Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 482: Cheating You

Chongwenmen is one of the nine gates of the capital. It was called Wenmingmen in the pre-Yuan Dynasty. It was expanded to the south during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. During the Zhengtong period, an urn city was built. It is strong and civilized, implying the respect for culture and virtue. Chongwenmen is also commonly known as "Hadmen" because Hada Palace was built inside Chongwenmen in the Yuan Dynasty.

At this time, in the Zhang Mansion's villa inside Chongwenmen, just before Zhang Yanling came to "visit" on behalf of his father, Peng Hua's wife Liu was discussing with Qi Niang about taking their female family members away.

After hearing this, Qi Niang sneered and asked, "Madam, are you joking with me? Do you have a document from the Ministry of Justice? Or a handwritten letter from some lord? Or an imperial decree?
"You have nothing, yet you dare to ask me for someone? Why?"

Liu said, "Don't be angry, madam. Listen to what I have to say... My master has been pardoned from death by the imperial court. Logically, his family members don't have to be exiled. They should be able to be sent back to their hometown. In this case, I won't bother you here anymore."

"hehe."

Qi Niang sneered, "I finally understand what you are thinking, Madam... Regardless of whether your Master Peng has been pardoned from the death penalty, I have not received any notification or relevant news, and I don't know whether it is true or not.

"You don't have any official documents in your hand, and you want to take all your family away with just your words? Are you trying to make me break the rules and let you off the hook?"

Liu said quickly, "If so, I will be very grateful, and everyone in the Peng Mansion will repay your kindness."

"Repay a favor? How can I repay you? Do you have to go out and meet some masters, ask for some money from them, and then bring back some silver?"

Qi Niang had a disdainful look on her face, "It seems that you still don't understand the complexity of the situation... At that time, you were the one begging our Master Zhang to help your family and ask him to intercede for you, right?

"Now that the truth has been revealed, your Master Peng doesn't have to die because of this. You guys have gained the benefit, but you want to just walk away? How can such a good thing happen in the world?"

The more Liu listened, the uglier her expression became. She clearly felt that the other party did not respect her.

And I also understand that the person in front of me is a tough guy and not a soft guy.

Liu's expression suddenly became serious, and she shouted in a stern voice: "My lady, you must understand that this time it was the current emperor who showed mercy outside the law and summoned important officials in the court to re-discuss my husband's case in the inner court, and clearly instructed that he should be pardoned. It was not Zhang Guozhang who came forward to save me...

"This time my master may have a chance to escape from the cage. If he knew that the women of my Peng family..."

"How is it?"

Qi Niang looked disdainful and shouted, "How do you know that it was not because my master had pleaded with His Majesty that His Majesty would think of re-examining your husband's case? Even if His Majesty pardoned Mr. Peng's death sentence, he did not say that he would not re-examine the crime. There is an old saying that the death penalty can be pardoned but the living crime cannot be escaped. The punishment that should be given must be inevitable...

"As criminal relatives, you will either be exiled or banished, which is almost the same fate... Let me put it this way, according to the current situation, even if your master Peng is lucky enough to survive, he will inevitably be exiled, and by then, you women will still be displaced."

"Will not."

Liu said confidently, "My master has many students and old friends in the court. He will definitely find ways to rescue me. Our family reunion is just around the corner... I won't say any more. Just tell me how much money you need. As long as I can do it, I will definitely raise the money for the redemption."

Qi Niang didn't take Liu's words seriously at all and just sent the person away.

After the people left, Qi Niang felt more and more that something was wrong, so she quickly left the villa to see Pang Qing. She also wanted to know what her current assignment was.

Why was it that after he arrived at this house, Zhang Luan, the owner, only came once and never showed up again?

Pang Qing met Qi Niang in a restaurant. After hearing the other party's intention, he waved his hand and said, "Don't mention it anymore... Zhang Guozhang fell and was injured. He is currently recovering at home. He may not visit you recently." Qi Niang asked in surprise, "Injured? How did he get injured? But..."

Pang Qing said, "You don't need to ask how he got hurt. I'm just telling you that if he comes back, you must treat him well. Also, our Minister Li has carefully selected several actors with both good looks and skills from Jiangnan and brought them to the capital. They will be sent to you later. You must take good care of them."

"This is……?"

Qi Niang frowned.

I am a very incompetent mama-san!

Why didn’t you keep the host that night and just let him go?
Now she has more and more girls under her command, but no one comes to her. She can't figure out what she is doing wrong.

"Oh, I told you not to ask around. Just know that this happened." Pang Qing then asked, "How are the people in the yard these days? Are they all quiet?"

Qi Niang said angrily, "It was fine a few days ago. Today, the wife of Mr. Peng went away for a while accompanied by an official from the Music Bureau. When she came back, she came to me and said that her husband's case had taken a turn for the better. She said that when His Majesty summoned him to the inner court, an important official in the court pleaded for mercy in front of His Majesty, and he would be acquitted soon. I don't know if it's true or not... Mr. Pang, is this true?"

Pang Qing did not answer Qi Niang's question. He rolled his eyes and asked, "What does she want to do?"

"She said that she wanted to use money to redeem the women in her family... I thought it was ridiculous, so I had her driven away at that time." Qi Niang answered and asked again, "Does she know that she is being held in the Jiaofangsi, waiting to be escorted to Nanjing? What is the situation now? Their case..."

Pang Qing waved his hand and said disdainfully: "If the sky falls, there will always be someone taller to hold it up...Are you still afraid of something going wrong?"

Qi Niang looked helpless: "If the whole family was absolved of all guilt and had returned to a clean place, but something happened in the yard, how would they live in the world? Perhaps they would just have to hang themselves by the neck or jump into a well and die. Anyway, they would never be able to face people again.

"I know I can't be too kind, but sometimes I can't help it..."

"Humph!"

Pang Qing said coldly: "You are worried a lot... Let me put it this way, even if Peng Hua doesn't die in the end, he will be exiled, and his wife and children will be separated. Perhaps only Mrs. Peng can go to the garrison with Peng Hua to suffer, and the others... it's okay... just put your worries back in your stomach."

Qi Niang nodded and said, "I understand. If she comes again next time, I will have someone stop her from entering. But I'm afraid she will spread the news everywhere... and say that she is the only one who knows the identity of Zhang Guozhang."

Pang Qing said: "In that case, we have to shut her up and not let her go out and talk nonsense...Okay, I know about this matter, and I will have someone take care of it later. You should go back early too."

As Pang Qing was about to leave, Qi Niang couldn't help herself and asked, "How was the case of Lord Peng decided?"

"Not yet."

Pang Qing said impatiently, "That woman is deceiving you... When the inner court summoned him, an important official did speak up for Peng Hua, but His Majesty only sent the case back to the Three Courts for retrial. It is estimated that the original verdict will be upheld, but we cannot let our guard down... In the end, whether he lives or dies depends entirely on his luck and whether he has help from a noble person.

"Do you think His Majesty would inquire about Peng Hua's case for no reason? There must be something hidden behind it, which is not known by you ordinary people... Just stay in the yard and wait for your benefactor to arrive. If you serve him well, your mission will be completed! Do you understand?"

(End of this chapter)