vstars Chapter 359 Jiang Wenqing's Radar Alarm
Chapter 359 Jiang Wenqing's Radar Alarm
Tongzhou County Government Office
As the weather warms up and the river thaws, swallows return, and Jiang Wenqing picks up his fishing rod and prepares to head out.
Coincidentally, just as I stepped out of the yamen, I saw Huangfu Zhongwen getting off his carriage.
Jiang Wenqing: Well, spring fishing is ruined.
"Brother Jiang, how did you know I was coming? Why did you come out to greet me?"
Huangfu Zhongwen completely ignored the fishing gear in Jiang Wenqing's hand, his face beaming with delight.
"Ah? Ah~ Haha, isn't this a coincidence? Haha, Brother Huangfu, you've come at the perfect time."
Jiang Wenqing tossed the fishing gear to Steward Wen Er, and then led his men into the back office.
"Bring some good tea, and also some of the snacks that Mingfei sent earlier, pack them up and send them to the flower hall."
"Yes, sir!"
Butler Wen took the fishing gear down and served tea.
After the two were seated, they inquired about each other's recent situations over the past few months before steer the conversation elsewhere.
"What did you say? You're letting him out? Weren't you keeping him locked up properly? Why would you let him out?"
Huangfu Zhongwen brought Jiang Wenqing unsettling news—the Fourth Prince Zhao Hongsheng had been released from confinement after the imperial examination!
"Brother Jiang, why are you reacting even more strongly than the Minister? The Minister only sighed and lamented for two days. You..."
Thinking back to how Jiang Wenqing had been "thrown" off the official ship by the Fourth Prince, Huangfu Zhongwen seemed to understand a little better.
Brother Jiang, are you still angry, or have lingering fears, or are you worried that the Fourth Prince will retaliate after he comes out?
"Is the news accurate? Where did the news come from?"
"It came from the palace, so it's unlikely to be fake. Someone personally witnessed Minister of Rites Tong Qingyun pleading for the Fourth Prince in the palace, and His Majesty the Emperor granted his request..."
However, a deadline was set, and the decision would be made after the imperial examination, depending on the fourth prince's performance. Sigh~ They say it's based on his performance over the next few months, but in reality, it's just a formality.
Whether their performance is good or bad is ultimately up to His Majesty the Emperor to decide. How can we judge whether it's good or bad? We can't go into the Fourth Prince's residence to see for ourselves.
Therefore, it's highly likely that the confinement will be lifted after the imperial examination. However, being confined for more than a year, almost two years, is already quite an achievement.
"He's a prince after all; he can't be locked up forever, can he? The Fourth Prince is already sixteen; how can he choose a bride for his wedding if he's kept locked up?"
"A grand wedding? They have the nerve to have a grand wedding? Any young lady who gets chosen is incredibly unlucky..."
Jiang Wenqing muttered to himself, feeling that the Fourth Prince's appearance was not a good thing, especially for the Jiang family!
"Brother Jiang, what are you muttering about? I didn't hear you."
"Ah, it's nothing. I just think the Fourth Prince is quite troublesome. His personality isn't very likable. Any young lady who gets stuck with him will have a hard time."
"Uh! Brother Jiang, it's fine to say these things to my face, but please don't spread them outside. Criticizing the royal family is a serious crime!"
"I know, I know. I won't talk nonsense in front of others. Brother Huangfu is no ordinary person. I can only be a little more indulgent in front of you."
Huangfu Zhongwen was taken aback, then suddenly burst into laughter, clearly pleased by Jiang Wenqing's words.
"Yes, yes, in short, don't talk nonsense in front of outsiders. Keep your mouth shut to avoid trouble."
When the talking stopped, Butler Wen brought out the tea and snacks. The tea was jasmine tea, and the snacks were fresh flower cakes, pea flour cakes, pork jerky, almond crisps, and fried chestnuts.
