Chapter 11: A Father Who Embezzled Military Funds!
Chapter 11
Sure enough, under Ye Xiren's strict guard, where she would "interrogate" even flies, everything was peaceful from the third day of the third month until evening, and nothing happened.
The tightly closed gate remained shut; no one kicked it open, barged into the Ye family to take her away and "execute the entire family." The Ye family remained calm and as usual.
As the sun set, Ye Xiren almost burst into tears of joy.
Finally, we've escaped this calamity!
Yesterday's plan was correct. We couldn't just take the things inside the Guanyin statue; we had to lure out the person who harmed their family. With Yunxiang's confession and Lu Qian's forced entry... Once the murderer was found, the crisis was completely resolved.
Ye Xiren raised her head.
Her eyes were fixed on the slowly setting sun, with layers of clouds and flocks of birds circling overhead. She swallowed the tears welling up in her eyes.
"You cried?" Ye Changming limped over and cautiously asked, his face full of surprise.
Ye Xiren shook her head, her smile bright and cheerful, "No, the light was too bright."
Seeing that there wasn't a trace of gloom on her face, Ye Changming finally felt relieved and raised his chin to change the subject, "I'm going to the study to change a book, do you want to come with me?"
This younger sister is keeping a close eye on him today, not letting him out of her sight. If he wants to go back to his room, he'll have to take her with him...
However, Ye Xiren glanced at him with disdain: "I'm not going. You're not short of legs. You're a grown man. Go to the study by yourself. Do you need someone to accompany you?"
She lifted her skirt and ran happily back into the house.
Ye Changming: "???"
"Ye Xiren, are you even being reasonable?" He was speechless, and shouted, "Hey, where are you going? Aren't you going to continue the examination?"
"Just keep the doors and windows closed and guard the house. I'm tired today, I'm going back to get some sleep." Ye Xiren stopped and gave a few more instructions.
Ye Changming's eyes lit up, and he quickly said:
"May I leave the manor to gather information? Today is the third day of the third month, the day of peace talks. I still don't know what conditions the Northern Yan has put forward, or whether the peace talks have been successful..."
Ye Xiren smiled slightly: "No, you'll know when Father comes back."
As soon as she finished speaking, she quickly left, the beads in her hair sparkling, her black hair swaying, her back view light and nimble.
Ye Changming rolled his eyes.
This domineering younger sister!
He leaned on his cane, his face clearly showing disgust, but he still turned his head and earnestly instructed: "Xuechan and Xuejuan, keep an eye on the second young lady. Remember to give her some food before she goes to sleep. After the meal, make her a bowl of calming soup so she can get a good night's sleep. Don't disturb her."
"Yes," the two replied and hurried after them.
Ye Changming gripped his cane tightly with his well-defined knuckles. Without needing anyone's help, he limped back to the house, his long, slender figure stretched out by the setting sun. He was always disliked by Ye Xiren, but he was a true young talent in Kyoto.
The Ye siblings are both handsome and beautiful.
On the other side, Xue Chan fed her a calming soup, which Ye Xiren drank comfortably, let out a long breath, and stretched out her body to lie down.
"You must be exhausted these past few days, young lady. Get some sleep." Xuechan pulled the blanket tighter around her.
Ye Xiren smiled, her dimples becoming more pronounced as she lay there, revealing her pearly white teeth. Without her hairpins and ornaments, she possessed a youthful innocence and a charming cuteness; though only sixteen years old, her bright, clear eyes were captivating, and her voice was gentle.
"You all get some sleep too. Once the Ye family's ordeal is completely over, I'll take you out to play and give you a reward!"
Xuechan and Xuejuan smiled at the same time, their hearts softening.
"Miss, you've worked hard for the Ye family today, go to sleep quickly." Xuechan stood up and lowered the gauze curtains. The temperature had risen a bit today, so she moved the brazier further away to prevent the room from getting too hot.
The two left.
Ye Xiren closed her eyes, a relaxed smile still lingering on her lips.
