Chapter 52 The Great Cause
The situation was urgent, and seeing that Miss Shang had nothing to add, Yining hurriedly returned to her residence.
After she left, Shang Yuji opened another letter, which was addressed to her, but Yi Ning did not read it.
Looking at the neat handwriting, Shang Yuji guessed that Cui Shuxin was in charge of this matter.
The letter stated that Cui Shuxin found an opportunity to meet with Madam Jiang, but could not detect anything unusual about Madam Jiang. Even though she sent people to secretly follow her, they could not find anything unusual.
The person sent has become Madam Jiang's personal maid, and it's only a matter of time before they find out about the strangeness surrounding Madam Jiang.
Finally, Cui Shuxin mentioned that when Huigu and Acuo were still in the capital, they had visited the Jiang residence.
But what they talked about remains unknown.
Hui Gu and the others actually had contact with Madam Jiang?
Shang Yuji really hadn't expected this.
It seems that since Yue Mingzhu has been staying at the Jiang residence for some time, it is only natural for the two of them to inquire about Yue Mingzhu from Madam Jiang.
Before asking Hui Gu, she needed to go to the backyard to find Master Yi and ask her to accompany her to the guest room to find Hui Gu.
Upon reaching the backyard, Jiang Xi brandished her long sword. Wherever the blade passed, it resembled smoke and mist scattered by the wind, light and nimble as a feather, yet concealing the power to cleave metal and split stone.
Unlike the imposing and unstoppable force of the Xiang family saber, it is more like a combination of the elegant and sharp whip technique and the Xiang family saber.
Looking at Elder Xiang's expression, it was clear that he approved of Jiang Xi's knife technique.
Shang Yuji stood under the eaves and observed for a while before making her request to Elder Yi, who was standing to the side.
With Xiang Fengyun accompanying her, Yi Sha felt quite at ease. Since she had nothing else to do, she agreed to help.
Perhaps it was the biting cold wind, but Huigu and Acuo didn't like to go out in winter.
On weekdays, you'll see Acuo more often, searching for food to satisfy her appetite, while Huigu stays in her guest room and rarely opens the door unless absolutely necessary.
According to A-Cuo, Hui-Gu was engrossed in writing a book on witchcraft that she would teach later. Sometimes she was so busy that Hui-Gu had to bring her food into the house, and she even fed the insects.
If Hui Gu's Gu worms were to rebel one day, it would definitely be because the Gu worms were dissatisfied with their mistress.
The reason Shang Yuji summoned Yi Sha was not because she suspected Hui Gu and Yi Sha of having ill intentions, but rather because their attitude towards the Gu worms was too natural, often making them overlook the Gu worms' movements.
Once, when Shang Yuji came looking for her, a snake crawled up her skirt. By the time she noticed, she was already half-dead from fright.
Having prepared herself mentally, Shang Yuji's resistance to Gu worms has increased considerably. As long as they don't appear in swarms in front of her, she should be able to withstand them.
……should.
She knocked on the door and identified herself. The locked door opened quickly, and a hand reached out from behind the door, forcefully pulling her into the room. Fortunately, Yi Sha reacted quickly, sidestepped forward, and managed to get into the room before the door closed.
Although they knew that Hui-gu had brought a generous amount of charcoal, they did not expect the room to be so warm that it did not feel like winter.
Shang Yuji worriedly reminded people: "When burning charcoal, you must open the windows for ventilation, otherwise you will faint from carbon monoxide poisoning, and in severe cases, you will die."
Hui Gu pointed to the clean water prepared in the room, and then to the open wooden window: "Miss, I have taken all the precautions you mentioned."
"You burned too much charcoal and didn't prepare enough."
“Winter in Da’an is much harder than in the southern borderlands,” Hui Gu sighed.
"After all, it's in the northern part of southern Xinjiang, so it's natural that you're not used to wintering in Da'an for the first time."
While chatting, Shang Yuji almost forgot why she had come.
Yi Sha sat on the soft couch, picked up a sweet cake from the table and started to eat it, then noticed a small insect hiding under the porcelain plate.
She looked at Xiaochong, hesitated for a moment, tore off a small piece of sweet cake, placed it next to the porcelain plate, and shared the cake with Xiaochong.
According to Shang Yatou, this was her good disciple's second master. Even if they didn't need to build a good relationship, they shouldn't have fallen out.
