The interrogator was Xiao Shao.
Xiao Shao was in charge of the Brocade Guards. Usually, when they went on special missions, they would occasionally catch people who refused to speak. Under his interrogation, these people had never lasted to the end. The less people saw it, the fiercer the rumors spread. There was a saying in the Great Jin dynasty: there was no mouth that Xiao Shao could not pry open. Unfortunately, his temperament was cold and cheerless. Even those who knew him did not dare to question him personally. They could only guess that the torture method was incomparably cruel.
When Xia Cheng heard this, he felt his heart sink. He clenched his fists and said, "How did they fall into Xiao Shao's hands? What does Xiao Shao have to do with Jiang Xin Zhi? "
"During the ambush, General Guan and Xiao Wangye suddenly arrived. General Guan wanted to bring those people back, but Xiao Wangye said that it was an important matter and asked him to personally interrogate them."
"Oh no." Xia Cheng's face paled. "If the Xia fu is implicated, how can we have good days in the future?" He paced back and forth in the room twice. "This won't do, I have to go find Eighth Prince. Quickly prepare the horse. "
At the same time, in the capital, the Prime Minister's fu was also in a complete mess. Li Dong angrily pointed at Li An and scolded, "Have you lost your mind? Now, the people have fallen into Xiao Shao's hands. No matter how forgiving the Emperor is, he will not tolerate privately raising troops. You've made such a big mess for the Li family. What should we do next? "
Li An had always been Li Dong's pride and had praised him since he was young. However, Li Yang's accident had upset him, and now Li An had made such a big mistake. Li Dong no longer saw Li An as pleasing to the eye.
Li An stood where he was with a cold expression. He did not say a word, but his expression was very gloomy. He had wanted to use the Jiang family's matter to attack Jiang Xin Zhi. He could rope in the Jiang family and also see Jiang Ruan suffer. He did not expect that Guan Liang Han and Xiao Shao would appear and ruin his plans! However, Li An's eyes flashed. He had heard that Zhao Yuan Feng and Zhao Yi were also present at the time. How could it be so coincidental? For some reason, a cold and smiling face appeared in front of Li An.
He did not believe that this matter had nothing to do with Jiang Ruan.
When Li Dong saw Li An's silence, he became even more furious and said, "Hurry up and think of something. Your eldest brother has become a cripple because of the Jiang Clan. Are you going to ruin the entire Prime Minister's Residence for the Jiang Clan?"
"What's the rush?" Li An said disdainfully, "I'll talk to the Eighth Prince about this." Xuan Li needed his wisdom, and he needed Xuan Li to help the Li Family solve the problem in front of them.
Outside the dungeon, Guan Liang Han was waiting anxiously when Xiao Shao slowly walked out from inside. Upon seeing him, Guan Liang Han anxiously asked, "How is it? All of them confessed? "
"It's Xia Cheng and Li Dong's men," Xiao Shao said calmly. These people were actually divided into two groups. Xia Cheng was one thing, but according to those people, it was only to prevent Jiang Xin Zhi from harming Jiang Chao's position when he returned to the Jiang fu. However, the people arranged by Li Dong were strange. The people he sent did not know the reason, and only knew that this was an order.
Guan Liang Han muttered, "It's really strange, why are there two groups?" He patted Xiao Shao's chest, "You're really something. However, "Guan Liang Han looked inside," what method did you use? Could it be that it's the same as what that girl from the Jiang family said, that you scalded your brain with hot oil? "
"No." Xiao Shao replied. Naturally, he had his own methods.
He did not say anything, and Guan Liang Han was too lazy to ask. He only talked to him while saying, "Hey, say, Jiang Xin Zhi is such a good-natured person, how can he have such a younger sister? They don't seem like siblings at all. Lao San, you can't possibly really like that girl, right? I don't think so. She's so young, but her mind is already so vicious. "
Xiao Shao helplessly said, "She's only eleven years old." Towards an eleven-year-old girl, he would not have any other thoughts. It was just that Jiang Ruan's way of doing things was too strange, and she seemed to have a lot of secrets. From the things she did, it seemed that she was inextricably linked to Xuan Li. She even helped Liu Min. If her goal was the entire court, then he needed to pay even more attention.
Guan Liang Han laughed heartily, "Just kidding, just kidding. Let's go, I still have something to ask Lao Qi. Come with me. "
Xiao Shao nodded, "Ye Feng."
Ye Feng appeared behind him, only to hear Xiao Shao order, "Send someone to guard the few people in the prison, to prevent anyone from silencing them tonight."
