Chapter 342 You Don’t Need to Bear the Responsibility
"Mr. Chu! I've been waiting for you in Prince Ning's mansion for quite some time, and you haven't even left the house yet!"
In the lavishly decorated room, Chu Yuni was closing the box in front of her when she heard a scolding from behind her.
Zhong Nanyue looked at the person in front of her and felt extremely angry.
Almost an hour had passed since she sent someone to deliver the message. Wasn't this enough time for him to think about his words?
Isn't he usually quite eloquent?
Chu Yuni turned around immediately and said, "Why are you here? I was just about to go! But it's okay, you come and take a look, will the senior like these things?"
As Chu Yuni spoke, she dragged Zhong Nanyue to the front of the three boxes.
"Your father came over suddenly, and I really had no preparation. I don't know what he likes specifically. I racked my brains and came up with these for now."
Seeing Chu Yuni opening the boxes one by one, Zhong Nanyue's arrogance suddenly dropped and turned into surprise.
“What are these…”
bride price?
But he hasn't gotten his father's approval yet.
"It's a gift for meeting your father." Chu Yuni said, "You can't go to see your father empty-handed, right? Besides, he is a hermit. If I only bring gold and silver treasures, I'm afraid he will think I'm perfunctory. I thought about it carefully. He may not like all of what I prepared, but there are always a few things he will like. How about you help me think about it?"
He gave a sword to Nan Yan yesterday, but Nan Yan did not accept his kindness and said she would return the sword to him. Anyone facing this situation would think that they were rejected.
But he never expected that Nan Yan sent someone with a message today, saying that the Medicine King had left the valley and asked him to go and see him as soon as possible. Only with the approval of the Medicine King would they have hope of being together.
It turns out that Nan Yan is not completely indifferent to him.
Nan Yan has been an orphan since childhood and was brought up by the King of Medicine. Naturally, she regards her father as the most important person in her heart. Now that she wants to have a relationship outside, it is reasonable for her to report to her father.
"Don't think about it anymore, that's enough, let's go."
At Zhong Nanyue's urging, Chu Yuni asked someone to load the box onto the carriage and go to Prince Ning's Mansion.
…
"What kind of tea do you like to drink, senior? Longjing before the rain or Junshan Yinzhen? Here are three kinds of scented teas, you can try them all."
In the lobby of Prince Ning's Mansion, Song Yunchu invited the King of Medicine to drink hot tea.
The King of Medicine picked up a cup and took a sip when he heard Bai Zhu coming over to report to Song Yunchu, "Your Highness, Captain Chu has had several boxes brought over."
Song Yunchu smiled and turned around and said, "See, senior, what did I say? He has been late in coming to see you, so he must be busy preparing a gift for you."
"I heard that this kid has a wealthy family." The King of Medicine said calmly, "But my Yan'er is also precious, how can ordinary things impress me?"
While the two were talking, Chu Yuni had already walked into the lobby.
"Junior Chu Yuni, greetings to Senior Medicine King." Chu Yuni bowed respectfully to Medicine King, and then said, "I didn't know you were coming, and I didn't have anything prepared. I just hurriedly prepared some gifts, which delayed me. I hope you won't blame me... Of course, you are the elder and I am the junior, and I will bear the blame if you want to, but please take a look at the gift I gave you first."
Chu Yuni said this and ordered the servants behind her to open the box.
"I know you don't like vulgar things, but since you've left the valley, Nan Yan will definitely accompany you out for a stroll. Most people in the outside world are vulgar people, and they don't know how to appreciate your outfit in the mountains, so I bought you a few sets of clothes. Nan Yan is now an official, and he pays more attention to his dignity when he goes out. So, if you dress more elegantly, Nan Yan will also have face, don't you think?"
The King of Medicine could not refute this.
His clothes were indeed very plain. After all, he lived in the mountains all year round. What was the point of wearing such nice clothes? But now that he was out in the outside world, someone was willing to buy him clothes, so of course he had no objection.
Since it concerns Yan'er's dignity, this boy is considerate.
"This box contains a variety of fine wines. Nan Yan said that her drinking capacity was cultivated by you, so I boldly guess that you will probably like the wine Nan Yan likes to drink, too."
Upon hearing this, the Medicine King did not say much and looked towards the third box.
There were six bamboo baskets in the box, and no one knew what was inside them.
