Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 730 Scandal

Cao Mansion, guest room.

Qiniang poked her head out and made sure that there was no one else in the yard, so she invited Cao Yong into the house.

Seeing Qiniang's mysterious appearance, Cao Yong couldn't help laughing, and said: "What's wrong? I want to challenge your master and second master again? Didn't you say that there is no hope for three or five years?"

When Qiniang heard this, she curled her lips in disbelief, waved her small fist, and said, "The big master bullies the small, and when Qiniang lives to that age, she must be better than the big master in boxing!"

She is from Fujian, not taller than northerners, and looks a little thin.Even if he has some talent in martial arts, he is still small and powerful.Cao Jia is in his prime of life, and he has experienced half his life in the rivers and lakes.

However, Qiniang is so strong that she has to compete with Cao Jia every now and then.When Cao Jia was impatient to play with her, she wanted to think of a prank to attract Cao Yi to do it.

Although Cao Jia taught this young apprentice quite strictly, he couldn't bear the "bullying" of his apprentice.When Cao Yi made a move, Cao Jia appointed him to attack and teach Cao Yi a lesson.

Seeing Qiniang's vow, Cao Yong smiled and nodded.Regardless of men and women, it is always good to be able to practice martial arts and not to be bullied at will.

If it wasn't for his daughter's eye disease, he really wanted to invite a master to teach his daughter to be like Qiniang.Boxing can make a living, and studying medicine can make a living.

Only then did Qiniang think about the business, she lay down at the door and looked outside, then she dragged Cao Yong's clothes into the room: "Master Cao, there is something urgent!"

Seeing that her little face was tense, it didn't seem like she was joking, so Cao Yong also stopped smiling and followed her into the back room.

Wang Ying was tired from crying, she leaned against the head of the bed with a dull expression.

She had already heard the voice of Qiniang and Cao Yong in the outer room just now, so seeing Cao Yong and Qiniang coming in, there was no surprise on her face.

Although he has never met Wang's father and son, Cao Yong already knows that they are warm-blooded men with great righteousness through Fang Zhonggong's narration.

If it wasn't for him, the father and son would not know how to be at ease, how could they die so vaguely.Up to now, it is useless to talk too much, and the only way to take care of the living is to be worthy of the righteous men under the nine springs.

"Miss Wang, clean up the inner house and move to the inner courtyard in the next afternoon. Qiniang will accompany you, so don't be an outsider." Cao Yong coughed and said.

Before Fang Zhonggong left, he had told Wang Ying that Cao Yong was a trustworthy person.

Wang Ying also noticed in the past two days that Cao's mansion is not an ordinary family.Whether it is the decoration of the house or the food and clothing expenses on her side, they are all more generous than the richest family in the county she has ever seen.

If it were someone else, she would have to be on guard.This Cao Yong was the person who collected the corpses for her father and brother, she was really grateful, but she didn't feel strange about the external affairs of gold, silver and jewelry.

Speaking of which, the Wang family was originally a family of tomb robbers.

Wang Wu and his sons and daughters are all good craftsmen.It's just because Xiaoying's mother was the least courageous, unable to persuade her husband, she died in depression.Wang Wu didn't wake up until his wife passed away, and washed his hands in the golden basin.

With Qiniang as the introduction, Wang Ying lowered her head and told the story of her leading someone to steal the imperial tomb.

Hearing this, Cao Yong was dumbfounded. According to the "Great Qing Law", stealing a royal tomb is the same as digging one's own ancestral tomb. Regardless of the reason, it is a capital offense.

Wang Ying is only fourteen or five years old, where did she have such courage?
"Since it is leading people, who are the people who follow? Where are you now?" Cao Yong asked with a frown when it was not time to discuss crimes.

"My father's two apprentices, brothers Hu Long and Hu Jiao... I heard from Uncle Fang that they had died in Shahe Town that day... It was because of the iron cones on their brothers that my father and the others were framed by the government. For the tomb robbers..." At the end, Wang Ying couldn't help but get red eyes.

The little girl was also a bit stubborn, she bit her lip tightly to prevent herself from crying.

Cao Yong heaved a sigh of relief, feeling a little fortunate.Even if there are survivors at this time, in order to save Wang Ying, they have to be killed.The two brothers of the Hu family are dead, so it saves trouble.

"The Imperial Mausoleum has a lot of soldiers. Since there are only three of you, there are only a few things you can steal. Otherwise, the government will not give up easily. You must know that as a parent, you only want your children to be safe. For the sake of your parents' peace , You just took it as a dream, don't mention it again." If it was a boy, Cao Yong could still scold a few words and teach him a good lesson; for this poor orphan girl, I can only comfort him.

