Chaos of Ming 1628

Inside the post station, Old Yu snored loudly.

After hearing what had happened, Shen Junru slammed her hand on the table in anger. "What kind of weekday is this? When it comes to the ability to kick someone after they've served their purpose, no one can beat him."

"That bastard, you wiped out the eunuch faction in Jiahe County, and now he's really standing on his own."

"They don't do anything to benefit the people, and now they want to get rid of you. Isn't it just because they think you're interfering with their personal gain?"

Although I didn't see it with my own eyes, just thinking about that face filled me with uncontrollable rage: "That kind of person doesn't deserve to live, I'll kill him!"

"Kill who? Oh no, don't kill me!" Old Yu sprang to his feet with a somersault, striking a comical pose as he stood guard on both sides.

Seeing the two arguing, he breathed a sigh of relief and yawned, "Keep your voice down, this old man is dreaming about the Fox Fairy doing good deeds."

"Sir," Shen Junru stamped her foot anxiously, "How can you still be sleeping? The carriage and the constables are blocking the entrance to the post station. They're about to send him back to Gaoyang."

"I'm not going. I still owe Grand Secretary Sun a bowl of rice, and now I'm penniless and ashamed to face anyone." After saying that, Old Yu blocked the doorway and acted like a rogue: "The post station has good food and drink, where else can you find such a paradise?"

Shen Junru gripped her sword angrily: "Then I'll be right back."

"No!" Sun Qing hurriedly grabbed the person, "If this sword is drawn, I'm afraid the entire Sun family will pay the price!"

"I only killed a dog. Besides, I, Shen Junru, will take full responsibility for my actions," Shen Junru said, patting her chest.

Sun Qing was both amused and exasperated. The person in front of her was clearly a blank slate: "You must not act rashly. As the daughter of the steward, your words and actions affect the lives of your family. Moreover, the current situation is very complicated, and pulling one hair can affect the whole situation. Don't act rashly based on your emotions."

"Why do you all talk like that? I can't understand you!" Shen Junru scratched her head, feeling irritated.

Sun Qing patiently explained, "If you kill Zhou Ji, the Emperor will suspect that the Sun family is plotting a rebellion."

The words were concise and clear. Shen Junru stood there, stunned. After a moment, she staggered back, slamming her longsword onto the table with a thud. She braced herself against the table, panting heavily, utterly terrified: "I almost caused a disaster."

"Then tell me, what should I do?" Shen Junru didn't want to ask Lao Yu right now, but looked directly at Sun Qing.

Sun Qing glanced at Lao Yu out of the corner of his eye, but he didn't react.

His refusal to return to Gaoyang could also be interpreted as Gaoyang still not accepting outsiders using his surname. Thinking about it, it makes sense; while Sun Chengzong was loyal and righteous, he was not a true hero of the martial world.

The prestigious aristocratic families placed great importance on their reputation and image.

At present, Sun Qing is seen as the chosen one of Jiahe County, but this is only in the eyes of the common people.

Everyone in Sun Chengzong's family, from top to bottom, is a cunning fox; they can see through this little trick at a glance.

Going to Gaoyang now would be like unwittingly walking into the tiger's den.

"Is today the second day of the ninth month?" Sun Qing murmured. "So, all we have to do is get through tomorrow."

Shen Junru looked puzzled.

Sun Qing asked, "How long would it take to get the message into the capital?"

Ask her about poetry, calligraphy, and painting, and Shen Junru knew nothing. But when the topic turned to travel, her eyes gleamed: "Others would naturally need three to six days, and even a 600-li express courier might only take a day and a night. But I can run fast."

Give me a good horse, and I will reach Kyoto before dawn.

Her tone was light, her eyes revealing pride without arrogance, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

The key point is that Lao Yu lay there without refuting anything.

Sun Qing scrutinized Shen Junru several times, then suddenly smiled, clasped his hands together, and bowed, saying, "I have a favor to ask of you, Miss. Please do not refuse."

"Sure, but I'm not helping you, I'm helping the people of Jiahe County." Shen Junru puffed out her chest and raised her chin slightly.

September 3rd, Chen hour.

The constables who were supposed to escort Sun Qing back to Gaoyang waited all night, but Sun Qing didn't come out, and they were furious.

The county magistrate of Lenovo gave instructions, and Zhang San, who already harbored resentment because Sun Qing had been beaten, was particularly concerned.

Unable to wait any longer, they immediately called out from inside, "Young Master Sun, your health is precious, and we are also pressed for time."

"If you don't come out soon, we'll have to go in and ask you to come out."

Sun Qing had made all the preparations, and having only known Shen Junru for the past few days, he dared not gamble his life in someone else's hands.

