by Ning er
“Please don't worry Yun xiaojie, we will certainly search the place carefully.” After speaking, Superior Wu led the guard behind him as they went up the lady chambers.
“Xiaojie, how could you permit men to intrude inside your lady chamber!” Mi Mama looked on helplessly as Superior Wu led a few guards inside Yun Qian Meng's room, she was so anxious that her eyes were red.
But Yun Qian Meng did not really mind as she patted the back of Mi Mama's hands, pacifying her and explained, “There's no need to worry that much, even if we wanted to stop them today, that Superior Wu will certainly search around forcibly. Since it was the Emperor's command, it will be better for us to cooperate, so as to avoid committing crime due to going against the Imperial Decree.”
The main reason why Yun Qian Meng had allowed Superior Wu to go inside the room and search around was because there were no direct conflicts of interest between Superior Wu and xiangfu. Besides, based on the attitude that Superior Wu had showed towards Su Yuan during their previous encounter at the gates of the palace, they were not accomplices. As a result Yun Qian Meng would actually bet that Superior Wu would not take the risk to deliberately entrap her.
When Mi Mama heard Yun Qian Meng's analysis, her tensed up expression gradually calmed down a bit. After al,l the crime that one would commit by going against the imperial decree would naturally be extremely serious, even the first-rank official like Yun Xuan Zhi was also being imprisoned by Emperor Yu Qian for his mistakes, let alone the lowly people like them. This time around if they were to excessively resist, it would actually inflicting trouble to their da xiaojie. In any case their courtyard did not possess any shameful things, they were not worried if any outside people search around the area.
As expected, after a short moment, Superior Wu finally led out his people over, seeing Yun Qian Meng still standing in the same spot with an nonchalant expression on her face, Superior Wu said in a deep voice, “Apologize for bothering you, Yun xiaojie! But during these few days I might assign a few guards to guard the xiangfu, still we would like to request you, xiaojie, and the people in the fu not to wander all over the place, just stay in your respective courtyards as much as possible, or else the swords don't have eyes, if they were to injure all of you, none of us were to blame!”
Yun Qian Meng took note of the baleful look exuding from Superior Wu's body became increasingly heavier, and the frightened state of the servant girls standing at the side as they all lowered down their heads. At once she knew that Superior was extracting a psychological attack on everyone's mind, allowing all the people to stay well behaved inside their respective chambers and not to make any harsh moves.
Yun Qian Meng just slightly shifted her fluid glancereplied in a cold tone, “Thanks Superior Wu for your reminder. But, My grandmother is already very old, and a few young sisters are still very young, they will not be able to withstand the fright, if they speak any inappropriate words, please accept our apologies. Please do not bear it in your mind.”
Superior Wu had not expected that Yun Qian Meng would show concern for the other people inside Yun xiangfu during this time around. Steps slightly halted, he could not but turned around and glanced back at Yun Qian Meng, yet he was greeted by Yun Qian Meng's back figure as she walked back to her lady chamber, then he recalled her words moments ago. Superior Wu felt that there had been things indirectly implied within her words, apparently they were not as simple as what it might appear on the surface.
But, after much thought, it merely felt like Yun Qian Meng had been simply showing her thoughtfulness towards her family members, causing Superior Wu to inadvertently frowning his brows.
“Move!” With a wave of the hand, the remaining imperial guard stayed behind to guard Qi Luo Yuan, while Superior Wu led the other few men as they proceeded to the other courtyards.
Mi Mama and the others attentively protecting Yun Qian Meng as they walked back to the inner room. All of them had on their serious faces, feeling a black cloud covering above the xiangfu, unable to see the daylight.
Unexpectedly, Yun Qian Meng still maintained her cool, affecting everyone inside Qi Luo Yuan to feel at ease. Mi Mama pacified all the people's hearts as they gradually regained back their usual mood, henceforth they were able to work undisturbed.
In fact, the oral command of the Emperor as mentioned by Superior Wu, was pretty much the same thing that Yun Qian Meng had been worrying about.
Apparently, there were people who intended to lay their hands to Yun Xuan Zhi by taking advantage of the current imperial examination.
