Chapter 204 Anti-Xiao Alliance (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Despite his thoughts, Chen Yi could not possibly show any unusual expression on his face.
Especially in front of Xiao Jinghong.
Chen Yi pretended to recall, "In the days before that girl left, she was in seclusion cultivating, and there was nothing unusual about her."
"But before that, she, Tingyun, and Huatang strolled around the city and bought a lot of things for the clan."
He paused, a slight smile appearing on his face, and continued:
"Although that girl is a bit quirky and acts willfully, she is not a bad person and is kind-hearted. She even took a carload of things back with her before she left."
Chen Yi didn't know how much Pei Guanli had revealed, so he could only try to cover it up first.
Even if it doesn't dispel Xiao Jinghong's suspicions, she should at least be more lenient when interrogating Pei Guanli.
After listening, Xiao Jinghong nodded thoughtfully, without asking any further questions, and then said:
"I'm just coming back to grab some things and then I'll leave. I have a few things to do."
Chen Yi turned his head to look into her eyes and said, "Madam has already said that."
Xiao Jinghong met his gaze, her face slightly unnatural.
Fortunately, with the mask in place, she wasn't worried about Chen Yi recognizing her.
"I have a few things I'd like my husband to do for me."
Chen Yi smiled and said, "Please speak freely, Madam. Although I am currently a teacher at Guiyun Academy and also the manager of Jishi Pharmacy, I still have some free time."
His words seemed normal at first glance.
However, there's only one meaning behind what they said.
—I'm already so busy, so please don't ask me for anything too troublesome.
Xiao Jinghong could tell from his voice, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.
My husband is still the same as always.
Despite his exceptional talent, he remains lazy and unproductive.
No wonder the old man specifically told her this morning to treat Chen Yi better and to give him more responsibilities when appropriate. He also told her, "Your husband has now achieved mastery of calligraphy."
Even though Xiao Jinghong was very knowledgeable, he was still somewhat surprised when he heard this news.
It should be understood that the four realms of qin (a stringed instrument), qi (chess), shu (calligraphy), and hua (painting) for scholars are similar to those of martial arts, and there is no difference in the difficulty of cultivation.
Chen Yi elevated her calligraphy to a state of perfection, which was actually comparable to her swordsmanship reaching perfection.
The only difference is that Chen Yi uses a brush to express his thoughts, while if he wants to hurt someone, he can only do so by attacking their mind.
Sorrow, joy, anger, fear, and so on, if expressed through calligraphy, can harm people invisibly.
But she could wield a sword and fight, making her even more ruthless and decisive.
Of course, Xiao Jinghong also understood that Chen Yi was unlikely to think of using calligraphy for killing, just like she did.
Most of them are used for praising music, singing songs, and expressing feelings.
These ideas are largely a military man's stereotypes about scholars.
"Husband, don't worry. I just want you to rewrite these poems and then frame them for me to hang in the house."
As Xiao Jinghong spoke, he took out several letters he had previously obtained from his bosom.
There is "Thoughts on a Summer Night", "Thoughts on a Summer Night II" and "Thoughts on a Summer Day", as well as his original poem "The Magpie Bridge Fairy".
"..."
Chen Yi glanced at the letter in her hand, then his gaze fell on her face, and he asked hesitantly:
"Does Madam always carry it with her?"
Xiao Jinghong's eyes flickered slightly, unsure how to answer, so she simply shoved several letters into his hands.
"Also, in the next few days, please prepare some gifts for me, for the old master, second uncle, third grandfather and others in the mansion, as well as for the two commanders of the local military command, the prefectural government, the provincial administration, and so on."
"Make preparations in advance, so that I won't be impolite when I return in a hurry."
Seeing that she finished speaking so quickly, Chen Yi couldn't help but smile and nodded, saying:
"I think my older sister knows the exact number of people. I'll ask her later."
After saying that, he teased, "Madam, actually my memory isn't bad. I still remember several of the poems. Why don't you keep these letters?"
