Chapter 456 Burn it for him

Xie Ning'an knew that even if Jiang Yu told the emperor what he had done, the emperor would not give him a chance to restore his family's honor. But he was still grateful to Jiang Yu; at least she hadn't tried to hide his achievements. This was also what he admired about Jiang Yu—although she was exceptionally intelligent and sometimes ruthless, she was upright and honest.

"Thank you very much, Duke of Chu," Xie Ning'an said sincerely.

Jiang Yu waved her hand casually, her fingers stroking the jade pendant as she pondered for a moment. She looked at Xie Ning'an and said, "The Xie family should have a map, right?"

Xie Ning'an was taken aback; he didn't know why Jiang Yu suddenly asked this. But he still answered truthfully, "Yes."

"Then you should know that Qiongzhou Prefecture faces a vast sea to the east, right?" Jiang Yu asked Xie Ning'an with a serious look in her eyes.

Xie Ning'an nodded, "I know."

"Have you been there?" Jiang Yu asked again.

Xie Ning'an nodded again, "I was fortunate enough to travel with my elders when I was young."

Jiang Yu hummed in agreement, thinking to herself that this was indeed a prestigious family, able to send their outstanding younger generation on a journey. Sitting up straight, she asked again, "Do you know what the other side of the ocean is like?"

Xie Ning'an frowned and remained silent for a while, then shook her head: "I don't know."

Jiang Yu poured tea for the two of them again, saying, "I don't know either, but maybe the other side of the ocean is a different world."

Xie Ning'an held his cup thoughtfully, and Jiang Yu didn't pursue the topic further. She planned to send someone to sea after the reforms were successful, the King of Lingnan fell, and the court stabilized. Xie Ning'an was the best candidate; he was intelligent, resolute, and the Xie family needed to find another way out.

However, since this plan hasn't been put on the agenda yet, she's just giving a heads-up. At the same time, she's also telling Xie Ning'an that although the restructuring is coming to an end, she doesn't intend to wipe out the Xie family; on the contrary, there will be further cooperation. This is also to reassure Xie Ning'an.

Being a smart man himself, Xie Ning'an naturally understood Jiang Yu's meaning. However, her description of the world on the other side of the ocean truly piqued his interest. He earnestly bowed in thanks, and the two discussed some more matters concerning the reforms before Xie Ning'an departed.

After he left, Jiang Yu checked the time and went to the palace. She met the emperor in the imperial study and truthfully recounted Xie Ning'an's meeting with Zhu Junning. The emperor listened, frowned, and remained silent for a moment before saying, "The Prince of Lingnan and his daughter seem to believe him."

This shows that they still doubt Xie Ning'an's loyalty to the court. However, as the emperor, it is perfectly normal for him to have such doubts. Jiang Yu thought for a moment and said, "Because the Prince of Lingnan thinks that the downfall of the Xie family will definitely make Xie Ning'an hate Your Majesty and his ministers. But what he doesn't know is that Xie Yun was able to be taken down so quickly thanks to Xie Ning'an's courageous act of voluntarily exposing him."

After hearing this, the emperor glanced at her without saying a word, and Jiang Yu did not speak up for Xie Ning'an again. She naturally understood the principle that too much of a good thing is bad.

The emperor tapped the dragon head on the armrest with his fingers, and after a while said, "Xie Ning'an has rendered meritorious service and should be rewarded. But let's do it after the matter in Lingnan is settled."

"Your Majesty is wise," Jiang Yu flattered at the opportune moment.

The emperor's expression softened considerably. "Regarding what Xie Ning'an said, make arrangements immediately. Make sure the Prince of Lingnan believes what Xie Ning'an said is true. And what about that escort agency?"

"Hua'an Escort Agency," Jiang Yu reminded him.

The Emperor nodded. "Have Prince An send men to keep an eye on them, but don't make any moves against them for now. Also..."

The emperor looked at Jiang Yu and said, "The Prince of Lingnan has already submitted a memorial saying he wants to return to Lingnan. You need to act quickly on your end."

"yes."

.........

Jiang Yu stayed in the imperial study for about half an hour before emerging. After returning to his official residence, he arranged matters while having lunch, covering up Xie Ning'an's lie. Meanwhile, the Prince of Lingnan was writing a letter to the Prime Minister, recounting Xie Ning'an's meeting with Zhu Junning and instructing the Prime Minister to investigate the veracity of Xie Ning'an's account.

Such confidential matters must be investigated by the Prime Minister; ordinary people cannot uncover them. Meanwhile, the Prince of Lingnan also harbored some resentment towards the Prime Minister, feeling excluded from core affairs by the Emperor.

After writing the letter, he entrusted it to a trusted confidant to deliver to the Prime Minister's residence, and then went to Pei Tinglan's place in the backyard. When he arrived, Pei Tinglan was throwing a tantrum at her maid, because she wanted to leave the residence, and the maid was advising her not to go out.

The Prince of Lingnan waved for the maids and servants in the room to leave, then sat down and said, "Mother, we will meet with my uncle in a few days."

Upon hearing this, Pei Tinglan's face lit up with joy, and she asked, "What exactly is the time?"

"My son just wrote a letter to his uncle. We can only confirm the time after his reply arrives." The Prince of Lingnan glanced at Pei Tinglan's smiling face and added, "After meeting with my uncle, we will return to Lingnan."

Pei Tinglan's expression darkened, but the Prince of Lingnan pretended not to notice and said, "Before we return to Lingnan, it's best if Mother Consort doesn't go out. If you want to buy anything, have the shopkeeper deliver it to the Prince's residence, and you can choose whatever you like."

Pei Tinglan's face darkened completely as she looked at the Prince of Lingnan and asked, "Can't you stay a little longer?"

The Prince of Lingnan gave a bitter smile. "Mother, the Emperor is determined to take our lives and is going to attack Lingnan. How can we stay in the capital?"

Pei Tinglan looked frightened and stammered, "Is it...is it that serious? Can't your uncle...help?"

“Mother,” the Prince of Lingnan said impatiently, “my uncle is now in a precarious situation himself. Although your identity has not been exposed, the Duke of Chu and the Emperor must know it. Otherwise, why would the Lady of Anyuan Marquis say such things to you on the day of the banquet?”

“This…” Pei Tinglan’s fear deepened, and her hands trembled slightly.

Seeing that his words had an effect, the Prince of Lingnan's expression softened, and he said, "I know you want to stay in the capital for a while longer, but the timing doesn't allow it now. Perhaps you can stay in the capital indefinitely in the future."

These words of comfort did not lessen Pei Tinglan's fear. This was exactly the effect the Prince of Lingnan wanted; he said nothing more, rose, bowed, and strode away. Pei Tinglan remained seated, motionless for a long time.

A moment later, Granny Hu and Su Yun came in. Seeing that she was not in good condition, they quickly came over to ask what was wrong. Pei Tinglan knew that she couldn't just say anything about leaving the capital, so she gave a vague answer. Then she sent Granny Hu away and kept Su Yun behind.

"How's it going with the thing I asked you to inquire about?" Pei Tinglan asked Suyun in a low voice.

“I’ve found out,” Su Yun said in a low voice, “The Chu State Duke’s cemetery is located on Cangwu Mountain outside the city, and that’s where the old Chu State Duke was headed. However, there are tomb keepers there.”

Pei Tinglan remained silent after hearing this, and after a while said, "I probably can't go out. I'll write a letter for you to take over and burn for him."