Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 150: Prince Pingxi Takes Action

Guests streamed continuously at the entrance of the Xie residence. Yun Chu, tired of receiving them, left the task to Yuan Shi and took the two children to the rear courtyard.

The two little ones were overjoyed, circling Yun Chu and calling her "Mother" repeatedly.

Meanwhile, Xie Jingyu sat down with Chu Yi in the banquet hall, where servants served the finest tea.

Chu Yi spoke casually, "I had long heard that Old Madam Xie passed away, and Minister Xie fell gravely ill from grief. Yet, looking at you now, Minister Xie, you seem to be doing rather well."

Xie Jingyu replied respectfully, "I was indeed bedridden at first, but my wife helped by inviting a retired old imperial physician to examine me and prescribe medicine. After taking the medicine, I improved significantly."

Chu Yi's fingers paused.

Was she... so concerned about this man that she went to such lengths to invite an old imperial physician for him?

A sense of gloom settled in his heart. He asked offhandedly, "Which physician did you invite?"

"It was Physician Qin," Xie Jingyu answered. "Physician Qin is highly skilled; I expect to recover completely soon."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yi frowned.

He might not be familiar with every civil and military official, but because his two children had been frail since birth, he knew the imperial physicians in the Tai Hospital inside out—their surnames, specialties, and even the retired old imperial physicians. He was equally well-informed about the physicians, practitioners, and barefoot doctors in the capital's streets and alleys...

Yet, he had never heard of a retired old imperial physician surnamed Qin.

Setting aside his doubts for the moment, he remarked, "Today is the joyous occasion of the Xie family's eldest daughter's wedding, yet it seems someone is missing from the Xie family?"

Xie Jingyu's expression stiffened.

The missing person was naturally Xie Shiwei, his disappointing second son.

On such a celebratory day, he didn't even want to mention that unfilial son.

"How could someone be missing on such a joyous occasion?" Chu Yi smiled. "I have specially brought Young Master Xie back for you, Minister Xie."

"What?!"

Xie Jingyu's face paled, and he stood up abruptly.

His sudden movement drew the attention of several nearby guests, who wondered what had happened.

"Why is Minister Xie so agitated?" Chu Yi said leisurely. "I heard the Xie family has been searching for Young Master Xie's whereabouts. Coincidentally, my men spotted him, so I thought to give you a grand gift."

While having Cheng Xu investigate the Xie family, he discovered that He Yiniang—the concubine for whom Xie Jingyu had disregarded propriety—had died under mysterious circumstances.

Following the clues of He Yiniang, he uncovered a shocking secret.

He Yiniang was actually the legitimate granddaughter of the former Minister of Revenue, He, who had been convicted of corruption and misconduct over twenty years ago.

Moreover, the Xie family's eldest son, eldest daughter, and second son were likely descendants of the He family as well, though he had yet to find concrete evidence.

"Come, Minister Xie, accompany me to welcome Young Master Xie back to the residence."

Hearing Chu Yi's words, Xie Jingyu swayed unsteadily.

After Old Madam's death, Xie Shiwei had secretly fled. At that time, countless people in the capital gossiped about the Xie family, making them seem like rats scurrying across the street.

After so many days, the Xie family's affairs had finally faded from public memory... If Wei Ge'er returned now, he would be arrested immediately, and Old Madam's death would be brought up again... If Wei Ge'er's guilt were confirmed, the Xie family would be forever branded with shame."By the way, there's another matter." Chu Yi's voice was heavy. "The massive corruption scandal in the Ministry of Revenue that shook the capital over twenty years ago - I presume Minister Xie, as a Director in the Ministry of Revenue, has heard of it?"

Xie Jingyu was still reeling from the matter of Xie Shiwei when another bombshell struck him.

"I've heard the He family descendants recently came to the capital." Chu Yi stared at Xie Jingyu. "Has Minister Xie met any members of the He family?"

Xie Jingyu felt dizzy, nearly falling from his chair.

"N-no." He gasped for breath, pausing a long moment before continuing. "This official doesn't understand what Your Highness means."

"Having come this far, Minister Xie still pretends ignorance before me?" Chu Yi laughed. "Concubine He's original surname was He, am I correct?"

Xie Jingyu felt a metallic taste in his throat, followed by violent coughing. Covering his mouth with his hand, he felt warmth in his palm - he had coughed up dark blood.

Though he had felt much better when waking this morning, now his entire body felt weak, as if he might faint at any moment.

But he knew he mustn't faint.

"Y-Your Highness!" Xie Jingyu forced himself to speak. "This official... this official..."

He wanted to say something, but didn't know what.

Since Prince Pingxi had come personally rather than sending officials, it meant there might still be room for negotiation.

A sudden realization struck him.

Prince Pingxi had chosen to approach him before the Xie family's celebration rather than bringing government officials - that meant there might still be room for maneuver.

Seeing a glimmer of hope, he immediately said: "Whatever Your Highness commands, this official is willing to devote his entire being!"

Chu Yi rubbed his thumb, pausing a long while before speaking: "Minister Xie has been observing mourning for some time. I trust Old Madam has felt your filial piety. I have matters requiring your service - prepare yourself."

Xie Jingyu was stunned.

Since ancient times, filial piety had been paramount - three years of mourning for parents, one year for grandparents, known as "Ding You."

Officials couldn't attend court during mourning, and many capable men had their careers ruined by this. He had worried that after his year of mourning, there would be no position left for him in the court.

Unexpectedly, Prince Pingxi wanted him to resume duties now.

As a imperial prince, Prince Pingxi ordering him to cut short his mourning period was called "Duo Qing" - a privilege only granted to highly trusted officials. How had he earned such favor...

But Prince Pingxi held the Xie family's secrets, wanting to use him. Ending his mourning early was likely to cultivate a loyal subordinate.

After all, he, Xie Jingyu, had been the Number One Scholar, full of talent, just never properly utilized.

Now that the court had subtly divided into three factions - even if the Crown Prince's faction was strongest - by following Prince Pingxi, he would surely help him ascend the throne.

"This subject pledges loyalty to Your Highness, following you until death!"

Chu Yi nodded, a trace of mockery appearing in his eyes.

He would assign Xie Jingyu a lucrative position in the Ministry of Revenue - one involving handling silver, dealing with hundreds of thousands of taels daily.

He didn't believe Xie Jingyu could resist such temptation.The Yun family, from top to bottom, were all upright and incorruptible. If they learned that their son-in-law had embezzled government funds, they would become even more acutely aware that the two families were not on the same path, which would only hasten the separation between Yun Chu and Xie Jingyu...

Just as Chu Yi was about to bring up the matter of Xie Shiwei, Cheng Xu hurried over and whispered in his ear, "Your Highness, the Yun family has found their way to Pear Blossom Lane."

Pear Blossom Lane was the temporary location where Xie Shiwei was being held.

His men carried out their tasks with extreme efficiency. The fact that the Yun family could locate Pear Blossom Lane so quickly could only mean one thing: they had been keeping a close watch on Xie Shiwei all along.

After Xie Shiwei fled the Xie residence, he had been living under bridges and scavenging for food in gutters. If the Yun family had been secretly monitoring him yet offered no assistance, what did that signify?

It meant the Yun family no longer regarded the Xie family as in-laws.

Chu Yi gave a light chuckle. "Release Xie Shiwei."

He wanted to see what the Yun family was truly plotting—and he had no qualms about giving them a helping hand.