In addition, Emperor Yu Qian had just recovered from some serious illness, yet with this swift and decisive action of investigating his very own right hand minister, such behavior really made people feel skeptical.
And as for Yun Xuan Zhi being involved in the corruptive practices of fraud, Yun Qian Meng believed that it was just a illusory problem.
Outsiders might have no idea about it, but how could Yun Qian Meng not know?
Based on Yun Xuan Zhi's current relationship with the old madam, how would he wish to see Yun Yi Heng brothers to attain the position of Imperial Top Scorer? It was already generous enough that he had not given the Yun Yi Heng brothers the lowest marks during the grading of exam papers, how would he had the means to bribe the other examiners for the sake of the two brothers, and even had deliberately let Yun Yi Heng brothers ascend to the position of the Imperial Top Scorer?
Consequently, this time, Yun Qian Meng strongly believed that Yun Xuan Zhi was indeed being entrapped by someone.
Furthermore, Emperor Yu Qian had already instructed his people to imprison Yun Xuan Zhi without first determining the right and wrong, even more, with this great fanfare as to how they proceeded to search around the entire Yun xiangfu; such kind of actions, was indeed very fishy.
Seeing Yun Qian Meng sitting beside the window and pondering things deeply, Mi Mama sent all the other people away. Even if outside Qi Luo Yuan was already in chaos, yet it was still as quiet as the night inside Qi Luo Yuan. All the people regarded the incident a while ago as if it had never happened, all were performing their tasks with lowered heads.
But during this time, crying and yelling sounds could be heard inside Bai Shun Tang. The old madam had never encountered such event before, seeing a group of imperial guards carrying weapons rushed in without any prior notice.
When they rushed inside her courtyard, they started right away to thoroughly search around overturning trunks and boxes, frightening the old madam as she pointed her finger towards Yun Xuan Zhi's study room then cursed loudly, “I have brought up a person that brings bad luck! Instead of performing his job properly, he preferred to violate rules, and even involving his own mother. I'd rather die, than to become a burden to my parents and siblings!”
Before Superior Wu could step inside Bai Shun Tang, he had already heard the old madam cursing Yun Xuan Zhi. For a brief moment Yun Qian Meng's words flew back to mind, he somehow came to understand why the people outside were saying that Yun Xuan Zhi and his mother were not in good terms.
“What now?” Seeing the imperial guards already retreated, Superior Wu asked.
“Reporting to you, superior, everything seems normal.” An imperial guard immediately replied.
When the old madam heard the imperial guard calling the man dressed in official clothes ‘superior', she immediately ran forward and interogating angrily, “Who are you? Why do you have to search the xiangfu?”
Superior Wu coldly stared at the old madam in front of him, then recited the oral command of Emperor Yu Qian once again.
The old madam's face immediately turned ugly. For a long while she seemed not to be able to regain her usual composure, fortunately Rui Mama who was standing beside her comforting her, only then she breathed out raggedly.
Yet, the old madam, without much warning shouted back at Superior Wu, “Superior, this matter isn't my concern! All were sins committed by Yun Xuan Zhi, why wouldn't you let me off? I'm merely staying at
xiangfu temporarily, today I was planning to get back to my younger son's place!”
While speaking, the old madam did not even spare enough time to tidy up her bundle, she planned to crossover Superior Wu and depart from xiangfu.
But those imperial guards who were already guarding outside the doorway of Bai Shun Tang unsheathed the long swords in their hands, blocking off the old madam's path. Looking at the white dazzling light of the swords, the old madam was terrified as she suddenly retreated a few big steps back, her face was deathly pale yet her eyes were full of anger as she stared at Superior Wu, then she reprimanded him, “What do you mean by this? Don't tell me that I'm not allowed to leave xiangfu?”
Superior Wu looked at the old madam who was pestering endlessly, his eyes flashed with impatience, afterwhich he stated in a firm voice “You are not allowed! Please hold your conducts, old madame! The temporary dwelling place of Yun xiang's younger brother was already being surrounded by the imperial guards at this time. Even if you go over there right now, you won't be able to change the current situation! You'd better remain in xiangfu, do not act blindly without thinking, or else the imperial guards in the doorway will do what they were told!”
