Chapter 31 Chapter 31 Chapter 31
System 679 listened to Yinyu's words and nodded in surprise. "Host, you're so smart! You figured that out! Look at the account book he's holding. Is it evidence of a crime?"
Yinyu was silent for a moment, then yawned. He said firmly to the 679 system, "Even if it's evidence of a crime, it has nothing to do with Mingzhu. Given his intelligence, he should have cleared it out long ago."
"How could I possibly leave any evidence against myself?"
System 679 said in disbelief, "No way. He'll definitely leave some for himself. That'll allay your father's concerns."
He then turned to Yinyu and said, "The schemes I've seen from the Mastermind lately all work this way. Otherwise, how can we dispel the suspicions of those above us?"
Yinyu listened to System 679's words and said to him firmly, "Wait, when Mingzhu arrives, you'll know."
Mingzhu is so smart. He can deny himself any involvement in Prince Li's affairs. How could he be involved with the salt merchants outside?
This guy is so smart that he can stay out of many things even though they are related to him.
Kangxi watched the short video and listened to the debate. His lips curled into a straight line. He silently reached out to pick up the teacup and took a sip. He suppressed his anger and turned to look at the silent Zhang Ying. His eyes flickered slightly. He looked up at Zhang Ying and said in a deep voice, "Zhang Ying, you can investigate. No matter who is involved in this matter, they will be severely punished!"
Mingzhu is a very capable person. Before this, none of his performance made him think that the Salt Merchants Association had anything to do with him.
He is not as silent as Zhang Ying, and his words are to the point.
He was not as arrogant as Soetu, and was more moderate in his words and deeds. Between Soetu and Zhang Ying, he was sometimes the one who maintained the balance among the three parties.
But now the content of the short video shows that the affairs of the salt merchants are closely related to him.
And that evidence is also a very important game for Mingzhu.
Under normal circumstances, Mingzhu would have put the interests of the country above her own, handed over the evidence about the salt merchants to him, and voluntarily apologized. He would have thought that Mingzhu knew about Yinzhen's investigation into the salt merchants and was helping Yinzhen.
After all, everyone knows that Mingzhu, Huifei and Yinzhi have a close relationship.
On the other hand, if Mingzhu really helped Yinzhi, why didn't he give the evidence directly to Yinzhi and let Yinzhi give it to him?
The principle behind this will be missed if you are even slightly careless.
Mingzhu's worries were not entirely on Yinzhen, he also had his own plans.
Perhaps the previous tense relationship between Yinzhen and Yinreng was also related to Mingzhu Soetu.
Thinking of this, a chill quickly flashed across his eyes, and his gaze fell on Zhang Ying. Zhang Ying was a Han Chinese. Was he also involved?
As soon as this thought came to my mind, some emotions surged out uncontrollably.
When he looked down at Zhang Ying, his eyes were filled with inquiry and scrutiny.
Zhang Ying felt the change in Kangxi and his heart skipped a beat. He tried to calm himself down and think carefully about what he had just said to try to figure out if there was anything wrong.
After thinking about it, I didn't find anything wrong, so it could be that the emperor thought of something else.
This caused the emperor's mood to change suddenly.
He had no way of guessing what exactly had happened. What he had to do now was to assist Prince Zhi in handling the affairs of the salt merchants.
Thinking of this, his uneasy heart suddenly calmed down. He kowtowed to Kangxi and said, "Yes, I obey your order."
After saying that, he got up from the ground and slowly backed out.
As soon as he went out, a cold wind blew and Zhang Ying shivered. He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead and realized that he was already sweating profusely in just a short while. He looked up at the gloomy sky, took a deep breath, and walked outside.
After Zhang Ying left, Kangxi put down the teacup in his hand and stood up from his chair. His eyes flickered slightly as he turned to Liang Jiugong who had just returned and said, "Liang Jiugong, let Yinzhen and Yinreng come to the Qing Palace."
After he finished speaking, he saw Yinyu holding the Dongzhu, looking a little silly. His aura subsided, and he said in a gentle voice, "Also, have someone get some food for Fifteen. Didn't the imperial kitchen have some beef a few days ago? Make some beef soup and steamed egg custard."
"Hurry them up, Fifteen is getting hungry now."
When Liang Jiugong heard what Kangxi said, he bowed and said, "Yes, I will arrange it right away."
After saying this, he retreated respectfully. As soon as he walked out, a sad expression suddenly appeared on his chubby white face. He raised his eyes to look inside and walked out quickly with small steps.
Yinyou's fingers holding the Dongzhu paused slightly, then looked towards Kangxi.
If he heard correctly, there would be beef soup today.
That's great.
Thinking of this, he grinned happily. The moment he opened his mouth, saliva flowed down the corners of his mouth. He reached out to wipe the corners of his mouth, patted his belly, and said to Kangxi in a baby voice: "Daddy, I'm hungry."
