After the Ministry of Justice announced the charges against Wang Yongqi, the former Minister of the Ministry of War, the topic after dinner changed from "Third Young Master Zhou bravely fought a wild bear to rescue the Emperor, and the tiger father has no dog son" to "Five million taels of disaster silver stirred up greed. How can we maintain our original aspirations in the face of interests?"
Who would have thought that the truth behind an old case that was settled eight years ago could be so complicated, unexpected, and full of twists and turns? Several criminals involved in this case are all important ministers of the imperial court, and they were engaged in stealing property under their care during official duties...
Extremely abominable! Extremely hateful! Extremely scolding!
According to the people's opinion, it is too easy for Wang Yongqi to be sentenced to life imprisonment. The Emperor should execute his nine relations and set an example for those who want to do bad things in the future!
...
Xie Miao, who was also a commoner, was unable to control it that much. Emperor Chengxuan's decision was well-considered. The crime of secretly hiding the disaster money fell on Wang Yongqi and Wang Keyi. It was enough that they did not throw dirty water on the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
The next thing to do is to pass on the news that there is a traitor around Marquis Dingyuan to Cui Muli.
In the past few times, she relied on her familiarity with Cui Muli to use unexpected tricks to take advantage of loopholes and pass the news to several of his confidants. It not only ensured safety, but also concealed her traces. However, this time it was related to military secrets. She thought about it, but she couldn't think of anyone who could handle such important information.
For this matter, Xie Miao went back and forth for two nights, but finally came up with a reliable candidate who would never reveal secrets——
Cui Muli himself.
Then the question becomes, how can she send a letter to Cui Muli himself? Another letter bureau? No, according to Cui Muli's cautious style, after the first letter, she's afraid he would set up spies in the letter bureaus all over the capital... All right, maybe there are "ambushes" in the letter bureaus in the surrounding counties. If she takes action rashly, she will definitely be within his grasp and can be easily caught – no, it is to be caught squarely.
While frowning, a sentence suddenly appeared in Xie Miao's mind.
Escape arrows under the crossbow.
(t/n: a metaphor that those who are close can avoid disaster. This metaphor comes from the fact that the crossbow arrows shoot far but not close)
"Xiangshan Wild Records" says: If you can hide me now, you will escape the disaster of several families in your generation. However, there is no reason to search close. It is the so-called "escape arrow under the crossbow".
There is no reason to search close.
Instead of worrying about being discovered if there are any flaws in her actions, why not use the most dangerous but safest way to deliver a letter to Cui Muli? For example...she would personally deliver the letter to Cui Muli.
She is a boudoir girl, so she should not understand government affairs at all. No matter how suspicious Cui Muli is, he would never have imagined that such important information could be written by her.
The more Xie Miao thought about it, the more reliable it became. Anyway, last time, Lu Xianghe sent a letter asking her to pass it on to Cui Muli. This time, an "unknown person" asked her for help again. No matter how you look at it, it is quite reasonable.
Xie Miao slapped the table and stood up: As the saying goes, only those who are brave can achieve wealth and honour in danger. So let's do it like this!
*
At the same time, in order to investigate the follow-up matters of the arrest of Wang Yongqi's family and his accomplices, Cui Muli entered the palace many times on behalf of Luo Biyu to meet the Emperor. The Fourth Prince, Li Hongye, saw it before his eyes and made plans in his heart.
Due to a series of troubles caused by Guo Rui's father and younger brother, Li Hongye was not only punished for two months in confinement, but also lost his position as an assistant in government affairs. When the confinement ended, he belatedly realized the seriousness of it. When he wanted to regain Emperor Chengxuan's trust, he found that once something was broken, it was difficult to restore it to the original state.
And just a short year ago, the political achievements he accumulated due to the Bianhe River floods were outstanding among the people, in the imperial court and the public, and even in the eyes of Emperor Chengxuan. It is an entirely pre-eminent existence. Seeing he was on the verge of entering the Eastern Palace, contrary to expectations, the Empress became pregnant and gave birth to little Ninth successfully...
Li Hongye gritted his teeth bitterly.
The Empress, the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, and Zhou Niannan, the second son of the Zhou family who snatched away the meritorious service of Zhang Minggu during this autumn hunt... This member of the family is really a thorn in the flesh of the Zhang family, a thorn in their side!
After thinking about it, Li Hongye thought of Cui Muli, and a sneer appeared on his lips.
