Chapter 384
The emperor secretly shook his head and asked, “How much silver did Qin Zhun give before and after these days?”
Yuan Minggang replied, “Half a million silver.”
As the words fell there was another thunderbolt in the sky, the huge lightning illuminated the dark sky in a flash, as well as the emperor’s face, reflecting his bright eyes, looking like a deity.
The emperor seemed to be talking to himself. “Feng Zicheng has been suffering from heart disease for the past six months, and it is getting worse. He was now old. The hole in Changying Treasury must be filled before then…”
“Are they expecting Qin Zhun to sell his family fortune to fill the hole…”
“But I’m afraid, Marquis’s wealth is unexpectedly almost hollowed out.”
There was a hint of mockery in the emperor’s tone.
The emperor had long known that Qin Zhun was transferred to Taipusu but did not stop him or make excuses to dismiss Qin Zhun, instead, he let him do whatever he wants and watched his stupidity drown him little by little, until now.
In honor of the late Marquis, the emperor gave Qin Zhun many chances but he let him down time and time again. He was only thinking about rare goods and achievements he could get from the dragon, without considering whether he had that ability.
But even though he was literally asking for his death, and as stupid as he was the emperor was still merciful, and did not want to see Qin Zhun lose his way and end up risking his life. This leniency was all because of the late Marquis.
Meanwhile, the smart Yuan Minggang couldn’t help but think that this Qin Zhun was only enjoying the shade his ancestors plant for future generations. If it wasn’t for the late Marquis and the emperor honoring the later Marquis, Qin Zhun would probably bring disaster to everyone.
Recalling something, Yuan Minggang reported again. “Old Madam Qin visited Hulu Lane today and advised the young Qin to leave Qin Zhun’s affairs alone.”
The emperor raised his eyebrows in surprise but didn’t say anything, only thinking that he could talk to the empress later.
“Zhou Xin,” the emperor called out to Zhou Xin who was standing on the side, “pass my oral order, this case will be investigated by Dali Temple first, before the three division starts their own investigation.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Zhou Xin hastily answered and retreated with Yuan Minggang.
“Rumble…” The thunder sounded more intense and louder as if shaking heaven with its continuous thunder.
Not only Qin Zhun but also half of the officials from Taipusu were jailed this time, involving a wide range of people.
In the court hall, government officials have been talking about it for several days, while some officials who once worked in Taipusu were worried that it would be their turn next.
Qin Jiu also soon heard about Qin Zhun’s imprisonment, but she heard it from Madam Su’s mouth.
“….this is the third day, the Dali Temple has neither released nor opened the hall.”
“Your third uncle and fourth uncle also asked around for news, but they ran into walls everywhere.”
Madam Su’s said as she keeps on wiping the tears and snot with her handkerchief, overflowing from the corner of her eyes that was already swollen red.
Qin Jiu and Qin Zening exchanged glances. When Old Madam Qin visited them the day before yesterday, they had already guessed that Qin Zhun had committed a serious crime, however, they did not expect Qin Zhun to be imprisoned so soon.
It feels as if Qin Zhun had been targeted long ago, Qin Jiu thought as she stroked her chin.
Meanwhile, Qin Zeyu didn’t even know that Old Madam Qin visited them, so he was dumbfounded when he heard that Qin Zhun was imprisoned.
He couldn’t help but recall that previously Qin Zhun sold a lot of family properties to his sister. And this rare moment where he became astute, Qin Zeyu thought: Could it be that the second uncle committed something related to money? Wasn’t it often said in storybooks that those gamblers first empty their homes for gambling, then sell their sons and daughters, then take risks…finally, the ending was bleak.
Seeing that no one spoke, Madam Su continued crying. “Your grandmother was so worried that she couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep at night, and was suddenly ill. Originally, she wanted to come along today, but knowing she’s sick, I insisted on stopping her.”
“Ning’er your second uncle has just been transferred to Taipusu, but he was still arrested for what his predecessors committed. He was wronged.”
“You can’t write “Qin” into two characters, even if we are separated, we are still a family. If something happens to your second uncle, it will also affect you.” Madam Su said a lot of things, both soft and hard words.
Madam Su didn’t want to come and seek help from the eldest house either, but she really has no other choice.
The day before yesterday, after Qin Zhun was taken away by the officials from Dali Temple, Old Madam Qin seemed to have accepted what happened and no matter what she said, Old Madam Qin refused to say a word, so Madam Su could only think of a way to get help by herself.
The first thing she did was go back to her mother’s house to inquire about the news and also to seek help but her mother’s side was still angry at Qin Zhun because of Su Xiyang’s incident while several of her brothers were indifferent and said that there was nothing they could do and kicked her out.
Madam Su could only kneel outside the mansion and begged for half a day, and since it was still her maternal home, they finally let her in again. Her eldest brother said, “The emperor is determined to investigate the Taipusu incident. It is useless to plead for mercy. The only way to get Qin Zhun out is to fill the money back.”
So, after returning home, Madam Su rushed to collect the money but found that there was not much money in the mansion, and even a lot of the properties were missing so she had to go to prison to find Qin Zhun. After repeatedly questioning him, Qin Zhun told her about the previous fundraising for the second prince. As for raising money, he told her to find the eldest family.
And this was now, Madam Su bit the bullet and came to their door today.
“I managed to get to see your second uncle yesterday… your second uncle has suffered big this time. In just a few days, he lost a lot of weight and is extremely haggard.” Madam Su sounded really distressed as tears keeps on falling while she talk, so much that she needed to get another handkerchief that was handed by her maidservant to wipe her tears again.
“We can redeem your second uncle with some money, but the family really can’t raise any money for now.”
“As you all know, your second uncle spent a lot of money….. to help suppress the bandits in Jinzhou a while ago, he did it for the country and the people, and even more so for the Qin family.”
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