Chapter 337: Pledge of Allegiance
Zhao Shen felt refreshed after finally speaking out what he had been hiding in his heart. "The Emperor is still young and in good shape. Why do you think he's throwing a big birthday party?"
Ji Yunshu had long felt that the emperor's birthday banquet was a little unusual, as he had never liked to hold a grand birthday party in previous years.
"You mean the Emperor knew what was going to happen?"
Zhao Shen laughed and said, "Your Majesty is not a god, how could he possibly know what is going to happen? However, since so many people have gathered in the capital, he must be mentally prepared."
Ji Yunshu thought of the implicated Empress and said with a somewhat dull tone, "I was wondering how the Empress could be so easily tricked in a place like Xuanzheng Hall. It seems the Emperor is aware of this as well."
Zhao Shen smiled and said, "There are only so many important people around the emperor. Whether they attack you or the queen, it's all within our expectations."
Ji Yunshu felt that her whole night of worrying had been in vain. She yawned and said, "I feel relieved now. Let's go to bed early."
Zhao Shen said, "It's time to have a good rest. I'm afraid there will be a lot of things coming up, so you have to be careful."
Ji Yunshu nodded. "Well, I'm not as cunning as you guys, but I have to be more careful."
Zhao Shen was amused by her sarcastic words: "Why are you so awkward? Did what I said just now offend you?"
"I'm not comfortable with this, isn't it true?"
After hearing what Zhao Shen said, and thinking about how the emperor allowed others to frame the queen at his birthday banquet and acted like he was at a loss, she felt that her brain was really not enough.
The whole night was restless, and Ji Yunshu was indeed a little tired, so he went back and rested.
The next day, Zhao Shen went to the palace to investigate the case early in the morning. After Ji Yunshu paid her respects to Yao, she heard Lan Yin say that Cen Xi had an appointment with her, so she changed her clothes and went out.
The two met again at Cuihua Building.
As soon as Ji Yunshu entered the private room, Cen Xi immediately knelt in front of her.
Ji Yunshu was startled and quickly pulled her over: "What are you doing?"
Cen Xi insisted on kneeling and did not get up: "You asked me to keep an eye on Lin Huixue, but I let him go to Southern Xinjiang and caused you trouble. This is my fault. Please punish me, Madam."
Seeing the guilt on her face, Ji Yunshu couldn't help but smile and said, "You don't think I'm here to call you to task, do you? I know who Lin Huixue is. He wanted to leave, and you couldn't stop him. It's not your fault. Okay, get up now."
With Lin Huixue's methods, it would be lucky for Cen Xi not to suffer any loss at his hands. How could he really keep an eye on people?
Cen Xi shook his head and said, "That's not the case. I made a deal with Lin Huixue and personally sent him away."
Ji Yunshu was stunned for a moment: "Since you say that, I think there is something hidden. Tell me."
She has been here for so long, but she rarely opens up to others because she always feels that she doesn't fit in with the ladies from wealthy families.
Apart from Xiao Yue, the only other person he had contact with was Cen Xi.
She truly admired her clear mind and decisiveness and treated her as a friend.
So even if Cen Xi said in person that she had made a deal with Lin Huixue, she was unwilling to believe that she had misjudged the person.
Cen Xi heard her tone and knew that she did not doubt him.
His emotions were complicated for a moment, and his eyes became frank and firm: "This matter starts with the death of my grandfather."
Ji Yunshu pulled her up and said, "It's hard to explain in a few words. Stand up first and speak slowly."
Cen Xi didn't refuse this time. He sat down face to face with Ji Yunshu before slowly speaking, "As you know, the Cen family's branch has always been reluctant for my grandfather to hand over the family business to me. For this reason, they forced my grandfather to change the head of the family on his deathbed."
Speaking of this, Cen Xi's eyes reddened, but he held back his tears. "My grandfather almost couldn't bear it. It was then that Lin Huixue offered to help me suppress the clansmen and help me take the position of Patriarch of the Cen Family. I agreed not to interfere with his freedom."
She lowered her head and spoke in a low voice.
Seeing her trying hard to suppress her grief, Ji Yunshu knew that the death of Mr. Cen must have been a huge blow to her.
He consoled her, "Although Lin Huixue's trip to Southern Xinjiang caused me trouble, given his methods, the same thing would have happened even if he hadn't gone. Your matter was urgent, so it's understandable that you made a deal with him. Under the circumstances at the time, you had no other choice."
She somewhat regretted letting Cen Xi get involved with Lin Huixue. If Lin Huixue wanted to plot against someone, she would naturally not give you any other way.
She didn't think it was a coincidence that the Cen family chose that time to attack Old Master Cen.
Hearing her say this, Cen Xi felt very grateful and continued, "It's not that I don't have other options. It's just that I don't want to give up the Cen family. Also, my grandfather is almost dead, and I need him to see that I can support the Cen family."
Ji Yunshang looked up at her.
Cen Xi stared back at her without dodging or avoiding the question: "I know why those people in the clan suddenly attacked Grandfather. You warned me that Lin Huixue was no simple person, and everything that happened later proved this. How could I dare to take it lightly?"
"Then why did you choose to trade with him?"
It is actually not difficult for Lin Huixue to leave the capital.
And with his abilities, it won't be difficult for him to return to Beijing in the future.
In short, the identity of this poor scholar is not that important to Lin Huixue, and it is not something that cannot be discarded.
Cen Xi must have paid enough for doing business with him.
Cen Xi's voice lowered slightly: "It's for you."
Ji Yunshu was surprised.
Cen Xi looked at her expression and smiled, "I don't deny that I was selfish. At first, I did it to comfort Grandfather and let him pass away in peace. But when I found out that Lin Huixue could effortlessly suppress the Cen family, I understood why you valued him so much. Later, he went to Southern Xinjiang..."
Cen Xi paused, "I guess there's a powerful force behind him that's working against you and the court. You and the Crown Prince know about this, but you're still keeping it to yourself. You're either playing him for a ride, or you're temporarily unable to do anything about him. Regardless, I think I should help."
Ji Yunshu's heart was shocked: "You really don't need to do this."
Tears welled up in Cen Xi's eyes, but she stubbornly refused to cry. She suppressed her grief and said, "From the day you helped me, I vowed to be loyal to you until death. Now that my grandfather has passed away, I am alone and have no ties in this world. I am very happy to be able to work for you."
Ji Yunshu sighed, "I just did a small favor back then. Your grandfather asked you to inherit the Cen family because he hoped you could carry it forward and make it more prosperous in the future, rather than getting involved in those dangerous things."
Dealing with Lin Huixue is really a dangerous thing.
Cen Xi said, "But how can we make the Cen family prosper? After all, businesses like the Cen family are fat meat in the eyes of the powerful. Who wouldn't want to take a bite? Instead of waiting for others to make a move, why not take a gamble myself? If I win, everyone will be happy. Even if I lose, I will accept the loss and there is nothing to say."
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