Chapter 187 Visiting the Buried Line
The news that Lu Bing was assassinated and unconscious was like a huge rock, smashing into the turbulent capital city, instantly stirring up huge waves.
Overnight, on the streets, in teahouses and taverns, all the discussions revolved around the same topic: Will the Emperor ever wake up? Who will be the next unlucky person?
"Have you heard? The Hongyun Casino in the East Market has opened a new betting site!" A porter squatted on the street corner, whispering mysteriously to the pancake seller next to him.
"What's the offer?" The pancake seller came closer, the firelight reflecting his curious face.
"Bet on our Majesty."
The porter lowered his voice even lower, almost whispering, "When will the next assassination be? And will the next ones to be overthrown be the Third Prince and his mother, Consort Xian, or the Fourth Prince and Consort Qin?"
The pancake seller gasped, and then his eyes lit up: "Wow, you dare to bet on this? What are the odds?"
"Hey, Third Prince Lu Qi is paying two for one. They say this prince has always had a good reputation. His mother, Consort Xian, is also known for being low-key. His uncle, the Minister of State, rarely leaves the house. It seems like he has no leverage... but who knows?"
The porter smacked his lips. "Fourth Prince Lu Yong's side is paying 1.5 to 1. Concubine Qin seems to be in the limelight right now, and His Royal Highness Prince Yong is also in charge. Besides, his relatives are powerful... Tsk tsk, a tall tree attracts the wind. The gambling houses all think he has a bit of a losing hand."
Similar discussions were fermenting in countless inconspicuous corners of the capital.
Ning Pavilion, inner room.
Jiang Qingning was wearing a plain velvet, light green casual dress, her black hair was loosely tied into a bun, and a white jade hairpin was pinned on her head.
She was leaning on the warm couch by the window, holding a book in her hands, her posture relaxed, as if the earth-shaking changes outside had nothing to do with her. In fact, her eyes, fixed on the pages of the book, were as calm as the deep pool of an ancient well.
Zi Su came in and stood in front of the couch with her head bowed. She said in a steady voice, "Miss, there's accurate news from the palace. His Majesty hasn't regained consciousness yet, but the imperial physician says his pulse has stabilized and his life is not in danger for now."
Jiang Qingning turned a page of the book, his fingertips lightly running across the smooth paper without saying a word.
Zi Su continued, "Shufei Chen was imprisoned in a side hall of Yonghe Palace by order of Concubine Qin. She is guarded by the Imperial Guards and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and no one is allowed to visit her."
"His Highness, the Second Prince, Lu Zhen, was shocked by the news and attempted to enter the palace for an audience. However, upon reaching the palace gates, he was apprehended by Lord Qin and his men. He has now been taken to the Heavenly Prison. Lord Qin has also sealed off the Second Prince's residence and Yonghe Palace, and is conducting a thorough search inside and outside."
Hearing the three words "Lord Qin", Jiang Qingning finally raised his eyes from the page of the book and glanced at Zisu.
"Did the search yield any results?"
"have."
Zi Su nodded, a cold look flashing in her eyes. "According to an insider report, several secret letters were found in the secret compartment of the Second Prince's study, exchanged with several officials in the court. The contents involved forming a clique, attacking His Royal Highness Prince Yong, and even hinting at the heir apparent."
"In the dressing box compartment of the Shufei bedroom in Yonghe Palace, several silver bills of considerable value were found, along with a copy of a list of officials' evaluations and promotions. The handwriting was similar to that in the archives of the Ministry of Personnel."
The corners of Jiang Qingning's lips curved slightly.
"Chen Yuanli, the old fox, has indeed done a lot to pave the way for his good grandson."
"These evidences are enough to put the final nail in the coffin for the Second Prince and the Chen family after Lu Bin wakes up. It seems that Qin Xiu's actions are faster than I expected."
"What about Minister Chen's residence?" she asked.
"General Qin has personally led his troops to surround the Chen Mansion, and they should be conducting a thorough search at this moment." Zi Su's pronunciation was very clear, and her meaning was meaningful.
"very good."
Jiang Qingning closed the book in his hand, making a slight sound.
She placed the book on the small table beside the couch slowly, then stood up and straightened her unwrinkled collar and cuffs.