Ye Feng cupped his hands in greeting, "Yes. Master. "
In the Eighth Prince's fu, Xuan Li looked at Xia Cheng and Li An in front of him with his usual gentle smile.
Xia Cheng wiped his sweat, "I implore Your Highness to lend us a hand."
"The Marquis and I have always been close, so naturally, I will not sit idly by. However, this matter is of great importance. Even if I have the intention, I am truly powerless." Xuan Li slowly said.
Xia Cheng glanced at Li An, who had a calm demeanor, and made up his mind. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I implore Your Highness to save the Xia fu. If Your Highness is able to help in this matter, Your Highness will be the savior of the entire Xia fu. If there is anything in the future that requires the Xia fu's help, I, Xia Cheng, hereby swear that I will go through water and tread on fire without hesitation."
All along, the Xia family and the Eighth Prince's fu had a relationship of mutual support. Although the Eighth Prince was extremely capable, he had always done so in secret. The Xia family's foundation was now stable, and Xuan Li needed money, wealth, and power. But because of this, the Xia family was not easy to control. Xuan Li and the Xia family had a relationship of mutual benefit. Xia Cheng's declaration at this moment was to express his position, to submit completely.
Xuan Li sighed softly, "I am very gratified that the Marquis has said so, but it is difficult to guarantee that in the future, the Marquis will bear a grudge against me and have other thoughts. What should I do then?"
Xia Cheng saw that Xuan Li had loosened up and said, "I will definitely use my actions to prove the Xia family's sincerity. I only hope that Your Highness can think of a way to save the Xia fu."
Xuan Li said warmly, "The Marquis is thinking too much. The Xia fu and I are bound together for good or ill. How can I just stand by and watch? Leave this matter to me, I will definitely give the Marquis a satisfactory answer. It is just that the Marquis must not disappoint me."
Xia Cheng heaved a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes."
Xuan Li smiled in satisfaction, "If that is the case, if there is nothing else, the Marquis can go back first. I still have things to discuss with Second Young Master Li."
Xia Chengxin reluctantly glanced at Li An before saying his goodbyes.
After Xia Cheng left, Li An cupped his hands towards Xuan Li, "Your Highness."
"There is no need for you to say anything. The Xia family has already helped, I will not sit by and watch the Li family." Xuan Li said warmly, "Moreover, the two of us have a deep friendship, I will not sit by and watch."
Li An nodded, but in his heart, he sneered disdainfully. What friendship, it was just value to be used. The Li family's value to be used was greater than the Xia family's, so Xuan Li's attitude was lower. Everyone had a price, it was just a matter of whether the price was reasonable. The Xia family's price was so high, but the Prime Minister's fu's price was much higher.
Xuan Li took in the disdain in Li An's eyes. His smile did not change, but a profound meaning flashed in his eyes. There was no doubt that the Prime Minister's fu had a lot of money, power, and talent, but those could be given to him by others. If one were to say who was worth buying over, it was undoubtedly the person in front of him. Li An was different from Li Yang. Li Yang was just an ignorant and incompetent good-for-nothing, but Li An had given him many ideas over the years. He regarded Li An as his right-hand man and needed his intelligence, so he could even tolerate Li An's disrespect towards him.
"But why did the Li family want to ambush and kill Jiang Xin Zhi?" Xuan Li asked. Xia Cheng did it because of the relationship between Xia Yan and Jiang Chao. This was understandable, but the Li family and the Jiang family were like fire and water. He knew that Jiang Su Su had hurt the roots of Li Yang's grandchildren. Logically speaking, if Li An had interfered and killed Jiang Xin Zhi, it would have been Jiang Su Su and her mother who benefited. This was simply unreasonable.
Li An did not hide it and said, "Jiang Ruan hurt my Eldest Brother and has an irreconcilable hatred with the Prime Minister's fu. I had originally planned to kill Jiang Xin Zhi and then slowly torture Jiang Ruan. I did not expect that there would be an unforeseen event midway." To torture a person, physical torture was the lowest form of torture. Only mental torture could cause people to feel endless pain. If Jiang Ruan knew that Jiang Xin Zhi had died because of her, she would certainly be in unbearable pain.
"Jiang Ruan?" Xuan Li was stunned. "How could it be Jiang Ruan?"
"Second Jiang Miss is just a scapegoat. Jiang Ruan hurt my Eldest Brother and framed Jiang Su Su. This is the truth."