"The last box... ordinary people might be scared when they see it, but I dare to guess that you will like it." Chu Yuni said, "These six baskets contain poisonous snakes, poisonous scorpions, centipedes, toads, geckos, and a few golden poison dart frogs. These poisonous frogs are rarer than the others, and time is tight, so I can't pack a whole basket for you."
A gleam of light flashed in the Medicine King's eyes.
I thought this guy would only prepare some gold, silver and treasures...
How could he think of sending him these poisons?
Song Yunchu also paused while drinking tea.
Good fellow, all five poisons are present...
When these poisons come to the King of Medicine, they all become usable resources.
"I know you have the habit of refining pills in Medicine King Valley. If you plan to stay for a few more days or stay for a short time this time, please make a list of the things you need and I will have someone prepare them for you. As for the missing medicinal materials... Miss Jiang's Ruihetang will definitely have them. Just buy whatever you need and put it on my account."
“…”
…
As the sky darkened, lights were lit everywhere in Prince Kang's palace.
"Your Majesty, this is bad! Someone we placed in the Wang family in Youzhou sent a message saying that the Wang family's house was suddenly searched in the early hours of yesterday. The people from the government found that the Wang family had a lot of money that didn't match the accounts, so they took away their head of the family and everyone involved in the business."
After listening to his subordinates' report, King Kang's expression suddenly changed and he stood up immediately. "Have they found the Worry-Free Pill?"
"They never keep these things in the mansion. In fact, they hide their money quite well. But when the officials went to search, a servant jumped out and said that there were several cellars and secret rooms in the mansion. This shocked everyone in the Wang family. The officials searched a cellar and found several boxes of money hidden in it. They hadn't found any other places, and the Wang family didn't admit it."
"These fools!" King Kang shouted angrily, "They can't even hide their money properly!"
"Your Highness, please be patient. We have spies watching these merchants. If they are accidentally exposed, our people will try to silence them. Selling Worry-Free Pills is a capital crime. They dare not admit it easily. They naturally know how to make up excuses to hold on for a few days."
King Kang calmed down after his anger. After all, the incident happened far away, and it was useless to worry at the moment. He quickly thought about the most critical issue -
Why was the Wang family suddenly exposed?
The intelligence said that the officers went to search in the middle of the night, which is the rest time. There was only one possibility for them to go out at this time, that is, they received a report about the Worry-Free Pill, and they dared not neglect it.
Not only was the Wang family reported, but the location of their hidden money was also revealed. At first glance, it seemed like someone was deliberately targeting the Wang family, but if you think about it more carefully...
Since he, the biggest seller, has already been exposed by Jun Tianyi, it doesn't seem surprising that Jun Tianyi can track down several of the merchants under him.
"I knew that the traitor would not give up! Is he trying to tell me that he can cause trouble for me at any time?"
Jun Tianyi's previous purpose was not concealed at all, which was to use his manpower and financial resources to deal with Song Yunchu.
He also gave Jun Tianyi face and spent 30,000 taels to hire assassins, but those people were useless. The moment he learned that the assassination attempt had failed, he guessed that he would probably be in trouble next.
In order to prevent being coerced again and again in the future, he considered retiring from the underworld. He had asked his men to inform merchants from all over the country to immediately stop the business of Worry-Free Pills and concentrate on their original business.
But even so, it did not prevent the Wang family from being exposed. Jun Tianyi knew much more than he thought.
To think that he, the great King Kang, was actually teased by a traitor like this!
"Those people in the Wang family must hurry up and kill them. I want to see what tricks the traitor will come up with next."
Since Jun Tianyi intends to use him, he will not force him into a desperate situation for the time being. As long as the people on his side get their business back on track as soon as possible and transfer the extra assets to a safe place, there is no need to worry too much even if he is reported again in the future.
As long as there is insufficient evidence, officials cannot convict at will.
…
The next day, it drizzled.
Inside the Xingde Palace, Concubine De leaned against the windowsill, looking at the puddles on the treetops outside the window, drops of water hitting the green banana leaves, and she did not take her eyes off them for a long time.
"My lady, you didn't eat much for lunch. I made you some of your favorite pastries. Please have some."
"Leave it there."
The palace maid put down the pastry, looked at Concubine De's quiet profile, and sighed softly.
Ever since the Empress came back from the Huo family, she often sat alone in a daze, and could not sleep well at night. Especially after hearing from Captain Zhong about Qin Sijie's assassination a few days ago, she lost her appetite.
