Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 94 I Want Him to Lose More Than Just Try to Steal a Chicken (Part )
Wudinghou Hutong.

Later generations found this place as Wudinghou Street in Xicheng District, Beijing, named precisely because of Guo Xun's greatness.

Now this marquis's mansion starts from Taipingqiao Street in the east and reaches Nanshuncheng Street in the west. It occupies an area spanning the east-west main axis. The main building complex is constructed on the high platform on the north side.

The gate of the mansion is tall, and the vermilion lacquered door is inlaid with gilded copper nails. A plaque bestowed by the emperor hangs on the lintel, which is shining and often wiped.

As you step into the mansion, you will see deep courtyards, winding corridors, and carved beams and painted buildings everywhere, which is magnificent and golden.

The main hall faces south and hangs a huge painting titled "A Vast Landscape of Rivers and Mountains" in the center. The mountains and rivers in the painting are majestic, implying a solid foundation and prosperity for generations.

The backyard is covered with lush green rockery, gurgling water, and pavilions scattered around. The garden is planted with exotic flowers and plants collected from all over the place, and the flowers bloom all year round.

Guo Xun, the owner of the Marquis' Mansion, was sitting in the pavilion in the garden at this time. He was wearing gorgeous brocade clothes and a jade-inlaid belt around his waist. He looked relaxed and contented as he was flipping through the novel in his hand.

Guo Xun dropped the book halfway through, feeling rather bored. He sighed, "There haven't been any other novels since 'Water Margin' and 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'. The gap between these works is too great! Are there any other works?"

A row of men who looked like clerks were holding books in their hands, waiting with their heads bowed at the back. They quickly picked out another book and presented it to him.

In fact, the works that can be sent to the Wuding Marquis Mansion are already one in a hundred on the market. There are countless novels hoping to get Guo Xun's favor. Even if they cannot be printed and sold on a large scale, as long as they are mentioned, they can become famous with the prestige of this top noble.

But Guo Xun has a very picky eye, and very few of his works are pleasing to his eye.

"Master! Madam, please ask the master to come over!"

While he was reading a new work, a maid came to the backyard to report. Upon hearing this, Guo Xun immediately put down the book and went to the inner house.

When they got outside the room, Guo Xun laughed out loud: "My dear wife! My dear wife! Your husband is here!"

Zhao stood up, but did not leave the room to greet him. Instead, she walked slowly to the door and bowed, "My Lord!"

"Eh!"

Guo Xun extended his large, thick hand and supported her. "I've told you long ago that you don't need to follow these conventional rituals. Why won't you listen? Don't do this again next time!"

The servants around did not look away, but were secretly amazed.

No one could have imagined that Guo Xun, who was arrogant and domineering outside, would be so fond of Zhao.

But these new servants had no idea that it was not because of Zhao's beauty, nor her not-so-glorious family background, but because this marquis' wife had made real contributions.

In the Li Fuda case three years ago, Guo Xun was extremely dangerous.

At that time, it was Ma Lu, the imperial censor of Shanxi, who reported Li Fuda's case of impersonation. Guo Xun did not realize the seriousness of the matter at all. He even wrote a letter to Ma Lu, asking him not to investigate everything and to show mercy when possible.

As a result, Ma Lu and Shanxi Governor Jiang Chao jointly reported the facts of the case and impeached Guo Xun for harboring treason and violating the law.

The letter became direct evidence. When reviewing the case, the Censorate also agreed with Ma Lu's opinion and reported that Guo Xun was guilty of treason.

The case soon escalated, and more than 20 officials including the Imperial Censors Wang Ke and Zheng Yipeng, the Censor Cheng Qi Chong, the Nanjing Censor Yao Mingfeng, the Judge Du Luan, the Criminal Department Director Liu Shi, and the Chief Official Tang Shu, successively submitted impeachment memorials, believing that Guo Xun was Li Fuda's backer and should be punished together.

Guo Xun was really panicked at that time.

The nobleman who committed many illegal acts was already a thorn in the eyes of the ministers, and he was even more hated because of his stance in the Great Ceremony Controversy.

Zhang Cong, Gui E, Zhang Xianfu, and Huo Tao did not have many black spots on them, but they were all criticized by the literati. What's more, he had done too many evil things, and now he was even involved with the White Lotus Sect. How could the ministers not seize the opportunity to attack him?
At this critical moment, his wife Zhao gave him an idea.

Don't try to figure out whether Zhang Yin is Li Fuda, or whether you are his backer. Just focus on one thing:

Guo Xun offended the ministers and was targeted because he agreed to confer honorific titles on the emperor's biological parents.

As expected, as soon as this memorial was submitted, the emperor, who was originally hesitant, immediately changed his attitude and stood firmly on his side, and the situation became clear.