After speaking, Superior Wu stepped outside of Bai Shun Tang with large strides, leaving the stupefied old madam behind.
“What… what… what did he say? The Yi Heng brothers, were they being involved by that crazy Yun Xuan Zhi?” After a while, the old madam finally uttered this statement.
Looking at the situation, Rui Mama was afraid that the old madam might not be able to withstand it. Hurriedly she then instructed the servant girls to support old madam to lie down on the bed.
The incident regarding the investigation of xiangfu was quite odd, even the oral command of Emperor Yu Qian was extremely fast, while everybody was caught unprepared, Superior Wu had already exercised control over the entire xiangfu.
During the whole day on the twenty-fourth day, the entire Yun xiangfu was intensely restless.
But, the restless of all the people did not quiet or pacify down, as everyone could only remain in their own respective courtyards under the strict watch of the imperial guard. Whether weeping or grieving, for a moment, the crying, cursing, and complaining sounds in each courtyard, were endless. It was truly annoying.
That same night, with the absence of the usual tranquility, the darkness of the night was being shattered. There were imperial guards carrying torches as they patrolled all over xiangfu. Tonight, all the people were bound to suffer from insomnia.
Yun Qian Meng allowed all the people to return to their rooms to take some rest, then she herself was sitting all alone beside the table waiting for news from Xi Lin.
During midnight, the figure of a person slightly flickered past the window. Yun Qian Meng immediately got up and approached the wooden window. Caught sight of the person outside, she spoke in a lowered voice, “Xiaojie, His Majesty had already issued an imperial decree, all the people in xiangfu will be sent to the prison of the Ministry of Justice. They will select a date to investigate this case. And the accounts book that had recommended Yun Xiang to be the major examiner, was actually presented by Su Yuan. Xiaojie, why don't you come with me as we go back to Chu xiangfu, so as not to make xiangye got worried.”
Hearing the news from Xi Lin, she had not expected that Emperor Yu Qian would act that fast. They had just searched the entire Yun xiangfu during the day, then by night they will immediately send all the people to the prison.
This time, she definitely would not hide inside Chu xiangfu. Without definite information yet as to the identity of the person behind all of this, any person or any thing would become his prey. If she were to act blindly without thinking, perhaps even Chu Fei Yang and Chu Wang would have been implicated into this issue. And when the time came that person would take this opportunity to sweep clean all the obstruction, thus her actions would not only help herself, but it might also help the person behind these instead!
“Now isn't the right time to involve Chu xiangfu yet. You must return back first, if there's anything I would certainly notify you.” Hearing a sound of door being opened some distance away, Yun Qian Meng knew that the imperial decree must have already reached xiangfu, then she immediately requested Xi Lin to depart as quickly as possible, so as to avoid being discovered.
She herself then returned back to her inner room, took out the small box containing the deeds for land and house that Chu Fei Yang had sent her, and took out the secret weapon in the bottom layer and hid it away inside her sleeve, afterwhich she put the small box inside the chest then locked it. Fortunately after she had done all these, the sound of Mu Chun knocking on the door echoed from the doorway.
“Come in!” Lighting the candle stick on the table, Yun Qian Meng calmly said.
Obtaining the permission, Mu Chun hastily opened the door and came in. Her forehead was covered with beads of sweat, then Yun Qian Meng became aware of the reason why she had rushed over anxiously.
“Xiaojie, His Majesty's imperial decree has arrived! Superior Wu was requesting you to proceed to the Guest Hall to receive the imperial decree.” Seeing Yun Qian Meng's calm composure, Mu Chun tensely said.
“Let's go!” Yet Yun Qian Meng just indifferently responded, her calm response made Mu Chun to be slightly distracted, after which she nodded her head, lifting up the lantern high in her hands to illuminating Yun Qian Meng's path.
But, when Yun Qian Meng walked past her own dressing table, she immediately took out a silver hairpin from a small box then placed it in her hair, then she led Mu Chun as they proceed to the Guest Hall together.
