"Hong Yushi, I misjudged you before, and I am really ashamed. But instead of hating me, you continued to fight against the treacherous ministers, and almost died at the hands of corrupt officials.

For your sacrifice of life and death for the country and the people, I really should commend you." After paying tribute to Shang Rong and Xiang Nan, Qianlong looked at Hong Derui, Hong Xia and his daughter and said, "I especially want to thank you for training such a person. A good daughter, she is smart, courageous and resourceful, and she also plays the pipa well. In my opinion, how about she stay at Shengping Department and be a tutor?"

"Your Majesty, my daughter is used to the life of idle clouds and wild cranes, and she is afraid of taking on important responsibilities." Hong Derui said, "I am not in good health either, and I want to retire and return to my hometown."

It was certainly a happy thing that he had brought down Shang Rong and successfully rehabilitated him this time. However, his wife died of illness and the family was almost destroyed, so everything was different from before.

Moreover, he could also see Qianlong's ignorance and greed.

Shang Rong was certainly guilty of repairing the garden this time, but Qianlong was the chief culprit. He insisted on building the garden regardless of the lives of the people, and spent more than six million taels on it. He was extravagant and extravagant. It was really not the behavior of a wise king.

Therefore, he was quite disheartened and lost confidence in the officialdom. He was ready to retire and return to the countryside to spend the rest of his life.

Qianlong was stunned, and seeing that his attitude was quite firm, he had no choice but to nod.

"Well, in that case, I won't force it." He smiled, "Hong Derui is allowed to resign and return home, and he will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver and a full salary."

"Long live thanks." Hong Derui kowtowed.

…

"Xiaoyue, you were the one who teased me at the inn that day, right?" Qianlong looked at Du Xiaoyue again and said.

"Xiaoyue will die." Du Xiaoyue stuck out her tongue and knelt down.

"Okay, adults don't remember the faults of villains, and I don't blame you." Qianlong said with a smile, "You have done a good job in saving Hong Yushi's family, and I will give you an extra reward. Whatever you want, I will grant you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Du Xiaoyue said happily after hearing this.

…

"He Aiqing and Ji Aiqing went out to do something this time. Thanks to the two of you accompanying me, I have seen a lot and understood a lot in my heart. I should have praised you." Qianlong said again, "But as for you two, one is relying on his talent. To be wise, no matter in food, clothing, housing or transportation, you must be smart in every scheming move.

One is inactive and slow in everything, which not only makes me helpless, but also causes me to suffer a lot. Do you both realize your guilt?"

"I am guilty!", "I am guilty!" Xiang Nan and Shen plead guilty together.

"Okay, you two will be dismissed from your posts on the spot. Quyang County, prepare two prison cars, and escort them back to Beijing early tomorrow morning to wait for their release." Qianlong said again, "On the way back, you two should reflect carefully."

"Thank you Lord for your kindness." He Shen and Xiang Nan both said with bitter faces.

…

Suddenly, Qianlong returned to Beijing with dignity under the escort of honor guards.

Xiang Nan and He Shen wore prison uniforms, were escorted into prison cars and rushed to the capital.

"Old Ji, I told you, if you hadn't been so clever, would we have been put in this prison car?" He Shen complained.

"Okay, shut up! Shang Rong didn't turn you in, so it's an advantage for you. Don't think I don't know that Shang Rong was greedy for money when he repaired the garden, but you also got a lot of it." Nan glared at him and said, "You sit in the prison car, you deserve it. I saved Hong Yushi's family and allowed the emperor to see all kinds of things in the world. I have made a contribution to the country."

Now that I am riding in the prison car with you, I still feel that I have been wronged. You still have the nerve to complain to me, bah! You don’t have the shame!"

"Old Ji, you..." He Shen was scolded by Xiang Nan and was immediately speechless.

Just as the prison van was getting ready to go on the road, Du Xiaoyue led Hong Xia, Hong Derui and his daughter over.

