The emperor was momentarily speechless.
He knew about these things before, but he was just taking the opportunity to talk things out with Qi Yunxiao.
But he didn't expect Qi Yunxiao to be so frank, which left him speechless.
An eerily quiet silence fell over the room.
After a moment, Qi Yunxiao changed the subject and talked about the situation of the remaining rebels that had been eliminated that day.
His Majesty the Emperor breathed a sigh of relief: having taken away his mother's love, he felt somewhat guilty listening to him recount his childhood hardships.
Never mind, I'll make it up to him properly later.
By imperial decree, Qi Yunxiao, recognizing his exceptional abilities, was granted the title of Marquis of Integrity.
Duke Shen Zhongyi of Wei was seriously injured and unable to continue commanding the Jingxi Army. He was granted permission to retire from the army and given the special right to conduct maritime trade, in order to benefit the people of Qi.
The imperial edict sent shockwaves through the capital!
The Qingping Marquis's residence was the most affected.
The Qi family's uncles and elders all rushed to the Qingping Marquis's residence, spewing spittle at the Qingping Marquis lying on the bed, all with the same goal: you should put aside past grievances and reconcile with Qi Yunxiao.
Qi Yunxiao is currently a favorite of His Majesty. If they can reconcile, the Qi clan will receive even more benefits and protection.
Marquis Qingping's face was numb, his eyes were empty, as if the person spitting in front of him did not exist. He did not even blink, and simply let the spittle dry on his face.
Lady Qingping felt a pang of sadness and bitterness in her heart as she watched: these people, for their own benefit, completely disregarded the fact that they had all agreed to expel Qi Yunxiao from the Qi clan.
Didn't they consider that if Qi Yunxiao held a grudge against everyone in the Qingping Marquis's mansion, he would also hold a grudge against them?
They've already been granted the title of Marquis, why would they need to covet a non-existent position of Heir Apparent?
After the uncles finished their spittle and realized they were talking to a brick wall, they finally lost interest. As they left the Qingping Marquis's residence, they all lectured the Qingping Marquis's wife: "You should also advise your Marquis. In the current situation... if you don't assess the situation carefully, how will the Qingping Marquis's family discuss marriage in the future?"
Lady Qingping gave a bitter laugh: "My lord is lying there now, unable to even speak clearly. What can I do? If you all want to go, then go yourselves. We will not stop you."
After sending the man away, Lady Qingping returned to her room and burst into tears. While wiping Qingping's face with a handkerchief, she sobbed softly, "When the wall falls, everyone pushes it down. They've bullied us too much. They never dared to be so presumptuous before!"
The Marquis of Qingping finally opened his eyes and looked at his second wife, whose eyes were swollen from crying. He suddenly felt a pang of regret: Had he really made a mistake back then?
"And then there's Heng'er's marriage. It looks even more difficult now. That Lady Qian, the wife of the Vice Minister, sent someone to reject me. Three years ago, she was really eager to marry me..."
Marquis Qingping closed his eyes wearily.
That bastard, that bastard never intended to turn back. Even if you beg him in person, it's useless!
Why can't these people understand?!
Shen Qingyu didn't think about this at all. She didn't even think about the Qingping Marquis's family. Right now, she was sitting with her mother next to her father's soft couch, the three of them talking.
"In other words, from the very beginning, His Majesty never intended for my father to regain control of the Jingxi Army. He was merely using my father as bait to lure Prince Cheng out."
Zhao Yuzhu and Shen Zhongyi both nodded: That's right.
Shen Qingyu was displeased: "No wonder everyone says that people in this era have to risk their lives to become officials. Look at you, your son-in-law almost lost his father-in-law's life just because he got a marquisate!"
Zhao Yuzhu didn't want her daughter and son-in-law to drift apart, so she advised, "Didn't His Majesty compensate us with a maritime transport right? That's a project that brings in a lot of money."
Shen Qingyu was displeased: "You make it sound so easy, but how risky is it to do business at sea? We don't have any of those high-class ships here. The sea is rough, and people could die in no time!"
Shen Zhongyi glanced at the doorway and lowered his voice: "I have an island overseas. If you're not happy staying here, daughter, we can go out to sea and stay there for a while."
Are there islands overseas?
Shen Qingyu was deeply moved.
However, thinking of Qi Yunxiao, who was still in the palace, Shen Qingyu's heart grew even colder: But her husband hadn't returned yet.
This is such a big matter; we need to discuss it with Qi Yunxiao first.
Money can never be earned enough. Given the current situation, just lying down is enough to live comfortably for a lifetime.
While Shen Qingyu was still making her plans, a group of palace guards arrived and took Cheng Ping away from the dungeon.
Cheng Ping and Qi Yunxiao revealed their secrets that day, and then Cheng Ping put on a show with Qi Yunxiao. After the two whispered and discussed it in the study, Cheng Ping was taken to the dungeon "covered in blood".
As Cheng Ping emerged from the dungeon, he glanced at Shen Qingyu, grinned broadly, and said, "Sister-in-law, see you next time!"
For some reason, Shen Qingyu always felt that Cheng Ping's smile looked rather tragic.
However, she still waved goodbye to him.
Watching Cheng Ping being carefully helped into the carriage by the guards, Shen Qingyu stood at the door for a moment, then turned to go back to the mansion.
"Madam! Madam..." A little beggar boy of seven or eight years old suddenly ran over, holding up some kind of piece of paper, shouting as he ran.
Shen Qingyu stopped and looked at the little beggar.
The guard stopped the little beggar, took the piece of paper, glanced at it, and his expression changed. It read: Your daughter is in my hands.
After reading the note, Shen Qingyu's expression changed drastically, and she looked at the little beggar.
Da Bao and Xiao Bao are at home, and Er Bao has been kidnapped?!
"Grab him!" Shen Qingyu gave the order, and the little beggar was pressed to the spot by the guards, crying and screaming in fright.
"What are you doing? I'm just a messenger, I don't know anything!"
Shen Qingyu looked at the guards with a cold face: "If he is willing to cooperate, you can go with him to find the person who asked him to deliver the message. If he really doesn't know anything, then let him go."
She was too exhausted to even think about how much the little beggar actually knew.
Most likely they don't know anything about it.
"Send someone to the palace to inform Lord Qi." After saying this, Shen Qingyu glanced around and rushed into the mansion.
Prince Cheng has been executed, but who exactly captured Erbao and the Mad Taoist?!
Qi Yunxiao rushed back quickly and went straight to his study upon returning home.
In the study, Zhao Yuzhu and Shen Qingyu's eyes were already red, but the mother and daughter were holding back their tears and trying to think of a solution.
On his way back, Qi Yunxiao had already considered all the possibilities and had also asked someone to contact the Dragon Guards who were protecting the Mad Taoist and Erbao.
Logically speaking, with the Dragon Guards around, Erbao and the Mad Taoist shouldn't have gotten into trouble.
But this letter made it impossible for me to put my mind at ease.
As soon as Shen Qingyu saw Qi Yunxiao, she took a few steps forward and grabbed his arm: "Is this Prince Cheng?"
Qi Yunxiao spoke with extreme caution at this moment: "It is possible. I have already spoken to His Majesty and sent someone to interrogate him. I believe we will be able to confirm it soon."
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