"Prepare the car."
"It's time to move on to the next step."
The Mansion of Marquis Pingjiang is located in the east of the city. Although it is not as prosperous as the Mansion of Duke Qin, it is also a noble family with generations of scholars. The mansion covers a vast area and has a deep courtyard, and it has a calm and elegant demeanor.
Jiang Qingning's carriage stopped at the side door.
The Third Young Master's wife Jiang Yuerou, who had already received the visiting invitation and had been waiting for a long time, came out to greet him in person.
She was wearing a lilac brocade jacket with a lotus pattern, her hair styled in a dignified bun, and a gentle smile on her face, but deep in her eyes, there was a hint of nervousness and worry that was difficult to conceal.
"Big sister is here, please come in."
Jiang Yuerou stepped forward, took Jiang Qingning's arm affectionately, and said softly, "Mother and the Marquis are waiting in the flower hall."
Jiang Qingning let her hold his arm, his eyes calmly sweeping over the imposing door lintel of the Marquis's Mansion and the servants standing solemnly in the courtyard. Seeing her attire, he knew that Jiang Yuerou was indeed living a good life, and then he nodded slightly: "Thank you, sister."
After passing through several courtyards, you will arrive at a flower hall with a quiet environment and elegant furnishings.
Sitting at the top was an old man in his fifties with a gaunt face. He was none other than Pingjiang Marquis Yu Lin.
He was wearing his usual dark green brocade robe, twisting a string of shiny red sandalwood Buddhist beads in his hand. His expression seemed calm, but there was an lingering solemnity between his brows.
Sitting next to him was a kind-faced and elegantly dressed marquis' wife.
Sitting below was the Marquis's son, Yu Heng, a man in his thirties with a calm demeanor.
"Qingning greets the Marquis, the Marquis's wife, and the Crown Prince."
Jiang Qingning stepped forward and knelt down to salute, his posture respectful but neither humble nor arrogant.
"Miss Jiang, there's no need to be so polite. Please take a seat."
Yu Lin raised his hand, his voice steady and emotionless.
The Marquis's wife also nodded with a smile.
Yu Heng stood up and returned a half-bow.
The maid served fragrant tea.
The flower hall fell into a brief silence, with only the subtle sound of the Buddhist beads in Yu Lin's hands gently colliding, and the atmosphere was slightly stagnant.
Jiang Yuerou sat below Jiang Qingning, her hands folded on her knees, her fingertips slightly curled up, revealing her inner uneasiness.
She secretly glanced at her father-in-law sitting at the top of the table, then looked at her sister who looked calm beside her, and felt that the air in the flower hall was weighing heavily on her heart.
In the end, it was Yu Lin who broke the silence.
He put down the teacup, his eyes fixed on Jiang Qingning's face, and said straight to the point:
"Miss Jiang, you're visiting me today. I'm sure you're not just here to visit Yue Rou, right? The capital is in turmoil right now. The Chen family has been decimated, and Concubine Shu and her son have been imprisoned. What's your intention in choosing this time to visit me?"
These words were straightforward and carried the pressure of someone who had long been in a superior position and a subtle scrutiny.
Jiang Qingning was not intimidated by this momentum.
She held the teacup, gently stirring the foam, then calmly raised her eyes to meet Yu Lin's sharp gaze, her voice clear and steady:
"My Lord, it is clear that Qingning has come here for an important matter. You see the current political situation more clearly than Qingning."
"His Majesty is in a coma, the throne is vacant, the Second Prince has fallen, who will have the last laugh between the Third and Fourth Princes? Various forces compete with each other, undercurrents are turbulent, and one wrong step can lead to eternal damnation."
She paused, observing Yu Lin's expression. Seeing his fingers twirling the Buddhist beads pause for a moment, she continued:
"Why did the Chen family fall so quickly? The Marquis, having been immersed in the court for many years, must have made his own judgment. This is definitely not a coincidence, but rather someone's plot to force them step by step."
Yu Lin's face darkened, his eyes sharpening: "Miss Jiang, are you hinting at something, or are you threatening me?"
"Qingning doesn't dare."
Jiang Qingning bowed slightly, his tone still calm, "Qingning is just stating the facts and wants to point out a safer path for the Pingjiang Marquisate."
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