Chapter 430: Chapter 429: Some Must Be Sacrificed, Even the Innocent
Unexpectedly, after the medicine took effect, there was complete silence from the Shen Family.
Having been humiliated like that, it really shouldn’t have been the case.
Shen Hua felt a vague unease. She waited several days, but no one came knocking at the door.
The girl simply didn’t care and began to immerse herself in busyness, having no leisure time at all. Although she couldn’t figure out Shen Qu’s intentions, the exhibition was right in front of her, and she had no time to care about anything else.
She sat with a proper posture, her profile serene and delicately beautiful, her fingers embroidering stitch by stitch. After a long time, her eyes would hurt, so she would walk slowly to the window to stand for a while, feeling the soreness in her eyes.
Day after day. To hurry the work, Shen Hua did not even leave her room.
Needless to say, Shen Hua was naturally uneasy about the old embroiderer’s situation. As she was finishing up, she rubbed her sore wrists.
"It has been over two months since returning from Hengzhou."
Shen Hua said faintly, "I wonder whether your master has married the Prefect’s daughter."
Yingwu shuddered and hurriedly said.
"Of course not."
Shen Hua looked at Yingwu: "According to the days, his letter should have been received the day before."
Yingwu dared not meet Shen Hua’s eyes, her gaze drifting away.
Seeing her like this, Shen Hua’s expression softened: "Speak."
Yingwu dared not hide anything any longer.
"That mine collapsed. Many people were killed."
"You can’t wrap fire in paper, this matter has completely spread, and has also reached the official’s ears."
A mine! Why wasn’t it reported?
What was the intent behind secret mining!
Just a few days before, Xie Xun presented Zhou Zhangping’s cause of death, all pointing towards Crown Prince Ji Zhui. However, Cui Yun’s urgent letter directly named Ji Wang.
How could Emperor He not be furious?
He never doubted the evidence laid before his eyes.
Only mad suspicions, Ji Wang and Ji Zhui had always been at odds, but with interest set before them, if they cooperated...
Could it be they were planning to stage a coup?
If the two of them joined forces, the odds of success would undoubtedly be large.
Beasts!
If it weren’t for the mine disaster, Cui Yun would likely have achieved nothing in Hengzhou!
It shows how formidable Ji Wang is!
Because of this, Emperor He was infuriated to the point of having a heart attack, Prince Gong fanned the flames again and again, the Imperial Censorate’s writings were sharp and clear, and the court discussions were endless, filled with nothing but curses.
Looking at Ji Wang and Ji Zhui again, one feels they both reveal nervousness.
He has other sons!
Why should he keep these two and leave troubles for himself?
What if Ji Ge is no good?
At any rate, he’s a coward! He wouldn’t dare scheme against him. Nor would he dare to covet the throne.
Thus, these past few days, his attitude towards Ji Ge visibly changed.
He also blocked Cui Yun’s request to return to Shengjing, sending Little General Jin along with great authority, ordering him to thoroughly investigate the matter with Cui Yun.
And so, Shen Hua these days stayed behind closed doors and did not step outside, receiving not a sliver of news.
"All the officials of Hengzhou, pressed into prison."
"The identities of the deceased under the rubble also match up one by one with those who disappeared in Hengzhou. Hengzhou is in complete chaos, with countless rioters swarming and causing a great uproar."
"Your master must have been so busy these past few days that he couldn’t even close his eyes to sleep."
Shen Hua pondered thoughtfully, but she headed outside, and as she crossed the threshold, she asked.
"A perfectly good mine collapsed just like that?"
Yingwu felt guilty.
"It was your Marquis who blew it up, wasn’t it?"
Shen Hua asked in a low voice without showing emotion: "How many died?"
Without waiting for Yingwu’s response, she no longer wished to listen: "No need to tell me."
The mine had long since become a grave of skeletons. The means might be cruel, but isn’t it a thorough end and liberation?
The people in the mine had already been tormented to the point of losing their humanity. Rather than struggling to live in the dark, it’s better to give those people a quick end.
