests?
Feng Lin walked into the living room and was stunned for a moment.
Han Chang and Han Yuanchao in the hall were also obviously a little surprised.
The atmosphere in the room became tense.
"Master Feng, please wait a moment. My wife is washing and changing clothes and will be here soon," the boy said.
Feng Lin nodded and stepped inside. A little girl came in and brought some tea. After exiting and closing the door, there were only three of them left in the room.
"Zhongcheng, are you feeling better?" Han Chang said first.
Feng Lin looked at him with a dull expression.
"Thanks to my lord, it's much better." He said coldly.
Hearing these words, a trace of embarrassment appeared on Han Chang's face.
What happened yesterday seems a bit to blame on him. If he hadn't deliberately led Feng Lin to say those words, the last blow wouldn't have made Feng Lin faint with blood.
This approach is really mean.
Feng Lin is not a fool. He will definitely understand after he wakes up.
He didn't know what was wrong with him at that time to behave like a naughty child.
Perhaps it was because he could not vent the resentment and shame he had accumulated in his heart. Feng Lin happened to bump into him, and he did not retaliate but humiliated his benefactor. The anger and resentment in his heart could no longer be suppressed.
Trick Feng Lin gave the lady a sigh of relief, so that he could feel some comfort in his heart.
When he saw Feng Lin's expression changed drastically, he felt really happy for a moment, but then he broke out in a cold sweat, especially when he saw Feng Lin fainted on the ground, he was so frightened that he was stunned.
Not to mention being mad to death, he was just mad at an important minister. Not only would he be ruined, but he would also be harmed by Mrs. Cheng. This was a real disaster for Mrs. Cheng.
Fortunately, Feng Lin was working hard outside. Unlike the pampered officials in the court, he was strong and could hold back his breath and the imperial doctor gave him a few injections and then he recovered.
Thinking of this, Han Chang picked up the tea in front of him and sat upright.
"Zhongcheng, Han Chang apologizes." He said, leaning down and saluting.
Han Yuanchao hurriedly followed suit and saluted.
Feng Lin glanced at him.
"I don't dare." He said, "I don't blame you for this, I only blame myself."
Han Chang stood up with a bit of embarrassment.
"Han Chang is frivolous," he said.
"Actually, if you really want to say this, you are not the one who is frivolous, and it is not you who should blame and blame yourself." Feng Lin said slowly.
What?
Han Chang and Han Yuanchao looked up at him.
"Who is that?" Han Chang couldn't help but asked casually.
"Myself." Feng Lin said.
What does this mean?
Feng Lin saw that Han Chang's expression seemed to be asking, just like himself back then.
But now he understands it very well.
At that time, the choice he made when he got off the bus in front of the inn determined everything that would happen to him later.
If he had not scolded the clerk when the woman questioned him, then nothing would have happened.
Opportunities are given by others, but destiny is determined by yourself.
That's why the lady said, don't thank her, thank yourself. So it's the same at this time. Han Chang deliberately made himself angry, so it's not Han Chang's fault. Who made him do something that others can say.
Footsteps sounded outside the door, interrupting the silence of the three people in the room. The door was opened and someone stepped in.
The three of them stood up hurriedly and looked at the woman standing in front of them. Her expression was indifferent. In contrast, the glaring maid next to her attracted more attention.
"Ms. Cheng." The three of them saluted.
Cheng Jiaoniang returned the gift and sat down at the main seat. Two little girls outside the door came in and served tea to several people again.
"I wonder what you three want from me?" Cheng Jiaoniang asked.
Han Chang and Feng Lin looked at each other. It seemed that this lady did not intend to meet and talk to them separately.
"I'll come and thank you, Madam, and then apologize."
Both people in the room said this and saluted again.
Cheng Jiaoniang returned the courtesy without saying a word.
The room was silent again. Han Chang and Feng Lin looked at each other and saw the signs in their eyes, please go first.
"Ms. Cheng."
The two of them looked at each other, and Han Yuanchao spoke first.
"I don't deserve the favor you're saying."
Cheng Jiaoniang looked at him.
"It was you who showed great kindness to my aunt in Tongjiang County, so I helped my lady to drive away the thieves who were making trouble. This is what my lady deserves, and I dare not be a favor." Han Yuanchao said.
"No." Cheng Jiaoniang shook her head with a smile, "It's your aunt's business that I treated, and I paid the consultation fee, so we're settled."
