Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 688: Do you recognize this thing? [Thank you! Thank you again! I owe you 38k more]

The Imperial Palace of the Great Zhou Dynasty,

The rear court,

The hall is covered with thick carpets.

A faint green smoke wafted out of the incense burner in the center of the hall, exuding a refreshing fragrance.

Prince Jing, wearing an official hat and a purple brocade robe, sat on a chair with his hands on his knees. After glancing at the guards in the hall, he focused his attention on the dragon throne behind the imperial desk.

After seeing the dragon throne, the hanging needle lines near King Jing’s forehead became much lighter.

When the King of Jing held his hat with both hands and tried to take it off and put it aside,
"Your Majesty is here!"

"His Highness has arrived!"

There was a shout from an eunuch at the door.

After thinking for a moment, King Jing stopped what he was doing, stood up and stood beside the chair.

Seeing the emperor bringing Zhao Fang into the room, Prince Jing straightened his sleeves, bowed and said, "Nephew, meet your uncle."

The emperor walked straight to the dragon throne behind the imperial desk and ignored the King of Jing's greetings.

After the emperor sat down and Prince Zhao Fang sat on the embroidered cushion next to the dragon throne, the emperor said calmly, "Stand up and sit down."

"Thank you, uncle."

Prince Jing stood up straight, smiled at Zhao Fang who was sitting next to the emperor, and sat back in his chair.

When Zhao Fang saw this scene, a smile appeared on his face.

Prince Jing was stunned, and glanced at the two people standing near the imperial desk.

King Jing knew these two people. They were Zhao Zilong, who had been in charge of the Imperial City Bureau for many years, and Zhao Zilong's apprentice Zhao Meifeng.

"Did your journey to Beijing go smoothly?" the emperor asked calmly.

King Jing bowed and said, "Uncle, although we encountered some rain and snow on the way, thanks to the blessing of our ancestors, the journey was very smooth."

"Well! I heard that there are several temples in Shouzhou, and the scenery in these temples is quite nice?" While the emperor was speaking, You Nei Guang placed a cup of tea on the table next to King Jing.

King Jing remained expressionless, nodded and said, "Uncle, that's right! The two most famous temples in Shouzhou are the White Pagoda Temple and the Dongchan Temple."

"The White Pagoda Temple is located in the mountains, and the scenery is very beautiful."

"There are two lush ginkgo trees in the Dongchan Temple. In autumn and winter, the leaves turn yellow, which is also a beautiful sight."

The emperor took a deep breath and asked, "Do you often go to the temple to burn incense and worship Buddha?"

"My nephew didn't go there very often." After thinking for a moment, the King of Jing added, "The princess has been there a few times."

The emperor nodded and said, "Then, do you recognize this thing?"

As he spoke, the emperor waved his hand to the side, and a guard came up to Prince Jing with a tray. On the tray was something the size of a watermelon, covered with silk.

"Lift it up and take a look." said the emperor.

"Yes." King Jing stood up and glanced at Zhao Fang.

After thinking to himself, "It shouldn't be a head," he reached out and lifted the silk.

Looking at the porcelain urn under the silk, the King of Jing froze for a moment, then looked at the emperor and said, "Uncle, nephew, this looks like an unlucky thing."

The emperor said calmly, "Unlucky? It's just a porcelain urn for ashes. What's unlucky about it?"

King Jing's throat rolled over, he put down the silk he was holding, and said, "Uncle is right."

"Do you know the origin of this porcelain jar?" asked the emperor.

"Nephew, nephew doesn't know! Please help me solve this puzzle, uncle." King Jing shook his head, bowed and said, the brim of his official hat shook as he spoke.

The emperor showed a sneer on his face and said, "Do you really want to know?"

King Jing lowered his head, so he naturally couldn't see the emperor's expression. He said respectfully, "Nephew, I'm all ears."

The emperor looked at the King of Jing who was sitting below him and said calmly, "This story started two years ago."

