"Absurd!" Lianqiao couldn't help exclaiming. "The young lady is only twelve years old. Any respectable official family wouldn't marry off their legitimate daughter so young!"
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. Jiang Quan had only made this decision after receiving a letter. Li An preferred slow torment, so this couldn't be his idea. It must be that the bedridden Eldest Young Master Li had woken up and was preparing his revenge.
Diverting trouble to the east—Jiang Susu and her mother were probably overjoyed at this development.
"Young lady, this absolutely cannot be," Zisu said urgently. "Shouldn't we consult Eldest Young Master—no, the Old Master?"
"What's the hurry?" Jiang Ruan replied unhurriedly. "Even if he wants me to enter the Li family's door, he'll need the lifespan to see it through."
"The marriage agreement is about to be sent over," Zisu fretted. "The master is already so heartless, eager to have you take Second Young Lady's place in jumping into that pit of fire. The people of Delicate Splendor Courtyard are even more delighted to see it happen. Young lady, you must think of yourself!"
Jiang Ruan looked at her anxious expression and suddenly smiled faintly. "Don't believe me? How about a bet?"
Zisu froze.
"Let's bet that in three days, Jiang Quan will be begging tearfully to take back the marriage agreement," she said.
...
Meanwhile, in Delicate Splendor Courtyard, the gloomy atmosphere of the past few days had completely reversed into uncharacteristic cheer.
Jiang Susu nestled in Xia Yan's arms and said, "So Jiang Ruan will soon be married off to that cripple Li Yang?"
Xia Yan gave her a reproachful look. "Keep your voice down." Despite her words, she couldn't suppress a slight smile. "Indeed, the Li family is no simple place. Once she enters, she'll be no different from a brothel prostitute. That Li Dong—" Catching herself, she suddenly stopped and glanced at Jiang Susu.
Though Jiang Susu didn't understand matters between men and women, she could guess some things from Xia Yan's hints. Far from being embarrassed, she instead revealed a satisfied smile. "Really? After what she did to me and Brother, driving a wedge between us and Grandfather, and acting so arrogantly in the residence, wouldn't letting her keep her life be too lenient?"
"Entering the Prime Minister's residence will be a fate worse than death for her," Xia Yan said coldly. "Li Yang hates her to the core—how could she possibly fare well? When the time comes, you could trample her underfoot, and no one would dare say a word against it."
A flash of delight passed through Jiang Susu's beautiful eyes. Suddenly remembering something, she asked, "What about Jiang Xin Zhi? If he finds out, he won't let this go easily."
"Your father and I have decided to keep it from him for now. After dealing with that little wretch, we'll handle him," Xia Yan said, stroking Jiang Susu's head. "Susu, anyone who hurts you will pay a thousand—no, ten thousandfold."
Jiang Susu nodded obediently, nestling into Xia Yan's embrace, her eyes glinting with malice.
No matter how impressive the Jiang siblings might be, the one currently ruling the Jiang residence was still her mother, with Jiang Quan above them all. What did a deputy general matter? What did military merits matter? If their father wanted Jiang Ruan to marry a cripple, she would have no choice! Letting her enter the Prime Minister's residence was doing her a favor. Now that the marriage agreement had been sent to the Prime Minister's residence, Jiang Quan was determined to use Jiang Ruan to secure good relations with the Li family. This time, Jiang Ruan wouldn't escape her fate!
"Mother, I can't wait to see Jiang Ruan's miserable state after she marries into the Prime Minister's residence," Jiang Susu said."Very soon," Xia Yan's lips curled into a sinister smile. "The marriage agreement has already been delivered, and the date was arranged by your father and Prime Minister Li. Li Yang harbors deep hatred for Jiang Ruan, and his desire to torment her is likely even stronger. In my opinion, he will hasten to bring Jiang Ruan into his household. I’ll also take the opportunity to discuss this matter with your father to avoid any complications." Her voice was slow and low. "However, with parental orders and matchmaker’s words, no matter how long the night, it will surely be a dreamless one."
