Chapter 77 Chapter 77 Jinjiang First Release
Chapter 77
The next day, go to the meeting hall.
Cui Jue dismissed several important officials of the Yao Party from their posts in response to the case of corruption in the salt administration and taxation. He also promoted a group of young men from poor families who had passed the imperial examinations to take up official positions, and placed his own people in the Progress and Taxation Department, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Salt and Iron Department, which was responsible for grain transport.
With this, Cui Jue firmly controlled the three central financial departments.
This move not only prevented the bulk of the national treasury from being controlled by the aristocratic families, but also allowed Cui Jue to truly control the majority of Wu's financial power.
Early in the morning, those who should be dismissed were dismissed, and those who should be beheaded were beheaded. Cui Jue sat high on the Dragon Throne with an indifferent expression, not even blinking.
The court officials felt a sympathetic reaction; everyone hated Cui Jue's ruthlessness, yet no one dared to oppose him. It made sense, considering Cui Jue didn't even have a single concubine in his harem. Didn't that make him heartless? Such a heartless and unfeeling person naturally harbored no compassion for anyone.
For a time, the court was in a state of panic, and all officials were on high alert, fearing that the next fate of destruction would befall their own family.
When it was time to adjourn the court, the officials turned around and returned to their homes, refusing to stay even a step, for fear of offending Cui Jue.
Unfortunately, Xu Canjun from the Household Department was a step late and was caught by Cui Jue who was walking slowly.
"General Xu, wait a minute." The man's cold voice sounded behind him, which was undoubtedly like thunder out of the blue, shocking people.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I am here." General Xu turned around and saluted tremblingly. He quickly reviewed the crimes he had committed in recent years in his mind and also thought about how to kneel down later to win Cui Jue's sympathy.
However, the tall and graceful man simply glanced at him and asked calmly, "General Xu, I heard that your youngest grandson is already four years old..."
When General Xu heard Cui Jue mention his young grandson, he couldn't help but feel sad. How could the king be so cruel that he would use his youngest grandson to force him to confess his guilt?
Before General Xu could kneel down and beg for mercy, Cui Jue said quietly, "I want to ask you something."
Xu Canjun was sweating profusely and kept saying, "Your Majesty, please feel free to speak..."
"What do children of this age like to eat and play?"
"Ah?" General Xu was stunned and startled. After a long while, he said, "Children of this age love to play and make noises. They can play with rattles, peach wood swords, and tumblers all day long. Children love sweets and will try any candied fruit..."
Cui Jue listened patiently, deep in thought.
While General Xu was talking, he secretly looked at Cui Jue's expression. He found that Cui Jue seemed to be really asking for advice, rather than looking for a way to deal with him.
That's strange. I haven't heard of Cui Jue remarrying and having children. Then why would he be asking so many questions about parenting? He couldn't have just had another child for no reason, right?
Not only did Officer Xu feel it was strange, even Chen Heng, who had just finished his duty at the military station, sensed that something was wrong with Cui Jue.
Chen Heng thought about how he couldn't find Wei Zhiyan at the drinking parties these days. After asking around, he found out that he had actually gone to Jianye County. Then he saw that Cui Jue had condescended to go to the market to buy some gold, silver, and seven treasures for children, loose candies, as well as exquisitely dressed clay dolls and Mohelos... No matter how stupid he was, he came to his senses.
Chen Heng was shocked: "Could it be that Madam Su is not dead?!"
Cui Jue's face, which had been gloomy for a long time, suddenly cleared up and he raised the corner of his mouth slightly: "Well, she was very clever and escaped death."
Chen Heng stared at those little gadgets in confusion, and had a bold guess in his mind. Could it be that Su Li was on the run when she was pregnant and happened to give birth to a child?
If Su Li was really hiding outside to avoid disaster, how could there be no news from her for three whole years?
Chen Heng didn't dare ask, for fear of spoiling Cui Jue's fun.
After a long while, he finally asked, "Then why didn't Your Majesty welcome her back to the palace?"
