Over the past few days, merchants in Jiangnan have been living in fear, worried that they might have stepped on a landmine. Everyone has been anxious about getting involved.
As the investigation deepened, several shops were found to have closed down, and the shopkeepers were detained by the authorities.
"Fourth Brother, are those shopkeepers really imprisoned?" Qingyan's eyes sparkled, and she felt full of energy.
“Yes,” Yin contacted several shopkeepers and asked them to hand over the list, but they were all detained. “It was just a routine investigation, but these shopkeepers are all considered witnesses.”
"Why detain the witness?" Qingyan asked curiously.
"This list serves as evidence of a bribe, don't you think?" Yin was wary that the shopkeeper might do more harm than good for him.
Upon hearing this, Qingyan felt a wave of fear wash over her; what kind of situation was this?
"I'm so glad I asked you, otherwise I really would have been tricked!" Qingyan patted her chest. "How did you handle it? Didn't someone find out?"
"No, I specifically had someone investigate," Yin said cheerfully. "Besides, all this evidence was delivered to Father Emperor's desk. Do you think Father Emperor wouldn't know?"
With his shops being closed one after another, the shopkeepers on Yin's side also sent him messages, hoping to temporarily close these shops.
"Master, Ninth Prince and Ninth Princess Consort have arrived!" Su Peisheng reported from outside the pavilion.
At this moment, Yin had no interest in appreciating the beautiful scenery of the villa. He was very troubled and thought he should talk to someone about it.
Within the royal family, only Qingyan was engaged in business, so Yin rushed over as soon as he received the news.
"Fourth Sister-in-law, you're here too?" Yin strode up to the pavilion. "Fourth Brother, did you know about this news?"
Yin placed the messages sent by the shopkeepers directly in front of the stone table and asked him to take a look first.
"My God, how come so many details have not been investigated?" Qingyan looked at the records, which showed how the shopkeepers who submitted evidence made deals with the current prefect.
"No wonder these people's families are so angry." Yin turned his head to look at the message and also felt that this matter was somewhat unusual.
The collusion between officials and businessmen ultimately resulted in the businessmen being imprisoned, so this incident was caused by infighting within the officialdom.
"Fourth Brother, could this political turmoil be caused by infighting within the bureaucracy?" Yin found it utterly absurd.
If so much loss is directly caused for the sake of that power, not only will the court lose face, but the lives of ordinary people will also be affected.
"We don't know for sure yet, but judging from the current situation, that seems to be the case!" Yin sighed and said, "Ninth Brother, let's go and visit the person involved!"
Yin and Yin exchanged a glance. The person involved was extremely agitated and could explode at any moment. Yin had walked right into a trap.
"Fourth Brother, are you really sure?" Yin asked, looking at Yin.
"I'm sure!" Yin hoped to resolve the doubts in his heart.
"Alright, since Fourth Brother has already made up his mind, I won't say anything more. It would be best to bring Yin along!" Neither Yin nor Yin's martial arts skills are good enough, so Yin is the best choice.
Yin nodded in agreement. He quickly instructed his attendants to inform Yin that he should pack his things and leave with his wife.
Later that evening, the group left the palace in a carriage. Qingyan leaned on Yin's shoulder, watching the scenery rushing past the window.
"Sisi, why don't you call me Big Brother?" Qingyan asked curiously.
Yin put down the comprehension document in his hand and patted her little hand.
"Didn't you realize that the problem this time might be a trap set by the Crown Prince or the Eighth Prince? My eldest brother is the eldest son, and he has been fighting with the Crown Prince for many years. If we take my eldest brother with us, what will Father Emperor think?" Yin said helplessly.
"Fourth Prince, are you sure? What I see is a power struggle among lower-ranking officials, how did you escalate it to a power struggle among princes?" Qingyan said indignantly.
"If it were just ordinary collusion between officials and businessmen, these businessmen wouldn't be sure they wouldn't be implicated. You've seen those records, what did they say to the outside world? As long as they can get things done, their families will rise to prominence!" Yin sneered.
The prefect is definitely a smart man; for now, it's still uncertain whose side he's on.
On the surface, the Prefect was under Yin's control, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was Yin's servant. In reality, however, no one knew for sure whether this person had been sold off.
"Fourth Prince, didn't Father Emperor say that the Prefect was assigned to you?" Qingyan slapped his forehead, suddenly thinking of this question.
If Yin and the others found out, wouldn't they think that this was Yin's doing?
Pfft!
Yin became happy. Yin had obviously investigated, so the fact that he sent the information to him proved that Yin knew he wouldn't do such tricks.
"Both the Ninth and Tenth Princes will believe me!" Yin felt that the innocent would clear themselves, and that it would be better to explain himself.
Seeing Yin's smug look, Qingyan could only sigh.
"In a bit, we'll visit those parties involved first. We'll need your help with this matter!" Yin and Qingyan briefly explained a few points to note, emphasizing the importance of finding out who contacted them first.
Half an hour later, Yin, Yin and Yin, along with their female relatives, arrived at the residence of a shopkeeper. Su Peisheng went up to the gatekeeper and told him their purpose, and the gatekeeper quickly ran inside.
Soon, several women walked out from the depths of the courtyard. Qingyan took a closer look and realized that these women were the wives of the parties involved.
"Master, you three go outside for a walk. I'll take my two sisters-in-law and talk to the ladies!" Qingyan said, glancing at Yin.
The four ladies in front of him were all around forty years old. Although their eyes were full of wariness, they still gracefully made way for him.
Yin Gang was about to follow him in when Yin stopped him.
"Let the women handle this; people in the south value reputation." Yin believed that these women would understand Qingyan's thoughts.
Seeing that the princes had not come along, the women felt relieved. They were prepared to go to the Buddhist hall to spend the rest of their lives once their husbands came out.
"Ladies, you don't need to do this. We've only come to understand the situation. The men are all very easygoing, but they know the rules very well and are familiar with the customs for women in the South." Qingyan had a faint smile on his face, which completely reassured the women.
Inside the flower hall, Qingyan and the others sat on the left side, while the eldest among the female relatives sat in the main seat on the right.
"How should I address you?" The female representative looked at Qingyan and knew that this must be the person in charge among their sisters-in-law.
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