The Second Chief Steward of the Xue Estate was a wanted criminal by the Imperial Court. The Imperial Army broke into the Prime Minister's Estate in broad daylight and captured him.
This news seemed to grow wings and spread to the ears of many people.
Yin Yuanrong brought Xu Li to the yamen of the Supreme Court, with Xue Lingnan following him. Even though this Head Steward Xu bore a striking resemblance to the criminal on the Imperial Proclamation, he insisted that he hadn't killed anyone, so they needed to verify his words.
The group arrived at the Supreme Court and brought the person in front of Guo Huaian.
Guo Huaian hadn't been able to sleep well for the past two days. When he first received the portrait from the emperor, he had fallen into a situation where it was unrewarding to do so. He and the Xue Lingnan Family had been friends for generations and often interacted. How could he not recognize Xu Li?
He wanted to remind Xue Lingnan but the Emperor had ordered him to keep his mouth shut. Before the proclamation was published, he was not allowed to say anything. Even the dozen or so temporary painters were separated and supervised separately. After they finished painting, they were not allowed to go home.
This made Guo Huaian not dare to act rashly. Thus, when things came to a head, everyone was kept in the dark. Now that he saw Xue Lingnan, he felt a trace of awkwardness. Due to Yin Yuanrong's presence, he couldn't say anything.
Xue Lingnan also wouldn't take the initiative to speak. He stood to the side and watched Xu Li explain himself.
"Milord, you've wronged me. This one has never committed a crime and I don't know why I have the same face as the criminal on the Imperial Proclamation. Milord, please investigate and clear this one's name."
Strictly speaking, Xu Li was not a servant. In his early years, when Xue Lingnan was leading the army into battle, he was once a foot soldier and earned military merits. Later, when Xue Lingnan handed over his military power, he willingly stayed under Xue Lingnan as a steward. He was loyal and devoted, and knew how to repay kindness.
Guo Huaian had a headache. Emperor Zhao Qing had issued a secret edict. Once someone was caught, there was no need for a public trial. First, the person would be locked up and strictly guarded, awaiting punishment. At the time, he hadn't expected the criminal to be a rather respectable chief steward of the Xue family.
"Since you know that you look exactly like the person in the portrait, you should be suspicious. Someone, bring this suspect into prison and temporarily detain him."
After Guo Huaian finished speaking, he glanced at Xue Lingnan, as if afraid that Xue Lingnan would question him. However, Xue Lingnan didn't say anything to stop him.
"The Supreme Court has always been fair and just. If you have not committed a crime, they will not misjudge you. On the other hand, if you have committed a crime, they will not let you get away scot-free. Ah Li, take care of yourself."
After hearing his words, Xu Li seemed to be calmer than before. He did not struggle and allowed the officers to take him away.
When Yin Yuanrong saw that there was nothing for him to do, he was happy to be at ease. With a wave of his hand, he led his men away.
Guo Huaian coughed twice and invited Xue Lingnan to the back hall. Now that there was no one else around, she apologized to him and said guiltily,
"It's not that I don't want to tell you, but His Majesty has issued a death sentence. Anyone who leaks this information will face the death penalty."
Xue Lingnan nodded, not intending to blame him, "You are a loyal ruler, I have no complaints. However, I have a few questions to ask. Can you give me a clear answer? "
Guo Huaian had a difficult expression, "I know what you want to ask. I will tell you the truth. Right now, even I am confused. His Majesty only ordered me to put up the notice. Other than what is written on the notice, I don't know anything else. I am unable to help."
Xue Lingnan knew that things were not good. He knew that the situation was worse than he had imagined. Xu Li had been detained for no reason. He was definitely waiting to be interrogated in private. Then it definitely wasn't as simple as killing a few people as written on the Emperor's notice.
If things went wrong, his entire family would be implicated.
"Jing Ming, you really don't know who drew this portrait?"
"Old gege, you still don't believe my words," Guo Huaian smiled bitterly, "I am also curious as to who slandered His Majesty and caused this incident."
Xue Lingnan couldn't get any inside information from him so he didn't linger. He only asked him to take care of Xu Li who was in prison and bring him news to let him know if the person was good or bad.
Guo Huaian agreed and personally escorted Xue Lingnan to the yamen. Seeing him get on the sedan chair, he then hurriedly returned. The person had been captured. He had to quickly return to the palace to report.
The Emperor's notice had only been put up for less than half a day and the criminal had already been captured. This was a rare occurrence.
.....
Xue Lingnan didn't go anywhere else after coming out of the Supreme Court. He went straight home and first sent someone to find his second son.
Xue Lin was an assistant minister in the Ministry of War. Recently, there had been a lot of activity in the court because of the war against the Wei Nation. He couldn't be idle. Every two or three days, he would be pulled by people to lobby him. Today, he returned home early.
He didn't even have time to change into his official robes before going to see Xue Lingnan.
"Father, I heard that the Yulin Forest Guards captured people early in the morning. What happened?"