When Kangxi heard Yinyu's words, he couldn't help but smile and walked over. He reached out and touched Yinyu's chubby little face, and said with a gentle smile, "I know that Shiwu is hungry. Liang Jiugong will be here with beef soup in a while."
As he spoke, he bent down and held the man in his arms, pinched the flesh on his thigh, and said with a smile: "Has Fifteen gained some weight again now? It's good to be a little fatter, it can help you grow taller and keep you healthy."
When I think about when Shiwu was just born, he was also a chubby little one. Now he looks much bigger than before and feels heavier when I hold him.
When Yinyu heard Kangxi's words, his eyes brightened. He hugged Kangxi's neck, smiled at him with curved eyebrows, and said softly, "It's delicious, Daddy."
This father speaks in a sudden and jerky manner, which makes him happy and sad.
Why are you saying I'm fat for no reason?
Kangxi looked at the expression on his face and heard him call "Daddy" softly. The depression in his heart suddenly dissipated. He couldn't help but rub his cheek and said with a bright smile: "Daddy likes Fifteen too."
He initially kept Fifteen by his side because Fifteen had a conversation with the system in order to know the fate of his children, but now he feels that even without the system, he still wants to pamper this child as always.
This child's mind is very pure. Although he is also growing up, he does not have the complicated minds of other children.
He was also so lovable when he was fourteen years old, but it hasn't been long now and he has already started to help his mother win favor.
This made him feel that the child's mind was not as pure as before and was not worthy of his love as before.
The most important thing is that Concubine De taught her child badly.
Thinking of this, he sighed softly, still feeling somewhat dissatisfied with Yinzhen.
When Yinyu heard Kangxi's words, he burst into joy from the bottom of his heart. He buried his face in Kangxi's neck. He said to the 679 system a little embarrassedly: "My father likes me too. I didn't expect him to confess to me."
From childhood to adulthood, apart from his grandmother who had said to him that she loved him, no one else had ever said such words to him. Now, when he heard Kangxi's words, he felt as if fireworks exploded in his head, making him feel happy.
Make him feel that he and Wang are the ones who love him the most.
Yinyou had very complicated feelings towards Wang. Although he called her "cheap mother" all day long, it was because Wang was really young, even younger than he was in his previous life.
But from the moment he was born, looking at his gentle eyes, he knew that he was happy in this life and that he had a mother who loved him.
After staying in Zhongcui Palace for several months without seeing Kangxi, he no longer had any hope for Kangxi.
As a result, things took a turn for the better and he finally had parents, a brother, and a family.
System 679 listened to Yinyu's happy words, and even its childish mechanical voice was filled with joy: "Host, that's your father. How could he not like you?"
At this point, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "But now it seems that your father likes you the most."
Kangxi listened to the conversation between the two men, and the smile on his face could not be wiped away.
Liang Jiugong came over with beef soup and egg soup. He bowed slightly to Kangxi and put the things on the table.
He turned around, wet the handkerchief on the edge of the basin with water, and handed it to Kangxi.
Kangxi took a warm handkerchief, wiped Yinwei's hands and face, picked up the egg custard and began to feed him.
Just as they finished eating the egg custard, Liang Jiugong walked in from outside. He saluted Kangxi and reported: "Your Majesty, Lady Mingzhu is outside asking to see you."
Kangxi held the beef soup and nodded to Liang Jiugong without even looking up. "Let him in."
Mingzhu came really quickly. The short video said that he went out. Almost half an hour has passed since then. Where did he go in the meantime?
He didn't know, but he must have been somewhere else before coming to the palace.
When Liang Jiugong heard what Kangxi said, he bowed to him and walked out.
Not long after, Mingzhu walked in from outside. When he saw Kangxi, he knelt on the ground and said with tears in his eyes: "Your Majesty, I am guilty. Please punish me."
After saying this, he lay down on the ground, looking like he was admitting his guilt.
Kangxi didn't even raise his eyelids. He fed Yinyu spoonful after spoonful of rice and said in a low, nonchalant voice, "Mingzhu, what crime have you committed?"
He knew what Mingzhu had done, but he had no evidence. Without evidence, he could not convict Mingzhu. Ultimately, Mingzhu was cautious enough.
He does everything perfectly. Prince Li's death might be related to him, right?
Otherwise, how could there be so many coincidences?
Just when we had used all our belongings to exchange for the chance for him not to go to the imperial mausoleum, the person over there died.
Apart from the people he came into contact with outside, when he was in the palace, he was supported by Mingzhu and Soetu.
He had some doubts about these two people at that time, but now after watching the short video, he feels that Mingzhu is more powerful.
Mingzhu was lying on the ground, listening to Kangxi's words, feeling a little uneasy. He quietly raised his head and looked towards the people. As soon as he raised his eyes, he met Yinyou's clear and scrutinizing eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly lowered his head again.