He had prepared for both possibilities; if Shen Junru did not return, he would have no choice but to take the second option.

"Zhang San, be more polite. This is Young Master Sun," someone reminded him, sounding dissatisfied.

Zhang San scoffed, "I don't care who he is. If he's not the most reasonable person, then I'll just follow the paperwork and deliver the person."

As he spoke, he kicked the door open.

To his surprise, everything in the house was exactly as it had been, with no sign of tidying up. Sun Qing sat cross-legged in front of the coffee table, slowly sipping his hot tea.

Zhang San was furious: "Young Master Sun seems quite leisurely; why aren't you leaving yet!"

"Why get angry? Your master is not young. If I leave now, he will probably chase after me at full speed and come back for nothing." Sun Qing said calmly, taking a sip of tea.

Such composure and refined demeanor give the impression that everything is under one's control.

He seemed to be above everyone else, making people afraid to look him in the eye. Standing in front of him, one could only feel at ease by bowing one's head.

Zhang San was stunned by this demeanor and choked back a word, refusing to make a fool of himself in front of his companions: "Nonsense."

"My family will come to you for help. The only reason they are being polite to you now is because you are a member of the Sun family."

Without further ado, he pulled out the shackles from his waist.

The shackles clanged together, and Zhang San cursed, "If you dawdle any longer, I'll bring you my weapon."

Despite the formidable reputation of the Sun family, Zhang San was not afraid, even though he carried a slow-acting poison and a hundred-tael silver note at his waist.

Administer small doses daily during the journey, and by the time you arrive at the residence, the person will be so exhausted that they will be unable to speak. Then, they will lie on the bed without uttering a word and slowly pass away.

After careful consideration, Zhou Ji concluded that Sun Qing was doomed. He was determined to claim the credit for Jiahe County.

Heaven is warning us; the greatest credit for bringing down Wei Zhongxian belongs to him on which day of the week? As long as Sun Qing keeps quiet, that memorial would have been submitted on which day of the week anyway.

Sun Qing sneered and slowly stood up: "Let's go, I won't trouble you."

"Please do not stop along the way, as I will not turn back." Sun Qing boarded the carriage.

Zhang San grinned menacingly: "Don't worry, once this car leaves, there's no turning back."

Having said that, he raised his long whip and headed towards Gaoyang.

Although the journey was long, Zhang San was the only escort, and the pace was extremely slow. By evening, they had only just left the city gate and had to spend the night in the suburbs.

Along the way, Zhang San was extremely attentive, constantly bringing water and dry food.

Something unusual must be going on. Sun Qing simply accepted the food but didn't put it in his mouth. He just stayed in the carriage and didn't come out, so no one could figure out what was going on.

September 3rd has passed.

As dawn broke, Sun Qing, exhausted from a long day's work, was quite weak. Seeing this, Zhang San's eyes lit up with joy, and they began their journey.

After walking only a few miles, the sound of horses' hooves echoed behind them, and thick smoke billowed.

All that could be heard was a continuous shout: "Young Master Sun, please wait!"

"Young Master Sun, please don't leave! Master begs you to stay."

Sun Qing turned a deaf ear.

Zhang San turned around and exclaimed, "My God, what happened?"

He quickly tightened the rope and stopped.

The people behind caught up, and a man was being helped up by the yamen runners on both sides. Who else could it be but Zhou Ji?

At this moment, his official hat was askew, his legs felt unsteady, and he was riding a fast horse, which made his buttocks ache.

Standing outside the carriage, he kept shouting, "Young Master Sun, don't go! Young Master Sun, help me!"

Sun Qing sat upright in the carriage, only smiling faintly: "Our fate has run its course. Once we leave the city gates, there is no possibility of turning back."

"Young Master Sun," Zhou Ji pleaded, his voice trembling, "you don't know, I just received news that His Majesty has allowed Madam Ke to leave the palace today."

"And she... oh dear, she's heading towards Jiahe County!"

"As you know, Madam Ke and Lord Wei are having an affair. Isn't this tantamount to Madam Ke coming to settle scores with me on Lord Wei's behalf?"

"Young master, you have a kind heart, please save me!"

Previously, he wanted to take credit for himself, but now the memorial submitted by the magistrate of Jiaohe County has become a knife held to Zhou Ji's neck.

Sun Qing gave a cold laugh, his tone indifferent: "Lord Zhou's words are resolute. I have no relation to you, so why would I offer to help?"

"If you find it troublesome, I can go back to Gaoyang myself."

Seeing that Sun Qing was really going to leave, Zhou Ji broke down in panic and stumbled over to her, grabbing Sun Qing's instep without a second thought.

He knelt down abruptly, crying and snot streaming down his face, "Father, you're my father!"

"Father, don't just stand by and watch him die!"