Chapter 276: Two Hundred Thousand Taels
The bean-sized raindrops, packed with tremendous force, fell madly on the glazed tile roof, instantly stirring up a misty water vapor and deafening noise.
Nanny Qin, Qingmei Qingzhu and the others, who were a few steps behind them, were caught off guard by the heavy rain and were drenched to the bone. They rushed into the hall in a panic.
Peony, Jasmine and others who stayed behind in the Tourmaline Palace had already heard the sound and came out to greet them, offering dry and warm towels.
Wen Li'er was protected by Yan Shixu, only the edge of her skirt was a little wet.
She didn't care about herself, her eyes searched the hall anxiously, and the first thing she said was: "Where are Xiaoxiao, Tiantian, and Miaomiao? Are they asleep?"
Jasmine hurriedly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, the three young masters went to bed shortly after dinner. I went to check on them when the thunder roared just now."
She looked worriedly at the sky outside the hall where lightning and thunder were flashing.
"The young masters are sleeping soundly. However... the noise is really too loud right now. I'll go check it out again. I'm afraid..."
"No need, I'll go there myself!"
Wen Li'er interrupted her, a mother's worry evident between her brows.
Yan Shixu said nothing, but naturally took her hand and followed her.
The two of them tiptoed to the warm room in the side hall.
Pushing open the carved wooden door, the room was lit by only a sheep-horn lantern with soft light.
On the large rosewood bed, three little people were snuggling together and sleeping soundly.
The one on the outermost side is Owl, whose little face is rosy from sleep, and one of his little hands is still on the quilt;
In the middle is Miaomiao, a delicate girl with long eyelashes drooping quietly like butterfly wings;
The one leaning against the wall at the innermost part is Tiantian.
His small body was wrapped in a brocade quilt, with only half of his face exposed, and his breathing was even.
Looking at the children's peaceful sleeping faces, Wen Li'er's tense heartstrings instantly relaxed, and a gentle smile spread across her face.
She tilted her head, lowered her voice, and spoke to Yan Shi, "Your Majesty has taken such good care of the children during the three days I was away from the palace."
Yan Shixu raised the corners of his lips slightly and accepted the praise with peace of mind.
During these three days, he brought the three little ones to the Qinzheng Hall during the day and placed them under his watch. In between reviewing memorials, he would look up to see them playing.
At night, he even came to the Bixi Palace in person to watch over them until they fell asleep.
Before leaving the palace to pick her up today, I specially sent the three children to the Cining Palace, just to make sure everything was safe.
I think the Empress Dowager ordered people to bring the children back after they fell asleep.
Sure enough, next to the bed, sat a middle-aged nanny with a calm face and decent clothes.
Seeing the emperor's concubine come in, she immediately stood up and bowed with neat movements.
"This old servant, Lu, pays homage to His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine."
Yan Shixu nodded slightly: "Thank you, Madam Lu, for taking care of my prince and princess. Please see the reward."
Nanny Qin, who was standing by, immediately went into the inner hall, took out a heavy brocade purse, and handed it to Nanny Lu with a smile on her face.
"Thank you for your hard work, Madam Lu."
Nanny Lu took it with both hands and bowed deeply again, her attitude respectful but neither humble nor arrogant.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, for your generous rewards. I will take my leave."
After saying that, she retreated quietly.
Only after Nanny Lu left did Wen Li'er truly breathe a sigh of relief.
She leaned over and gently stroked Xiaoxiao's warm cheek, then touched Miaomiao's tender forehead lovingly.
Finally, he gently poked Tiantian's little face that was exposed outside the quilt with his fingers.
The fingertips feel warm and delicate.
Wen Li'er was about to withdraw her hand, but she saw Tiantian's long eyelashes tremble slightly, and then he slowly opened his eyes!
A pair of eyes as pure and bright as black glass, under the dim light of the palace lantern, quietly looked at Wen Li'er who was nearby.
Wen Li'er was caught off guard and was stunned for a moment. Then she smiled very gently and softly.
"Tiantian? Did mother wake you up?"
Tiantian's gaze lingered for a moment on her face, which was filled with concern and love.
Then, the obsidian eyes turned very slightly and glanced at Yan Shixu who was standing behind Wen Li'er and also looking at him.
Then--
Under Wen Li'er's expectant gaze, Tiantian closed his eyes again with an expressionless face.
His breathing soon became even and long again, as if the brief moment of clarity just now was just a tiny ripple caused by his mother's fingertips.
Wen Lier: “…………”
She maintained her leaning posture, the smile on her face froze, and she looked at her little son who had fallen asleep again in an instant, feeling both amused and helpless.
