On the first day of the 88th New Year, the New Year had a new atmosphere. Last night, the whole family stayed up all night and didn't feel tired. Early in the morning, Yu Shu brought Yu Xiaoxiu to kowtow to the elders of the family. After eating breakfast, Pei Jing brought his furen and daughter over. In an instant, the house was filled with children and grandchildren. As the only old person in the two families, He lao taitai gave out red packets one after another. Even though she lost money, she was smiling like a flower.
The sound of firecrackers in celebration of the Spring Festival did not stop. From time to time, people would come to pay their New Year greetings. Most of them came for Yu Shu, but there were also He Fangzhi's friends and neighbors. What was worth mentioning was that Jing Wang fu also sent a steward over to say auspicious words. Along the way, there was also a painting personally written by Jing Wang that he gifted to Yu Shu.
After they left, Pei Jing and He Fangzhi discussed: "I didn't think that His Highness Jing Wang would be so amiable and approachable. He really doesn't seem like the lofty and aloof person that the rumors say."
Yu Shu didn't think so in her heart. Originally, she was also intimidated by Liu Tan's reticence. It was only until Xue Rui's mishap that she realized that Liu Tan was a fickle and heartless person. Now, he was only putting on an act because she had the value of befriending him.
The entire morning was spent welcoming and sending off guests. Even though Yu Shu only said a few polite words, she still felt tired. It was almost noon when the person she had been waiting for finally came.
Yesterday, after the banquet at Ning Wang fu, Xue Rui had told her that he would come today. Actually, according to reason, she should have gone to the Xue fu to pay her New Year greetings to Prime Minister Xue. Due to various reasons, it was changed to Xue Rui who came to find her.
Hearing the servant's report, Yu Shu got up and went out to greet them. From afar, she saw Xue Rui dressed in new clothes and a new hat. He had an imposing appearance and two attendants behind him, carrying something as he walked over from the direction of the main door.
Xue Rui noticed her as well, and a smile couldn't help but hang on his face. He arrived before her before stopping, and then slightly raised his head to size up the slender and elegant beauty that stood on the staircase. She wore a silver white satin jacket that was pinned at the waist, and a long skirt that reached her feet was embroidered with a circle of silver red lotus flowers that were on the verge of blooming, and it complemented the fiery red fox pelt on her shoulder, causing her complexion to be bright and beautiful, and her appearance to be moving.
What made him even more happy was that although she didn't wear many pieces of jewelry, the hairpins and earrings were all carefully selected by him. Most men have this kind of vanity, hoping that their loved one's clothes, food, shelter, and transportation wouldn't be handled by others, and he was no exception.
The two of them stood at the door of the living room and exchanged affections. If He Fangzhi hadn't called out to them, they wouldn't have felt cold even if they stood there for two hours.
"Your nephew wishes the two uncles a happy New Year. I wish the whole family happiness and prosperity." The moment Xue Rui entered the room, he bowed to greet He Fangzhi. He Fangzhi accepted it calmly, but it was Pei Jing who waved his hand and stood up to avoid it. In terms of seniority, Xue Rui was a junior, but no matter what, he was still an official of the imperial court. Even if he and Yu Shu were in the same city, Pei Jing knew that he was just a businessman, so he could not afford to have Xue Rui greet him.
Seeing this scene, although Xue Rui felt helpless, he didn't rush to greet them. He didn't want his future father-in-law and uncle-in-law to see any clues.
After sitting in the living room for a while, Yu Shu found an excuse to take Xue Rui to see old taitai He and Zhao Hui. Before the two of them left, they finally had a chance to be alone. It was a pity that they didn't talk about romance, but important political news.
"What you said to me yesterday, I only understood after I went home and thought about it," Yu Shu lowered her voice and said, "The Great Emperor suggested that Kong Qi be taken away. As long as he questioned her, he would be able to tell the truth and know that the Tenth Princess had died in Ning Wang's trap. But he may not be impartial. Without the Book of Xuan Nu and the Mandate of Heaven and Tai Gu, the Emperor cannot choose an heir. So he has to support Ning Wang. Once Ning Wang is convicted of murdering his siblings, the position of the regent will have to be replaced."
Seeing Ning Wang's misfortune, she only cared about gloating. Xue Rui concluded that Ning Wang's fall was not necessarily a good thing. She herself didn't know anything about politics, but under his influence, she gradually learned how to examine the situation of the court.
"It is exactly so." Xue Rui walked shoulder to shoulder with her. He held her hand with one hand and gathered her slender fingers into his sleeve. "Amongst all the Imperial Princes, only Ning Wang is capable of holding his own. The others have to rely on their relatives. Since ancient times until now, the greatest taboo of imperial power is to fall into the hands of outsiders. So not only will the Great Advisor not expose Ning Wang's crimes, for the sake of the overall situation, he will even protect Ning Wang."
Yu Shu frowned. "Even if it is Da Tiao, he can't confuse black and white. If the evidence is conclusive, and Ning Wang is convicted, what will happen?"
"If it really reaches that step, just look at who will have the power in the end. That person will be the real culprit who tried to kill you. Maybe it will be my grandfather, or maybe it will be someone else. "
Xue Rui's words were shocking. Yu Shu suddenly stopped walking and looked in bewilderment at him. From the time he had disappeared until now, the two of them had avoided this question. She suspected that Jing Chen's danger and the murders in Taishi Library were all secretly orchestrated by Xue Lingnan, but she had never asked Xue Rui for proof, afraid that it would make things difficult for him. Facing his sudden confession, she didn't know what to do.
