When Lin Jingshu rushed over, she saw this scene. Her eyes gleamed with admiration. After Xin Jiuwei finished dealing with her urgent matters, she stepped forward and whispered, "Sister, there's been some progress on the matter you asked me to investigate."
The two moved to a side hall. Lin Jingshu's expression was solemn: "The source of the rumors spreading that you embezzled and used your power to oppress others, although it changed hands several times and was deeply hidden, ultimately points to... Xue Mingyi, the Director of the Personnel Department. The nephew of one of her trusted nannies is the leader of several hooligans in the southern city, and those rumors originally came from a few teahouses and taverns in the southern city."
"It really was her!" Xin Jiuwei's eyes showed no surprise, only cold understanding. Shen Zhiwei had fallen, and Xue Mingyi, this venomous snake, couldn't wait to spring out, to "avenge" the Shen family? Or to stir up trouble in the rear for the remnants of the Second Prince's faction?
"Not only that," Lin Jingshu lowered her voice even further, "my father learned through business channels that Xue Mingyi has recently taken over the Xue family's share in the Beijing Chinese medicine market. The price gouging and the sale of inferior medicines are all her doing! She's trying to profit from the national crisis and cut off your disaster relief efforts, completely ruining your reputation!"
Xin Jiuwei's fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a soft, rhythmic sound. Was she angry? Of course. But at this moment, anger would only cloud her judgment. Xue Mingyi's actions were insidious and deadly. If she succeeded, not only would countless people in Yingzhou die from the lack of medicine and medical care, but Xin Jiuwei herself would also bear eternal infamy, and even tarnish Xiao Xun's reputation!
“Sister Jing Shu,” Xin Jiuwei raised her head, her eyes flashing with a calm that was almost ruthless, “If Xue Mingyi wants to play with fire, we’ll add fuel to the fire and let her burn herself!”
"Oh? What brilliant plan does my sister have?" Lin Jingshu perked up.
"She wants to raise prices? Fine! Let her raise them!" Xin Jiuwei's lips curled into a cold smile. "Have Uncle Lin secretly contact several pharmacies that are on good terms with the Lin family and haven't participated in the Xue family's price gouging. Have them spread the word that because of the severe disaster in Yingzhou, the Sixth Prince's Consort is extremely worried and is willing to purchase unlimited quantities of high-quality mugwort, atractylodes, and quicklime at 30% above market price! As much as you have! Cash payment!"
Lin Jingshu was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized and clapped her hands and chuckled: "Brilliant! My sister is trying to... lure the snake out of its hole and cut off its fuel supply?"
“That’s right.” Xin Jiuwei nodded. “Xue Mingyi is insatiable. Seeing such ‘exorbitant profits,’ she will definitely dump her hoarded and even substandard stock in large quantities, hoping to make a fortune. She thinks that the disaster is urgent and I have no choice but to comply. Little does she know that our real life-saving medicines are coming from Jiangzhou and Yuezhou! Once she dumps all her stock, we will announce with lightning speed the good deeds of Jiangzhou and Yuezhou, and the news that the Qi family’s caravan has brought back a large quantity of affordable and high-quality medicinal herbs! At that time, those overpriced and inferior medicinal herbs in her hands will be worthless! Huge losses are a minor matter. Let’s see how the Xue family will bear the charges of price gouging, profiting from national disaster, hoarding inferior medicines, and disregarding human life!”
"What a brilliant scheme to lure the enemy into a trap!" Lin Jingshu exclaimed, her eyes filled with admiration. "I'll make the arrangements right away! I'll make sure that Xue Mingyi suffers a double loss!"
Lin Jingshu left in a hurry. Xin Jiuwei stood alone by the window, gazing at the gloomy sky outside. The struggles in the capital required even more patience and cunning than on the battlefield. Xue Mingyi was just the first to jump out.
However, bad news always comes in waves. As evening fell, a secret letter from Yuncheng was delivered to Xin Jiuwei by a fast horse. The letter was in Qi Huaihe's own handwriting; the characters were still steady, but the words conveyed a sense of impending doom.
"My dear sister Jiuwei:"
"My father-in-law has been working tirelessly to alleviate the disaster in Yingzhou, and Xiyao and I have been doing our utmost to help. However, it's all just a drop in the ocean. The funds withheld by the Ministry of Personnel are still outstanding, and the local treasury is already empty. The influx of refugees has greatly increased the pressure on Yuncheng. To make matters worse, Xue Mingyi, the Director of the Examination and Appointment Department of the Ministry of Personnel, has arrived in Yingzhou under the pretext of inspecting the disaster situation! As soon as he arrived, he took up residence in the prefectural government office under the pretext of 'checking accounts' and 'clarifying the actual situation of the refugees,' demanding all kinds of documents and ledgers, finding fault with everything and creating obstacles at every turn. My father-in-law is already exhausted from the disaster relief efforts and now has to deal with his unwarranted accusations. He is completely worn out."
"Xue Mingyi has been secretly contacting local officials and gentry in Yingzhou, seemingly gathering 'evidence' that is detrimental to my father-in-law. Her target is likely not just my father-in-law. My sister is in the capital, so please be vigilant! This woman is ruthless and may use the disaster to stir up trouble and shake the foundations! I will do my best to handle the situation in Yingzhou, but the overall situation in the capital depends on my sister and Your Highness. Please be careful! Your brother is Huaihezi."
The letter was clutched tightly in Xin Jiuwei's hand! Xue Mingyi! She actually dared to go to Yingzhou herself! Under the guise of "inspection," she was actually harassing and framing him! Her father was already exhausted; how could he withstand such torment? She was trying to force her father to his death, completely destroy the Xin family, and sever Xiao Xun's support in Yingzhou!
A chilling rage instantly swept over her, stronger than any rumors she had ever heard! Her father, Xin Shouye, the man who, in her past life, though powerless to prevent the family's downfall, had always tried to protect her; in this life, the father who had poured his heart and soul into protecting the people of this region! How dare Xue Mingyi extend her poisonous hand to him!
"Miss!" You Ye called out worriedly, sensing the sudden chill emanating from Xin Jiuwei.
Xin Jiuwei closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, her eyes were filled with an icy resolve. Anger wouldn't solve anything; it would only embolden the enemy. Xue Mingyi's trip to Yingzhou seemed dangerous, but it also meant that she couldn't personally oversee things in the capital for the time being. This was an opportunity!
"You Ye!" Xin Jiuwei's voice was as cold as a knife. "Immediately take my warrant and go to see Princess Rongchang! Report in detail how Xue Mingyi, under the guise of an inspection tour, interfered with disaster relief and attempted to frame a court official in Yingzhou! I request that Your Highness, in the name of the imperial clan, quickly dispatch a capable and impartial person, carrying Your Highness's token, to Yingzhou overnight! The ostensible purpose is 'to assist in pacifying the disaster victims and supervising epidemic prevention,' but in reality, to support my father! Tell the princess that Xue Mingyi is backed by the remnants of the Second Prince, and her intention is to undermine the morale of the frontline troops! Your Highness is wise and understanding, and will surely know the gravity of the situation!"
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