...
In the General's Residence.
Zhao Guang stared intently at the letter before him, while Zhao Yuanjia and his two brothers, along with Zhao Yi, stood on either side, their expressions uniformly grave.
After a long silence, Zhao Guang let out a deep sigh. "We’ll proceed as the letter instructs."
"Grandfather," Zhao Yi exclaimed in alarm. "Even if Cousin has been right about a few things before, if this turns out to be false, the Zhao family cannot bear the charge of mobilizing troops without authorization!"
"I trust that child." Since Jiang Ruan’s last visit to the General's Residence, where she revealed the truth about Zhao Mei’s death, Zhao Guang seemed to have aged ten years overnight. The once-vigorous general now bore traces of weariness on his face.
"Don’t worry," Zhao Yuanping said with a faint smile. "This matter doesn’t just concern us—she even called in our eldest nephew. She wouldn’t harm her own elder brother. The Zhao family is a military household; deploying a small contingent for an emergency is hardly unusual. If nothing happens, we can simply claim we were misled by an evil monk. If disaster strikes, we’ll have saved countless lives. Either way, it’s a win."
Zhao Yuanping, the shrewdest man in the Zhao family, habitually weighed pros and cons like a merchant, yet no one ever doubted his judgment. With both him and Zhao Guang in agreement, the others raised no objections. The matter was thus settled.
"Tonight, you will lead the troops to Bo Chang Reservoir," Zhao Guang instructed Zhao Yuanjia. "Before dawn tomorrow, the Eighth Prince will surely send men to guard it. Avoid confrontation—kill them all as swiftly as possible."
"Won’t this provoke the Eighth Prince directly?" Zhao Yuanjia frowned. "Forming such enmity may bode ill for the future." The General's Residence had long maintained neutrality in court affairs, neither accepting overtures nor rejecting them outright. But after tonight, they would inevitably cross Ye Li, and future encounters would likely be fraught with bloodshed.
"Do you think yielding would spare the General's Residence?" Zhao Guang countered. "Go. Follow the letter’s instructions."
Zhao Yuanjia and the others exchanged glances before bowing and leaving the study. Once they were gone, Zhao Guang’s gaze returned to the letter. Jiang Ruan had demanded they eliminate the Eighth Prince’s men cleanly—no survivors, no chance for them to call reinforcements. He understood her reasoning: if Ye Li’s men were given an opportunity to summon aid, he would never allow the Zhao family to evacuate the villagers downstream from the reservoir.
By silencing the Eighth Prince’s men, they could later claim the guards were swept away if the dam collapsed—leaving no evidence, forcing Ye Li to swallow the loss in silence. Zhao Guang sighed deeply. He admired Jiang Ruan’s cunning and was startled by her ruthless decisiveness. Yet she was still so young. At her age, Zhao Yulong and Zhao Feizhou had been carefree youths untouched by sorrow.She carried too many mysteries within her, things unfamiliar to the General's Residence, yet he had no intention of forcing her. If one day Jiang Ruan truly accepted them as family, she would speak of her own accord without needing to be asked. The only question was whether that day would ever come.
Such was the atmosphere in the General's Residence, and naturally, the Jiang household presented a completely different scene.
On his way back to the residence, Jiang Xin Zhi spotted a vendor selling hibiscus steamed cakes and bought a few for Jiang Ruan. Back when Zhao Mei was still alive, Jiang Ruan had loved the hibiscus steamed cakes from Willow Lane. Years had passed, and the lane had been renovated several times, but the couple selling the cakes was still there. They recognized him and even teased him for not bringing his little sister around in all these years.
Thinking of this, Jiang Xin Zhi shook his head and smiled. Jiang Ruan took the cakes and set them aside, looking at him with a faint smile. "Elder Brother, be extra careful tonight."
Jiang Xin Zhi was dressed in a deep blue robe embroidered with green pines, presenting a refined and scholarly appearance. Yet beneath that gentle exterior lay the unyielding armor of a warrior. At midnight, a night raid awaited—though not as fierce as those on the battlefield, it was still fraught with danger. He chuckled and patted Jiang Ruan's head. "Understood. Do you really think your elder brother is so incapable in your eyes?"
