Chapter 484

The pale-faced, beardless man coldly mocked, "Parents? Under the heavens, everyone is a subject of the Emperor! As an official, we place ourselves at the same level as the Emperor's parents. When this dragon clearly realizes what he controls, how can he not view it as a great humiliation? "

Yes, from Zhang Juzheng's perspective, he felt that everything he did was done with a clear conscience. He used the standards of raising sages and raised children to teach the Emperor. But, would the Emperor understand his painstaking efforts, or would he completely destroy the serious, upright, and flawless image of the Emperor in his heart after learning all of this?

This time, Qi Jiguang was silent for an even longer time. After a long time, he finally asked in a low voice, "How is Mister Shuanglin's current situation?"

The Mister Shuanglin he was asking about was the head eunuch Feng Bao. Feng Bao, courtesy name Yongting, was called Shuanglin. It was because of Feng Bao's strong support that Zhang Juzheng was able to monopolize the court and grasp power that even surpassed the Emperor. He was able to display his ambitions.

Feng Bao and Zhang Juzheng were the two leaders of the internal and external court. The two of them had always worked together seamlessly. Now that Zhang Juzheng was being investigated, even a famous general with outstanding military service was implicated and the Emperor was suspicious of him, Feng Bao's situation was not good.

Qi Jiguang was not ignorant of this. Qi Jiguang was very perceptive. He was not like the rare weirdo in Hai Rui. The reason he was able to create such an everlasting achievement, other than his outstanding talent, was because he knew how to conduct himself. Otherwise, if he was always hindered by others, how could he do great things?

In the capital, he had eyes and ears that helped him find information. It was impossible for him not to know Feng Bao's current situation, but he still asked. Naturally, he did not ask about Feng Bao's current situation. He wanted to know how much Feng Bao would be implicated. If Feng Bao could retreat unscathed, this matter would still be within the scope of control.

The pale-faced, beardless man naturally knew what he was asking. He shook his head and said, "The Emperor's heart is hard to predict. Right now, many things are hard to say."

This vague answer was not what Qi Jiguang wanted. He stubbornly asked, "Then what exactly is it?"

The man opposite him slowly said, "The Director of Rites, Zhang Cheng, has placed someone at Eunuch Feng's side. This person is very well hidden and knows many things about Eunuch Feng. Unfortunately, we still have not found out who he is. "

Qi Jiguang's expression changed. "Did they have something on Mister Shuanglin?"

The man opposite him said, "Yes! Zhang Cheng received some items and passed them to Censor Li Zhi. Li Zhi wrote a memorial to impeach Eunuch Feng. The content of the impeachment is very detailed, including the seven famous zithers, nine luminous pearls, five pearl curtains, thirty thousand taels of gold, and two hundred thousand taels of silver that Mister Taiyue gave to Eunuch Feng … "

Such detailed data was obviously only available to Feng Bao's confidants. Such an important matter, their enemy already knew it and even told Tian Zi. Qi Jiguang's pupils constricted, and he couldn't say anything else.

Zhang Juzheng was the head of the household. His monthly salary was eighty-seven stones, which was about forty taels of silver (equivalent to thirty thousand dollars). This kind of income was not even enough to feed his servants, not to mention other expenses.

This matter would undoubtedly make Emperor Wanli's impression of Zhang Juzheng even worse, and he would hate him even more. Would the emperor still believe that Feng Bao, who had received such a generous gift from Zhang Juzheng, was loyal to him? Would he allow a servant of his to amass such wealth?

The pale-faced, beardless man saw Qi Jiguang's expression change and hurriedly comforted him, "Junior Protector, you don't have to worry too much. The Empress Dowager still trusts Eunuch Feng. Now that the Emperor has just taken over the government, I think he will consider the Empress Dowager's opinion."

Qi Jiguang sighed, "I hope so."

The pale-faced, beardless man continued, "Today Shaotuo is about to leave for the south. I have been entrusted by Feng Gonggong to see Shaotuo precisely because of this matter. The man continued, "Junior Protector is about to leave for the south. I was asked by Eunuch Feng to see you for this matter. As long as eunuch was able to stand firm, those who attacked Mister Taiyue would have to think twice. In that case, Junior Protector's situation would change. Therefore, Junior Protector, you can delay your journey as much as you can. You only need to wait for Eunuch Feng to overcome this hurdle. Then, you can turn around and deal with those ingrates. Perhaps before Junior Protector reaches Guangzhou, the decree to transfer you back to Ji Province will come down. "

Junior Protector, you can delay your journey. As long as Eunuch Feng survives this, he will deal with those ingrates. Who knows, before Junior Protector can arrive in Guangzhou, the imperial edict to transfer you back to Ji Province will come. " Junior Protector, you can delay your journey and wait for Eunuch Feng to get through this. Then, he will deal with those ingrates. Maybe the order to transfer you back to Ji Province will come before Junior Protector reaches Guangzhou. "

The young Emperor was furious. He finally decided to deal with his "partner". Zhang Jing had already rushed to the East Faction Guards to take over the position of the East Faction Guards Supervisor with the Emperor's secret edict.

After the pale-faced, beardless man finished speaking, he suddenly asked, "Is that woman still with you?"

Qi Shaobao nodded. The pale-faced man pursed his lips and said coldly, "This woman is inauspicious. Why don't..." he pressed his palm down like a knife.

Qi Shaobao shook his head. "Mister Taiyue's death has nothing to do with a woman. I have killed many people in my life, but I have never laid my hands on a weak woman. "

"Keep her. Once the news spreads, it will damage Mister Taiyue's reputation," the pale-faced man said.