"I remember that it was almost November when someone reported that a judge named Dong in Beizhou had fallen into a river and died while in office because of drinking too much."

"But the youngest son of the Xu family, the Marquis of Yongyi, told me that the death of Dong Tongpan was mysterious, and because he had some conflicts with others, I was angry and sent him to Beizhou."

King Jing looked up at the emperor and echoed, "Uncle, I also heard about this when I was in the vassal state! God bless the Great Zhou, and it was also your great fortune that protected the Xu family children and saved Beizhou from danger."

When the emperor thought about this, he was still in a good mood and a sincere smile appeared on his face.

Zhao Fang, who was standing aside, turned his head and smiled as he glanced at Zhao Meifeng who was standing beside him.

Looking at the King of Jing, the emperor continued, "After this kid settled the matter in Beizhou, he did not expect to be ambushed by spies from Northern Liao on his way back to Beijing."

"After a fierce battle, we captured several spies! After killing several people to avenge the people of our Great Zhou, we found a female spy who cried and begged for mercy."

"Coincidentally, this female spy actually knows how to identify the porcelain urns used exclusively by Northern Liao spies."

"When she had nothing else to do, this female spy went to your territory and found this thing."

The King of Jing suddenly understood, lifted his skirt and knelt on the carpet, and said sincerely, "Thank you, uncle, for helping me find out such a treasonous thing in the vassal!"

"My nephew was negligent, please punish me, uncle!"

Looking at the King of Jing who was kneeling on the ground, the emperor continued, "Then do you know whose ashes are in this porcelain urn?"

King Jing said: "I think it's the damned Northern Liao spy!"

The emperor's tone was emotionless as he said calmly, "No, no, no, it contains the ashes of a traitor from Rongyangyuan!"

Hearing this, King Jing was not sure whether he was frightened or surprised. He stared in amazement for a moment, then immediately fell to the ground: "Uncle, nephew..."

Ignoring the King of Jing's explanation, the Emperor continued, "The Imperial City Department has also found the family that provided this porcelain urn! She is the niece of your mother's maid who has been married for many years."

"Oh, this relationship is quite complicated."

The King of Jing raised his head, looked at the Emperor and said, "Uncle, I really don't know about this matter! Someone must have wronged me!"

As he said this, Prince Jing was about to stand up and rush towards the eunuch who was holding the tray.

"Kneel down!" the emperor shouted solemnly.

King Jing, who was halfway standing up, immediately knelt back on the carpet.

The emperor flipped the paper in front of him and continued, "A few years ago, there was unrest in Yangzhou, and some elite bandits attempted to pick up a huge amount of gold and silver outside the city of Yangzhou."

"Fortunately, the Imperial City Bureau stopped it in time, so the money didn't fall into the hands of others! An experienced official determined that most of these people were from the military."

"The leader is from your Jingwang Mansion and is also the elder brother of your son's personal bodyguard! You said he betrayed the palace, and I didn't pursue the matter any further!"

The King of Jing said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, you are wise and decisive! I, your nephew, am deeply grateful!"

"You are deeply moved?" The emperor suppressed his anger and asked, "If that's the case, then tell me how you will repay me?"

Seeing this, Zhao Fang, who was standing by, hurriedly walked behind the emperor and helped him calm down.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty," the King of Jing hesitated for a long time but did not say a word.

The emperor took a few deep breaths, stared at King Jing and continued, "The blacksmith in Baigao, and the black gold carbon produced in Dingzhou, are they any good?"

"Ok?"

"Why did your retainer impersonate an official from the Ministry of Works, kidnap the Baigao blacksmith, and then pay a large sum of money to smuggle black gold carbon?!"

"Look at me!"

"Answer my question!"

As the emperor said this, he angrily threw the pile of papers on the imperial desk at Prince Jing.

When King Jing raised his head, he was hit in the face by the pile of papers.

