Ink Burns

Chapter 225 Choosing Sides

Jing An glanced at her coldly, his gaze like a burning blue-gray flame, scrutinizing Zhou Fangniang's expression while wondering if she was being insincere.

Zhou Fangniang was filled with anxiety. She swallowed hard, her heart pounding like a drum, but her mind had never been so clear: for her, it was better for Chang Lin to be dead than for him to be alive!

Jing'an has always valued loyalty and righteousness. When Chang Lin was overwhelmed with dealing with Su Ge'er's matter, it was Jing'an who helped him get out of trouble. Since Chang Lin took the blame for Jing'an, Jing'an will definitely do everything in his power to help preserve the Chang family's title!

None of the three main branches of the family had male heirs. After Chang Lin's death, Su Ge'er disappeared without a trace. In order to have an heir to inherit the title, the Chang family would definitely have to adopt a member from the main branch. In terms of merit, Chang Lin, as the eldest son, held the highest position and the most power, so it would be natural for him to be adopted by her!
Moreover, if she were to plead or cry to the Grand Princess, given their many years of friendship, the Grand Princess would surely give her full support in reclaiming her right of adoption!

When the time comes, she will choose an obedient adopted son, and she will be the rightful mistress of the Guanbei Marquis's mansion. No one will be able to look down on her anymore!
Even Yu Niang could find an even better husband.

Why didn't she think of that before?

When Chang Lin was beating her to near death, why didn't she think of that?

"Fangniang." The Grand Princess Jing'an spoke in a low voice, with a kind of decadent elegance.

Before she could continue, Zhou Fangniang immediately looked up in a panic: "The Emperor is bringing up the Duzhou dike breach case again, clearly intending to arrest people. Four or five officials in Jiangnan have been arrested in a flash, while the capital remains unscathed. We can't explain this! Someone has to take the blame! Yuan Wenying? That doesn't make sense! Zhao Tingguang? His rank is too low; he can't handle it! Are you or Marquis Cui really going to be punished? Even if you escape punishment because of your service to the Emperor, what will happen afterward? Once that young Emperor finds fault with you, you'll be in danger—Qingfeng will be in danger—"

Princess Jing'an remained silent, her expression enigmatic, as if deep in thought.

Her silence made Zhou Fangniang unconsciously murmur softly.

Meanwhile, Cui Bainian poured another cup of tea and handed it to his eldest son, Cui Yu, saying, "Go, go and offer your Aunt Zhou a cup of tea."

Cui Yu bowed, arms above her head, head bowed, her attitude respectful, and her voice clear and melodious: "Aunt Zhou, please have some tea."

Zhou Fangniang shrank back.

Cui Bainian insisted that Zhou Fangniang serve the tea: "You deserve it."

Looking back at Jing'an, he said, "Whether we can deliver to the young emperor is a minor matter. We've been cultivating this for years; we can figure something out. We won't be unable to withstand any storms."

"The only thing I'm afraid of is that if this matter drags on for too long, it will lead to many other miscellaneous matters, such as the existence of 'Qingfeng,' the death of former Crown Prince Xu Quxian, and the collusion lawsuits outside Shanhaiguan—"

Don't be afraid to dig deep into things; the only thing to fear is following the clues.

Jing'an glanced at Cui Bainian: "By shifting the blame to Chang Lin, we can get away with it, but what will others think?"

"The 'Qingfeng' now includes 112 officials, scattered across various positions in the provinces and the capital. With so many people, do you expect them to think that 'Qingfeng' is a place where no one takes responsibility, where those in high positions enjoy the benefits and those in low positions bear the consequences, and where teammates can be abandoned at will? How can you and I control 'Qingfeng' in the future? How can we gain the respect of the masses? And how can the gentry of Jiangnan be reinstated?"

"After the eldest son of the Xue family was exposed, he hanged himself in prison," Cui Bainian retorted in a deep voice. "That's different!"

