Chapter 324: The Willing One Takes the Bait
The spies of the Zhenbei Palace closely monitored the movements of key figures in Northern Qi, primarily the forces behind important court officials and favorite concubines.
You will understand something about the relationship between the Imperial Master and the Lin family.
Shen Qingtan frowned and turned the roster to the page about the Lin Mansion. He saw a detailed relationship chart with notes on key events.
When she saw the information in the book, she finally understood why Lin Yi was hostile to the Imperial Master and why his daughter disappeared after being taken away by the Imperial Master.
Regardless of whether he died at the hands of the Imperial Master or not, Lin Yi would always blame the Imperial Master for this.
In addition, Lin Yi is also the brother of Concubine Shu.
Lin Yi gave his daughter to the imperial tutor, probably in an attempt to win over the imperial tutor to pave the way for Concubine Shu's son.
The imperial tutor took the person away, and neither his body was found alive nor dead, which was equivalent to breaking off relations with the Lin family and Concubine Shu.
Concubine Shu wants her son to be the crown prince, so how can she tolerate the imperial tutor being in power?
This time, when the plague broke out in Yingcheng, Lin Yi and Concubine Shu took the opportunity to attack the imperial teacher.
Shen Qingtan said worriedly, "Lin Yi spread rumors, accusing the Imperial Master of not caring about the plague in Yingcheng, causing the plague to spread to other cities in Northern Qi. To prove the rumors and discredit the Imperial Master, he will definitely stop him from treating the plague."
The imperial teacher arranged for Zhao Yi to control the plague, so Zhao Yi became the first person attacked by Lin Yi.
Sun Wu instantly understood the meaning of Shen Qingtan's words. Zhao Yi would become a victim of the game between the Imperial Teacher and Lin Yi.
"Lin Yi sent his confidant to Yingcheng?" Sun Wu's face was solemn. "I'll send this subordinate to Yingcheng to pass on the news to the Second Master to prevent him from being persecuted."
"Deputy General Sun, thank you for your help."
Shen Qingtan was worried about Zhao Yi, fearing that he would be plotted against by Lin Yi because of the imbalance in information he obtained.
"This is my duty." Sun Wu took the tea brought by Tingxue, drank it in one gulp, and hurriedly left the house.
Shen Qingtan continued to look through the book, sorting out the relationships between the families, and felt a little more clear in his mind.
At this time, Liu Yue came in from outside, patted the snow off her body with a handkerchief, and then came to Shen Qingtan's side.
"Second Madam, the palace maids and eunuchs wish to see you and are waiting for your arrangements."
Shen Qingtan closed the book and looked up at Liu Yue: "Go tell them that I'm tired today and won't see them for the time being. After a few days when everything is settled, I'll arrange a place for them."
Liu Yue responded: "I will go right away."
"Wait." Shen Qingtan ordered: "Go get a bag of silver from the box, give each person five taels of silver, and treat them to a pot of wine."
Liu Yue was stunned, not sure what his master was thinking.
Shen Qingtan continued to instruct, "You should be respectful to them. We are new here and we are unfamiliar with the place. We have to rely on them for many things."
Liu Yue pondered for a moment and asked tentatively, "Did you ask this servant to do this on purpose?"
Shen Qingtan glanced at Liu Yue with admiration. "Second Master's status is special. This is our first time in the capital, and we are isolated and helpless. These eunuchs and maids grew up in the deep palace, and they all have masters behind them. I'm afraid they all came here with a mission. Only by eliminating their guard against us and thinking that we are easy to control will they reveal their true intentions."
Liu Yue understood and said with a smile: "This servant knows what to do."
Shen Qingtan waved his hand, signaling Liu Yue to come closer.
Liu Yue put his ear closer.
Shen Qingtan told her a few words.
Liu Yue nodded, went to the inner room to get something and put it in his sleeve pocket, then opened the door and walked out of the yard.
