Seeing that those people in black robes were still kneeling facing her, Yu Jiao held the jade whistle and said to them, "You can stand up."
After Yu Jiao spoke, these people stood up.
Seeing that they were still standing in the house, Yu Jiao tried again, "You guys go away."
Soon all these men in black disappeared into the house, just like the secret guard who was summoned by Gu Yun by clapping his hands in Qingzhou.
After these people left, Liu Ziqi said gently, "Now can you tell me, big brother, when did you meet Cheng Ying, and why did you offend him?"
Yu Jiao did not hesitate any longer and told Liu Ziqi about what she had accidentally heard that day in the back hill of Lianxi Temple, Cheng Ying and a woman were talking about entering the palace.
After hearing this, Liu Ziqi said to Yu Jiao, "Xue Rong is the maiden name of Concubine Xue in the palace. Although she is only a concubine, she is very favored. It is not an exaggeration to say that she is the most favored in the six palaces. The queen's phoenix seal is in Concubine Xue's hands."
Liu Ziqi used to think that there was no need to tell a little girl like Yu Jiao about these court affairs. He just needed to protect her well and provide her with a peaceful and quiet place in the inner house of the Liu family. But what happened with Cheng Ying today made Liu Ziqi realize that as long as Yu Jiao lived in the capital, she would inevitably come into contact with these people.
Yu Jiao was a little puzzled, "Since His Majesty loves Concubine Xue so much, why doesn't he make her the empress?"
Liu Ziqi said in detail, "Empress Feng was born in the mansion of the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery. The Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery guarded Liangzhou and held considerable military power. This is the first reason. Concubine Xue only gave birth to a princess a few years ago, and she has no prince. This is the second reason. When the emperor ascended the throne, in order to consolidate his regime, he made the second prince born to Empress Feng the crown prince."
"In other words, the reason why Empress Feng is the Empress is because of the military power held by the Loyal and Brave Marquis?" Yu Jiao asked, "Then is Concubine Xue's reliance only on the favor of the current emperor?"
Liu Ziqi showed admiration. Yu Jiao was really smart. Although she had never lived in the capital before, she grasped the key point with just one sentence.
"If she only relied on the favor of the emperor, how could she dare to take the Phoenix Seal from the Empress, making the Empress' position meaningless and being ridiculed by others." Liu Ziqi said, "The cabinet chief Shen Tian has a history with the Xue family. The Shen party is very powerful in the court. Although Jingyuan Earl has no military power, with Shen Tian's support, Xue Rong is more popular than Empress Feng."
Yu Jiao thought of what Cheng Ying said in the back mountain, and said, "So, Cheng Dugong is at odds with the Shen Party? Since he wants to send a woman to the palace to take away Concubine Xue's favor, could he be secretly with Empress Feng?"
Liu Ziqi smiled. Although Yu Jiao was smart, she was a woman in the inner house after all. Her horizons were limited by her experience. He said, "How could someone like Cheng Ying easily obey orders? He controls the East Factory and holds the seal of the Imperial Household Department. He is very powerful. The emperor is obsessed with Taoism, fasting and praying, cultivating immortals and taking elixirs. All the red writing and red robes are handed over to Cheng Ying. All the memorials from court officials must be reviewed by Cheng Ying before they can be sent to the emperor. He is a backer that Concubine Xue and Empress Feng are vying to win over, and Shen Tian is also secretly trying to please him."
"Then why did Cheng Ying arrange for someone to enter the palace?"
Yu Jiao was not the only one who was puzzled. Liu Ziqi also could not figure out Cheng Ying's purpose for the time being. He said to Yu Jiao, "This Cheng Dugong has always been a person who likes to watch dramas. Many things in the court are his handiwork. Maybe his life is too boring, so he wants to make some fun."
Liu Ziqi had been observing for many years, and although he was able to collect very little information about Cheng Ying, he still figured out some of Cheng Ying's character over the years. This man was ruthless, cold-blooded, and regarded human life as worthless. Even if it had nothing to do with his own interests, he would get involved as long as he could have fun in it. Many times, he had no purpose, as if he was just there to watch a good show.
There really are such people in this world. How bored are they to like such dangerous excitement? From all the rumors she heard and Cheng Ying's behavior, it was hard for Yu Jiao not to label him as a mentally pervert.
"Keep this jade whistle with you, just in case Cheng Ying gets interested and troubles you someday." Liu Ziqi told Yu Jiao, "Cheng Ying has a strange personality, and no one knows what he is thinking. Although he didn't intend to kill you this time, you should still avoid him if you can in the future."
In fact, Yu Jiao had done very well when facing Cheng Ying in the flower hall today. She was fearless and calm. Any other girl, no, even a man, would be trembling when facing Cheng Ying and would not be able to do what Yu Jiao did.
Yu Jiao nodded and said yes. She was still thinking about Yu Qizhe and wanted to go find Yu Fuling. When she asked her to go and see if Yu Qizhe had returned, she said she wanted to go back to the yard.
When Liu Ziqi saw that Yu Jiao was frightened and tired in the flower hall, and he had to go to the flower hall to help Liu Yu entertain male guests, he asked Yu Jiao to go back.
When Yu Jiao returned to the yard, she asked Bai Lu to go find Yu Fuling.
Yu Fuling was still watching a play in the back garden. She didn't know what had happened, but she knew that a very important person had come to the Liu Mansion. It seemed to be the very grand Governor Cheng whom they met in the teahouse last time. The stage even stopped for a while because of Governor Cheng.
How could the ladies who were listening to the opera dare to mention Cheng Yinggong? When they heard that Cheng Yingong was coming, they all kept silent.
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