Chapter 286: An Intruder
Chapter 286: An Intruder
On the second day, just as the crowing of chickens broke dawn, Sun Shaozong sneaked out of the main courtyard and rushed to the door of the study with a meteor shooting along the remote alley.
Knock knock~
Coming.
Gently tapping a few times, she heard a lazy reply from Siqi inside. Shortly after, she opened the door with her hair down, allowing Sun Shaozong in.
But she marched back to the main courtyard with a fanatical gait.
Silently pushing open the door and taking small steps inside, the bead curtain rang, and Jia Yingchun nervously asked, "Who... Who's outside?
It's me.
Siqi answered and lifted the light veil curtain. She saw Yingchun and Xiuju lying side by side in the bed, their faces still flushed and sweating profusely. She thought it was just before dawn that they had another time in bed.
Seeing Siqi entering, Jia Yingchun's blushing became even more intense, and she hugged the blanket and wanted to sit up.
Siqi took a brisk step forward, pushed her back, and then, in Yingchun's surprised gaze, lifted the bedding underneath and placed a spare pillow under her body.
Just listening to her righteous words of persuasion, "Madam, don't just focus on happiness and forget the original intention of what we did.
She lifted the blanket and looked at the mess. Jia Yingchun was in an awkward mess, unsure of how to deal with it. She then heard the nearby Xiuju whispering, "Good sister, you can also help me cushion one too.
This morning, Sun Shaozong was admonished by his Big Brother to keep going,keep working hard, and give birth to a noble son early. It was only when he rode out of the mansion in a carriage that he barely gained some peace.
There were no words from him along the way.
When Sun Shaozong arrived at the government office, he was about to go to the gatehouse for the morning call. Inside the fence with wooden signs of silence and avoidance, suddenly a person flashed out and stepped in front of Sun Shaozong, bowing and saying, Lord Sun, I have been waiting here for you for a long time.
This person was dressed in a deep blue official robe, with a slender figure and cold and stern facial features. He appeared somewhat refined, but upon closer inspection, he exuded a hint of gloom. He was the proud disciple of Jia Zheng, the Land Tax Judge of the Central Judicial Office, Fu Shi.
This man has always been proud of himself as a scholar and relied on the kindness of Jia Zheng. He didnt take Sun Shaozong seriously. Even if Sun Shaozong was promoted to the position of a fifth-grade official, he still didnt take him seriously.
But now this guy was suddenly so attentive. If it weren't that the sun was coming out from the west, it would be for something else!
He said, Who is it?
Sun Shaozong secretly increased his vigilance in his heart, but his face showed a rebellious look. He raised his head slightly and pointed his nostrils at Fu Shi, saying, "It turned out to be Judge Fu. I wonder what official business you have to discuss by waiting here for me."
Due to Fu Shi's abnormal behavior, he assumed that there must be some private matter to ask for, so he specifically pointed out the word official business to block Fu Shi's mouth.
Unexpectedly, Fu Shi listened to this and looked around stealthily. However, he leaned closer and lowered his voice, saying, "Your Excellency's expectation is not bad. I have an official duty to discuss with you! It's just that it's inconvenient to speak here. Please follow me to another place.
Official business?
Did he need to be so sneaky for official business?
Sun Shaozong became increasingly suspicious, but since he said it was official business, it was better to listen to the truth before making plans.
So he went to the detention room to make his morning call first and then followed Fu Shi to a remote place near Ermen Road.
As Sun Shaozong was about to inquire, he saw another figure flickering out of the grass. He took a few steps to grab Sun Shaozong's attention and without saying a word, he bowed to the end, saying in a mournful voice, "Lord Sun, please save my struggling son.
He saw this person was tightly wrapped in a hood and cloak, revealing only two turbid eyes. At first glance, he knew he was a bit old.
After a glance at the person, Sun Shaozong's mind flashed with a flash of inspiration and he blurted out, "Are you Deputy Ma?
The day before yesterday, Sun Shaozong heard from his Big Brother that the son of Ma Chunfeng, the Left Deputy Officer of Guanglu Temple, was kidnapped by thieves during his youth outing.
