Chapter 123: Grievance
Twenty days later, Ye Mingyu and his entourage's carriages and horses had arrived at the gate of Yanjing City.

Although Ye Mingyu boasted that he had traveled a lot for many years, the last time he came to Yanjing City was many years ago. When he first arrived, the strange yet familiar feeling that came over him made this tall man feel a little uneasy.

The people of Tongxiang had never seen such a scene before. Just the gate of Yanjing City was full of people pointing and talking. Ping An held Dai Yun's hand and stared at the young general at the gate of the city in a daze. In Tongxiang, the people guarding the gate did not wear such majestic armor.

"So this is Yanjing City." Butcher Zhang said happily, and suddenly thought of something, "Master Xue's daughter was married here."

Jiang Li glanced at Xue Huaiyuan who had fallen asleep in the carriage, and felt sad.

When she got married, Xue Huaiyuan had been telling her carefully that once he got the chance, he would go to Beijing with Xue Zhao to see her. But Jiang Li also knew that Xue Huaiyuan was very busy. Although Tongxiang was a small county, there were many things, big and small, and it was not easy for Xue Huaiyuan to find a suitable time.

Sure enough, before Xue Huaiyuan arrived in Yanjing, she and Xue Zhao had an accident. When Xue Huaiyuan actually arrived in Yanjing, she was not Xue Fangfei, and Xue Huaiyuan had lost his mind, so they did not recognize each other when they met.

"Ali, let's go in now." Ye Mingyu said.

Jiang Li came back to her senses: "Okay."

There were at least a hundred people in this group. The young officer guarding the city gate saw such a large group of people coming suddenly and thought they were refugees who came to escape. Immediately, several people surrounded him with serious expressions, blocked Ye Mingyu at the door, and questioned him carefully.

Jiang Li opened the carriage curtain, and with the help of Tong'er, she stepped out of the carriage. She walked to the young generals, handed over the Jiang family's pass, and said with a smile: "Brothers, I am the second daughter of the Jiang family. These are the people of Tongxiang. We came to Yanjing to file a lawsuit." She took out a piece of paper from her sleeve and handed it over, saying with a smile: "This is a copy of the complaint. Everyone here has their name on it. I will give you this copy. After the lawsuit is over, when everyone leaves the city, you can compare them one by one. Okay?"

Several young generals were stunned. Second Miss Jiang?

Wasn't that what was rumored in Yanjing a few days ago, that Miss Jiang II had brought a group of people to the countryside of Xiangyang to overturn the verdict of the guilty minister? How? Has it arrived now?

Looking at the pass in his hand, it was indeed a member of the Jiang family. The young officer guarding the city gate suppressed his curiosity, returned the pass to Jiang Li, took the paper with the densely written names, stepped aside, let the other side open the city gate, and said, "Miss Jiang, please come in."

Since she was the daughter of the Jiang family, the Jiang family would cover her up no matter what happened, so they were not afraid. They stepped aside respectfully.

The city gates were wide open, and the people looked at Jiang Li with awe. In a place like Yanjing City, they were just country folks. It was normal for ordinary people to look down on them, not to mention the young guards. Jiang Li said a few words, and the guards treated her so respectfully and let her go, which showed the power of the Jiang family in Yanjing City.

Ye Mingyu was also amazed: "You know what, this pass of your father's is really useful. I remember when we came to Yanjing City before, we had to be checked several times. But you guys are so good, so many people are released just like that." He didn't know whether he was speaking without restraint or mocking the officials of Yanjing City for being opportunistic.

Jiang Li smiled: "It's human nature."

The group of people entered the city gate in a mighty procession.

Several young generals guarding the city gates were whispering behind their backs, "We've arrived in Beijing. The storytellers in the tavern finally have new stories to tell. I wonder what kind of disturbance the Second Miss Jiang will stir up in Yanjing this time."

"But that's not right," another person stroked his chin, "Didn't Second Miss Jiang bring these people to Beijing to overturn the case? Why is there a prisoner car behind them? Who is sitting in the prisoner car? Are they lynching me?"

"Hey, don't worry about it. How can we interfere in the government's affairs? Even if Miss Jiang has caused some trouble, her father is still the Prime Minister, so it won't matter. We should just watch the fun."

"That makes sense. Looking at her attitude, Yanjing City will not be at peace this time."

……

Once you enter the city, it becomes even more lively.

The streets of Yanjing City were much wider than those of Tongxiang. There were people coming and going on the streets, the restaurants were tall and imposing, and jugglers and vendors selling candied haws could be seen everywhere. For the people of Tongxiang who were visiting Beijing for the first time, they were almost dazzled by the sight. The older ones were better, although they also felt it was new and strange, but they could still hold back. The younger ones could not help it, and they were dazzled and almost stumbled when walking.