Wang Ying shook her head and said, "I went back and forth twice, and I stole a lot of things."

Qiniang was a bit childish, and she became curious when she heard the words, and asked, "Is there a treasure? What are there, sister?"

"The mattress of precious stones and pearls weighing dozens of catties was carried out by Hu Long. He kept yelling that he was tired and said it was heavy. There are also half a bucket of precious stones and emeralds. There are many golden Buddhas inlaid with seven-color precious stones. That one It was too heavy, so I picked a few ones that were one foot high. The rest are all kinds of hairpins, rings, bracelets, bracelets, etc...there is a phoenix crown, and I heard that the empress of the previous dynasty was buried there..." Wang Ying lowered her head and said in a low voice while breaking her fingers.

Qiniang was already speechless from ear to ear, and Cao Yong became more and more confused.

From what it sounds like, the underground palace of the Imperial Mausoleum was stolen.How big a deal is this, why hasn't there been any news yet?

Wang Wu, father and son were all executed for the crime of robbing the imperial tomb, but they only said that they discovered the robbery cave.

Is there anything in this that I don't know?

Why did Wang Wu and his son, who could wait until next autumn for their execution, be so impatient?

It is as if a layer of fog is covering the eyes, making it difficult for people to see clearly.

Cao Yong was concentrating on thinking hard, Wang Ying had already turned sideways, took out a handkerchief from her underclothes, held it in her hand for a few times, and then brought it to Cao Yong, saying: "This is after bringing out the buried treasures. The map that was hidden again... for the sake of the little girl's whim, causing the death of her father and brother, the little girl is unforgivable. I wish to pray for my father and brother for the rest of my life. These things outside the body are at the disposal of Master Cao."

When Cao Yong heard this, he glanced at Wang Ying and asked, "The matter of your brother..."

Wang Ying's face turned pale, she nodded woodenly, and said: "My little girl already knew that this time I went to Beijing with Uncle Fang. I originally thought that with these jewels, I could save the lives of my father and brother, but I didn't expect it to be wishful thinking. My little girl wanted to commit suicide in the capital. In front of the father and brother's graves, Fang Bo felt deeply ashamed because of his little daughter's father and brother. The little girl didn't want to make Fang Bo sad because of this cruel life, so she endured it until now."

"Sister Xiaoying..." Seeing that Wang Ying was lifeless and depressed, Qiniang was very worried.

Only then did Cao Yong understand the reason, he took the handkerchief, stood up, turned around and walked to the table, picked up the scythe, and lit the candles on the candlestick.

Wang Ying and Qiniang looked at Cao Yong, feeling strange.After all, it was still very bright outside, and it was too late to hold a lamp.

After seeing Cao Yong's next move, Wang Ying couldn't help but make a sound in surprise.

Cao Yong raised the handkerchief with the treasure map in his hand to the candle and lit it.

There was silence in the room, and none of the three spoke.

Cao Yong didn't throw the veil on the ground until most of the veil was burned and was about to burn his hands, watching it burn until only one corner remained.

Wang Ying had already got off the kang, staring blankly at the broken handkerchiefs and ashes on the ground, and said, "Master Cao, these treasures..."

Cao Yong showed a bit of solemnity on his face, and said: "Wang Ying, it's still the same sentence, the tomb robbery is just a dream, and now I wake up from the dream, and everything is gone. For your father and brother to be at ease, in the future, this matter, Don’t mention it again. Whether you are willing to pray for your father and brother, marry and have children, and live an ordinary life, it’s up to you.”

After a while, Wang Ying let out a "wow" and cried...

*
Inside the Anding Gate, Prince Yong's Mansion.

The fourth elder brother looked at the booklet in his hand, frowned, and murmured: "Longkodo...what the hell is going to Changping..."

Now Shengjia is not in the capital, and Longkodo is the admiral of the Nine Gates. He does not guard the capital, but even goes out of the capital in disguise. How can it not be surprising?
Dai Jin leaned over and said, "This slave doesn't know about Master Hui. It's just strange that Master Long didn't take He Lin with him when he went out this time, and the long-term guards he brought with him were not usual. According to Ma Liu, this Lord Cilong left Beijing with more than thirty entourages, all of whom were unfamiliar faces."

He Lin is Long Kedo's long follower and his confidant.

The fourth elder brother was even more surprised when he heard the words, put down the folder in his hand, and asked: "Did anyone stare at the thirty or so people who went with them?"

Dai Jin nodded, and said: "After returning to Beijing, I will return to the green battalion. The officers and soldiers went to Xishan to practice, and the day before yesterday came out of Beijing..." At this point, he suddenly realized, and said: "Master, I'm afraid, I'm afraid There is no life left..."

