Shang Lan Courtyard
The charcoal brazier in the center of the room was billowing smoke, making people cough incessantly. Lu Nianfu was the first to buckle. "Quick, *cough, cough*, put it out."
Qingya, still coughing, tried to suppress a smile as she poured water into the brazier, then moved it outside.
"Young lady, are you sure you want to roast a fire with this charcoal in Qiu Lan Courtyard tomorrow?"
"Forget it, I'm afraid I'll be choked to death first."
"Then I'll go look for more. There are several kinds in the storeroom, and one of them must be able to smoke up the room without affecting you."
Lu Nianfu didn't hold out much hope. Qingmiao, while opening the windows to let out the smoke, said with a laugh, "Young lady, tell her to stop messing around. If she goes to find the steward again, the entire Marquis's manor will probably know you're going to confront your mother-in-law. You've just arrived, so perhaps it's best to take things slow?"
It was indeed best to take things slow.
Lu Nianfu sighed. What wife wasn't a little wronged? She was just imagining it for fun. If she really brought inferior charcoal to Qiu Lan Courtyard to light a brazier, Madam Fang would indeed be labeled as cruel to concubines and daughters-in-law, but in this day and age, which mother-in-law wasn't like this?
It was she who would definitely be branded as disrespectful to her in-laws.
Disrespecting one's in-laws was one of the seven grounds for divorce. If the matter escalated, it would only make things difficult for Gu Yanchen.
Alas, she'd just have to endure it, and wait until Gu Yanchen found an opportunity to move out.
Speak of the devil, as soon as Lu Nianfu thought of Gu Yanchen, he crossed the threshold and entered the room, waving his hand to signal the maids to leave. Although his expression was neutral, Lu Nianfu knew he was in a bad mood. Taking his discarded cloak, she asked, "What's wrong?"
"Something has likely happened in Yangzhou."
Lu Nianfu's expression sharpened. "The Japanese pirates are attacking the city?"
"Most likely?"
"You're still unsure?"
"The only news from Yangzhou so far is that Prince Ning, Situ Jue, impeached Prefect Feng for mobilizing troops privately."
Lu Nianfu became even more confused. "Prefect Feng is a civil official, and Yangzhou is the main base of the Xiaoshan Guard. Even if troops were to be deployed, it wouldn't be his place, would it?"
Gu Yanchen said, "That's why I suspect he's being framed."
Lu Nianfu still couldn't figure it out. "You mean Situ Jue? He's a prince on a diplomatic mission. Why would he frame a prefect out of the blue?"
"I've thought about it. The most likely scenario is that Situ Jue wasn't present when the Japanese pirates attacked. In the end, Prefect Feng stabilized the situation. Situ Jue, to absolve himself, shifted the blame."
This was indeed something Situ Jue would do.
Lu Nianfu was silent for a moment. "What about Prefect Feng then?"
Gu Yanchen's voice grew colder. "If I were Situ Jue, I wouldn't give Prefect Feng another chance to speak." He had a good personal relationship with Prefect Feng. The two complemented each other well, one civil and one military. Prefect Feng had made significant contributions to the successful recruitment of soldiers and horses for both the Guards and the mercenary camps.
Gu Yanchen had already written his memorial, waiting to request accolades for him at the beginning of the year, only to have this happen.
Lu Nianfu handed him a cup of tea. "Don't rush. Prince Ning has just arrived in Yangzhou and can't possibly control everything. Right now, it's all your speculation. We can find a way once more information arrives."
"I'm afraid Prefect Feng can't wait that long."
Gu Yanchen paced the room twice, but with only a memorial from Prince Ning impeaching him, he couldn't extract much useful information.
So, he could only wait.
But he had already guessed about eight or nine tenths of the truth.
The Japanese pirates chose New Year's Eve to make their move. That night, Situ Jue and a group of officials were so drunk at the Wan Hua Pavilion that they couldn't possibly get up to fight. In the end, it was Prefect Feng who stepped forward to manage the crisis, preventing the city walls from being breached by the Japanese pirates.
According to the laws of Da Yin, officials were not allowed to frequent brothels, and soldiers were not allowed to drink.
Situ Jue not only violated both, but nearly delayed the battle because of it. If this news reached the capital, the Emperor would surely be furious. Not only would his military achievements be nullified, but he would certainly be severely punished.
With such a reputation, and having lost the hearts of the army and the people, what future would the throne hold for him?
Therefore, he decisively suppressed the matter. He even used the battle three days later to send the soldiers who knew about it to the front lines. It was best if they died in battle; if they didn't, he'd deliver another blow. On the city walls of Yangzhou that night, blood flowed like a river, and countless souls cried out in injustice.
Situ Jue stood on the city tower, looking coldly at the guards behind him and asking, "Are they all dealt with?"
"Your Lord can rest assured."
"Rest assured? Has Feng Yunxian been captured?"
"This subordinate is incompetent. We have not yet found his trace."
Situ Jue's icy gaze was like looking at a dead man, and the guard's heart turned cold. He quickly said, "However, this subordinate has already controlled the prefectural office. His entire family's lives are in our hands, so he won't dare not show up."
"Bring his head to me within three days. If it's not Feng Yunxian, yours will do, do you understand?"
The guard shuddered. "Understood."