At the most critical moment, Zhang Cong, Gui E and Zhang Xianfu were even sent to the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate and the Dali Temple to specifically try this case.

All the allies have become judges, how can we lose this case?

It doesn’t matter whether Zhang Yin is Li Fuda or not. If he is not, then he is not. If he is, then he is not.

After the dust settled, Guo Xun was extremely grateful to Zhao, and from then on this virtuous wife secured her position in the Marquis's Mansion.

But the matter was not over yet. The Li Fuda case had caused such a big stir that Guo Xun became a thorn in the eyes of all the ministers. Even the other new nobles in the Grand Ceremony Discussion had some criticisms of him in private. The key point was that when he went to court to see the emperor, he always felt that the emperor looked at him with a strange look in his eyes.

Just when Guo Xun was worried that the emperor might be suspicious, Zhao gave him another idea.

This time's method.

More poisonous.

It’s even more amazing.

"I want to speak to my wife, please leave!"

After entering the house, Guo Xun took Zhao's hand and said something affectionately, then suddenly looked at the servants on both sides and said coldly.

The servants retreated in silence, not daring to make a sound.

When Guo Xun and Zhao were the only ones left in the room, the Marquis of Wuding became serious. "Madam, this has finally been done. The spies in the mansion have been controlled. Make sure nothing goes wrong with your family!"

Zhao said solemnly, "Please rest assured, my lord. The family tree, household registration card, yamen clerks, and midwife are all ready!"

Newborns in large families are registered in the family tree, which records the newborn's name (including nickname), date of birth (accurate to the time), branch of the family, status as legitimate or illegitimate, etc.

The entire ceremony also has a process. During the child's full-month ceremony or hundred-day banquet, the clan leader of a prominent family will preside over the ceremony and transcribe the information into the family tree in red ink.

This is also the effect of the law. When it comes to inheritance disputes, genealogical records can be used as identity documents accepted by local government offices.

At the same time, wealthy families would complete the household registration within three months of the baby's birth, which would include the resumes of three generations of parents. Even scholarly families would have preparatory files for the imperial examinations. Education files would be established from the infant stage, recording the results of the "Zhuazhou" ceremony, the time of enlightenment, the famous teachers, etc.

Zhao added, "My clan also gives each newborn a birth date and eight-character plaque, engraved with the birth date and the five elements. It's hung in the ancestral hall or kept by the wet nurse. Zhao Chen's was kept by the wet nurse. The birth date is on the front, and the nickname and midwife's signature are clearly written on the back! At that time, I was studying at Lan Gui Academy. There were over thirty talented women teaching there, including fellow students, and all of them were witnesses. It's impossible for her to have conceived a child after ten months!"

"Great! Great! This is ironclad evidence. No one can find fault with it!" Guo Xun laughed, then became a little puzzled. "Didn't you say that Zhao Chen was born to a concubine? How come he also has a precious birth chart?"

Zhao said calmly, "Of course it's because of his foxy mother that my father dotes on her. Let alone a mere birth chart, if that lowly concubine hadn't died early, my father might have favored her over his wife and made her his principal wife!"

Guo Xun suddenly realized, and then became even more surprised: "Then why did you take him over?"

"Isn't this for the Marquis?"

Zhao said, "He lost his mother when he was young and was bullied at home. But after he came of age, I suddenly took him in. I cared for him and asked about his well-being. I also gave him subtle hints, which made him suspicious. Finally, he learned the 'truth' about his life!"

"Actually, the moment I saw him, I thought of that slutty servant who flaunted her power and treated us like nothing. I wished I could chop him into pieces!"

"But how could I possibly compare to him doing it myself? He thought I was his biological mother, and he transformed his regret for his biological mother since childhood into admiration for me. How wonderful! Haha!"

When Zhao said this, she covered her mouth lightly, but still couldn't help laughing out loud.

There is nothing more satisfying than having your enemy's son mistakenly recognize you as his mother, and then willingly dying to keep the secret!

Oh, not willingly.

Zhao originally wanted to guide the other party to commit suicide, but people cherish their lives after all. No matter how much Zhao Chen loved his biological mother, he was unwilling to do so. In desperation, she had no choice but to resort to coercion.

Of course, it was done under Guo Xun's name. It was said that Guo Xun had discovered the secret, and if Zhao Chen didn't die, she would have to die.

On the one hand, Zhao Chen was very afraid of Guo Xun's cruel methods. On the other hand, he thought that his biological mother actually forced him to die. He felt completely hopeless and committed suicide in despair.

Cut off the bones and return them to the father, cut off the flesh and return them to the mother.

A knife stabbed into the chest.

Return this bloodline.

Before his death, he completed Zhao's request and slandered Gui Zai for the crime. Unfortunately, he did not do it perfectly and was exposed on the spot by two students, so the incident was not thorough enough.

