Jiapingguan Chronicle

Chapter 2842 Master Qingsong 60.0
“If that’s what you’re saying, then it makes perfect sense,” Jin Miaomiao thought for a moment. “In this way, whoever seizes the initiative is more likely to gain a foothold in the Mirror and have a voice. That’s why they’re all rushing to the capital. I guess when they bump into each other, it’s not out of embarrassment, but rather awkwardness!”

"Awkward?" Merlin looked at Jin Miaomiao curiously. "You mean, everyone thought they had gotten ahead of others, but unexpectedly ran into their own people? The embarrassment of having their little scheme exposed?"

"That's pretty much the gist of it." Jin Miaomiao nodded, swung her arms, and said, "The main problem is the awkwardness of people scheming against each other. They all received the news, but they didn't communicate with each other. Isn't their intention obvious?" She sneered and said, "Their opponents are not only their peers, but also their own people."

"We are all of the same origin, why are we fighting each other so fiercely?" Song Yaojia spread his hands. "The news that the Western Court of the Imperial Observatory was abolished spread like wildfire, reaching all the fortune tellers in the Great Xia Dynasty. At this time, Xijing City is like a piece of braised pork that has been cooked until tender and fragrant. Everyone's eyes are on it, whether it's those legitimate celestial masters from famous schools or swindlers in the martial arts world who use the guise of fortune telling and face reading, they are all eyeing it covetously, wanting to get a piece of the meat."

“That’s right.” Jin Miaomiao stood up unsteadily, stretched, and strolled around the room slowly. She said, “Have the Imperial Observatory and Gongsun Yue considered this situation? Oh, right, at this time, was Gongsun Yue the Director of the Imperial Observatory?”

"Of course, it was his suggestion to abolish the Western Courtyard, and he was very firm in his stance." Song Yaojia nodded. "He felt that no matter what kind of profession it was, no one should have a monopoly. The Imperial Observatory was too powerful in Xijing City, and this situation was not good. As for the fact that a lot of strange people had suddenly infiltrated the capital, he had naturally considered that."

"Have you considered this?" Jin Miaomiao looked at Song Yaojia, who had stood up and was strolling with her. "Your Highness, every profession has its good and bad, and in some professions, the bad ones make up the majority, squeezing out the good ones. This is especially true of the professions of Taoist priests or fortune tellers. Good Taoist priests and fortune tellers are very rare; most are probably frauds, right?" As she spoke, she observed Song Yaojia's reaction. Seeing a meaningful smile flash across his face, she paused, then immediately realized what she meant and tentatively asked, "Your Highness, Gongsun Yue wouldn't be..."

"What don't you know?" Song Yaojia looked at her, winked at her, and said, "What are you thinking about? Speak boldly, don't be afraid."

“Gongsun Yue anticipated the appearance of swindlers, so he was probably waiting for an opportunity to see what kind of swindlers would dare to venture into the capital, right? And coincidentally, the Gong and Ma families swarmed in, running right into his hands.” Jin Miaomiao looked at Song Yaojia, then at Shen Haolin and Shen Cha, hesitatingly touching her chin. “Really? It can’t be like that, can it? Didn’t you say it was a coincidence?”

“Yes, it’s a coincidence, but not entirely.” Song Yaojia smiled and, seeing Jin Miaomiao’s puzzled look, explained, “Like I just said, they had anticipated these situations before dismantling the West Courtyard and made corresponding preparations. It’s just that the Gong and Ma families were unlucky. Before they resumed their activities, many swindlers similar to them had already appeared in Jiangnan, but their methods and styles of swindling were different, so they didn’t suspect them.”

"But have you ever considered that they've already gone back to their old ways?"

“I had thought about it, but I never imagined they would be in such a hurry to come to the capital and walk right into my trap.” Song Yaojia smiled helplessly and said, “Actually, Gongsun Yue wanted to arrest someone else, and he never thought he would accidentally arrest an old acquaintance.”

"They are indeed old acquaintances. Because of the She family's affair, these two families have long been well-known in the capital. They themselves are unaware of this, right?"

“Yes, but they feel that the matter happened several years ago, and those who should be held responsible have been punished. Their own family has also paid a certain price, so the capital should let it go and not keep holding on to them.” Song Yaojia spread her hands. “It’s a pity. Even if the She family is not from Liuzhou, they are still relatives of the late Empress Dowager. They will not let go of those who harmed them.”

"Retribution may be delayed, but it will come." Jin Miaomiao nodded. "So, what exactly happened?"

"Don't rush!" Song Yaojia yawned, shook her arms, and said, "Although these people have all arrived in the capital, they're unfamiliar with the place and don't know the rules. So, at first, they were all very well-behaved. Legitimate Taoist masters or fortune tellers aren't afraid of anything; some even set up their stalls right in front of Xiangguo Temple." "Huh?" Jin Miaomiao was taken aback. "Isn't that a provocation? Taoists have come to the doorstep of Buddhism; won't the Buddhists turn on them?"

“It doesn’t affect their normal lives, so what’s there to turn against them?” Song Yaojia looked at Jin Miaomiao’s expression and couldn’t help but laugh. “Besides, it’s not just Taoists who can read faces and look at feng shui; Buddhists can too, just in different directions.”

"This is the serious one, but what about the unserious one?"

"Families like the Gong and Ma families simply let their capable members go out and make a name for themselves, at least to gain a good reputation in the capital. That's how they can go on to succeed, right?"

"That's true, what they did was right." Jin Miaomiao nodded. "And then?"

"It's been about two or three months. Those who could stay have stayed, and those who couldn't have left long ago." Song Yaojia raised an eyebrow. "Fortunately, the person Gongsun Yue wanted to capture actually stayed."

"But they didn't manage to fool Gongsun Yue, did they?"

“Yes!” Song Yaojia nodded. “Gongsun Yue, although he comes from a noble family and is quite good-looking, has some quirks.”

"Quirk? What quirk?"

"He always likes to make himself look sloppy, like some down-on-his-luck guy from somewhere. But people in Xijing often see him like this, so they naturally know who he is. But those newcomers, even if they've been here for two or three months, are still quite unfamiliar with him."

"Being slovenly means that scammers won't want to scam him, because they won't get anything out of him, right?"

“That’s right.” Song Yaojia, tired from walking, sat back down in her seat, took a sip of water, and said, “As it turns out, that day I was visiting Master Qingsong at my house, so I was dressed quite normally, and therefore…”

"They've been targeted by those swindlers from the Gong and Ma families, haven't they?"