While the people of Tongxiang were looking at the strangeness, the people of Yanjing were also looking at the strangeness of the people from Tongxiang. Such a large group of outsiders who were obviously not locals appeared in Yanjing, which was too conspicuous no matter how you looked at it. But the clothes and dress of the people accompanying them were very ordinary, and even looked a bit plain, so they were not royal relatives traveling.

Someone recognized the guards accompanying the carriage and horse team and whispered to the people around him, "Hey, isn't that the guard from the Prime Minister's residence?"

"The Prime Minister's Mansion? Not many people from the Prime Minister's Mansion leave the capital. Could it be Miss Jiang Er? Wasn't it said that she brought a group of villagers to the capital to overturn the verdict of the guilty minister? It's the right time to return to Yanjing City now."

The news that "Miss Jiang Er has returned with the people of Tongxiang County" spread rapidly throughout Yanjing City. The news reached the streets and alleys, and people who came to watch the excitement came out of their homes.

Someone asked: "Miss Jiang, are you going to take all these people back to the Jiang Mansion? Although the Prime Minister's house is big, I'm afraid it won't be able to accommodate so many people. And will the Prime Minister allow these people to live in? Even if you have good intentions... it may cause trouble!"

"I don't know. Anyway, if it were me, I would definitely not do it."

"Ah, this Miss Jiang is really too outrageous. Giving birth to this girl will bring unrest to the family, unrest to the family!"

In the Prime Minister's Mansion, Jiang Yuanbai had just finished court and took off his outer robe in the study. He drank a sip of hot tea brought by Ji Shuran when someone came to report: "Master, the second young lady has returned to the capital!"

"What?" Jiang Yuanbai paused while drinking his tea: "When?"

"Just now, the messenger was in Wanfeng Hall, talking to the old lady about this matter. He said that the second young lady brought hundreds of people with her, and half of the streets in Yanjing City were flooded. The streets were full of people watching the excitement, and they were all looking at the second young lady."

Jiang Yuanbai's face turned red and white. He was smooth and tactful, both as an official and as a person. Although he was vain, he did not like to be in the limelight. You have to know that there are so many eyes watching in the court. The more you are in the limelight, the more you will be criticized. Jiang Li, on the other hand, made such a big scene as soon as she returned to Beijing. Now everyone in Yanjing City is probably paying attention to their Jiang family. If Jiang Li does something out of line, outsiders will gossip about him for the rest of his life!

"I'll go to Wanfeng Hall to have a look." Jiang Yuanbai said this, picked up his outer garment and left. Ji Shuran responded, "I'll go too." A smile flashed across her face.

Before she could make a move, Jiang Li was already heading for her own death. As a woman, she knew that women should not interfere in government affairs. Jiang Li was only fifteen years old, but she had already turned the world upside down. Apart from anything else, which good family would dare to have such an uneasy mistress? Jiang Li was gradually crushing her possible future marriage.

Of course, Ji Shuran hoped that she would make more and more trouble, preferably to the point where the trouble became so big that it could not be handled, and that she would lose herself in the process.

It would be best if we could achieve it without bloodshed.

When we arrived at Wanfeng Hall, Old Madam Jiang was talking to Jiang Yuanping.

Jiang Yuanping's usual smile disappeared, and he looked a little serious. Jiang Yuanxing was no longer around. Since Jiang Yu'e married into the Zhou family as a concubine, Jiang Yuanxing seemed much quieter. He used to talk to Jiang Yuanbo and his brother, but now when they meet, they just say hello briefly and there is no other communication.

However, Jiang Yuanbo and the other didn't care, as they were not brothers from the same mother.

Seeing Jiang Yuanbo coming, Madam Jiang said, "Boss, you know everything."

"Mother," Jiang Yuanbai said, "I am ashamed. I did not teach Jiang Li well."

Old Madam Jiang sighed. She actually thought Jiang Li was a very smart person. Since Jiang Li returned to the Jiang family from Qingcheng Mountain, she had watched Jiang Li's every word and action. She felt that Jiang Li might be the smartest and most insightful among the younger generation in the mansion. But she couldn't say that she liked Jiang Li very much. There was no reason. Maybe it was because Jiang Li always had a kind of gentle alienation.

Just like the way Jiang Li looked at her, although respectful, she was not affectionate.

