The storm seemed to have passed just like that. Qing Zhu seemed to want to minimize the problem.
Imperial Concubine Qin and her two handmaidens were unable to return to the Sky Palace. They were stopped at the entrance of the Li Palace and escorted back to their parents' home. This was what they said on the surface, but Qing Zhu had ordered them to stay in their parents' home and not to go out without permission.
They were not even given a chance to return to the palace to pack their belongings. They were escorted away just like that, disappointing the concubines who wanted to find out more information.
To Imperial Concubine Qin, this was a blessing in disguise. It was good that she didn't lose her life. She vaguely sensed that it wasn't that Qing Zhu didn't want to kill her, but that killing her now would cause too much of a commotion.
As for Yuan Venerate Qing, there was no way to deal with it for the time being. It was as if nothing had happened.
Xiahou Chengyu was uncertain and asked Miao Yi for his opinion. Miao Yi felt that since Qing Zhu intended to train Yuan Venerate Qing, he wouldn't let it go so easily. The punishment should be dealt with later, but Qing Zhu didn't want everyone to know about it since it involved a family scandal. He didn't want to associate Imperial Concubine Qin's punishment with Yuan Venerate Qing's.
As a result, Xiahou Chengyu's heart was in his throat again. He didn't know what kind of punishment his son would receive.
When the Xiahou family found out that Imperial Concubine Qin was involved and that Xiahou Chengyu had taken Yuan Venerate Qing to admit his mistake, Xiahou Ling was so angry that he gave Xiahou Chengyu a stern warning. Xiahou Chengyu was furious after being scolded. You're blaming me for being useless?
It wasn't like facing Xiahou Ta. Xiahou Ling's prestige was not just a little bit lower than Xiahou Ta's. Xiahou Chengyu wasn't the only one who had a change of heart. Xiahou Ling's hidden brothers were the same. If Xiahou Ta was still around, he wouldn't even need to say anything to make everyone respect him.
After the imperial court meeting, the officials dispersed. Ying Wuman was suddenly stopped by a palace maid who informed him, "Marquis Ying, Emissary Gao wants to see you."
Ying Wuman looked in the direction the palace maid was looking at and saw Gao Guan, who was wearing a black cloak and a tall hat. He was coldly staring at him.
Ying Wuman greeted his colleagues and turned back. When he reached the bottom of the steps, he cupped his hands and smiled. "Emissary Gao, what instructions do you have for me?"
"Let's talk somewhere else!" Gao Guan, who was looking down from above, walked down the steps. When he brushed past him, he threw a sentence and walked away.
You want to talk in private? Ying Wuman felt somewhat baffled. He didn't know what this cold-faced magistrate wanted to discuss with him. However, he believed that the magistrate wouldn't attack him without his permission. So, he followed the magistrate to the side courtyard.
However, what he did not expect was that as soon as he entered the moon gate, he immediately discovered that something was wrong. A row of black-clothed people blocked his way in front, and another row of black-clothed people quickly cut off his path of retreat. In an instant, swords and spears came out, surrounding him in the middle. The sharp tips of the spears were almost pressed against his chest and back.
The people surrounding him were all wearing black hats with gold embroidered on them, black coats with gold trimmings, and jade belts around their waists. It was obvious that they were all from the Right Supervisory Department.
Ying Wuman looked around with a cold gaze, and he stared at Gao Guan, who was walking out of the crowd in a neither fast nor slow manner. He said in a deep voice, "Gao Guan, what's the meaning of this?"
Gao Guan did not even turn his head. He only showed his back to the man and walked away indifferently. "Someone reported that Marquis Ying has colluded with the traitors. Please return and assist in the investigation!"
Ying Wuman angrily said, "If you want to incriminate someone, you can always find a pretext. I want to see His Majesty!"
"Right Supervisory Department, listen up! Those who resist the investigation will be considered as assisting the traitors. Kill!" Gao Guan was too lazy to waste words and directly gave the order.
The saber was immediately placed on Ying Wuman's neck. Ying Wuman stared at the black-cloaked figure that was gradually disappearing into the distance. He was angry, but he didn't dare to say anything. If someone else wanted to kill him, he might have to think twice. However, that bastard Gao Guan had the power to kill first and report later. Moreover, he had already given the order to kill. If he dared to act recklessly, his head would immediately fall to the ground.
Gao Guan's style was always there, and there was no need to doubt it.
Without any movement, the dignified Marquis Ying was directly taken away by the Right Supervisory Department.
"Have you found anything?"
In the Kou Tian King's Mansion, Tang Henian walked into the bamboo forest. Kou Lingxu, who was talking with Kou Zheng, saw him and asked.
Tang Henian naturally knew what he was asking. He cupped his hands in greeting to the two before shaking his head. "We still don't know why Consort Qin returned home to visit her relatives. No one in the palace seems to know the reason, but from the way she was taken away from Yu Tian, there is definitely something wrong. Consort Qin is a tribute from the Ying Family, so Ying Jiuguang might know something. I wonder if it has anything to do with Heavenly Consort returning to the palace. "
Kou Lingxu stroked his beard and said, "The signal sent by Lord Qing must have aroused Ying Jiuguang's desire to let Heavenly Consort ascend to the top. I wonder what role Consort Qin played in this."
It wasn't just the Kou Family that was paying attention to Consort Qin's movements. There was also a group of people that were paying attention to the Heavenly Court's harem. They were all trying to find out what had happened.
In the study room of King Ying Tian's mansion, Ying Jiuguang was waving his brush and splashing ink.
After Zuo Er entered and paid his respects, he approached the desk and reported: "Consort Qin has safely arrived at her parents' home. There are people from the palace following and monitoring her. Her father Wang Zhuo's report has a hidden meaning. His daughter has paid such a big price and has done what should be done. When will he be given the position of Dutong?"
