Chaos of Ming 1628

Sun Qing was not one for gossip, but at this moment he was asking about trivial matters.

Yang Qingqing blinked, instantly understanding. She covered her mouth and smiled, nodding thoughtfully, "Speaking of which, there are many."

"At that time, my mother was ill, and I had just gone to Hejian Prefecture in her place, also for the matter of the shrine."

"The Lord Wang of that time was completely different from the one now; he gave me a thousand taels of silver on our first meeting. And..."

"My dear aunt, my dear aunt!" Wang Fengyuan, standing behind, finally couldn't help but shout out.

The voice interrupted Yang Qingqing from continuing.

Her face was full of anxiety, and she rushed forward, saying, "I was wrong, I was wrong, okay?"

"Please, stop talking."

He held out the handprint with trembling hands: "The thing is right here, take it."

At first, he was indeed frightened. After all, he was very clear about what Yang Qingqing controlled.

But then he thought again, the downfall of the Wei faction was already inevitable. At this moment, everyone in the eunuch faction was thinking about ways to protect themselves. Who would dare to make a move easily? Yang Qingqing's threats to beat and kill him were already evidence for impeachment. How could he still dare to make a move?

Having made up his mind, Wang Fengyuan was no longer afraid. He thought that this matter could still be resolved, and if the emperor insisted on promoting him out of turn, there would be no shortage of ministers in the court making a fuss.

However, at this moment, what Sun Qing said really sent chills down his spine.

Emperor Chongzhen deeply resented the eunuch faction. He had flattered them in the past, and as long as he kept a low profile, acted cautiously, and managed to secure his own safety by joining the Donglin Party, he was able to protect himself.

But if someone deliberately impeaches him, pointing out every little detail, can he still live?

As for the Donglin Party, why would they offend Emperor Chongzhen just to protect him?

"Then thank you very much, Lord Wang!" Sun Qing smiled; the young man had delicate features and appeared harmless.

But at this moment, Wang Fengyuan looked at him and felt a chill run down his spine. He smiled bitterly and said, "Lord Sun is truly remarkable for saving the people."

"I thought Lord Sun was just a young boy, and I was really worried about entrusting Hejian Prefecture to such a young boy."

"At this moment, I am completely convinced that your talent far surpasses mine."

Sun Qing chuckled and said calmly, "What Lord Wang says is true. But after comparing myself to you, I feel even more eager to improve myself."

"Otherwise, we would truly be letting down His Majesty's trust."

"Hahaha," Wang Fengyuan laughed, "Young Master Sun is joking. I've lived for several decades longer, so naturally I have more experience. You're just being too modest."

"Oh?" Sun Qing raised an eyebrow: "Lord Wang is right."

"In that case, we'll head to the post station first, and meet again in three days."

After saying this, Sun Qing led the group to the post station.

Wang Fengyuan was still smiling, but as he watched, he felt something was wrong, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared and then froze.

This kid...was he just cursing at him?!

Does that mean I'm not worthy of being compared to him?

"Master," Madam Wang Fengyuan said, emerging from inside after the man had left, "the meal has been prepared and we're just waiting for you."

"Eat, eat, all you ever think about is eating!" Wang Fengyuan's temper flared up instantly, and he angrily said, "We're about to be kicked out, how can we possibly be in the mood for food!"

"Master, why are you angry?" The lady was completely bewildered, her face full of confusion: "Didn't you say before that Sun Qing was just a young boy who could be easily manipulated?"

"Having come here, am I also a puppet in your hands?"

Wang Fengyuan's face turned pale and then red, as if he had been slapped several times.

He mumbled a reply: "Don't let me hear that again. Don't just stand there, eat your meal, and hurry up and pack your things to go back to your private residence."

Typically, the descendants of high-ranking officials would reside in the rear residence of the prefectural government. This rear residence was a public office, not a private residence. When an official moved, he would naturally move out to make room for his successor.

Wealthy officials would purchase private residences in the area, where they could live on weekdays and go to the government office to conduct their business.

However, according to etiquette, the chief official was given priority to reside in the rear quarters within the government office. This made it easier to handle emergencies such as famine and riots.

In the event of such a situation, the imperial court required officials to reside in the inner quarters and remain on duty.

Once Sun Qing arrives and the transfer order is issued, Wang Fengyuan must move out and cannot stay. If he refuses to leave, it could become a ground for impeachment.

He was supposed to wait for the transfer order, but now Sun Qing had his weakness exploited. He dared not delay any longer and had no choice but to leave quickly.

I don't seek to befriend Sun Qing, I only ask that the matter between Wang Fengyuan and the eunuch faction not be brought before the current emperor.

Post station.

The carriages and horses were settled.

Shen Junru also got out of the carriage.

But they remained unusually silent all the way here.

Even after arriving, he didn't say a word and went straight to his room. He didn't come out for dinner either.

Sun Qing noticed that Shen Junru was in a bad mood and felt melancholy as well. She wanted to communicate, but was held back by trivial matters.

Fortunately, Yang Qingqing took the initiative to bring the food to Shen Junru.

The door is pushed open.

Shen Junru was sitting by the window, with another long sword beside her and another sword in her hand, which she was wiping.

Yang Qingqing entered, but she didn't even bother to look at her, her tone cold and distant: "I'm not eating."

"Whether you eat it or not is your business. I'm just serving it up to let you know how kind I am!" Yang Qingqing said indifferently.

After placing the tray on the table, he casually sat down to the side.

He didn't say anything, just sat there watching the food on the table slowly cool down.

The climate is already cold, and even though there's a stove in the house, the food cools down quickly.

Seeing that she wouldn't leave, Shen Junru grew impatient and abruptly stood up: "What are you doing here? Get out of here right now!"

"Why would I leave?" Yang Qingqing chuckled, her tone slightly teasing. "If I leave, you can come and eat, right?"

"I'll wait until another incense stick has burned before serving the food. I'll then tell my husband how I was stubborn, which will not only improve my image in his eyes but also make him think of me as a stubborn person."

With a "smack," Shen Junru slammed her long sword on the table and stood up abruptly.

His eyes blazed with fury, and his gaze toward Yang Qingqing was filled with disgust.

"You wicked woman, you don't want me to eat, but I'll eat anyway!" With that, she picked up the food and stuffed it into her mouth, her eyes fixed warily on Yang Qingqing.

After finishing the last bite of her meal, Shen Junru placed the bowl on the table, slightly raised her chin, and said smugly, "You bad woman, I won't let you get away with this."

"I also want to tell Young Master Sun that the food you provided was absolutely awful!"

Yang Qingqing glanced at the empty bowl and breathed a slight sigh of relief. When she looked at Shen Junru again, her eyes were full of a sly smile.

Thinking back to the time when Shen Junru made her tremble with anger, she couldn't help but laugh.

He leaned down, close to Shen Junru, and whispered in her ear, "Sister, you don't need to be so hostile towards me."

"From now on, we'll be sisters."

"You're actually a few years younger than me. Don't worry, I'll treat you well."

"I will never let you suffer as much as the other little ones."