CHAPTER 568: CHAPTER 568: REFRESHING

Lanzhi didn’t go up to inquire further, but ran back to Qihao Hall and told the Old Madam what she heard.

At the time, Mrs. Wang was in the room, and Lanzhi leaned over to the Old Madam’s ear and whispered a few words.

The Old Madam’s face turned so pale, it would make anyone who saw it tremble all over.

Seeing her like this, Mrs. Wang thought the Old Madam would not help Aunt Ding anymore.

But the result was beyond her expectation. When the Old Prince came, the Old Madam even brought up the idea for the second master to seek the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

The Old Prince felt the second master was not suitable for the position.

The Ministry of Revenue deals with money and requires someone honest to manage it. The second master was not suitable.

Furthermore, the Prince Zhenbei Mansion already holds military power, and if they also eye the court’s funds, they might be feared by others.

Even though the Old Prince was unwilling, the Old Madam was still trying her best to persuade him, "Half of the Ministry of Revenue is under Duke Chong’s control. The Emperor wishes to insert someone in, but it won’t be easy. The second still has some hope."

"The Emperor trusts our Prince Zhenbei Mansion, why should you fear being suspected?"

The Old Prince did not agree immediately, only saying he would think about it.

The words with which the Old Madam persuaded the Old Prince were heard clearly, word for word, by Mrs. Wang.

Aunt Ding leaked the news to the Heir’s wife, causing the Old Madam not only to lose money but also her reputation, suffering greatly at the Great Buddha Temple.

With the Old Madam’s current temper, it would be good enough if she didn’t kill Aunt Ding, let alone help her.

What exactly did Aunt Ding hold against the Old Madam?

Mrs. Wang turned over repeatedly in bed, pondering for a whole night.

She vaguely remembered the first time Aunt Ding spoke alone with the Old Madam was not long after the Old Madam lost her memory in the accident at the Great Buddha Temple.

Since then, the Old Madam’s attitude towards Aunt Ding changed.

But Mrs. Wang really couldn’t understand, since the Old Madam had amnesia and couldn’t even remember Aunt Ding, how could she have been blackmailed by her?

And this leverage lasted for thirty-two years.

She was the Old Madam’s personal maid, and the former Old Madam trusted her deeply.

She dared to swear on her life that the Old Madam had never done anything to be held against.

How did Aunt Ding get something on her?

Mrs. Wang racked her brains but could not figure it out.

But she became even more curious.

To hold such leverage that even in anger, the Old Madam continued to help—it was definitely no small matter.

After being disappointed in the Old Madam, Mrs. Wang felt more and more that the Old Madam had serious issues, as if a thorn was stuck in her throat.

She couldn’t eat or sleep well until she dug out this leverage and removed the thorn.

...

It was an uneasy night in the Capital City.

Su Jin and Xie Jingchen were admiring the night view on a bamboo rooftop.

Gradually, they were attracted by some flames.

Because it was in the direction of the Beauty Pavilion.

At first, it was just thick smoke, but gradually the flames shot up into the sky.

Su Jin’s heart rose with concern.

Tianxiang Building had been burned down by someone, and she feared that the Beauty Pavilion might meet the same fate.

Concerned, Xie Jingchen sent a Hidden Guard to check it out.

Su Jin just sat on the rooftop watching, but it wasn’t just that place catching fire.

At least three places had caught fire.

The Hidden Guard, worried about Su Jin, returned quickly, "Heir’s wife, rest assured, it’s not the Beauty Pavilion that’s on fire."

"How could so many places catch fire?" Su Jin asked.

Thinking of the riots and looting by refugees during the day, Su Jin speculated, "Could the refugees have set the fires?"

"It shouldn’t be," the Hidden Guard replied.

"When I went to the Beauty Pavilion, a servant was wiping off kerosene that had been splashed on the door by someone."

"If the shopkeeper hadn’t been vigilant and had people watching, the Beauty Pavilion would have probably been burned already."