Huangfu Zhongwen had no interest in sweets, but the glossy, reddish pork jerky sprinkled with white sesame seeds caught his attention.
He first took a sip of the refreshing and delicate jasmine tea before picking up a piece of pork jerky.
The chewy texture of the roasted pork, combined with the salty and sesame flavors, makes you want to eat a second piece after just one bite.
Seeing that the other person liked it, Jiang Wenqing directly placed his own portion in front of Huangfu Zhongwen. He still preferred sweets; this pork jerky was too tough on his teeth.
"Brother Jiang, your chef is quite skilled; the snacks he makes taste really good."
"Haha, this wasn't made in the county government kitchen, it was a gift from my youngest son as a token of his filial piety (actually, everyone received one)."
When I left home, he was reluctant to part with the food (not really), so he specially asked the small kitchen to cook overnight.
Sigh, there's nothing I can do. The child is still young and always reluctant to part with his family, so I let him prepare it for me.
There's still quite a bit left. If Brother Huangfu likes, take a few packs with you when you leave to enjoy at your leisure.
Jiang Wenqing smugly showed off, but Huangfu Zhongwen was genuinely envious.
Sigh, comparisons are odious. My two boys are nothing but troublemakers.
"Alright, alright, then I'll take advantage of Brother Jiang's kindness and won't stand on ceremony."
"Oh, we're all brothers, isn't my son your nephew?"
At this point, Jiang Wenqing suddenly paused, and his mood clearly dropped.
Although Huangfu Zhongwen was a straight man, he wasn't blind and still noticed the changes in Jiang Wenqing.
Before Huangfu Zhongwen could ask any questions, Jiang Wenqing spoke up again.
"Brother Huangfu, there's something I need to tell you, but I don't know how to bring it up."
Jiang Wenqing put his hand to his forehead, seemingly considering whether or not to tell Huangfu Zhongwen about the Fourth Prince's coveting of his son.
Huangfu Zhongwen is a confidant of Minister Wu, who is a confidant of the Emperor. If Brother Huangfu and Minister Wu could take care of their son, would they be spared from the Fourth Prince's schemes?
"Brother Jiang, just tell me what's wrong. If there's anything I, Huangfu Zhongwen, can do to help, I will do my best."
Huangfu Zhongwen's words were true, and Jiang Wenqing gritted his teeth and repeated what his eldest daughter and son-in-law had said in Linhai County.
Of course, he also mentioned the six counterfeit goods he had seen on the official ship, and he couldn't help but feel a chill as he spoke.
He recovered after drinking a few sips of hot tea, but this time it was Huangfu Zhongwen's turn to feel nauseous.
"This...this...this..."
After stammering for a while, nothing came out, as Huangfu Zhongwen was somewhat speechless.
"Brother Huangfu, you also find it disgusting, right? It's alright, say whatever you want to say. There are no outsiders here. Steward Wen is a servant of our Jiang family, and he is the most loyal of all."
"So that's why Brother Jiang reacted that way after hearing the news I just brought—wishful that the Fourth Prince would stay imprisoned forever?"
Huangfu Zhongwen found Jiang Wenqing's thoughts very understandable. After all, it concerns his own child, so what father could remain indifferent?
Moreover, the Chiang family father and son seem to have a very deep relationship, a truly loving father and filial son.
"Sigh, I know it's impossible, that's why I brought it up, hoping Brother Huangfu can help me think of a solution. Because I seem to have a feeling—"
The Fourth Prince wasn't in a hurry to lift the confinement before, so why is he in such a hurry now, and even asked someone to intercede on his behalf?
It's true that the Minister of Rites was his maternal grandfather, but he had been imprisoned for quite some time before, and the minister had never pleaded for him.
It was precisely at this time, precisely after all the candidates from across the country had gathered in the capital, that Minister Tong pleaded for leniency, and His Majesty the Emperor agreed.
"Brother Jiang, you mean..."
Jiang Wenqing nodded, looking somewhat dejected.