Xue Lingnan stood by the window of the study. He waved his hand and said: "Close the door and come over to talk."
Xue Lin already has a bad premonition. The Xue family has experienced many ups and downs since its founding. He is no longer the Second Young Master who will cry over the death of his elder brother. He obediently closes the door and walks over. Xue Lingnan is not in a hurry to tell him what to do. He looks out the window for a while.
Xue Lin's heart sank when he saw this. He thought that something had happened at home. Even his father was worried.
"Ah Li has been sent to the Supreme Court. The Emperor's notice says that he is a murderer. Even Guo Huaian has no right to interrogate him. He can only wait for the Emperor's decision." Xue Lingnan said.
Xue Lin said in disbelief: "How can Governor Xu be a murderer? He has worked hard for our family for many years. He has always been law-abiding. Why would he kill someone? Someone must have deliberately framed him and tried to frame you."
Xue Lingnan shook his head: "I would also rather believe that they caught the wrong person. But the situation at hand is not up to you and me. I'm afraid that someone has set up a trap to put my family to death."
"What do you mean?"
"What kind of crime do you think it would be for the Emperor to be personally involved. He didn't hesitate to release the Emperor's notice to arrest a suspect.
What kind of crime do you think it would be? "Xue Lin thought for a moment. He took a deep breath. The only thing that could alarm the Emperor was rebellion.
"Father!" He exclaimed. He didn't expect the situation to be so serious.
Xue Lingnan finally turned his head to look at him. His furrowed brows relaxed. He said in a broad voice: "Don't panic. It hasn't reached a point where we can't handle it. We can still deal with it."
"Your son will listen to you."
Xue Lingnan sighed inwardly when he saw his son's obedience and trust. He couldn't help but think of his eldest son who was envied by the heavens. If Xue Zao was still here, he would have a hundred ways to deal with this situation.
"Ah Li has followed me for all these years, his loyalty is unwavering, he definitely wouldn't betray me, so I am not afraid of him confessing under torture. However, the Emperor is a suspicious person, he might not believe me. If he is unable to obtain any information from his mouth, there is an eighty to ninety percent chance that he will punish us father and son. I asked you to come here today to remind you that if you are arrested by the Supreme Court one day, don't panic. Don't mess up. When the time comes, speak your mind. "
Xue Lingnan put his hand on his shoulder and pressed it heavily.
"You must remember that our Xue family has been loyal for generations. We don't fear slander."
Xue Lin's ears were ringing. With her old father's words, it was as if she had eaten a tranquilizer in her heart and suddenly felt at ease.
"What about Cheng Bi?" He suddenly remembered that Xue Rui had gone to Fenghua Mansion a few days ago and hadn't returned yet. So he asked: "Should we send someone to Fenghua Mansion to send him a message and ask him to return to the capital as soon as possible?"
Xue Lingnan's expression dimmed. He said: "There's no need to do that. In the eyes of those with ulterior motives, it will make us look guilty. Let him stay there. He will come back when it's time."
Xue Lin didn't hear the strangeness in his words. Instead, he complained: "Why didn't the mansion's Master Feng predict any signs of such a disaster? It would be good if he could warn us in advance."
There was a Da Yi Master living in the Prime Minister's Mansion. His surname was Feng. He was very good at predicting good or bad fortune.
"It's not Master Feng's fault." Xue Lingnan looked towards the north and sighed. "That person has a national weapon. How could he predict it?"
The Emperor was the one in charge of this wanted list. The Son of Heaven carried a rare treasure and prevented mortals from scheming. Even a Da Yi Master couldn't do anything.
***
In the palace, Guo Huaian followed the eunuch leading the way into Xuan De Hall. He met with Emperor Zhao Qing and simplified the matter of Yin Yuanrong capturing the suspect. When he quietly raised his head, he saw a gloomy face and quickly lowered his head again.
"Are you saying that the Yulin Royal Guards captured someone from Prime Minister Xue's mansion?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Someone recognized the portrait on the Imperial List. It was similar to the portrait of a chief steward of the Xue family. It just so happened that Commander Yin was drinking tea nearby with some people. That person took down the Imperial List and went to the election."
A hundred taels of gold. Ordinary people would be envious at the thought of it. With such a large bounty, naturally there would be reckless people who weren't afraid of offending the Xue family.
Guo Huaian wanted to speak up for Xue Lingnan but couldn't be too obvious. He could only pick at his words and say that the person looked similar to the portrait. He left some leeway and didn't insist on it.
"You've seen the person. Tell me, does it look like him?" Emperor Zhao Qing asked.
Although Guo Huaian wasn't a flattering official, he understood the Emperor's intentions. Seeing that Emperor Zhao Qing's face wasn't angry, but more suspicious, he guessed that the Emperor might not be willing to believe that the murderer was from the Xue family.
He had a sudden inspiration and said, "At first glance, it looks similar. But upon closer inspection, there are differences. Whether it is or not, it has to be investigated in detail. Your Majesty, this case? "
Who is going to investigate this case? Can you give me an explanation?
