CHAPTER 526: CHAPTER 282: WHAT DOES THE MYNA HAVE TO DO WITH THE SOUTHERN WEI?

Because there would be a banquet for the Xiongnu the next day, Zhao Yao canceled his afternoon archery practice and left the palace to find He Lianfang.

As soon as he arrived at He Lianfang’s residence, Zhao Yao couldn’t wait to ask about the progress of that investigation.

He Lianfang was a bit surprised to see Zhao Yao at this time but quickly handed over the message he had just received to Zhao Yao.

"See for yourself."

Seeing He Lianfang’s troubled expression, Zhao Yao felt a sinking feeling in his heart. He quickly took the message and read it. After reading, his face turned red with anger, and he gritted his teeth, cursing, "The Yuan Family dares to commit treason and betray the country!!!"

He Lianfang said with a sullen face, "I didn’t expect that the Yuan Family would collude with the Xiongnu either."

The message in his hand was crumpled by Zhao Yao’s grip as he angrily remarked, "The Yuan Family is indeed adept at putting on appearances."

The Yuan Family is one of the four major families in the capital, but it doesn’t compare to the other three, namely the Xie Family, Wang Family, and Xun Family.

In the previous dynasty, the Yuan Family was involved due to its marital ties with the Pei Family, or more precisely, the Noble Consort Pei’s family. Although the Yuan Family wasn’t executed like the Pei Family, it still faced significant punishment, causing it to fall from a first-tier family to a second-tier.

Later, during the turmoil of the previous dynasty, aristocratic families were inevitably swept into the chaos. It was understood that in such times, the social status of aristocrats and commoners didn’t matter, yet the aristocratic families still held it in high regard.

The Yuan Family, having fallen to a second-tier status, was ridiculed by other capital families. Naturally, they tried every means to restore their former status. Fortunately, during this time, a talented general emerged from the Yuan Family.

This general achieved great merit while quelling rebellions, allowing the Yuan Family to return to the ranks of first-tier families after the establishment of the Great Zhou. Unfortunately, this general was short-lived and died shortly after the nation was founded. It was only after the Emperor ascended to the throne and Princess Consort Liang entered the palace that the Yuan Family completely regained its first-tier status.

He Lianfang was much calmer than Zhao Yao, "The Yuan Family had connections with the Xiongnu even during the previous dynasty."

Upon hearing this, a realization flashed in Zhao Yao’s mind, and he quickly thought of something else.

"So, at that time, it was the Yuan Family who framed the Pei Family for treason and betrayal, but it was actually the Yuan Family who committed the real act of treason." The accusation against the Pei Family had long been proven false.

He Lianfang nodded slightly, "That’s right, it was the Yuan Family."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao’s expression turned grim, "The Yuan Family is truly vicious." Despite being in-laws with the Pei Family, they framed them to clear their own name of collusion with foreign forces, causing the Pei Family’s entire clan to be executed. "I don’t understand why the Yuan Family would collude with the Xiongnu, what did the Xiongnu offer them?"

He Lianfang sneered, "That only the Yuan Family knows."

"If the Yuan Family was colluding with the Xiongnu, why didn’t they ask the Xiongnu to help them seize the throne at that time?" Zhao Yao asked with a cold expression, "The Yuan Family surely had imperial ambitions."

"First: The Xiongnu were engaged in internal conflict then, too occupied to help the Yuan Family. Second: If the Yuan Family had really sought help from the Xiongnu, the Central Plains would have been devastated by the Xiongnu Iron Cavalry. Not only would the Yuan Family fail to ascend the throne, but they would also be hated across the Central Plains, becoming historical criminals, cursed for generations. The Yuan Family didn’t dare to take such a risk."

Zhao Yao felt that He Lianfang’s analysis was correct and nodded in agreement, "Indeed, a family like the Yuan Family, so pretentiously dignified, cares a lot about its reputation."

"It’s the family of the Virtuous King that colludes with the Yuan Family, while the Virtuous King supports the new Modu Chanyu in attacking the Great Zhou." He Lianfang stopped here, but a meaningful expression appeared on his face.

"When the Great Zhou and the Xiongnu engage in battle, the Yuan Family will secretly relay Great Zhou’s intelligence to the Virtuous King, causing Great Zhou to lose to the Xiongnu. At that time, Great Zhou will have to compensate the Xiongnu significantly." Zhao Yao finished what He Lianfang had left unsaid, "At that time, the Yuan Family, as ’meritorious ministers,’ will undoubtedly be rewarded by the Virtuous King."

"Exactly."

Zhao Yao exhaled with disgust, "The Yuan Family is truly revolting."

He Lianfang reminded Zhao Yao, "There’s one more thing you haven’t mentioned."

Zhao Yao paused for a moment, then said, "Sixth Brother!"

He Lianfang nodded slightly.

"The Virtuous King will help Sixth Brother ascend to the throne." Zhao Yao was so angry that he laughed, "The Yuan Family has indeed planned all this very well."

"During the upheaval of the previous dynasty, the Yuan Family didn’t dare use the Xiongnu’s power to seize the throne, but this doesn’t mean they have given up. Now that the Yuan Family has a Sixth Prince, they will definitely utilize the Virtuous King’s power to eliminate obstacles for the Sixth Prince and help him ascend to the throne in the end," He Lianfang said coldly, "This is the Yuan Family’s ultimate goal."