"Although we have done all kinds of investigation, we have not been able to find out who did it, but apart from Cheng Ying, I think it was no other person. This person lay dormant for three or four years, and once he took action, he was decisive and ruthless. He was no ordinary person even when he was young."

When Lu Jin talked about this, he couldn't help but sigh that Cheng Ying was patient and ruthless enough.

Yu Qizhe was not too surprised. As he had the power to dominate the world and hold that position, he could naturally endure what ordinary people could not endure and do what ordinary people dared not do.

Lu Jin then went on to talk about how Cheng Ying came to power.

The late emperor was a wise ruler. When he was in power, eunuchs did not have much power and were subject to restrictions. The Imperial Household Department was only an institution used to manage the eunuchs in the inner court. The late emperor did not favor the eunuchs too much. Because Cheng Ying was good-looking, she often served tea and water in front of the emperor, but she was not reused.

Later, the late emperor became seriously ill and the imperial power changed overnight. After Emperor Mingzheng ascended the throne, he suddenly reused Cheng Ying and promoted him to be the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department. He also gave him the position of commander-in-chief of the Eastern Factory. From then on, Cheng Ying's road to power began.

Emperor Mingzheng was obsessed with Taoism and the Huang-Lao technique of longevity, so Cheng Ying found many Taoists from all over the world to enter the palace for him. Over the past ten years, Emperor Mingzheng's favor for Cheng Ying increased instead of decreasing, and he always regarded her as his confidant. Once, some court officials directly advised Cheng Ying against abusing his power, violating the court system, and forming a clique with outer court officials, but Emperor Mingzheng rebuked and demoted them.

After Cheng Ying was impeached, his viciousness was revealed. He used the East Factory to control the officials in the court who impeached him. Any officials who had complaints about the eunuchs were falsely accused of crimes, brutally suppressed, or even killed.

A group of officials whose homes were raided and their families were killed by the Jinyiwei in the early years were the work of Cheng Ying.

It is said that there was an upright official who could not stand Cheng Ying's omnipotence and cruelty to loyal officials. He was executed by being torn apart by a chariot just because he angrily cursed Cheng Ying as a eunuch in his own yard. For a time, everyone in the court was in danger and no one dared to discuss the eunuchs in private, for fear that they would be eavesdropped by the spies of the East Factory and be killed.

There are also rumors that the Dongchang servants would carry a small notebook with them and move around the streets and alleys of the capital every day to monitor the officials' every move.

The officials began to fear Cheng Ying from that time on.

I don't know whether Cheng Dugong has been cultivating his character in recent years, or he has become so powerful that no one dares to go against him, so he has stopped fabricating charges and suppressing dissidents.

In Lu Jin's opinion, it should be the latter. After all, Cheng Ying is already so powerful that the prime minister of the cabinet has to try his best to please him. The power in his hand is firm, and he is truly second to none.

"In that case, how dare you talk about him here in front of me?" Yu Qizhe lowered his head and took a sip of tea, saying lightly.

Lu Jin smiled silently, "I think the rumors are exaggerated. The East Factory only has so many people, how can they really monitor every house in the capital? Those spies will be exhausted to death!"

Yu Qizhe said, "The tongue can easily lead to trouble, so people should be careful not to talk too much."

Lu Jin heaved a sigh of relief, "I know, I know. With your cautious and boring personality, I really don't know how my sister-in-law can stand you!"

Yu Qizhe put down the teacup and glanced at him calmly, "From now on, you will come over after work every day to practice martial arts with me."

Lu Jin smiled and said, "I was wrong. My sister-in-law just likes your cautious and boring personality. You two are a perfect match."

He didn't want to practice martial arts with Yu Qizhe every day. He couldn't use his internal force when practicing, and he had to be careful not to hurt him. He was restricted when fighting, which was more tiring than having a hearty fight with others.

Yu Qizhe sneered slightly.

Lu Jin quickly returned to the original topic and changed the conversation. It was because although he was a senior brother, he did not have the authority of a senior brother in front of his junior brother.

"I'll tell you a secret." Lu Jin lowered his voice and leaned closer, "The reason why Emperor Mingzheng promoted Cheng Ying and used him as soon as he ascended the throne was closely related to the palace coup that year. According to the information I have heard, the death of the former crown prince and the tragedy in Princess Huaiyang's mansion were the work of Cheng Ying."

Yu Qizhe didn't care about these things. Even if Emperor Mingzheng's throne was obtained in an illegitimate way, it was all in the past. Now the one sitting on the throne was Emperor Mingzheng, and this would not change in a short time.

He entered the officialdom for power. No matter who was on the throne or how Cheng Ying abused power, these had nothing to do with him for the time being. After the imperial examination, all he had to do was seize every opportunity to climb up.

Yu Qizhe raised his hand and slightly pushed Lu Jin's head away, then stood up and said, "I'll go to the kitchen to take a look."

Lu Jin was annoyed, and couldn't help but say, "You can't sit still after not seeing your sister-in-law for a while?"

What he got was a cold glance from Yu Qizhe that implied a warning. The more Lu Jin saw him like this, the more he couldn't help but want to tease him with Yu Jiao.

The three girls in the kitchen were chatting and laughing, making it very lively. Liu Yaoyu had never made dumplings before, and even with the guidance of Mrs. Song, she was still very clumsy, making people laugh. Either her dumplings had a big belly, or she couldn't hold the folds, and she had to stack two dumpling skins together to barely keep the stuffing from coming out.

Yu Jiao and Yu Fuling were very skilled and they made the dumplings quickly. Seeing that the dumpling skins were almost gone, Liu Yaoyu begged Yu Jiao to teach her step by step so that she could make dumplings that looked like steamed buns.

Yu Jiao went over to teach her. With Yu Jiao guiding her hands to pinch the folds, an exquisite bun took shape in Liu Yaoyu's palm. She was so happy that she held the bun and said, "Grandma Song, please mark this bun for me when you put it in the steamer later. I want to take it home to show my mother."