Jiang Ruan also smiled lightly, her gaze warming slightly as she looked at him. Propping her chin on one hand, she adopted a rare playful tone. "In my heart, Elder Brother will always be a towering and indomitable man."
After learning of her plan, Jiang Xin Zhi had agreed without hesitation, never once doubting whether there would truly be a heavy rain the next day or questioning why the reservoir would collapse. The moment Jiang Ruan spoke, he had consented. Perhaps in this world, he was the only one who would unconditionally believe her words and risk his life for them.
"Elder Brother stole General Guan's seal, but there's no need to mobilize too many soldiers—just a small group will suffice," Jiang Ruan said. "However, General Guan will surely be furious afterward. Elder Brother... may have to endure some hardship."
In her past life at the palace, she had rarely seen the Emperor, but Ye Li had mentioned that the Emperor was inherently suspicious. Though the Zhao family were founding heroes, their influence had grown too vast, especially since their return to the capital many years ago. Despite the Emperor's favor, who knew how much of it was genuine? Guan Lianghan, however, was different. For one, he had long been stationed at the borders and had little connection to the capital's power struggles. Secondly, his straightforward nature had earned him the Emperor's trust.
After this success, the Zhao family's contribution alone would not be enough—they needed to involve Guan Lianghan. As long as they were associated with him, the Emperor's heart would soften somewhat. Moreover, Jiang Xin Zhi's involvement would only benefit his future career.
People often said one must climb step by step, never rushing. Jiang Xin Zhi had already been promoted to deputy general and had military merits to his name. If he could save thousands of lives downstream during the flood control, it would surely bring further rewards. Thus, when he eventually stepped into the highest echelons of power in the Da Jin Dynasty, he would naturally stand taller than others.
Jiang Xin Zhi was risking his life for her, and she, in turn, was paving his way forward.
And the first step on that path was to rise by stepping over the bones of those from the Prime Minister's residence.
...
At the Eighth Prince's residence in the capital.Ye Li sat at the desk, slowly taking a sip of tea. Li An had been speaking with him here all afternoon. Tomorrow would mark the third day as predicted by the monk, yet the rain was gradually lessening, almost stopping completely.
He slowly relaxed his brow. The Fifth Prince's scheme had ultimately proven ineffective. Once tomorrow passed, the officials recording this flood control effort would report it to the court, further elevating his reputation among the people and garnering more supporters in the imperial court. Then, he could throw that imprisoned monk into the dungeons for interrogation. If the monk could implicate the Fifth Prince, it would be absolutely perfect.
However, Li An's earlier words echoed in his ears once more: "Your Highness must not underestimate the Jiang family's eldest daughter. This girl is cunning by nature and ruthless in action. If left unchecked, she will become a serious threat in the future. If she can be recruited and used, she might become a powerful ally."
What exactly was being implied here? He couldn't tell. The image of a faintly smiling face surfaced in his mind. Just a little girl who only knew the petty struggles of the inner chambers—how could she be worthy of being called an "ally"?
Ye Li gave a slight, mocking smile, though for some reason, a trace of unease lingered in his heart. A subordinate entered and reported, "Your Highness, the reservoir has been inspected. There are no issues. Soldiers have been stationed there, and everything is completely normal."
Ye Li waved his hand. "Dismissed."
He had ordered a group of soldiers to guard the reservoir to prevent any tampering—nothing could go wrong. After a while, he suppressed the discomfort in his heart and slowly smiled.
Just a bunch of clowns—why waste any more thought on them?
...
In a quiet villa in the capital, the surroundings were serene. A few guards stood watch at the entrance, and inside, the fragrance of tea wafted through the air. Seated by the window was a yellow-robed monk silently reciting Buddhist scriptures.
His expression was calm and unperturbed, exuding the dignified aura of a venerable monk. Yet, as he chanted, he suddenly paused, his eyes snapping open.