"There are many secrets that cannot be shared with you," Emperor Zhao Qing poured a bucket of cold water on him and said in a deep voice, "We are preparing to have the Grand Prefect go and interrogate him. What do you think?"
Guo Huaian said it wasn't appropriate. What was the point of having a Yi official go and interrogate an important criminal of the Imperial Court?
"Your Majesty is wise," he said with a wooden face, "This subject requests to assist in the investigation."
Emperor Zhao Qing refused him without thinking. "It's just a criminal. There is no need to mobilize a large force. The Grand Prefect is enough."
When Guo Huaian heard that the Emperor didn't want him to interfere, he became even more curious. What was there that he couldn't know?
"There is nothing else. Go. We will send an order later and have the Grand Prefect go to the Supreme Court to get the person."
"This subject kneels."
Guo Huaian left with a stomach full of doubts. Just as he reached the front hall, he heard the muffled sound of a heavy object falling to the ground behind him. He couldn't help but quicken his steps.
Inside the hall, Emperor Zhao Qing, who had smashed a paper town made of auspicious beasts, was full of irritation. He turned his head and said to the person behind the screen, "As my beloved subject had predicted, the person has been caught. But we never thought that it would be from the Xue family!"
The Grand Prefect walked out with his sleeves in his arms and bowed to Emperor Zhao Qing. He comforted in a warm voice, "Your Majesty, please calm down. We have only caught a suspect. We have not confirmed that this matter has anything to do with Prime Minister Xue. What if it is just a misunderstanding?"
Emperor Zhao Qing's expression softened slightly, but his tone was still stiff. "Go and investigate as soon as possible. We do not want to wrongly blame a loyal person."
He didn't want this matter to have anything to do with the Xue family.
"This subject takes his leave."
The Grand Prefect walked out of Xuande Hall with a pair of long sleeves hanging down. On the long corridor leading to the Moon Gate, he saw Jing Chen walking towards him.
"Uncle." Jing Chen stopped to greet him.
The Grand Prefect smiled gently. "The Emperor is still angry. You should go later."
Jing Chen grunted and stood aside. He waited for the Grand Prefect to leave before he continued to walk in the direction of Xuande Hall.
***
Yu Shu had received the news about the Imperial Rankings in the morning. She knew in advance that this would happen. During the day, she deliberately arranged for Lu Hong to run errands outside. Once there was any movement, it would be reported to her.
Then, when it was noon, Yu Shu left the Celestial Commissioner's Office with two guards. She pretended to look for Xue Rui. When she arrived at the door of the Prime Minister's Residence, she saw that the door was closed and it was quiet in broad daylight. She knew at a glance that something had happened.
"Your Excellency, should I go and knock on the door?" Lu Hong asked.
"No need. I think the master is not at home. Let's go and eat." Yu Shu looked calm on the surface, but her heart was already in a mess. She wanted to break into the door and grab someone to ask for details. But she knew that she couldn't.
She was surrounded by the Emperor's spies. She had to think twice before doing anything. Fortunately, there was Jing Chen to help her pass the news. She was not in the dark.
Yu Shu returned to the Celestial Commissioner's Office with her guards. She stayed up for another afternoon. She didn't see Jing Chen coming, so she got off work and went home as usual.
.....
The next day, Yu Shu went out a quarter earlier than usual. She didn't stop to greet people on the way and went straight to the Kunling Bureau. When she entered the door, she saw Xie Lan and asked casually,
"Did the Right Commander come today?"
Xie Lan pointed upstairs. "He has been here for a while."
Before she finished speaking, Yu Shu disappeared in a flash.
Jing Chen leaned against the window on the second floor. He saw Yu Shu as soon as she entered the courtyard. He knew that she was coming up, so he turned around and sat down. He dismissed the scribe who was talking non-stop and waited for her to go upstairs.
Sure enough, her figure appeared outside the door not long after.
"Jing Chen," Yu Shu didn't forget to close the door. She walked forward quickly and asked in a low voice, "How is it? Did you catch the person?"
His ears trembled. After confirming that no one was eavesdropping outside the door, he guided her to sit down by the tea table on the east side.
He said face to face with her, "Yesterday morning, someone announced the Imperial Bulletin in the east of the city. The Left Deputy Commander of the Yulin Royal Guards, Yin Yuanrong, took people to the Xue family and took away a chief steward with the surname Xu. Then they went to the Supreme Court. The person was detained. The Emperor wants to send the Tito to interrogate that person."
As expected, Yu Shu took a deep breath and clenched her knees.
Jing Chen looked at her face and said gently, "The Tito has the Great Insight Technique and is an insider. He is the most suitable person to interrogate. You can rest assured now. If the Xue family doesn't have bad intentions, the Tito will not make a wrong judgment."
The corner of Yu Shu's mouth moved. She forced a smile, but the uneasiness in her heart grew.
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