Ying Jiuguang dipped his brush in ink and said, "Tell him that this King never mistreats those who work for him. It would be too obvious to promote him now. Has that person in the palace still not done anything about the Son of Heaven? "
Zuo 'er said, "Not yet. Maybe he doesn't want to expose his dirty linen to the public. He doesn't want to be associated with Consort Qin. Or maybe Lord Qing is protecting his son and doesn't want to deal with the Son of Heaven at all. "
Ying Jiuguang put his brush aside and took a wet towel from Zuo 'er to wipe his hands. "If it's the latter, then we've really misunderstood Lord Qing's intentions. It won't be easy for the Heavenly Consort to replace the Empress." This incident was just a test to them.
Zuo 'er said, "If it's the former, then Lord Qing doesn't want to expose his dirty linen to the public. Once the Heavenly Consort ascends to the throne, she must cut off the possibility of Yuan Venerate Qing succeeding the throne and leave the opportunity to the Heavenly Consort's children …" She was implying that they could release the news.
Ying Jiuguang nodded. "Let's wait and see. It shouldn't take too long. If we've really misunderstood, then let's give up. It's not a good thing for us to go against the Xiahou Family. Who knows if that old bastard Xiahou Ta made any arrangements when he was alive. "
At this time, Zuo 'er received a message from Xing Ling. Her expression changed after she took out her Xing Ling and said, "Your Highness, something happened to Lord Hou. He was taken away by Gao Guan and secretly detained in the prison for interrogation."
"Interrogation?" Ying Jiuguang was stunned for a moment before he flew into a rage. "What happened?"
Zuo 'er said, "Lord Hou's followers asked about it. They said that someone reported Lord Hou colluding with rebels. After the court meeting, Lord Hou was secretly detained by Gao Guan before he could leave the palace."
Pa! Ying Jiuguang slammed his palm on the table and shouted, "What is Lord Qing trying to do? Does he think I'm easy to bully? "
However, his anger disappeared as quickly as it came. He squinted his eyes and waved his hand. "Tell Wu Man's subordinates to keep quiet. Gao Guan will release Wu Man soon. There won't be any problems."
Zuo 'er was stunned and couldn't react for a moment. She asked, "Why?"
"It's still the same thing. Lord Qing doesn't want to spread his dirty laundry. He's detaining Wu Man to warn us. Once his dirty laundry is exposed, he can detain Wu Man at any time and take his life. Unless the Ying family doesn't go to court anymore, the Ying family can forget about having a foothold in the court. If we dare to do something, he will dare to do it again." Ying Jiuguang sneered.
Zuo 'er was silent after hearing this. She sighed in her heart. It seemed that she couldn't publicize Lord Qing's dirty laundry anymore. It couldn't be helped. Lord Qing's power of checks and balances wasn't something the Ying family could compare to. He could easily destroy the Ying family's plans.
As expected, Zuo 'er quickly received another message from Xing Ling. After contacting him, she sighed and reported, "Your Highness, as you expected, the Right Ministry has already released Lord Hou."
Ying Jiuguang nodded and put this matter aside. He walked around the table with his hands behind his back and said, "However, the way the Xiahou family handled this matter this time surprised this old man. Xiahou Chengyu actually took the initiative to bring the Emperor to apologize. He didn't even show any signs of wanting to fight with this old man. Xiahou Ling has just taken the throne and he's already admitting defeat?"
Zuo 'er said, "Perhaps Xiahou Ling's influence within the Xiahou family isn't strong enough, so he doesn't dare to act rashly."
"It's certain that his influence isn't strong enough. Xiahou Ling can't have Xiahou Ta's prestige, but we can't be careless either." Ying Jiuguang turned around and said, "If Xiahou Ling wants to act, he will most likely start with Qin Fei!"
Zuo 'er nodded, understanding what he meant.
Albatross Mansion, Forbidden Garden, under the towering tree, Xiahou Ling called Wei Shu over and asked almost the same question as Ying Jiuguang, "Has Lord Qing from the Heavenly Palace made any response to Your Highness?"
Wei Shu said, "Not yet."
Xiahou Ling thought for a while and said, "We can't wait any longer. That Qin Fei, hmph! We must make an example out of her and see what Lord Qing's intentions are before settling this debt with the Ying family! My brothers won't be unable to do something like this, right? "
Wei Shu understood that Xiahou Ling was going to kill the Celestial Emperor's concubine, so he replied, "At a time like this, the lords should know what to do. We will do it well."
Xiahou Ling said, "Remind them to be careful, there might be a trap over there. Don't fall for it."
"Yes!" Wei Shu agreed and left.
Half a day later, Wei Shu hurried to the forbidden garden and found Xiahou Ling in the main hall, "Lord, I'm afraid it's not good to touch that Qin Fei."
Xia Houling, who was meditating and not cultivating, opened his eyes. "Is there a problem?"
Wei Shu smiled bitterly, "Lord Jiu sent news that Qin Fei is actually one of us. To be more precise, Qin Fei's father, Wang Zhuo, is one of us."
Xiahou Ling's expression froze and turned cold, "What kind of joke is this? If he's really one of us, why didn't we know anything when Qin Fei did this?"
Wei Shu: "Concubine Qin doesn't know her father's true background. The Ying Family controlled everything well and didn't let any information leak out. Wang Zhuo also didn't know about this and only found out after Concubine Qin was sent back. Now, Wang Zhuo is asking the Ying family to agree to his daughter's promise. Wang Zhuo will probably be promoted to lieutenant soon and will be more useful in the future! "
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