The guards remained vigilant even at night. Under the dim glow of the red lanterns hanging from the eaves, fine threads of rain slanted down, nearly invisible.
The rain seemed to be stopping.
Huijue silently watched, slowly unclenching his hands, which had been tightly gripping his prayer beads. His palms were drenched in sweat.
If the heavy rain did not come as promised by tonight, he knew better than anyone what awaited him.
Over the past few days, people had occasionally come in to speak with him. Though their tone was gentle, their words carried veiled threats and pressure. He could only pretend not to notice. Fortunately, they had not gone so far as to harass him.
Ye Li cared deeply about his reputation. Until tomorrow, he would treat Huijue with courtesy. After tomorrow, Huijue would be branded as an evil monk who had incited chaos, and no punishment would be deemed excessive.
Huijue narrowed his eyes slightly. This was a game of strategy, and it seemed he was on the verge of losing.
Yet he could only endure. If he changed his testimony now, Jiang Ruan's backers would surely take their anger out on his son.
He closed his eyes again and slowly, slowly resumed his silent recitation of the scriptures.
...
Brocade Hero King Manor.
Xiao Shao finished reading the letter in his hands in silence. A snow-white pigeon perched on the desk, cooing softly.
After a long pause, he said, "Take my seal and invite General Guan here."
Jin Yi bowed and left to carry out the order. Xiao Shao reached out, his long, slender fingers lightly tracing the letter, his eyes icy cold.
Jiang Xin Zhi, Zhao Yuanjia?
...The continuous rain had cleansed the night sky of the capital, especially in recent days as the downpour gradually lightened. Tonight's sky was exceptionally clear, as if a bright moon might hang on the willow branches by the lake at any moment.
The Bo Chang Reservoir was utterly calm in all directions, with faint raindrops gently falling on the water's surface, stirring shallow ripples like the tender whispers between lovers.
Guards with swords patrolled the reservoir's edge, while the villagers downstream had already drifted into dreams.
Amidst the tranquil silence, a distant "plop" suddenly echoed, as if something had fallen into the water. A drowsy guard by the shore lifted his heavy eyelids and asked his companion, "What was that sound just now?"
His companion waved a hand dismissively. "No idea. Go check it out."
Rubbing his eyes, the guard walked forward until he reached the source of the sound. Peering into the water, he muttered, "What's going on?"
The water rippled faintly, and under the dim glow of his torch, something seemed to float beneath the surface. Leaning closer for a better look, the guard suddenly felt a chill at his neck—before he could react, his body collapsed.
The assailant dragged him aside, swiftly stripped him of his uniform, and donned it himself before picking up the fallen torch.
A while later, the other guard finally spotted his returning companion, who seemed to be taking his time.
"What took you so long? What happened?" the guard asked impatiently.
The returning figure merely shook his head and yawned.
"Stay alert. If anyone catches you dozing on watch, neither of us will get off easy," the guard grumbled.
The torch in the other's hand swayed lazily, casting only a faint glow on his face, obscuring his features.
As the guard continued muttering, a sudden unease gripped him. He whirled around. "Wait—you're not—"
His voice cut off abruptly.
A sharp blade had already pierced his abdomen. The stranger, clad in their comrade's uniform, stared at him impassively.
Gasping, the guard fumbled for the signal flare in his robes, but before he could retrieve it, a hand snatched it away.
Then, in the darkness surrounding the reservoir, countless shadowy figures emerged like ghosts, silently closing in like a meticulously woven net.
The night filled with the muffled sounds of slaughter.
That night, someone clad in armor led three hundred elite soldiers in an ambush at Bo Chang—a one-sided massacre, blades rising and falling, blood flowing freely.
That night, someone slept soundly in a warm, lavish mansion, incense curling through the air, undisturbed by dreams.
That night, countless shadows infiltrated the homes of Bo Chang's villagers, forcing them to flee under cover of darkness.
That night, in a secluded estate, a yellow-robed monk sat in silent meditation, chanting sutras until dawn.