"How can the life-saving grace be settled with money?" Han Yuanchao shook his head and said.
"Of course." Cheng Jiaoniang said, "So Mr. Han doesn't have to worry too much. The kindness between you and me can be settled with money."
He didn't expect her to say this, and Han Yuanchao was stunned.
Han Chang glanced at his son and sighed.
What he did in Taipingju was too hurtful. No wonder this little lady was so angry right now.
"Madam, Han Chang has failed to teach his son well." He said and saluted again.
Cheng Jiaoniang glanced at him and then turned to look at Feng Lin.
"What about you?" she said, "I have no grudge against you, so there is no ending. Why are you looking for me?"
Looking at Han Chang and his son who were left alone, Feng Lin felt slightly embarrassed.
So this little lady is angry, otherwise she should see them separately.
"Madam, kindness cannot be settled with money, nor can it be lost no matter who says it is." He said.
Cheng Jiaoniang smiled again.
"So, it doesn't matter whether you say it or not." She nodded and said, "The speaker has no intention, and the listener has the intention."
"Did the lady do these things intentionally or unintentionally?" Feng Lin asked.
"Do you need to take care of what my wife is doing?" Banqin couldn't help but stand up and said.
Feng Lin looked sad and bowed to salute.
"Feng Lin is seeking his own government in his position. What the lady does is no longer her private matter, but a matter of state and world affairs. Feng Lin has no choice but to ask." He said slowly.
Han Chang looked at Feng Lin with mixed feelings in his heart. The censors had heard that Zhao was as confident as a wolf and a tiger, and when he opened his mouth, he could only stab others with his sword. When did it feel like he was cutting himself with a knife like this?
It's painful to say it, but it's also painful not to say it.
Cheng Jiaoniang smiled and raised her hand to signal Banqin to sit down.
"You want to know this." She said and nodded, "Of course I do things with intention."
"Do you want to gather people for the road festival?"
"Have a heart."
"Extending arms and bows do you want to take credit?"
"Have a heart."
"Does the music of Jingzhai deliberately prevent people from hearing it?"
"Have a heart."
The questions were difficult and the answers were quick. In just a few words, Han Chang and his son felt that the atmosphere in the room was even more stagnant, as if it was difficult to breathe.
"Is the lady doing all this intentional?"
"People naturally do things with their own intentions and desires."
Following this question and answer, there was a silence in the room.
The question and answer lasted only a few words, but Feng Lin seemed to have exhausted all his strength after a court confrontation.
"Ms. Cheng, it's not impossible to ask for something, it's just that the means are too much." He sighed and said.
"I have a clear conscience." Cheng Jiaoniang said.
Feng Lin was trembling slightly.
"What a clear conscience." He suddenly raised his voice and sat up straight.
This sound also startled Han Chang and his son.
"You manipulate the public opinion below and seduce the emperor's heart to seek your own selfish interests. You know clearly that the theories of ghosts and gods are overwhelming, but instead of avoiding them, you only add fuel to the flames. You fool the people, confuse the courtiers, and influence the government, military, and national affairs. Do you have a clear conscience?
"Feng Lin shouted.
"Master Feng..." Han Chang couldn't help it anymore. After all, the person opposite was just a little girl. She was scolding her so fiercely and her words were so scary. It was really...
"Speak well if you have something to say."
Not even the emperor could stop the censor's impeachment proposal, let alone such a small county magistrate, his words were as silent as a stone dropped into the sea.
Feng Lin just looked at Cheng Jiaoniang solemnly, waiting for her answer.
Cheng Jiaoniang's face remained calm and she nodded.
"I have a clear conscience," she said again.
"A man should act as if he is straight from the point of view." Feng Lin sighed and said.
Cheng Jiaoniang smiled slightly.
"Ms. Cheng is just a little girl," she said.
Having said that, there was nothing more to say. Feng Lin raised his head and took a deep breath.
"Ms. Cheng, Feng Lin hopes that you can ask yourself to leave Beijing." He said.
Cheng Jiaoniang smiled and shook her head.
"I'm afraid this will disappoint you," she said, "I don't want to leave Beijing yet."
Feng Lin looked at her, and the hands on his knees, which had never shaken even the slightest trace of dozens of lives and deaths, were trembling slightly.
"Then Feng Lin can only ask his wife to come out of the capital." He said slowly. (To be continued)