The palace maids and eunuchs were standing in a neat row at the gate of the courtyard. When they heard the noise coming from the courtyard, they subconsciously looked up and saw Liu Yue walking alone, but the mistress of the mansion was nowhere to be seen.
Liu Yue smiled and said enthusiastically, "My dear father-in-laws, sisters, and young ladies, my mistress is tired today and has already rested in the house. You can go back first. When my mistress is settled, you can come and pay your respects again."
Everyone looked at Liu Yue in surprise. They never expected that Shen Qingtan would not see them.
After all, they were bestowed by the Emperor of Northern Qi.
No matter how high Shen Qingtan's status was in the Great Zhou, after arriving in Northern Qi, she was nothing more than a powerless prince's consort.
If you are a smart person, you should curb your arrogance and meet them.
But Shen Qingtan found an excuse and deliberately left them alone.
They looked at each other, unable to tell that Shen Qingtan was a fool who was so proud of his status that he didn't even give face to His Majesty.
Or is Shen Qingtan quite cunning, and has other plans for today's actions?
"My mistress was raised in seclusion and pampered. The journey from the capital of Great Zhou to the capital of Northern Qi, thousands of miles, was exhausting. I'm sorry, please forgive me and don't take it to heart."
Liu Yue pulled out a purse from his sleeve and stuffed a piece of silver into each of their hands, forcing a smile on his face. "This is our first time in Northern Qi. We're completely clueless, don't know anyone, and don't understand anything. We'll have to rely on you from now on. Please give us more guidance so we don't offend you, my dear friends."
Everyone looked at the silver in their hands and Liu Yue's flattering appearance, and they felt that Shen Qingtan really couldn't take it, so he didn't summon them.
Although they were of humble status, they came from the palace and were appointed by His Majesty, so everyone who met them would give them some face.
If someone is arrogant, stupid and ignorant, they will not be bribed with money.
"The princess is the master, and we are the servants. Serving our master is our duty, and we cannot bear the word 'dependence'." The eunuchs and the palace maids clenched the silver in their hands and said, "Sister Liuyue, you are really embarrassing us."
Liu Yue hesitated to speak, her smile a little forced. She didn't explain further, but said, "Then please bear with me for what happened today."
Everyone understood: "The princess is not feeling well, so we did not come to the courtyard to ask for an audience today."
They promised not to tell anyone that they were turned away today.
Liu Yue breathed a sigh of relief: "His Highness and the Princess love reading, and they brought a lot of books from the Great Zhou. If anyone of you has time, please help organize them and put them in the study in the front yard."
After she said this, she carefully observed everyone's expressions, as if she was worried about making them unhappy.
Everyone took in Liu Yue's expression, exchanged glances with the people around them, and three or four people shoved their way forward. "We've been assigned to serve His Highness and the Princess. We currently have no other duties in the palace, so leave the task of organizing the books to us."
"Thank you for your hard work." Liu Yue closed the courtyard door and said, "I'll take you to the study."
The four people who volunteered to tidy up the study followed Liu Yue into the study.
There are seven or eight boxes in the study.
Liu Yue walked over to a lacquered and gilded box and pointed at the other boxes, saying, "Sort out the books in these boxes."
Several people watched Liu Yue move the lacquered and gilded boxes into the inner room of the study. Their eyes changed slightly, and they concealed their expressions. They opened the boxes and took out the books one by one and placed them on the shelves.
At this moment, a clear voice came from outside the door: "Sister Liuyue, are you here?"
Several people turned around and recognized the person standing at the door. It was another maid serving Shen Qingtan.
"I'm here." Liu Yue came out from the inner room.
Tingxue said quickly, "Second Madam had a headache before, and now she feels cold all over. She wants to drink the ginger soup you made to dispel the cold."
Liu Yue's expression changed, and he walked out quickly: "I'll go take a look."
A few people saw Liu Yue and Ting Xue leaving, and glanced at the inner room of the study with hidden eyes.
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