"Sir~" Du Xiaoyue shouted crisply.

"Xiaoyue~" Xiang Nan said happily when he saw her, "Miss Hong, Yushi Hong~"

"Mr. Ji, our father and daughter have really troubled you this time." Hong Derui said to Xiang Nan.

Hong Xia also had tears in her eyes and blamed herself.

"Hey, don't say that. It's just a prison car ride back to Beijing. There's no implication at all." Xiang Nan said with a smile, "The emperor just wants to punish me with small punishments and severe punishments. He won't cut off my head, so you don't have to worry.

"

"Sir, you can still laugh." Du Xiaoyue pouted.

"It's okay. Sir, he did a fortune telling for himself yesterday and it's really okay." Xiang Nan said with a smile.

"Mr. Ji's magnanimity is something Hong admires." Hong Derui cupped his hands and said, "I can rest assured that I will leave my daughter Xia'er to you."

"Ah?!" Xiang Nan was stunned, "Hong Yushi, what do you mean by that?"

When He Shen heard this, he couldn't help but pricked up his ears.

"Sir, didn't Miss Hong Xia promise you that she would be with you after the matter is completed?" Du Xiaoyue said with a smile, "Why, now that she has to fulfill her promise, you are disgusted with it, right?"

Xiang Nan glanced at Hong Xia. Although she was shy, she still looked at Xiang Nan bravely and did not dodge or hesitate. He knew that she had made up her mind.

"Yushi Hong, Miss Hong, this is absolutely impossible." Xiang Nan waved his hands and said, "To be honest, I have always intended to marry Miss Xiaoyue."

When Du Xiaoyue heard this, she was stunned. In an instant, her face flushed, she was ashamed and happy, and she almost fainted with joy.

"Mr. Ji is indeed a trustworthy person. In fact, I can tell even if you don't say it." Hong Derui nodded.

Xiang Nan could hand over the royal fan to Du Xiaoyue, which shows such trust and favor. If Xiang Nan didn't care so much about Du Xiaoyue, he would not take the risk of beheading.

But he could not say anything and keep Miss Hong Xia by his side.

Hong Xia was beautiful, smart, wealthy, and even the emperor fell in love with her, which shows her charm.

But Xiang Nan still confessed, which shows that he is really a good man with love and righteousness.

"In this case, I would rather let Xia'er follow you." Hong Derui said again.

"Hong Yushi, you..." Xiang Nan was a little confused.

It stands to reason that a scholar like Hong Derui, who is not even afraid of corrupt officials, should pay more attention to reputation and integrity, and would never allow his daughter to become a concubine.

"Mr. Ji, you are not only the most talented man in the world, you are full of genius, but you also have a heart for the country and the people. You are a rare good man in the world. My Xia'er will not lose anything by following you.

I would rather be the queen of a cow than the head of a chicken. Even if I am your concubine, it is better than being the wife of those mediocre and useless men. Moreover, I believe that Mr. Ji's family style will not treat my daughter badly.

." Hongdry explained

"Besides, after all, Xia'er was once demoted to an official prostitute. Although she kept her virginity, in the eyes of outsiders, her integrity has been compromised after all. She doesn't have a good choice when it comes to getting married in the future."

Xiang Nan nodded in understanding when he heard what he said.

Indeed, these days the requirements for women, especially our women, are still very strict.

Like the Jia family in "Dream of Red Mansions", the young ladies never leave the house or even step out of the door. They are not even allowed to see relatives, male servants, etc., let alone other men.

After all, Hong Xia had stayed in Chunmanlou, which in the eyes of Taoists was already a breach of moral integrity. Therefore, it would be difficult for Hong Xia to get married.

"Since Yushi Hong trusts Ji so much, Ji is willing to take good care of Miss Hong." Xiang Nan nodded immediately.

When Hong Xia heard this, her face couldn't help but blush.
Chapter completed!