This smartest young man is now confused about such an important matter. Old Lady Jiang said, "I don't want to blame her. After all, she is my granddaughter. But eldest brother, the second girl always forgets one thing. She is the daughter of our Jiang family. Before doing anything, the first thing to consider is whether the Jiang family will be affected. Now what she did has caused a lot of trouble in the city. Not to mention the Jiang family, how will you and the second brother deal with it? How will your colleagues look at you? What will the emperor think? And Youyao, her marriage with the Zhou family has been ruined, and she still has to get married. The second girl's disturbance will also affect Youyao's marriage. What is she doing...what is she doing!" Old Lady Jiang shook her head repeatedly.

When Ji Shuran heard Jiang Youyao mentioned, she immediately took advantage of the situation and said with tears in her eyes, "Master, mother is right. This time, Li'er really went too far. Youyao didn't do anything. First, it was Zhou Shizi. Now I don't want anything else. I just hope to find a proper marriage for Youyao... After Li'er made such a fuss, which good family in Yanjing City dares to get close to us? This, this, I really can't do anything. I am Li'er's stepmother. I don't dare to blame her on weekdays. I can't control her. Master, you are her biological father. You have to control her!"

Ji Shuran wiped her tears with a handkerchief. It seemed that she was worried about Jiang Youyao. Jiang Yuanbo was also very upset. He said in a deep voice, "What do you mean you dare not? You are the wife of the first house. She calls you mother. Why are you afraid to intervene? If she objects in the future, bring her to see me! I don't believe that no one in the Jiang family can control her. I saw that she has made some progress since she came back from Qingcheng Mountain a few days ago. Now it seems that she is still as naughty as before. I should not have taken her back home!"

Ji Shuran was overjoyed when she heard this. Jiang Yuanbai's words clearly showed that he was disappointed with Jiang Li. As long as Jiang Yuanbai no longer felt guilty about Jiang Li and was completely disappointed, it would only be a matter of time for Jiang Yuanbai to dislike Jiang Li.

Madam Jiang glanced at Ji Shuran. She knew what Ji Shuran was planning, so she just said calmly, "It has already happened. It won't be too late to blame anyone later. The most urgent thing is what to do now."

"Yes, big brother," Jiang Yuanping also said, "As soon as Li'er returned to Beijing, everyone in the capital is looking at us. We can't let her continue like this."

"I've made up my mind," Jiang Yuanbai said with a gloomy face, "As soon as they return to the mansion, I will lock her up and no one is allowed to see her! The reversal of the verdict by the guilty minister and the Tongxiang incident are all related to her facial features and have nothing to do with our Jiang family! Those people can make as much noise as they want, but Jiang Li is not allowed to get involved! Without Jiang Li, I don't think they can achieve anything. Just treat it as a joke. The people in Beijing will laugh and the matter will be over. No one should mention it again in the future! I will just treat it as a play performed by our Jiang family to make fun of the audience!"

Everyone was silent. Now it seemed that this was indeed the best way. Jiang Li could not change what she had done. All they could do was stop her from doing it next. Regardless of whether Jiang Li's "overturning the case" could work, the final result would be that the Jiang family would become a laughing stock.

Why would a little girl like Jiang Li get involved in political affairs? Xue Huaiyuan had no relationship with her, so why would he help her so unreservedly?

Human saliva can sometimes drown people and is the most terrifying weapon.

As he was talking, Jiang Jingrui ran in from outside. As soon as he came in, he said, "I heard that Jiang Li is back? Why don't I see him?"

Jiang Yuanbai said unhappily, "Not yet."

"She hasn't arrived yet?" Jiang Jingrui was surprised. "According to the message she received earlier, Jiang Li should have arrived at our house. Even if she walks slowly, she should have arrived. Is she not going to come back?"

"How is that possible? Where else can I go if I don't go back home after just returning to Beijing? Is that right?" Jiang Yuanbai said angrily, feeling a little uneasy in his heart.

Jiang Li is a smart person, smart and has her own ideas. When she decides to do something, she will definitely think it through. Could it be that she has already thought of locking her up, so she simply doesn't want to go back home and plans to live outside?

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuanbo became even angrier. This person didn't take him, her father, seriously at all. Besides, did she think that if she didn't go home, he would be helpless? As long as the case didn't go to court, he would tie Jiang Li back.

Jiang Jingrui shrugged and said nothing. At this moment, the servant who brought the news came back.

This time, he looked much more panicked than last time. In the middle of winter, the sweat on his forehead flowed down his cheeks. He said, "Madam, Master, the second young lady and her family did not return home. They, they went to Chang'an Gate."

