"What's going on? Who dares to attack them?"
“Li Jiran, Grand Secretary An’s apprentice,” An San’s tone remained as calm as ever, “but I don’t think he was acting on Grand Secretary An’s orders.”
"Yes, I know."
Although I didn't do anything, given how grateful Elder An was, he probably wouldn't resort to underhanded tactics.
Moreover, the timing of this family of three's misfortune, occurring so soon after Grand Secretary An's arrival in Beijing, is too coincidental to be believable and makes it hard to believe that it wasn't a deliberate frame-up.
Moreover, the method was too crude; Grand Secretary An would never have made it so obvious.
"They were robbed of a total of eight hundred taels of silver and are currently on their way back. Is there anything you need us to do, Madam?"
"Mother," Huang Xiaosan said hesitantly, "should we return these eight hundred taels to them?"
Although he disliked these people, he didn't want to implicate them, so he wanted to make amends.
Why?
"After all, we suffered this undeserved disaster because of us."
“I disagree,” Jiang Chao retorted. “This money was originally given to us by my aunt. They failed to keep it because they were incompetent. It does have something to do with us, but so what?”
The situation in the capital is so complicated; if you're going, you should be mentally prepared.
“Young Master is right,” An San’s calm voice rang out again, “The three of them were already being watched as soon as they entered the capital, but because of Madam’s status, no one dared to make a move.”
Otherwise, let alone the remaining eight hundred, there wouldn't even be eight taels left.
This is also why An San didn't seem to care that the three of them were robbed.
That's always been the case in the capital. If an outsider with no power or influence comes unannounced, you have to be on guard at all times.
"Is Li Jiran from a prominent family?"
“Yes, the Li family of Gancheng has always been under the patronage of Grand Secretary An. He is now the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works and a close confidant of Grand Secretary An’s faction. However,” An San said, “the fact that he was able to leave forty taels of silver shows that he is not prepared to go too far and may not want to offend the Madam.”
"If you don't want to offend Mother, why would you attack your uncles?" Huang Lao Er sneered. "What are you thinking? Whatever their reasons, if you've already made a move, you should be prepared to make enemies."
Anyway, this matter definitely won't be settled that way!
Jiang Nuan ignored her son and continued to ask, "Has Elder An heard the news?"
“I know,” An San said, rubbing his nose, “This matter has already spread throughout the capital, and Grand Secretary An’s apology is already on its way.”
"Have you found out who's behind Li Jiran?"
As she spoke, Jiang Nuan clenched her fists, knowing that this matter would not be so easily forgotten.
If the eldest son's family members brought this upon themselves, she wouldn't care, but if they were schemed against, she absolutely couldn't let it go so easily.
Otherwise, people will think she's easy to bully and will only become more unscrupulous next time!
It seems I didn't do enough during my last trip to Beijing.
"The information revealed by His Majesty is that the Cui and Liu families, and their clique, are unaware of the personal relationship between Madam and Grand Secretary An. They want to create conflict and use you to suppress Grand Secretary An."
"Why would they have such an idea?" Huang Xiaosan was surprised. "My mother can't possibly interfere in factional disputes, so there's no point in doing this."
“It might be a misconception they had last time,” An San coughed lightly. “After all, we do have an old grudge against Elder An, so it’s not impossible that we would take advantage of their misfortune.”
If he hadn't been at the resort, I wouldn't have believed that after such a huge feud, the two sides could actually shake hands and make peace.
"Mother, how should we handle this? And what about Uncle and the others? What should we do?"
“Have someone secretly escort them back to your uncle’s place. As for the lost silver, send it directly to your grandfather,” Jiang Nuan explained in a deep voice. “It wasn’t originally intended for them. If they misappropriated it, so be it. Since they couldn’t keep it, there’s no need to return it.”
He paused, his eyes darkening. "As for the Li family, send a message to the capital: anything I produce, not even a grain of salt, is off-limits to them. Cut off the Cui family's supply as well. Don't make it too obvious for now; observe their reaction before making further arrangements."
"clear!"
In the capital, after reading the letter from Yu Nan, Grand Secretary An's face turned ashen. "Summon Li Jiran here for me."
“Master, you already said the day before yesterday that he was not allowed to enter the house again.”
"Stop talking nonsense, just say it when I tell you to."
"Yes, sir!"
When Li Jiran arrived, he was as unhurried as ever. "Teacher, is there something you need me to tell you?"
Grand Secretary An remained noncommittal, took a sip of tea, slowly drank it down his throat, sighed softly, and then asked, "Ji Ran, do you remember how many years we've been master and disciple?"
"Seven years later, the students will always remember their teachers' kindness."
Upon hearing this, a dark glint flashed in Elder An's eyes. Without any warning, he slammed the quilt to pieces. "The teacher-student relationship of our time is now wasted. Today, let us drink this cup together."
"Teacher," Li Jiran said, quite taken aback, "you still don't believe your student?"
Upon hearing this, Grand Secretary An remained silent.
"Teacher, I am doing this for your own good. I have infiltrated the aristocratic families to obtain information so that you can strike with your full potential."
Grand Secretary An did not believe this at all.
He himself enjoys having his cake and eat it too, and is more wary of such things. Li Jiran dares to do this simply because he wants to maximize his benefits.
If he fails, he curries favor with the powerful families; if the powerful families fail, he gains merit on his own side. In the end, he suffers no loss.
He had a good plan, but there are always people more capable than him, and he wasn't the only smart person in the world.
“Teacher,” Li Jiran was no longer as calm and composed as before, “I spoke from the bottom of my heart the other day, please believe me.”
"Whether I believe you or not is not important," Elder An couldn't help but shake his head. "The Lady Protector of the Nation will not let you go, nor will she let your Li family go."
After saying that, she handed him the letter.
Upon seeing the letter, Li Jiran's expression immediately changed drastically; his lips bled and his face turned deathly pale. "Teacher, is this true?"
What do you think?
"Teacher, aren't you going to save the students?"
"Save you?" Elder An scoffed. "You betrayed this cabinet, and you expect me to save you? Where do you get the nerve?"
"There really aren't any students."
Li Jiran was truly panicked.
Reality was completely different from what he had imagined.
According to the original plan, even if the teacher had reservations, he would still give him a chance to prove himself. After all, he was the teacher's most outstanding disciple in the past ten years, and he had become the Vice Minister of Works before the age of thirty. He would surely become an important minister in the court in the future.
This action of his will not only allow him to strengthen the Li family, but also provide him with several escape routes, and he can also give an explanation to the Emperor.
But now, with the Lady Protector of the Nation taking action, all avenues are blocked. If even her teacher refuses to come to her rescue, she will truly be condemned to her death this time.
“Whether she tells me or not is irrelevant; only the Lady Protector of the Nation can believe me,” Grand Secretary An couldn’t help but shake his head. “Why did you have to provoke her of all people? I don’t know whether to call you smart or stupid. She may not care about court affairs, but she’s not someone anyone can scheme against.”
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