Beautiful step by step

Chapter 162

As soon as Wei's mother mentioned Yan Heng, Chu Ying understood what she meant. She wanted to use the contacts and influence of the Hou family.

These years, Chu Ying has nothing to do, and what she sees most is these disputes in the back house.At first he hated such pretentious things, after seeing too much, he became numb, but in his heart, he still felt that those court officials who were fooled by women in a few words were really stupid.

Until now, Wei's mother has also used this method to make him take action.She just took advantage of the old lady's guilt and her dislike for Shizi's wife Wu to take the opportunity to tell the story, this little calculation can be seen without even thinking about it.Originally, he should be disgusted with his personality, but now he is only secretly happy but fortunate.

I am secretly happy that Yan Heng's accident gave her something to ask for him.Fortunately, I still have some authority now, and I can help her when she needs it.

The joy that had not been experienced for a long time rose from the bottom of her heart irresistibly, and Chu Ying finally understood that those court officials who were willing to be used by women in the backyard were not really stupid.There is no fool who can gain a foothold in the court. He may be deceived by those women's tricks for a while, but it is impossible not to see through it all the time.Seeing through and still being willing to be a knife in someone's hand, this is emotion.

At this moment, his heart that had been numb for nearly 20 years felt alive again.

"What reason did the officials of the Ministry of Punishment take Master Yan away?"

As long as he is willing to ask, Wei's mother, who hadn't used tricks for a long time, let out a long sigh of relief, a relaxation that she didn't even notice.

It was Wei Wei who answered Chu Ying's question.

"People from the Ministry of Punishment came yesterday. Several officials only said to ask Ah Heng to go over and ask about the specific situation of the war. But it has been a day and a night, and he still hasn't come back."

"one day one Night?"

Chu Ying understood, he was expelled from the city by the old lady yesterday.Later, halfway through, they received the news that Qingniang's mother and daughter were going to leave the mansion, so they hurried back without doing anything.Wash and change clothes with a hairy boy, make sure to look handsome, they have already arrived outside the house after some busy work.

He was so busy that he had no time to take care of other matters in Beijing, and he certainly didn't know the movements of the Criminal Department.

However, based on his past experience, this meeting is certain: "If it is an ordinary interrogation, at the latest the Ministry of Punishment will release the yamen and come back together. If it takes such a long time, it should be temporarily detained by the Ministry of Punishment."

Wei Wei's pupils narrowed slightly, and her voice was filled with impatience: "Master Hou, what you mean is that Ah Heng was imprisoned in the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice?"

"This should be."

Chu Ying nodded, aware of her anxiety, and explained: "Don't worry, the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice is not what outsiders imagine. There are many areas inside, and different criminals are held in different places. Yan Heng is at least an official. No one dares to abuse him until he is convicted, and he lives in a relatively better place."

Not abusing lynching should be the greatest consolation nowadays, but the conditions are good... After all, a prison, no matter how good it is, can be so good.

Her thoughts were clearly written on her face. Seeing this, Chu Ying said helplessly: "At least it must be a single room, with a heated kang, a small table, and some books to keep him entertained. But whether the conditions are good or not is secondary. Stay in prison, you have to find a way to get him out first."

Is he willing to help?Ever since he got close to Zhenbei Hou's Mansion, Wei Wei felt that his brain was not enough.But now she can't control so much, it's good to rescue Yan Heng first.

Just as they were talking, the old matriarch Feng also came out of her self-blame. Once she calmed down, she became the old matriarch who had been in charge of the Hou's mansion for decades.Seeing her son concentrating on wading through the muddy water, she quickly analyzed the current narrow situation.

The Zhenbei Hou Mansion has been dormant for 30 years, and it is indeed in a relatively safe position now.Everything has a good and a bad side. The decision to hand over the military power back then allowed the Hou Mansion to preserve its prosperity and wealth, instead of being decapitated and ruined like a general who holds great power.From this point of view, the decision back then was extremely wise.However, there are gains and losses, and withdrew from the center of power, the prosperity of the Zhenbeihou Mansion is also rapidly declining.To this day, even the official position of the eldest son Chu Lian has to be entrusted to his mentor, Guozijian, Master Jijiuliu.

Old Madam Feng was keenly aware that if this continued, the Hou Mansion would soon fall.There are always ups and downs in life, the Hou Mansion has been in decline for 30 years, and now the Wu family is standing in front of the limelight, and now it is time for them to fight for power.If you want to fight for power, you must first have a clear direction. Emperor Qinglong is old, and the crown prince's ability to be neither heir nor elder is not so outstanding. Seeing that the chaos has become.The best way now is to support a prince who is most likely to ascend to the throne.

But what support does she have?Is that the plaque on the door of the Hou Mansion?The most indispensable thing in Beijing is the title, but the title is just a false name, and the real power is real.

Back then, the Chu family started their business in the Northwest with military exploits, but they didn't know anything about civil servants.Even if you can study now, there is no need to use your own shortcomings to attack the other's strengths.Now the best opportunity is to start from the military power, thinking of this, she looked at Ah Wei who was standing below.Thanks to Wu Shi, she had heard some things about Yan Heng.Although Wu's mouth generally can't say anything good, she has her own judgment.Whether it's "I don't know what method was used to frame Wu Gong", or "The slavish and flattering master is not afraid of offending people to report the fact that everyone knows in the Northwest Army's account book", each and every one of them makes her very fond of this person. For appreciation.

