Chapter 65 Little Sixty-Fifth Chapter

  Auntie hastily returned to Hangzhou, still carrying a belly full of anger. As soon as she left Suzhou City, she couldn't hold it in anymore. Seeing Qinglian shrinking into the corner of the carriage, she cursed: "You're just like your mother, only good at putting on a seductive face! You can't even do anything right, you're only good at ruining things!"

  Qinglian hung her head and curled up even more, she wasn't unaware of what her stepmother was doing, it's just that even if she understood, she was powerless to do anything about it. Later on, when she grew older and brought it up with her relatives, it would be a stain on her reputation, making her path in life even more difficult.

  "Auntie snorted and muttered to herself: '...This is a fine mess, the matter has been botched. I'm afraid Master's official position won't be promoted after all...I wonder if that person will blame...' "

  The horse carriage suddenly jolted to a stop, and before Madame could open her mouth to scold, they heard the sound of fierce and sinister voices outside: "Get down! Bring out all your silver and money!"

  The madam's heart skipped a beat; she had run into robbers!

  The governor's wife had a terrible time, and was scolded by the governor: "That sister of yours has no good intentions! I told you before to stay away from people like that, now look what's happened, offending Fourth Madame is the same as offending Fourth Master, let's see how we'll fare in the future!" The governor's wife was both angry and worried, when a maid came in and said: "Auntie encountered robbers on her way back to Hangzhou, Auntie was even taken by the robbers up the mountain for a night, it's said that she was released this morning, Qinglian is fine, she took a carriage back to Hangzhou to get help, probably they've already picked up Auntie by now..."

  The governor's wife suddenly widened her eyes, and after being tied up by the bandits on the mountain for a night, even if nothing had happened, what could be said about her sister's chastity? Even if she didn't cut off her own arm to prove her innocence, she would probably have to live with a solitary lamp from now on!

  The governor's wife was slightly stunned, and the governor frowned, suddenly opening up: "Who told her to provoke those who shouldn't be provoked..."

  "What do you mean by this..."

  The governor did not answer and walked out by himself...

  "The house on Songbai Alley that the son went to see is quite spacious, enough to be used as a school. The teachers have also been hired one after another in the past few days and are already living inside. Several older ayis who are willing to come over will also take care of the children during class breaks, everyone is willing."

  Listening to Hong Kuan's words, Quan Pei nodded: "Then you say, why do we only run a school for children aged 5 to 8? Why not open one that is bigger, such as teaching those who are about to take the imperial examination, wouldn't the reputation come faster?"

  Hong Xian thought to himself: "These pre-school children, even if they were taught in a school, wouldn't be impressive. To wait for them to grow up and become accomplished would take ten or twenty years. Is Mother intentionally being low-key?"

  "Let's just say it's half true for now, but that's only because I don't want to draw attention to myself yet. But who knows what the future holds."

  Kwon Bo's words were only half understood by Hong Kye, who smiled and patted his shoulder: "Take your time, you'll understand eventually, no need to rush."

  Xiao Yue received Jiang Yang's message and went into the house, whispering a few words in Quan Pei's ear.

  Outside, the tall camphor tree was clean and refreshing, shading a large area of coolness, revealing the unique quiet elegance of Jiangnan. Quan Pei just nodded slightly, and Xiao Yue stood aside again.

  The girl brought in a new fold of mountain tea flowers and inserted them into a bean green double-ear bottle, making the room more lively.

  This aunt who has completely lost her value is indeed instructed by someone, and there are people in the capital who want to intervene from Suzhou, damaging Hongqian's reputation. How many people benefit?

  Quan Pei immediately got up and entered the study, where the maid was grinding ink. A moment later, a young servant took the letter to the Governor's mansion.

  Don't cut off the hands and feet of those who stretch out their hands, or others will think it's easy to bully them.

  The Enlightenment Academy enrolls children aged 5 to 8, providing one meal at noon every day. When not in class, they are cared for by dedicated ayis (matrons). Each child must pass an entrance exam to be admitted; those who qualify may attend free of charge, including tuition and meals, if their family is too poor to afford them.

  The teachers were all local celebrities and had previously taught in larger schools.

  There are poor families who come because they don't have to pay tuition, some families come for the teacher, and there are also those who hear that the teachers were once tutors of young masters from wealthy families, so they want their children to learn a bit of etiquette. As a result, although it's just started, due to these reasons, they've already enrolled over 30 students.

  There was a class for five- to six-year-olds, one for six- to seven-year-olds, and one for seven- to eight-year-olds. Each class had one classroom and two teachers. Hongqian attended the class for seven- to eight-year-olds.

  Thus, the Enlightenment Academy was opened in a grand manner, and all expenses except for students' tuition fees were paid from the income of Tianxiang Pavilion and Zhuangzi.

  All the spice shops in Suzhou City have almost all been acquired by Tianxiang Pavilion, with considerable monthly returns. Yongzheng also constantly sends people to deliver silver, which is not even needed, and occasionally thinks that it would be great to stay here in the future, thinking that life won't be much different from Beijing, but with a few more peaceful days.

  "The Suzhou governor impeached the Hangzhou Tongzhi for nepotism, corruption and bribery, and produced an account book as evidence. The emperor ordered Pan Liyuan to investigate, which led to the involvement of many officials in Hangzhou, and it seemed that even the Hangzhou governor was not spared."

  A gentle voice said: "The prince is very angry, so many people were killed, but the Suzhou governor and the Hangzhou vice-censor are not brothers-in-law, how could such a thing happen?"

