bestfiction Chapter 252 Longing
Chapter 252 Longing
Wen Zongji left Beijing in March and did not return until mid-June.
Having been away from the capital for more than three months, Wen Zongji took a deep breath as he sat in the carriage watching the people coming and going at the city gate.
Despite the same prosperity, the capital city is ultimately different from the Jiangnan region.
He went home!
Yunguangyuan
"Wipe this area again."
"Here, and here, let's replace them with fresh flowers."
Granny Feng walked around, directing the servants to manage the courtyard.
Qinghe and the other maids were also busy. They took out the bedding from the side room to air it out so that Wen Zongji wouldn't be uncomfortable while sleeping.
Seeing this, Granny Feng leaned close to Pei Rujing and whispered, "Princess, your husband has been away from the capital for over three months. Are you still going to sleep in separate rooms from him?"
Pei Rujing certainly didn't want to, but she couldn't bring it up, so she stubbornly replied, "Of course."
Granny Feng could tell that she was not being sincere, so she shook her head and didn't try to persuade her any further.
Pei Rujing looked up at the courtyard gate: "Why aren't we here yet?"
Wen Zongji had already sent word back that he would arrive in the capital today.
Granny Feng said, "The young master was ordered to go out of the capital for an inspection. After returning to the capital, he should first go to the palace to report to the Crown Prince."
Pei Rujing suddenly realized, "I forgot about that."
……
Wenyuan Pavilion
Wen Zongji entered the Wenyuan Pavilion, and before he could even see the Crown Prince, he ran into Han Shize.
"This humble official pays his respects to Grand Secretary Han."
Han Shize raised his hand: "No need for formalities. You must be tired from your trip to Tongzhou."
"To receive the emperor's bounty and to share his burdens is my duty, and I dare not complain."
"If all officials in the world were as loyal as you, the Emperor wouldn't be so enraged... Would you be interested in gaining experience at the Ministry of Rites? Your father is also there, so you'd have someone to look after you."
Han Shize is the Minister of Rites. Although he is busy with cabinet affairs, Wen Chuanhong now handles most of the affairs of the Ministry of Rites.
However, Han Shize still had his heart set on the Ministry of Rites. Every government department would want a talent like Wen Zongji, and Han Shize wanted to arrange for Wen Zongji to be placed in the Ministry of Rites.
Unfortunately, the cabinet members each had their own agendas, and Han Shize couldn't find anyone to support him.
Wen Zongji cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your kindness, Grand Secretary Han. I will follow the arrangements of His Majesty and the Crown Prince."
Han Shize smiled and didn't make things difficult for him: "You're right."
Then he left.
Wen Zongji then went to the side hall to see the Crown Prince.
When the Crown Prince saw him enter, he put down the memorial in his hand, stood up, and said with a smile, "You must be tired from your journey."
Wen Zongji said, "I am fortunate that I have not failed in my mission."
The Crown Prince laughed heartily: "You've not only fulfilled your mission, you've given me a wonderful surprise. Father is furious about what happened in Tongzhou, and the entire Jiangnan region will be investigated."
Wen Zongji was not surprised: "No one knows how many accomplices Huang Yecai has, so we really need to investigate thoroughly."
"Furthermore, because of the Tongzhou incident, Father Emperor is very disappointed with the Provincial Surveillance Commission. The Provincial Surveillance Commission bears the greatest fault for the Tongzhou incident to have reached this point."
"My father intends to grant local branches the power to independently issue local official gazettes, so that by controlling local public opinion, they can understand everything in the local area and become the eyes of the court in the localities."
Wen Zongji was stunned.
He never expected that Emperor Shun'an would have such thoughts because of the Tongzhou incident.
"Is it legitimate or...?"
The Crown Prince looked at him and said, "He and the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner are one in the open and one in the shadows
In other words, it cannot be made public.
On the surface, the Imperial Gazette Bureau was still only responsible for issuing official gazettes, but in secret, it was collecting intelligence from all over the Great Chu, so that Emperor Shun'an could learn about everything below without leaving the capital.
Good guy.
A perfectly good newspaper has turned into a spy agency.
But then I thought about how those spies in my past life liked to use newspapers to transmit messages, and it seemed quite normal.
Wen Zongji said, "That's not difficult. I've inspected several branch offices and found that they are all consciously cultivating informants. Although it's to understand public opinion, there's a silver lining to it, and it can also be used to gather intelligence."
"But as a result, the Beijing Gazette Bureau becomes extremely important, and from now on, only trusted confidants can be appointed as its chief editor."
The Crown Prince nodded: "That's what I think too. You'll have to stay in this position for a while until a suitable replacement is found. Also, regarding Xie Zixing's family, I've investigated Zhengyang Money Shop based on the clues you gave me. It was indeed them who did it, with the aim of blackmailing Huang Yecai."
"It is good that Lord Xie's injustice has been redressed."
The crown prince, hands behind his back, looked out of the hall: "The Xie family is now completely deserted. Is this belated justice still justice?"
Wen Zongji was silent for a moment, then said, "It's still better than being slandered for the rest of your life."
For the parties involved, justice delayed is no justice at all.
But for those who are alive, it is essential to find out the truth.
We can't just think it's useless and then give up on pursuing the truth.
"That's true."
The Crown Prince smiled and said, "Your cousin should be waiting for you, so I won't keep you any longer. You must be tired after traveling for months. Rest well at the manor for a few days."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."
After leaving the palace, Wen Zongji took a carriage back to the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence.
Pei Rujing, who had been staring at the courtyard gate, immediately stood up when she saw Wen Zongji appear and stood under the corridor watching him gradually approach.
Pei Rujing wore a pale yellow gauze dress, her long hair tied back with a hairband, and her face was free of makeup, yet she was still breathtakingly beautiful.
Wen Zongji strode up to Pei Rujing and, without giving her a chance to speak, bent down and hugged her: "My wife, I'm back."
Pei Rujing was stunned for only a moment before hugging Wen Zongji back.
My heart, which had been pounding with anxiety, instantly calmed down.
Pei Rujing missed Wen Zongji for as long as he was gone.
I miss you so much!
Wen Zongji held Pei Rujing tightly, frankly admitting his longing: "I always dream about my wife at night, about our past time together, about you complaining that I haven't come back for a long time, and..."
Wen Zongji expressed his longing.
Pei Rujing was both delighted and touched, and smiled, "If you don't come back soon, I'll really blame you. You were the one who said you were going to pursue me, but you haven't been seen for months, and you couldn't even make it back for my birthday."
"It's all my fault."
Wen Zongji released Pei Rujing, put his arm around her and walked into the room. He turned to look at Granny Feng and said, "Granny, is there any food in the kitchen? Just bring some over. I've been rushing along the way and haven't had a proper meal. Also, make some extra for the guards who accompanied me on this trip. We've been very grateful to them along the way."
"This old servant will make the arrangements immediately."
Pei Rujing added, "Each person will be rewarded with ten taels of silver!"
Wen Zongji smiled and complimented, "Your Excellency is very generous."
Pei Rujing rolled her eyes at him, pushed him away, and said, "Go take a bath, you smell terrible."
I smelled it when I was holding him, but I was too emotional to notice.
Now that I've calmed down, I can't stand it anymore.
Wen Zongji lowered his head and sniffed the air, then immediately stood up: "Prepare hot water!"
He needs to take a good bath!
Pei Rujing was amused by him.