This is a man of real ability and worth working with.

Thinking of this, she opened her mouth: "Ah Mao is a girl who went out from our Hou's mansion, no matter what happened before, the relationship is there, we can help if we can."

Although he wanted to win over Yan Heng, the words of the old matriarch Feng were extremely artistic.Using Wei Wei's identity to make a fuss, using feelings as the lead, connected the relationship between the two without a trace.

Chu Yingruo glanced at the old matriarch meaningfully: "That's natural, but this matter needs to be discussed in the long run. Ah Mao will talk about the specific situation first."

Although she didn't say anything to death, Chu Ying still had full confidence in her heart.A skinny camel is bigger than a horse, and if the Hou Mansion loses its military power, it doesn't mean it will become an empty shelf guarding the gold and silver mountains.Furthermore, from the perspective of outsiders, the Hou Mansion has been shrunk for the past 30 years, and only he knows the real situation.

"The old lady is the best."

Even if I lose my memory, in a familiar environment, the words I was used to can still blurt out now.

The jade-like girl stood in front of her pretty, with a charming smile on her lips, and a sweet and waxy voice speaking touching words.A familiar feeling came over, and the long-lost Mrs. Feng only felt her whole body soaked in the hot spring, which was very warm.Even with the heart that she wanted to help, she was a little less calculating for the family and a little more sincere.

"That's fine, Ah Moo," said the old matriarch with a brisk face, and the law lines on both sides of the old matriarch's nose have lightened a lot: "I'm worried about you, don't worry. The conditions are no worse than those of a post station. Don't worry, just sit down and talk about the situation slowly."

The kind voice of the old man had the power to soothe people's hearts. They exchanged glances with Mother Wei. Wei Wei sat down on the wide mahogany chair at the bottom, Mother Wei sat at the top, and Chu Ying sat opposite her.

"This matter has to start with the sudden siege of the city by the Wala people. In fact, when the fire broke out in Youzhou the winter before last, it would be the most nervous time for Ah Heng. Because of the thorough investigation, the Northwest officialdom was in chaos, and it snowed heavily shortly after the fire , the right time and place are here, and it is the best time to attack."

Seeing Chu Ying nodding in agreement, Wei Wei continued.

"But after waiting for a whole winter, the Oirats disappeared as if out of thin air. After that winter, they were fine for a whole year. After the autumn harvest, winter has not yet entered, and our vigilance has dropped a bit. It just so happens that the Youzhou Palace is about to start laying foundations. Over there Due to lack of personnel, the Northwest Army was temporarily transferred there. Unexpectedly, in just two days, Liangzhou City was besieged as soon as the Northwest Army arrived in Youzhou City. At that time, Ah Heng and I felt that someone might have leaked the military plan."

"Such a coincidence is indeed possible."

"If this is just a guess, then when the underground secret passage in Youzhou City was discovered and the whole of Youzhou fell into a bitter struggle, it is almost certain that someone is leaking the secret at this time."

Recalling this incident, Wei Wei looked distressed: "It would be fine if it was another attack method, but the enemy is using a secret path. You should know who designed the new city of Youzhou City, Lord Hou. The designer Wei Xiang happened to be Ah Heng. His great-grandfather, now he and his uncle are the biggest suspects."

"Wei Xiang?"

Chu Ying already knew that there was such a relationship, but Mrs. Feng did not know.

"Yes, Wei Xiang was the chief assistant of the cabinet during the first emperor's dynasty. He was exiled to the northwest because of some false accusations."

Wei Wei explained simply, and the old lady Feng also vaguely recalled it.After digesting this fact, she became more confident in the decision she had just made.

"After all, only Wei Xiang knew the design of the secret road back then. When Shengjia toured the northwest the year before last, the relationship between Ah Heng and Wei Xiang was completely exposed to the eyes of the civil and military courts. Now that something happened, everyone must suspect him .”

The more Wei Wei said, the more helpless she became. Regardless of other things, but for the leak of the secret passage, if she hadn't had such a close relationship with Yan Heng, she would definitely have doubts in her heart.She is still like this, let alone others.She only vaguely heard what was discussed in the court, and the current situation is naturally unfavorable to them.

At this moment, she only felt a dense net rushing towards them in the darkness.Can't break free and can't escape.

"wrong."

When he was upset, a firm voice of denial suddenly came from above.Wei Wei sat up straight and looked over hopefully.

Old Madam Feng was dressed in a dark purple robe, showing an imposing manner that cannot be ignored. Sitting upright, her eyes with crow's feet and deep-set lines had changed from the cloudiness unique to the elderly to the sharpness of today.Sensing Wei Wei's gaze, she looked back at each other.

"What Ah Mao just said is wrong, so I won't doubt Yan Heng."

Even Chuying was surprised at this moment, sat up straight, and said in accordance with public opinion: "Mother, do you know something?"

The old matriarch Feng didn't make a fool of himself either: "It's no wonder you don't know, after all, it's an old story. I'm sure that Wei Xiang is not the only one who knows the design drawings of the secret road in Youzhou City back then."

(End of this chapter)