lady, please calm down

August 23rd, at dusk.

Taipingfang and Shou'anfang, where officials of Lin'an city lived, were suddenly surrounded by the imperial army. From the hour of You to the hour of Hai, which lasted more than two hours, a large number of officials were taken to the Dali Temple.

Half of the court officials were imprisoned, and the whole city of Lin'an was shocked.

That night, the lights in the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Secretariat remained on all night.

On the same night, thousands of miles away in the old royal palace in Sajin Lane, Caizhou, although it had nothing to do with the situation in Lin'an, the backyard was also in a state of orderly, busy and tense.

In the Huanying Garden where Jiarou lived, maids came in and out quickly with copper basins filled with hot water. Maoer and Ayu were sitting in the outer hall, glancing towards the inner room with concern from time to time.

Jia'an, who was sitting below, was obviously much more nervous. Whenever Jiarou made the slightest noise in the inner room, Jia'an would stand up in panic.

Seeing this, Mao'er gently comforted her, "Don't be afraid, Jia'er. Female Doctor Wang and the midwife at home are very experienced. They took care of Ji'er, Ran'er, Rao'er and Ying'er back then. Nothing serious will happen to them."

That's what she said, but Jiarou gave birth to Nian'er secretly in the imperial city in her early years. This second child is the first time that Jiamen has accompanied her sister to go through the "gate of hell" for women. How could she not be worried?

Furthermore, originally, Dr. Wang had calculated that Jiarou's due date would be around the beginning of September, but she unexpectedly gave birth more than ten days earlier.
It was precisely because she knew her sister's departure date that Jia'an even gave up the opportunity to go south, so as to avoid being away when her sister needed someone the most.

"Thank you, Queen, can Jia'an go in to see her sister?"

Jia'er, who was so worried that she was confused, asked with slightly red eyes. Upon hearing this, Ayu couldn't help but comfort her softly: "It's busy inside now. If we go in, it will only cause more trouble and it will distract Concubine Shu."

As soon as Ayu finished speaking, she saw Yunong holding her big belly with one hand and holding Qin Mama's hand with the other, and walked in quickly. As soon as she reached the door, she shouted, "Did Jiarou give birth? Is she okay?"

Although he was clumsy, his steps were not slow at all. The cat was frightened and hurriedly stood up to greet him, "Little ancestor! Why are you running here instead of staying in Wangxiang Garden?"

While speaking, Mao'er had taken Yunong's arm from Qin Mama's hand and helped her sit down on the chair.

If this scene was seen by outsiders, Yunong would most likely be reported. How dare you, a concubine, trouble the queen to support you?
Even if you are pregnant, you cannot avoid being suspected of "not knowing the difference between superiors and subordinates".

But the cat was very natural. There was no displeasure on his face except concern. He even looked at Yunong's big belly as if he was looking at a fragile treasure.
Indeed, Mao'er, who has developed a mistress mentality over the years, would be most happy to see that the official's bloodline, who was stranded in the Central Plains alone, could flourish and have many children at home.

The carefree Yunong didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with being supported by Mao'er. After sitting down, she even held Mao'er's hand, raised her face and said coquettishly: "I heard that Jiarou is about to give birth, and Nunu can't stay in Wangxiang Garden alone, so I came to see Sister Jiarou. Don't chase me away."

Yu Nong acts coquettishly and attracts both men and women except Cai Huan.

Maoer glared helplessly at Yunong, who was about to become the mother of two children, and said, "Then you stay here for a while, and then go back to Wangxiang Garden to rest."

Yunong quickly stretched out her hand, raised her index and middle fingers to indicate the number "two", and bargained: "Two quarters of an hour, Nunu will stay here for two quarters of an hour."

Mao'er raised his hand and pressed down one of Yunong's two raised fingers, and said firmly: "A quarter of an hour!"

Seeing the interesting interaction between the two, A Yu at the side couldn't help but interrupt with a smile and said, "Concubine Yi was pregnant half a month earlier than Concubine Shu. Last month, Female Doctor Wang said that you would probably give birth in the middle of the month, but now it's the end of the month and there's still no movement. On the contrary, the baby in Jiarou's belly can't wait any longer."

Yunong poked her belly gently with her finger and said, "The baby in Jiarou's belly is impatient, and the baby in my belly is slow."

Mao'er and Ayu couldn't help laughing, and even Jia'er felt a lot more relaxed.

Then, Yunong raised her hand and took two pieces of melon from the table. She handed one to Jia'er next to her and put the other one into her own mouth.

But Jia'er was worried about her sister, so she forced a smile at Yunong and shook her head to reject the latter's kindness.

Yunong didn't take it seriously, and immediately stuffed the second piece of cantaloupe into her mouth, and did not forget to comfort Jia'an: "Jia'an, don't worry, giving birth is no big deal. That year, my water broke when I was going upstairs, and Mother Qin was almost scared to death, but as soon as she helped me into the house, Rao'er came out with a 'bang' and I didn't even react. It didn't hurt at all!"

"."

Although I was trying to comfort Jia'an, she was still an unmarried girl, so the amniotic fluid came out in a flash.
Jia'er blushed, and Mao'er couldn't help but laugh and scold, "That's enough, I know how powerful you are!"

"Hehe~" Yunong smiled complacently and raised his hand to take another piece of cantaloupe, but this attracted criticism from the 'parent' Mao'er, "Cantaloupe is cold in nature, eat less."

"Hmmmm," Yu Nong agreed without hesitation, but still put the melon into her mouth regardless.

Mao Er held his forehead helplessly, looked at A Yu and said: "Look at me, does she look like a mother? She is harder to manage than Ran Er."

Ayu smiled slightly, and in her heart she was a little envious of a woman like Concubine Yunong Yi, who should never have any worries.

After sitting for a while, Yunong's chubby little mouth kept chattering as if she had rented it and was in a hurry to return it. When the "quarter of an hour" of exercise time was about to end, she suddenly frowned, held her stomach and stood up awkwardly, saying, "Sister, I need to go to the toilet."

"You must have eaten too much cantaloupe!"

Mao'er had a look on his face that said 'I knew it would happen', and then he ordered: "Concubine Yi is not very healthy, so bring two more people to help her."

Hanlu, who was standing behind Mao'er, gave a look, and two sturdy women came forward to help Yunong, but Yunong said to Mao'er seriously: "Sister, the time for going to the toilet cannot be counted in that minute!"

"Puchi~" Ayu laughed out loud on the spot.

"Go ahead, it doesn't count."

Completely defeated by Yunong, Mao'er waved his hands from bottom to top, looking both disgusted and amused.

Yunong then followed the two maids to the door, but just after taking a few steps and stepping over the threshold, Yunong stopped again.

But she slowly turned her head, her chubby mouth slightly opened, her pointed nose slightly wrinkled, and it was hard to tell what expression she had.

"What's wrong?" Mao'er thought she was doing something weird again, but she heard Yunong say aggrievedly: "You made a mistake. I didn't want to pee. The baby came out."

"."

"."

Mao'er and Ayu were stunned for a moment, then said almost in unison: "Hurry up and help Concubine Yi to the East Room!"

Do you have to join in the fun when giving birth?
It was a bit too late to send Yunong back to Wangxiang Garden. Besides, Doctor Wang and the midwife in the mansion were both in Huanying Garden taking care of Jiarou. It was undoubtedly a reasonable arrangement to temporarily place Yunong in the east room of Huanying Garden.

Over the years, three princesses and two princes have been born in the palace, and everyone has experience.

Hanlu personally led people all the way to Wangxiang Garden and brought over various items that had been prepared in advance for the production. Li Cuilian ran to the kitchen, fearing that there would not be enough hot water for the two ladies to give birth at the same time.

Li Zhaodi immediately went to the east room to spread the quilt and boil vinegar.
It looks chaotic, but in fact everyone is doing their job and everything is in order.

In less than half a minute, Yunong was lying on the big bed in the east room, which was covered with several layers of thick mattresses.

Outside, Mao'er first arranged for a midwife named Li to go into the east room to support Yunong, and then asked someone to invite female doctor Wang from the west room to come out.

"How is Concubine Shu?" Mao'er asked when they met. Doctor Wang replied, "The cervix is ​​five fingers dilated. She may not be able to give birth until around midnight."

Hearing this, Mao'er felt relieved and said hurriedly, "I'm afraid Concubine Yi is about to give birth. She is in the east now." Female Doctor Wang quickly took the cloth from the maid and wiped her hands, "I'll go and take a look!"

Mao'er is also a mother. Based on her experience, it might take several hours for Yunong to give birth, so she accompanied Doctor Wang to the east room. But just as they reached the door, they saw Midwife Li hurriedly coming out of the room.

He almost bumped into the cat. The cat thought something unexpected happened and was startled, "What happened?"

But the midwife Li was full of joy. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Queen! Concubine Yi has given birth, and both mother and child are safe!"

"what???"

Mao'er and Ayu opened their mouths at the same time. The last time Yunong gave birth to Rao'er, although they were all at home, they were not there to watch over her like they were today.

We are both women, but why is it that for Yunong, every time the gates of hell pass through other people’s lives, it’s as easy as farting?
Without asking any more questions, the two of them and Doctor Wang hurriedly pushed the door open and went inside.

But Yunong was lying on the bed. Although her oval face was flushed and there was a little sweat on her forehead, she was in high spirits and even her hair was not messy!
Beside him, a pink, wrinkled little ball of flesh was crying at the top of its lungs.

The little one was crying, and Yunong turned sideways to look at the little one and started crying too. Ayu couldn't help but feel a little dazed. Over the years, she had seen Yunong cry only a few times.

Mao'er thought Yunong was crying because of the pain of childbirth, so he hurried over to sit on the edge of the bed, took out a handkerchief to wipe Yunong's tears, and coaxed her softly: "Don't cry after giving birth, otherwise your eyes will be bad in the future. Ask the kitchen to cook something delicious for you later, and you won't feel any pain tomorrow."

Yunong wiped her tears with the back of her hand, then pointed to the crying little elephant and said proudly while crying, "Sister, Nunu gave birth to a little man for the family! He will definitely become a great hero like your majesty in the future."

As soon as these words were spoken, Mother Qin, who was wiping her tears nearby, paused and glanced at Mao'er quickly and covertly.

Even Doctor Wang, who was taking Yunong's pulse, stiffened a little.

The birth of a prince in the harem should have been a good thing, but you, a concubine, told the Queen in person that your son will look like Your Majesty in the future. If the Queen thinks too much, you and your son will be in danger.

Yunong was very excited when she gave birth to the son she had longed for.

But Mao'er didn't show any unusual emotions. She just gently wiped Yunong's tears and coaxed him in a very gentle voice: "Yes, sister knows that Yunong is a great contributor to the family. I will write a letter to tell His Majesty the good news and let His Majesty name my Sanlang."

In the back, Ayu watched this scene quietly. She had been in the mansion for nearly ten years. During these years, she had grown up a lot. At the same time, she could clearly feel the changes in everyone.

For example, Mao'er back then, although she was always trying hard to learn how to be a lady of the house in her words and deeds, one could still sense her carefully hidden confidence from time to time.

Therefore, cats at that time sometimes gave people a feeling of being pretentious.

But now, the Empress before him has indeed developed a moderate and peaceful temperament and a self-confidence that comes from the bottom of her heart. She is no longer afraid of others snatching her position as an official or a mistress; she is no longer afraid of others looking down on her.

This change was due to both the confidence that His Majesty had given her over the past decade and the fact that Concubine Cai taught her step by step how to manage a household and handle affairs.

People say that Yunong is the one who has the most love and affection in the world and that she is lucky. In Ayu's opinion, Mao'er has gone from being a poor peasant girl to being second only to the emperor. She is the woman with great luck.
At half past midnight, Concubine Shu gave birth to another daughter. In one day, the Chen family had one son and one daughter.

On the night of August 23, at the old palace in Sajin Lane, double happiness came.

August twenty-sixth.

Due to two major cases, the treason case and the palace scandal, more than 10,000 criminal officials and their families were arrested in Lin'an City within a few days.

Since most of the prisoners were high-ranking officials, the number of pedestrians on the streets of Lin'an City and their consumption capacity decreased.

The scope of this case is unprecedented in the past two hundred years.

Moreover, the arrest operation was continuing and spreading to the surrounding prefectures and counties, and to the gentry groups who had once resolutely refused to cooperate with the new land reform policy. The prisons in Lin'an's one prefecture and nine counties were overcrowded.

At this point in time, it is no longer as simple as investigating and handling two cases.

The core officials of Huaibei, headed by Xu Bang, greatly expanded the scope of the investigation in order to make more room for more people from the Huaibei faction.

Cai Yuan and Chen Jing'an were not unaware of this situation, but they both remained silent and even acquiesced.

What Xu Bang and others did was in line with the interests of Huaibei and naturally in line with the interests of Cai Yuan.

Chen Jing'an also knew that once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. If the deep-rooted and intertwined Jiangnan gentry group cannot be eradicated, the descendants of each family may be retaliated against by the resurgent Jiangnan gentry in the future.

In the afternoon of that day, Chen Jing'an, who was temporarily in charge of the Ministry of Justice, and Cai Yuan, the chief judge, came to the Yande Hall to meet the emperor in response to the emperor's edict.

However, the two men saw a purple-robed official kneeling outside the Yan De Hall. Just by looking at his back, they quickly recognized that the man was the Minister of Finance Chen Bokang.

When they were still a few dozen steps away from the Yande Hall, Chen Jing'an asked the eunuch who was leading the way. The eunuch simply said, "Master Chen, Master Chen has been kneeling here since the court was dismissed this morning."

It has been more than three hours since the morning court was adjourned.

Chen Jing'an sighed silently. When the two of them passed by Chen Bokang, Cai Yuan bowed to the latter and then entered the Yan De Hall.

Chen Jing'an stood beside Chen Bokang and whispered, "Mr. Chen, why do you have to do this?"

Now the entire Jiangnan officialdom has been almost swept away, and the few officials who are left without any problems are all behaving themselves. What Chen Jing'an means is, since you are not implicated in the two major cases this time, why are you still taking the initiative to stand up and plead for others?
If we offend the emperor again, it would be more trouble than gain.

Chen Bokang, who was a little dazed, looked up and saw Chen Jing'an beside him. He licked his dry lips and forced a smile, saying, "It turns out to be Jing'an."

The two men are of the same origin. Chen Bokang is two generations older than Chen Jing'an, so it is not considered disrespectful to call him by his first name.

"Mr. Chen, please get up first." Chen Jing'an tried to help Chen Bokang, but the latter waved his hand to refuse. Then Chen Bokang looked at Chen Jing'an expectantly and said, "Jing'an, you have known His Majesty for many years. Please go and persuade His Majesty to stop."

Chen Bokang could see the reasons why Chen Jing'an and Cai Yuan tacitly agreed to the expansion of the two cases, but he had no choice but to speak to Chen Jing'an.

Chen Jing'an was a man who was flexible on the outside but tough on the inside. Since he had already made up his mind to uproot the gentry in Jiangnan, he would not change his mind just because of Chen Bokang's words. He just said, "Mr. Chen, Xie Kuo and others want to murder the king. It's simply appalling. Don't people who have no king and no father deserve to die?"

Chen Bokang smiled bitterly and said, "Then kill Xie Kuo and the others. However, the two cases are getting worse and worse, and more and more people are implicated. It's time to stop."

Chen Jing'an said, "Such a serious crime must be investigated to the end, and no one should be allowed to escape."

Chen Bokang, who was kneeling on the ground, looked at Chen Jing'an for a long time, then suddenly sighed and said, "Jing'an, ask yourself, among the tens of thousands of officials and gentry who are imprisoned now, is there anyone who is innocent?"

"." This question is actually very easy to answer. All you have to do is say 'no' in good conscience.

But when Chen Jing'an looked at Chen Bokang's gray beard and pouting white lips, he was unable to answer for a moment.

Seeing this, Chen Bokang sighed again, mechanically and slowly raised his hands, took off his official hat and put it on the ground, and said slowly: "Jing'an, if you can persuade His Majesty to stop, I will resign and return home, how about that?"

"."(End of this chapter)