Family Has a Concubine

Ye Tangcai came in with a watermelon in his arms, and put it on the bluestone table under the banana tree in the courtyard.

What a big watermelon! Ye Lingjiao, Qian Momo and A Pei gathered around, Is there any watermelon to eat so early? I have to wait until the hot weather in previous years.

Qian Momo said: Usually it's only in May, but now it's only the beginning of April, it's really rare.

Qiuju, go get a knife. Ye Tangcai sat on the stone pier.

Qiuju and Huiran, who were cleaning the wing room, heard the noise and came out one after another. Qiuju went to get the knife and plates, and Huiran carried the watermelon to wash.

After a while, the two came back and cut the watermelon in half.

The red watermelon was sweet and watery, and it was the first time they ate watermelon this year. They ate it happily. The watermelon was not big, and if they were not careful, they ate too much, and there was only one piece left.

Ye Tangcai quickly picked it up and put it on the plate: This belongs to the third master.

Yu Yang who was standing at the door was about to cry!

Yuyang, you're back! Seeing Yuyang, Huiran hurriedly called out.

Ye Tangcai turned her head and saw Yu Yang, and then she suddenly remembered that she had agreed to save half of the watermelon for him, the corner of her mouth twitched, and she pointed to the piece on the plate: Eat it.

No, leave it to the third master. Yu Yang had a bitter face, how dare he compete with the third master for food!

I'll give you apples and pastries! After Ye Tangcai finished speaking, she asked Qiuju to get them, then turned to Yuyang and said, Did you find out?

Understood. Yu Yang nodded. They used to have long-term contacts with some idlers or storytellers in order to inquire about news. About this matter, Yu Yang can get the news when he goes out: Xu Rui did it. He spent a lot of time on it. For a few dollars, I bought some idlers to talk in theaters and teahouses, so the rumors became more and more fierce.

What is spreading more and more fiercely? Ye Lingjiao frowned when she heard Xu Rui's name.

The matter between you and that Meng Xin. Ye Tangcai said.

Ye Lingjiao and Qian Momo's expressions changed.

Qian Momo said angrily: That little bastard! He's still acting like a demon in this field. As she spoke, a ruthless light flashed in her eyes: I can't let it go like this.

Tomorrow, I'll ask someone to remind my grandfather to go to the household department to change my mother's household registration book earlier. Ye Tangcai's eyes flashed mockingly, If this matter is settled, we don't have to do anything with Xu Rui. will fall.

Qian Momo was startled: This...has nothing to do with him.

You just have to wait when you go back. Ye Tangcai smiled lightly.

Okay. Ye Lingjiao immediately agreed.

Qian Momo's heart shuddered, she thought Ye Tangcai was a formidable person. Although Yin Tingniang couldn't see what she did in this matter, Ye Tangcai was calm from now on until the end, and in the end, both Yin Tingniang and Xu Rui were ruined.

If it was said that Ye Tangcai hadn't done anything behind his back, even if she was killed, she wouldn't believe it.

Then, I'll go back first. Sister Ling is fine here, don't think about it. Qian Momo got up and left after saying that.

Hui Ran said: Miss Ling, the house has been cleaned up.

Ye Lingjiao looked at the West Wing, and suddenly remembered something, and looked at Ye Tangcai: Sister Tang, is it convenient for me to live here?

Why is it inconvenient, convenient. Ye Tangcai smiled and nodded.

Qiuju came out with a plate of sliced ​​apples and sweet-scented osmanthus cake. Hearing this, she wrinkled her face. The third master already lives outside, and Miss Ling lives here, so the third master will not come over.

But I live here, so your third master can't come back? Ye Lingjiao said. No matter how big-hearted she is, she still knows that it will be inconvenient for the husband and wife to live in someone else's yard.

Nothing. The Lanzhu Residence is his study outside. He wants to study and work, so he can rest there. Ye Tang said with a calm expression, Let's go, first go to greet my mother-in-law. Said and went outside gone.

When Ye Lingjiao was a guest at someone's house, she naturally wanted to say hello to the mistress.

Ye Lingjiao saw Ye Tang's unnatural expression, and hurried to catch up with her: Are you and your niece and son-in-law arguing?

No. Ye Tang pouted, and took her hand, Let's go, if you're too late, we'll talk again.

Ye Lingjiao breathed a sigh of relief when she thought that Ye Tangcai had returned the watermelon to Chu Yunpan just now, seeing that there was no quarrel.

...

Early the next morning, Ye Tangcai asked Huiran to go to Qiu's house to urge Ye Hewen to change his household registration.

Nanny Cai went to Ye's house with Qiu Jing.

Ye Hewen has been pretending to be sick for the past two days. He was sitting in the study, and when he heard Cai Nanny and Qiu Jing coming together, his face changed, and he shouted at Liu Er: Let them go!

