Chapter 120 Is this backer really the emperor?

"Don't worry, since the Ruan family has a first-rank imperial lady like you, even if Prince Chen is anxious, he won't dare to extend his hand to the Ruan family."

Ruan Qinghuan lowered her head. Although she said so, Qingzhou's injury this time made her dare not take it lightly again.

Thinking back to when he took her to Lucheng for disaster relief, she was reluctant at first, but now thinking about it, it actually brought some security to the Ruan family.

"What's the matter with the Huitian Pill?"

Senior Xu said that this Huitian Pill is extremely rare and precious. How did Hean get it?

Ruan Qinghuan suddenly realized that he knew very little about He'an. He had thought that after two years of marriage, they would be able to part ways and live happily together. So he didn't pay much attention to his affairs at first.

But now it’s different, they have become real husband and wife, their relationship is smooth, and they naturally care about each other.

Unconsciously returning to the room, He An knew that this matter would not be hidden from her: "The Huitian Pill was made by my master Xuyang Zhenren. Ji Lingchuan and I learned martial arts from him in Xuyang Valley when we were young. The master promised to give me a Huitian Pill to use in an emergency to save my life."

"So, you asked for this Huitian Pill back for Qingzhou?"

"This Huitian Pill has been put to good use. With it, after Senior Xu's treatment, Qingzhou will not have any root cause of the disease."

Ruan Qinghuan was moved and leaned into his arms.

What happened in recent days has exhausted her both physically and mentally, especially when she heard that Qingzhou's life was hanging by a thread. The feeling of worry, fear and helplessness made her feel unprecedented despair.

After leaning against him quietly for a while, she suddenly whispered, "He'an, it's great to have you."

**

In the front hall, more than a dozen tables were filled with people, not only relatives and friends of the Ruan family, but also many officials serving in the capital came to show their support.

For the sake of face, the second branch of the Ruan family and the Pei family were naturally also invited.

Pei Wen started to act weird the moment she entered the house and saw the magnificent courtyard of the Ruan family: "Humph, we both have the surname Ruan, why is there such a big difference? My elder sister was granted the title of the first rank imperial decree, but my sister-in-law still has to rely on our Pei family to regain some face."

Ruan Xiaoyue sat aside with a sullen face. Seeing Pei Chong was indifferent to what his aunt said, she felt upset, but she could only bear it as there were many people around and they were talking a lot.

Madam Pei glared at her daughter and said, "Stop talking."

Pei Wen was not a person who could be at ease. The reason why the Pei family agreed to marry Ruan Xiaoyue was because of the Ruan family's wealth. Now, it was all in vain. The second branch of the Ruan family was simply driven to live in another courtyard:

"Mom, I'm telling the truth. We've been here for such a long time, but look at us, the Ruan family doesn't take us seriously at all." Pei Wen was indignant: "This is all given by my sister-in-law. I clearly gave my share, but I still have to be ignored. How can I not be angry?"

Pei Chong has been looking at today's guests since he entered the mansion. It is impossible for the Ruan family to send invitations to officials, but there are quite a few officials coming today, and naturally they are all here to support He An.

Recently, it has become increasingly difficult to deal with Prince Chen because the attempt to poison Ruan Qingzhou failed, and all the money used to bribe various parties was paid by the Pei family. If this continues, I'm afraid they won't be able to hold on any longer.

Right now, if I want to get the money, I can’t think of any other place except the Ruan family.

Seeing his mother-in-law talking to Old Lady Ruan, Pei Chong said, "Now that Madam is back, go and greet Grandmother and say something nice. If my father-in-law and mother-in-law can move back to the Ruan Mansion, their lives will be better in the future."

Ruan Xiaoyue: “…”

How could she not know what he was planning?

It was absolutely impossible for her to be humble in front of the eldest wife's family in public.

Pei Chong's face turned cold, and although his voice was not loud, it was threatening: "Ruan Xiaoyue, don't test my patience."

The people around noticed that the atmosphere was not right and turned their heads to look. Some of them were relatives of the Ruan family, who had long heard about the second branch of the Ruan family being driven to a separate courtyard.

It's all the second wife's fault for having no sense of propriety. How dare she steal and tamper with the accounts?

No wonder the old lady finally acquiesced to this.

**

In the deadlock, I suddenly heard the doorman loudly say, "Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Lord Jiang is here."

After these words were spoken, the courtyard fell silent for a moment.

The newly appointed Lord Jiang has now become the nightmare of the officials in the court. Not long after taking office, he investigated and punished many high-ranking officials in the court. Even Lord Qi, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who was married to him, may not be able to escape the disaster this time.

The hottest news in the court at the moment was that the Minister of Revenue wanted to marry Lord Jiang, and Lord Jiang agreed.

I thought Lord Jiang would punish the Qi family for this, but I didn't expect that Lord Qi was implicated in the corruption case evidence submitted by Lord Jiang himself during the court session two days ago. In this way, he solidified his reputation as a loyalist in front of the emperor.

But it also made other court officials avoid him even more.

This person is moody and ruthless, forcing those who want to curry favor with him to stay away from him, otherwise, there is no telling when he will stab them in the back.

Ruan Qinghuan looked unhappy. Jiang Jie was an unfathomable person. Although He'an had stated that they had a cooperative relationship, she always felt that he seemed to be targeting He'an.

Although his official position was a few levels lower, he did not show any sign of fear, which showed that he must have a strong backer.

But is this backer really the emperor?

Or...King Chen?

He patted her hand soothingly: "Don't worry, Madam. I'll go take a look."

Jiang Jie was not shy at all. After greeting He An and Ji Lingchuan, he sat at the same table with them. "I came here today to report something important to the Prime Minister."

He An remained calm and said, "Thank you for bringing me here so late at night, Lord Jiang. It must be something important. Can we move to the side hall?"

"No need. Although this matter is important, it is not a secret." Jiang Jie looked worried. "The assassin we captured a few days ago committed suicide by biting his tongue."

Ji Lingchuan slammed the table and said, "What? How does the Dali Temple guard prisoners?"

"The prison guards on duty had already removed all items that might be dangerous, but they didn't expect him to bite his tongue to commit suicide."

Ji Lingchuan was on the verge of anger and wanted to stand up, but Chu Li held him down and whispered, "Let's hear what the Prime Minister has to say."

Say what?

There is no evidence when the person is dead.

Ruan Qinghuan's eyes darkened. She knew in her heart that if that person was really sent by King Chen, it would be easy to silence him.

But if she could think of such a simple truth, He An would naturally think of it as well.

On the other hand, Jiang Jie looked fearless despite such a big incident, which showed that he was sure that he would not be implicated.

He An was silent for a moment, and said calmly: "After something like this happened, Lord Jiang should have reported to the Emperor at the court tomorrow morning, instead of coming to see the Prime Minister overnight."

"Your Majesty, you are wrong. The emperor ordered you to supervise this case, so I dare not neglect it. Besides, the victim is your wife's brother-in-law. Now that the perpetrator is dead, it can be regarded as punishment for his crime."

Ruan Qinghuan sneered upon hearing this: "Whether he truly confessed his guilt or not is up to the Emperor to decide. It is too early for Lord Jiang to make a final judgment now."

Seeing him handing a brocade box to He'an, he said slowly, "What the Prime Minister's wife said is right. I will report this matter to the emperor truthfully. In addition to official business today, I am also here to celebrate Master Ruan's appointment as the deputy general of the Jiangnan garrison. I have prepared some small gifts. I hope Madam will not dislike them."

Ruan Qinghuan frowned and said nothing.

He An: "Master Jiang is polite."