Brothels, though considered immoral and disreputable places, are a melting pot of people, and if arranged properly, they can produce surprisingly good results.
“We haven’t found anything yet,” An Yi explained. “Wu Yuan has been keeping watch on Deyilou. Without alerting them, Commander Yang can only proceed slowly.”
"That's excellent!"
"Your Majesty," An Yi hesitated before revealing the information he had just received, "I have just discovered that the Qian family's only daughter is at Deyilou, and, and..."
"And what else?" Qi Yong couldn't stand An Yi's dawdling. "Speak quickly!"
"And...she became the most beautiful courtesan!"
After saying this, An Yi quietly took a step back, pretending to be a tool.
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan and her servant fell silent.
"I was powerless to change what happened back then, and could only protect Qian Qing's only legitimate daughter," Ji Xuan said with a grim expression. "What happened? How did Miss Qian end up in a brothel and become a courtesan?"
Everyone knew that Qianjia was being pushed out to take the blame, but the situation was complicated, and some people were deliberately stirring up public opinion. The court was in turmoil and urgently needed to be appeased. Even though Ji Xuan wanted to save people, he was powerless to do so.
He knew that this matter had wronged the Qian family, so he specifically hinted to the court officials not to make things difficult for the Qian family's only daughter.
What's going on now?
“Your Majesty,” Qi Yong said knowingly, “when you first ascended the throne, your authority was not yet established, while Lord Li had long accumulated power. It is likely that some people were secretly complying while secretly disobeying you.”
As he spoke, he shook his head, "These people are truly despicable. A bunch of respectable figures, yet they dare to make things difficult for a little girl who is only ten years old."
They're even worse than me!
Although he was not a good person, he would not stoop to such behavior. If he wanted to kill, he would kill. But throwing a noble lady into a brothel was deliberately abusing her.
“An Yi,” Ji Xuan said thoughtfully, shifting her gaze, “is the force behind Deyilou a remnant of the former Crown Prince?”
“No,” An Yi explained with a cupped hand, “Your Majesty, the madam of Deyilou was quite famous in the Qinhuai River when she was young. Later, she found a way to redeem herself and escape her lowly status. After settling in Ping’an County, she bought a brothel and ran it herself.”
"He is shrewd and resourceful, and has connections with many people, but he has never been dependent on anyone."
"So, Wu Yuan's trip to Deyilou can only be for Qianjia's daughter!"
"Commander Yang also guessed the same way, however," An Yi said, "according to my investigation, the Qian family girl is very shrewd and may not be in cahoots with the remnants of the former crown prince, Kang He."
"I understand," Ji Xuan nodded, changing the subject, "Who is this person who came? Is he a big fish?"
“Not only big, but also fat,” Qi Yong’s eyes darted around. “The former Crown Prince had previously adopted three sons. This time, the eldest son, Wu Yuan, has come. Yuan means head, the one who will inherit the mantle.”
As he spoke, Qi Yong leaned closer and lowered his voice, "This old servant suspects that the former Crown Prince intends to back down and is deliberately creating an opportunity for Wu Yuan."
This is both a trial and an opportunity; it is extremely dangerous, but the rewards are substantial.
Even if he can't kill Ji Xuan, just injuring him is enough to secure his ascension to the throne.
"You actually want to use me as a whetstone," Ji Xuan sneered. "I, your imperial uncle, am still as arrogant as ever."
“The late Crown Prince was defeated by the late Empress and has always been resentful,” Qi Yong speculated, “so he wanted Wu Yuan to win against the Emperor.”
That's utterly delusional.
The former crown prince was a spendthrift dog. If it weren't for the late emperor's reluctance to let his only brother die, he wouldn't have been able to survive until now.
Unfortunately, while the late emperor's actions fulfilled his brotherly affection, they brought a tremendous trouble to the current emperor.
In recent years, the Great Zhou Dynasty has been quite unstable, with one wave of troublemakers after another, all of whom had the shadow of the former Crown Prince behind them.
Qi Yong wondered how this person could live so long.
If it weren't for his master's good fortune, he would have outlived two generations of people.
Could this be a case of wickedness living on for a thousand years?
"Foolish!" Ji Xuan said coldly, "He couldn't even beat the late emperor, yet he expects Wu Yuan to beat me? What a fool's dream."
"This servant wholeheartedly agrees!"
"Since Yang Qing knows the situation, let's wait for his news," Ji Xuan said, his eyes flashing with a chilling killing intent. "Once we confirm Wu Yuan's location, we'll act immediately. This time, I'll uproot them completely!"
Even when he was on his last legs, he never thought of letting these people go. Now that there is hope, he will not raise a tiger to cause trouble.
The Great Zhou can only belong to the Ji family, and it can only belong to him. Any threat must be eliminated without hesitation.
"Yes, sir!"
"Furthermore," Ji Xuan pointed to the stone table, "investigate the Huang family thoroughly, the more detailed the better. This family is too strange; I am not at ease with them."
He drinks only occasionally and doesn't think much of it.
However, farmyard manure, out-of-season melons, exquisite plum blossoms, and exceptionally delicious vegetables...
All of these factors combined make it impossible not to have more to think about.
These methods are absolutely beyond the capabilities of ordinary people.
"yes!"
"By the way, has there been any movement in the imperial court lately?"
"With the three Grand Secretaries keeping things in check, the court remained stable as before. Any troublemakers were dealt with by the Grand Secretaries."
"Very good," Ji Xuan nodded slightly. "You may leave now. Report to me immediately if anything happens!"
“Master,” Qi Yong narrowed his eyes, “this servant believes that we must be wary of the Qian family’s daughter.”
The Qian family was wiped out by the imperial court. Qi Yong felt that if it were him, he would definitely do everything he could to avenge his family, even if it meant going against the grain.
“I have wronged thousands of families,” Ji Xuan waved his hand, “Unless absolutely necessary, spare her life.”
"Your Majesty meant well," Qi Yong sighed softly, "but I'm afraid she won't appreciate it."
“It’s alright,” Ji Xuan shook her head. “As the ruler of a nation, I will not stoop to the level of a weak woman.”
Ji Xuan already felt guilty towards the Qian family, but he still failed to protect their only daughter. The well-bred young lady of an official family ended up in a brothel, and Ji Xuan felt a surge of pity for Mei Yu.
"As long as Your Majesty is happy."
Qi Yong decided to keep a close eye on Mei Yu himself.
If his master goes to such lengths and the young lady of the Qian family doesn't appreciate it, he will definitely teach that person a lesson!
Ji Xuan felt guilty towards the Qian family, but Qi Yong did not.
In this world, not everything is black and white; sometimes, certain sacrifices are inevitable.
This is the general trend!
Are you feeling wronged?
You can only blame fate for your grievances!
Didn't Lord Li feel wronged about what happened back then?
He was a meritorious official who had helped the emperor rise to power and severely damaged the former crown prince. However, not only were his merits unknown, but he was also accused of colluding with the remnants of the former crown prince, which made him despised by the court and subject to constant suppression.
If I hadn't been somewhat capable, I might have followed in the footsteps of the Qian family long ago.
The young lady was wronged, Lord Li was wronged, but his master wasn't wronged?
The late emperor released the tiger back into the mountains out of brotherly affection, but he himself did not live for many years, leaving the young emperor, who had not yet come of age, to deal with the affairs of the court and the harem as if walking on thin ice.
If he hadn't resorted to some underhanded tactics, he probably would have lost his position long ago.
How can a living person not suffer grievances? Just get through it!
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