Why did he feel that the Fifteenth Prince's eyes seemed to be able to see through everything?
As soon as this thought came to his mind, he immediately shook his head and shook off this unrealistic idea. The Fifteenth Prince was only one year old, what could he know?!
There was no way he could see through him.
Mingzhu consoled herself mentally and choked up as she said to Kangxi, "It was my fault for not disciplining my nephew properly that I allowed him to collude with the salt merchants. When I arrived, I had already instructed the steward to apprehend him. Once he's captured, he'll be brought directly to the palace for Your Majesty's decision."
As he spoke, he prostrated himself on the ground, looking extremely humble.
Kangxi listened to Mingzhu's words, looked up at her, chuckled, and said, "Mingzhu, please get up. Since it was your nephew who did it, what does it have to do with you? Is it worth it for you to rush to the palace to confess your guilt?"
His low voice carried a hint of pressure, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
Mingzhu's heart slowly relaxed when he heard Kangxi's words. He climbed up from the ground, holding the account book. Before he could stand up straight, he heard Kangxi's cold voice say, "Mingzhu, do you really not know what your nephew has done?"
"How could he, a man without even an official position, have such great power? How dare he collude with the salt merchants?"
When Kangxi finished speaking, he could no longer suppress his anger. He exerted force and smashed the bowl in his hand towards Mingzhu.
The ceramic bowl hit Mingzhu hard, then fell to the ground with a crisp sound and broke into pieces.
Mingzhu let the things hit him, and the beef soup flowed down his clothes. He knelt on the ground without daring to move, his heart beating like a drum. At this moment, he was not sure whether he was being tricked or whether he already knew something.
Yinyou was so engrossed in watching the show, when he turned around and found that his job was gone?
He looked at Kangxi in confusion, and mentally asked System 679, "System, am I dazzled? How did I watch my job fly away?"
As he said this, he looked at the bowl that was already broken into pieces on the ground and blinked his eyes.
System 679 nodded at Yinyu and said, rather eager to see the fun, "That's right, it's your job, host. Did your father destroy your job?"
When Kangxi heard the words of "One Person, One Unification", the anger in his body stagnated. He just wanted to hit Mingzhu and threw it away. The bowl with half a bowl of beef soup flew out. According to the fifteen-year-old's revenge, he would not attack Mingzhu in front of him, right?
As soon as he had this thought, he immediately became a little nervous. He turned to Yinyu and forced a smile, then instructed Liang Jiugong: "Liang Jiugong, next time, replace Fifteen with a gold bowl. This ceramic bowl is really not strong and broke easily."
Mingzhu's body was covered in beef soup, and in front of him were broken pieces of the bowl. Even though Kangxi didn't say anything about him now, he didn't dare to say a word.
He was afraid that if he opened his mouth, he would provoke the emperor's anger.
But wasn't the Emperor talking about him? How did it suddenly become the Fifteenth Prince's bowl?
Could it be that the Fifteenth Prince’s bowl is more important than his own affairs?
He was lost in thought, and his head lay on the ground without raising it at all.
Yinyu looked at the bowl that had broken into pieces on the ground, and compared it with the golden bowl. He instantly made a choice in his mind. How could a ceramic bowl be as expensive as a golden bowl? And it was not as shatter-resistant as a golden bowl.
Thinking of this, he looked at Mingzhu's wet body and felt that it was a pity that half a bowl of rice was thrown on Mingzhu.
Kangxi knew Yinyu very well. The moment his eyes fell on Mingzhu, he reached out and took out a piece of dessert from the plate beside him, put it in Yinyu's hand, and then said to Yinyu in a gentle voice: "Fifteen, be good. Eat some dessert first. You need to drink goat milk later."
After he finished speaking, he looked at Yinyou's fair and tender face, which showed no sign of anger, and he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.
It was a close call, I was almost bitten by Fifteen.
Thinking of this, the gentleness on his face slowly dissipated, and his expression turned cold. He asked with a chill in his voice: "Mingzhu, do you think what I said is wrong?"
Mingzhu, who was lying on the ground, was suddenly called by name. He hurriedly said to Emperor Kangxi in panic, "Your Majesty, you are right. If a son is not well educated, it is the fault of the father. As an uncle, I have not fulfilled my duty of discipline. It is my fault. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
After hearing Mingzhu's words, Kangxi suddenly laughed out of anger.
Liang Jiugong walked in from outside and bowed to Kangxi, saying, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Zhi and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince are waiting outside."
Kangxi took a deep breath and said to Mingzhu in a deep voice, "Mingzhu, don't think I know nothing. When you attacked Prince Li, didn't you think you would be caught? Besides this, there are also those salt merchants who were pushed out."