She was thinking that today they were negotiating peace, and after the world was at peace and the Ye family's misfortune was over, March would be a perfect time for spring outings. She wanted to go to the Buddhist temple in Nandu to offer incense and enjoy the spring scenery, to thank God for His protection...
The front door was suddenly kicked open, causing chaos in the front yard.
The commotion was barely noticeable by the time it reached the backyard, but Ye Xiren seemed to sense it. Her heart tightened, and all her sleepiness vanished instantly, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her head.
She sat up in disbelief and looked toward the door.
Ye Xiren: "???"
No way.
Not again?
With her taking such precautions, how could anything possibly happen?!
"We meet again. Where is that bold Miss Ye?"
There was complete silence all around; no one answered.
Ye Xiren came out dressed, without any hairpins or jewelry. In the torchlight, her face was flushed with anger, her eyes blazing, and she gritted her teeth: "Lu Qian, what excuse did you use to frame us this time?!"
Lu Qian lifted his foot and walked towards her step by step, and said with a smile, "Miss Ye, you have misunderstood me. How could I possibly have the ability to frame the Minister of Revenue's residence?"
Ye Xiren's heart skipped a beat.
This Lu Qian is even more fearless today than he was yesterday?
Ye Changming limped out, and seeing Lu Qian heading towards his sister, he threw down his crutch and rushed forward to shield him, staring intently at Lu Qian and angrily saying:
"How dare you force your way into the Ye family? Did no one care about the slander and framing you committed yesterday?!"
Why is Lu Qian still standing here unharmed? Has Father not yet informed the Emperor?
Ye Xiren quickly pondered.
Lu Qian's face darkened instantly, and he sneered, "Yes, your father submitted a memorial yesterday to sue me. Fortunately, I haven't had time to deal with it yet. Your Ye family is the first to suffer... In that case, Ye Pei's lawsuit is no longer important."
At this point, Lu Qian couldn't hide the schadenfreude in his eyes. If Ye Pei hadn't gotten into trouble, he probably wouldn't have been able to get away with it. But now that Ye Pei was in trouble and the negotiations were still at an impasse, he had a chance to redeem himself. Everything had turned around.
The accusations of the sinner are no longer important.
"What do you mean?" Ye Xiren frowned.
"You probably don't know, do you? A major case broke out in court today. There was a problem with the batch of grain that was transported to Yan Family Army. The truth was found out... it turned out that your father, the Minister of Revenue, embezzled money."
Lu Qian's voice was soft and low:
"The person who pointed out the problem with the grain supplies and exposed the major case was your father, and in the end, it was also your father, Ye Pei, who was found out."
"Nonsense!" Ye Changming exclaimed incredulously. "My father is honest and upright; he would never embezzle military funds. You're framing him!"
Ye Xiren: "..."
Her first reaction wasn't anger, but rather... next time she would definitely stand guard over her father and prevent him from going to court!
“That’s not right.” Ye Xiren caught the information Lu Qian revealed and grasped the key point. “Putting aside the fact that my father couldn’t possibly have embezzled military funds, even if he really did, why would he report it to the court himself?”
This is unreasonable.
Ye Pei's report of problems with the grain supplies uncovered a major case, undoubtedly to help clear the name of the still imprisoned General Yan of some of his crimes. In the end, it was found that it was him... Someone must have been up to something!
However, Lu Qian chuckled meaningfully, "Today, that traitor was supposed to be sentenced to death. Your father reported him to buy time and clear his name, but he didn't expect... that he didn't wipe away the evidence properly and that someone found out."
Seeing that Ye Xiren was about to speak, he shook his head and said again:
"None of that matters, because just today at Shenshi (3-5 PM), your father himself admitted to embezzling military funds. He personally wrote a confession and submitted it to the court. He was not tortured or coerced. Your father confessed his crime at Dali Temple. His Majesty was furious and sentenced Ye Pei and his entire family to be executed."
After speaking, he shook his arm, and the bright yellow imperial edict opened. In the dim firelight, it looked like a monster that could devour everything, making people tremble with fear.
No wonder he barged in so brazenly; he was carrying an imperial edict to confiscate the Ye family's property!
Ye Xiren and Ye Changming were both shocked.
