General’s Mansion

Yang Haiyan looked at the letter from Qin Fang, knowing that he was safe and sound.

She finally relaxed after several days of worry. “Second Brother, thank you for taking care of Qin Fang in the capital.”

Otherwise, even entering the city gate would have required some thought.

This also showed that Qin Fang had thought of Du Xingran before he set off.

Du Xingran replied nonchalantly, “What’s there to thank? We’re all family; it’s only right to help each other. Second Sister, you should prepare; I’ll be heading back tomorrow.”

Without a male head of the household, even though he and Yang Haiyan were nominally sworn siblings, it wouldn’t be appropriate to spend too much time together.

Yang Haiyan said, “Since Second Brother has just arrived in Yunxiang County, why not stay a few more days? I’ll have my younger brother take you around, and then you can report back to the Emperor about the situation in Yunxiang County, so he knows that your trip was not in vain.”

Du Xingran immediately understood her intention and gratefully said, “Second Sister is so thoughtful.”

After all, the Emperor loved hearing about the common people’s sentiments.

At this point, Du Xingran shamelessly brought up the matter of the toothpaste and toothbrush, “Second Sister, according to Qin Brother, that toothbrush and toothpaste are particularly good. I wonder if you could spare me… one or two sets?”

He was being a bit shameless himself; while asking for two sets felt a bit awkward, he thought it wasn’t fair for him to have them while his wife didn’t.

In fact, two sets wouldn’t be enough, considering he had grandparents and a stepmother at home.

Yang Haiyan chuckled; she had a very good impression of this Du Er, who was the kind of person to be very open and warm-hearted, with a particularly lively personality. “Two sets are far from enough; let’s equip all the elders in the mansion with a set, but it will take some time.”

Whether it was making toothpaste or toothbrushes, time was indeed limited.

However, since Qin Fang was fine, it didn’t matter if Du Xingran returned to the capital a few days later.

Du Xingran was overjoyed to hear this. “Thank you, Second Sister.” In their relationship, both Qin Fang and Yang Haiyan referred to each other differently.

Qin Fang was Du Ke’s student, so Du Xingran called him “Qin Brother,” referencing his relationship with Du Ke.

Yang Haiyan, as the adopted daughter of Madame Du, was called “Second Sister” based on her relationship with Madame Du.

Yang Haiyan said, “Second Brother, you’re being too polite. By the way, I also have something I’d like to trouble you with.”

Du Xingran asked, “What is it? As long as it’s something I can do, I will certainly help.”

Seeing him say this, Yang Haiyan asked directly, “Second Brother, have you seen the Emperor? I would like a portrait of him.”

“This…” This puzzled Du Xingran. “Sister, I have seen the Emperor, but I can’t paint.”

Yang Haiyan said, “It’s not difficult; it’s enough that you’ve seen him.”

But how is that enough?

Very soon, Du Xingran would find out the answer.

The next day, after breakfast, Yang Haiyan gathered all the notable painters in Yunxiang County at the General’s Mansion.

They would create a portrait based on Du Xingran’s description.

An hour later, the portraits were finished, totaling ten in number.

Yang Haiyan took the ten portraits and asked Du Xingran, “Second Brother, which one looks the most like him?”

Du Xingran looked them over.

To be honest, none captured the Emperor’s grandeur, but he still picked out the one he thought was the best among the ten: “This one, but it’s still not quite right. For example, the eyes and the mouth…”

Yang Haiyan said, “Then let’s revise it. Second Brother, please tell the painters what needs changing until you think it’s satisfactory.”

Du Xingran replied, “Alright.”

This revision took an entire day.

By the end of the day, the painters were exhausted, but they finally managed to produce a portrait that Du Xingran found acceptable.

The day after receiving the portrait, Yang Haiyan went to the carpenter’s workshop, asking the sculptor to carve the Emperor’s face based on the portrait.

Sculpting takes time, so Yang Haiyan returned to the General’s Mansion.

At the entrance, she saw a carriage parked outside.

The person in the carriage had not gone inside; upon seeing Yang Haiyan approach, they dismounted. “I pay my respects to the County Lord.”

The visitor was Magistrate Cheng from Wang County.

This wasn’t Magistrate Cheng’s first visit; the last time he came, Yang Haiyan told him that Qin Fang wasn’t there, and he left without saying much.

This was his second visit.

Yang Haiyan politely said, “There’s no need for formalities, Magistrate Cheng. I wonder what brings you to the General’s Mansion?”

Magistrate Cheng replied, “It’s regarding the incident involving the son-in-law of Aunt Fan from your mansion, who harmed someone. Aunt Fan’s son-in-law claims he was acting on orders from General Qin, so we need an explanation from General Qin regarding this matter.”

Yang Haiyan chuckled, “Magistrate Cheng, as a dignified seventh-rank county magistrate, your words are quite amusing. Since when does a son-in-law’s word require my husband, a proper fifth-rank general, to give you an explanation? Surely, you must know that without solid evidence, one cannot demand an explanation from a superior.”

Magistrate Cheng stammered, “You….”

He did not expect a woman to be so difficult to deal with. “Well, I need to discuss something with General Qin. I hope the County Lord can grant me access.”

