Chapter 86 An Unbridled Madness...
The moment Zhang Xuren uttered the words, "With Lord Cui here, no matter who causes trouble in Yangdu City, it won't affect the Xu family," the air instantly felt as if it were filled with ice.
Xiao Yunzhan sat at the head of the table, tapping lightly on the edge with his hand. The movement was slow and leisurely, as if he was unaware of the tense atmosphere that filled the room.
Instead, he asked with feigned curiosity, "Oh? The Xu family is actually on good terms with Lord Cui? What makes you say that?"
Upon hearing Xiao Yunzhan's reply, Zhang Xuren's smile widened, and he rubbed his hands together, saying, "Oh dear, Your Highness, you've just arrived in Yangdu, so naturally you don't know the ins and outs of this place!"
"Our Lord Cui has repeatedly lent a helping hand to the Xu family; everyone in Yangdu knows of this favor!"
As he spoke, he glanced quickly at Cui Yanwu, his eyes seeming to be asking for instructions, but before Cui Yanwu could react, he hurriedly continued.
"Lord Cui, this prince is no outsider. I'll be frank about what happened back then!"
Our Lord Cui, in his youth, had a relationship with Madam Xu, née Wang…
He paused deliberately, narrowed his eyes, and winked at Xiao Yunzhan.
That knowing look he had in mind didn't seem like that of a prefect; he seemed more like someone who only started putting up his signboard at night.
Pei Zhiwei quickly calculated in her mind that Zhang Xuren was fifty-five years old this year, a full ten years older than Cui Yanwu.
Yesterday, Cui Yanwu said that he saved Wang when he was seventeen or eighteen years old, while Zhang Xuren was already twenty-seven or twenty-eight.
At that time, the Zhang family of Suzhou was not prominent. Zhang Xuren was either studying hard to prepare for the imperial examination or had just entered officialdom and was serving in a local post.
How could they know about Cui Yanwu's past in the capital?
Besides, Cui Yanwu relied on the reputation of the Cui family of Qinghe when he was in the capital. He had no connection with the Zhang family at all. How could he have known about these private matters?
As she was pondering this, she heard Xiao Yunzhan say with interest, "Oh? Lord Cui has such romantic affairs?"
Speaking of which, His Majesty used to tell me that when Lord Cui was young, he was like an untamed madman…
He was halfway through his sentence when he caught a glimpse of Cui Yanwu looking up at him with a half-smile, as if waiting for him to finish his sentence.
Xiao Yunzhan's throat tightened, and he quickly swallowed the word "dog" back.
He cleared his throat and changed the subject: "Ahem, His Majesty said that Lord Cui was fiery-tempered and daring when he was young."
Lord Zhang, please tell me quickly, what exactly happened?
"I can go back and learn from the Emperor, so he can have some fun too."
Pei Zhiwei secretly glanced at Cui Yanwu and saw that his face was expressionless, but his fingers were still gently stroking the scabbard of his sword.
It's as if they're also waiting to see what kind of tricks Zhang Xuren can come up with.
Seeing that Xiao Yunzhan was genuinely interested, Zhang Xuren smiled even more smugly and sat up straighter: "Oh dear, there aren't many people who know about this!"
It is said that back then, our Lord Cui saved Wang's life on the streets of the capital, and ever since then he has fallen in love with her at first sight!
But at that time, Lord Cui was already engaged. Because of this, Lord Cui even went to the border to join the army, hoping that the other party would take the initiative to break off the engagement.
It's a pity that in the end, he and the Wangs were not meant to be.
Lady Wang later married Xu Fengyan, and Lord Cui also settled down on the frontier, so that was the end of the story.
He spoke as if it were the truth, failing to notice that Cui Yanwu had long since withdrawn his murderous aura. Instead, he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly asked, "And then?"
These three words were asked lightly, yet they stunned Zhang Xuren.
He stared blankly for a long time, not understanding what was happening. After a while, he asked with a bewildered expression, "And then?"
Then, didn't Lord Cui later save Xu Li and Lady Wang?
Everyone in Yangdu knows about this; Lord Cui's treatment of the Xu family is truly..."
“Lord Zhang,” Cui Yanwu suddenly interrupted him, leaning towards Zhang Xuren, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.
"If you had spent more of that energy figuring out the 'insider information' on your son Zhang Xiao, you wouldn't have been beaten black and blue by that good-for-nothing Xie Ji a few days ago, and wouldn't have dared to leave the house."
Zhang Xuren's smile froze instantly, his lips twitching as if he wanted to explain but didn't know what to say.
Cui Yanwu didn't give him a chance to speak, and continued, "However, considering that we are both officials in Huainan, I have an idea."
Why don't you just send Zhang Xiao to my army? I'll give him a good training session.
Within six months, I guarantee he won't dare to bar his teeth in public anymore.
Since Cui Yanwu had spoken so bluntly, Zhang Xuren dared not respond and quickly stood up and bowed.
"Oh dear, Lord Cui is joking!"
It seems that Mr. Zhang was just being nosy; please don't take it to heart!
Your Highness, it's getting late, and I need to go back to take my medicine. I'll take my leave now!
As he spoke, without waiting for Xiao Yunzhan's reply, he practically fled the scene.
Only after his figure disappeared from sight did Pei Zhiwei look at Cui Yanwu.
"Uncle Cui, do many people really know about what happened between you and the Wang family back then?"
Cui Yanwu smirked coldly, "Apart from the few people who were present back then, no one should know."
