Ying Shuo then comforted Jiang Dinglian at the right moment: "Although we are related by blood, there is no need for you to grieve too much. After all, the people of the Protectorate Palace are not worthy of your suffering. Fortunately, your sister has already divorced him. This is a blessing in disguise. You don't need to be burdened by past ties anymore."
He originally thought that Jiang Dinglian was disappointed because he was betrayed by someone he was once close to and felt the impermanence and desolation of life.
However, Jiang Dinglian was unexpectedly heartbroken and beat his chest, "How much silver could be confiscated from the Duke of Huguo's Mansion?"
Ying Shuo was stunned: So what you are concerned about is the issue of military pay?
Jiang Dinglian had originally harbored the illusion that he could persuade the newly appointed commander of the Imperial Guard to conduct a thorough search of the Yongding Marquis's mansion, even if it would offend the emperor. Perhaps the mastermind behind the covert attempt to frame the mansion was none other than the very political enemies he daily clashed with in court. He had long yearned to find evidence against them and have the emperor personally order the confiscation of their property.
He thought he could plan a big show, but unexpectedly, the result was a false alarm.
Hao Ren's dilapidated Protectorate Mansion was a mere shell of his ancestral title, previously surviving on the embezzlement of his sister's dowry. Jiang Dinglian had personally raided Hao Ren's residence, having already removed all the belongings that needed to be removed and destroyed. What could he possibly find now?
The emperor couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. "This little Protector of the State, with neither talent nor ability, holding a sinecure and drawing the Duke's salary, actually dares to engage in such frivolous activities! Pass on my decree; arrest Hao Ren immediately, throw him into the Imperial Prison, and thoroughly investigate this case."
The Jinyiwei accepted the order: "As ordered."
Jiang Dinglian felt completely bored. He stood up, bowed to the emperor, and said, "This farce has lasted so long. I have already finished my meal. I'm afraid the family members in the palace must be terrified by now. I will take my leave now."
"You are busy in the military camp all day and rarely have the chance to talk with me. Why are you so anxious to leave? Ji Cheng is steady and prudent, and my fourth prince has come to the Marquis's Mansion to monitor it. He will never let your family be harmed." The emperor's words revealed his care and trust.
After hearing this, Jiang Dinglian felt a little comforted, but still a little lonely. He nodded slightly and took his leave from the emperor again.
The Emperor saw Jiang Dinglian's resolute figure, his head held high, his steps unwavering. He then unleashed his trump card, "Although the Duke of Huguo's mansion has been stripped of all its wealth, its mansion is magnificent and occupies a vast expanse of land. In this capital, where land is extremely valuable, its location is truly a prime treasure. If I were to reclaim the mansion and sell it, I could at least fetch millions of taels of silver."
Jiang Dinglian turned nimbly in front of the door with light steps, then sat down leisurely, his eyes staring straight at the emperor opposite him.
"Your Majesty, are you serious? All this silver will be used as military supplies for the Flying Dragon Armor Army?"
In the past, when houses were confiscated, most of the silver would flow into the national treasury and be snatched away by the greedy people in the six ministries under various pretexts, or used to build dams or hold ceremonies to worship the heavens. How much of the silver would actually be used in the border areas?
The Emperor said in a cold and stern tone, "Indeed. While I do not wish to abuse the use of force, I also do not wish to see wars raging on the borders and the people suffering."
He paused, his gaze suddenly becoming deep and unfathomable as he glanced at Jiang Dinglian and gently patted his shoulder: "Dinglian, the safety of our country, Western Wei, depends on you."
The Emperor remained silent, and only in the stillness of the night could he face his worries alone. Ever since the Crown Prince was assassinated and severely injured on Mount Taibai, he had often been unable to sleep, his mind troubled. The world in his dreams was in turmoil, mountains and rivers crumbling, the people displaced, and even Jiang Dinglian, the only steel wall that could protect the Western Wei, was murdered by spies in his dreams, the scene horrific.