  "Old Eighth, you don't know that these two families were not on good terms to begin with. I heard that at the Provincial Governor's wife's birthday banquet, the Prefectural Magistrate's wife did something ugly to the Fourth Lady in Suzhou, and as a result, the Provincial Governor's mansion was no longer on speaking terms with them. The two families had completely fallen out!"

  "Fourth Sister?" Eighth Brother turned the jade carving in his hand: "I didn't expect you to survive, Old Nine and the others are very respectful, it seems that you're not a simple person. Do you think this matter has something to do with Fourth Lady Fu?"

  Wang Shiran slightly furrowed his brow: "After all, she's just a woman, I suppose she doesn't have that kind of skill."

  Is she just a mediocre woman? Then who would take such a great risk to assassinate the Fourth Imperial Concubine, people who are worth killing usually have some kind of story...

  The weather was too hot, and even at night, people couldn't sleep well. The people of the Yongzheng Palace in Yunnan Province would often gather in the cool pavilion in the garden to enjoy the coolness. Unconsciously, when Yongzheng was present, someone would show off their skills, which also served as entertainment for everyone.

  Wu Ruoxi played a tune of "Plum Blossom in Three Variations", her skills were indeed impressive, but it reminded Yongzheng of Quan Pei, who had also talked about a composition before, which was beyond comparison to anyone else. Everyone laughed and applauded, and Yirong smiled and asked Nalan Mingyue: "Sister, what do you think?"

  Nalan Mingyue said with a smile: "I may not be able to play it myself, but I've heard many people play it before, so I guess I can appreciate it."

  Li listened and laughed: "It's obviously fine, but Cefu Jun said it was barely audible, really...".

  What was true was something Li didn't say, but the discord between Nalan Mingyue and Wu Ruoxue was apparent.

  Several children were also playing nearby, with their nursemaids and nannies taking care of them.

  Yongzheng felt a sense of boredom and tastelessness. These women, whenever they were together, would talk endlessly and exhaustively, making others feel annoyed. He got up and left.

  "Is Grandfather leaving now? Won't you sit for a while longer?"

  "No, I'm going to the study room upstairs."

  No one stayed overnight in the backyard again. The disappointment on everyone's face flashed by. Yongzheng left and didn't think about sitting down either, so they all got up to leave.

  Everyone went to pick up their own children, but Wu Ruoxi couldn't find Er Gege. The servant who was guarding him was so scared that he trembled: "Lost sight of him for a moment and couldn't find him again! Thought he was playing with the other kids among the flowers and grass, but searched everywhere and still can't find him!"

  A crisp and loud slap made Yongzheng's footsteps pause slightly, and then a voice came from above: "The second prince is gone!"

  A bad premonition crept over his heart again, Yongzheng took a deep breath: "Find! Find it immediately!"

  The entire Prince's mansion was brightly lit throughout the night, and everyone who could move was mobilized. Almost the entire mansion was turned upside down, but still couldn't find Second Brother. It wasn't until Qing Jue reminded them: "Look in the water..."

  They all searched and only the pond in the backyard was left. Yongzheng's face sank, gritting his teeth, "Search!"

  By dawn, the body of Er Ge was indeed found in the water, having long since stopped breathing. Wu Ruoxi fainted on the spot. The others present couldn't bear to look away, and Like Intent even shed tears: "How could something like this happen? How did he end up falling into the water......"

  The pavilion for enjoying the cool was just in front of the pond, and it was a pleasure to be cool. Although lanterns were lit everywhere, it was already night and the light was not good. The children were mischievous and loved to make trouble, so even if they fell into the water, it seemed understandable. But Wu Ruoxi was extremely cautious. The death of the Fourth Prince had sounded an alarm for everyone. Wu Ruoxi warned all the servants who followed her to be careful and not let the Second Prince out of sight. It was only when she played a tune of "Plum Blossom in Three Movements" that the child got into trouble. Whether it was intentional or accidental, no one could say now.

  The Hou Mansion had also become a bloody battlefield like any other household, where one misstep could lead to devastating consequences. Every step had to be taken with utmost care and caution. Now, among the four brothers in the house, only three were left, excluding the eldest brother, Hong Qian, who was still in Suzhou. Li's back tensed up involuntarily, her fists clenched tightly, as if daring anyone to harm her child.

  Nalan Mingyue's spirit seemed to have lifted with the death of Second Brother, for her arch-nemesis also had no son, they were now equal, and neither could look down on the other.

  The letter from the capital made Quan Pei silent for a long time. Jiu'er jumped and ran to Quan Pei's side, asking: "Is Ama thinking of me again?"

  Quan Ai smiled and stroked Jiu Er's back: "Yes, Ama said she misses Jiu Er very much."

  Jiu'er suddenly burst out laughing: "I also miss Mama!"

  "Really? Then let's go back and see your mother."

  "Great! Great!"

  Hong Kui came in from outside and asked: "Is what Mother said true?"

  "Don't you want to go back?" Guan Pei retorted.

  "It's not that I don't want to leave, it's just that there are still things here that haven't been done yet. Can't we just wait until next spring to go? Is it really necessary to rush at this moment?"

  Rong Bao sighed: "Something has happened in the capital again. The second prince is gone, and your mother is very sad. She wants me to come back as soon as possible."

  Hong Qian was taken aback for a moment before saying: "Mother is thinking that she can't manage the household well, so she wants to call Eldest Aunt back to take charge?"

  "What about you?"

  "Ahma isn't one who can't be controlled, she's always been one to turn a blind eye."

  This child is so young and yet can already understand this.