Women dressed as men: powerful officials

Chapter 279 Gathering

March was a rainy month, and there were many new faces coming and going in the capital.

With the end of the first assessment, the second assessment followed.

Sishui County is close to the desert, with dry weather and little rain, but the capital is different.

It rained for dozens of days in a row, and Zhuque Street was filled with colorful oil-paper umbrellas.

The closer it gets to Qingming Festival, the more white umbrellas there are.

At the city gate, the yamen runner looked at the name of the emperor and saw that he was dressed in white. He asked, "Why are there so many people entering the city today? They are all dressed in the same way. They look scary."

Although people in Tianqi have the custom of worshipping their ancestors during the Qingming Festival, they do not wear white clothes.

But today is different. Several people entering the city are wearing white clothes.

It's like he's here to observe mourning.

In the capital city, there are many disturbances every day, which are not easy to attract attention, but no matter how small the matter is, it will still be noticed.

When Song Tiancheng saw this, he thought of Wei Chenyi who had been imprisoned, and went to the Prime Minister's Mansion in a panic.

Qi Chengen had just finished his morning court session. When he heard that Song Tiancheng was coming, his face darkened and he was about to send the guest away.

Song Tiancheng, however, relied on his position as the Grand Commandant and barged in directly, saying, "Prime Minister Qi, it's already this hour, why haven't you come to see me yet? Are you really going to become estranged from me just because of Song Xiujing?"

At Song Xiujing's place, Song Tiancheng had been tricked.

Now, Zhao Qian is in charge of all important matters in the military camp.

Song Tiancheng understood that was the prince's intention, and his purpose was to take his military power.

He had been in a panic for a long time, and was worried for more than a month because there was no movement in the Prince's Mansion. Just when he had settled down, he heard about what happened at the city gate.

Song Tiancheng couldn't sit still and immediately thought of Qi Chengen.

Qi Chengen said: "Miss Song is the Princess of Changqing, I dare not make any irresponsible remarks."

"Is there anything in this world that you, Qi Chengen, dare not do?"

After Song Tiancheng finished speaking, he remembered the purpose of this trip, put away the idea of ​​being polite with Qi Chengen, and said directly: "There are a lot more people in the capital recently, have you noticed?"

"The affairs in the court are enough to worry me. Other things have nothing to do with me." Qi Chengen was unmoved.

Seeing Qi Chengen's stubborn look, Song Tiancheng said, "Qi Chengen, don't blame me for not reminding you. You wrote the list back then. You are the prime minister, in a high position, you must know that the people who came to the capital recently are all on your list!"

That list played a big role in bringing down the Xu family.

All those listed on the list are officials who are on good terms with the Xu family.

After the Xu family was imprisoned, the list disappeared.

Qi Chengen said that the list had been lost, but Song Tiancheng knew that Qi Chengen would not lose such an important thing.

Even if he dies, Qi Chengen will take him into the coffin.

"The capital city is bustling with people coming and going every day. Some officials were banished from the capital and are now returning home. Isn't that normal?"

Qi Chengen asked back.

Song Tiancheng said: "Qi Chengen, are you really not afraid that the incident back then will be brought up? If the Xu family case is brought up again, do you think you can keep your official hat?"

"The Xu family's affairs have nothing to do with me. If Lord Song wants to convict me based on my words, you can report it to the Dali Temple."

Qi Chengen looked at Song Tiancheng, stroked his beard gently, and said, "I have always believed that there is no crime in this world that can be convicted without any evidence."

Song Tiancheng was furious, but he could do nothing about it. He finally said, "Qi Chengen, if my Song family falls, your Qi family will not be better off! Don't think that you can rest easy with the prince as your son-in-law. The imperial family is the most heartless."

"I have been in the court of Tianqi for decades, but I didn't rely on the crown prince. Sir Song, please remind me when you have time. I might as well go back and take good care of Mr. Song. If you die, you die, but don't let it be the last one and leave no descendants."

Qi Chengen's words were so light, but to Song Tiancheng, they were like a slap in the face.

He looked back.

Qi Chengen was still wearing a white shirt, his hair was gray, and he had a gentle and polite smile on his face, but his eyes were full of indifference.

This is a reminder, a warning, and a threat.

-

Flowers are in full bloom in the moonlight.

Yueyuan Tower is a place for drinking and listening to music. It is crowded at night but has few customers during the day.

In the private room on the third floor, Xu Yuan was wearing a bamboo hat, with black gauze covering her entire body, leaving only a pair of white boots.

From time to time, men in white clothes came upstairs and pushed the door open.

When the last person arrived, Lady Hua crossed out the last name on the list, nodded to Xu Yuan and said, "Sir, everyone is here."

With Madam Hua calling out "Young Master", everyone's eyes in the room turned to Xu Yuan.

"This is... the young master of the Xu family?"

"Who else can make Madam Hua call him Young Master except Young Master Xu?"

"God has eyes, the Xu family will not be extinct!"

"If the teacher knew that the Xu family still had descendants, he would be able to rest in peace."

"Everyone calm down. Today may be a Hongmen Banquet. Please take off your bamboo hat and show your true face to others."

"That's right, whether it's true or not, let's see it in person first!"

"That's right. Haven't we been humiliated enough over the years?"

Some people sighed, some shed tears, some missed it, and some had doubts.

Xu Yuan turned a deaf ear to those doubtful voices, and waited until Madam Hua closed the door before kneeling down.

An old man saw this and asked hurriedly, "What are you doing?"

"That's right, speak nicely. I've come all this way, and I won't deny you a chance to speak. Why are you kneeling down?"

Xu Yuan did not stand up, still kneeling, and said: "More than 20 years ago, all of you were in trouble because of the Xu family. Some were banished from the capital, some were exiled to a bitter cold place, and some resigned from office and retired. 20 years later, you all came to the capital with just a letter. As a descendant of the Xu family, I should thank you."

The voice of Xuyuan was a little trembling.

The veil blocked her face, but she could still see the countless people in front of her.

Many people have gray hair.

Others, because their elders had passed away, allowed their younger generations to come to Beijing.

Although these faces are unfamiliar, they all came to the capital for the same reason.

To overturn the verdict for the Xu family.

"It's really the young master of the Xu family!"

"Hurry up and get up. You are a descendant of the Xu family. How can you kneel before a bunch of old men like us?"

"Yeah, yeah, get up."

Madam Hua helped Xu Yuan up and whispered, "These people were all disciples of the Xu family before, or had received favors from the Xu family. Young Master, there is really no need to be so polite."

"That's right, Prime Minister Xu is my mentor. I will do my best to overturn the case for the Xu family, even if it means going through fire and water!"

"The young master wrote a letter asking us to come to the capital. He must have gathered enough evidence. He can arrange whatever we need to do. But now we have nothing. Even if it means sacrificing our lives, we must clear the name of the Xu family!"

"Wait, have you all forgotten what we said before?"

A young man in white stepped forward and looked at Xuyuan with sharp eyes.

"He said he was a descendant of the Xu family. There is no evidence, no witnesses, and he doesn't even dare to let us see his face. I'm afraid this is another trap set by a villain. Everyone should stay calm and don't be fooled and lose your life in vain."