Meanwhile, Yang Qiu also sent men to secretly arrest those people from Jizhou.
The result was the same as Lu Qiang's side. Although they didn't get any useful information, all the scattered clues pointed to the Lu family in Fanyang.
This result made Liu Hong frown. The Lu family of Fanyang was one of the most prominent families, and they had many connections with officials in the court.
Liu Hong pondered for a moment, then looked at Jian Shuo and Zhao Zhong, "Go tell Yang Qiu and Lü Qiang to proceed according to plan and have those people infiltrate."
"promise!"
"Your Majesty, although there is no conclusive evidence at the moment, we must be wary of the Lu family!"
"Zhi Cai is right, but the Lu family has always had a good reputation among the aristocratic families, and they also have close ties with the Cui family. It won't be easy to touch them!"
Xi Zhicai pondered for a moment, "Your Majesty might as well suppress them for now. If the Lu family is framed, we can make amends later. If it's a pretense, they'll eventually give in!"
"Hmm, that makes sense!"
Liu Hong nodded, then took out a memorial presented by Tian Feng, "The Cui family contributed a great deal to Ji Province this time, and I should reward them!"
Then Liu Hong looked at Zhang Rang, who had just returned yesterday, and said, "Order the Ministry of Personnel to draft an edict, praising the Cui family for their meritorious service in this promotion, and appointing Cui Yan of the Cui family as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel!"
"promise!"
Zhang Rang accepted the order and hurriedly walked outside.
"Zhicai, Wenyou and the others should be arriving soon!"
Xi Zhicai nodded. "Yes! Is Your Majesty planning to meet with them?"
"No!!"
After saying that, Liu Hong closed his eyes and then slowly leaned back in his chair.
Seeing the emperor's expression, Xi Zhicai understood Liu Hong's distress and comforted him, saying, "Your Majesty, temporary setbacks mean nothing!"
Liu Hong said with his eyes closed, "Yes! Although it doesn't prove anything, I was ultimately one step behind."
It's hard for anyone to accept that someone they've worked so hard to promote has been taken down by someone else, and they can't even secretly help them.
"Your Majesty, now that the Gao family has made their move, I believe Zhongde will be able to keep an eye on them. At that time, we can seize the opportunity to expand this case and wipe out the Gao family and those behind them in one fell swoop..."
"Hmph, that day will come."
Liu Hong opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.
On the other side, after receiving Liu Hong's order, Yang Qiu arranged for the investigators to conduct a second round of questioning of the people sent by the Lu family.
After figuring out the habits of all of them, they found several people of similar build and, after a flawless disguise, quietly returned to their dwellings, waiting for the fish to take the bait.
Before long, Lü Qiang also arrived at Deyang Palace and reported to Liu Hong the details about the palace maids.
After listening to Lü Qiang's report, Liu Hong nodded and asked, "Have those imposters been properly arranged?"
Lu Qiang respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, everyone else has been arranged. They are all identical in appearance and voice. However, there is one palace maid who is tall, and we do not have a suitable candidate for her at the moment!"
Is this person usable?
Liu Hong frowned. How could such a mistake have occurred? Finding a new person now might not be fast enough, but losing one person would inevitably alert the enemy!
"Your Majesty, I have inquired thoroughly. These palace maids were forced to gossip and did nothing else!"
Lu Qiang then truthfully reported the backgrounds of the two sisters and the other palace maids to Liu Hong.
Liu Hong chuckled lightly, "What? Are you pleading for them?"
"I dare not! But I think that keeping them might be able to deceive those people!"
Lu Qiang quickly lowered his head, a bead of cold sweat appearing on his forehead!
Liu Hong glanced at Lü Qiang. "Hmm, what you said makes sense! Treat that older sister, then send her back. Have the others keep a close eye on her. As for her sister and the others, keep them detained until this matter is resolved, then deal with them accordingly!"
Lu Qiang couldn't help but ask, "What about their families?"
"I will send people over there; perhaps they will discover something!"
"promise!"
Lu Qiang then returned to the secret room and sent someone to bring the palace maid to him.
Looking at the palace maids before him, Lü Qiang smiled and said, "You are very lucky. His Majesty has shown great mercy and forgiven you."
The palace maid Xiaoqiong's face lit up with joy, "Are you telling the truth?"
Lü Qiang laughed and said, "Of course it's true. Once your injuries have healed, you'll return to the Empress Dowager's side with them!"
After saying that, Lü Qiang clapped his hands, and several palace maids walked in.
"What are they doing...? Second Sister, what's wrong with you?"
The palace maid Xiao Qiong looked at those people in surprise. When she was brought out just now, these people were clearly covered in wounds. How come they were completely healed in the blink of an eye?
Seeing Xiao Qiong's appearance, Lü Qiang nodded in satisfaction. Wu Lian's disguise skills were indeed convincing.
Then Lü Qiang looked at Xiao Qiong and said in a deep voice, "They are still themselves. Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask, understand?"
Xiao Qiong finally realized what was happening and looked at Lü Qiang hesitantly, "I understand! But..."
"Don't worry! They're fine, they just can't go out. As for your family, His Majesty has already sent people over! I believe you'll be reunited soon."
"In that case, I am willing to follow Lü Changshi's arrangements in everything!"
Regardless of whether what Lü Qiang said was true or false, Xiao Qiong had no choice at this point; perhaps following his instructions would offer her a sliver of hope.
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