According to uncle's original plan to revive the Honghe River Valley silver disaster case, he was supposed to use the irrefutable evidence of Zou Yuandao's crime as a guide and ask people to follow the lead to the Hangzhou compound of Zhou Sihui, the cousin of the Dingyuan Marquis clan. One million taels of disaster silver, buried for seven years, would be unearthed from the ground. In this way, no matter how Marquis Dingyuan tries to explain that they have no association with the matter, the case will leave deep doubts in the heart of his father.
But the actual development is very different from what was imagined! One million taels of disaster silver was found, but it strangely grew legs and ran from Zhou Sihui's villa to the villa of Wang Keyi, the Governor of Hangzhou, who is the uncle of Wang Yongqi, the Minister of War. And the Zhou family, who should have been nailed to the pillar of shame, have also become Wang Yongqi, the Minister of War!
Seriously... Really it's trying to steal the chicken only to lose the rice used to lure it!
Li Hongye's first reaction after learning about the incident was to send people to kill the two main officials investigating the case - Luo Biyu and Cui Muli. However, Luo Biyu is a second-rank official after all. His previous plan to make him lose his father and encounter Ding You had failed. If he tried again, others would definitely notice him, so he could only let him go for the time being. As for Cui Muli... He first wanted to kill him quickly, but his uncle stopped him.
His uncle said, if the general is also a person superior to their peers and unparalleled, why not win him over and use him for your own use?
Another person who speaks highly of Cui Muli!
Li Hongye understood that Zhang Xianzong's words made sense, but he hated and slandered the Cui family, especially Cui Muli, not to mention that he had ruined his plans several times. So, he insisted on sending out a killer to teach Cui Muli a lesson. Anyway, he was still alive. So what if he got a little injured? And after he successfully vented his anger, he accepted the suggestions of Zhang Xianzong and Imperial Concubine Zhang.
No matter what the relationship between the Zhang family and the Cui family was in the past, in the future battle for the inheritance, the Cui family's choice will be crucial. It is better to resolve the old feud between the two families than to end them.
*
It's dusk on the horizon, and night is approaching.
The chamberlain reported in advance that Cui Muli had left the imperial study and was coming here.
Li Hongye rubbed the jade jasper ring on his thumb. He swallowed the resentment in his throat, put on a smile, and strode forward. He shouted to the man not far away: "Minister Cui."
Cui Muli paused and hurriedly raised his hands in salute, "This official has met His Highness, the Fourth Prince..."
Li Hongye held his arm, raised it slightly, and said with a smile: "No need to be polite. I just happened to be passing by and wanted to say hello to you."
Surprise flashed in Cui Muli's eyes, as if he didn't understand how the Fourth Prince, who was always harsh, could suddenly become so friendly.
Li Hongye didn't give him time to think and asked, "Are you going to leave the palace?"
Cui Muli said: "Replying to Your Highness, that's right."
Li Hongye said: "What a coincidence, I am also about to go back to the palace. Let's go together?"
Cui Muli still looked confused, and instinctively said: "This official would be happy to do so."
The two of them walked out. Cui Muli deliberately stayed half a step behind, his posture was upright and respectful. If one looks carefully, you can see there is a bit of pleasant surprise in it.
Li Hongye saw it, and the sarcasm was fleeting.
He spoke with admiration and said: "I heard about the Honghe River Valley silver disaster case. Thanks to your talent, we're able to pull out the silk and peel off the cocoon and find out the real criminal."
Cui Muli said: "Your Highness has excessively praised. This official is ashamed to receive it. This case was jointly investigated by the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple. With the joint efforts of countless people, we were able to clear the air and make the truth known to the world..."
"Hey." Li Hongye put his hands behind his back, pretending to be displeased, "I praised you because I am sincere. Minister Cui does not need to be too modest."
Cui Muli curled his lips slightly, "It is my great fortune to be praised by His Highness."
The palace gate was close at hand, and Li Hongye paused, "Minister Cui."
Cui Muli raised his eyes, and met his gaze. Then he gently lowered his chin, "Your Highness."
Li Hongye sighed: "Previously, gu only listened to one side of the story and treated you biasedly... Only now do I know that you are a rare person who is virtuous and talented." He patted Cui Muli's uninjured shoulder and said sincerely, "Minister Cui, in the past, I was narrow-minded and did not notice your talents. From now on, gu will be impartial and eager for talents. "
Cui Muli was stunned when he heard this and wanted to kneel down to give thanks, "This official will live up to His Highness's expectations..."
