Chapter 9 The real culprit is the grandmother who secretly possessed evidence of treason!

Chapter 9

Without finding any "evidence," his actions against the Ye family were unreasonable. He had originally planned to forcibly take Yunxiang away while the Ye family consisted only of the elderly, women, and children. Now that Ye Pei had returned, and brought with him the people of the Prefect of Nandu...

Lu Qian's eyes were deep.

He glanced at Yunxiang behind Ye Xiren and her brother, then at Ye Pei who had returned with people. His fingers clenched so tightly they cracked, but he finally gave up and squeezed out a single word with a face full of reluctance: "Go."

Ye Pei looked at his retreating figure and called out, "Lu Qian, I will report you for what happened today!"

Lu Qian paused, then stormed off without looking back.

Afterwards, Ye Pei and Zheng Wenjue went aside to talk for a while. Zheng Wenjue then left with the people from Nandu Prefecture. The guards closed the gate, and in the blink of an eye, only Ye family members remained.

Liao Changying was extremely anxious. She stroked her daughter up and down, her face full of worry. "Xixi, were you hurt? Is anything bothering you?"

Ye Xiren shook her head: "It's nothing."

"Your wrist is already bruised!" Liao exclaimed, and asked someone to bring medicine. "You say it's nothing? Quick, let's apply the medicine first."

"Go to the main courtyard." Ye Pei raised his chin.

This place is a complete mess; it's not a place to talk at all. Today's events were too sudden. They need to have a proper discussion, especially with Yunxiang involved...

The group moved to the main courtyard.

Ye Changming was completely baffled, scratching his head: "What on earth is going on? Why would the Imperial City Guard suddenly barge in, and why are they so determined to search for some evidence?"

Zhao did not answer, but looked at Ye Xiren first and asked the question that puzzled her the most: "How did the Guanyin statue turn into boots?"

"I changed it." Ye Xiren was very frank. The family couldn't hide it, otherwise it would be difficult to find out the truth. She let Liao apply the medicine, took a deep breath and raised her head, "You may find it hard to believe, but it was something I dreamed about."

"Huh?" Ye Changming was stunned.

Ye Pei frowned and shook his head: "Xixi, this is of utmost importance, don't joke around. How did you know? I didn't even get a word of the Imperial City Division's operation."

He rushed back to intercept Ye Xiren after receiving her message. Lu Qian was cautious and had the Imperial Guards block the Ye family's gate when he broke in, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. This was enough to show that the coachman had left the Ye family in advance and was timing his message to him.

And then there's that boot inside the Buddhist shrine...

His daughter, Ye Xiren, knew exactly what was going to happen, even the timing was precise.

Who told her?

She looked at Ye Pei, swallowed hard, and said, "Father, even you didn't receive the news, how could I possibly know from elsewhere? It's truly a blessing from the Bodhisattva that you used a dream to let me foresee today's disaster and help me avoid it."

Her voice trembled slightly as she thought of the repeated beheadings, and her breathing became rapid. In fact, this was not the first ordeal, but the second.

“This child,” Ye Pei frowned, his expression familiar, his face full of disapproval: “Now is not the time to hide it, Xixi, how did you find out? Tell me, let me deal with it.”

Did the messenger threaten her?

Who exactly is it?

Ye Xiren: "..."

After applying the medicine, Liao looked at Ye Xiren's injured hand and sighed, "If Xixi doesn't want to talk about it, don't force her. Right now, it's not important how we got the information; what's important is how to deal with it."

Ye Xiren: "..."

She said no one would believe her even in their wildest dreams. If she told them that she had been reborn repeatedly in the past two days, dying and coming back to life, they would be even less likely to believe her!

never mind.

If she hadn't experienced it herself, she wouldn't have believed such a strange thing. Even if they did believe that she had been beheaded time and time again, it would only add to their worries.

"Xixi, where did you hide the Bodhisattva?" Zhao asked in a low voice, her brows furrowed on her aged face.

"I smashed the Bodhisattva." Ye Xiren pursed her lips, her expression becoming solemn as she thought of what was inside. "I smashed it in the Buddhist hall yesterday, and I hid the broken porcelain shards and the contents inside."

She originally wanted to burn it, but then worried that the contents might still be useful, so she left it.

"What is it?" Ye Changming asked.

Ye Xiren did not answer, but went directly to dig out the item, took it back to the main courtyard, and handed it to Ye Pei.

Her hands were covered in mud, but the item was wrapped in oil paper. The outside was muddy, but the inside was clean and not stained at all.

"It's actually the lost 'Map of the Southern Capital Forbidden Garrison'? If this were found in my Ye family, His Majesty would be furious!"