As soon as this person came up, he begged Sun Shaozong to save his son. In addition, Fu Shi was also transferred from the position of Temple Chief of Guanglu Temple at the beginning, and all these aspects were intertwined, so it was not difficult to guess his identity.
Your Excellency is indeed wise as a torch, and I am Ma Chunfeng from Guanglu Temple.
As Ma Chunfeng spoke, he reached out and untied the hood, revealing a haggard old face. With a bitter smile, he said, "Because those strong men once threatened me and said if I dared to report to the government, they would immediately kill my son to vent their anger. So I had to hide myself like this.
After only hearing these words, Sun Shaozong furrowed his brow and was not in a hurry to get into trouble with Ma Chunfeng. Instead, he gave Fu Shi a sidelong glance and said, "Since there is such a saying, the fewer people handling it, the better.
This clearly meant that he was disdaining Fu Shi for being in the way.
Fu Shi's face showed a slight expression of anger, but he soon regained his composure and continued to smile. "To be honest, my younger sister is Deputy Ma's daughter-in-law, and we can't be considered outsiders with the Ma family.
Guanglu Temple was almost the lowest ranked among the six Ministries and five Temples, and the Left Deputy was only a Deputy of the fifth grade. In terms of actual power, he might not be able to catch up with the Judge of the Land Tax of the Central Judicial Office.
Therefore, when Sun Shaozong saw Fu Shi being so attentive and even showing respect to himself, he felt a bit strange. It was only now that he realized that the two families were actually related by marriage.
Even so, it would be hard to exclude him anymore.
Sun Shaozong simply ignored him and said sternly to Ma Chunfeng, "Excuse me, Deputy Ma, did you already receive letters from those thieves the night before yesterday?
How How could you know about this, Lord Sun?
Upon hearing this, Ma Chunfeng was immediately shocked. Only five or six people in his mansion knew about the letter sent by the kidnappers, and they were loyal servants who had been used for several generations. It was impossible to spread this matter to the outside world!
Since it wasn't leaked from his own family, how did Sun Shaozong learn about it?
Could it be he
The old man muttered in his heart, and when he looked at Sun Shaozong again, he showed some vigilance and hostility.
Upon seeing this, Sun Shaozong couldn't help but laugh and cry. "Youre not suspecting me to be connected to those thieves, right, Deputy Ma?
Of course not.
Ma Chunfeng immediately denied it, but then said suspiciously, "But I have never mentioned this matter to anyone else. How did Lord Sun learn about it?
Of course, it was guessed.
Sun Shaozong spread his hands and said, "Since those thieves have threatened you not to try to use the power of the government, they will surely deliver this news to your mansion as soon as possible. Otherwise, it will be a long delay. If you report the case in advance, it will only ruin their plan.
Also, during the day, there are many people around and it is difficult to escape. It is speculated that the thief brought news to your mansion during the night.
Ma Chunfeng nodded repeatedly as he listened, then dispelled the doubts in his heart.
Just as he was about to apologize, he heard Sun Shaozong say again, "And since you didn't come yesterday and only dressed up like this today to ask for my help, Im afraid that you have already paid a ransom to that gang of thieves.
It's just that those thieves have collected ransom but still refuse to let your son go, isn't it?
Exactly.
Upon seeing that it was only a few words of effort, Sun Shaozong deduced the matter to be about 80 percent. Ma Chunfeng admired it in his heart and quickly gave a deep salute, excitedly saying, "Your Excellency truly deserves the name of Divine Judgement. Now, my son can be considered saved.
Sun Shaozong dodged the ceremony and shook his head, saying, "I can only guarantee to do my best.
After a moment of hesitation, he gave Ma Chunfeng a preventive shot and said, "Forgive me for being blunt. You shouldn't have given the ransom so quickly. Those thieves are not willing to let him go according to the agreement at the moment. If they still have something to ask for, its fine. However, if they have nothing else to ask for..."
Although he only mentioned it briefly and didnt fully explain it, Ma Chunfeng was not a fool.
After a moment of contemplation, his face suddenly changed. He raised his hand and slapped himself, then stomped his chest and said, "I'm really old and confused! If there were any ups and downs with Jueer, I... I wouldn't live anymore.