Red Mansion, Ningfu Scholarly Family

Chapter 130 Jia Rong: Qingwen, Don’t

Chapter 130 Jia Rong: Qingwen, Don’t
……

The entire capital was under martial law that night, the city gates were closed, and the Five Cities Military Division and Shuntian Prefecture government were all mobilized to patrol the streets in the cold wind. Anyone with the slightest suspicious behavior was immediately arrested and thrown into jail.

But the effect was minimal. After working hard for half the night, they only caught some ruffians and even some homeless beggars who chased after them and shouted that they wanted to be put in the cell.

"Please, gentlemen. I haven't eaten for two days. I'm almost freezing to death. Please arrest me and give me some prison food."

"The bad luck of being imprisoned!"

"Get away! Get away!"

The search continued, and the weather became even colder in the second half of the night. The patrolling officers and soldiers' hands and feet were so frozen that they could only walk mechanically.

Qiu Liang was also among them.

But he had to force himself to cheer up.

The order has been given from above. If the rebels cannot be found within a day, the Five Cities Army will no longer be in charge.

Not only him, Shuntianfu Yi also personally led people to patrol around.

Finding the traitor is a great achievement.

If he can't find it, he will have to prepare to leave Beijing and become a county magistrate.

At this time, the two groups met.

"Master Shen, is there any progress?"

Shuntian Prefecture Governor Shen Qiuhe shook his head and sighed: "No, where is Lord Qiu?"

Qiu Liang also shook his head: "There is no clue at all, it's like they disappeared out of thin air."

Shen Qiuhe said solemnly: "Shenjing is so big, it is not a good idea for us to search aimlessly like this. It is better for us to go back and discuss it so that we have a goal."

"Alright."

Qiu Liang nodded readily.

The main thing is that I’m almost freezing to death, so I have to go back and warm up.

"You continue to search and don't let go of any suspicious person!" Shen Qiuhe said seriously.

"Yes……"

The officers and soldiers agreed weakly.

I started cursing in my heart.

I'll search your prisoner!

The lights were bright in front of the government office.

Several soldiers guarding the gate were warming themselves around a honeycomb coal stove.

"This honeycomb coal stove is really useful."

"I use it at home. It's much cheaper than charcoal."

"Hey, let's warm ourselves here by the fire while they search outside. It makes me sad to think about it."

"Yeah, if we find the rebels, it will be a great achievement. Why am I not so lucky?"

As they were talking, Shen Qiuhe, Qiu Liang and others arrived.

Everyone stopped talking and stood at the door.

Shen Qiuhe glanced at the honeycomb coal stove at the door and waved his hand, saying, "You guys don't need to guard here anymore. Go outside and search for the traitor. If you find him, I will reward you handsomely!"

Everyone: "..."

When we entered the hall, it was warm as spring.

In previous years, there was a shortage of charcoal, so we used it sparingly.

This year, every government office in Kyoto has been allocated a large amount of honeycomb coal, so there is no shortage of supplies, and the attics are kept warm by the fire.

Several people took off their outer cloaks and gathered around the incense burner. The servant made tea and served it to them one by one.

"Master Qiu, according to the descriptions of everyone present, the rebels' goal is to kill those foreign merchants, so finding out their identities and the purpose of their coming to Beijing is crucial to tracking down the rebels."

Mr. Qiu took a sip of hot tea and said helplessly, "Of course I know this, but the pass those vendors carried was from Yangzhou. How can we check it in a short time? The higher-ups will want the result tomorrow morning!"

"The merchants in Yangzhou..." Shen Qiuhe frowned slightly: "Are they registered with the Ministry of Revenue?"

"I checked, and there's nothing."

Not all merchants are eligible to register as merchants with the Ministry of Revenue.

"That would be difficult."

"We can't check every household, right?"

There are countless powerful people in the capital, including the palaces of the king, dukes, marquises, prime ministers, and chancellors... Who would dare to risk his life to enter and search their houses?
Unless the emperor himself comes out of the palace to lead the team.

"Forget it, let's just do our best and leave the rest to fate!"

……

A secret house somewhere.

"The secret agent arranged by Lin Ruhai has been found out, and was killed on the spot by the Four Guards of Heaven and Earth. This is the letter Lin Ruhai sent to Kyoto, please have a look, Your Highness."

A certain prince took the letter, looked at the seal on the envelope first, and then opened it carefully.

There were two letters inside.

Not for a while.

After reading it, a certain prince smiled slightly.

"Well, the Four Guards of Heaven and Earth did a good job this time!"

"Recently, the outside world is tense. Tell them not to go out for the time being. Let them rest in the manor for a month and return after the New Year."

"I obey my orders!"

"correct!"

A certain prince stopped his guards and said sternly, "Tell someone to deliver this letter to the Zhen family in Jiangnan. Remember to be careful on the road."

"Here!"

……

Ningguo Mansion.

With such a big event happening in Kyoto, Jia Jing was naturally the first to get the news.

Dongfang Zi, Nangong Lu, Ouyang Chi, Shangguan Hong and others also came to Jia Jing's study as soon as possible.

