Granny Du flung his hand away, shouting, "Get out of here! This is my house! You can't come in!"
Du Pengzhi grew impatient. "You're getting old, and I don't think your mind is clear anymore. You've forgotten where the money for building this house came from, haven't you?"
Granny Du snorted coldly and turned her head away. "It was taken from the Ye family by Pan Jiu, so it's mine now!"
When this news broke, the people of Dujia Village looked at the mother and daughter with visibly changed expressions.
It turns out neither of them were good people; it's a shame they even spoke up for the Du family back then.
Thinking about it now, my face burns with embarrassment.
I'm so embarrassed!
Du Pengzhi was too lazy to argue with her anymore, and started walking into the house.
Granny Du kicked him, went inside, and slammed the door shut. "As long as I'm alive, you unfilial son, don't even think about stepping through this door!"
Du Pengzhi's forehead veins bulged as he clenched his fists.
How did his mother become like this?
"I'm pretty rich right now, are you sure you don't want me to go in?"
Money was her lifeline. Du Pozi's anger, like a burst bubble, completely dissipated. Reluctantly, she stretched out her hand, "Give me the money first."
Du Pengzhi glanced around at the onlookers, trying to clear his name of being unfilial. "Mother, this is two taels of silver, it's my way of showing my respect to you. I was tricked by E'li before, please don't blame me. I'll kneel down and kowtow to you."
As he spoke, he knelt down heavily and kowtowed three times loudly.
Granny Du peeked through the crack in the door, feeling a surge of satisfaction.
If she hadn't been pushed to the limit, would she have needed to do this?
After receiving two taels of silver, Granny Du let Du Pengzhi into the house, and the onlookers from Dujia Village chatted enthusiastically.
"Our scholar's house is in complete chaos!"
Mr. Sun also sighed in agreement, "It's too chaotic."
After finishing two bowls of braised food, Granny Li smiled contentedly. "I've always disliked the Du family, and now almost everyone in the Du family hates this mother and son, not to mention their daughter who never came back. I don't know how Granny Du raised her child."
Ye Panjiu asked with a smile, "Grandma, would you like another bowl?"
Granny Li waved her hand, "No, I'm already full. I'll come again next time."
Ye Panjiu personally escorted her out of the shop.
Sun pursed her lips, "The money our Ye family spent on the Du family has finally paid off."
Ye Panjiu smiled and reminded her, "This is nothing. The real deal is two hundred and fifty taels. Just wait, before Du E'li returns to the Qian family, this person will send us even more silver."
Sun was so surprised that her eyebrows shot up. "This man really won't give up until he's completely cornered!"
Ye Panjiu patted her hand and walked towards the backyard.
The Ye family lived in peace and tranquility, while everyone in the capital felt threatened.
The 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year.
On the day when every household was worshipping the Kitchen God, the officials knelt on the cold blue bricks of the Qianqing Palace early in the morning.
Ning Xuan's face was ashen. "Wang Helu, how do you intend to explain yourself?"
Wang Helu didn't dare to raise his head. "Your Majesty, this old minister is innocent!"
Ning Xuan was even angrier upon hearing this, "Injustice? A whole month has passed since the land encroachment incident, what have you been doing?!"
Wang Helu breathed a sigh of relief and began to evade the question, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. The Ministry of Revenue is busiest at the end of the year. This old minister has been living at the Ministry of Revenue. I am truly willing but unable to do more!"
Hearing this, Ning Xuan looked at the princes with a cold expression, "Is this your excuse too?"
Prince Ren reacted the fastest, "Father, Mother has been ill recently, and I am very worried about her. I have tried my best to handle the matter, but unfortunately, it is far too complicated..."
Ning Xuan, impatient with his words, raised her hand to interrupt, "Prince Qi?"
Prince Qi's eyes darted around. "Your subject knows his mistake and will certainly do his best in this matter!"
Prince Duan and Wang Helu exchanged glances, and before anyone could ask, Wang Helu immediately replied, "Your subject is still pondering this in the palace and has gained some insights."
Su Yan's right eye kept twitching; he had a feeling that something was going to happen today.
Ning Xuan closed his eyes, the eighteen-bead yellow tourmaline bracelet in his hand making a crackling sound as he squeezed it. "Prime Minister Su, from today onwards you will take charge of this matter. I grant you the right to act first and report later. Do you have any objections?"
Su Yan was heartbroken; he was still going to Shuzhou outside the capital for the New Year!
I just can't get through to it!
"Your Majesty's mood is such that I have someone in mind who is more suitable than me."
Ning Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh?"
"It is Lord Chu, the Earl of Yongchang. The Earl of Yongchang has spent his life on the battlefield, is upright and incorruptible, treats the people with the utmost kindness, and regards gold and silver as dirt. He is most suitable to be in charge of this matter," Su Yan said without batting an eye.
The ministers kneeling on the ground all looked at Chu Li with sympathy.
Chu Li kept his head down, cursing Su Yan's ancestors for eighteen generations in his heart.
Ning Xuan paused for a moment, then said, "As Prime Minister Su said, Chu Li, do not disappoint my high expectations for you."
Chu Li's hands and feet turned cold. He kowtowed and accepted the imperial decree, saying, "Your subject will certainly not fail in his mission!"
With a dismissal notice, Ning Xuan hurried away; he was very busy.
The ministers also scattered and left the hall like birds and beasts.
Chu Li gritted his teeth and walked to Su Yan's side, "I didn't even know when I offended Lord Su, that he would harm me like this!"
Su Yan smiled like an old fox, "Why do you say that, Lord Chu? I'm only doing this for your own good. Tonight I'll come to your residence to see you and explain the pros and cons to you properly. There's absolutely no downside to it!"
Chu Li snorted coldly, then turned and left.
Su Yan touched his nose and walked towards the Imperial Study.
As soon as Li Gao reported, Su Yan was invited inside.
He knelt down respectfully to pay his respects.
Ning Xuan raised his hand, "Why did you recommend Chu Li, my dear minister?"
Su Yan replied, "Chu Li's actions are a triple win. First, he holds military power, making him the most capable of contending with the powerful families. Second, Chu Li has not taken sides; all three princes are trying to win him over, and this matter also serves to test whether the Chu family can remain stable. Third, the Chu family is currently negotiating a marriage alliance with the Wang family, and with Chu Li taking on this matter, the marriage alliance is no longer possible."
Ning Xuan pondered for a moment and nodded. "Chu Li has spent his life on the battlefield and has never massacred a city when he led troops into battle. The people under his rule are better off. That's right."
Ning Xuan finally showed a slight hint of joy on her face today.
Although he had long held a high position and never showed his anger on his face, Su Yan had been with him for nearly twenty years and knew the emperor's feelings very well.
Seizing the opportunity, Su Yan quickly said, "Your Majesty, I have another matter to discuss. I have not had a day off all year, but I request that I be able to leave the capital for a few days during the New Year to visit some people in Shuzhou."
Ning Xuan looked at him with a dark and unreadable expression. "You used to spend the New Year with me. I'll grant you ten days to see what the new prefect of Shuzhou is like."
Su Yan was overjoyed, but he didn't show it on his face. "Your Majesty, I thank you very much. I will definitely bring you New Year's gifts when I return to the capital."
Ning Xuan waved his hand, not wanting to say anything more.
Alone and isolated, he is constantly scheming and plotting.
Even his prime minister had to leave during the New Year.
I'm in a bad mood.
Su Yan walked out backwards.
He had long been annoyed by the palace banquets and had always wanted to have some peace and quiet during the New Year. But His Majesty kept summoning him to the palace, which was exhausting.
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