Xiao Jinghong paused for a moment, then snatched the letters and stuffed them into her sleeve. She turned and walked toward the wooden building on the inside, a hint of embarrassment and annoyance appearing on her face.
Perhaps out of shame for making a foolish mistake, they completely forgot about this.
She could have simply asked Chen Yi to rewrite it.
Now Chen Yi knows that she has been carrying those letters with her all along...
Embarrassed and annoyed.
Chen Yi watched her walk quickly back to the wooden building, guessing more or less what she was thinking, and couldn't help but chuckle.
So even the lady can be shy sometimes.
Thinking this, Chen Yi glanced at the sky and guessed that the downpour wouldn't stop anytime soon, so he went straight to his study.
The burning of the summer grain in the three towns has come to an end; now it's up to the old master and Xiao Jinghong to decide how to handle the situation.
We should be able to use this opportunity to gain benefits for the Xiao family, or at the very least, to send a warning and alleviate some of the internal and external pressure.
Chen Yi had a general idea of what was going on, so he decided not to get involved.
He is unlikely to make any further moves in the near future.
I went to the study.
Chen Yi looked around and saw that all twenty-one calligraphy samples he had written earlier had been framed. He opened them one by one to check them, and after confirming that they were correct, he put them back into the box.
The calligraphy practice books are ready; all that's left is for the exhibition hall at Guiyun Academy to be set up and hung up.
I should be able to have a few more days of leisure.
At this moment, Xiao Wuge, having received the news, ran back with Xiao Die.
I could hear him calling out "brother-in-law" from a great distance.
Chen Yi put the box away and went out to greet them.
Upon seeing him, Xiao Wuge immediately smiled and asked, "Brother-in-law, when did you get back?"
"I just got back not long ago."
"Have you heard what happened in the manor?"
Seeing the "Ask me quickly" written all over his face, Chen Yi couldn't help but laugh and said, "I haven't heard anything about it. What happened?"
"This is really big, brother-in-law, I have to tell you..."
Listening to Xiao Wuge's excited recounting of what had happened at the manor that morning, Chen Yi nodded in approval.
This time, the old master and Xiao Jinghong didn't hold back like before, which was a relief after all he had done.
Early in the morning, Xiao Jinghong intercepted Xiao Dongchen, who was heading to the Provincial Administration Commission's office, and took him to the interrogation hall.
Although Xiao Dongchen vehemently denied it, once Xiao Jinghong led his men to find the 300,000 taels of silver notes at Sifangzhai, he was imprisoned in the torture chamber even without saying a word.
The old patriarch was also busy, and he directly summoned several clan elders, heads of various residences, and Xiao Wang, Xiao Shen, and others.
Not only did he take back the Hall of Punishments from Xiao Wang and announce on the spot that it would be under Xiao Xuanshuo's control, he also ordered Xiao Wang and all his second wives to leave Shuzhou.
At first, Xiao Wang was unwilling to back down, but when the old master took out Xiao Dongchen's letter and the silver notes that were found later, Xiao Wang was speechless.
At this moment, the entire second branch of the family was packing their belongings, as they were said to be setting off for Guangyue Prefecture to seek refuge with Xiao Qiuyun soon.
"Brother-in-law, why do you think Uncle Dongchen would betray the family? Grandpa and my eldest and second sisters were clearly good to the second branch of the family."
Xiao Wuge was somewhat puzzled and also somewhat angry.
It can be roughly considered a young person's sense of justice.
Chen Yi pondered for a moment, looked at the rain falling outside the window, and said with a smile:
"Human greed knows no bounds."
"There are too many temptations in this world, such as fame, fortune, money, power, status, and beauty. Once you fall into them, they will slowly erode your will."
"Good people can become treacherous and vicious, strong people can be drained of their energy, and even those who were originally ambitious and mentally strong can be bewitched."
Chen Yi paused, glancing at Xiao Jinghong carrying a bundle, and continued, "The saying 'He who has no desires is invincible' is probably referring to this."
