sbdcsierra Chapter 239 Rumors
Chapter 239 Rumors
Within half an hour, Qiaoqiao learned that Cheng Mao and Lin Chuqi were both alright, and she couldn't stop smiling with joy. After Cheng Mao was able to get out of bed and move around, the two went to stay at a nearby inn.
The door was closed tightly, and Qiaoqiao immediately whispered to Cheng Mao, "Brother Cheng, I heard something bad today. Brother Yun... how long have you been by Brother Yun's side?"
Cheng Mao didn't know why she asked this, but he still honestly told her, "I have been following His Highness for five or six years."
"Then you must know, right!"
"……what?"
Qiaoqiao revealed the secret she had overheard that day: Chu Yunchuan, impersonating Gu Yan, colluded with the Northern Di to frame the Gu family. Cheng Mao listened and then sighed heavily, hesitating to speak, clearly knowing the inside story as well.
"Brother Cheng, is this all true?" Qiaoqiao pressed. "Tell me if it's true or not. If it's false, the rumors will fall apart on their own. If it's true, we need to stop Baishitong from spreading this."
Cheng Mao was taken aback: "You...you don't dislike His Highness?"
Qiaoqiao said seriously, "I don't believe what other people say about Brother Yun. I only believe what I see in Brother Yun. Brother Yun is very good to my sister, and he is also very good to me and Chuqi. This is now, and it was also true before in the Xuanping Marquis's mansion."
Cheng Mao was relieved to see that Qiaoqiao's expression seemed genuine.
The next morning, the two went to the government office.
These secrets shouldn't be known to outsiders, so Qiaoqiao first banged on the door to file a complaint, intending to sue Baishitong for taking money and not doing his job, and to make things difficult for them first.
A constable quickly appeared and shouted, "Who's beating the drum!"
"It's me!" Qiaoqiao shouted, "That know-it-all from the south of the city is cheating people out of their money!"
"Write a complaint and hand it in, then go home and wait."
"Your Majesty! Wait a minute!" Qiaoqiao stopped the bailiff who was about to leave. "I'm in a hurry. Can we confront each other in court today?"
The yamen runner waved his hand: "No, settling the refugees is the top priority right now. The governor said that all other minor cases must be postponed."
“…That makes sense, but my matter is also very important.” Qiaoqiao stammered, “I…I know Prince Jing, and I also know Lord Wei. Could you do me a favor?”
"Oh, you know quite a few people." The constable said nonchalantly, "Coincidentally, I know the Emperor. I'll let him know and have him help you get the money."
Qiaoqiao: "..."
Cheng Mao comforted him, "Let's go find His Highness."
"Brother Cheng, are you feeling alright?"
"I've practiced martial arts since I was a child, so this injury is nothing. Your Highness's matter is more important."
Qiaoqiao glanced towards Wuxian in the west and bit her lip slightly: "...Then we have no choice but to accept it."
The secret was spread widely the next day.
Soon, the streets and alleys of Ningzhou were abuzz with discussion about the matter—the third son of the Marquis of Xuanping tearfully accused Prince Jing of impersonating him, plotting and scheming within his household, and colluding with foreign enemies to unjustly kill the entire Gu family. The rumors were so detailed and convincing that no one could help but believe them.
Most of the crowd was outraged. Although General Gu Feng deserved his punishment, Prince Jing's methods were illegitimate and unjustified, and he had not even extended the punishment to his family. Not only was he ruthless, but he also colluded with the Northern Di to settle personal scores, which was truly unacceptable. The rumors did not mention any connection between the northern border war and Prince Jing, but those who were interested had already linked the two together.
Some people advised that rumors should be stopped by the wise, and that they had not forgotten how the late Princess Jing died at the hands of the people she loved.
At the beginning of the reconstruction, the rumors of doubting the identity of Prince Jing resurfaced, but not too intensely. This was because the former Princess Jing, Lou Mingyue, often visited Ningzhou, and many people who had seen her said that Prince Jing and the former Princess Jing looked very similar, as if they were made from the same mold.
The children on the street, carefree, skipped and hopped, singing a folk song: "Unusual, unusual, the phoenix has wings but doesn't fly. It doesn't go to the sky or the ground, but rides a giant insect and travels everywhere..."
When someone asked what the song meant, a passerby who knew the inside story told him about how King Jing personally leveled the mountain to create farmland.
The secret spread like wildfire, reaching the newly formed Yanxi Army in just two days. The reaction within the army was even more intense than among the common people, as they were serving under Prince Jing. Several arguments erupted between the White Tiger Army, the Zhu Army, and the Imperial Army, with the Imperial side largely unanimous in their opinion—Prince Jing harbored treacherous intentions. Within the thirteen prefectures, however, several factions emerged. Some disbelieved the rumors, some felt they had "received the King's favor and should die for him," some believed Prince Jing must have his reasons, some felt his collusion with foreign enemies was inherently unjust, and others remained silent, simply enjoying the spectacle.
Panic.
Qiao Juchong strictly ordered the soldiers not to spread rumors anymore, or else they would be punished by military order, which temporarily calmed the restless morale of the army.
He wasn't bothered by the truth or falsehood. He had seen plenty of dirty deeds among the imperial relatives, and colluding with foreign enemies was nothing compared to them.
However, in wartime, morale is of paramount importance. If morale is unstable, Chu Yunchuan should at least step forward to explain. But since yesterday, this Prince Jing has locked himself in his tent, refusing to leave the main gate or step out, and refusing to see anyone, not even Qiao Juchong.
Qiao Juchong asked the soldiers and learned that on the day the rumors broke out, an urgent letter from the provincial governor had just arrived, and Chu Yunchuan had not left the house since reading it.
He put his hands behind his back and paced back and forth in front of Chu Yunchuan's tightly closed tent, wondering whether he should force his way in.
"Commander!"
Qiao Yuanshan rode his warhorse and came to a stop in front of the tent. Qiao Juchong immediately saw Qiaoqiao standing in front of him.
"Commander, I heard that His Highness is not seeing guests right now. What's going on?" Qiao Yuanshan asked urgently. He nimbly dismounted and then lifted Qiaoqiao down by her armpits. "I have something important to report."
“Even the most important matters cannot enter His Highness’s door now.” Qiao Juchong’s gaze lingered on Qiaoqiao for a moment before looking at Qiao Yuanshan and saying, “Rumors are rampant in the army, and His Highness has no time to attend to them. Do you have any important matters to report?”
Before Qiao Yuanshan could answer, Qiaoqiao shouted at the top of her lungs towards the tent flap, "Brother Yun!"
A moment later, the tent flap was pulled open, and Chu Yunchuan was overjoyed: "Qiaoqiao? Did Baizhi bring you here?"
Qiao Juchong: "..."
Qiao Qiao darted over, and Chu Yunchuan ushered her into the tent. Qiao Yuanshan was about to follow when Qiao Juchong stopped him, asking, "Who is this girl?"
"She is His Highness's sister-in-law, Bai Ying."
"Oh...you mean that girl you mentioned before?" Qiao Juchong's face was expressionless. "She's quite pretty, and seems rather clever."
"Ahem, Father." Qiao Yuanshan changed his form of address and said in a low voice, "I like her very much. After the war, I want to marry her into the family."
“This girl isn’t the type to stay home peacefully. You should marry a well-bred lady who can be a good wife and mother…” As Qiao Juchong was speaking, he suddenly remembered his stubborn daughter who had divorced him. He looked at Qiao Yuanshan’s tense face, then simply shut his mouth, turned and left, leaving behind the words, “You’ve all grown up, make your own decisions.”