"Okay." Li Hongye stopped him again and said, "I will host a banquet at the beginning of next month. When the time comes, Minister Cui will definitely attend the appointment."
Cui Muli readily agreed.
After leaving the palace gate, the two parted ways. Cui Muli watched Li Hongye get into the carriage first.
When the carriage curtain was lowered, all the smiles on Li Hongye's face faded, and the corners of his eyes and eyebrows were filled with mockery.
The number one scholar? Huh, it's nothing more than that.
And Cui Muli returned to the carriage, with a calm expression and the same smile.
Those who want to achieve great things must be able to bend and stretch... Li Hongye finally made some progress.
Outside the carriage, Shen Yang asked, "Young Master, do you want to go back directly to your home?"
Cui Muli said: "Go to another place first."
Shen Yang: "Where?"
Cui Muli said: "East city."
*
It was already past meal time when they returned to Cui Mansion.
As soon as Cui Muli arrived at the gate of Minglan Yuan, he saw Qiao Mu walking out quickly with a smile on his face: "Young Master, you are finally back!"
Cui Muli walked inside and asked, "What's the matter?"
Qiao Mu clasped his hands in front of him and followed him step by step, "It's like this, Miss Cousin..."
Cui Muli looked sideways at him.
Qiao Mu snickered in his heart and continued: "After dinner, Miss Cousin came to bring you chicken soup. When she saw that you were not here, she said she would come back tomorrow..."
Cui Muli stopped immediately and heard him say again: "But I told Miss Cousin that the Young Master has to change his dressing today and will definitely return home early."
Cui Muli asked: "Where is the person?"
Qiao Mu said: "In your study. I have prepared tea and snacks for Miss Cousin, asking her to..."
Before he could finish speaking, Cui Muli's figure had disappeared around the corner. Qiao Mu couldn't help but laugh, and said to Shen Yang who was following behind: "I didn't expect that the Young Master would lose his composure sometimes."
Shen Yang glanced at the cage covered with red cloth in his hand and said helplessly: "It's more than that?"
Qiao Mu stretched out his hand curiously, "What is this?"
Shen Yang raised the cage to avoid his touch, "The Young Master has been looking for this treasure for a long time. No one, except Miss Cousin, can touch it."
Cui Muli stood in front of the study. A faint light shone through the partition door, falling into his eyes like a warm lamp.
It was this feeling that made him feel at peace knowing that she was waiting, even though he knew clearly that she would only come to him when she wanted something.
So what? He enjoyed it like a cake.
He was about to knock on the door when the person inside happened to open the door from the inside and said in surprise: "Second Young Master, you are back?"
"En."
Fu Lu said: "The Young Lady was just saying that she was going back. It's good that you came."
Fu Lu retreated outside to keep watch. Cui Muli walked into the study and saw Xie Miao getting up and saying hello to him: "Cousin Cui."
He called out: "A-Miao."
Xie Miao pointed to the food box on the table, "I'm here to bring you chicken soup. It's a little cold. You can ask someone to heat it up later."
"No, it just so happens that I haven't had dinner yet, so I'll have some soup to satisfy my stomach."
He opened the food box, revealing the oily chicken soup inside. He drank it by the spoonful, regardless of Xie Miao's obstruction.
Xie Miao was very sympathetic: ...It seems that he is really hungry.
She pushed over an untouched plate of snacks and said, "Eat some more snacks."
Cui Muli drank all the soup and ate snacks as he was told. His every gesture and gesture showed the elegance of a noble young master.
Any other woman would have been completely fascinated, but Xie Miao had seen so many things in her previous life that she had long been used to it. Moreover, she was thinking about something else.
Cui Muli noticed that she was restless. He took a sip of tea and asked, "A-Miao, do you have something to say?"
Xie Miao nodded quickly, "Yes!"
Cui Muli calmly waited for her to continue, but saw her take out a letter from her sleeve and said solemnly: "Cousin, when I went out today, someone threw a letter into my carriage."
She put the letter on the desk. Cui Muli lowered his eyes and saw the familiar and crooked characters.
To be opened by Cui Muli personally.
...
Cui Muli stared for a long time, feeling complicated.
"Someone threw a letter into your carriage?" he asked calmly.
"Yes." Xie Miao answered so confidently, so seriously, and so matter-of-factly, "I went to the paper mill for something in the morning, and on the way back..."
Cui Muli seemed to be listening attentively, but in fact he shook his head inwardly and laughed.
There is no reason to search for arrows when they are escaping under a crossbow.