Chang'an Gate?
Jiang Yuanbo's face changed drastically.

"What are they going to Chang'an Gate for?" Jiang Jingrui asked curiously.

"Go to Chang'an Gate, beat the stone lions, and redress your grievances." Jiang Yuanbai squeezed out a few words. ...

Chang'an Gate is right in front of the Imperial Palace.

On special days, the emperor held ceremonies here, but on weekdays, the place was guarded by soldiers and few people came.

In the wide square field, two tall and majestic stone lions stood, and in front of each stone lion was a huge sheepskin drum painted red. The drumstick was also on it. I don’t know if it has been touched for a long time, the drum surface was covered with a thick layer of dust.

The convoy stopped in front of Chang'an Gate and Jiang Li jumped off the carriage.

Around Chang'an Gate, there were crowds of people watching. When they saw Jiang Li getting off the carriage, their eyes lit up. Jiang Li was the protagonist of this play. When Jiang Li came out, the show was about to begin.

In a restaurant not far away, there was also a beauty in red. She looked nonchalantly at the frail figure in front of Chang'an Gate and told the people around her, "Watch closely, don't let anyone take advantage of the situation and kill Miss Jiang Er."

"Yes." Wen Ji accepted the order.

Jiang Li made such a big scene, and the master would naturally be furious if he knew about it. He was not a fearful person, so he was afraid that someone would secretly attack Jiang Li in the crowd. Since he was his own man, he would lose face if someone else took his life.

Besides, he also wanted to see how Jiang Li would win this game, so he had to protect her.

Jiang Li walked to the front of Chang'an Gate.

The two young generals in front of Chang'an Gate stared at her blankly.

Jiang Li turned around and Ye Mingyu stood beside him. The people of Tongxiang all quieted down. When they got here, they all knew what to do.

"I thought about it again and again, and this matter cannot wait for long, so I did not return home, but came straight here, and finished today's work today. Since we are in Yanjing today, we might as well do the first thing. Everyone," she pointed to the two stone lions and said, "This is my first time here, too. This is Chang'an Gate."

"At Chang'an Gate, beat the stone lions and drum the injustice drum." Jiang Li said, "This is the last chance to get justice."

She thought that if she still had a breath and could leave the Zhuangyuan Mansion, the first thing she would do would be to rush here, pick up the drumstick, beat the stone lion drum, and tell all her grievances. However, under the circumstances at that time, it might not be feasible. Her opponent was Princess Yongning, and she was alone. Princess Yongning could easily erase her evidence with a flick of her finger, just like her life.

It's different now. With Miss Jiang's status, everyone in Yanjing City, from high-ranking officials to ordinary people, is paying attention to this matter. And there are so many people around her. It may be difficult for Yongning to clean up the traces this time.

And she would not give Yongning this opportunity.

Jiang Li faced the people of Tongxiang and said, "In this world, fairness and justice are hard to come by. Sometimes, you may not get them even if you sacrifice your life. Fortunately, we at least got this opportunity, although this opportunity did not come for nothing." After a pause, she said the rest, "When a citizen sues an official, it is like a son killing his father, and he will be flogged fifty times. If you hit this stone lion and sound this injustice drum, you will be flogged fifty times. If you win, everyone will be happy. If you lose, at the very least, you will not be able to overturn the case and will be caned, or at the worst, you will lose your life."

The people of Tongxiang looked at each other, the people of Yanjing City whispered to each other, and even Tong Zhiyang and his companions in the prison car were a little surprised. They didn't know there were such reasons.

Jiang Li said: "These can be exchanged for fairness and justice, but the result may not be known. Who is willing to stand up and speak out for justice?"

Fifty strokes of the cane would at least cost half of one's life, and some weaker people might even die. In this case, even if one wins the lawsuit, the price one pays is too heavy.

Jiang Li said calmly: "If no one is willing, I will be the one to sound the injustice drum."

The crowd suddenly became commotion.

She looked calm, as if she thought it was natural and she didn't think there was anything wrong with what she did. You know, she had no relationship with Xue Huaiyuan, but she did a lot for him, even at the risk of her life.

"How could we trouble the Second Miss?" A man stood out from the crowd and said calmly, "I will follow you till death, sir. It is my duty as a subordinate to overturn your case. I will be the one to sound the drum of injustice." It was Peng Xiao.

"And me." He Jun also stepped forward and said, "Fifty lashes is nothing compared to the tortures used by the corrupt officials in Tongxiang. I'll come too."

"And us." Gu Da and Gu Er also stood up, "It's just a call to protest, we two brothers are willing!"

