Chapter 27 The Emperor summons you to the palace immediately.
The path from the door to the study was quiet and secluded. Uncle Qingshan slowed his pace and tried not to rush, because decisions made in a state of haste are often incorrect.
His mind began to piece together the whole story: First, his wife's maid discovered Su Yuezhen's affair with Song Yushu and tried to hide it from him, but he eventually found out anyway. He then began investigating Song Yushu and the opera troupe he belonged to.
Second, he discovered that Song Yushu was snatched from Su Yuerong by Su Yuezhen. He knew this was definitely Su Yuerong's doing, because Su Yuerong had someone invite Song Yushu to her home to perform, and Su Yuerong just happened to witness it—the timing and location were too coincidental. Moreover, Su Yuerong's marriage to the playboy was all orchestrated by Su Yuezhen.
However, she had no evidence to prove that Song Yushu was deliberately given to Su Yuezhen by Su Yuerong.
So, did Su Yuerong collude with anyone when she did this?
Third, he wanted to marry off Su Yuezhen as soon as possible because she was auspicious, and he was reluctant to marry her off to a distant place, so he thought of choosing someone from the newly appointed Jinshi this year.
How did Qi Yuanhong come to his attention?
That day, Qi Yuanhong, the top scholar in the imperial examination, was parading through the streets on horseback. As he passed by, he overheard people saying that Qi Yuanhong came from a poor family, and even with his top scholar title, his future path might not be smooth. That's when he had the idea of making Qi Yuanhong his grandson-in-law.
Fourth, he summoned Qi Yuanhong and learned that he already had a wife. But this was not a big deal; it was easily resolved for an ordinary citizen. He asked Qi Yuanhong to either divorce or reconcile with his wife. Qi Yuanhong chose divorce and even suggested that Su Yuezhen accompany him, which he agreed to.
So, if the whole thing was a setup by someone else, what role did Qi Yuanhong play in it?
Fifth, then the notice incident happened, and he learned that Qi Yuanhong and the divorce were not going smoothly. Jiang Yu even found Song Yushu and slapped Su Yuezhen and Qi Yuanhong in the face on the spot.
This Jiang Yu is definitely not simple; she must have someone behind her. So who is it? Is it really the Duke of Chu? But why would the Duke of Chu do this?
Was the whole thing orchestrated by the Duke of Chu?
VI. He has already been impeached, what should be done next? Although the Duke of Chu is old and ailing, he was once a very influential figure in the court, and his physical condition makes him more likely to evoke the Emperor's pity. Furthermore, the Duke of Chu's mansion has a vast network of connections…
He went to his study and went through the whole thing, but he still couldn't figure it out because there were too many unknowns in this matter.
He had just sat down when Su Yuezhen came in. She looked completely listless, lacking her usual liveliness and energy, but he showed no mercy or pity. He said coldly, "Kneel down!"
Su Yuezhen knelt down with a pout. After kneeling in the ancestral hall all night, she knew that her grandfather was really angry this time.
Uncle Qingshan looked down at her and said, "Tell me in detail the process of you and Qi Yuanhong talking to Jiang Yu about the divorce."
Su Yuezhen didn't want to talk about that day, because it was the greatest humiliation she had ever suffered. But after kneeling in the ancestral hall all night, she had learned her lesson. Holding her handkerchief, she recounted the events of that day in detail.
When she mentioned a middle-aged man in gray, handed Jiang Yu a stack of papers, and said that the middle-aged man looked familiar, Uncle Qingshan narrowed his eyes and asked, "Tell me what that person looks like?"
Su Yuezhen thought for a moment, “Square face, thick eyebrows, small eyes, a black mole on her temple, medium build.”
Uncle Qingshan racked his brains for a person who looked like that, and suddenly realized that the steward of the Duke of Chu's mansion looked exactly like that. He had just seen that person.
So, this means the Duke of Chu's mansion really colluded with Jiang Yu. But why would that be?
Just then, a servant's voice came from outside, "My lord, Scholar Qi has arrived."
"Let him in." Uncle Qingshan now even suspected that Qi Yuanhong was also part of someone's scheme against him. He just didn't know whether Qi Yuanhong was willing to be a pawn or whether he was unknowingly used as someone else's pawn.
Just then, Qi Yuanhong walked in and bowed to him. Uncle Qingshan looked at him with hawk-like eyes, wanting to know what role he played in this situation.
Qi Yuanhong felt a cold sweat break out on his back from the gaze. He quickly organized his thoughts and asked, "What business does Your Excellency have with me?"
Uncle Qingshan did not answer his question, but stared at him until cold sweat beaded on his temples before asking, "What is Jiang Yu's relationship with the Duke of Chu's mansion?"
Upon hearing this question, Qi Yuanhong clenched his fists tightly. He also wanted to know if Jiang Yu had any connection with the Duke of Chu's mansion. If Jiang Yu had connections with the Duke of Chu's mansion, wouldn't he, this treacherous villain, have suffered a great loss?
"I don't know," Qi Yuanhong said.
"You don't know?" Uncle Qingshan's gaze grew even colder. "You've been living in Jiang Yu's family since you were eight or nine years old. Don't you know anything about her family's network of connections?"
Qi Yuanhong shook his head, "I really didn't know. In fact, I only found out now that Jiang Yu has kept a lot of things from me."
"Fool, good-for-nothing!" Uncle Qingshan's voice was contemptuous and stern. Qi Yuanhong lowered his head and remained silent. He could do nothing but endure it.
Last night he thought about going to find Jiang Yu again, but firstly, he didn't know where Jiang Yu was now, and secondly, if Uncle Qingshan found out that he had gone to find Jiang Yu, he would abandon him, or even take his life.
It was only at this moment that he realized how difficult it was for a poor scholar to squeeze into the powerful circles of the capital.
"My lord," came the servant's voice from outside, "people from the palace have arrived."
Uncle Qingshan was startled, then said, "Please come in."
Then a pale-faced, beardless eunuch walked in. Qingshan Bo recognized him; he was an eunuch serving the emperor. He quickly stood up and said, "Eunuch Zhao, I am so sorry for not greeting you sooner."
Eunuch Zhao bowed to him and said, "Lord Qingshan, His Majesty summons you to the palace immediately."
"Alright, I'll head over right away." He straightened his official robes, gestured for him to proceed, and walked out with Eunuch Zhao.
As he walked, he asked, "Sir, what business does His Majesty have with me?"
“Oh, I don’t know the answer to that question,” said Eunuch Zhao. “However, when His Majesty came to the Imperial Study from Consort Guo’s place today, he seemed to be in a good mood. But after reading the memorials for a while, he got angry and even asked me to come and invite Lord Earl.”
Uncle Qingshan understood. Last night, the Emperor stayed at Consort Guo's residence. The Emperor must have seen the memorial impeaching him...
He gave his attendant a look, and the attendant took out a purse, handed it to Eunuch Zhao, and said with a smile, "Eunuch, you've had a hard time making this trip."
Eunuch Zhao took the purse and squeezed it; it seemed to contain silver notes. A smile appeared on his face.
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