The matter was so strange that the fourth elder brother got up from his seat, took a few steps, and said: "Long Kedo is not a person who is reckless, it seems that he has received the holy order... to send people to Changping to inquire, but if there is any abnormality, no matter how big or small, You must pay attention to it, and you can always find clues..."

*
Back to Wutongyuan, Cao Yong felt a little stunned.

Although I don't know which imperial tomb Wang Ying stole, but the ones she mentioned are worth hundreds of millions of taels of silver.

The moment you smell the royal treasure, if you are not moved, it is a lie.But Cao Yong also knows that this money can't be greedy, and it will cause endless disasters.

People who have been through the gate of hell for several times, compared with their lives, how can they care about fame and fortune?
People in the world are ignorant, how few are dazzled by gold and silver?
From this point of view, the death of Wang's father and son became more and more strange.It seems that someone can't wait to kill their mouths, the purpose... other than the hidden treasure in the imperial tomb, what else...

Magistrate of Changping County, Governor of Shuntian Prefecture... Shangshu of the Ministry of Punishment... and then go up...

Thinking of this, Cao Yong suddenly stood up, clenched his fists, and knocked on his chin.

Regarding Wang Ying's identity, Cao Yong has already told Chu Yu.

Naturally, he just found out about the tomb robbery, so he didn't intend to tell his wife.It's not being dishonest, but I intend to hide that matter in my heart and never mention it again.So as not to be careless, something went wrong.

On Chu Yu's side, like Cao Yong, she felt guilty towards Wang Ying because of the death of Wang's father and son.

After all, it's a girl's house, and it's not easy to stay in the guest room for a long time, so I cleaned up the unused Songyuan and planned to make it Wang Ying's residence.It happened that Wei Hei and his wife were not there, and it was not appropriate for Qiniang to stay alone in the front yard, so she was asked to live with Wang Ying in Songyuan.

After the arrangements were made, Chu Yu selected two more experienced nuns to look after her, and pointed out two young maids to wait there, before Chu Yu returned to Wutong Garden.

Seeing her husband contemplating deeply, Chu Yu thought that he was still worrying about chasing the murderer, so she softly advised, "Don't worry about the forehead, don't you already have some clues, there will always be some clues."

"Clues? Yes, there will always be clues." Cao Yong nodded and said...

*
The next day, in the Forbidden City, the office of the House of Internal Affairs.

Since the morning, the sky has been cloudy, and in the afternoon, the north wind howls, rolling the goose feathers with heavy snow, and blowing the window lattices to "slap".

In normal times, colleagues would have to say something like "auspicious snow heralds a good year", and then think about "sweeping snow and making tea", which is elegant.

It's too late for everyone to scold their mothers in such a wickedly cold weather, who has that kind of leisure time?
Yidu tightened his official uniform, looked at the fur cloak in Xiaoman's hands, and asked enviously, "Is this sent by your grandma?"

Xiao Man nodded with a smile, and said: "Well, our grandma will send people over when it rains or snows. In the eyes of our grandma, our grandpa is precious, and it's not good to blow and drench."

Cao Yong was sitting behind the desk, reading official documents, he was a little embarrassed when he heard Xiao Man's words, he glanced at him, and said: "Whispering."

Hearing this, Xiao Man stuck out his tongue, quickly put the cloak in his hand away, and called someone to add charcoal to the charcoal basin.

Yi Duli guarded the charcoal basin, stretched out his hand, grilled it, and sighed heavily.

Seeing this, Cao Yong asked, "What's wrong, my lord?"

"The body is cold, and the heart is even colder." Yi Duli looked down at the official uniform on his body, and said: "The adults only have one wife, and they know the cold and the hot; the lower officials have several wives and concubines, but there is no one who asks about their health. Inside Although the fur clothes are new clothes, they are just used to cope with the situation."

The most difficult thing to bear is the beauty's kindness. Cao Yong knew about the fight between his wives and concubines in Yidu's family, so he couldn't sympathize with him.

There are gains and losses, how can there be two things in this world.

"Your Excellency, you are a good wife, beautiful concubines, and there are many people who envy you." Cao Yong smiled and said.

Yi Duli had a cheerful temperament. Hearing Cao Yong's mention, he raised his eyebrows and said, "It's not just a beautiful concubine. I haven't told the adults yet. The Yang family has made a small fortune recently."

It turned out that after Yang Ruixue heard about Yaerjiang A's raising gold in the clan, she sensed the business opportunity and sent the steward back to the capital to exchange all the tens of thousands of taels of silver accumulated over the years into gold.At the same time, she also persuaded Yi Duli to take out 5 taels of silver, which was also exchanged for gold.