"Rong'er, were you there at that time?" Jia Jing looked at Jia Rong and asked.

Jia Rong nodded and said, "Indeed, I was there. I was drinking with a classmate from the Imperial College. At first, I heard the fight outside but didn't pay much attention. But when I went out to see what was happening, it was already a little late. Several thieves wearing bamboo hats were already preparing to escape."

"Xiaozhuzi should know more."

Jia Jing heard this and called Xiao Zhuzi over again and asked him a few questions. Xiao Zhuzi didn't know much. He just saw someone flashing a sword and hurried upstairs to find Jia Rong.

Jia Jing waved his hand and asked him to go down.

"I guess the people sent by Ru Hai are probably in danger!"

Nangong Lu and others' expressions changed.

"Sir, this..."

Jia Jing waved his hand: "It's okay."

"I told Ru Hai last time that we should make preparations for both scenarios. Let's wait until he comes to Beijing to ask about the situation."

"For safety reasons, Mr. Ouyang, please take a hundred of your personal soldiers to Yangzhou to provide support."

"Here."

The salt merchants have deep connections!
……

Kyoto is not peaceful anymore.

That night, Jia Rong urgently arranged for a hundred guards to patrol around the Ning and Rong mansions. He also added a few honeycomb coal stoves in the duty room and prepared a pot of mutton to ensure that everyone had enough food and clothing that night.

Everyone was naturally grateful.

Guard Captain Li San patted his chest and assured, "Don't worry, sir. No thief can get close to us."

Jia Rong patted his shoulder and said, "Work hard. I heard you are not married yet?"

"Huh? This..."

Li San was a little embarrassed.

Jia Rong smiled and said, "Don't blush. A man should get married when he is old enough. Wait for me to be your matchmaker."

Li San said excitedly: "Thank you very much, young master."

A spirited young man next to him suddenly said, "Master, I don't have a wife either."

Everyone present burst into laughter.

"Little Six is old enough."

"You're already eighteen, it's time to get married."

Jia Rong said, "Little Six, you have to work hard and save up enough money so that you can have a wife."

Xiao Liuzi blushed and said, "I have saved up twenty taels of silver."

Jia Rong smiled.

"It's enough to propose marriage."

"But do you have a house? You can't let the girl live in a tent with you, right?"

Xiao Liuzi hurriedly said, "There is one in the village outside the city."

Jia Rong: "That's easy. I'll find one for you some other day."

Xiao Liuzi: "Thank you, Master."

After comforting his personal soldiers, Jia Rong entered the inner courtyard.

Xiaoxiao, Qingwen, Ping'er and Xiangling were talking around the stove. When they saw him come in, they all came over.

Xiao Xiao took off Jia Rong's cloak.

Ping'er went to get hot tea for Jia Rong.

Only Qingwen and Xiangling were left. Jia Rong held one of them with each hand and said with a smile, "I haven't bathed for several days. Can you two help me bathe today?"

Xiangling blushed and lowered her head without saying a word.

Qingwen curled her lips and said, "It's so cold..."

Ping Erh brought tea and said with a smile, "We don't lack honeycomb coal at home. I'll go outside and ask them to light a big fire for you."

"Bah." Qingwen spat, "What do you mean by give it to us? It's as if you don't live in this room anymore!"

Ping Er smiled and said, "I still have some accounts to sort out. I will sleep in my study tonight."

Xiao Xiao came out and said, "I'll go help you."

"Hehe, let's go."

The two of them looked at Jia Rong meaningfully, then walked out holding hands.

After a while, the hot water was ready.

The whole room was warm as spring.

Qingwen and Xiangling both changed into simple silk pajamas, took off their hairpins and rings, and let their long black hair hang down behind them. Their chests were slightly heaving, revealing their fair skin, and their slender waists, while their bare feet were wearing embroidered shoes.

Qingwen had been through this before, and she wanted to tease the new Xiangling, so she said with a smile, "Let me tell you, our master has something very powerful. Do you want to see it?"

Xiangling asked stupidly, "What is that?"

Qingwen sneered and said, "It's a good thing. I guarantee you'll want to see it again after you've seen it."

As they were talking, the two men came out to help Jia Rong undress.

Xiangling was very nervous at first, but when she saw Qingwen looked relaxed, she gradually relaxed.

Thinking that since she had already followed Jia Rong, she would be his from now on and would give her body to him, what was there to be shy about?
"Xiangling, close your eyes."

Qingwen suddenly said.

Xiangling was originally too embarrassed to open her eyes, so she closed them obediently.

Qingwen held Xiangling's hand and said, "Listen to what you say, sister."

Jia Rong: "Qingwen, don't!"

Qingwen: "My Lord, don't say one thing and mean another."

Xiangling still squinted her eyes obediently, holding something in her little hand, and asked in confusion: "What is this? It's so hot."

Qingwen smiled and said, "Do you want to know?"

Xiangling nodded: "Yes!"

Qingwen: "Open your eyes and take a look."

“This is… ah!”

Xiangling seemed to have grasped a hot potato and let go in a hurry.

"Master, you are bullying me!"