The night breeze swayed gently, the rain falling like silk—lingering, tender. Some dreamed peacefully; others lay awake.
Then, as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, a deafening roar echoed from the east, jolting the slumbering capital awake.
...
Rain poured down in torrents.
With a thunderous crash, the Bo Chang Reservoir's dam shattered down the middle like fragile parchment. The pent-up waters, mingled with the rain, surged forth in a roaring deluge, instantly transforming into a vast sea that swallowed countless homes downstream in the blink of an eye.Like a bolt from the blue, news of the Bo Chang Reservoir's collapse spread instantly through the capital. The overflowing floodwaters not only surged downstream but also inundated lower-lying areas nearby.
The news arrived just as Jiang Ruan was enjoying hibiscus steamed cakes in her room.
She hadn’t eaten them the night before, and though they were slightly cold by morning, paired with hot tea, they still held a unique charm.
Jiang Xin Zhi, drenched from the rain, had just changed into dry clothes, his hair still damp. The moment he stepped into Jiang Ruan’s room and saw her eating, he chided, "Why are you eating cold food? Be careful not to upset your stomach."
Jiang Ruan smiled at him. "It’s fine."
Jiang Xin Zhi sat down across from her and said with a grin, "Everything’s been settled. The people have been moved to East Slope Mountain—it’s high ground, so there shouldn’t be any issues."
Jiang Ruan nodded, but noticing his slight hesitation, she asked, "Did something happen?" Jiang Xin Zhi didn’t hide it from her. "Last night, while I was with our cousin, General Guan also arrived. He didn’t question me about mobilizing troops without orders and even brought some men to assist me." He frowned. "Those men didn’t seem like soldiers. They handled the corpses with practiced ease, like professional killers." Realizing he shouldn’t discuss such bloody matters in front of Jiang Ruan, he quickly added, "A Ruan, you don’t need to concern yourself with this."
"If General Guan helped you, he must have his reasons. Since he didn’t bring it up, neither should you." Though Jiang Ruan didn’t fully understand Guan Lianghan’s intentions either, there were more pressing matters at hand. "Brother, if it’s convenient, could you find some trustworthy people to spread this message in the streets?" She handed him a slip of paper.
Jiang Xin Zhi took it, puzzled, but froze the moment he read it. After a moment’s thought, he asked, "A Ruan, what did the Li family do to you?"
He had assumed Jiang Ruan’s actions were aimed at supporting the Zhao family or, at most, weakening Ye Li’s influence to cripple him temporarily. But now, it seemed all her efforts were directed at the Prime Minister’s residence. The more he thought about it, the more alarming it became. He was horrified, yet it dawned on him that the Li family must have done something unspeakable to Jiang Ruan—otherwise, why would she harbor such deep-seated hatred?
Since returning to the Jiang household, he had inquired about Jiang Ruan’s past, but everyone remained tight-lipped. Even the maids and servants knew little, let alone could provide a clear account.
Jiang Ruan replied calmly, "Li Yang tried to assault me. I castrated him. The Li family despises me for it. If they live, they’ll inevitably become my enemies. It’s either them or me. I won’t rest until the entire Li family is destroyed." Her tone was indifferent, but Jiang Xin Zhi’s heart raced. First, he was stunned, then his fists clenched in fury. "How dare they!"
He tucked the note into his robe. "Leave this to me," he said, looking at Jiang Ruan. "A Ruan, if only I had returned a day earlier, you wouldn’t have suffered such humiliation."
Jiang Ruan smiled faintly. "It’s fine."
Humiliation wasn’t terrifying. What was terrifying was enduring disgrace without realizing it, never having the chance to rise again, living out a wretched life—just like her past existence.
Jiang Xin Zhi strode out the door.
...At the Eighth Prince's residence, Ye Li violently smashed the nine-dragon-patterned glazed teacup in front of him. The cup shattered on the ground, sending crystal shards flying as his muscles tensed up. The usual gentleness on his face vanished completely, replaced by bone-deep fury.
