Chapter 290 Rumors Spread
Meng Shilan's gaze suddenly sharpened.
She pulled Zhou Wanqing up from the ground, pressed her down into a chair, and spoke clearly, word by word.
“Listen to me, if you were able to get the news, His Majesty must have known about it long ago.”
"If Gao Zhian's charge of treason and collusion with the enemy is true, it is an ironclad case that is beyond doubt."
"Now, what awaits the Gao family is not a chance for you to run out and beg for mercy, but His Majesty's imperial edict to confiscate their property and exterminate their entire clan!"
Zhou Wanqing's crying stopped abruptly.
She stared blankly at Meng Shilan, and a glimmer of clarity finally returned to her bloodshot eyes.
yes!
If the eldest brother-in-law really committed such a heinous crime, implicating the entire Gao family, what will they be like now...?
Their whole family should be in jail by now!
How could he possibly be perfectly fine staying in the mansion? It's just that everyone is filled with anxiety.
Seeing that Zhou Wanqing had gradually calmed down, Meng Shilan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to Zhou Wanqing.
"So, panicking now is useless."
"Go back and tell your mother-in-law to stay calm and not panic."
"The court is already unstable, beset by internal and external troubles. At this time, one wrong step could lead to utter ruin."
Zhou Wanqing held the warm teacup as if it were a lifeline and nodded vigorously.
However, things took a turn for the worse than anyone expected.
At first, it was only said that Gao Zhian colluded with foreign enemies and betrayed military intelligence.
But just two days later, the winds shifted quietly.
The protagonist of the story changed from Gao Zhian to Zhou Congxian, the heir of the Duke of England.
It was widely circulated and spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys.
It was as if they had witnessed it all themselves.
"Think about it! What is the relationship between the Gao family and the Zhou family? They are related by marriage!"
"How could Gao Zhian, a mere brigade commander, have the audacity to collude with the enemy? Could there not be a powerful figure behind him guiding him?"
"If you ask me, the one who is truly colluding with the enemy is probably that Prince Zhou, who is far away in Yumen! He is the grandson-in-law of the Duke of Zhenguo!"
Rumors are like a drop of ink, falling into clear water and quickly spreading.
From teahouses and taverns to streets and alleys, and finally to the dinner tables of ordinary people.
The versions kept getting more and more outrageous and terrifying.
Some say that Zhou Congxian went to Yumen Pass not to fight, but to meet with Prince Wule, Bucha, to discuss how to divide the Zhou dynasty's territory.
Some even asserted that the reason why Duke Meng Yushan of Zhenguo had been unable to defeat his former defeated enemy, Wule, was that he was deliberately delaying the battle!
Their purpose was to demand more military pay and supplies from the imperial court so that they could line their own pockets!
Traitorous collusion with the enemy.
They wield military power and become arrogant.
Intending to rebel.
One after another, shocking accusations were casually and easily placed on the heads of the Meng and Zhou families.
These words are utterly absurd and baseless.
But, ironically, countless people believed it.
Public resentment was boiling over.
Even the two majestic stone lions in front of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion were splattered with filthy dog blood.
It was at this time that Shuang'er rushed back from Jinzhou.
Her eyes were red as soon as she walked in.
"Sister! Are you alright? Has anyone bullied you?"
"These rumors have already spread to Jinzhou!"
"I didn't know that. It was a series of deals that had been agreed upon, but as soon as the other party heard that we were from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, they all backed out without saying a word!"
"They said...they said they would never do business with traitors!"
Meng Shilan looked at the torn contract and pursed her lips.
That usually gentle and serene face was now covered in frost.
After a long while, she slowly spoke, her voice as cold as if it had been chilled to the bone.
"Shuang'er, these days, you and everyone in the manor should stay home."
Shuang'er said anxiously, "But sister, the rumors are like that outside, are we just going to let them slander us?"
Meng Shilan shook her head, her gaze deep and unfathomable, as if she could see through the heavy walls of the courtyard and into the dark hand stirring up trouble behind the scenes.
"What they want is not the truth."
"What they want is to shake the foundations of the nation."
"Rumors are spreading everywhere these days, which is damaging public morale."
"That's a vicious move."
The will of the people is the most unbreakable thing in the world, yet it is also the easiest thing to be stirred up.
Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.
This move by the other side is a drastic measure to completely condemn the Meng and Zhou families to the pillory of history.
Meng Shilan tapped her fingertips lightly on the table.
Suddenly, she thought of something, and her expression changed slightly.
He Ran has such an impatient temper!
The rumors so far are only targeting the Meng and Zhou families; General He's mansion has not yet been affected.
But what if... what if even General He is dragged into this...
Given He Ran's fiery temper, he might just grab a gun and rush into the street to fight those gossiping people to the death!
By then, the situation will only become more chaotic and unmanageable.
"Guo Fan!"
Meng Shilan shouted sternly.
Guo Fan's figure appeared silently at the doorway, like a ghost.
"Your subordinate is here."
"Go to the He family immediately and tell He Ran that no matter what he hears, he must stay in the mansion and not step out!"
"Just say it was me!"
"yes!"
Guo Fan accepted the order, and in a flash, he disappeared from the spot.
Meng Shilan breathed a slight sigh of relief, but her heart remained heavy.
...
at the same time.
Prince Cheng's Mansion.
Inside the study, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.
Xiao Shu, dressed in a black casual outfit, stood by the window, intently pruning a pot of precious orchids.
His movements were elegant and composed, as if the rampant rumors and gossip outside had nothing to do with him.
Steward Qing walked in quietly with light steps, bowing respectfully.
"Your Highness, everything has been arranged."
His voice was very low, as if he were whispering.
"The most famous storytellers in the city, as well as the beggars in East Street and West Market who can sing doggerel, have all been taken care of."
"The money is plentiful."
With a "snip," Xiao Shu cut off an extra orchid leaf.
He didn't even turn around; instead, a cold smile slowly curved his lips.
There was not a trace of a smile in his eyes, only a bottomless, icy pool.
"Very good."
He casually tossed the golden scissors in his hand onto the tray beside him, making a crisp "clink" sound.
“Since my good seventh brother set off the firecrackers for that batch of ‘gifts’ in the suburbs of Beijing, we can’t just let it go like that.”
He turned around, looked at Steward Qing, and slowly wiped his fingers with a handkerchief.
"I am about to leave the capital."
"Before leaving, I must leave a 'generous gift' for my high and mighty imperial brother."
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