Chapter 188: Lotus Appreciation Invitation, King Qi is Imprisoned
The next day, Shang Yuwan did not wait for the drum sound of Dengwen drum, but received an invitation from Xu family.
When I opened it, it turned out to be the lotus viewing banquet for next month?
Xiao Qinggu was scolded by Yue Zhu and was speechless, but when he saw that the Xu family suddenly sent an invitation to Shang Yuwan alone, he still crawled over and rested his chin on Shang Yuwan's shoulder to take a look.
Xiao Qinggu's eyebrows changed slightly. Is the old lady of the Xu family going to take action against Shang Yuwan?
The old lady of the Xu family was named Qu Duming, Xiao Qingxu's grandmother. She came from a family of scholars, but she had a strong temper. Not everyone could attend the annual lotus viewing banquet.
Apart from the Xu family’s members who could attend her lotus viewing banquet, the rest were either from prominent families or women of excellent character in Kyoto.
As for men...it depends on their character.
The Xu family's old lady had higher standards for male attendees, so only a handful of men received invitations. If a young man among the group received an invitation, he would probably be ridiculed for a long time.
Shang Yuwan's eyes twitched.
Old Madam Xu couldn't find out her identity and couldn't persuade Xiao Qingxu, so she wanted to take action against her.
In her previous life, she had been engaged to Xiao Qingxu, but Old Madam Xu originally disapproved of it.
The Shang family's influence is immense, and she is extremely favored by Emperor Chengming. Madam Xu's only daughter, Xu Zhiyao, died in the palace, and after her daughter's death, her husband also disappeared, leaving her only remaining relative, a grandson. Shang Yuwan's closeness to Emperor Chengming is obvious, and even though her daughter and Lu Xu had a close relationship, she doesn't want to see Xiao Qingxu and Shang Yuwan together.
If Shang Yuwan had not been interested in the marriage and had not taken the initiative to use the Shang family and the emperor's favor to protect the recently disfigured Xiao Qingxu, and if Zhao Lan had not interfered and Emperor Chengming had not issued the imperial decree, Madam Xu would never have allowed the two of them to get involved in the marriage.
But later, due to some incident, Mrs. Xu let go of her grudge against her.
As for what exactly happened at that time?
Shang Yuwan could no longer remember.
She glanced at the servants standing guard around, and after receiving the signal, a maid quietly retreated.
Yue Zhu stood behind Xiao Qinggu and said expressionlessly, "Your Highness, you've had enough rest. Stop clinging to Master Shang. If you dawdle any longer, lunch will be over."
Xiao Qinggu, who wanted to take this opportunity to take a break: "......"
Baili Pu also nodded and said, "Your Highness, please don't disappoint those who have high hopes for you."
Xiao Qinggu's eyes suddenly moved and he looked over.
"Sir, are you one of those who care?"
Bailipu: “…”
He coughed, and Yue Zhu and Shang Mingqi stepped forward to pull Xiao Qinggu away to continue training.
Bailipu looked at Shang Yuwan and said, "Don't worry, Heng'er will also attend the banquet. If you can't handle it, he can help you."
Shang Yuwan smiled back, "Since you know I belong to her, you will never embarrass her among the women of Kyoto."
Shang Yuwan did not explicitly mention this "she", but Baili Pu knew clearly who the child was talking about.
He nodded. "That's good."
This child was able to receive Lu Xu's last work, so naturally he has more talents than what he has shown so far.
At the time of Shen, just as Shang Yuwan had expected, the sound of the Dengwen Drum reached everyone's ears outside the palace gate, like thunder on a clear day.
The drum beats came one after another, and Bailipu's face changed drastically. He quickly said goodbye to Xiao Qinggu and left in a hurry.
The Dengwen Drum hadn't been used in many years, and when Yue Zhu heard the sound, his expression changed. His peripheral vision fell on Xiao Qinggu, but he saw that he was completely calm.
Xiao Qinggu practiced standing meditation silently, without saying anything, and even his eyes did not change at all.
Shang Yuwan, on the other hand, also looked relaxed and at ease. She smiled softly when Yue Zhu looked over.
Yue Zhu frowned. What was going on between these two and Prince Qi? They were actually using the Dengwen drum?
Shang Mingqi looked at Shang Yuwan, then at Xiao Qinggu. Seeing that neither of them reacted, he calmed down and practiced standing meditation in silence.
The most important thing he should do now is to hide himself so as not to bring disaster to his cousin.