Xiao Wuge nodded, "Then I will also be a person who is invincible because I have no desires."
Chen Yi chuckled and looked down at him, saying, "You're not good enough."
"Huh? Why?"
"You are a young marquis, too perfect, which will only attract more trouble."
Given the Xiao family's current situation, the more outstanding Xiao Wuge is, the more people will be wary of him.
On the contrary, if he could immerse himself in some harmless things, such as enjoying nature, he would be able to conceal his shortcomings.
Xiao Wuge didn't quite understand these principles, and asked, seemingly understanding but not quite, "Then what are my brother-in-law's desires?"
Chen Yi was taken aback, and said, seemingly casually, "Me."
"It's probably just playing chess and fishing every day. Of course, it would be even better if I also had a wife, kids, and a warm bed."
It wasn't because Xiao Jinghong deliberately said it.
This is his true thought.
No sooner had he finished speaking than footsteps were heard outside the door, followed by Xiao Jinghong saying:
"My lord, Wu Ge, I have some matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."
"Second sister?"
Before Chen Yi could speak, Xiao Wuge let out a whoosh and ran out, grabbing Xiao Jinghong and laughing as he said:
"When did Second Sister come back? Why didn't you say anything? Can't you stay? Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, and Eldest Sister was talking about you just a few days ago..."
The series of questions almost overwhelmed Xiao Jinghong, who was already in a daze.
Especially after seeing Chen Yi follow her out the door, she said with a slightly evasive look in her eyes:
"I have some very important things to take care of. You stay with your second brother-in-law for now. I'll come back as soon as I'm done, and I'll try to get back before the Mid-Autumn Festival."
Xiao Jinghong was indeed somewhat uneasy, and even felt a little hot on his face.
This feeling was similar to when the old man urged her to consummate her marriage with Chen Yi, leaving her somewhat at a loss.
However, just as Xiao Jinghong was about to leave, Wang Lixing rushed over from outside.
"Reporting to the General, something has happened!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinghong showed no sign of seriousness; instead, he breathed a sigh of relief and quickly asked, "What is it?"
Wang Lixing said anxiously, "Xiao Dongchen, he, he's dead."
Xiao Jinghong's eyes narrowed, the shyness in her heart completely dissipated, and she asked in a serious tone, "Didn't I tell you to be on high alert?"
Wang Lixing knelt down and saluted, "This subordinate has failed in his duties; please punish me, General!"
Xiao Jinghong frowned and glanced at him, then bid farewell to Chen Yi and Xiao Wuge, and hurriedly left with Wang Lixing.
"Brother-in-law, did you hear that? Uncle Dongchen, he..."
"It's none of your business. If you're feeling bored, I can talk to my older sister, and she can find you a few gentlemen this afternoon."
Distracted by Chen Yi, Xiao Wuge immediately forgot to ask and shouted that he couldn't refuse.
Chen Yi was obviously joking, and then suggested that they go fishing and play chess together in the afternoon.
This is an alternative way of saying "give a beating and then a sweet treat".
Xiao Dongchen's sudden death made him inevitably overthink things.
After much thought, he felt that the possibility of Xiao Dongchen committing suicide was unlikely.
It was most likely the hidden guards who made the move.
"Ge Laosan, or Lou Yuxue?"
"Or perhaps other hidden guards concealed within the Xiao residence?"
As Chen Yi pondered these thoughts, he took Xiao Wuge to the pond to fish, and his mood was generally relaxed.
Regardless of the cause of Xiao Dongchen's death, the Hidden Guards, Mingyue Tower, and the Liu family will all face retaliation from the Xiao family.
Of course, he, who operated in the shadows, was no exception.
Fortunately, he had made all the necessary arrangements in advance. As long as Liu Lang and Pei Guanli kept their mouths shut, he would be safe for the time being.
As for where Xiao Jinghong went after leaving the mansion, Chen Yi could guess a thing or two.
Aside from guarding the border market to prevent retaliation from those with ulterior motives, I didn't think about anything else.
