Chapter 58 If Someone Lies to You

Returning to the study, Marquis Cheng'en lingered inside the room, then ordered, "Prepare the carriage and go to the Duke of Xin's mansion."

A quarter of an hour later, the carriage quietly entered the Xin Guogong Mansion from the east corner gate.

At that time, Duke Xin Guo was having a meal. When he learned that Marquis Cheng En was coming, he thought for a moment and put down his chopsticks.

"Why are you here at this time? Have you had your meal?" he asked after entering the side hall.

Cheng Enhoufu looked worried: "How can I have the heart to eat?"

"My Lord..." Marquis Cheng'en bowed deeply, "You must protect me."

Duke Xin: "What happened?"

"Pei Xingju seems to know about that matter."

Hearing this, Duke Xin was shocked and asked again, "Does he have any evidence?"

"I don't know if he has any evidence. Today he suddenly told me that he had learned a few days ago that the Hezhou prefect had sent account books to my mansion." Marquis Cheng'en said, "Hezhou has two accounts: one openly in the Ministry of Revenue, and one secretly in my control. But you also know that I have always kept it very secret. No one except you knows that I have any dealings with the Hezhou prefect."

Duke Xin pondered.

Marquis Cheng'en continued, "However, when I went to the Emperor to file a complaint today, Pei Xingju apologized to me in a very friendly manner. After careful consideration, I realized that even if he had evidence, it probably wasn't much. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so rude."

"Regardless of whether he has evidence or not," Duke Xin said, "this man's existence is always detrimental to us. He's risen so quickly in the court over the years. Who could have imagined that a mere Grand Tutor could be elected by half the officials as the head of the Ministry of Justice?"

"Didn't you say it was the Emperor's intention? When we were fighting over the Ministry of Revenue, the Emperor gave it to us and used his own people to occupy the Ministry of Justice."

"You also said it was the Emperor's intention. But this person has gained the Emperor's trust in just a few years, so we have to be on guard. Moreover, his identity is mysterious, and his family background is unknown from beginning to end. After such a long investigation, we still can't get any information."

After thinking for a while, Marquis Cheng'en said, "Then we have to send someone to take him away..." He made a gesture of wiping his neck.

Duke Xin sneered, "You underestimate him. Last time, Duan Hongyuan sent his assassins but they failed. Now he has been prepared, so it will be even more difficult for him to act again."

"You should go back first." Duke Xin said, "We should pretend we don't know anything about this matter. Let's wait and see what he will do next."

"Okay, okay, I feel relieved after hearing what you said." Marquis Cheng'en nodded, bowed, and walked out.

Duke Xin stood before the screen with his hands behind his back, pondering for a moment before asking, "Where is the Crown Prince?"

The staff member hurried forward and replied: "Duke, the Crown Prince is not in the capital."

"Where did you go?"

"Uh... went to Changguo."

Duke Xin's eyes were suddenly filled with gloom.

.

As the sun sets, the evening sky takes on a light blue hue.

The front yard was quiet, and there was no sign of a guard at the study door.

Zhuang Wan walked to the door suspiciously, thinking that Pei Xingju was not there, so she quietly peeked in.

However, he was stunned when he saw the scene inside.

Pei Xingju, dressed in a long, blue robe, sat leisurely, his head tilted slightly as he flipped through a book. He was tall and slender, with a refined demeanor, and even as he read so quietly, he exuded a gentle scholarly air.

After a while, he said without raising his head: "Why don't you come in now?"

Zhuang Wan smiled awkwardly, "I'm afraid I'll disturb you."

She came in with a tray of food: "This is the crystal purple potato cake I made this afternoon. Would you like to try it?"

Pei Xingju glanced at it.

There are four purple cakes on the white porcelain plate. They are transparent and crystal clear, and are made into the shape of petals. The middle of the petals are decorated with osmanthus flowers, which looks tempting, fragrant and delicious.

"Still worried about what happened this morning?" he asked.

Zhuang Wan shook her head.

"Then why this face?"

From the moment Zhuang Wan entered the room, she looked as if she wanted to say something but was hesitant. One could tell without even looking at her that something was on her mind.

After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Why do you want to help me?"

"Since you've already forgotten the past, I'm just a stranger to you. So why are you still helping me? Is it just to make up for the past?"

Pei Xingju was stunned for a moment, then gave a high-sounding excuse: "You are living in my house now. If I hand you over, where will my reputation as Pei Xingju be? Compensation is certainly a reason, but it is not the only reason."

"Besides, I have told you before that Marquis Cheng'en and I are political enemies, and it is only a matter of time before we fall out. You don't have to take these to heart," he said.

Zhuang Wan felt a little relieved after hearing this. Pei Xingju was still the same Pei Xingju who weighed the pros and cons and would never be blinded by others.

"What if..." she asked again, "I mean, what if someone cheated you, and that person didn't mean it, what would you do?"

"That depends on what you're deceiving me about."

"Hmm...swindle money and cheat..." When Pei Xingju slowly looked over, her heart trembled and she said the last word: "Love."

Pei Xingju stared at Zhuang Wan: "You lied to me?"

"Ah? Of course not!" Zhuang Wan waved her hands quickly. "How could I dare to lie to you? A friend of mine went through this. She asked me what to do. I thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure it out."

To cover it up, she flattered him earnestly: "I thought you were very smart and resourceful, so I came to ask for your advice."

Pei Xingju put down the book and said calmly, "If someone cheats me of my wealth, I will take it back; if someone cheats me of my feelings, I will kill him."

After saying this, Zhuang Wan couldn't help but tremble in her heart.

Pei Xingju asked, "What kind of friend is this?"

"Haha..." Zhuang Wan laughed awkwardly, "It's just a new friend, you don't recognize him."

"Eat this crystal purple potato cake while it's hot," she said, picking up the food tray and hurriedly saying goodbye: "Well, Qiu Tan has something else to ask me, so I'll be leaving first."

After leaving the study, Zhuang Wan ran back to Muxiang Courtyard as if she was being chased by a ghost.

That night she had a dream. She dreamed that Pei Xing was chasing her all over the world with a knife. It was so terrifying!