In addition, Yue Mingzhu captured the traitor for the Seven Stars Sect, so Yi Sha's attitude towards the Southern Frontier was relatively good.
"I heard that when you and A-Cuo were in the capital, you met with Madam Jiang of the Jiang family. May I ask what you discussed?"
Hui Gu withdrew the Gu worms that were eagerly trying to climb onto Shang Yuji's clothes. Recalling who Madam Jiang was, she nodded:
"We came here because we want to get back A-Yue's belongings."
"In any case, some things are not suitable to be left in the hands of ordinary people, let alone Ah Yue's. If they are taken away by someone with ulterior motives, it will inevitably bring trouble."
In addition, things from southern Xinjiang should also be sent back to southern Xinjiang.
Shang Yuji: "What did Madam Jiang say?"
Hui Gu shook her head: "We do have the belongings, but they refused to accept them from us, saying that we are not the owners of the belongings that A Yue entrusted to us."
"You're not? Did she tell you who she belonged to?"
"...She didn't mention it at all, and then told us to leave the Jiang residence."
Yi Sha, who was listening nearby, was really curious and asked, "How did A Yue know that the person she wanted to give it to would take the keepsake?"
Huigu had no way of knowing this.
"We can't let the relics stay in Madam Jiang's hands forever, be forgotten or left unclaimed, and eventually disappear without a trace."
Maybe that person named A-Yue never even considered handing over her belongings.
The two of them suddenly turned to look at her simultaneously. Yi Sha froze, then awkwardly explained, "It was just a guess, a guess..."
Shang Yuji pondered, "Senior Yi has been traveling the world for many years and must have some sharp insights."
“It’s not impossible,” Hui Gu said, pondering. “A-Yue’s thinking is unconventional; it’s not appropriate to consider it using ordinary methods…”
They say they left their belongings to someone, but who can really know if that person even exists?
Despite this, the matter remains unresolved.
Cui Shuxin failed to notice Madam Jiang's unusual behavior, and Huigu also failed to retrieve the Moon Pearl's belongings.
It seems that everything is stuck on Madam Jiang.
Who exactly is the owner of the belongings that Madam Jiang mentioned?
What kind of agreement did she have with Yue Mingzhu?
With the problem unresolved and no idea where to begin, Shang Yuji had no choice but to temporarily shelve it.
After reminding Huigu to ventilate the room again, Shang Yuji and Yi Sha left the somewhat stuffy room.
Stepping outside, the fresh, slightly cool air swept away the heat she had accumulated from staying indoors for so long. Shang Yuji thanked Senior Yi again for his help.
As the two parted ways, Yi Sha remarked, "Shang girl, your new clothes look good."
It's somewhat like the red wedding dress she described in the storybooks she wrote for her apprentices.
Gold and silver threads, cloud patterns, brocade and silk, and flowing red skirts.
Under the warm sunlight, it shimmers with light as it turns.
But her fair and translucent skin, combined with the red dress, made her look like snow falling on red plum blossoms, a perfect harmony between white and red.
With a light touch of rouge, every smile and frown of hers is captivating. Unlike her apprentice's flamboyance, she exudes elegance and grace, and talking to her is like basking in a gentle breeze.
Yet, she is far from the dignified demeanor of a well-bred lady; it is her occasional lively spirit that leaves the deepest impression.
Shang Yuji spread her hands, turned around, and replied with a smile, "He made this according to the storybook given to him by his senior, based on the description of the wedding dress in it. However, he didn't understand the meaning of the wedding dress and gave it to me as an ordinary piece of clothing."
They all knew who "he" referred to, and Yi Sha laughed twice: "A pure heart is the most precious thing, it must be his intention, and this dress suits you very well..."
As he spoke, Yi Shafang sensed something was amiss: "He told you about the storybook?"
Didn't she tell him not to talk to the maid?
If Shang Yatou saw what was inside, wouldn't she say that she had corrupted her apprentice?
"Don't worry, senior. He only mentioned this to me; I haven't read the book."
Thinking of something, Yi Sha added, "Shang girl, you can watch it too."
Shang Yuji: ""
She thought that Senior Yi's attitude meant he didn't want her to know the contents of the book.
Yi Sha asked curiously, "What stage are you and your apprentice at?"
This is simply a master showing concern for his disciple's life journey.
It's not something that needs to be hidden, Shang Yuji replied, "The wedding date hasn't been confirmed yet..."
Yi Sha clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "Good, good, good!"