In his heart, this was undoubtedly a revelation from God, warning him not to destroy his own fortress with his own hands.
Therefore, when he heard the news that the commander of the Jinyiwei, Ji Cheng, requested to search the Yongding Marquis's mansion, his first reaction was to be furious, thinking that Ji Cheng was trying to emulate the previous commander and frame loyal and good people.
So he urgently summoned Jiang Dinglian into the palace.
His original intention was to reveal the news to Jiang Dinglian in advance so that he could investigate it himself. He had great confidence in Jiang Dinglian and did not want to cause unnecessary disputes between the emperor and his subjects.
However, unexpectedly, Jiang Dinglian's reaction was even more excited than his, and he actually directly encouraged him to order the Jinyiwei to search the Yongding Marquis' Mansion.
Jiang Dinglian was touched by the emperor's serious attitude and bowed respectfully, saying, "I will definitely live up to your high expectations."
The Imperial Guard continued, "Your Majesty, several bizarre incidents have occurred in the Protectorate's residence. I'm afraid they may have tainted your Majesty's ears."
The emperor had no interest in such absurd rumors. He simply waved his hand and said, "Leave these trivial matters to Ji Cheng."
At this moment, there was a sudden commotion outside the imperial study.
"What happened outside that caused such a commotion?"
Seeing that the emperor looked unhappy, Ying Shuo immediately waved his white-haired whisk and walked quickly out of the hall.
However, the moment he pushed open the door, he found that the originally clear and sunny sky was now covered by dark clouds, with strong winds raging and the sky gloomy, as if a storm was about to come and the wind was roaring all over the building.
In the shadow of the imperial palace, the Imperial Observatory prostrated itself on the ground, its face as pale as paper.
"Your Majesty, this is bad news! It's a bad omen from heaven!"
When no one expected, the Duke of Protectorate's Mansion actually started to use those strange and unpredictable methods, and actually gave birth to evil things!
The Emperor was currently too busy worrying about the fate of the people in the Duke of Huguo's mansion to worry about anything. His only concern was whether the ghost fetus would go on a killing spree and harm innocent people. "What should we do? If we allow the ghost fetus to run rampant, it will surely harm countless innocent lives."
Just as the emperor and Jiang Dinglian walked out of the imperial study, Jiang Dinglian just walked out from the silence of the study.
Jiang Dinglian has been on the battlefield for a long time, his eyes are as sharp as an eagle, and his gaze into the distance is like an arrow piercing the clouds, instantly catching the thick black aura rising straight into the sky in the distance.
The source of the black energy was clearly from the direction of the Duke of Protectorate's Mansion.
The emperor frowned and asked in confusion, "What on earth is that?"
The Imperial Astronomical Observatory was terrified, its voice trembling: "Your Majesty, there is a murderous aura rising from the south. An evil spirit is bound to descend upon the world, and I'm afraid it will trigger endless slaughter!"
The Emperor had always disbelieved in superstitions. He was well aware that many emperors in history had led to the destruction of their kingdoms and families due to their belief in supernatural powers. Therefore, he was unconvinced by the words of the Imperial Observatory and scoffed, "Evil spirits?"
The Imperial Guards, no longer concerned about the taboos, hurriedly reported, "Your Majesty, the demon the Imperial Observatory is referring to is none other than the ghost fetus born to Liao from the Duke of Huguo's mansion. That ghost fetus is unusual and has a strange appearance."
Upon hearing this, the disgust on the emperor's face grew even stronger. "Is the Jinyiwei helpless?"
The Jinyiwei replied anxiously, "That ghost fetus is extremely evil. Although it looks like a baby, it can float in the air. It has sharp teeth and claws, and its body is as hard as iron, invulnerable to swords and spears."
Upon hearing this, the emperor and Jiang Dinglian's faces changed and became gloomy.
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