Cui Jue's originally gentle features suddenly turned cold. He remembered the day they met. Su Li hid her identity and whereabouts. When she saw him, there was no joy on her face. Instead, she trembled with fear of him.
Cui Jue didn't want to think too deeply about it. He guessed that Su Li was probably afraid that he would misunderstand that she had been on the run for three years, and she was afraid that he would blame her, so she was so confused and uncertain.
As long as two days pass, he and her will resolve the misunderstanding.
Cui Jue would tell her that he would let bygones be bygones and didn't mind that Su Li had been on the run for three years. All she had to do was stay with Cui Jue and live a good life with him in the future.
Cui Jue: "We have just met again, and I don't want to scare her. Once we get to know each other better, she will return to the palace with me."
Chen Heng laughed. "That's true. What woman could resist the throne... Then I would like to congratulate Your Majesty on getting what he wanted and marrying the beautiful woman."
Cui Jue didn't say anything.
The man's eyes were gentle as he stroked the painted mouth and nose on the clay baby's face, as if he was looking forward to the comfortable days ahead for his family of three.
In the evening, Cui Jue arranged a carriage to Meihua Village.
Just as he had tied up his black hair and changed into a plain yellow-green spring shirt with locust flowers, the secret guard who had been investigating came back to report.
"Your Majesty, I have already found out Brother Yuan'er's background."
Cui Jue raised his eyelids slightly and said in a casual voice, "Speak."
"Brother Yuan is the posthumous child of the widow Hu. When Madam Su came to Plum Blossom Village, Brother Yuan was already one year old..."
Cui Jue paused his fingertips tapping on the incense table, his eyelashes twitching slightly, concealing a barely perceptible sense of loss.
In other words, Yuan Ge'er and Su Li have no blood relationship at all. He is really just Su Li's adopted son...
It would be a lie for Cui Jue to say that he had no regrets.
But he comforted himself that it didn't matter if he didn't have children for the time being. He would be with Su Li day and night in the future, and he would have children sooner or later.
After Cui Jue straightened his clothes, he glanced over and saw that the secret guard was still kneeling there and had not left. He frowned and asked, "Anything else?"
The secret guard looked up at Cui Jue, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.
The tenderness on Cui Jue's face disappeared without a trace. His eyes suddenly became horrified and he shouted coldly, "Speak!"
The secret guard was so frightened that he dared not breathe. He hurriedly said respectfully, "I learned today that Madam Su went to the carriage and horse shop early this morning to rent a carriage and bought enough biscuits and food to last for more than ten days. It seems that she is going on a long journey to visit relatives..."
Cui Jue almost sneered when he heard this.
Su Li was not going on a long journey to visit relatives, she was clearly going to run away!
This woman has always been smart. She must have known that Cui Jue had noticed the clues and discovered her identity.
Su Li knew very well that she was exposed, and she should have come to ask Cui Jue for forgiveness... But she never thought about recognizing Cui Jue and spending the rest of her life together. Instead, she wanted to leave Liuzhou before he surrounded her!
If it weren't for this lucky chance that Taxue discovered Su Li's whereabouts, Cui Jue would have really missed her and would have been separated from her forever!
Cui Jue had obviously treated her gently, but Su Li didn't appreciate it at all!
In other words, that is to say...
It was his wishful thinking and his one-sidedness. Su Li would not stay for him.
Cui Jue's breath was heavy, his blood was boiling, and his phoenix eyes were dark and cold.
At this moment, Cui Jue suddenly realized something.
Three years ago, Su Li was attacked by rebels in Pingyao City. She rode away on horseback before her death, most likely without any fear.
She didn't like Cui Jue, so why would she call out his name in a critical moment?
Su Li was even happy to have escaped from the cage. She was glad to be able to leave him.
Su Li...would rather die than stay with him!
Cui Jue felt a surge of blood in his throat. He suppressed the pain that tore his heart and lungs apart and laughed at himself.
