Chapter 309: 168 Tricky Little Couple (Second Update)_3

On the other side, the Marquis of Xuanping also encountered his first blow after returning to the capital.

Everyone knows that salt trade and mining are lucrative businesses.

It wasn’t easy for the Marquis of Xuanping’s subordinates to secure a mining claim. However, just when they were about to start mining, someone petitioned, accusing a vassal of the Marquis of Xuanping of immoral conduct, exploiting the locals, and bullying women of good families.

Presented with irrefutable evidence, the Emperor dismissed the crooked official immediately.

The official was recommended by the Marquis of Xuanping, and according to the current dynasty’s system of collective punishment, if the recommended official makes a mistake, the one who recommended him must also be punished.

How to punish?

It can’t simply be a scolding like before.

So, the Emperor reclaimed the mining rights and handed them over to someone else.

The Marquis of Xuanping gritted his teeth, which was damn painful!

After leaving the court, the Marquis of Xuanping stopped the old man ahead and said with a teasing smile, “Prime Minister Zhuang, was this your doing?”

Prime Minister Zhuang turned around, gave him a cold glance, and sneered, “You have yourself to blame. Are you suggesting I’m the only one who finds you disagreeable? Perhaps you should reflect on your many offenses.”

The Marquis of Xuanping, with his hands tucked inside his hand warmer, retorted, “Why deny what you’ve done? I detest you scholarly types who do dishonorable things but don’t have the balls to admit it.”

“Marquis of Xuanping!” Prime Minister Zhuang was choked by the unmentionable crude words, “This is the imperial palace, the Jinluan Hall. Mind your language!”

The Marquis of Xuanping gave him an indifferent look and walked away with a cold smile.

The Marquis of Xuanping got into his carriage, “What happened? I just got back, and he’s already making my life difficult?”

The personal guard replied, “It seems… It’s related to the issue with Zheng Siye a while back. Zheng Siye was about to become the ceremonial wine master of Guozijian, but news of his misconduct at Guozijian then got out, followed by the circulation of a bribe book from a few years ago, which eventually ended up in the hands of the Emperor. The Emperor has temporarily put the conferring matter on hold.”

The Marquis of Xuanping narrowed his eyes, “So, he thinks I was behind it?”

The personal guard fell silent.

“Do I need to deal with a lowly officer?” The Marquis of Xuanping removed his hand from the warmer, picked up a piece of dim sum on the table and said, “Chang Jing, I’ve been played.”

Outside the carriage, Chang Jing bowed, “I’ll kill him for you!”

The Marquis of Xuanping threw the dim sum back into the plate, “Boring!”

Chang Jing felt wronged.

Marquis of Xuanping softened his tone, coaxing him like a child, “Why don’t you find out who that guy is first? Who’s trying to screw me over behind my back?”

“Oh.” Chang Jing went to investigate.

As a result, the biggest suspect turned out to be a student at Guozijian.

Marquis of Xuanping was puzzled, “Why is it Guozijian again? Do I have a grudge against Guozijian?”

“Actually…” Liu the housekeeper cleared his throat, “There’s something I haven’t told you.”

“What is it?” the Marquis of Xuanping asked.

Liu the housekeeper: “The young master who refused to acknowledge you, he is also a student at Guozijian.”

Marquis of Xuanping: “…”

…

On New Year’s Eve, Gu Jiao got up early.

The medicine in the first-aid kit was very effective. In just two days, all the scrapes and bruises on her body had disappeared, and she was able to move around again.

This was their first New Year’s Eve in the capital, and it was also the birth anniversary of Xiao Liulang and Xiao Jingkong.

She took it to heart.

First, she went to the front yard and selected two thick and robust bamboo stalks to make firecrackers.

This dynasty didn’t have gunpowder yet, so the so-called firecrackers were simply bamboo stalks thrown into a fire. The bamboo would produce a crackling sound, making the atmosphere lively.

After making the firecrackers, she prepared breakfast.

There were dumplings prepared by the old ceremonial wine master in the cupboard, ones with lamb stuffing, ones with cabbage and pork, and ones with chives and corn. She cooked a little of each. Xiao Jingkong had some too; his were filled with preserved vegetables and faux meat.

The family gradually got up.

Xiao Jingkong was the first to find Gu Jiao in the kitchen.

“Jiaojiao.” Xiao Jingkong hugged her legs, rubbing his little head against her soft belly.

Gu Jiao tickled and laughed, resisting the urge to scratch, “Go call your granduncle over for dumplings.”

“Mmm!” Xiao Jingkong is a good and obedient boy. He rushed next door to bring the elderly ceremonial wine master over promptly.

Fen Lin and Lin Chengye also arrived soon.

Gu Jiao had already invited them. It was their first New Year in the capital, and it would have been an unfamiliar experience if it weren’t for Gu Jiao’s invitation.

As soon as they entered the house, they felt as though they were home, and their bodies relaxed.

As Xiao Liulang heard the two of them arrive and was about to greet them, he saw Fen Lin whizz past him: “Mother Jiao! I’m here——”

Lin Chengye: “Me too, I’m here——”

The blatantly ignored Xiao Liulang: “…”