Shipin Dalizheng

Chapter 333 Family Matters

Just at this moment, the outer courtyard came to ask Rong Tang to leave. Although he was still a child in the eyes of the women of the Sima family, outside, he was already the head of a well-established household and had to deal with the powerful people in various mansions.

Nangong Jing was chatting with some young men from aristocratic families. When he saw him come out, he joked, "Look, the Sima family's distinguished guest has come out."

The person chatting with him was Rong Tang's rival Zheng Jiuan. Ever since he returned to his ancestral home, there had not been much gossip about his family, and outsiders had no way of knowing what his situation was. They only knew that Young Master Zheng was handing over all his work to him, and he gradually represented the Left Prime Minister's Mansion in dealing with the powerful people in the capital.

As soon as the two met, they both snorted a gas called "disdain" from their noses, turned their heads and looked elsewhere, making Nangong Jing very embarrassed.

In the direction Rong Tang looked, Prince Huai was waving at him. Rong Tang and Prince Huai didn't have much personal relationship, but at the same time, there was no grudge between them, so he went to talk to him.

What Zheng Jiuan saw was Prince Yong. Although he had no personal relationship with Prince Yong, when he saw Rong Tangba was with Prince Huai, he went to talk to Prince Yong as if he was angry.

Nangong Jing was left out in the cold. When Rong Zhan passed by him, he lowered his head two feet.

Nangong Jing's eyes were full of meaning.

While they were chatting, Li Dequan came to announce the imperial edict again. In addition to the reward for Tang Tiantian, the princess was also required to have the house, servants, and court robes that she should have.

After the Sima family received the imperial edict and expressed their gratitude, they wanted to offer Li Dequan a VIP seat. Li Dequan declined with a smile, "We are shamelessly trying to take Young Master Rong's seat. Later, we still have to go to the Jian'an Marquis' Mansion to announce the imperial edict!"

The Sima family held a relatively low-key banquet this time and did not invite many people. As for the Prince of Huai and the Prince of Yong, they all came of their own accord. Their status was far above the Sima family's, so they were given considerable face.

This also made the powerful people in Shangjing clearly see the value of the Sima family. Sima Zhi, whose name was recorded in history, Sima Xin, who was gaining more and more influence in the Ministry of Works, Tang Fuyun, praised by the emperor as a great weapon of Dai Viet, and Rong Tang, who had raised an absolute force of his own, were all considered members of the Sima family in the eyes of the people.

It is normal for princes to compete to win over the emperor.

The Sima family had a temporary discussion and arranged high-ranking officials, princes, and princes to sit separately in the main hall, while the rest of the equal or lower-level officials who received invitations sat at the octagonal table in the side hall, with the same dishes and the same charcoal fire on both sides.

The main hall was set up with small tables for two people to sit at. Li Dequan and Rong Tang were indeed assigned to the table together. His face was filled with joy. "We know that Young Master Rong doesn't despise the humble status of a servant."

If it were someone else, he would never make such a request. Only when he was with Rong Tang, even though he was a eunuch, did he feel a sense of equality.

It was difficult for him to explain this feeling. As the emperor's close attendant, everyone in the court, from the first-rank officials to the eighth and ninth-rank clerks, respected him very much. But on the other hand, everyone looked down on him and called him a eunuch.

Only Rong Tang treated them as human beings, not fawning over them because they were the emperor's attendants, nor looking down on them because they were eunuchs. Rong Tang gave him the same feeling: as long as anyone standing before him showed no hostility, whether they were emperors or beggars, they were all treated the same.

"Young Master Rong, I have told His Majesty that if you are sent to fight in the future, I will be your military supervisor."

I miss the days when we robbed together, no, when we killed the rich and helped the poor together. That was the most boastful time in my ordinary life.

"must."

They were talking happily when they heard some noise outside. Sima Zhi and Sima Xin, who were sitting at the bottom of the main hall, went out to see what was going on. Rong Tang made a gesture with his hand and Rong Zhan also went out.

After a while, Sima Xin came back and apologized to everyone, "It's just a little household chores, it's nothing to worry about. Let's continue, don't spoil the fun."

The people in the main hall are all distinguished people. Even if they are curious, they will ask in private and will not spoil the fun on the spot, otherwise the purpose of winning them over will be lost.