Wen Li'er pouted and complained about her son in front of him.
"Your Majesty, look at this little brat! He doesn't miss me at all!"
Yan Shixu put his arms around her slender waist from behind, resting his chin on the top of her head and laughing.
He suddenly lowered his voice and suggested, "My dear, why don't you... give birth to another clingy person?"
Wen Li'er's eyes widened: "...still...still giving birth?"
Yan Shixu narrowed his eyes and pinched her jaw: "Why, you don't want to give birth to a child for me?"
Wen Li'er pointed at the three little radish heads on the bed and counted them for him.
Then he asked cautiously, "How many does the emperor want?"
Yan Shixu thought about it carefully.
"How about ten? That's just enough for a Cuju team."
Wen Lier: "..."
Yan Shixu smiled maliciously: "Don't worry about the pears, they will grow again in two years."
Wen Lier: Who's anxious? Which eye of yours saw me anxious?
The lights popped, illuminating the two faces pressed against each other.
There was heavy rain outside the window, but it couldn't extinguish the warmth inside the room.
…
The next day.
Zhang Sicheng, who had not slept all night, waited until the court session was over and immediately came over to report to Yan Shi about what he had investigated last night.
"Your Majesty, at three quarters past midnight last night, I intercepted General Zhou Tong of the Jinwu Guard and his family at the Li River ferry crossing as they attempted to flee the capital."
He paused, then continued, "Seeing the soldiers closing in on him, Zhou Tong resolutely jumped into the icy, turbulent Li River in full view of the crowd! Although our officials tried their best to salvage him, the darkness was deep and the current was swift... By the time we found him, he had already drowned, and there was no way to save him."
After hearing this, Yan Shixu frowned slightly and asked, "Where are his family members?"
"They have been detained separately overnight and are being strictly interrogated."
Zhang Sicheng replied, "According to the testimony of his wife and children, they were completely unaware of this incident."
"It is said that just after noon yesterday, Zhou Tong rushed back to the mansion in a panic and ordered everyone in the mansion to pack their belongings immediately, saying that the whole family must move south to avoid disaster without delay."
"His family was shocked and asked the reason, but Zhou Tong remained silent. He only repeatedly and sternly warned: If you don't leave, your family's lives will be in danger!"
"Although his family was filled with suspicion, they could only follow his instructions and hastily prepare. This led to his escape in the middle of the night. Judging from his family's expressions and words, they did not seem to be lying. They were indeed completely unaware of what Zhou Tong had done or why he was so frightened."
"Know nothing?" Yan Shixu tapped lightly on the rosewood imperial desk with his fingertips, making a dull sound.
He asked again: "Did you gain anything?"
"Yes!" Zhang Sicheng was cheered up. This was the key.
"We carefully searched all the bags Zhou Tong and his family carried. Finally, deep inside a secret compartment Zhou Tong was carrying..."
At this point, he emphasized: "We seized a full two hundred thousand taels of silver notes!"
"Two hundred thousand taels?" Yan Shixu's expression suddenly turned cold.
Two hundred thousand taels, this is definitely not what a left general of the Jinwu Guard can achieve, it is almost equivalent to the proof of being a giant termite and rat!
Zhang Sicheng felt the emperor's anger, lowered his head even more, and spoke faster.
"Your Majesty, calm down. I also know the gravity of the situation and dare not slack off in the slightest."
"The notes are all from the Wantong Bank in Beijing, and the face value is clear."
"I personally went to Wantong Bank in the early morning with the banknote, retrieved the original file, and verified the payment date, banknote number, and the seal and receipt left by the withdrawer..."
Zhang Sicheng paused for a moment, glanced up at the emperor's expression, and then said in a deep voice, "The records show that it was Su Shaoyin, Su Muyang, who personally cashed out this huge sum of 200,000 taels from Wantong Bank three days ago!"
Yan Shixu suddenly raised his head: "...???"
Seeing the emperor's expression, Zhang Sicheng waved his hands hurriedly. "Of course, I cannot doubt Su Shaoyin, but the original documents, receipts, and banknote numbers all match, and it is indeed him who went to Wantong Bank to withdraw the money... This matter is extremely strange. There must be something hidden, either a frame-up or some other twist. This matter is of great importance. I implore Your Majesty to order Su Shaoyin to come to the capital immediately so that I can question him in person and reveal the truth."
Yan Shixu waved his hand: "Just bring him in to me."
"Your humble servant obeys your order."
Zhang Sicheng bowed and retreated.
…
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