Yang Haiyan replied, “He has gone to Shoushan, and Magistrate Cheng can seek him out himself. As for the General’s Mansion… since my husband is not here, I, as a woman, cannot entertain guests.” With that, she walked into the mansion, saying, “Uncle Hong, close the door. If any unrelated individuals attempt to enter, feel free to treat it as an intrusion into the General’s Mansion and apprehend them. I remember last time, Grand Eunuch Chi came with a royal edict; I wonder if this visitor intends to do the same.”

Uncle Hong nodded, “Rest assured, County Lord.”

Magistrate Cheng was genuinely furious.

This County Lord Bingyun(Yang Haiyan’s title name) was incredibly difficult to handle, but he could not press too hard.

Firstly, County Lord Bingyun’s rank was higher than his.

Secondly, they were in Yunxiang County, where he had a thousand soldiers; he wouldn’t dare act recklessly.

After considering it, Magistrate Cheng decided to proceed with a third plan.

According to the higher-ups, the matters here needed to be reported.

Meanwhile, Qin Fang had been staying in a side hall of the palace for the past few days.

He remained unnoticed simply because he had not shown himself.

Moreover, not everyone had the audacity to inquire about the Emperor’s sleeping quarters, nor could everyone obtain information easily.

The Emperor had mentioned wanting to watch a play with Qin Fang, but after several days, the play still hadn’t started, and Qin Fang felt a bit homesick.

Although he had sent a letter home with Du Xingran, he remembered how Yan Yan had cried when he left, making him want to return even more.

However, Qin Fang also knew he couldn’t go back.

On this day, the Emperor held the morning court as usual.

Grand Eunuch Chi announced, “If you have matters to present, step forward; if not, please leave the court.”

At that moment, a minister stepped forward, “Your Majesty, I have a matter to report. I have heard that the Yunxiang County guard, Qin Fang, has been indulgent towards his subordinates’ son-in-law, who has been bullying others and even seriously injuring them.”

“Your Majesty, I also have something to report. I have heard that the subordinate’s son-in-law of the Yunxiang County guard, leveraging his connection with Qin Fang, threatened the grain agent of Laiwang County, the Jin family, to relinquish their position.”

“Your Majesty, this grain agency is of great significance, and Qin Fang is highly regarded by Your Majesty. To be so indulgent towards subordinates is truly…”

“Indeed, the grain agency represents the face of the imperial grain, which cannot be interfered with by a mere subordinate of Qin Fang’s family.”

“Your Majesty, I also heard that Magistrate Cheng went to the General’s Mansion to find Qin Fang regarding this matter, but Qin Fang refused to see him, claiming that a mere seventh-rank official like Cheng had no authority over a fifth-rank official like himself.”

“Your Majesty…”

In an instant, accusations against Qin Fang began to multiply.

Of course, there were also those who defended Qin Fang, such as ministers who had good relations with Du Ke. “The distance between Laiwang County and the capital is significant, so it is quite rare for the ministers to hear about such matters.”

“Indeed, it is a coincidence; just a few days ago, I received a letter from Brother Du, and knowing that Brother Du is in Hedoong Mansion, it is likely that any information received in the capital would also reach Hedoong Mansion. Given Brother Du’s character, he would naturally not allow Qin Fang to act recklessly.”

“Right, right! Why not leave this matter for Brother Du to investigate?”

Having Du Ke investigate?

That would imply dismissing Qin Fang from his post!

Therefore, the faction aligned with the imperial concubine naturally objected.

Someone then stated, “Lord Du is no longer in Hedoong Mansion.”

“Indeed, even if Lord Du were still in Hedoong Mansion, considering his relationship with Qin Fang, it would not be suitable for him to investigate this matter.”

“Lord Du is burdened with such significant responsibilities regarding the imperial grain project; how could he be distracted by other issues?”

“Indeed, Lord Du…”

At this moment, the court was abuzz with discussions.

Normally, such minor matters would not be brought up in court, especially during the morning assembly.

However, the subject of the matter was not ordinary; he was a student of Du Ke!

After much debate, seeing that the Emperor had remained silent, everyone turned their attention toward him.

“Your Majesty, what do you think?”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow: “I think it would be best to ask the person involved. Bring in the Yunxiang County General, Qin Fang.”

As the Emperor’s words fell, the ministers were taken aback.

Qin Fang had entered the capital?

“Bring in the Yunxiang County General, Qin Fang.”

Qin Fang ascended the Golden Throne Hall.

It must be said that Qin Fang’s stature was among the tallest in the entire Golden Throne Hall.

His expression was stern, and he walked in with steady steps.

Unlike the rustic man who had entered the palace a few days ago, Qin Fang had spent a few days with the Emperor and was no longer so afraid of him.

Moreover, since the Emperor had invited him to watch a play, he felt even less anxious.

Before meeting Qin Fang, many were curious about him, especially his identity as a student of Du Ke.

However, upon seeing him, they felt somewhat disappointed, as they could find nothing particularly special about Qin Fang, aside from his height.

“I am Qin Fang, here to see the Emperor,” he stated.

The Emperor nodded, “No need for formalities.”

He then addressed the other ministers, “Weren’t you all discussing this matter with great interest? Now that the main character is here, you can ask him your questions.”

Qin Fang stood up and looked towards the surrounding ministers: “I wonder what questions the esteemed ministers have for me? I will certainly answer truthfully.”