She even stopped playing mahjong, which she used to love playing, and declined all invitations from other ladies on the grounds of feeling unwell.
"My queen, Qin Sijie should be safe now. Not only will he be on guard, but Captain Zhong is also willing to help him. The master will not make a move a second time. Even if he wants to, he may not succeed."
"Besides, several days have passed, and the fact that the master sent someone to assassinate Qin Sijie has not been leaked. Perhaps Qin Sijie is not willing to argue with the master for your sake, so don't worry too much."
How could Concubine De not understand the reason behind this?
If Qin Shen really cares about the assassination, her father may not be able to escape responsibility.
She had given up on him out of helplessness at the beginning, and now her father was making things difficult for him. If it were someone else, they would have held a grudge long ago, but he just didn't hold a grudge and didn't seek justice for himself, just to help her preserve the reputation of the Huo family.
She felt extremely guilty, but as a member of the harem, she seemed unable to do anything.
She had to wonder if her father would attack Qin Shen again. Qin Shen could forgive him once, but he couldn't forgive him a second or third time. Given Qin Shen's current situation, the best choice was to join King Ning. If her father didn't know how to give in and insisted on opposing the Song Party, then he and Qin Shen would one day become real opponents.
By then, perhaps the fight will really end to the death.
Thinking of this, Concubine De felt a sense of powerlessness in her heart.
"Your Majesty." A palace maid came in from outside the palace and reported, "Eunuch Shun, who is beside His Majesty, is here to pass on a message. His Majesty wants you to go to Changle Palace."
When Defei heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.
Your Majesty has never interacted with them, and now he has summoned her... I don't know why.
Could it be related to the Huo family?
She stood up and walked out of the hall, and went to Changle Hall with Xiao Shunzi who came to deliver the message.
But the strange thing was that Xiao Shunzi did not bring her into the main hall, but took her to the side hall.
"My lady, please go in by yourself."
Concubine De entered the side hall and smelled the elegant tea fragrance floating in the air. When she raised her eyes, she saw a figure sitting behind the screen.
She was about to speak, but the other party spoke before her, "Madam Defei is here?"
The voice startled Concubine De.
The person behind the screen was not His Majesty, but Prince Ning.
She walked a few steps behind the screen and saw Song Yunchu pouring a cup of tea for her. "This Xianzhi bamboo tip tastes very good. Your Majesty, please try it."
Concubine De stepped forward and sat down. "Xiao Shunzi came to tell me that His Majesty wants to see me. How could it be..."
Song Yunchu said, "Because I am a male outsider, I cannot see the concubines in private, so I can only use your Majesty's name to invite the queen to come and talk."
Concubine De: “…”
Perhaps Prince Ning is the only one in this world who dares to say "in the name of Your Majesty".
"So, Your Highness Prince Ning, what do you want to discuss with me?"
"The queen sent someone to pass the message to me before. Song remembers this favor. I also know a little bit about how sad and helpless the queen is. Qin Shen has surrendered to me. I think he is a capable person and also a man who values friendship, so I plan to accept him."
Concubine De lowered her eyes and picked up the teacup on the table. "Qin Sijie and I... are all things of the past. We have our own responsibilities and will behave ourselves in the future..."
"If Minister Huo wants to strive for excellence, he has to rely on his own abilities. Your Majesty has done her best. Why should she suffer for her whole life just because of the word 'duty'?"
Song Yunchu looked at the person in front of him, "Your Majesty should understand that no matter how sensible you are or how hard you work, you can no longer bring any benefit to Minister Huo. I will not allow anyone who attempts to suppress the Song Party to have any chance to rise. As long as I, Song Yunchu, am here, the Song Party will never lose out. Your father's failure in the court can only be blamed on himself, and you don't need to bear the blame."
"Are you going to obey him and suppress yourself again and again, putting yourself in a dilemma? No matter who you side with, Qin Shen or him, you will suffer."
"Your Highness actually told me this." Concubine De recovered from her surprise and smiled bitterly, "In fact, I never had a choice. A little girl like me can never change anything..."
"You have a choice."
Song Yunchu smiled faintly at her, then took out a small box from his sleeve pocket and handed it to her.
Defei didn't understand what she meant, so she took the small box and opened it, revealing a light red pill inside.
"This pill can help you get out of your current predicament."
Song Yunchu stared at the woman opposite him steadily, "As long as Consort De is gone from this palace, Minister Huo and Qin Shen will no longer fight each other."
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