"What happened? Weren't we told the dam was perfectly fine? How could it collapse if there were no issues?" He slammed the ledger in his hand onto the nearest advisor.
The advisor didn't dare breathe too loudly. This was the first time the usually mild-mannered Eighth Prince had lost his temper with his advisors. He had always maintained impeccable emotional control - even when seething with hatred, he could smile warmly at his enemies.
No one knew the true depth of Ye Li's current rage.
Why did it have to happen now!
Just as his merits were about to reach fulfillment, gaining him prestige among the people and the Emperor's favor, with only this final achievement needed to make the court's inclinations unmistakably clear—naturally, a majority of officials would wisely align themselves with him. This would grant him more manpower and greater leverage for the future.
These past days, he had devoted himself entirely to the reservoir project, confident that nothing could go wrong. Yet at this very moment, everything had collapsed at the last step!
Ye Li had never been one to admit defeat. This incident was like a public slap to his face. Outwardly composed, he was inwardly proud and arrogant—how could he tolerate such a failure?
Furious, he roared, "Summon Li An at once!" Then, recalling something, he added, "Send men to guard that monk and bring him here."
His subordinates obeyed and left.
Overnight, the tide turned completely. The once heroic and wise Eighth Prince, celebrated for his flood control achievements, was suddenly branded in the people's mouths as a stubborn, incompetent man who disregarded thousands of lives and disrespected a revered monk.
The Bo Chang Reservoir had collapsed entirely, destroying all downstream homes. Had it not been for the efforts of Zhao Yi, the city guard from the General's Residence, and Guan Lianghan, who had just returned from the front lines, evacuating the people overnight, countless innocent lives would have been lost in the flood.
The people hailed the Zhao Family Army and Guan Family Army as saviors, earning instant praise and adoration from the capital's citizens.
Meanwhile, Master Huijue, whose prophecy of the reservoir's collapse had come true, was revered as a divine being. Who could have foreseen it? Just when the capital's rains had begun to ease and seemed on the verge of stopping, a sudden downpour struck that very morning. Without the Zhao and Guan armies, the capital would have been haunted by thousands more restless souls.
News like this flowed through streets and alleys, through noble estates, across the skies of the Da Jin Dynasty's capital, and finally reached the imperial court.
Seizing the opportunity, supporters of the Fifth Prince fiercely criticized the Eighth Prince's actions. Memorials impeaching Ye Li, the Eighth Prince, piled up like snowflakes on the Emperor's desk.
But the matter did not end there.
A rumor quietly spread through the capital: the dam had indeed been constructed under the supervision of an official promoted by Prime Minister Li Dong. This official had embezzled a significant portion of the dam's construction funds, much of which ended up in the Prime Minister's residence. Fearing exposure, Li An, the Prime Minister's second son, had gone to great lengths to cover it up, even at the cost of thousands of downstream lives. The Eighth Prince, being close to Li An, had also helped conceal the truth.
The Emperor understood that absolute purity was unattainable—minor corruption among officials was inevitable. But the Bo Chang Reservoir was the capital's largest, crucial for the city's water supply and the irrigation of thousands of acres of fertile land. Petty embezzlement might be overlooked, but excessive greed made one a parasite upon the state.
Especially at this critical juncture, Li An's actions were no different from silencing witnesses—except his victims numbered in the thousands. The entire court was shocked, and the Emperor, enraged, issued an edict without hesitation: the Prime Minister's residence was guilty of corruption and malfeasance, and the dam's destruction was an unforgivable crime. They were to be imprisoned pending trial.At that time, Li An was at the Eighth Prince's residence speaking with Ye Li. Ye Li angrily said, "What on earth is going on? How could what that monk said be true?"
Li An was also puzzled for the first time. After some thought, he replied, "They must have kept a backup plan. This matter is definitely connected to the Zhao family. Last night, all of His Highness's guards disappeared without a trace—most likely all killed by the Zhao family and Guan Lianghan. But these soldiers were from the military—how could there be no traces left at all?"