Looking at the papers scattered on the carpet, the map drawn on the papers, and several places marked with red pen in panic, the King of Jing felt his body go weak.

"You are my nephew!"

"My ancestors laid the foundation for this country. I finally got the chance to recover my homeland. What are you busy doing in your fiefdom?"

Before the King of Jing could answer, the Emperor angrily shouted, "You are holding me back!"

As he spoke, the emperor threw the pen holder on the desk away again.

After it hit King Jing, the kneeling King Jing trembled with fear.

"Do you really think I don't know all these things?" Hearing the emperor's questioning, the King of Jing felt his body go weak and he couldn't utter a word out of guilt.

His irritable and quick-tempered personality had disappeared without a trace, leaving only his legs and feet shaking unconsciously.

At this time,

An eunuch walked in quietly and whispered a few words to the chief eunuch.

Seeing the look in the emperor's eyes, the eunuch hurriedly whispered, "Your Majesty, several princes from the imperial clan in the capital want to see you."

Hearing this, Prince Jing seemed to have found a life-saving straw, and looked at the emperor with hope in his eyes.

"Just tell them I'm busy and let them go back," the emperor said calmly.

"Yes."

The eunuchs should withdraw.

inner city,

Chun Ming Fang,
Huyan's house,
In the backyard,
A maid hurried along the corridor and walked into the main house.

Looking at Madam Pan and An Mei who were talking, he quickly bowed and said, "Madam, there was a message from the gate saying that a large group of imperial guards passed by the gate."

An Mei and her mother-in-law looked at each other in surprise and asked hurriedly, "Imperial Army? Infantry or Cavalry?"

"They said there were people riding horses and walking on foot," the maid replied.

"Mom, shall we go and take a look?" An Mei asked with interest.

Madam Pan hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Let's go!"

On the way to the outer courtyard, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law saw the old woman walking towards them quickly.

An Mei took her mother-in-law's arm and asked, "What's the matter?"

"My lady, the people at the gate said that a large group of imperial guards have surrounded the Duke Anguo's mansion!" said the old woman.

"What? The Mansion of Duke Anguo?" The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law looked even more surprised. The maids and servants following behind them couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Let's go! Let's go and take a look!" Mrs. Pan said, pulling An Mei.

Soon, everyone arrived at the gate.

Looking in the direction of the Anguogong Tan family, there were indeed strong soldiers in armor and armed with sharp weapons, blocking the entire gate of the Tan family tightly.

Looking in the opposite direction, one can see a team of elite imperial guards standing along the wall of the Tan family's courtyard.

"Are they going to confiscate our property?" An Mei said in disbelief.

not far away,
In the deep courtyard of the Anguogong Tan family,
An aisle,
Mother Xiang's legs and feet were a little weak, and she could only hold on to the wall from time to time to prevent herself from falling.

Passing through a moon gate,
Xiang Mama closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, then she straightened her chest and walked towards the main house.

"I'm back to my mother." The little girl passed on the message.

In the main house,
Madam Qin, who was drinking tonic porridge and reading a book, listened to the maid's message and looked towards the door.

Looking at Xiang's mother's expression, Qin Yanwen frowned slightly and said, "What's going on outside? Have you found out?"

He didn't say anything to his mother, but just looked at Qin Yanwen worriedly.

Qin Yanwen's face also became solemn, and she said, "Just tell me what's going on. I'm not that weak."

Nodding to his mother, he said, "Madam, I will explain slowly, please don't get excited. That is."

"The imperial guards have surrounded our yard." Xiang said slowly to his mother.

Qin Yanwen closed her eyes in a bit of pain after hearing this and asked, "Which commander brought these people here?"

"From what I see, it seems to be Cao Erlang from the Tuoxi Marquis family."

"Cao Yang?"

"Yes!"

Qin Yanwen nodded: "Fortunately it's not another family, at least they can be related to each other."