"A few days ago, the Northern Yan delegation entered the Southern Capital. Subsequently, the map was lost. The news was kept secret, and only His Majesty and Prime Minister Jiang knew about it. They are currently searching for it in secret. I only found out about this by chance, but I never expected that the map would be in my Ye family's possession!"

Please keep this map safe and do not give it to anyone else. (Strictly)

Ye Changming peeked over.

Strict?!

Their expressions changed repeatedly.

Ye Changming suddenly stood up, his movements so abrupt that he winced in pain from his foot injury. "This is going to drag General Yan into this."

Judging from the map and the note, it seems that a man surnamed Yan handed the items to the Ye family and asked them to keep them. Apart from that, there are no other clues.

"These characters are very delicate, like a woman's handwriting?" Ye Xiren had already seen them countless times and gently reminded her.

Ye Changming clenched his fists and gritted his teeth:

"It really is a frame-up. The signature is Yan, but the Yan family of the Marquis of Zhongyong has been dead for a long time! General Yan was detained when the Northern Yan delegation entered the Southern Capital, and we don't even know where he is being held."

"Judging from the time the map was lost, it couldn't possibly be related to the Yan family. This note must be a forgery, a deliberate attempt to frame someone."

"Was Yunxiang bribed and hidden inside Mother's Guanyin statue?" Liao asked, puzzled.

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao lowered her eyes and calmly ordered, "We'll find out by asking. Someone, bring Yunxiang in."

Soon, Yunxiang was brought in.

She knelt on the ground, her face covered in tears, her mouth gagged so she couldn't speak, only shaking her head and making "woo-woo" sounds.

"Yunxiang, my Ye family has always believed that we have treated you well. Due to the years of war, we moved south from Beidu. Your family could not survive and voluntarily sold themselves into our household. In chaotic times, human life is the least valuable thing. But your mother is kind-hearted. She not only took you in but also treated your mother's illness..." Liao pointed at her and condemned her.

The crime of treason was punishable by death for the entire family. Thinking of this, Liao felt a surge of anger and rage.

Yunxiang shook her head frantically, removed the rag from her mouth, and, with tears streaming down her face, kowtowed repeatedly.

"Madam! Madam, I didn't mean it! This morning I went out to buy something and was tied up. That person captured my parents and said they would only release them if I told them the evidence of their treason was inside the Guanyin statue... I really didn't mean it! I... I want to save my parents!"

"This morning? You didn't put the things there? You didn't write the note?" Ye Pei frowned, not blaming Yun Xiang, but only raising the key information.

Yunxiang raised her head and answered urgently, "No, I didn't touch the Guanyin statue, nor did I write any note. That person just told me to point to the Guanyin statue and say that sentence!"

really.

Ye Xiren let out a long breath. Someone knew the item was inside, but they were just using Liu Xu and Yun Xiang as a pretext to search.

The note had been placed inside long ago.

"Who is it?" Ye Xiren asked the crucial question again.

Yunxiang paused.

"Smack!"

Ye Pei smashed a teacup, scattering shards of porcelain all over the floor, and shouted angrily, "Foolish! The other party's attempt to frame you has failed. If you hurry up and tell them, there might still be a chance to turn things around. Do you think you can save your parents by refusing to say anything?!"

With just one sentence, the Yunxiang defense line was breached.

Her face was streaked with tears of despair, and she said in a trembling voice, "It was the intruder who broke in today... Commander Lu."

Lu Qian!

Ye Changming immediately cursed, "As expected, it was this bastard who framed us. It wasn't enough that he betrayed General Yan, now he's trying to harm us too?"

The fact that he led the way and was certain they would die on both occasions shows that this matter was somehow related to Lu Qian. So it's no surprise to hear that name from Yun Xiang now.

"But when exactly did he release it?" Ye Xiren looked at Zhao Shi, puzzled. "Grandmother, when did you obtain the Guanyin statue? Was there anything unusual?"

Zhao lowered her head and thought for a long time before shaking her head. "I have had the Guanyin statue for some time now and have not noticed anything unusual. I don't know how the thing got inside."

This trap that harmed them was actually set up long ago!

One crime after another, even nine lives wouldn't be enough to escape punishment.

Ye Xiren then looked at the silent Ye Pei, "Father, why did Lu Qian want to harm us? And with a crime that could lead to the execution of the entire family. Do we really have such a deep grudge?"

Ye Pei held the map and the note, rolled them up together, and lowered his head in deep thought.

After a moment, he forced a smile, his voice soft:

"You don't need to worry about this. You risked your life to hold Lu Qian back today, you must have been frightened, right? I'll have the doctor prescribe you a calming soup later, so you can rest well. Your father will handle these matters."