After saying that, he said to Liang Jiugong: "Let them in."
Mingzhu lay motionless on the ground, her head lowered, and said in a choked voice, "Your Majesty, I will accept whatever you say. After all, this salt merchant's matter is related to my nephew. No one can explain it clearly if it happens to anyone else. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
Yinyu listened to Kangxi's words and said to the 679 system in confusion, "System, why do I feel like my father talks so much but actually doesn't know much? Is he trying to find an excuse to make Mingzhu reflect on her mistakes?"
In the end, there is no evidence.
System 679 sighed, and its childish, mechanical voice tinged with melancholy said, "Of course. Your father wants to execute Mingzhu, but he has no direct reason. If he executes her without reason, someone will submit a memorial to plead for Mingzhu at the court tomorrow morning. By then, it would be better not to execute Mingzhu at all."
Kangxi obviously thought of this, so he wanted Mingzhu to admit it herself.
But now it seems that Mingzhu has also realized Kangxi's thoughts, and now he is putting all the blame on his own nephew, and it has nothing to do with him.
Upon hearing this, Yinyu asked System 679, "What is Mingzhu's steward doing? Didn't I just see him listening to Mingzhu? He knows what to do, right? What is he doing?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Kangxi immediately found a clue. The moment he saw Mingzhu, he felt so angry that he missed another detail.
Is this what Mingzhu wants to do?
Thinking of this, he said to Yinzhi who had just walked in, "Yinzhi, take your men to surround Mingzhu Mansion and find his housekeeper. Make sure to bring him back alive."
Having said this, he paused slightly, then continued, "Of course, besides the housekeeper, there is also Mingzhu's nephew. I want to see how capable this nephew of Mingzhu is. How can he, a commoner, collude with the salt merchants under the guise of Mingzhu?"
Yinzhen had just walked to the door when he heard Kangxi's words. He looked at Mingzhu deeply, then bowed to Kangxi and said, "Yes, son, I will do it right away."
The moment System 679 heard this, its childish voice was filled with melancholy: "Don't tell me, your eldest brother might not be able to find Mingzhu's nephew if he goes looking for him."
Upon hearing this, Yinyu asked System 679, "Are you saying that Mingzhu is hiding the person very well?"
Having said that, he glanced at Mingzhu who was lying on the ground, and then asked System 679, "Where did Mingzhu hide the person?"
No matter what, people have to be in the capital, and since they are in the capital, it is impossible not to find them.
After Yinzhen went out, someone stopped at the door. His royal father asked him to go find the person, provided that he knew where the person was.
Now the most he could do was to bring his men to surround Mingzhu Mansion and search it thoroughly, but he was afraid that he would not find any clues.
Since Fifteen and the System have already talked about this, they will tell him the specific location. He just needs to wait a little and he should be able to catch the person directly.
Thinking of this, he stood at the door, waiting for Yinyou and the 679 system to tell him the specific location.
Yinreng hadn't spoken since he entered the room. He sat quietly by the side, looking at the Dongzhu in Yinyu's hand, his eyes flickering slightly. Then he said to Kangxi, "Father Emperor, it's not a good idea to leave Mingzhu kneeling like this. Why don't you let her get up first and wait for my eldest brother to come before we deal with her?"
Mingzhu was kneeling on the ground, and the expression on his face could not be seen clearly. It would be better to let him sit and wait, chat and talk. Once he got to the point, he would be able to guess whether what he said was right or wrong.
There is also the account book in his hand. I have to see what is written on it first.
Kangxi obviously understood the meaning of Yinreng's words. He was really angry with Mingzhu.
Thinking of this, he coughed lightly at Mingzhu and said, "Since the prince is pleading for you, then you should get up first. You are not allowed to leave the palace until you have found evidence."
Mingzhu got up from the ground, saluted Kangxi and said, "Yes."
At the same time, he felt relieved. He had hidden the person very well, and it was impossible for Yinzhen to find him. Once today's incident was over, he would be completely cleared of all charges.
System 679 smiled mysteriously at Yinyu and said, "This Mingzhu is really very scheming. Take a look at the short video."
A screen suddenly appeared in front of Yinwei's eyes. The things on the screen were very enchanting. There was a tall woman wearing a green peony flower padded jacket on the upper body and a skirt with auspicious clouds embroidered on the hem.
Her skirt swayed as she walked, and the silver ribbon on it shone faintly. Looking closely, I found that in addition to being tall, this woman actually had a Adam's apple.
Looking more closely, there were women surging around, each with a bright smile on their face.
The housekeeper gently persuaded the woman, "Sir, we must leave the capital now to avoid being discovered."
The woman chuckled as she held the teacup in her hand. "Butler Xue, why are you so anxious? I'm the top prostitute at Yixianglou. Who would have thought I'm the nephew of Master Mingzhu?"
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