"Then do you think this was deliberately spread by the Wang family?" Pei Zhiwei pressed.
Although this matter will inevitably have some impact on Wang's reputation once it gets out.
But if outsiders knew that Cui Yanwu had "old feelings" for her, plus the fact that he had "saved her life" twice, it would be a different story.
Then it would be really difficult for Cui Yanwu to completely sever ties with the Xu family.
Cui Yanwu, however, was certain: "It wasn't her."
Xiao Yunzhan raised an eyebrow. "Does Lord Cui trust the Wang family so much?"
Cui Yanwu glanced at Xiao Yunzhan, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "It's not the kind of trust you're thinking of. It's more like..."
He paused, as if considering his words, but finally waved his hand dismissively.
"Forget it, saying too much will only hinder your investigation."
"Once you've thoroughly investigated the Xu family's case, you'll naturally understand what happened."
Pei Zhiwei pursed her lips. It's always like this.
When it comes to the Wang family, Cui Yanwu always knows there are other hidden stories behind them, but he is unwilling to talk about them now.
But Cui Yanwu's face was now full of disdain. "Speaking of which, was that performance you and Zhang Xuren were putting on just now a contest of who sang better, or a contest of who was dumber?"
Xiao Yunzhan was speechless for a long time after being taken aback by his inexplicable remark.
Looking at his embarrassed appearance, Cui Yanwu found it a bit strange. "Your purpose in coming to Yangdu is to discuss the canal transport, isn't it?"
Although they're currently bogged down in the Xu family's case, why are they still putting on a show with Zhang Xuren here?
Upon hearing this, everyone in the main hall was stunned.
Pei Zhiwei opened her eyes wide and looked at Xiao Yunzhan.
Xie Ji also looked up from the corner of the table, his face blank.
Pei Lin and Yan Jinghong exchanged a glance, both looking surprised.
Seeing their expressions, Cui Yanwu was even more puzzled: "What? Did I say something wrong?"
His Majesty sent me a message long ago, instructing me to assist you in investigating the canal transport matter, you…”
Xiao Yunzhan and Cui Yanwu exchanged a glance, and almost simultaneously realized what was happening, then rolled their eyes in unison.
The two spoke almost simultaneously.
"He didn't say he would deliver the letter to me."
He didn't say he wanted to tell you.
"When I received the superstition, you hadn't even arrived in Suzhou yet."
I initially thought you would come to Yangzhou first, but then I heard that you were abducted by the prince consort and taken to Suzhou halfway there.
I thought you were going to start the investigation right here in Suzhou.
But later we received news that you investigated missing persons cases and murder cases, but you didn't seriously investigate the canal transport.
I figured you would put the canal transport matter in Yangzhou.
So when I heard you had come to Yangzhou, I rushed back.
Cui Yanwu sighed, feeling quite helpless.
"But there's no rush right now. We can discuss the canal transport issue properly once the Xu family's case is completely resolved."
Before Xiao Yunzhan could reply, he saw the steward Lin Fu lead the head constable Wei Wu in a hurry.
Wei Wu's face was full of anxiety. As soon as he entered the room, he clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Xiao Yunzhan, "Your Highness! Something terrible has happened! Xu Li has been poisoned in prison!"
"What?" Xiao Yunzhan suddenly stood up.
"When did this happen? Weren't there people watching over us in prison? How could someone have poisoned us?"
Pei Zhiwei rubbed her thumb against her index finger, quickly assessing Xu Li's condition.
Although Xu Li killed Xu Ren in public and claimed it was to avenge his father, he did indeed save his stepmother, who was being held at knifepoint by Xu Ren.
According to the laws of the Great Liang Dynasty, Xu Ren, the second son of Xu Fengyan, did not need to have his crimes listed in detail. Just the crime of patricide alone was an unpardonable capital offense.
As Xu Fengyan's eldest son, Xu Li saved his stepmother and avenged his father.
This is at most a four-year sentence. They can pay more money and if there are a few general amnesties, they will be released in a few years.
When they interrogated Xu Li last time, he didn't seem to be hiding anything.
So the most likely explanation is that someone doesn't want him to inherit the Xu family business.
Zhang Xuren just mentioned this matter. Is it a coincidence or did he receive some information and come here specifically to remind him?
Is it a member of the Wang family? Or perhaps a member of the Xu family?
Or is it... that someone wants to muddy the waters in the Xu family's case?
Wei Wu: "Lord Liu had already given orders to keep a close eye on Xu Li."
Xu Li was perfectly fine when his brothers went to deliver lunch to him.
Half an hour ago, the jailer found Xu Li lying on the ground and wouldn't move no matter how he called him, so he quickly called the physician.
The doctor said he had been poisoned and was still unconscious; it was uncertain whether he would wake up!
We checked with the guards who delivered the food, but found nothing wrong. The food wasn't poisoned either. We have no idea how the poison got into the cell!
Xiao Yunzhan ordered in a deep voice: "Find everyone who has been in contact with or gotten close to Xu Li since we interrogated him yesterday."
Then send people to take control of the entire Xu residence, allowing entry but not exit.
If the Wang family objects again, tell them that this is the king's will.
After he finished speaking, he turned to look at Pei Zhiwei, indicating whether she had anything to add. But before Pei Zhiwei could speak, another yamen runner was brought in by a servant.
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened! The Xu family members, unaware that Xu Li has been poisoned, have gone to the yamen to cause trouble."
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