Unexpectedly, Qiu Jing had already come to the door of the study, and said to Ye Hewen: Is the Ye family reluctant to part with our aunt? When are you thinking about asking my aunt to come back?

Ye Hewen was so angry that he straightened his waist and almost jumped out of bed: Who wants to come back? Okay! I'll go to the household department early tomorrow morning, okay? See off the guests!

Liu Er hurried out and made a gesture of please, and Qiu Jing and Nanny Cai left together.

Ye Hewen really didn't want to go out, but people from the Wen family forced them to come, so he had to go to the household registration office early in the morning.

Unexpectedly, just as soon as he sat down with Yao Li, the servant of the household department, Zhang Zan rushed in with someone, collected the household registration certificate, and dragged the two of them to Dali Temple.

Ye Hewen's heart: Ten thousand mud horses gallop past!

Looking at Zhang Zan's in-laws, this old man, Ye Hewen was even more convinced.

Ye Tangcai also asked Qing'er to take a hundred taels of silver and go outside to buy those idlers and let them talk about something else.

Xu Rui was sitting in a small teahouse, and when the people who loved to gossip stopped talking about Ye Lingjiao and talked about other things instead, a bitter sneer appeared on his face.

He knew that they would not sit still and would definitely spend money to stop the rumors.

But so what, Ye Lingjiao's reputation has already been ruined.

As long as there is Xu Rui for a day, he will not make it easy for them.

It's a pity that he doesn't have much money in his hand, so he has to wait!

Go out of the capital to avoid for a while, and come back after recuperating for a while. At that time, the prince should also be released. Although Miao Jihe's affairs were messed up that time, it was none of his business.

After a while, the prince's anger dissipated. The prince appreciated him before, saying that he is a good general. When he has the opportunity, he will do a few beautiful things for the prince. He will still have a bright future, and he can change his career. The identity is tested again.

Xu Rui took out a sling of money, took a hundred or so copper coins from it, put it on the table, and was about to turn around and leave.

Don't want to, but at this time four yamen servants came.

Xu Rui was startled, he would recognize this government uniform even if he died, it belonged to Dali Temple, what's going on?

Xu Rui, right? Take him away! The leader of the Yamen waved his hand fiercely, and Xu Rui was dragged away.

What are you going to do? Ah—— Xu Rui screamed, not wanting to slap a yamen servant, Xu Rui lost a tooth in the past.

Zhang Zan suddenly escorted Ye Hewen and household servant Yao Li away, and the entire government and the public were alarmed.

Imperial Study Room——

Emperor Zhengxuan was reading the memorial when the little eunuch rushed to report: Your Majesty, the Minister of Dali Temple has arrested Shilang Yao.

Emperor Zhengxuan raised his gray eyebrows: Zhang Zan caught Yao Li? After speaking, those old dim eyes flashed brightly.

Cai Jie, standing aside with a whisk in hand, said, Your Majesty, it must be because of the change of household registration.

Yin Tingniang and Ye Chengde's affair, the emperor didn't want to work hard for them. But when I thought about changing the marriage certificate, maybe even the household registration was changed. This matter is related to the issue of his courtiers, so he is naturally concerned.

Emperor Zhengxuan said: Zhang Zan, originally his granddaughter was going to be the prince's side concubine, but it didn't work out. I thought he was going to have trouble with the prince! As a result, he and the prince are still close for more than half a year. Said At this point, his tone became cold.

The prince is his preferred heir.

But he is not dead, he is the emperor.

Seeing the old courtier whom he single-handedly raised had a relationship with the crown prince, Emperor Zhengxuan was naturally unhappy. Later, Zhang Zan's granddaughter failed to become the crown prince's side concubine, and was indirectly ruined. Zhang Zan not only did not alienate the prince, but became more courteous.

This made Emperor Zhengxuan unbearable.

Emperor Zhengxuan said again: The matter in front of me...is related to Yao Li. A few days ago, he ignored the Ministry of Household Affairs and only bought the matchmaker. Originally, I was thinking that Zhang Zan is a boneless person. Just cover up the past. Where did you think...

Where did he think that he just stood still. Cai Jie said.

Emperor Zhengxuan felt better, and said with a smile: That old man is still loyal.

Your Majesty, the Minister of Dali Temple is asking to see you. The voice of the little eunuch sounded outside.

Come in. Emperor Zhengxuan was in a good mood.

After a while, Zhang Zan bowed in, bowed first, then knelt down and said, Please forgive me. Last time the emperor handed over the matter of changing the marriage letter to Wei Chen, but Wei Chen only reported Xu Rui's bribery of a matchmaker. At that time, Xu Rui lied and did not confess to Yao Li, the servant of the household department. Ruo Weichen suddenly went to the household department to detain Mr. Yao, fearing that Ye Hewen would get the news and destroy the household registration book in his hand, and the evidence was insufficient. So he stayed put. Until today when Ye Hewen came Take the household registration certificate and come in to change the household registration. Both parties got the household registration certificate, and the humble minister wiped them all out. The humble minister concealed something from the emperor, and begged the emperor to come down.