"The person splashing kerosene possessed martial arts skills, and they weren’t weak, but they were raggedly dressed and mixed in with the refugees, unable to be caught. It seems someone intended to frame the refugees for a revenge attack on the Beauty Pavilion."

Xie Jingchen said with cold eyes, "I’m afraid it’s not just about framing; the riots during the day were likely instigated too."

If the refugees truly had such courage, why would they come to the Capital to loot?

Doesn’t everyone know that the Capital is full of nobles and people not to be provoked?

Why not loot somewhere else on their way to the Capital?

But if someone led the instigation, in order to survive, those refugees would become daring.

The Hidden Guard came back just to inform them, concerned that someone might still want to set fire to the Beauty Pavilion, so he went back to keep an eye on it.

Seeing the distant fires not subsiding but growing larger, Su Jin felt a heavy weight in her heart.

In one night, sixteen shops were burned down.

Such a big incident in the Capital City reached the Emperor’s ears as soon as he woke up.

Seeing that the Beimo Cheng King was about to enter the Capital, and the Capital was set ablaze and turned into ruins, how humiliating!

This would only solidify their determination to annex Daqi!

In his anger, the Emperor wanted to throw all the refugees into prison, preferring to wrongfully capture than to let go.

But such a proposal had little support from the ministers.

If it weren’t for natural or man-made disasters, those people would not have left their homes to seek a living in the Capital. After all, they are pitiful people.

Although a few harbored ill-intentions, it was not fair to implicate others because of them.

The court failing to provide shelter to the people and instead imprisoning them would undermine public trust.

In any case, Marquis Dongxiang did not support this course of action.

Actually, the Emperor said in his anger, "These refugees in the Capital are always a threat."

"Sixteen shops were burned in one night; who knows what will happen if they stay?"

Duke Chong suggested, "Why not drive the refugees outside of the Capital?"

"That’s a good idea. I suggest Duke Chong undertake this task," proposed Marquis Dongxiang.

Duke Chong, "...."

He had wanted to pass this hot potato to Marquis Dongxiang!

Quickly, Duke Chong said, "Emperor, this task is best handled by Marquis Dongxiang. The Flying Tiger Army has great respect among the people. They may not trust the court, but they trust the Flying Tiger Army."

Truly insidious.

Passing such a heart-wrenching task to the Flying Tiger Army, wasn’t it ruining the Flying Tiger Army’s reputation among the people?

The Flying Tiger Army is meant to protect and serve as guardians for the people.

Duke Chong’s faction endorsed giving the task to Marquis Dongxiang.

But just when all other ministers thought Marquis Dongxiang would refuse, he accepted the task.

"Marquis," Prince NanAn called out.

Marquis Dongxiang smiled and said, "The Flying Tiger Army exists to help the Emperor solve problems, but since I’m to drive the refugees out, I’ll take full responsibility for how it’s done."

Marquis Dongxiang agreed so readily that Duke Chong felt a bit uneasy.

Was he being set up?

He couldn’t see any benefit in chasing away the refugees.

Looking towards the Emperor, he said, "Emperor, it’s been over two months without rain in the Capital, and even worse outside the Capital. I beseech the Emperor to issue an edict of self-reproach."

The Emperor’s face turned quite dark.

All the officials kneeled and pleaded for the Emperor to issue an edict of self-reproach.

The Emperor was so angry his face turned green.

He flung his sleeve and stood up to leave.

Eunuch Fu quickly announced, "Court is adjourned!"

Returning to the Imperial Study, the Emperor angrily pounded the table, "How can I be blamed for the heavens not sending rain?!"

"Calm down, Your Majesty," Eunuch Fu tried to soothe him.

"It’s been customary through the ages to do so, please just draft one."

Fanning himself with a fan, the Emperor huffed and picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, but couldn’t begin to write.

He put the brush down and said, "Summon the Heir of Prince Zhenbei to the palace to see me!"