Qi Shaobao said indifferently, "So what if I like women? I am not a perfect man or a saint, but I have a clear conscience towards the imperial court, the people, and the country! Mister Taiyue is even more so. Besides, this matter may not be hidden. As far as I know, more than one person knows the real cause of Mister Taiyue's death. "

The pale-faced man sighed. "Junior Protector is too soft-hearted. Forget it. Keep a close eye on her. Don't let her fall into the enemy's hands. Otherwise, she will be used by others."

Qi Shaobao nodded lightly. Soon enough, the beardless man put on his hat and quietly left the inn. Qi Shaobao stood on the stairs and silently saw him off. Then, he slowly returned to the main hall.

In the corner of the courtyard, there was a small firewood hut. A faint firelight shone through the crack of the door. Qi Shaobao did not know that the weak woman he had saved was curled up in the hut, suffering in the cold winter night.

He didn't want to kill Shui Wu because of the morality in his heart. Moreover, he was such a high and mighty figure, so how could he pay attention to that woman's every move? He did not know that his subordinates had already blamed Mister Taiyue's death and his misfortune on that woman, causing her to suffer such abuse...

...

Not long after Ye Xiaotian returned to the inn, Kuai Peng sent him news of Old Man Xia's family. They were staying at the Peach Leaf Inn. So, early in the morning, Ye Xiaotian brought Mao Wenzhi and Hua Yunfei to the Peach Leaf Inn.

Zhan Ning'er knew what he was going to do. She silently watched Ye Xiaotian leave and returned to her room. She took out the gown that she had painstakingly cut out. The gown was almost done. Only one side of the gown was not sewn. But, was there a need to give it to others?

Last night, looking at Ye Xiaotian and Xia Yingying standing in the pavilion, Zhan Ning'er unknowingly shed tears of sadness. She did not understand why she was crying. She did not hate Yingying, nor did she hate Ye Xiaotian. Perhaps, what she really hated was the Heavens who played tricks on people.

Looking at everything that Ye Xiaotian had done for Yingying, she only felt envy, endless envy. How she wished that the woman standing in the moonlight was her, so happy, so sweet. Unfortunately, that was only a beautiful dream. When she woke up, she was only a spectator, standing under the pavilion, silently bearing witness.

Tang Xianzu leisurely strolled in the inn. From time to time, he would stretch his chest and stretch his throat. The entire city was filled with firecrackers and fireworks. At this time, the air was still filled with the smell of gunpowder. Suddenly, he saw Zhan Ning'er walk out of the door and threw a big bundle into a rubbish basket at the door.

"Good morning, Miss Zhan!"

Tang Xianzu walked over with a smile. Zhan Ning'er was about to turn around and return to her room when she suddenly heard a call. She looked up and saw that it was him. She lightly bowed and said, "Brother Tang."

Tang Xianzu smiled and said, "Miss Zhan is really early. Did you go to watch the lanterns last night?" Zhan Ning'er's heart ached. If she had stayed in the inn obediently last night and not gone to watch the lanterns, how good would it have been? She would not have been so sad and in such despair.

Zhan Ning'er said in a low voice, "I went and came back in the third night. When did Brother Tang come back?"

Tang Xianzu said, "I went to visit some of the elders. It was almost the fourth night …"

Speaking up to this point, Tang Xianzu suddenly saw the thing in the basket. When he looked at it from afar, he thought it was a bundle. Only now did he see that it was a rolled up piece of clothing. Looking at the fabric, it was obviously newly made. Tang Xianzu made a sound of surprise and said, "This was made by Miss Zhan?"

"Ah! No … I … "

Zhan Ning'er was a little flustered. She wanted to move aside to block Tang Xianzu's line of sight, but Tang Xianzu was one step ahead of her. He bent down and shook the robe open and looked at it.

"Ha! This is the robe that Miss Zhan made for Brother Tian? " Tang Xianzu smiled and wanted to praise her, but his eyes fell on the centipede-shaped stitches. His eyebrows couldn't help but twitch. He really couldn't say those words of praise.

Zhan Ning'er's pretty face turned red. She wanted to deny it, but she knew that she couldn't hide it from him. She was embarrassed and could only stutter, "I … I've never made clothes before, so …"

Tang Xianzu smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing. The important thing isn't the clothes, but the feelings. Why did you throw it away? Are you planning to make a new one?"

Zhan Ning'er said sadly, "I don't want to do it anymore. I've thought it through. Maybe … if I missed it, I missed it. "

Tang Xianzu said, "You're giving up just like that? As the saying goes, a man chasing a woman is separated by a layer of mountains. A woman chasing a man is separated by a layer of gauze. How are you not worthy of him, Miss Zhan? You're so ashamed and self-pitying. "

Zhan Ning'er smiled bitterly, "I can't even make a set of clothes."

Tang Xianzu said, "What's wrong with that? He's an official after all, why would he need you to cut and sew?"

Tang Xianzu thought for a moment. Suddenly, his eyes turned and he said to Zhan Ning'er, "Wait for me for a moment!"

Tang Xianzu took the half-finished robe and left in a hurry. Zhan Ning'er didn't know what he went to do, so she could only stand at the door and wait. After a while, Tang Xianzu came back with a smile. He opened the robe and said to Zhan Ning'er proudly, "Look."

Zhan Ning'er fixed her eyes on it and couldn't help but jump in fright. She saw that the robe was covered with bloody handprints. It was a ghastly sight. Zhan Ning'er asked in surprise, "What is this?"

Tang Xianzu winked at her and whispered, "This is chicken, duck, and goose blood that I went to the kitchen to get. Don't tell Xiao Tian that. Just say that you pricked your hand when you were making the robe and stained it."

Zhan Ning'er said, "Uh … my … my blood … stained it?"

Tang Xianzu said proudly, "That's right! You sew this half of the robe and find a good opportunity to give it to him. This man, sometimes needs to be touched. The moment he was touched, he gave his heart to me … "