On the other side, Xiao Qingxu was quickly brought into the palace.
In the magnificent hall, two dusty civilians wearing patched linen clothes were kneeling in the center of the hall.
On both sides of the hall were officials who were temporarily called in. Xiao Qingxu hurried into the hall, stood next to the people, and saluted Emperor Chengming.
Yuan Ji stood among the officials and glanced at Xiao Qingxu secretly.
Emperor Chengming seemed extremely displeased, his expression not looking good. He gestured for Xiao Qingxu to look at the two men who were clearly cowering but incredibly determined, "Prince Qi, tell me, what's going on?"
Xiao Qingxu pretended to take a look and then said, "Your Majesty, I don't recognize who these two people are."
"They both claimed that you had Mingshu secretly seize farmland in sixteen remote areas and hired tenants at rock-bottom prices, leaving the people living in dire straits. Is that true?"
Although the areas of Snow Wolf Village are remote, the total amount of farmland in the sixteen locations is not a small amount.
Xiao Qingxu then showed a bit of panic, kneeling down and said, "I am innocent! I really don't know them. Please understand, Your Majesty! Mingshu... Mingshu is not my subordinate!"
When the two men heard this, one of them was obviously dissatisfied and had a look of resentment on his face. He was about to open his mouth, but the other one caught Emperor Chengming's gaze and quickly pulled him down, who was about to speak.
Yuan Ji: “…” When did Xiao Qingxu become so exaggerated in his acting?
Emperor Chengming couldn't bear to watch Xiao Qingxu's perfunctory acting. Seeing that the two civilians were truly frightened, he said gently, "How about handing this matter over to the Grand Chamberlain, the Censorate, and the Dali Temple to handle it together?"
The two common people heard the generosity and kindness in Emperor Chengming's words and immediately bowed to thank him for his grace.
Because Xiao Qingxu was the most deeply involved, in order to appease the people, Emperor Chengming personally ordered him to be imprisoned on the spot.
The Minister of the Dali Temple searched the Prince Qi's Mansion with the decree of Emperor Chengming, while Yuan Ji was in charge of the Eastern Palace.
After all, Mingshu used to be Xiao Qingji's man, so the Eastern Palace naturally could not escape the search.
Yuan Ji rode towards the East Palace, followed by a series of sword-wielding guards. He dismounted outside the East Palace gate and saluted Xiao Qingji, who had been waiting at the door.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Xiao Qingji's expression was not very good, but his attitude was still gentle, "Central Minister Yuan, there is no need to be so polite."
Yuan Ji did not hesitate to speak politely. He cited the decree of Emperor Chengming and led his men into the Eastern Palace to search.
He did not see the smile on Xiao Qingji's face, and Xiao Qingji did not see the sarcasm in his eyes.
When no one was paying attention, Yuan Ji threw the small bag hidden in her sleeve into an empty vase in Xiao Qingji's study. Shortly afterwards, Yuan Ji naturally found the "land deed" that Xiao Qingji had deliberately hidden in the East Palace.
"This, what is this?!" Xiao Qingji's face turned pale.
Loading.
Yuan Ji was rolling his eyes in his heart, but he still looked serious.
He put the "land deed" away and said, "Your Highness, please come with us."
The seal on these "land deeds" was Xiao Qingji's private seal, different from Xiao Qingxu's private seal, but for some reason, these were also the land deeds for those places in Snow Wolf Village. The dates on these "land deeds" were half a year later than those of Xiao Qingxu.
However, whether it is true or not still needs further investigation.
Xiao Qingji followed Yuan Ji away with a "worried look on his face".
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Mingshu hidden in Prince Qi’s mansion finally saw the light of day again.
The moment Shang Yuwan and Xiao Qingxu received the news, they both sneered in their hearts.
As expected, how could Xiao Qingji, that shrewd guy, not have any backup plan at all?
Upon learning that Mingshu was still alive, Emperor Chengming was "furious" and ordered a thorough investigation of the matter.
Xiao Qingxu lay on the straw bed in the Dali Temple cell, looking at the dinner served in front of him, but had no intention of eating it.
The Dali Temple official, Cheng Xunzhi, stood outside the prison and said, "Once the matter is thoroughly investigated, I will naturally release Your Highness. Your Highness is not feeling well, so please do not force yourself."
Xiao Qingxu looked lonely and looked at Cheng Xunzhi.
"I am upright and have nothing to fear, and I also believe in Master Cheng's ability. But..."
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