After saying that, he stood up and left.

I'm just afraid I won't be able to handle it!

Yesterday there was cheating, today there is treason, who knows what will happen tomorrow?

Ye Xiren caught up with him, grabbed his sleeve, and stubbornly asked, "Father, I'm all grown up now. It makes me uneasy that you don't tell me anything."

Ye Changming suddenly spoke up: "Is it because of General Yan?"

General Yan?

Ye Xiren frowned.

She actually knew something about General Yan; no, she should say that everyone in Daliang knew about him.

Last year, General Yan was renowned and was practically the savior of the Great Liang.

He was born into the Yan family, the Marquis of Zhongyong, a family of military generals for generations. A few years ago, when war broke out, two generations of Marquises of Zhongyong died in battle one after another. The Marquis of Zhongyong's family was almost completely wiped out by the Northern Yan people. Under the iron hooves of the Northern Yan, the Great Liang had no power to fight back.

Last year, the imperial court abandoned the north and the provincial government hastily moved south. The Northern Yan cavalry pursued them all the way and almost reached the southern capital. General Yan Xiao suddenly appeared and led the Yan family army to repel the enemy at the Huai'an Canal, where the two armies were deadlocked.

He was originally a young general who was destined to save the country from peril, but he was bloodthirsty and slaughtered all the officials near the Huai'an Canal. He also massacred refugees and disobeyed imperial orders, showing signs of rebellion. The emperor sent letters to him several times, asking him to plead his case, but there was no response.

When the Northern Yan delegation entered the Southern Capital for peace talks, General Yan led a column to intercept them, intending to sabotage the talks. The two sides fought a major battle on the Nandu Protectorate River.

Fortunately, the ambush failed, which enraged the court. In order to quell the anger of Northern Yan and continue to push forward peace talks, General Yan was imprisoned as a "traitor".

Ye Xiren's heart tightened immediately.

"Our family has connections with the rebel party?!" she exclaimed in disbelief.

If their family really colluded with the rebels, then what's the point of saving them? They'd be dead no matter what!

Ye Pei sighed deeply: "I shouldn't be telling you about things in the court, but now that something like this has happened..."

He shook his head and explained the current situation:

“General Yan has always lived on the border and has never returned to the capital. We have no connection with him, but if we want to recover the lost territory and return to the capital, the court still needs him. Some people in the court and I are trying to find out if there are any hidden stories about General Yan.”

Ye Xiren recalled asking her grandmother about Lu Qian before, and now that the information was connected, she suddenly understood.

Lu Qian is one of the adopted sons of the Marquis of Zhongyong and is someone General Yan trusts extremely. A few days ago, when the Northern Yan delegation entered the Southern Capital, General Yan launched a surprise attack, intending to join forces with the Imperial City Guard to intercept and kill the Northern Yan delegation.

However, Lu Qian had other plans, which led to General Yan's failed assassination attempt, and he was instead arrested and imprisoned.

"Tomorrow, March 3rd, is the day for peace talks between Daliang and Northern Yan. The court is currently divided into two factions, the pro-peace faction and the pro-war faction, which have not yet reached a consensus. His Majesty has not yet made a decision either. Whether General Yan is a traitor is the key to whether peace talks can be held."

Ye Pei added, "We believe he is not a member of the anti-government party and want to find out the truth, but some people hope he is a member of the anti-government party and that the matter will be closed."

At this point, he gripped the map in his hand tightly, let out a long breath, his brow furrowed, filled with endless worry.

"So, Lu Qian betrayed General Yan and didn't want such a fierce person like him to come out. Father, you wanted to find out the truth, so you were framed by Lu Qian?" Ye Xiren concluded from all the information.

Ye Pei nodded: "That's possible."

Ye Xiren still didn't understand. She bit her lip and tilted her head in confusion: "But... isn't peace talks a good thing?"

Even though Ye Xiren was raised in seclusion, she knew a thing or two about the disasters brought about by years of war. The entire Liang Dynasty was in dire straits as a result. Just a few days after the news of the peace talks spread, grain prices dropped, the imperial examinations were held, and the people in the Southern Capital finally stopped despairing and rekindled their hope.

Why stop something that's clearly a good thing?

General Yan is obstructing peace talks because his family has a feud with Northern Yan, and his father wants to save him... Isn't that what he calls the "pro-war faction"?

Peace and no war are good for people all over the world, so why continue fighting?