Jing'an frowned: "At that time, Xue Xiao had already caught him red-handed, and he was about to be tortured. 'Qingfeng' had no choice but to act—and Xue Changli had agreed to exchange his life for his son's second-class success in the imperial examination and entry into the Hanlin Academy! Xue Changli was forced by circumstances to sacrifice his life for 'Qingfeng,' and I ensured that his three sons passed the imperial examination! I, Jing'an, have done right by him!"

Jing'an straightened her back, her exquisitely made-up face fully exposed to the lantern's overhead light. The thick layer of powder she had applied finally became visible, and she was completely bathed in light.

Jing'an was so anxious that he coughed a few times, as if a rotten, foul-smelling phlegm was stuck in his throat.

Seeing this, Fu Mingjiang quickly straightened up, her large belly protruding, and helped her mother pat her back.

Jing'an waved his hand, his cloudy pupils gleaming with a sharp light: "Bai Nian, 'Qingfeng' was built for the countless aristocratic families who suffered under the oppression of the founding emperor and could not rise up. Those who walk side by side are all partners. You are a general leading troops, you should know that on the battlefield, generals and soldiers should fight and live together. Moreover, Chang Lin and I have fought together for twenty years, there is some bond between us!"

Cui Bainian leaned back in his chair, his face shrouded in the shadows of the lamplight.

Strangely, Jing An's aged, wrinkled face shone brightly in the light, while Cui Bainian's clean-shaven, dignified face, that of a scholar-general, remained dark and gloomy in the shadows.

Cui Bainian's refined face wore a restrained smile.

"Who will take responsibility for the Duzhou dike breach?" Cui Bainian smiled. "Are we just going to let the young emperor use this as leverage to wipe us out in one fell swoop?"

Jing An pursed his lips, then after a moment raised them in a sarcastic tone: "Lord Cui, you're terrified."

“I am not clean. I have entanglements with the Tartars. I am afraid—I am afraid that my secret will be exposed and I will die before my career is even halfway done!”

Cui Bainian's voice was tinged with laughter, but his questioning tone grew increasingly intense: "Am I dirty? Does Your Highness think you are clean? Everyone believes that the secret to the former Crown Prince's death lies with Xue Changfeng, the then Crown Prince's tutor. You and I both know the truth! If this old case is uncovered and the truth is seen by the young emperor, has Your Highness considered the consequences?"
Jing'an raised her chin: "Are you threatening me?"

Cui Bainian leaned back, placed his hands on the handles, and stood up. His expression remained respectful as he bowed deeply. "Threat? I wouldn't call it a threat. I'm just telling Your Highness that we're all in this together. If the fire starts, no one can escape. You are a noble and virtuous master who values ​​loyalty and righteousness. I can only admire you from afar. I can only applaud you!"

Cui Bainian clapped his hands behind his ears three times, then turned to leave. He caught a glimpse of Fu Mingjiang, who was heavily pregnant, and paused. He then took out a warm, thick, white jade Maitreya Buddha statue from his bosom. The jade was mature and heavy, and the smiling Maitreya Buddha was kind and magnanimous.

Cui Bainian tossed it to Cui Yu: "Take this to your wife to ensure a safe delivery." He then looked kindly at Fu Mingjiang: "The adults' argument has nothing to do with our little Mingjiang. Mingjiang, just stay home and rest well. Once you have given birth to your son safely, I will have Yulang take you to Shanhaiguan to hunt tigers and use the tiger skin to make swaddling clothes for your grandson."

Fu Mingjiang smiled and helped Cui Yu kneel in greeting.

Cui Bainian walked straight out, glancing at Cui Yu with his eyes.

Cui Yulang held Fu Mingjiang's wrist with one hand, his eyelashes slightly lowered, and chose to stand beside Grand Princess Jing'an and Fu Mingjiang.

Fu Mingjiang nudged Cui Yulang with her hand and said in a coquettish tone, "Why are you standing there? Go see your father off!"