After all, with the second branch of the family no longer causing trouble, the Xiao family is now practically a united front, and the old master only needs to focus on dealing with the outside world.
Soon, the news arrived.
To be precise, the news was brought back by Xiaodie from outside Chunhe Garden.
“Young Master, I heard that Master Dongchen committed suicide and even wrote a confession.”
"They said he was bewitched and instigated by the second young master of the Liu family to commit a serious mistake. They also said that he was instructed by the old man of Dingyuan Army, namely Ge Laosan, to burn the summer grain in the three towns."
Xiaodie patted her already somewhat voluptuous chest and said with lingering fear, "Oh, Ge Laosan!"
"Young Master, just now Ge Laosan drove Xiaodie and Miss Guanli around the city. I never expected him to be that kind of person."
Chen Yi sat by the pond, looking at the empty fishhook, and replied listlessly, "You can know a person's face but not their heart."
Having not fished in a long time, he had forgotten that he shouldn't have gone fishing with Xiao Wuge.
Another fruitless day.
But Xiao Wuge didn't think so. As he threw the golden carp he had caught back, he said, "The bad guys are hiding too well, they're too wicked."
Xiaodie nodded upon hearing this: "Young Master is right."
"It's a pity that the three elders, Ge and his companions, have disappeared, but the Second Miss has already sent people to investigate their whereabouts."
"And another thing, the news that the summer grain in Tiebi Town was burned has already spread throughout the city, but there are all sorts of rumors."
"Some say it was an invasion by foreign enemies, barbarians or people from the Vaishsa Kingdom, while others say it was bandits from the mountainous region bordering Shu and Jingzhou."
"The most outrageous thing is that some people are saying that the second young lady embezzled from her post and wanted to use the summer grain to exchange for silver to build a trade market."
Um?
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow and turned his head to ask, "Is the last version of the story widely circulated?"
Xiaodie nodded seriously: "It's not a small number. I heard from the young man in the front yard that it's being talked about in restaurants and markets."
Chen Yi frowned inwardly, a chill creeping into his heart.
It's normal for rumors to circulate during major events, but most of them are just boastful fabrications.
Saying things like "My neighbor lives in Tiebi Town. It was raining heavily last night. An enemy country is invading" is just an attempt to attract attention, prove one's abilities, and boast about being able to find out things that others don't know.
Most of these kinds of rumors are not malicious.
In contrast, the last rumor is too obvious in its targeting and purpose, and it has a logical loop, so it is clear that it was deliberately spread by someone with ulterior motives.
"The only person who could come up with such a plan and act so quickly is the one who knew in advance about burning the summer grain."
"Mingyue Tower, the Liu family, the hidden guards, me, and... the powerful backer hiding behind the scenes?"
Mingyue Lou Heiya died at Xiao Jinghong's hands. Lou Yuxue was busy erasing the traces of the hidden guards. Everyone else was worried about being found out by the Xiao family, so they didn't dare to show their faces for a while.
The same applies to the Hidden Guards; in half a day, they could only manage to eliminate Xiao Dongchen to the best of their ability.
Even if they wanted to spread rumors to sabotage the development of the trade market, it wouldn't be now.
Then there's the Liu family...
They were probably still completely bewildered, perhaps unaware that Liu Wen's body was in the Xiao family's possession.
After eliminating other possibilities, the remaining one, even if impossible, is the only solution.
—The one who made the move was the wealthy patron hiding in the shadows!
He pondered for a moment.
Chen Yi let out a soft breath and thought to himself, "Thank goodness."
He roughly deduced some things.
"The rumors were probably prepared in advance by that benefactor."
"Fortunately, the summer grain losses in the three towns were not significant, otherwise the Xiao family would have been in big trouble."
If Mingyue Tower and the Hidden Guards succeed in burning down the summer grain, the power of that rumor will be earth-shattering.
