Chapter 144: Collusion

Gu Wanru never expected that she would be backstabbed by Yaoyao, whom she had just formed an ally with.

The relationship that had finally been restored with Mu An collapsed in the blink of an eye.

Gu Huan knew it very well.

At this time, the Pei family had taken the bait and had begun to work hard to make winter clothes and prepare to hand them over to the court.

Gu Wanru is no longer worth anything to Mu An, and he already feels disgusted with her. In addition, the fact that Yaoyao's child was aborted has angered Mu An again, and he is completely disgusted with Gu Wanru.

Donghua would report the situation in Jinxiu Pavilion to her every day, saying that Gu Wanru cried from day to night and became silent after two days of crying.

At first, she went on a hunger strike for one or two meals, but when she saw that no one in the Duke's Mansion paid attention to her, she stopped and started eating and sleeping as usual.

Gu Huan didn't expect that Gu Wanru was also strong.

However, Gu Huan quickly let the matter go and did not care what happened to Gu Wanru in Jinxiu Pavilion.

Half a month passed in a flash.

All of Pei’s 300,000 sets of winter clothing were delivered to the warehouse on time.

According to the trajectory of the previous life, after the officials in charge of military supplies from the Ministry of War, Ministry of Works, and Ministry of Revenue jointly inspect and accept them, if they are qualified, they will officially be awarded the qualification of imperial merchant, and Pei Yi's father will be canonized as the left Cao Langzhong.

This Zuo Cao Langzhong was different from Pei Yi's eighth-rank magistrate of the Ministry of Revenue. It was an honorary position without real power, but it was extremely useful in Jiangling.

Pei Yi entered the official career step by step through the imperial examinations, and being conferred an official position by the court, even if it was an honorary position, was extremely honorable.

Not only will the military supplies surrendered by Pei be exempt from the joint inspection by the three departments in the future, but they will only need to send people to conduct occasional spot checks.

The Pei family also enjoyed the privilege of priority purchasing of similar materials by the imperial court.

After the Pei family of Jiangling was canonized, a grand banquet was held in Jiangling, and anyone could come and eat.

The lively buffet banquet lasted for three consecutive days.

On the third day, there was a problem with the winter clothes that Pei had paid for.

Not only was Pei Yi stripped of his official position and imprisoned, but Pei Yi's father from Jiangling was also imprisoned. Soon after, all of Pei's properties were confiscated, the men were exiled to southern Xinjiang, and the women were enslaved.

The richest man in Jiangling collapsed in an instant.

The one in charge of searching and confiscating the Pei family's property was Prince Jiang.

Gu Huan held her chin with one hand and looked at the ginkgo tree outside the window, while tapping the table with the other hand.

She was thinking that although the richest man in Jiangling was rich, he was still not as rich as the mighty Jiang family.

Why did Prince Jiang go to so much trouble to destroy the Pei family?

If the military supplies are fake and discovered, the Jiang family will also be implicated.

Why did the Jiang family take this risk?

Recently, the prices of winter clothing, cotton, cotton cloth, etc. in Bianjing City and nearby areas have risen sharply due to the high-priced purchases by the Pei family.

Some people who did not have time to buy cold-resistant supplies are complaining bitterly.

Gu Huan knew that the amount of supplies Pei Yi collected was far greater than the amount of military supplies handed over, so Gu Huan asked Pei Yi to do this.

Fortunately, Pei Yi obeyed her words.

Guanshan Tower.

Gu Huan listened to Chi Yan's report one by one.

"There are six warehouses in total. Do we have enough manpower?"

Chi Yan nodded: "Madam, don't worry, Master Pei has gathered all the guards and escorts of the Pei family. Together with our people, they are enough."

Gu Huan had never been to the warehouse where military winter clothing was stored, but she remembered that during this period of time in her previous life, Mu An and Gu Wanru were together almost every day, discussing every step of the progress.