When Yun Qian Meng arrived at the Guest Hall, all the masters and slaves were already kneeling down inside the Guest Hall. Even Yun Xuan Mo and his people who were residing at the satellite courtyard were being escorted back to xiangfu preparing to receive the imperial decree.
Not to admit whether it was too much abuse during the daytime, this time, all the people were in their discouraged expression, aside from lifeless faces they were now apathetic, seemingly as if they have already guessed the final conclusion.
Seeing the old madam leading Yun Xuan Mo and his people as they knelt down at the very front, Yun Qian Meng led Yun Yan as they proceeded ahead, then knelt down in a corner.
Superior Wu seeing all the people in xiangfu were already present, lifted open the imperial decree, then he read out coldly, “As the Mandate of Heaven, His Majesty the Emperor hereby ordered that: the Right Minister Yun Xuan Zhi was suspected of engaging in corrupt practices during the current imperial examinations. For the time being, Yun Yi Heng's title for being a Provincial Top Scorer will be stripped down, including his family members, all will be imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice, a date will be set for the trial! As ordered by His Majesty the Emperor himself!”
“What did you say?” Hearing Yun Yi Heng's title of Provincial Top Scorer being stripped away, before even receiving the imperial decree, the old madam directly stood up then charged forward against Superior Wu as she yelled out, but after yelling, the old madam's both eyes rolled up, then passed out being unable to take such great changes.
“Mother……” Seeing the old madam like this, Yun Xuan Mo and his people were all scared stiff, full of shock as they immediately proceeded ahead to support the old madam.
Only Yun Yi Heng's face turned pale white, his looks contained a bit of vicious behavior, then he threw himself at Superior Wu, firmly dragging Superior Wu's arm and roared, “I have earned my own title of Provincial Top Scorer based on my own capabilities. Why would His Majesty strip away my title of Provincial Top Scorer? For what reason? Why should I be the one to bear such consequence for Yun Xuan Zhi's mistakes?”
Superior Wu was watching the chaotic scene unfold before his own eyes, his face seemed to be unhappy. Immediately he allowed the two imperial guards to escort Yun Yi Heng, being the first person to be sent to the prison vehicle.
“Send all of them to the prison!” With this com
mand, all the imperial guards started to take their actions one by one, escorting all the people of xiangfu as they proceeded outside the doorway of xiangfu.
“Wait a moment!” Before all the people reached the main gate, an extremely dignified voice echoed from inside a horse carriage in a distant place.
During the moment when she heard the voice, Yun Qian Meng suddenly lifted her head and looked over to the direction of the voice, yet she saw Qu Ling Ao supporting Gu laotaijun as they walked down from the horse carriage, striving step by step as they approached Superior Wu.
Chapter 117: Part 3 The Grand Wedding (I): Xiangfu is Investigated | Chu Wang Fei
“Superior Wu, I can guarantee you with in the name of Fu Guo Gongfu, to let my granddaughter to temporarily stay inside Fu Guo Gongfu, will you allow it?” Gu laotaijun was a quick witted person, the current situation had happened so unexpectedly, she evidently wanted to resolve it in the shortest time possible.
Superior Wu took a glimpse at Yun Qian Meng first, seeing her remained exceptionally calm among the other xiaojies and servant girls, who were weeping softly. She was not even had a trace of the slightest bit of melancholy, did not also contain any resentment of being entrapped by the others. Thus her calm composure made him respect her greatly as an official who had had his career for more than twenty years already.
But, although he admired Yun Qian Meng's attitude when handling things, yet he certainly would not dare to violate the law and order because of that: “Laotaijun, this is part of the imperial decree given by His Majesty, please forgive me for being not able to agree.”
“Superior Wu, Meng'er is merely an honorable xiaojie who seldom went out of her lady chamber, how could she know anything in the royal court. Besides, there are too many suspicious aspects if we were to examine carefully about the case where Yun xiang had engaged in corrupt practices, perhaps there is someone who intended to make use of this incident to frame him up, it would be better for Superior Wu to act professionally. Just allow Meng'er to temporarily stay with us in Fu Guo Gongfu. If there is a court hearing, I will personally send Meng'er over.” This time, Qu Ling Ao also interrupted.