"I'm going to prepare a big gift for you then!"
Given their relationship, Shang Yuji did not refuse: "Then I will thank Senior Yi in advance."
.
The main hall of the Second Prince's residence.
Inside the hall, fine silver frost charcoal was burning, and the fire dispelled the chill in the room, making one feel as if they were in a warm spring rather than a cold winter.
A man sat in the hall, veins bulging on his forehead. In a fit of rage, he slammed his fist on the table, making the teaware rattle. He pointed at Zhou Ao and cursed:
"Why have you been visiting the Princess's residence so frequently lately, Young Master Jiang? You are a man destined for greatness, why are you going to see those men in the inner quarters? Are you aware of the rumors circulating in the capital that you, a prince, have improper thoughts about your elder sister's man!"
Zhou Ao had rarely seen a man so angry, and he immediately cowered to the side like a quail in fear.
The man got up and walked closer, suddenly grabbing Zhou Ao's arms and forcing him to look up and meet his gaze.
What came into view was that distorted face, seemingly both angry and smiling. The eyes, though appearing to be smiling, held no tenderness whatsoever, and the speaker lowered his voice, attempting to speak gently:
"My dear Jing'er, if you achieve great things, what kind of people won't you have? Whether it's Young Master Jiang or Miss Jiang, as long as you want, your subordinates will naturally offer them to you with both hands."
Like a seemingly harmless venomous snake, it coiled around Zhou Ao, tightening its grip little by little, while whispering in his ear, flicking its tongue to utter sinister words.
"Jing'er, you won't ruin our great cause for that person, will you?"
The man's grip was painful, but Zhou Ao endured the pain and replied in a hoarse voice:
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty... Jing'er has not forgotten our great cause. That person can help us achieve our great cause."
The dry explanation failed to gain the man's understanding, but that didn't matter to him. As long as Zhou Ao hadn't forgotten his goal of ascending to the throne, everything was negotiable.
"Since that's the case, remember to clean up the mess. They've attracted a lot of attention."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ao's face darkened: "I told them to be careful not to give themselves away."
The man released his grip on her arms: "Your methods are too simplistic; they're obvious to those old foxes."
After the man finished giving his instructions, Zhou Ao returned to his residence. The submissiveness he had long been under the control of the man and the arrogance he had in his dreams of being an emperor with everyone bowing down to him turned into two opposing forces, clashing in his heart and unable to move forward or backward.
Freed from the man's control, her submissiveness could not overcome her resentment towards him, and with a crash, the fine celadon shattered all over the floor.
He's destined to sit on the throne above everyone else, so why should he be scolded by a despicable loser?
What methods are simple?
Only the one who ascends to the throne can make the decision!
He was nothing but a loser who failed to seize power!
Once I've won Jiang Xi over, the first person I'll try to control with poison will definitely be him.
It's time for him to experience what it's like to be manipulated.
And those damned Southern Xinjiang people! Zhou Ao never expected that the two Southern Xinjiang women who came to visit and take A Shuang away were actually from Wuming Village.
Unfortunately, the prophetic dream came too late; they had already taken A-Shuang away from the mansion. Therefore, he still had to find some Gu masters to teach Jiang Xi.
Wait, maybe it's not too late.
Although the two women from the southern border left the capital, A-Shuang is still in the Princess's residence...
Ah Shuang can teach Jiang Xi.
Moreover, both of them are currently at the Princess's residence. If Ashuang is there, she will have taught Jiang Xiqu...
This would both conceal the fact that the two people were related to his household and allow him to reap the benefits without lifting a finger. When taking in subordinates, he could save time on teaching them and simply send them to do tasks.
The remaining task is to contact A Shuang and bribe the servant to prevent her from leaving. I've heard that A Shuang was kept in the Princess's residence to atone for her sins, so her treatment is probably not good. I could try to coax her into switching sides.
It's hateful that after the last witchcraft case, some advisors changed their tune and left the mansion, so now the mansion is short-handed and can't do anything.
In the side room, a maidservant placed a bowl of hot soup down and closed the door tightly to keep out any cold wind.
"Madam, His Highness met that official today, and after returning to his room, he smashed quite a few things..." the maid carefully recounted the information she had gathered.
The woman sewing a handkerchief on the soft couch stopped, lowered her eyelids, glanced at a corner of the bed out of the corner of her eye, and replied softly:
"Yes, I understand."
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