After dealing with Wuya's matter, Su Peisheng sat in his room, clutching the note Cuiyun had given him, waiting for the Fourth Prince to return. If this note were shown to the Fourth Prince, wouldn't Wuya be doomed? This woman had done so many terrible things. Cuiyun was probably trying to gain favor and escape punishment. Besides listing the details of what Wuya had done to Lanqin with the Fujin since entering the mansion, the note also pleaded for her own life. She essentially said she could testify, and that if Wuya was released, even if she was kicked out, it would be acceptable.
"Father-in-law!" A young servant called out from outside the door.
"Who is it?" Su Peisheng asked.
“Father-in-law, it’s me, Xiao Qinzi. Aunt Cui from the South Courtyard has come and says she wants to see you!” Xiao Qinzi said. Ever since Zhao Quan was sent away, Su Peisheng had chosen this servant to serve him.
"Oh. Okay, let Aunt Cui in," Su Peisheng said, then stood up, walked to the door, and opened it.
Cui Niang entered the mansion early in the morning, took a look around the south courtyard, and then went to Song Shi's place to see the two young princesses. Naturally, she heard about the punishment of Wu Ya Shi.
"Eunuch Su!" Cui Niang bowed and said.
"Cui Niang, it's been a long time since you've come to the manor!" Su Peisheng said hurriedly. "You're too kind. I can't accept your courtesy."
"Look what you're saying, sir. I only learned today that our master has already dealt with the matter. Our master has been cleared of suspicion." Cui Niang was truly happy to hear this news.
"Yes, Consort Niu has truly been wronged. Does Your Majesty regret this?" Su Peisheng said with a smile.
“Father-in-law, actually, I came today because I have some news to tell the master. Since the master is not here, it is alright to speak with you,” said Cui Niang.
"Oh, is there anything I can help you with?" Su Peisheng asked, his expression immediately changing as he saw the seriousness in Cui Niang's voice.
"Father-in-law, why don't we go inside and sit down to talk?" said Cui Niang. She had originally planned to wait for the Fourth Prince to return so she could report to him personally, but considering the mess at home, she decided to tell Su Peisheng instead. Since Lanqin was in the palace, it was impossible for her to go in and see her.
"Oh, right, I was so confused. Aunt Cui, please don't mind the mess in our house. Little Qin, bring me a pot of good tea!" Su Peisheng quickly ushered Aunt Cui into the house.
After the two were seated, Su Peisheng personally poured a cup of tea for Cui Niang.
“My lord, actually, I’ve come today to report something to His Majesty. Originally, this matter was entrusted to me by the concubine, but she’s in the palace now. Anyway, the reason I investigated this matter in the first place was to clear my name. So I thought it would be more direct to tell His Majesty.” Cui Niang took the teacup from Su Peisheng and said.
"What exactly is it?" Su Peisheng asked immediately, his expression serious.
"Father-in-law, our master was framed and was furious. He specifically instructed me to investigate Zhao Mingcai's family. He said that someone so reckless must either be under duress or have a family member being coerced. So I sent my two brothers to Zhao Mingcai's hometown. And sure enough, our master was right. About six months ago, Zhao Mingcai's younger brother suddenly received a large sum of money from a stranger. Afterwards, that person didn't ask him to repay it, but only wrote an IOU. My brothers managed to get one, Father-in-law, please take a look!" Cui Niang pulled a piece of paper from her sleeve; it was indeed the money note Cui Da had given her.
Su Peisheng took the silver note, looked at it in his palm, and said, "This silver note is not from our capital; it comes from Sichuan and Shaanxi."
Cui Niang nodded and said, "Father-in-law, you have sharp eyes. You can see the problem right away. This banknote reveals who gave the banknote to Zhao Mingcai's brother. In our household, there are only a few masters. Whose family is from Sichuan and Shaanxi?"
Upon hearing this, Su Peisheng felt a chill run down his spine, and a thought immediately crossed his mind: "Isn't that the Nian and Liu families? Zhao Mingcai's brother suddenly receiving a large sum of money must be because he instructed Zhao Mingcai to put the appetite-stimulating powder in Wuya's tonic water. Liu has only been here a short time, so only…"
Seeing the solemn expression on Eunuch Su's face, Cui Niang said, "Eunuch, this matter is of utmost importance. Just hand this silver note directly to the master and repeat what I just said."
"Alright, don't worry. As soon as Master returns, I will hand over this matter and this silver note to him," Su Peisheng said hurriedly.
"Then I'm relieved, Father-in-law. To be honest, I still have some things to take care of in this room, so I won't keep you any longer. I'll come back to thank you after the concubine returns to the manor."
“What are you saying? The matter of the concubine is my matter. I don’t deserve a word of thanks.” Su Peisheng said immediately.
After seeing Cui Niang off, Su Peisheng felt increasingly heavy-hearted. He believed that the information he currently possessed was enough to bring down the two masters in the inner quarters. One had stirred up trouble by spreading rumors and slander against the twins, even attracting poisonous snakes; the other had bribed servants in the kitchen to tamper with the master's offspring—each act was ruthless and chilling.
Su Peisheng was already in his thirties and had seen plenty of the petty squabbles and jealousies among the women in the inner quarters, but these two women were truly cunning. For Consort Niu to remain unscathed and hold her place in the Fourth Prince's heart despite their machinations was truly a stroke of good fortune.
Thinking about this, Su Peisheng felt even more strongly that he had made the right choice in choosing the right person and that relying on Nan Xiaoyuan was the right thing to do.
Just as the Fourth Prince was about to leave the palace, Su Peisheng specially led a horse out of the stables, eager to present the two items to him. With these two items, Consort Niu's case could be overturned immediately. Moreover, from then on, no one in the inner quarters would have a higher status than Consort Niu.
Su Peisheng sped along, hoping to reach Shenwu Gate before the Fourth Prince left the palace so he could catch him.
Sure enough, Su Peisheng had caught up with it. He had just dismounted when the Shenwu Gate slowly opened. Rows of officials in court robes walked out. Su Peisheng craned his neck, looking for the Fourth Prince's figure. He looked for a long time, but couldn't see him.
Actually, the Fourth Prince was discussing matters with the Minister of Revenue, which is why he walked at the back.
When Fourth Master finally walked out of the red copper gate, Su Peisheng was so excited that he wished he could rush up to him.
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