Zhang Yong represented the interests of the eunuch group.

Yang Yiqing was recommended by Grand Secretary Li Dongqian and represented the interests of the civil service.

With the merits of suppressing the rebellion in Ningxia, those who have made the list of merits and the forces they represent will certainly be safe and sound unless they deliberately plot rebellion and court death.

...

"Your Majesty, Sister Heying and the Liu family have been arrested!" a palace servant rushed in to report.

Su Wanwan paused, "How is that possible?"

Liu Qi had settled his family back in his hometown and kept a low profile, so why was he suddenly arrested?

"It was a cruel official under Minister Liu named Ning Gao who suddenly made his move. The images of thieves who were disemboweled and had their limbs severed by Ning Gao himself are still hanging on the four city gates of Baoding!"

Su Wanwan gasped.

Liu Qi is one of her people. Is Liu Jin trying to use Liu Qi and He Ying to threaten her by suddenly targeting them?

She couldn't imagine the brutal murder of Heying.

Through horse trading, Liu Qi managed to gather a group of highly skilled martial artists under his command, ensuring that he wouldn't be unable to protect even his own family.

She dared not delay and hurried to the Imperial Study to find Lu Xingjian.

Lu Xingjian didn't delay and directly demoted Ning Gao from the post of Governor of Zhending to Right Councilor of Shanxi. At the same time, he sent Marquis Guo Xun of Wuding to rescue Heying and the Liu family.

"Don't worry, Guo Xun and He Ying still have some old feelings for each other, and they will do their best to handle things."

Seeing her worried expression, Lu Xingjian deliberately offered a few words of comfort.

"I'm afraid more and more people will be implicated." Su Wanwan was still somewhat worried about the increasingly tense situation.

After all, their lives and fortunes are at stake, so Liu Jin and his group are likely to fight tooth and nail, even to the point of mutual destruction.

"Don't move around too much lately, just stay in Kunning Palace, okay?" Lu Xingjian gently patted her back.

Su Wanwan is now incredibly grateful that her family has returned to their hometown. "You should also be careful."

...

In the woods.

Liu Qi clutched his chest wound, his eyes sharp as he stared at the masked assassins who had formed a circle around him, spitting out blood.

"You've been following me all this way, what exactly do you want?"

The masked man said, "Ma Wensheng is dead. Hand over what you have, and we'll release your family."

Liu Qi scoffed, "What if I say no?"

The masked man didn't waste any words and simply waved his hand.

Two women and a child were brought over.

His mouth was stuffed with something, and his hands were tied behind his back.

The child was only one or two years old, had just learned to walk, and was crying sobbing uncontrollably.

Liu Qi froze, his pupils trembling. "Mother, sister-in-law!"

The masked man raised his knife, shouting, "Hand over the goods, or I'll kill you!"

Liu Qi quickly replied, "Here you go!"

He pulled a small medicine bottle from his pocket: "Let them go, and you can have the stuff!"

The situation was one-sided, and the masked man wasn't worried about him using any tricks. He simply ordered the women and children to be released.

Liu Qi shielded them behind him before tossing the small medicine bottle to the masked man.

After obtaining the medicine bottle, the masked man was preparing to retreat.

A group of people suddenly appeared from behind and quickly subdued the masked man.

"We are officials appointed by the imperial court; you are not allowed to harm us!" The masked man, not expecting Liu Qi to have a backup plan, quickly revealed his identity.

Liu Qi shouted, "Who are you people?"

"We are acting on the orders of Censor-in-Chief Ning Gao to apprehend the thieves who stole the property of Minister Liu!"

Liu Qi pointed at the elderly, women, and children and sneered, "Are they thieves?"

As soon as she was untied, Aunt Liu, her face streaked with tears, quickly said:

"The Zhang family was raided by the imperial court. Old Master Zhang's leg was broken and he was taken to the capital. Your brother and his fellow disciples went to rescue him, but we don't know if he's alive or dead!"

Liu Liusao held her crying child, sobbing in fear.

Liu Qi frowned.

I never expected so many things to happen after I left. I hope this puts their minds at ease.

"fine."

Even the biggest baskets are covered by someone.

He was gone for far too long this time.

Those medicines were simply too rare and extremely difficult to refine.

In fact, the older brother, Liu Liu, had a good relationship with the county constables and even helped arrest criminals.

They are not short of money, so they wouldn't go so far as to rob Liu Naixiang's family property.

His brows furrowed even more deeply.

He left quietly this time. How did these people know that he went to Ma Wensheng's house and that he had made medicine?

...

For safety reasons, Su Wanwan stopped letting Yan Ge'er go to study in the East Garden and raised him and Yan Ge'er together in Kunning Palace, never leaving the house.

The food was handled with utmost care, requiring multiple attempts to prepare it.

With so much wealth amassed by Liu Jin, there must be quite a few people who secretly submit to him through coercion and enticement.

That night, Su Wanwan was half asleep when she was shaken awake.

It was Lu Xingjian, dressed in military uniform, who lowered his voice and said, "Let's go somewhere else."

Under the cover of night, they quietly went to Xiaoyuan Garden in Xiyuan.

Below Xiaoyuan Garden are underground palaces, which are stocked with dry food, dried meat and water.

Lu Xingjian simply said, "Wait for me to come and pick you up."

Su Wanwan felt a slight unease.

I'm reminded of my time in Yansui.

"Be careful."

The man nodded and left, his expression calm.

Yan Ge'er and Yan Ge'er stared wide-eyed, experiencing this situation for the first time.

Yet it was quite quiet and well-behaved.

Just as they were considering whether to take a nap, a loud noise came from above.

It's the sound of cannons!

The shock caused dust to fall from the roof in a flurry.

Su Wanwan's blood froze, and her liver and gallbladder trembled violently.

Bombard the inner palace.

Liu Jin has some nerve!

I wonder if Lu Xingjian will get blown up?

He should have hidden first!

She wanted to rush out to check the situation.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!