The next day, memorials impeaching Ouyang Wen for neglecting the suffering of the common people and indulging in nightly revelry piled up on Emperor Changwu’s desk.
Troubled by the snow disaster, Emperor Changwu showed no leniency. He used Ouyang Wen as a warning to others, administering him a beating. An imperial decree reprimanding him was subsequently delivered to the Zhenguo Duke’s manor. Despite her doting affection for her grandson, the Old Madam was furious. Ignoring his injuries, she whipped him again with a rattan cane, finally throwing him out of the house and declaring he was not welcome back until he truly repented.
The privileges and honor earned by the Ouyang family's ancestors through their blood were not meant for him to squander on debauchery.
Ouyang Wen’s tears flowed like a river.
The cost of that free meal was far too high.
Adding to his woes, Situ Yan was not in the capital. He couldn’t possibly go to Prince Rui’s manor and ask Lu Nianfu to take him in. Thus, he had to have himself carried to Ji Jin’s humble courtyard.
Ji Jin showed him no sympathy. The strength with which he applied the medicine was immense, and he gifted Ouyang Wen a single word: "Serves you right!"
"Old Ji, you heartless wretch! For whom do you think I went to the brothel?"
"I asked you to accompany me on important business, not to actually whore around. And you didn't even pay! Now you’re suffering the consequences, aren't you? After so many years, you still haven't learned your lesson. Do you think you can easily take advantage of A’Yan?"
He was like a Pixiu, only taking and never giving.
Ouyang Wen: ...
Lu Nianfu, upon receiving the news, didn't know what expression to wear. She could only send someone to deliver a few bottles of medicinal ointment as a token of her sympathy.
Cheng Beizheng seized the opportunity to poison his sister’s mind: "Jiaojiao, didn't I tell you that young duke is no good?"
Cheng Jiaojiao rolled her eyes. "Third Brother, how many times do I have to tell you? I have no such intentions towards the young duke."
"Brother knows. It's just that I'm afraid you'll be deceived by him."
"If you say one more word, I'll pack this medicine and go visit him myself."
"No, no, I'll do it myself. Speaking of which, how was the young gentleman you were set up to meet yesterday?"
Cheng Jiaojiao slumped. "If Third Brother thinks he's acceptable, then he's acceptable. I truly don't have any preferences."
Cheng Beizheng grew anxious. "It's about your lifelong happiness, how can you not have preferences?"
"Third Brother, I know you mean well, but I also know that those high officials in the court are eyeing your wealth. Countless people are waiting to use my marriage as leverage to corner you. Therefore, I will certainly listen to you on this matter."
Cheng Beizheng froze. Looking at his sensible sister, his heart ached.
With the Xie Guogong Manor and Qi Yinghou Manor backing the Crown Prince and Prince Ning, and having cultivated their influence in the court for many years, their factions had already grown strong. If they avoided people from these two factions, Jiaojiao would have very few choices.
He pondered for a moment. "How about, Third Brother takes you out of the capital? We can go to Jiangnan, or even Shanxi. This Great Yin is so vast, there's no need to be solely based in the capital."
Cheng Jiaojiao smiled. "Third Brother, unless you squander all your wealth, people will still be watching you even if we go to the ends of the earth. When you first came to the capital, wasn't it to seek protection so you could contend with eldest uncle?
Leaving the capital was easier said than done, but nowhere near simple.
Cheng Beizheng also understood this point. He stroked Cheng Jiaojiao's hair and sighed. "I've put you through so much."
"I wasn't sent off to be a concubine to some old man, so there's nothing to regret. Third Brother, don't keep that gloomy face. Father and Mother will arrive in the capital tomorrow, and they'll worry if they see you like this."
"Hmph, you think too highly of your father." Cheng Beizheng had never let go of Cheng Jingze's past intention to have Jiaojiao enter the palace to win favor, hoping to rival Cheng Jinghao.
Yet, after all this, he still couldn't grant his sister the freedom to choose her own husband.
It was all because of wealth.
He blamed himself endlessly, but Cheng Jiaojiao suddenly spoke. "Speaking of which, the young duke, apart from being dissolute, isn't a bad choice. The Zhenguo Duke's Manor holds a certain status. No matter which prince ascends to the throne, for the sake of reputation, they wouldn't dare to harm him. If I could marry him, wouldn't you stop worrying, Third Brother?"
Cheng Beizheng’s face darkened. "You stop right there. I will never agree to marry you to a dandy with a harem full of concubines who loves visiting brothels."
"Third Brother, you're being overly possessive of your own trash. If you don't fancy him, he probably doesn't fancy me either."
A Duke's son and a merchant's daughter, she wouldn't even be considered good enough for a concubine, let alone.
Cheng Beizheng: ...
His heart felt even more heavy.
Shanxi. Jinzhong
Situ Yan flipped through the various pieces of evidence secretly collected by Cheng Beiyu, scoffing. "I knew those rampant bandits in Shanxi couldn't be so audacious without someone backing them. What has Ke Cheng been doing all these years?"
Cheng Beiyu spoke with fairness. "Compared to others, Minister Ke is already a rare good official. However, the foundation in Shanxi is rotten. If he didn't act according to the local rules, how could he have survived until today? It's also because he's here that the bandits have shown some restraint and haven't harmed ordinary citizens. Ultimately, it's the businessmen who suffer losses. In addition to paying taxes to the court, they also have to pay an extra layer of protection fees."