Suddenly, Qin Yanwen thought of something. After a pause, he rolled his eyes and said, "Oh, right! This morning, I heard you say that some people in the palace were talking about His Majesty ordering people to take the King of Jing away in public?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Princess Jing, did you come to our house this morning?"

There was a glimmer of hope in Xiang's mother's eyes, and she asked anxiously, "What do you mean?"

Tan's backyard,

In the largest courtyard,
Outside the main house,

There stood a dozen or so ladies and young men in rich clothes;

The old lady of the Duke of Anguo, who was wearing a headband in the middle, was supported by two strong women. Her hands and feet were shaking like sieves. She looked at Cao Yang, who was wearing armor, with fear in her eyes and said:
"Er, Erlang, we are all relatives! Why are you here in armor, in my house? What are you doing here?"

Cao Yang bowed perfunctorily: "Greetings, old lady."

After saying that, Cao Yang grasped the sword at his waist.

Just this one action made everyone in front of the door hold their breath.

He glanced at everyone's faces and found that no one, male or female, dared to look Cao Yang in the eye.

Afterwards, Cao Yang pointed at the King of Jing's wife who was looking around and said, "I am ordered to invite the King of Jing's wife to the palace."

As soon as this word comes out,
The atmosphere of fear in front of the main house door had dissipated to a large extent with the naked eye.

The daughters-in-law of the third branch of the Tan family suddenly felt as if they could breathe again.

The girl from the Tan family, who had just been speaking in a flattering manner to the Princess of King Jing, now looked at the Tan family with a look of hidden blame in her eyes.

After all, everyone was pretty frightened this time.

"Princess, please." Cao Yang extended his hand to invite.

Madam Anguo, who felt cold sweat under her forehead, turned her head to look at the Princess of King Jing and said, "Niece, since His Majesty has invited you, then you should go with your relatives."

The Princess of King Jing, who had been trying to maintain her dignity, had her hands trembling slightly in her sleeves. She forced a smile and said, "Okay, aunt, I'll take my leave now."

Having said that, he walked towards Cao Yang.

Just after she took a step, she felt her legs go weak, and she fell to the ground along with the maid from the palace who was supporting her.

"Go, help."

"Yes."

The sturdy female official from the palace who was accompanying her answered and walked over.

As the female officials were half-supporting and half-controlling the Princess of King Jing towards the door, a burst of hearty laughter was heard.

"Hahahaha, my dear nephew, how about staying and having a cup of tea before leaving?" Duke Anguo walked over with a smile.

Cao Yang glanced at Duke Anguo, smiled and bowed, saying, "Uncle, I have the Emperor's order, so I dare not delay."

"Okay! In that case, the emperor's order is paramount! I won't stay any longer." Duke Anguo said with a smile.

Cao Yang smiled, bowed, and walked out holding the hilt of the knife.

Duke Anguo also followed with his men.

After the imperial guards left the yard, the old lady of Duke Anguo closed her eyes and was about to fall to the ground in weakness.

At the second gate of the Tan family,
Duke Anguo, whose smile was as refreshing as spring breeze, watched the imperial guards and the motorcade disappear at the gate, then turned around and walked into the courtyard.

Along the way, the smile on Duke Anguo's face gradually faded until it turned ashen.

Entering the main house,
Looking at his son and daughter-in-law in the house, Duke Anguo asked, "Where is your mother?"

The fourth son of the Tan family who had retreated from the Dragon Guards said with a stern face, "Father, mother was very scared and went to the bedroom to change clothes."

Looking at his son and daughter-in-law who had a somewhat strange expression, Duke Anguo had some guesses in his mind, and a look of disgust appeared in his eyes.

Pan Building, 3rd Floor,

Outside the guest's private room,
The guards standing at the door of the Jing Palace looked at the dozen strong men with long swords hanging from their waists and walked side by side. They shouted instinctively, "Who are you?"

The muscular young man in the lead raised his badge and said, "Imperial City Clerk Gao Yunqing! Is the Prince of Jing in the house?"

(End of this chapter)