Xue Rui tightened his grip on her hand, his eyes unwavering. "You don't want to make things difficult for me, but I can't pretend to be deaf and mute. I didn't tell you before because I couldn't tell right from wrong. But I know that the culprit behind the scenes has been plotting for a long time to take the throne. You and I are powerless to interfere in the case of Ning Wang. We only need to keep our eyes open and watch. Whether he is loyal or not, there will be a conclusion. "
Yu Shu's emotions fluctuated. Even if she had doubts, she could only hide them in her heart. If Xue Lingnan was the culprit behind the scenes, what would Xue Rui do?
She didn't care if she took revenge or not. After all, she was living well. Seeing that the Xue family had raised Xue Rui, she could let bygones be bygones. But if Xue Lingnan was really a traitor, then could it be that Xue Rui had to become a traitor in order to repay his kindness!?
Xue Rui could see that she was thinking nonsense again. He gently pinched her palm and said in a low voice, "Right now, the most important thing for us is to get the Chun Jun Sword."
If they had the Book of Mystery Maiden Liu Ren and the Chun Jun Sword, they would no longer be fish on the chopping block.
***
On the first day of the first month, Guo Huaian went to the Celestial Commissioner to ask for him. The Grand Commissioner did not release him and gave a very legitimate reason — Kong Qi reported the Qinwang, which was beyond the jurisdiction of the Judicial Office. It had to be reported to the Emperor first and then investigated.
These words were passed to Ning Wang Fu and the inner palace, but there were different reactions. Ning Wang was more and more convinced that the Grand Commissioner wanted to protect him. But if he thought he could rest easy like this, then he was very wrong.
The next day, an imperial decree was sent to the Grand Tidian. The Empress ordered the Imperial Astronomer and the Supreme Court to investigate the case of the Tenth Princess's murder three years ago. They had to find out the truth and bring the murderer to justice.
Emperor Zhao Qing was recuperating in Huazhen Garden. In Jing, the Empress' decree was the most important. Even if the Grand Commissioner could not disobey the decree, he could only open the case for investigation.
When Ning Wang heard the news, he immediately knew that the Empress and Noble Consort Xue were working together to bring him down. Even though he hated them, he did not sit and wait for death. That night, he visited the Celestial Commissioner and had a secret talk with the Grand Commissioner. The content was not known to others.
On the third day of the first month, Kong Qi was officially handed over to the Judicial Office to be imprisoned. At most three days later, the evidence would be gathered and the trial could begin. There were no airtight walls in this world. Also, there were people purposefully spreading the news. In less than three days, the rumors that Ning Wang had schemed to kill the Tenth Princess and then shifted the blame to the Xue family, causing Empress Rui and Noble Consort Xue to turn against each other spread through the court.
At the same time, a memorial was sent from the north to the capital at top speed. A battle filled with the smoke of gunpowder had quietly begun.
.....
On the second day after the Judicial Office opened the case, Yu Shu and Jing Chen met with the Grand Commissioner at Tai Xi Tower — the Chun Jun sword had finally been forged.
"You come and see if it's real or fake." Zhu Muzhao had a long and narrow sword case in front of him. He indicated for Jing Chen to come forward and open it.
Yu Shu didn't move from her spot but stretched her neck to look. She saw Jing Chen take out a bronze short sword. The blade was black and shiny, the patterns on the hilt indistinct. It appeared to be very old. At first glance, it looked very intimidating. But she knew that the Grand Commissioner would not bring the real sword in front of them. This was definitely a fake.
Jing Chen weighed it in his hand and lightly tapped on the blade. He turned it over and over to examine it. He exclaimed in shock: "This sword is exactly the same as the one I saw that day. It's a fake?"
Zhu Muzhao smiled faintly: "There are so many skilled craftsmen in the world. It's not strange to pass off a fake as the real one. Not just the Chun Jun sword, even the [Book of Xuan Nu Liu Ren] can be forged."
Yu Shu's eyelids twitched. She thought that he didn't say this casually. In order to dispel his doubts, she said: "The Six Weapons of Founding Dynasty are extraordinary. Ordinary people can't tell the real from the fake. I think the Grand Commissioner must have a way to tell."
Zhu Muzhao looked at her and nodded in agreement.
Yu Shu frowned and said: "I don't know if Yunhua Yi Zi also knows how to tell. What if he recognizes that the Chun Jun sword is fake and refuses to give me the [Book of Xuan Nu Liu Ren]?"
"Don't worry. Even if he can tell the real from the fake, it will be after you read the [Book of Xuan Nu Liu Ren]." Zhu Muzhao was calm and composed. The words that came out of his mouth were always easily convincing.
Yu Shu sneered and thought: 'Of course you can make me feel at ease. You brought this fake sword to trick me into looking for Yun Hua so that you can follow the clues and capture Yun Hua. Then, the [Book of Xuan Nu Liu Ren] will be in your hands, and the next step will be to obtain Destiny's Tai Bone.'
"Put away the fake sword and bring it to Yun Hua as soon as possible." Zhu Muzhao said solemnly: "When you read the [Book of Xuan Nu Liu Ren], you will know who is lying to you. At that time, I will want you to sacrifice your life for Jing Chen. If you continue to make excuses, I will not be lenient. "
He did not ask how Yu Shu could get in touch with Yun Hua, nor did he ask when she was going to see Yun Hua. It looked like he was purely trying to gain Yu Shu's trust so that she would obediently marry Jing Chen.
However, Yu Shu knew that once she walked out of the door with this fake sword, she would face an unprecedented test.
She took the heavy sword case from Jing Chen's hands and hugged it in her arms. She nodded at the Grand Commissioner and left. Jing Chen followed closely behind her.
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