Fortunately, nothing happened. His Majesty had indeed paid attention to the matter and sent Lu Bing to the scene. The arrangements had already been completed.

Since the case of Li Fuda, there have been many more spies in the Wudinghou Mansion. With so many officials who are either dead or disabled, they all hope to find solid evidence to overturn the verdict, but they did not expect that there is a good show waiting for them.

He instigated discord among the new nobles in Daliyi and slandered a duke of the reigning dynasty again and again!
Zhao was eagerly anticipating the next developments. "Please rest assured, my Lord. This has been done perfectly. Once His Majesty discovers your injustice and sees through the sinister intentions of those ministers, he will never again doubt you!"

"Women are truly the most vicious people!"

Guo Xun never took the lives of the people and servants seriously, but when he saw his wife's chilling smile, he felt a pang of pity.

After all, Zhao Chen had been raised in the Marquis' Mansion for more than three years. One would have some feelings for a dog after raising it for such a long time. Now that he had suffered such a tragic death, even Guo Xun felt a little sad.

Of course, some sympathy is inevitable, and he strongly agrees with Zhao's approach.

Although the current emperor is young, he is extremely strict with his subordinates. He is unwilling to be like several other new nobles in the Grand Ceremony, who keep themselves clean and do not be greedy or take advantage of others. After the Li Fuda case, he was really frightened.

But it is absolutely impossible to ask Guo Xun to keep a low profile and avoid the limelight.

He bet on the new emperor so that he could call the shots without any scruples. But if he succeeded, he would have to be cautious. What was the point of betting then?

"Yeah, yeah! It's all right now!"

"Your Majesty must have suspected that someone is trying to sow discord between me and Gui E. Once the 'truth' is revealed, he will understand how wronged I have been all along! Haha!"

Guo Xun was so proud of this that he almost danced with joy. He then looked at Zhao with a look of approval: "Madam is truly a female Zhuge Liang. To be able to come up with such a brilliant plan is truly amazing!"

Zhao pursed her lips and smiled: "I am content to be able to share the worries of the Marquis!"

“No wonder the ancients said, ‘Marry a virtuous wife.’ Having a virtuous wife in your home is like finding a treasure!”

Guo Xun patted her palms. Although they were not as fair and tender as those of the young and beautiful maids, the huge Wuding Marquis Mansion had to be handed over to such a vicious woman in order to stabilize the family business.

As for how many people she harmed, well, it’s none of his business, but he has to keep an eye on the children born to his first two wives, and make sure they are not harmed by this vicious woman!
……

Not to mention that Lord Wuding and his wife were having a great time.

Yan Shifan almost jogged all the way back home. After greeting his mother, Ouyang, he began to wait anxiously for his father, Yan Song, to return, his expression full of excitement and eagerness.

In comparison, Yan Song seemed a little depressed after returning home.

Yan Song was actually very relaxed in the Ministry of Rites. As the Right Vice Minister, he had both real power and no real power.

The former has the power to handle matters within the Ministry of Rites. For example, if Yan Shifan really wants Yun Shao to become a good man, he only needs to drop a hint and someone will naturally take care of it. The officials within the ministry also treat him, a renowned senior scholar, with great respect.

The latter's lack of power corresponded to important matters in the court. For example, the Annan envoys were supposed to be coordinated by the Ministry of Rites. Yan Song knew that Jiajing was very concerned about this foreign envoy and wanted to perform well in front of the emperor. However, Zhang Cong took over the responsibility. As the chief minister of the cabinet, he actually asked about the reception of the envoys in person.

Yan Song was very unhappy.

However, just after returning home, before he had time to drink tea, his son rushed in and said, "Dad, I have something important to report!"

Yan Song had originally frowned, but after listening to Yan Shifan's explanation, his expression became more serious than ever. After pondering the matter for a while, he slowly nodded, "Your analysis is not without reason. Wu Dinghou's plan is strange and sinister, but it will definitely work! After the Li Fuda incident, many people have been thinking about overturning the verdict. Hiss! You can't get involved, you can't get involved, but you've already been involved..."

Yan Song sensed great danger and instinctively wanted to retreat behind the officials.

During the Li Fuda case, some people wanted him to come forward. However, he was the chief academic officer of the Imperial College at the time, so he pretended to be deaf and dumb and escaped the disaster. Otherwise, the best outcome would have been to go to Nanjing to retire.

Unexpectedly, the storm was not over yet and his son was involved in a new dispute.

This time it cannot be avoided, how should I choose?

"Oh! That old bastard Guo Xun has schemed everything out, but he won't succeed!"

Yan Shifan, however, showed no fear. After seeing the truth, he was filled with excitement and relief. He touched the bruises on his face and said firmly, "I'm going to talk to Shisanlang. We must find a way to make this arrogant Marquis Wuding lose more than he gains!"

(End of this chapter)