He then found some beggars, vagrants, and thugs on the street, distributed these ink paintings to them, explained them to them for a while, and gave them money in return.
These people carried the ink paintings and wandered around.
They shouted: "The peonies bloom overnight, splashing crimson across the garden. The peonies are blooming, like blood splattered all over the garden; a calamity is about to befall the capital."
Suddenly, the streets became lively as everyone discussed this poem that had already caused a sensation last year, but the sentiment had shifted.
"Isn't this a bit inappropriate? Under the emperor's nose, describing the blooming of peonies as a battlefield is no different from murder."
"I wonder who's unlucky. The character '朱' (zhu) is used in various documents, ceremonies, and occasions of the imperial family, to show solemnity, in addition to its color."
"Could it be that the imperial family is going to do something, such as slaughtering the people and disregarding human life—or that the imperial family is in some kind of crisis, with bloodshed everywhere and the capital city in turmoil?"
"Oh my, that sounds really scary. Stop talking. Aren't you afraid of losing your head by saying such things?"
Most people in the capital are educated and have received some education, but they are also easily influenced by public opinion. When they are instigated by those street thugs, they start to think in a distorted way. Once they delve into the discussion, they all realize that something is not right.
The scout immediately reported this news to Qiao Lian'er.
Sun Hetang is the daughter of a prominent family, so they can only keep an eye on her from a certain distance and cannot easily make a move against her.
Besides, Princess Zhenguo must have a better way.
A chill crept onto Qiao Lian'er's face. Sun Hetang didn't give her much of a chance to react. He had bribed so many people and was aggressive from the start, determined to make a big scene and, ideally, to get to the emperor as quickly as possible.
Pei Er frowned as he stepped into the hall, a chill emanating from him.
"It's too fast. The people from the Dali Temple have already gone to arrest Lu Guchuan, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice, saying that his poems have caused controversy."
Qiao Lian'er paused for a moment, then smiled.
"You know what? When you do this kind of thing, you have to clean up your mess very well so that no one can find any fault with you, otherwise you'll fall into the same trap yourself."
Pei Shijiu's expression became thoughtful.
Qiao Lian'er slowly said, "The Sun family came to the Qiao family to buy paintings, specifically paintings with inscriptions. They even made a fuss about Lu Guchuan's poems and printed so many copies to distribute to street thugs. If the Sun family was just buying paintings to study and appreciate, why would they have made so many moves? Compared to them, the Sun family is much more suspicious."
Pei Shijiu's expression shifted: "That's right. If this matter blows up, it will be a disaster for Lu Guchuan, a minor official, but it will also be a disaster for the prestigious Sun family."
"Let them keep making trouble. Once this matter has brewed for a while, we'll strike and deliver the fatal blow."
Qiao Lian'er gently stroked the cup with her fingers: "When it's too late to take back what's been done, the Sun family will regret not disciplining this daughter properly."
She went to the Sun family's house, and sure enough, Sun Hetang was so preoccupied with his own affairs that he hadn't thrown away the painting he bought, and had several printed copies in his bedroom.
She didn't need to put in much effort at all.
Qiao Lian'er took two paintings and placed them in the studies of Grandpa Sun and Second Master Sun respectively, which would make them more convincing.
Anyway, the Sun family said they wouldn't let the Qiao family off the hook if they had the chance in the future, so why not kick them while they're down?
Moreover, this time, it was Sun Hetang who struck first.
Young Master Sun hurriedly stepped into Sun Hetang's courtyard, his face filled with anxiety.
"Fifth Sister, did you have those rumors spread?"
"What rumors are you spreading, Third Brother?" Sun Hetang's reaction was innocent: "I've been listening to you and staying in the courtyard the whole time."
"It's that line from Lu Guchuan's poem, something about peonies blooming overnight, filling the garden with crimson hues. Now that line is circulating again in the streets and alleys, but the prevailing opinion is completely different from last year."
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