At that time, the Xiao family will not only have to investigate the burning of the summer grain in the three towns and solve the problem of the Dingyuan Army's food shortage, but also deal with the possible investigation and punishment from the imperial court after the rumors spread.
Most importantly, if the Xiao family gets caught up in these troubles, it will inevitably affect the development of the trade market.
At that time, the Xiao family, lacking manpower, food, and money, faced threats from all sides, especially the pressure of court investigation brought about by rumors. Apart from leading the Dingyuan Army to rebel or becoming bandits, they had no other way but to wait for death.
Even if the old master and Xiao Jinghong handle the situation well and use their connections to get help, they'll probably still suffer a lot.
Poisonous, really poisonous!
This three-birds-with-one-stone strategy is truly ruthless!
Chen Yi deduced most of it and couldn't help but grin, "I've underestimated everyone in the world."
He originally thought he had planned everything and had considered everyone, but he never expected that the unassuming benefactor would be so ruthless.
If they don't make a move, they don't make a move at all; but if they do, they will kill the Xiao family.
He is far more ruthless and intelligent than the likes of Xiao Dongchen and Liu Wen.
Thinking of this, Chen Yi calmly gave the order:
"Xiaodie, go outside and take a walk again, see if any other news comes through."
"By the way, the key is to ask about the reactions of the various government departments, such as the Provincial Administration Commission, the Provincial Surveillance Commission, and the Prefectural Government."
"Also, inquire about the prices of grain and medicinal herbs."
"Okay."
Xiaodie didn't think much of it and left Chunhe Garden directly.
Xiao Wuge belatedly asked, "Brother-in-law, what's wrong with those rumors? They're just common gossip."
Chen Yi shook his head slightly and said, "It's fine if few people believe it, but if many people believe it, the rumor becomes true."
"Won't that affect our family?"
"Some, but not many."
"That's good……"
About an hour later, Xiaodie returned.
However, the gossipy look on her face was gone, replaced by something strange.
"Son-in-law, this is so strange."
Chen Yi put away his fishing rod and looked at her seriously: "What's strange?"
"It's as if those rumors vanished into thin air. Now everyone in the city is praising the Second Miss for her bravery in eliminating the elders of some building and reaching the upper third rank in cultivation."
"And it is also said that the Second Miss patrolled the three towns in one night, which thwarted the villains' plan and ensured that the Dingyuan army's food supplies were not lost."
Chen Yi was slightly taken aback, then chuckled, "Anything else?"
That's a quick reaction.
I reckon the patron immediately rearranged things after learning the truth about last night.
"And those government offices, the prefectural government and the provincial administration office, nothing much, I heard they just sent people to ask the master for confirmation."
"It seems that someone in the Provincial Surveillance Commission had already written the memorial. If Lord Tang hadn't discovered it in time, the memorial would have been sent to the capital prefecture."
Chen Yi thought to himself, "Sure enough, everything is interconnected. That financier has indeed taken all the follow-up matters into account."
Needless to say, the prices of grain and medicinal herbs should have fluctuated today, or some grain shops may be experiencing shortages.
Xiao Die said, "What's even stranger is that the second steward in charge of purchasing in the manor said that this morning several of the larger grain shops in the city raised their prices, saying that the harvest this summer was poor and there was a shortage of grain..."
Chen Yi interrupted, "Prices have all gone up?"
Xiaodie nodded, "They have indeed all gone up."
Well, it seems that the big spender wasn't just one person, but a group of people.
No wonder they acted so quickly, covered such a wide range, and received the information so fast...
But what is this?
An anti-Xiao alliance?
"By the way, young master, before Xiaodie came back just now, she saw the second young lady leaving with some armored soldiers. I heard that she found some building."
Mingyue Tower?
No, it's Chunyu Tower.
Chen Yi realized that the other party wanted to use Xiao Jinghong to get rid of Chunyu Tower, that den of iniquity, so as to avoid being investigated by the Xiao family.
Tsk tsk tsk, Lou Yuxue is really pitiful.
She must be furious by now.
(End of this chapter)
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