Only such a big commotion, with the deep-seated grievances of the people, would force the pretentious Emperor to open one eye and close the other, instead of protecting the interests.
But after all, these were living human lives.
One cannot think too much about it.
It’s impossible to judge who is right or wrong.
Only by changing the dynasty and ushering in a New Emperor can Da Qi be reborn.
Isn’t the uprising just the dissatisfaction of the people in Hengzhou towards Da Qi?
Some must sacrifice, even if they are innocent.
However...
The time for assisting Ji Teng to ascend the throne is not far away.
"Review the embroidery; this peony here is still not correct. Follow the design."
Aunt Sun’s voice could be heard from a distance.
Approaching, Shen Hua saw about twenty embroidery ladies sitting in the hall, with Aunt Sun walking back and forth, stopping occasionally to give a few pointers.
"Consider the texture of the threads, the depth and layering, the colors, the light and shade; all these details are important."
"Use thicker and finer threads for the plump petals, choose thinner and sparser ones for the delicate petals. This is all knowledge."
Shen Hua entered alone and casually took a seat in front of a stretcher. She looked around; everyone was listening attentively.
When Aunt Sun saw Shen Hua, she didn’t stop but continued her incessant chatter.
After listening for a while, Shen Hua said to an embroidery lady nearby of similar age, "Quite nagging, isn’t she?"
The embroidery ladies had not seen Shen Hua’s face. After all, Hengzhou was not her territory, and she did not want to cause trouble or bring issues to Cui Yun, knowing that the rich children were arrogant and indulgent. Thus, she saw that the embroidery ladies all wore veils to cover their faces.
So, nobody recognized her.
"Manager Sun doesn’t like embroidery ladies who are late; you’ve missed two hours, so it seems you would be penalized."
"Are you a new embroidery lady? I’ve been here for two months and this is the first time I’ve seen you."
Shen Hua smiled without a word.
She just asked, "How do you find the work here?"
"Manager Sun spends two hours every day teaching us everything, no secrets held back."
The embroidery lady said, "The meals here are also excellent."
She lowered her voice, "It’s just that the lady of the house is quite pitiable."
Shen Hua: ??? Hmm?
She held her breath and imitated the other’s tone, "Why do you say that?"
"She hasn’t left her room for two months."
"Whenever that Miss Zheng comes over, her voice is so loud; we can hear her clearly over here. Eight out of ten sentences are advising the lady to choose a good suitor, saying that a young man who doesn’t come home is no good. It seems she’s separated from her lover and is healing in her room."
"I’m just chatting with you, don’t spread it around."
I already know, thank you.
Shen Hua, feeling gloomy, leaned on the stretcher. She took out a small pouch and saw the other’s uneasiness. The girl kindly grabbed a handful of peanuts and passed them over.
The person instinctively went to take them, but quickly startled: "Don’t eat now, Manager Sun just glanced over here."
"Yangyang." Manager Sun called out.
Shen Hua crisply responded, "Yes?"
Manager Sun: "How is your embroidery coming along?"
"I estimate it’ll take a few more days to complete."
Manager Sun had a sense of the progress in her mind.
"Zhang Xiu."
The person beside Shen Hua jolted into action and stood up.
"Here."
Shopkeeper Sun: "Don’t whisper with her. Once you start chatting, that girl might get carried away."
Zhang Xiu quickly replied, "Yes."
As she spoke, she moved her chair, trying to distance herself from the girl.
Shen Hua coldly snorted, "Hmph!"
"If you’re afraid I’ll disturb others, why not punish me to face the wall and reflect on my actions?"
Everyone looked over.
Beautiful and with no small temper!
The serious Manager Sun said, "I wouldn’t dare."
With that, she walked out.
"Since you’re free today, I’ll leave this side to you. This old body of mine could use a break; I’ll go next door and have a look."
Shen Hua watched with disbelief, her eyes wide.
Manager Sun turned back to admonish, "Teach them well."