"The Northern Yan are wolves in sheep's clothing, invading our Great Liang with their iron hooves. Countless people have died under their horses?" Ye Changming shook his head, his eyes still filled with murderous intent even with one arm in a sling. "The court has not yet taken back the Northern Capital, and the area north of the Huai'an Canal has been ravaged by them! How can we negotiate with such national and personal grievances? Moreover, I'm afraid they are not sincere in their peace talks and are hiding some conspiracy!"

Ye Xiren raised her hand and rubbed her temples.

Overwhelmed by the sudden influx of information, she was confused and couldn't even tell who was right and who was wrong.

"Don't worry, get some rest. Now that we know who harmed us, things are much easier. I'll go see the Emperor and have him thoroughly investigate Lu Qian and the others," Ye Pei said, rubbing Ye Xiren's head.

Then he added:

"Changying, take good care of the two siblings. Yunxiang is your responsibility. Guard the Ye residence."

After saying that, he quickly left.

Ye Xiren shouted, "Father, the letter Lu Qian is holding is from Councilor Zhang. Be careful of him too!"

"I know." Ye Pei waved his hand and strode away.

Ye Xiren watched his retreating figure and let out a long breath. Although there were still many things she didn't understand, she thought she had passed this hurdle.

They prevented the Imperial City Guard from finding any evidence of treason, and even brought Lu Qian, who had framed them, to justice, allowing their father to deal with the situation. The Ye family's calamity was thus averted.

Knowing the murderer, she believed her father had the means to deal with him, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to hold onto his position as Minister of Revenue.

Ye Changming was still angry, and he gritted his teeth and cursed:

"That Lu Qian is a real scoundrel. Not content with harming General Yan, he's now trying to stop us from finding out the truth for him. If something really happens to the Ye family, who will dare to help the general? Wouldn't the court become a playground for those cowardly peacemakers? That Lu dog is a traitor!"

Ye Xiren couldn't help but roll her eyes. Ye Changming hadn't even entered the court as an official yet, but he was already a staunch advocate of war.

Regardless of how eager this person is to take the imperial examination, he's busy cheering and shouting slogans.

She was still somewhat uneasy and asked again, "The peace talks are tomorrow. If they succeed, will Father suffer the same fate as that young General Yan?"

With the peace talks succeeding, the things General Yan had done were indeed acts of treason, and even his many military achievements could not offset them.

“Don’t worry,” Zhao said. “There are half pro-war and half pro-peace factions in the court. Your father and the others are just worried about the wolfish ambitions of the Northern Yan. The current emperor is magnanimous. Even if General Yan is convicted, it will not implicate your father and the others.”

After saying that, she sighed and stood up, letting Liao Changying help her. "I'll go and have them clean up the Buddhist hall. Xixi, if you're willing to tell me who told you about Lu Qian's framing, come find me immediately. These are turbulent times, don't bear the burden alone."

How could Ye Xiren answer?

I had no choice but to nod.

After Zhao and Liao left, Ye Changming nudged his sister with his elbow and whispered, "Did you really dream that the Bodhisattva told you this?"

"You believe it?" Ye Xiren's eyes lit up.

"I believe you." Ye Changming nodded emphatically, pulling her to sit down. "Tell me again, what exactly is it like?"

Ye Xiren felt a sudden pang of sadness.

She has died four times and been reborn four times. In order to help the Ye family avoid disaster, she has been busy going out to find people and confronting Lu Qian.

Ye Xiren, who has always been gentle and soft, was doing many first-time experiences. How could she not be afraid and apprehensive?

"Brother, it wasn't a dream, it was hard work..."

Finally, someone believed her, and Ye Xiren recounted her experience in detail, from her initial confusion to the unease that still lingers now.

...Of course, this skips over the fact that she had someone stop Ye Changming from taking the imperial examination.

"That's all." After saying that, Ye Xiren let out a long breath. Confiding in the conversation had relieved a lot of her pressure, and she felt much more relaxed.

Lu Qian was handed over to her father to deal with.

Once the person who framed them is found, there will be a way to get rid of them completely. Maybe she will soon be able to escape this nightmare and live a peaceful life with her whole family.

Ye Changming's eyes brightened, and he blinked: "Continue."

"Huh?" Ye Xiren was taken aback.

Ye Changming cracked sunflower seeds, spat the shells onto the table, and revealed a bright smile. "Keep making things up! This is the first time I've ever heard that my sister is a storyteller. This story is... full of twists and turns!"

Ye Xiren: "?"

"What happens next? Tell me quickly, I want to hear more." Ye Changming looked expectant, spitting out sunflower seed shells in front of Ye Xiren.

Ye Xiren: "..."

She took a deep breath and slowly said, "Get out!"

A note from the author:

----------------------

Ye Xiren: This is my brother, my annoying older brother :)