However, just at this moment, several people came in from outside, and one of them leaned over and said a few words in Yong Wang's ear. Yong Wang's face changed drastically and he left in a hurry.

Someone from Jingzhao Prefecture also came to see Nangong Jing. Nangong Jing glanced at Rong Tang and stood up to say goodbye.

Then, Rong Zhan came in and reported, "Master, something happened at home."

His voice was so soft that no one could hear it except Li Dequan. Li Dequan said, "Young Master, do you need help?"

Rong Tang smiled and said, "I have some household chores to deal with. Eunuch Li, have a good meal here and then go to my uncle's house later."

He was walking out when Sima Xin turned back and asked, "Is my nephew-in-law leaving?"

Rong Tang said, "I'll take care of some family matters and we'll get together again after the New Year."

After bowing and saying goodbye, he went out, mounted his horse and headed towards the place Rong Zhan mentioned.

Along the way, Rong Zhan also briefly recounted what happened in the Sima family.

"It was Miss Tang's father who came and insisted on taking Miss Tang and Young Master Tang back to the Tang family. The Sima family was not happy about this, and the two uncles kept him in a room, unable to leave. However, he did accept a gift from Tang Chuyun, the only son of the Tang family's eldest branch, and tried to persuade him to continue to interact with the eldest branch as relatives. Prince Yong received a request for help from the Chu family. It was said that the Seventh Princess had brought hundreds of imperial guards to the Chu family to collect a debt. The Chu family was not afraid of the Seventh Princess, but they were afraid of the imperial guards, so they had no choice but to ask Prince Yong to rescue them."

Zhao Ling made such a big fuss about the debt collection, and it was clear that he would not give up until he succeeded. No matter how much Prince Yong protected the Chu family, he could not hurt Zhao Ling, so Rong Tang could rest assured to deal with his own affairs.

but……

"Send a message to Eleven and the others, and tell them to prepare a battle for Zhao Ling. If a fight breaks out, grab the Chu family and beat them up."

Rong Qianqi turned a corner and headed towards the entertainment hall. Of the hundreds of jianghu people he had brought with him on the southern expedition, some were willing to continue with him and, upon returning to Beijing, changed their identities and stationed in the military camp. Some, unwilling to be bound by the imperial court, were removed from their military registration and placed under Gao Zhiyuan's leadership, becoming Rong Tang's direct subordinates.

The two horses galloped over here and soon arrived at the alley. When they opened the outer door, they saw Mother Yao and her nephew Yao Decai tied up like dumplings and thrown on the ground. Rong Xiu still maintained her decency and was not tied up, so she hugged her arms and trembled.

There was a large area of ​​various food and daily necessities on the ground, as well as gold and silver utensils, furs, silks and brocades, all of great value.

"Madam, what's the fuss about? Aren't you going to Rong Village to visit your family? Is this the money you brought out from home to support your mistress?"

Rongxiu's face was gloomy and she said nothing.

Rong Tang turned around twice and glanced at Mother Yao. "Yao, you are a slave. You stole the master's property in huge amounts. This is a capital crime. Even if I beat you to death on the spot, it would not violate the law."

Mother Yao's mouth was blocked, and she was whimpering and struggling violently.

Rong Xiu said stubbornly, "I brought it here. She didn't steal it."

Rong Tang found it funny. "She encouraged the master to steal the family property and secretly support a man outside the family. Madam, you can't protect her. She must die."

Rong Xiu was very excited. "You can't touch her. I didn't take your property. This belongs to our Rong family. Only the one with the surname Rong is the owner. I am not wrong."

Rong Tang's face turned cold, "Rong Xiu, do you want to listen to what you are saying?"

Rong Zhan couldn't hold back any longer, "Master, why waste your breath? Yao and Yao Decai are dead anyway. Let's deal with them first to prevent future troubles."

He drew his Tang sword and lunged at the two men on the ground. Rong Xiu shouted, "I've already reported this to the authorities, Rong Tang. I know you're ruthless and cruel, not even sparing your own father, but the people from Jingzhao Prefecture will be here soon. I don't believe you're so well-connected that you could bribe even Lord Nangong Jing."

Rong Zhan glared at him, "I'll let you see if Lord Nangong Jing speaks for you."