Chang Lili was decisive and resolute; it seemed that her mother-in-law was her Achilles' heel.
Meng Yuxiu was afraid that she would act recklessly in anger, but since she was always bold, he couldn't help but remind her, "Don't do anything rash. After all, she is a member of the royal family."
"Don't worry, I'm angry, but I haven't lost my mind. I'll plan this carefully and won't get myself into trouble." A hint of fierceness and ruthlessness flashed in Chang Lili's eyes.
After thinking for a moment, she looked at Meng Yuxiu and added, "It won't implicate you or the General's Mansion. I still have to take care of my mother-in-law's safety."
Meng Yuxiu looked away, sighed helplessly, and said nothing more.
Hu Mansion.
The study was filled with the aroma of tea, and the emerald green tea leaves floated in the teacups.
Hu Pin paced back and forth in the study, holding an exquisite object in his hand—the nine-section whip that Chang Lili had only half-finished.
He examined the object from all angles, and finally frowned as he asked the person kneeling on the ground, "What exactly is this thing?"
This person stole this suspicious item last night and examined it carefully before daring to bring it up.
"Your Highness, I have investigated and confirmed that this is a weapon that was popular in the previous dynasty, called the Nine-Section Whip."
Hu Pin's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "Oh? Weapons that were popular in the previous dynasty? You found them in the General's Mansion? This is interesting."
He looked at the nine-section whip in his hand and revealed a sinister smile.
Before long, a carriage from the Hu residence departed, speeding towards the palace.
In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a eunuch came to announce that Hu Pin was requesting an audience with the Emperor. The Emperor, who was reclining on the couch for a short rest, was then helped to sit up.
"Hu Pin?" He didn't seem too willing to see him, rubbing his temples and saying helplessly, "I wonder what he'll do this time."
The eunuch behind him immediately stepped forward and massaged his temples: "Your Majesty, if you do not wish to approach him, this servant will go and send him away."
"Let him in," the Emperor said calmly.
Hu Pin, holding a half-finished nine-section whip, strode in and gave the Emperor a deep bow.
Meng Yuxiu was always cautious and rarely gave anyone a handle to use against him. Now that he had finally seized this opportunity, Hu Pin was eager to see him fall from grace and suffer misfortune.
He showed the Emperor the nine-section whip in his hand and explained that it was found in Meng Yuxiu's residence and that Meng Yuxiu had made it privately, and he did not know what Meng Yuxiu intended to do with it.
"Found it at General Meng's residence?" The Emperor asked in surprise as he took the nine-section whip.
Although the nine-section whip in his hand was only half-finished, the unfinished product was already exquisite. However, this was a weapon that was popular in the previous dynasty. Why did Meng Yuxiu make it?
"Yes, Your Majesty," Hu Ping said confidently. "I sent men to investigate the General's Mansion. In the forge, they found this strange object. I found it suspicious, so I brought it here and presented it to Your Majesty."
A faint smile appeared on the emperor's lips, and Hu Pin was secretly delighted, feeling that there was hope.
To everyone's surprise, the Emperor looked at him and asked slowly, "Why is Minister Hu investigating the General's Mansion?"
Hu Pin was speechless, hurriedly avoiding the emperor's gaze, not knowing how to answer.
He stammered, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, General Meng... General Meng's recent behavior has been suspicious. He... he has also purchased a lot of materials." His eyes lit up, and he looked up at the Emperor. "Yes, General Meng bought a lot of materials into his residence. I had my doubts, so I sent people to investigate the General's residence."
The emperor did not speak, but simply put the nine-section whip in his hand aside and began to drink tea.
"Your Majesty, General Meng holds a high position and wields great power, yet he has been manufacturing weapons in his residence without authorization. His intentions are malicious. I urge Your Majesty to punish him severely to prevent him from amassing power and becoming too powerful." Hu Ping spoke earnestly.
What he said wasn't without merit, but he couldn't wait for things to start to take off. This Hu Pin is unlikely to succeed.
"If General Meng really does this, then indeed..."
"Your Majesty! That's exactly what he did! I've investigated thoroughly!" Hu Pin excitedly interrupted the Emperor.
The Emperor remained calm and composed: "It's not that I don't trust you, but with just this half of the nine-section whip, I truly cannot cure General Meng's crime."
Hu Pin was somewhat discouraged, but he refused to accept the fact and said unwillingly, "Your Majesty, this kind of thing cannot be tolerated. If you sit idly by, Meng Yuxiu will only become more and more rampant."
"But as the top general of this dynasty, he is also in charge of the military manufacturing bureau. The weapons used in the army are designed and manufactured by him. If he is developing weapons in his residence, it is not unreasonable. How can I punish him?" As if to appease Hu Pin, the emperor showed a hint of melancholy.
Hu Pin's disappointment was palpable. He frowned and sighed. He had completely forgotten about this matter. The incriminating evidence he had finally managed to find against Meng Yuxiu was now useless.
“Your Majesty, even so, his unauthorized manufacture of this weapon and concealment of it must be suspicious. If Your Majesty does not punish him, you will be condoning him,” Hu Pin said.
The Emperor closed his eyes, revealing his weariness, and said, "If I am to investigate, I must catch the guilty red-handed, otherwise I cannot convince the public. There are indeed suspicions at this time, but we still need to continue to investigate and avoid alerting the enemy."
Hu Pin was somewhat dejected, but after a moment, he discerned another meaning in those words. It seemed that the Emperor wanted him to investigate the matter more thoroughly.
He looked at the Emperor with surprise and said, "Your Majesty is right. I was presumptuous. I am foolish and thank Your Majesty for your guidance!"
The Emperor waved his hand: "You may leave."
The Hall of Mental Cultivation finally became quiet.
After Hu Pin left, the emperor pondered the exquisite nine-section whip, filled with doubts.
He naturally believed Hu Pin's words.
The reason for promoting Hu Pin was to have a young man who could somewhat restrain the powerful Meng Yuxiu.
Hu Pin did not disappoint him. He and Meng Yuxiu were like natural enemies, constantly clashing with each other.
However, he was somewhat impatient and lacked the composure to plan carefully, which is why his actions were often inefficient.
However, this also has its advantages; without far-reaching planning, it's easier to control.
The Emperor found it strange that Meng Yuxiu had privately manufactured weapons. Why was this particular weapon a nine-section whip?
Soon, a man dressed as a guard appeared in the Hall of Mental Cultivation and knelt respectfully before the emperor.
"Has Meng Yuxiu been behaving strangely lately?" The Emperor leaned back on the couch, his voice indifferent.
"Your Majesty, as always," the man replied resolutely.
The Emperor frowned slightly: "What's the deal with that nine-section whip?"
"General Meng often forges weapons in his mansion, and they are all strangely shaped. It would not be surprising if such a thing were to be found."
The Emperor slowly exhaled: "In that case, you may leave. If Meng Yuxiu makes any unusual moves, report it immediately."
The man nodded slightly and then disappeared.
Meanwhile, in the general's mansion, Meng Yuxiu said to the person beside him, "Let's do it this way."
“But…but the military manufacturing department has never had any women…” The person behind him bowed slightly, looking troubled.
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