Chapter 97 Part 4: Magistrate
Ye Ming Yu still wanted to make trouble but was stopped by Ye Ming Hui’s hands. Ye Ming Hui was the Ye family’s head and had been calmer than others from the start. He cupped his hands in greetings towards the officials and said: “Since the officials are handling affairs, it’s fine for us to make a trip. Please let me instruct my family members for a while.”
He first looked at Jiang Li and said: “At first thinking of bringing you to see the old madam but this matter came up halfway. Ah Li, could only ask you to wait a little bit more.”
“It’s fine.” Jiang Li said with a smile.
He once again looked at Ye Ming Yu and said: “Ming Yu, you don’t care about the family’s business, then just protect the family carefully, ok?! Whatever happens in Li Zheng Tang, just hand it over to Jia Er and Ru Feng to handle. This time is also a good opportunity to tamper the brother and sister. As for Ming Xuan and I, don’t tell the old madam that we are going to see Magistrate Tong. Remember.”
Zhuo-shi looked at the official: “Sir official, this….. My older brother and husband, when can they return?”
“I can’t answer this question.” The official asked Ye Ming Hui: “Eldest master Ye, have you instructed clearly? Let’s go when you are done.”
Ye Ming Hui no longer said anything. He just consoled both Guan-shi and Zhao-shi a bit, a.s.sured them that both Ye Ming Xuan and him would return quickly then left with the officials.
After the government officials walked out, for a time, the Ye family members were at a loss.
This came so suddenly, n.o.body could antic.i.p.ate this. Ye Jia Er mumbled: “My father and eldest uncle……. They should be fine, right?!”
“They are fine.” Jiang Li comforted her: “Uncle Ming Hui already said they would return quickly.”
“No.” Ye Jia Er shook her head, “Eldest uncle has never said these words before. Even more unlikely to instruct anything. Today he specially instructed Ru Feng and I to handle Li Zheng Tang’s affairs……. He has already sensed that he will not come back so quickly……. He has this premonition.”
This was also true, the words said by Ye Ming Hui after, the arrangements in his words, seemed that he’s certain that he could not return to the Ye house for the time being.
“What is actually happening here?” Zhuo-shi said: “Without rhyme or reason, why did Magistrate Tong call to the door?”
Although n.o.body knew what actually happened, being picked up by officials at home, no matter how you looked at it, wasn’t a good thing. In any case, it must not be Magistrate Tong inviting them to drink tea and chat.
“It must be about the ancient fragrant satin.” Ye Ru Feng clenched his teeth, “the ready-made clothes shops suppressed it before, and the people who met with mishap when putting on the ancient fragrant satin were not a lot. But now……. Other ready-made clothes shops no longer have transactions with Li Zheng Tang. Sooner or later, the thing about ancient fragrant satin will circulate and when the common people become aware of this, it’s unlikely that they will leave the matter at that. In order to calm the common people, the magistrate will certainly attack the Ye family.”
Jiang Li sat up and took notice of Ye Ru Feng this time. She thought Ye Ru Feng was rather childish, straightforward and impulsive. Also liked to show anger on his face, unlike Ye Shijie’s intelligence. Now it seemed that Ye Ru Feng was also someone with a clear mind, able to tell the ins and outs of things at a glance.
The three grandchildren of the Ye family were not a mediocre generation at all. Ye Shijie had an outstanding talent and learning, having quite a skill as a government official. Ye Jia Er was generous and steady, calm in any public setting. Ye Ru Feng was also quite bright. As such, it’s improbable for the Ye family to suffer a defeat. It’s the right choice to have the Ye family as a backing.
“Older brother is right.” Jiang Li said: “I also guessed that it’s due to Li Zheng Tang’s affairs.”
Ye Ru Feng harrumphed.
“But this Magistrate Tong, is his name Tong Zhi Yang?”
“How do you know?” asked Ye Ming Yu. Jiang Li was a young lady from Yanjing and had never been to Xiangyang. Knowing the name of the magistrate in Xiangyang indeed made people have different thoughts.
“He has a brother-in-law,” Jiang Li smiled and said: “serving as a Zhong Guan Ling in Yanjing.”
“What does a Zhong Guan Ling do?” The Ye family was a merchant family, not very clear with the positions in government official
“He’a person responsible in minting money.” Jiang Li explained.
Only then did the Ye family understand. Ye Ming Yu said: “Didn’t expect you to even know his brother-in-law. Ah Li, Tong Zhi Yang should not be a high ranking official, right?!”
“He’s not.” Jiang Li said with a smile: “In the Jiang family, you will inevitably hear a bit.”
She secretly thought, Tong Zhi Yang had a brother-in-law serving as a Zhong Guan Ling, the most significant point was that this brother-in-law was the Right Prime Minister’s person and walked very close with Li Lian.
In the final a.n.a.lysis, Tong Zhi Yang could be said as the person under the Right Prime Minister.
……
In a courtyard in Xiangyang, a person was talking inside the room.
“Master, Tong Zhi Yang has moved.” Lu Ji said.
Ji Heng was sitting on a chair and looking at a scroll. When he heard, he paused before saying: “It’s a bit early.”
“This subordinate also thinks that it’s a bit early.” Lu Ji gently stroked his beard, “It’s said that they directly rushed into the Ye family’s front hall and captured the people, the movement was not small at all. Now the matters can no longer be concealed, the entire Xiangyang already knows.”
“It’s no surprise.” Ji Heng laughed: “Doing it to show Li Lian, the movement must not be small.”
“Heard that Jiang second miss was also present.” Lu Ji said: “But Jiang second miss did not move. Probably, Jiang second miss could not interfere in the project this time, no trouble will come up.” At first, according to common sense, Jiang Li definitely could not intervene, there’s no way of overcoming the crisis. But from beginning to now, Jiang Li managed to smash the plans several times. Lu Ji also didn’t dare to be so sure, Jiang second miss must not be regarded like other ordinary people.
“Not necessarily,” Ji Heng smiled, his eyes roaming clearly. He put the scroll in his hand to one side, “can’t underestimate her.”
“Very much don’t dare to underestimate her.” Lu Ji smiled and said: “But this thing of the Ye family, Li Lian has begun to plan and prepare since long ago. Now Ye Ming Hui and Ye Ming Xuan are not there, the Ye family is just like loose sand. That Ye Ming Yu cannot do much. If the problems occurring with the ancient fragrant satin spread, Li Zheng Tang can’t be kept. In the next step, the Ye family will be forced to a stage where they have nowhere to go and so the Li family’s opportunity arrives.”
“Lu Ji, don’t treat people as idiots.” Ji Heng lightly shook the folding fan in his hand. Along with the movement of his hand, the peony golden threads bloomed and flowed, casting a large flickering shadow.
“The Li family’s plan wasn’t flawless, it’s not necessarily that n.o.body would think of it.”
“The play has not yet sung to the end, don’t dare to say that it’s brilliant.” He smiled softly.