She was very clear about what happened and their methods.

Gu Huan tried hard to recall the details of her past life, fearing that she had missed something, and suddenly blurted out, "Keep an eye on Mu An, he will leave the house tonight."

Chi Yan looked at her in surprise: "How did Madam know?"

Gu Huan secretly cursed herself for speaking too quickly.

He quickly added, "Isn't the inspection scheduled for the day after tomorrow? If he wants to start, he won't wait until the last day tomorrow, so I guess he will start today."

Chi Yan nodded without any doubt.

"Don't worry, ma'am."

Sure enough, when night fell, not only did Mu An leave the house, but even Yaoyao, who had just suffered a miscarriage half a month ago, left the house on the pretext of going back to Yichunyuan to take care of some private matters.

Gu Huan was so nervous that she couldn't sleep the whole night.

It was almost dawn when he saw Chi Yan appear and he nodded at her.

Gu Huan finally felt relieved.

"Hurry up and give me breakfast, then go to sleep." Gu Huan stretched.

Although Donghua and Dongqing didn't know what the madam was doing secretly, the madam had not slept all night and they had been provided with various warm soups and snacks, so breakfast was naturally prepared as well.

Soon a table full of nutritious breakfast was served.

Perhaps because she was in a good mood, Gu Huan had a big appetite. She ate three meat buns in one go, and had a bowl of bird's nest porridge. She also wanted to get the ice skin shrimp dumplings, but was held back by Dong Hua.

"My lady, you can't eat anymore. You need to catch up on your sleep. Eat after you wake up."

"But I can still eat." Gu Huan widened her eyes.

Dong Qing also smiled and held Gu Huan with Dong Hua on both sides: "Madam, if you go to bed after eating too much, you will feel uncomfortable in your stomach. Be obedient and go to bed first."

Gu Huan was carried to the bed by two maids and had no choice but to obey.

…

Yichunyuan.

Ji Xuanyu sat opposite Prince Jiang wearing a silver mask.

Prince Jiang was leaning on the big pillow, looking lazy.

"You are very hostile to the Pei family. They are just merchants, and they are far away in Jiangling. How could they offend you, the young master of Yifeng Hall? Is it worth it for me to spend so much effort and take such a big risk to help you get rid of the Pei family?"

At this moment, Ji Xuanyu is the young master of Yifengtang, not their favorite concubine.

Therefore, there is no need to care about the identity of Prince Jiang.

Ji Xuanyu took a sip of tea and said, "They have offended me. As for why, you don't have to ask, and I won't tell you. You just want what you want, that's all."

Prince Jiang raised his eyebrows.

This guy never gives him face when he speaks.

"That's right. But when will you pay me?"

"Isn't it the best reward for several small countries around Dali County to unite and attack the southern border? The Mu family army only has 300,000 soldiers, and they will be defeated in a year or two."

"Are you trying to appease this prince? The Mu family army has been stationed in southern Xinjiang for fifty years. Have you defeated them? Let's do something ruthless!"

Ji Xuanyu smiled slightly, "It's coming soon. After the winter clothes, it should be the winter grain, right? The southern border is dry and prone to fire. If the granary is burned, Mu Junyan will definitely ask the court for help to replenish the grain. Prince Jiang knows what to do, right?"

Prince Jiang's eyes lit up: "It would be great if you can do it. The Mu family army has always been heavily guarded. Last time, the old Duke and Mu Junyan's eldest brother were killed because of the marching map you leaked. I hope you can do it this time too."

Ji Xuanyu was not originally keen on destroying the Mu family army.

As a citizen of Daliang, he betrayed his country and went to Yifengtang just because he wanted to take revenge on Pei and rescue Huan'er.

But now, Mu Junyan has snatched his sweetheart away.

Then, he will also destroy the Mu family army!

Ji Xuanyu's tone was grim: "Prince Jiang, just make sure you accept this scene the day after tomorrow."