Xuan Li had never doubted Li An's words, but he was astonished. However, when he thought of Jiang Ruan's calm response to the incident in the Xia family's ancestral hall, he could not help but have doubts. How could a girl in the boudoir have such deep schemes? If she wanted to frame Jiang Su Su and get involved with the Li family, wasn't it too risky?
"However, I also discovered something interesting." Li An suddenly revealed a smile. "The Zhao family's involvement made me think that Jiang Ruan might have made contact with the Zhao family. With Jiang Xin Zhi's return, there will be changes in the Zhao family's situation. Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but at that time, His Highness may also be in trouble. "
"You mean Jiang Ruan and the Zhao family?" Xuan Li frowned. "What exactly is going on?"
"I am also not sure, but this Eldest Miss of the Jiang family is not that simple." Li An said. However, this was for the best. It was more interesting this way. She had given him a small surprise and blocked his attack. However, next time, he did not know if she would have such luck.
Xuan Li frowned. He did not know why, but an ominous premonition arose in his heart.
Early in the morning, Jiang Xin Zhi left the fu to see Guan Liang Han. Yesterday's matter was very strange, and there were many details that needed to be discussed.
In the Capital Governor's fu, Dong Yinger pinched a golden candied date and put it in her mouth. She smiled and said, "Ruan meimei, now you are very awe-inspiring. Everyone in the capital knows that you have a young and impressive older brother. He is tall and handsome. Ah, he is different from those boorish soldiers. He is truly a fair faced scholar. I heard that on the battlefield, his bearing is even more heroic."
"Look at what you are saying. Those who don't know would think that he is your older brother." Wen Fei Fei teased.
"That's right, that's right. Could it be that our Eldest Miss Dong is beginning to yearn for love?" Zhao Jin laughed.
When Dong Yinger heard this, her face turned red. She pretended to hit her, "You damned wench, don't talk nonsense. See if I don't tear your mouth apart!"
Zhao Jin hurriedly dodged and laughed. "Spare me, I was wrong. I was just joking with you."
Lin Zi Xiang looked at Jiang Ruan with a gratified expression. "En, although you don't have much ability, fortunately, you have a powerful older brother. Presumably, your stepmother and younger sister will not dare to casually bully you in the future."
"Right, right, right," Zhao Jin clapped her hands. "Hurry up and bully them back for all the times they bullied you in the past. If they are not pleasing to the eye, then ask your older brother to break their legs."
"How can there be someone like you," Dong Yinger pursed her lips in dissatisfaction. "I don't think that Older Brother Jiang would casually hit people. Do you think that everyone is as boorish as you?"
Zhao Jin stuck out her tongue and did not speak.
Jiang Ruan smiled and said, "He has returned to the fu. In the future, if there is a chance, I will let you all meet him. However, it is getting late. I should also return. "
Dong Yinger invited them to the fu as guests. The young ladies chatted and drank tea. In the blink of an eye, more than half a day had passed. Seeing that the sky was gradually darkening and the road was slippery due to the rain, Dong Yinger did not want to stay for long. She said, "Alright, then let us meet again another day. Yu 'er, go and bring everyone a portion of the dim sum that I have prepared." She smiled and said, "Be careful on the road."
After everyone said their goodbyes, they returned to their respective fu. When they passed through the city, Jiang Ruan ordered the coachman to drive the carriage into a narrow alley. The carriage stopped at the door. Jiang Ruan let Bai Zhi and Lu Zhu follow and walked to the front of a household in the alley.
Lian Qiao went forward and knocked on the door. Very quickly, a young boy came to open the door. When he saw that it was Jiang Ruan, he was stunned for a moment before respectfully welcoming the three of them inside. Just as they entered the main hall, they heard Hui Jue's voice. "Miss Jiang."
Jiang Ruan looked at Hui Jue who was sitting in the hall. Ever since the last time at the Jiang fu, when he had helped Jiang Ruan clear the inauspicious charge of her eight characters, Hui Jue's reputation had become even more resounding. Presumably, there would be many people coming to find him these days.
Hui Jue saw Jiang Ruan, but he was not very happy in his heart. Towards Jiang Ruan, he had a kind of fear and panic. He said, "Miss Jiang, in the previous matter, this monk has already helped you. Why are you still looking for this monk?"
