Emperor Changwu, grieving the loss of his beloved son, was fortunate to have even thought of sealing off the capital. He had no idea that in Shanxi, the news of Prince Rui being poisoned and falling off a cliff had already spread like wildfire.
While Cheng Beizheng managed the mines in Shanxi, he had already infiltrated the business of the Huwei Escort Agency. Although his speed in obtaining news couldn't match an eight-hundred-li urgent dispatch, let's not forget that Ouyang Wen had been delayed for four days.
When a servant reported Cheng Beiqian's arrival, he was struggling with how to break the terrible news to Lu Nianfu. Waving his hand, he said, "Just say I'm not here."
He was annoyed and had no time for his cousin, who carried himself with an air of superiority.
As soon as the words left his mouth, his father rushed over, "Rebellious son, I always knew you were heartless. Though we are of the same clan, you shouldn't have turned your cousin away just because of past disagreements."
His voice was so loud it could be heard in the outer courtyard.
Cheng Beizheng was already vexed, and this voice jolted him, making his anger surge. "Father, why are you everywhere?"
Cheng Jingze's voice was still full of vigor, "Bastard, is that how you speak to your father?"
Cheng Beizheng looked at him suspiciously. What had gotten into his father today? He frowned and said, "Alright, alright. Then Father, what do you want?"
"Beiqian is here, likely concerning your uncle's arrest. You have extensive contacts, do you know why?"
The news from Jiangxi stated that Prince Rui was ambushed in the Jinzhong prefect's yamen before falling off the cliff. Cheng Beiyu, as the Jinzhong prefect, was naturally held responsible. Cheng Jinghao's arrest was likely due to this, but why should he tell Cheng Beiqian? Was the information network he had spent a fortune building meant to serve others?
He spread his hands innocently, "Father, you think too highly of your son. I'm just a merchant. How would I understand matters of the imperial court?"
"You really don't know?" Cheng Jingze strode into the room, closing the door behind him, and lowered his voice. "Although we separated from your uncle long ago, outsiders still see us as part of the same branch. If your uncle committed a major offense that leads to collective punishment, our family won't be spared. If you get wind of the news in advance, tell me early so we can prepare."
Cheng Beizheng was speechless.
Cheng Jingze continued, "What's with that look? Do you think I'm being meddlesome? Are you sick? Haven't I suffered enough from being suppressed and lorded over by them? If they hadn't forced me, would I have sent Jiao Jiao into the palace?" He became angry at the mention of it. Jiao Jiao used to be so clingy, calling him "Father" in a sweet, soft voice, like a little cotton-padded jacket. Now, she either didn't speak or coldly addressed him as "Father."
His wife still gave him a cold shoulder whenever this matter was brought up.
"Then why are you asking me to see Cheng Beiqian now?"
"We have to maintain appearances. As businessmen, it's not good to be too ruthless. Besides, what if your uncle is acquitted? We'd incur another debt. You can help a little, and even if the Cheng family in the capital falls, others won't say we are unfeeling. As businessmen, harmony brings wealth, there's no need for a mutually destructive outcome."
Cheng Beizheng was stunned.
These words truly refreshed his perception of his father. After a long while, he managed to stammer out, "Fine, I'll go and deal with him."
Compared to the calculating Cheng Jinghao, Cheng Beiqian was much more straightforward. Perhaps it was due to his urgency, for without much preamble, he revealed the true purpose of his visit. "Cousin, you have connections. See if you can bribe someone to let me see my father. Knowing the reason is better than us stumbling around blindly."
"You jest, cousin. Speaking of connections, how can a humble merchant like myself compare to an official family? Uncle has allies in court, doesn't he? Why don't you ask them for help?"
"I tried, but they wouldn't even let me in the door."
"Then why not ask Consort Cheng?"
"The harem should not interfere in politics, and besides, my sister is not favored," Cheng Beiqian said, deeply disappointed in his elder sister. He had thought her entry into the palace would be a great boon to their family, but after expending great effort to send her in, she had done nothing significant except ask for money. Now that his father was in trouble, if he went to her, she would likely demand a large sum for favors.
As for whether those favors would be effective, only heaven knew.
Cheng Beizheng: ......
Cheng Beiqian paused for a moment before continuing, "Actually, I do have a way, but it requires a large sum of money. You know, my father has always been in charge at home, and my mother doesn't even know where he keeps his money."