Ye Mingyu laughed loudly and said, "Those with skinny arms and legs don't need to fight. I have a tough skin and I'm not afraid of being beaten. I've never protested injustice in my life. I'll do it!"

"Don't argue with me, I can't be left out of this matter." Butcher Zhang also stood up, "You are weak, I am a pig butcher, I am strong, if I hit you, I guarantee that the whole city of Yanjing will hear it, I'm here!"

"I come!"

"I come!"

"I come!"

As if they were infected, the people of Tongxiang stood up one after another, vying to sound the drum of injustice.

Even the weak Dai Yun said, "I also want to speak up for justice, even if not for Master Xue, but for ourselves. During the time when Feng Yutang was here, we, the people of Tongxiang, suffered so much. Since fairness and justice are so hard to get, what does being flogged fifty times mean? Second Miss, please let me come too!"

No one flinched.

The two young officers in charge of Chang'an Gate had a change in their dull expressions for the first time. They were guarding two stone lions and had seen many people who wanted to come and complain.

Who would come to such a place if they were not desperate and had no place to tell their grievances? Most of those who came went back after wandering around for a long time. They could not afford the "price" of fairness and were afraid that they would lose their lives before they won. Most of those who did not go back were determined to die, thinking of dying together with their enemies, as if they were going to the execution ground.

However, if they have any choice, they will not take the initiative to blow that drum.

It was the first time for the two young generals to see so many people, all vying to beat the drum without any intention of backing down. Even the little girl led by the weak woman had a determined look and was not shaken.

It seems that there is indeed a great injustice, but it seems that he has nothing to fear.

The people of Yanjing looked at this and gradually fell silent. Although they were just there to watch the fun, they were all human. With so many people making such a resolute decision, it seemed that things were not that simple.

Miss Jiang Er stood in the center of the crowd. She was like the backbone of the crowd. Her few words were what the people wanted. People were willing to follow her because she could bring them hope. No matter how slim or difficult the hope was, hope was hope.

Hope can give people the courage to go on, hope can overcome everything.

In the prison car, Feng Yutang suddenly burst into laughter. He laughed so loudly that everyone's eyes turned to him.

A Tongxiang resident hated him so much that when he saw him laughing, he immediately picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at him, saying viciously, "What are you laughing at?"

Feng Yutang said, "I laugh at your stupidity! I laugh at how God has been so kind to me. No matter how this lawsuit turns out, half of the people here will fall before it even starts, and maybe some will die! You've paid such a high price to punish me, and I'm very happy and overjoyed!"

After saying that, he burst into laughter again.

The crowd looked at him angrily, but they had to admit that what Feng Yutang said was true. This feeling was really frustrating. The good guys lost their things before the bad guys were punished. Who the hell made these rules!

Jiang Li also smiled softly.

Feng Yutang gradually stopped smiling, looked at her gloomily, and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

"I laugh at Lord Feng's naivety." Jiang Li said calmly, "It is true that he was sentenced to fifty lashes, but you forgot that there was more than one person who complained about the injustice. No one has ever said that since it is a case, it is not feasible to lash all the people together with fifty lashes."

"There are more than a hundred people here. If everyone is too many, we can still get by. It's nothing." Jiang Li looked at him mockingly: "Don't you think so? Lord Feng."

Feng Yutang gradually stopped laughing, and was replaced by the laughter of the crowd.

"It's only half a hit per person! That's okay, I'll help you guys hit a few more times! I'm thick-skinned, it won't be a problem!"

"No, I want to try it, too. Don't fight over it!"

"Can you hit me half a beat longer? This half-and-half beating is really too damn tiring. Just make it quicker!"

In the small building, Ji Heng burst out laughing.

This method... She really could have thought of it, but taking advantage of loopholes in the official system has always been what she is best at. She was determined not to suffer any loss, she was extremely shrewd.

Jiang Li slowly walked to the huge drum.

The giant drum sits there quietly, as if it has been waiting for a long time. The stone lion is majestic, with frost and snow on its head. It has gone through the four seasons of autumn and winter, and justice is finally coming.

"Boom!" The dust on the drum surface was blown everywhere by the heavy hammer, almost mixing with the snow in the sky. After the dust settled, it was Qingming Festival.

"Boom!" The injustice of two lifetimes finally found an exit of justice. The exit was narrow and bottomless, but by carefully following the light, I finally saw a ray of daylight.

"Boom!" From dull to clear, from chaotic to lucid, it was just three drum sounds.

The sound of drums resounded throughout the Chang'an Gate, alarming the entire city of Yanjing.

Everyone heard it.

(End of this chapter)