"No, absolutely impossible!" Ye Changming refused to believe it, shaking his head violently. He snatched the imperial edict, carefully examined every word on it, and found it hard to accept.
After a brief breakdown, Ye Xiren felt a familiar sense of death creeping over her. Hearing the words "extermination of the entire family," she felt a strange sense of relief, as if she had known...
The calamity of the third day of the third month has finally come to pass.
“My father couldn’t have embezzled, so why would he confess? What exactly happened today?” Ye Xiren stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Lu Qian, wanting answers.
She had too many questions.
Lu Qian held the knife in his hand, pulling it out and playing with it. Thinking of the man's toughness when he stood in front of him yesterday, his thin lips moved slightly, and he slowly said, "Want to know? Beg me."
Ye Xiren said without hesitation, "Please."
Lu Qian: "..."
Lu Qian choked.
The thought of arguing with a little girl suddenly made him feel it was pointless. He sheathed his knife, took a deep breath, and waved his hand. "The master has instructed that this be dealt with as soon as possible to appease the Emperor's anger. Take her directly to the execution ground."
He was verbally abused and taken to the prison van.
The patrolman wanted to grab Ye Xiren, but she lifted her skirt and obediently followed, saying to him, "Hey, we meet again. My grandmother is old, so be polite to her."
After saying that, she went out the door, got into the prison van, and didn't forget to close the door behind her.
Lu Qian wasn't falling for her trap and wouldn't reveal any information. Moreover, judging from his demeanor, she figured he probably didn't know much about the inside story either. She should just hurry up and be reborn so she could investigate herself.
Patrolman: "?"
Seeing him staring blankly at her, Ye Xiren suddenly realized and hurriedly stretched out her hand, muttering, "Oh, right, I haven't put on the shackles yet."
Patrolman: "??"
Seeing that he still didn't understand, Ye Xiren urged, "Hurry up, the other prison carts have all left. The sooner we finish chopping, the sooner we'll get it over with. Don't waste my time."
She needs to be reborn as soon as possible.
Not only must we be on high alert against the Ye family, but we must also guard Ye Pei to the death!
Ye Xiren gritted her teeth inwardly.
Patrolman: "..."
-
Imperial City Guard, Imperial Prison.
In the pitch-black prison, only a sliver of light shone from the dungeon entrance. Inside, a figure sat with his hands and feet bound by iron chains, his white undergarments stained with spilled blood.
The figure seemed oblivious, remaining seated in the dungeon with its back straight, eyes hidden beneath disheveled hair fixed on the dungeon entrance, waiting quietly.
The next moment, he suddenly reached out and caught a mouse as it ran by.
A shadow flickered at the entrance as a jailer came in to deliver food. He held the food box in front of the shadowy figure, took out the food one by one, and poured water into the chipped bowl.
The shadowy figure released the rat from the rice bowl, the chains rattling as he slowly closed his eyes.
-
The executioner at Caishikou raised his hands, spat out a mouthful of strong liquor, and with a flash of cold light, his executioner's blade fell heavily. A sharp pain shot through him, and blood splattered...
Ye Xiren suddenly sat up, clutching her neck, her breathing rapid and her eyes filled with terror.
"Miss?" The maids filed in, the head maid looking anxious. She wiped the cold sweat from Ye Xiren's forehead while ordering, "Quickly bring some water!"
The scene is so familiar, the sounds are so familiar!
Ye Xiren breathed a sigh of relief.
There's still a chance.
Her pupils suddenly contracted, and she grabbed Xuechan's wrist, her voice urgent: "Wait, what's today?"
Ye Xiren suddenly stood up, looking anxious. "Hurry up and get me dressed, prepare the carriage. I'm going out. Take the willow catkins and incense from Grandmother's room... never mind, it's not necessary. Hurry up."
Damn it, we're back to the first day of the third lunar month again.
We have to start all over again.
He had to stop his brother from cheating on the exam, rescue his grandmother from hiding evidence of treason, and deal with his father's embezzlement of military funds.
A note from the author:
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Ye Xiren: I'm so tired!
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