"Great Master has misunderstood. Today, I have come to return a favor to Great Master." Jiang Ruan said indifferently, "In my entire life, I do not like to owe people favors. Great Master has helped me once, so naturally, I have to return the favor." Looking at Hui Jue's puzzled gaze, she smiled slightly. "Didn't I say before that even if you want to be a swindler, Great Master also wants to be the most honorable swindler in the world? Now, Great Master has merely obtained a small profit. Your esteemed son's illness is only treating the symptoms but not the root cause. Can Great Master really be satisfied? "
His son was Hui Jue's sore point, but every time Jiang Ruan spoke of his son. These days, he had earned a lot of money and bought a lot of expensive medicinal herbs. However, his child's condition could only be stabilized, not improved. Hui Jue lowered his head and said, "This is his fate, this monk is also powerless."
"Great Master does not believe me?" Jiang Ruan said, "No matter, there will come a day when you will believe my words. I will only say what I want to say today. " She said, "Recently, the flood in the capital has been quite serious. The Eighth Prince and Second Young Master Li have received an imperial edict to control the flood. Currently, the water level in the reservoir seems to be under control, but after three days, the rain is bound to start pouring fiercely. The reservoir will collapse, and countless commoners living near the reservoir will lose their lives."
She said, "This is your opportunity. I will give this prophecy opportunity to you. You only need to say in front of everyone that the imperial aura is in disorder, the reservoir is going to collapse, and that you must ask the Eighth Prince to change the location of the flood control. Of course, you must think of a way to make the Eighth Prince stick to his own opinion. He will certainly punish you. The more severe his punishment is, the more secure your position will be after the prophecy comes true in a few days. "
At first, Hui Jue did not understand what she was talking about. He looked at Jiang Ruan doubtfully. Jiang Ruan was not anxious, and only patiently waited for him. When Hui Jue realized the meaning behind Jiang Ruan's words, his usually calm face could not help but show a trace of astonishment. "You … what are you talking about? Why will the reservoir collapse? The water level will become fierce? Ridiculous! That's nonsense! "
"What is the Great Master panicking about?" Jiang Ruan smiled and said, "Do you not believe what I said? Great Master, didn't I tell you that there is a kind of ability in this world, which is to know the past and understand the future? " She enunciated each word clearly, "The Great Master believes that I do not have this ability. Then can you think about it from another angle? For example, how to make a reservoir collapse for sure?"
Hui Jue suddenly stood up. He could no longer maintain his bemoaning and pitying mask, and hurriedly said, "Are you crazy? If someone finds out, they will lose their head! "
Jiang Ruan looked at him with a slight smile and did not speak.
She was deliberately misleading Hui Jue. To believe that a person had the ability to prophesy and be willing to do things for her was really too risky. But what if Hui Jue thought that she was just a cover, and that there was an expert guiding her from behind? Prophecy could be wrong, but man-made arrangements would not fail. Hui Jue thought that someone wanted to make the reservoir collapse. Once he was sure of this, he would be swayed.
"This is too daring," Hui Jue muttered. The reservoir was an important matter related to the people's livelihood, but Jiang Ruan had so casually mentioned such a treasonous matter. If it was known by others, even nine lives would not be enough to kill her. But at the same time, there was another voice in his heart shouting, 'Agree to her, agree to her!'
Jiang Ruan smiled as she looked at the change in Hui Jue's expression, and knew that he was moved. Without hesitation, she added fuel to the fire, "The Great Master must think clearly. This is a foolproof matter. As long as you move your lips, when the day really comes, the people of the world will worship you like a god. You will enjoy endless glory, splendor, wealth and rank. If you are favored by His Majesty and enter the palace, you will be able to fight for a good future. There will be countless imperial physicians in the palace, and your son's illness will also be cured."
Hui Jue's eyes brightened, only to hear Jiang Ruan continue, "But this matter is not completely without benefits. After this matter, the Eighth Prince will definitely hate you. But you need not worry, as long as you are favored by His Majesty, you will be a favored person in front of His Majesty, and no one will dare to touch you. Although the Eighth Prince is powerful and influential, he is not the master of the world now. The Great Master is now almost sixty years old. To put it bluntly, who knows what will happen in ten or twenty years? In short, while you are alive, your life will not be in danger. If the Great Master must live peacefully, it is not impossible. It is just that the Great Master can afford to wait, but I do not know if your son can. "
Hui Jue's expression was uncertain, and his heart was very conflicted. Jiang Ruan smiled and said, "Since the matter has come to this, I will not say more. The Great Master has one night to consider. After three days, the reservoir will collapse. You only have three days' time. As for what your son will be like in the future, it will depend on what the Great Master does tomorrow."
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