Emperor Zhengxuan watched him crouching in front of him. This old courtier was still very loyal to him and knew who was his master. In order to complete this case, the prince was stabbed!

Emperor Zhengxuan smiled slightly: Zhang Aiqing doesn't need to blame herself, and you are just trying to solve the case.

Only then did Zhang Zan dare to look up, seeing the gentle smile on the old emperor's wrinkled face, he was deeply relieved, at the same time, the clothes behind him were almost soaked in cold sweat.

These days, the old emperor seldom smiled at him. The last time he reported to Xu Rui that he only bought a matchmaker, the old emperor only responded indifferently.

He originally thought that the emperor was suffering from illness, but how could he have thought...

If he didn't investigate Yao Li himself, and helped the crown prince fill up the hole, maybe it would be like what Ye Tangcai said, before the crown prince ascended the throne, the Zhang family would have no place to stand in the capital.

Go back and continue the trial! Emperor Zhengxuan said.

Yes! Zhang Zan agreed, then bowed and retreated.

After Zhang Zan left, Emperor Zhengxuan was in a good mood. Not wanting to, the little eunuch outside walked in again: Your Majesty, there is an urgent report from Yingcheng!

Hearing the word Yingcheng, Emperor Zhengxuan frowned.

Yingcheng is the gate of Daqi, the throat of the land, the Lu nationality in the west, the barbarians in the south, and the handover place between the two foreign tribes. It is often attacked by Xilu and Nanman, and the terrain is easy to attack and difficult to defend.

Back then, the Chu family guarded there for decades before Da Qi could sleep peacefully. As a result, the Chu family was defeated and the Feng family came to guard. But that Feng's family can barely defend, and often hear news of another attack.

Today there is a sudden report, something bad will happen.

Bring it in! Emperor Zhengxuan's face darkened.

With a pale face, the little eunuch hurried in and presented the paperwork.

Emperor Zhengxuan took the booklet and looked at it, his old face sank, his brows twitched non-stop.

Your Majesty... Cai Jie saw Emperor Zhengxuan's expression, and his heart beat wildly.

Hmph! Trash! Emperor Zhengxuan slapped the booklet in his hand hard on the table, the loose flesh on his old face trembling uncontrollably.

Cai Jie shrank back in fright, and secretly glanced at the notes on the big sandalwood case. When he saw the contents, his expression changed.

...

The news of the arrest of Yao Li, the servant of the household department, spread throughout the government and the public.

In the Imperial Academy, Chen Zhiheng and Zhao Fanxu were whispering about this matter.

Chu Yunpan was washing his pens leisurely, then hung up the pens one by one, and then left the office.

After leaving the Hanlin Academy, Yu Han rushed over and said in a low voice, Third Master, the prince is calling you.

Well, where are you going this time? Chu Yunpan asked in a low voice.

Beiqing Winery. Yuhan said.

King Liang, Chu Yunpan and the others had more than one place of contact. After all, they often go to one place, and people will always be suspicious if they go to the same place for a long time.

Chu Yunpan was about to leave, but Chen Zhiheng caught up behind him: Yunpan, shall we have a drink together?

Chu Yunpan raised his lips and smiled: No appointment. Then he turned and left.

Ah? Chen Zhiheng looked at his back with a bitter face.

Chu Yunpan came to the stable and got into the carriage.

Yuhan drove the horse, left the palace gate, and after walking for about two quarters of an hour, the carriage stopped at Beiqing Winery.

After Chu Yunpan got out of the car, he came to the Orchid Room in a familiar way.

Walking in is the huge vase of Diexi Chunlan. When you go around, you can see King Liang sitting on the chair under the window.

My lord. Chu Yunpan sat down on the chair beside the big round table.

Yao Li did a good job. Liang Wang held a white jade wine glass in his hand, I heard that it was your wife who did it! The next time something like this happens, I will find her.

The corner of Chu Yunpan's mouth twitched: No.

King Liang chuckled lightly and poured himself a glass of wine.

The prince promised me that after the emperor returned the order, he would never ask her to do anything again. This incident happened to be related to her, so she was allowed to participate. Chu Yunpan said.

Liang Wang smiled. Okay, I didn't come to you today to talk about this.

Ye Tangcai did have a way of doing things, but King Liang didn't have to make her his pawn.

All he wanted in the past was a vote of honor. Ye Tangcai put the emperor's order of return to the prince's mansion, and harmed the prince once. That is the handle. With such a handle, she will not betray them.