Since the beginning of winter, the number of people holding weddings in the city has increased, and the places that need gold in various mansions have also increased.

Not to mention that Yang Ruixue made a lot of money in his hands, that is, Yiduli's 5 taels of silver was exchanged for 5000 taels of gold, and then exchanged for silver, leaving a profit of 1 taels.

Yi Duli's title, world position, and errand salary add up to no more than a thousand taels of silver.

It took Yang Ruixue less than three months to help Yiduli earn a ten-year salary, which made Yiduli more and more happy.In addition, she has a gentle temperament and generous hands, and she is willing to spend money, so she has also attracted some people in the mansion.

This matter was done beautifully, if Yi Duli came forward, the people who looked up and looked down were all relatives, so it was not easy to talk about money.Yang Ruixue opened a silver house, so it made sense to save some gold and exchange some gold.

It seems that Zheng Hu doesn't need to worry about this girl, she is like a fish in water.

Yi Duli showed off, feeling a little embarrassed, and changed the subject: "The father-in-laws in the palace are clever, how do you know that there has been heavy snow in the past two days, and there have been several carts of charcoal every day in the past two days."

All the expenses in this palace, such as water, charcoal, wood, etc., have regulations, when and what to send.

"Have there been too many charcoal carts in the past two days?" Cao Yong asked after thinking about it.

Yi Duli nodded, and said: "Yes, it's March [-]th now, and it's freezing cold, so it will cost a bit to come to the palace to use charcoal."

It wasn't that Cao Yong was suspicious, but something that he vaguely guessed in his heart.I also felt that I was thinking too much, and it was understandable for an official to be greedy for money; if it was the one above, I would feel a little jealous in my heart.

Yi Duli talked a few more idle words, drank half a cup of tea, looked at the unfinished official documents on Cao Yong's case, got up and said: "My lord is busy first, and I will not delay my lord. Seeing the sky Hei, don't delay my lord's appointment..."

It was the beginning of the month, and Cao Yong also had several important official documents, which needed to be approved today.Therefore, Cao Yong did not stay in Yiduli, got up and sent him out.

Before Cao Yong turned around, Xiao Man was poking his head at the gate of the yard.

Seeing this, Cao Yong couldn't help frowning, waved at him, and said: "It's snowing, what are you doing standing outside?"

Xiaoman saw that the doors of the east and west rooms were all closed, and the pen stickers and scribes were sheltering from the snow in the room, so he took two quick steps to the corridor, and whispered to Cao Yong: "Master, Mr. Rong from the imperial teahouse has something to see, and he is in the corner outside. Waiting here..."

This Eunuch Rong is Wei Zhu's fellow villager and one of the deacons and eunuchs of the imperial teahouse.He is usually very smart, and because of Wei Zhu's relationship, he and Cao Yong are also considered acquaintances.

Cao Yong is the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and it is common for the servants to come to report something. Why do you need to be so sneaky?
Cao Yong was puzzled, looked at the left and right wing rooms, and whispered to Xiaoman: "Just say that I have a guest here, what does he want from me, let him explain to you."

Xiao Man responded and went out to find Eunuch Rong.Cao Yong returned to the house, faintly a little uneasy.

After a while, Xiaoman came in with a puzzled face.

"It can be said, what's the matter?" Cao Yong asked.

Xiaoman showed two purses from his sleeves, brought them to Cao Yong, and said: "Master, I saw that something was wrong with him, and my tears wiped away my panic. He said that I begged you to take care of Mr. Wei and help him." Little busy, that is to save the little money he saved and send it to his hometown in Hejian. I didn't say anything about the rest. I just said that I can't ask anyone, I asked the Lord. There is no repayment in this life, and the next life Repay the kindness of the Lord."

These are all decisive words. Although Cao Yong didn't know which play he was singing, he could still feel that something was wrong.

He took the purse from Xiaoman's hand, opened it, poured out the gold and silver in it, and threw the purse into the charcoal basin.

Although the purse has no color, the cloth needlework used in the palace is still different from that outside.

There are seven to eighty taels of broken silver, and a dozen or so taels of gold. Fortunately, there is no seal.

Seeing Cao Yong acting like this, Xiao Man felt a little worried, and said embarrassingly: "Master..."

Cao Yong pointed to the gold and silver, and said to Xiaoman: "Wrap it up and put it away, don't mention this matter to others..."

Suddenly, it seemed that there were many great secrets, Cao Yong stroked his forehead.

Is it so difficult that the emperor started to be a thief?Looting the imperial tomb of the former dynasty is a huge scandal...

*
It's the beginning of the month, ask for a guaranteed monthly pass.Guaranteed monthly ticket, please vote for Xiao Cao. .grateful. .

(End of this chapter)