Chapter 345 If you don't go out, you can directly frame someone.
Li Zhong, who was also in the study, could hardly bear to look at Jiang Chengye's attendant's cowardly appearance. Jiang Yu gave a faint "hmm" in agreement, and then asked, "Has anything happened around the Master these days?"
The servant breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that it wasn't because the master had done something wrong that he was being blamed. He knelt on the ground and thought for a while before saying, "These past few months, the master has been trying to please the madam and has rarely left the manor. Even when he does go out, it's for official business, and nothing... nothing has happened."
To prevent Jiang Chengye from being too idle and causing trouble, Lu Yifang assigned him some business-related matters. The "serious matters" that Chang Sui mentioned were indeed related to business matters.
"Hmm, think carefully about whether there's anything else," Jiang Yu said again.
The servant glanced at her carefully and said, "Something happened in Aunt Huang's family. She went to the master's house and cried several times, hoping that the master would help her. The master agreed, but it hasn't been done yet."
"What is it?" Jiang Yu asked.
The servant said, “Aunt Huang has an older brother named Huang Xiujie, who is a scholar. He is twenty-five years old and married the daughter of the brother of Lu, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, two years ago.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu asked, "When did Aunt Huang enter the mansion?"
The servant said, "Yes... she entered the mansion the year before last. Huang Xiujie was able to marry the daughter of the Taichang Shaoqing's brother because Aunt Huang was favored by the master."
Jiang Yu nodded knowingly, signaling him to continue. The servant quickly added, "Huang Xiujie has failed the imperial examination for many years. He originally wanted the master to pull some strings and buy him an official position, but... but the master doesn't have time to deal with his affairs, so he has to use his own connections."
During that period, Jiang Chengye was in dire straits himself, so of course he had no time to take care of a concubine's brother.
"The Huang family wasn't wealthy to begin with, and they spent a lot of money pulling strings. Most of that money came from the dowry of their wife, Lady Lu," the servant continued.
"Huang Xiujie finally found a job, but after only a few days, he was bewitched by a prostitute in a brothel. He insisted on redeeming her and taking her home as a concubine. The money he used to redeem her came from Madam Lu."
Huang Xiujie took the prostitute home, and only then did Madam Lu find out. Naturally, she was unwilling and started a big fight with Huang Xiujie. The two got into a physical altercation. In the struggle, Huang Xiujie pushed one of Madam Lu's maids, and the maid hit the back of her head on a sharp rock, dying instantly.
At the time, Huang Xiujie thought she was just a maid and didn't pay much attention. Madam Lu returned to her parents' home in tears, and the next day the Lu family threatened to take Huang Xiujie to the authorities, claiming he had murdered someone.
"Did the Lu family make a fuss about that maid's identity?" Jiang Yu asked.
Chang Sui: "Yes, the Lu family said that the maid was redeemed a month ago and was not a servant of the Lu family at all, let alone the Huang family. Huang Xiujie killed that maid, so he has to pay with his life."
Jiang Yu nodded, and the servant added, "Huang Xiujie was terrified and had no choice but to come to Aunt Huang."
"Hmph," Jiang Yu snorted heavily, "How does the master intend to help Huang Xiujie resolve this?"
"It's...it's just that I'll go to the Lu family in person and put in a good word," the servant said cautiously.
Jiang Yu narrowed her eyes. This wasn't something to be taken lightly; the Lu family definitely wanted something in return. But what benefits could Jiang Chengye, an idle man, possibly offer the Lu family? In the end, they would still have to come to her.
"You may leave," Jiang Yu said.
The servant stood up nervously, bowed, and then withdrew. Jiang Yu stroked the jade pendant at her waist, pondered for a moment, and said, "Have someone keep a close eye on the Huang and Lu families."
"Yes." Li Zhong immediately went out to give instructions, thinking to himself that this might be a scheme targeting the Duke of Chu's mansion.
Jiang Yu also suspected this was a setup, only Jiang Chengye hadn't yet entered the game. She released the jade pendant from her hand, a cold glint in her eyes. If Jiang Chengye was still foolish enough to be tricked this time, then he should never leave the manor again.
She can't let him die; if he does, she'll have to observe mourning. But there are ways to keep him alive, and to ensure he doesn't live a good life either.
Jiang Yu turned to look at the sunset outside the window. The golden light flickered on the glazed tiles, then sank behind the carved window frame of the west wing, leaving only a half-smear of blood-red afterglow on the horizon.
Night is almost here, and another day is about to end. I wonder what it will be like when I see the Prime Minister at court tomorrow morning.
"Your Excellency, it's time for dinner."
Dongshuang's voice came, and Jiang Yu came back to her senses, "Let's keep it in the study."
.........
A similar scene was unfolding at the Prime Minister's residence. The maidservant placed the food on the table in the study and then quietly slipped out. Although Pei Chengkun's expression was calm, they could still sense the oppressive atmosphere in the study.
Pei Hanming put some food into Pei Chengkun's bowl and said, "Father, let's eat first."
Pei Chengkun hummed in agreement, picked up his chopsticks, and ate in silence. Pei Hanming glanced at him, considered for a moment, and said, "When will you go to the Emperor to apologize?"
Pei Chengkun paused in his chopsticks, "Tomorrow I'll investigate Jiang Yu, and we should make our move with Jiang Chengye as soon as possible. Only with leverage over Jiang Chengye can we negotiate with Jiang Yu."
"I understand, son." Pei Hanming took a deep breath silently. He had been keeping an eye on the Duke of Chu's residence and knew that Jiang Chengye rarely left the residence since the old Duke of Chu passed away.
However, he was the easiest target for the Duke of Chu's mansion.
"Prime Minister."
The butler's voice came from outside, and Pei Hanming let him in. After watching him bow, he asked, "What is it?"
Butler: "The informant has returned. He says Jiang Chengye has a favored concubine, Aunt Huang..."
The Prime Minister's residence had been keeping an eye on the Duke of Chu's mansion, so it was easy for them to find out what was going on. Huang Xiujie's matter was quickly reported.
After listening, Pei Hanming remained silent for a while, then asked the butler, "Do you know how Jiang Chengye reacted?"
The steward shook his head. "The Duke of Chu's mansion was cleaned up before, and all our spies were cleared out, so they can't see what's going on inside."
"Hmm." Pei Hanming wasn't angry about this. He knew the situation and was just hoping for the best.
He waved for the butler to leave, then looked at Pei Chengkun and asked, "Jiang Yu will probably be wary of us."
Pei Chengkun put down his chopsticks, pondered for a moment, and said, "Have the Lu family urge Huang Xiujie to see if Jiang Chengye will come out tomorrow. If he doesn't, frame him directly."
"yes."
Pei Hanming's response was not easy. Although he had never openly clashed with Jiang Yuyu, he had clashed with her in secret. He knew Jiang Yuyu's style of doing things and that she would definitely have someone following Jiang Chengye. Therefore, framing her would not be easy.
Pei Chengkun lost his appetite and got up to sit down at the tea table, followed by Pei Hanming. He picked up the teapot and poured Pei Chengkun a cup of tea. Just then, the steward arrived, saying that someone from the Dali Temple had come to urge them.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