The man's eyes were filled with gloom, like thunder and impending storm, full of indifference and coldness.
He finally understood... the so-called marriage, the so-called Su Li taking over the imperial jade pendant, were all her hypocrisy and deliberate deception!
Even though she knew that Cui Jue had overcome all difficulties and posthumously named her queen, even though she knew that Cui Jue missed his deceased wife and remained faithful to her for many years, even though she knew that Cui Jue was heartbroken and unable to sleep at night, Su Li remained indifferent.
For three years, Su Li watched him coldly, looking at him as if he were a joke. She changed her appearance, lived in seclusion in the city, and lived a carefree life.
Su Li knew that the Su family's grandmother and the maid were safe. She would rather never see her family in her life than not escape from Cui Jue. She had never thought of returning to Jianye to find him.
Cui Jue could no longer deceive himself.
Su Li made love with him every night and slept with him, but it was all just a show!
Su Li had a cold and hard heart. Even though she accepted the jade pendant passed down from the head wife of the Cui family, she still didn't treat him with any affection as a couple!
Su Li doesn't love him.
Not even a cent.
She even hated him so much that she wished she would never meet him again in her lifetime.
Cui Jue's forehead was swollen and painful, and his eyes were like cold stars. He suppressed the frustration in his heart and sneered: Su Li, you are really... cruel.
-
Today, Mrs. Hu cooked at home and entertained relatives and friends in the village.
Su Li had to pack her bags during the day. After helping to prepare the ingredients, she went into the city to rent a carriage and food for the long journey.
Su Li used all the money she had saved to hire a carriage, and finally found a simple carriage. Although she regretted the high cost of her escape, she didn't mind it too much, thinking that she could earn more money in the future.
This reunion with Cui Jue in Liuzhou was just a coincidence. As long as Su Li escaped from Liuzhou, the world was so big and the human sea was so vast that Cui Jue might not be able to bring her back to the capital immediately.
Su Li felt a little relieved, and when she returned home, she even bought a bamboo basket of lake fish to make soup for Mrs. Hu.
Hearing the noise, before Su Li could tie up the horse, Mrs. Hu came running over with a wooden spoon for making soup, smiling happily, "Sanniang, Sanniang! There are guests at home!"
Su Li looked at her suspiciously: "What guest?"
Mrs. Hu winked at her and said, "That's the tenant of the east room, do you remember? He moved in today! Oh, I have to say, this young man is really handsome. Even those young masters from wealthy families who ride horses in Liuzhou City are not as good-looking as him! I made a special inquiry and heard that his ancestors worked in the north and his family is wealthy. He is still unmarried. Recently, he came to Liuzhou to work in the government office. I think he is an official's staff... Such a good man, you must seize it, otherwise he will be abducted by a young lady from the village tomorrow."
Su Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "I'm leaving tomorrow, and you're still trying to get me to stay? My sister-in-law is really scheming to keep me here!"
"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. I'll take you to meet people!" Mrs. Hu's thoughts were revealed by her, but she was not annoyed. She just laughed twice, took Su Li's arm, and walked towards the kitchen.
Before Su Li put down the basket of live fish, a clear and lonely figure appeared in front of her.
The familiar orchid fragrance was approaching. It was clearly the elegant scent of plants, but it made people feel uneasy and frightened.
The moment Su Li raised her eyes, the bamboo basket in her hand fell.
With a clang.
The bamboo basket fell to the ground, and the fish in the lake jumped all over the ground.
Su Li stared at the thin and graceful man in front of her warily, without saying a word for a long time.
Until the man took a step closer, his tall and straight figure came over like a mountain, covering her and her shadow.
Su Li's nose was filled with the strong scent of orchids. She finally woke up as if from a dream. Her lips were pale and she murmured helplessly: "Your Majesty, Young Master..."
Cui Jue's eyes were full of majesty and his eyebrows were slightly raised.
Perhaps it was Su Li's fearful expression that made him feel a little happy.
The man twitched the corner of his lips and replied coldly: "Su Li...long time no see."
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