"What use would leaving traces be?" Ye Li said. "I can't possibly tell anyone about this, so I'll just have to swallow the loss. Besides, since they dared to kill so brazenly, they must have a way to cover it up." He clenched his fists. "The Zhao family? So they've sided with the Fifth Prince now."
"Your Highness, I still think this matter is highly suspicious. It may not necessarily be the Fifth Prince's doing," Li An said.
Ye Li glared at him with displeasure. "Li An, I've trusted you many times before, but this time, I've been deceived."
"I await Your Highness's punishment," Li An quickly knelt and begged for forgiveness, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes as he lowered his head.
"Enough," Ye Li waved his hand. "Right now, Father must be furious. I must go and plead for mercy, or there will be no way out."
As they spoke, a guard hurried in from outside. Seeing Ye Li, he immediately knelt and said, "Your Highness, something has happened."
Ye Li frowned. "What is it?"
The guard glanced at Li An. Ye Li said, "Speak."
"His Majesty has issued an edict to arrest the members of the Prime Minister's household and imprison them for interrogation."
"What?" Li An suddenly stood up.
The guard quickly explained the details. Ye Li's frown deepened. While this seemed like misfortune for the Prime Minister's household, it was intricately connected to the Eighth Prince's residence as well. Though the Emperor hadn't said anything yet, he likely already harbored displeasure toward Ye Li.
For a moment, Li An was stunned. For some reason, an ominous premonition rose in his heart. The Emperor was well aware of how the Prime Minister's household had operated in the capital over the years, yet he had turned a blind eye because the court's balance of power required the Prime Minister's presence. Once this balance was disrupted, the current favorable situation would collapse. The Emperor knew this, and so did the Prime Minister's household. As long as they acted within limits, their audacity was of no consequence.
But now, the Emperor had actually ordered the Prime Minister's household to be imprisoned. For those who had enjoyed boundless glory, imprisonment meant they would never regain their former status. The Emperor was determined to punish the Prime Minister's household—what should they do next?
Ye Li frowned. "How could Father believe such an absurd thing?"
"The rumors outside are rampant," the guard said cautiously. "They sound very convincing. The officials sent by the Emperor to raid the Prime Minister's residence indeed found countless jewels and treasures."
Li An stood frozen in place.
The Bo Chang Reservoir had indeed been constructed by officials promoted by Li Dong. There had naturally been embezzlement, but it shouldn't have been so fragile as to collapse at the slightest touch—at least it had a stable foundation. The court tacitly understood the funds allocated for such projects. The sudden collapse of the dam was unexpected, yet it had sparked endless rumors.
And now, so much gold, silver, and jewelry had been found in the Prime Minister's residence.Although most of these jewels had nothing to do with the silver allocated for the reservoir project, given the current situation, all that silver would inevitably be pinned on the reservoir affair.
Not long ago, Ye Li had hinted to the Emperor that the national treasury was running low and suggested looking to the wealthy mansions of high-ranking officials for solutions. Originally intending to target the Zhao family, the Zhao family suddenly began distributing porridge to the poor, leaving the Emperor with no opening to act. Now, with countless jewels discovered in the Prime Minister's residence, wasn't this like serving a ready-made feast right to the Emperor's table?
With such a massive fortune at stake, how could the Emperor resist? Especially when floods were rampant, and the national treasury needed replenishment more than ever.
With pressure mounting layer by layer, the Prime Minister's residence stood no chance.
With the downfall of the Prime Minister's residence and the Eighth Prince's faction weakened, it might seem like the Fifth Prince stood to gain the most, but the Zhao family also benefited significantly.
The General's Residence, which had always remained aloof and sought neutrality, had suddenly acted out of character. The disappearance of hundreds of elite guards last night undoubtedly had their involvement. Since when had the General's Residence resorted to such ruthless methods?
And Guan Lianghan—why had he gotten involved?
Li An swiftly pieced these events together in his mind—the General's Residence, Guan Lianghan... Suddenly, a name surfaced in his thoughts: Jiang Xin Zhi.
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel