"Yes! I obey!"
Luo Peiyu agreed, and seeing that Xie Yuan had no further instructions, she quickly withdrew.
Xie Yuan was still somewhat lost in thought as he watched Luo Peiyu's retreating figure.
Is Dugu Zhi dead?
Why did he have to die so early or late, right on the eve of Helian Jue's return to the capital with his beauty?
Furthermore, the turbulent events in the capital made Xie Yuandu, residing deep within the palace, feel uneasy, as if a storm was brewing.
"Is it starting again?"
"Why can't things just stop?"
Xie Yuan was genuinely exhausted.
It was originally thought that with Helian Jue's return, the Great Zhou Dynasty would enter a new phase—
Move the capital!
Yes, after more than three years of continuous efforts, Chang'an New City has been completed and put into operation.
Over the years, Xie Yuan and Helian Jue have also gradually relocated some families, merchants, and common people to the area.
It wasn't a forced order, but rather the use of Xie Yuan's giant model that attracted many discerning people.
Xie Yuan's actions, instead of forcing the people to leave their homeland and inciting a popular uprising, actually brought the imperial court a huge amount of revenue.
Most of the land in Chang'an New City has been sold. The few remaining plots are not unsellable, but rather deliberately reserved by Xie Yuan.
Ahem, after moving the capital, we should also reward the meritorious officials.
The emperor and empress couldn't possibly have no "real estate" at all.
Even though land was reserved for rewards, the national treasury was instantly enriched by the new city of Chang'an.
With this money, Helian Jue was able to go to war, and the court officials did not oppose it so vehemently.
In addition, there is grain.
After several years of domestication and continuous cultivation, Champa rice has become a high-yield, high-quality variety.
Since last year, Champa rice has been widely promoted.
It has a high yield per mu, is drought-resistant, and has a short maturity cycle. While it may not completely solve the problem of food and clothing for the people, it has greatly improved their lives.
...Helian Jue was able to focus wholeheartedly on his campaigns, and Xie Yuan, the chief steward in charge of finances and provisions, truly played a crucial role.
The old foxes in the court, and some ambitious people, finally realized, or rather, were willing to acknowledge Xie Yuan's value as a woman.
I used to think Xie Yuan was just lucky to have married a good husband.
As Xie Yuan's strength was gradually revealed, everyone realized that Xie Yuan was not only lucky, but also incredibly capable.
Some even speculated that Xie Yuan played a crucial role in Helian Jue's rapid rise to power in Lingnan.
Sugar production, salt production, Champa rice, medicines to combat malaria, the smallpox vaccination program implemented two years ago, and the new city of Chang'an...
Behind every single miracle, there is Xie Yuan.
Even more likely, it is very possible that she was the one who orchestrated it.
"No wonder the high monk said that Lady Xie was a woman of destiny, and that Helian Jue was able to ascend the throne smoothly because of her."
"Xie Yuan is born with the destiny of a phoenix; whoever marries her will become emperor!"
In the darkness, a masked man threw a large pile of documents into a brazier.
Three years ago, he simply felt that the high monk's prediction made some sense.
But after these past few years, during which he personally visited Chang'an New City, he realized how lucky Helian Jue was to have such a wonderful woman who brought him good fortune!
"...The Xie family, I am determined to have them!"
"But this Xie family member seems to be too infatuated with Helian Jue. Despite so many rumors circulating about Helian Jue's lust for beautiful women, she doesn't believe a single word!"
"He even became jealous and lost his temper over the selection of beauties, angrily confronting court officials, which incurred the dissatisfaction of many aristocratic families!"
"By the way, Dugu Zhi said that the Xie family would face a calamity."
"...Or, I could find an opportunity to have a serious talk with Madam Xie and let her know that I am the one who cares about her the most and is the one who can save her the most?"
She saved his life, yet Xie refused to repay the debt with her body.
Why should she cling to Helian Jue?
The masked man's emotions were churning, and his mind was filled with all sorts of thoughts.
Just then, someone ran in: "Master, something terrible has happened! Our stronghold at Zhaixing Tower has been wiped out by the Embroidered Robe Envoys!"
"Also, that woman Luo Peiyu has actually been secretly investigating the cause of Dugu Zhi's death all along."
"In addition, the three or four strongholds we have placed in the capital have all lost contact in the past few days."
"And suspicious people have also been found outside the Marquis's residence... Master, could she already suspect you?"
The man was very anxious and started talking without paying attention to anything else.
The masked man paused for a moment, "The Embroidered-Robed Envoys? They went to investigate Dugu Zhi?"
Dugu Zhi was an "accident," and all traces of her have been cleaned up.
Even the Dugu family had no doubts.
When Dugu Zhi died, Dugu Xiong even invited the coroner.
As a result, the conclusion was still "unexpected".
Luo Peiyu, however, persisted in the investigation.
And the Marquis's residence—
The subordinate's last words sent a chill down the masked man's spine.
You should know that the Marquis's mansion was his last disguise.
If even this is doubted, he, he—
...
"In my opinion, the Xie family already suspected you three years ago!"
"During this time, she never gave up the investigation!"
"Although Xie's Embroidered Uniform Guards are not as omnipresent as Helian Jue's Embroidered Uniform Guards, they are far superior to ordinary secret guards."
The key point is that both the Embroidered Uniform Envoy and the Embroidered Uniform Guard belong to official institutions, so they have the right to use the power of the government when necessary.
However, the secret guards kept by ordinary families can only operate in secret and dare not do so openly.
Therefore, if we compare the two, the former definitely has the advantage.
Xie Yuan's Embroidered Uniform Envoys were only slightly inferior to the Embroidered Uniform Guards, but in the capital, they could still achieve results in any investigation.
"The most fatal flaw is Xie's 'suspicion'."
Geese leave their calls as they fly by, and events leave their traces as they pass.
Any action taken will leave hidden dangers.
The man in brocade robes, seated high in the main seat, came to a conclusion after much deliberation.
He said earnestly to the masked man, "Give up your illusions, Xie is a terrifying woman!"
"Meticulous and meticulous, leaving no room for error! He wields great power and has many henchmen!"
"Once she sets her sights on you, she'll find out sooner or later!"
Even if you can fool her for a while, you can't completely control her.
A woman who is too formidable is someone you can't control even if you marry her.
For people who are uncontrollable, it's safest to just eliminate them.
"My plan is still the safest! Kill Xie Yuan and cut off one of Helian Jue's arms."
"Then give him a beautiful woman to bewitch his mind, and then—"
Great things can be accomplished!
The man in the brocade robe spoke softly, but his voice was filled with ambition.
Actually, he didn't want to cooperate with the masked man, but he had no choice. This strange guy somehow found out his "secret".
In order to avoid being exposed and to protect himself, he had no choice but to agree to form an alliance with him.
However, forming an alliance does not mean that he will be led by the nose by the other party.
He had been planning this for ten years, but he wouldn't do it for someone else...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
