Chapter 236: Chapter 221: The Plot Exposed, Accusing at the Imperial Court (Second Update)
Yaoqi had been feeling quite down lately and hadn’t been to the Imperial College for several days.
When Su Xiang heard of it, he had someone take a leave of absence for his son and went to find him personally.
As soon as he entered, he saw Yaoqi lying sickly on the bed. Not seeing a single servant in his courtyard, Su Xiang burst into anger, ordering the maids and old servants serving Yaoqi to be dragged out and beaten.
Yaoqi, who had been like a walking corpse for several days, came to his senses and looked at his father, his face indescribably haggard. "Father, why punish the people in my courtyard?"
Su Xiang let out a cold snort and sat forcefully beside his bed, "If I don’t punish them, are they to let you, their master, serve them like a slave?"
Yaoqi pressed his lips together, "It was I who told them not to stay in the courtyard to disturb my peace."
Su Xiang didn’t want to argue with him on this, his expression not looking good. "If I hadn’t carelessly heard a servant mention it, I wouldn’t have known you hadn’t been to the Imperial College for days. What’s going on?"
Yaoqi lowered his gaze, "I have an unresolved matter weighing on my mind. Even if I went, I wouldn’t be able to focus on reading. I’d be better off staying at home in peace."
Su Xiang knitted his thick brows, "What is the matter weighing on your mind?"
Yaoqi carefully observed his father’s expression and mustered the courage to say, "I have taken a liking to a girl, but..."
"But what?"
"But father disapproves, so..."
"Nonsense! When did I say I disapprove?"
Yaoqi shifted his gaze from his father’s face, looking elsewhere as if recalling past events, his lips full of bitterness, "Father said that matters of marriage for us children must benefit the family."
This topic was indeed a thorn. Hearing it, Su Xiang’s expression changed, clearly emotional. "You mean, you’ve set your eyes on a worthless woman?"
Yaoqi wouldn’t allow anyone to speak of her that way, even if it was his father. "In my eyes, she is the best."
"Foolish!" Su Xiang’s face turned livid with anger.
Yaoqi was his youngest son, also the only boy in the Su Family Mansion who had been protected so much he was seventeen and still naive about the world.
Just as some who have committed many sins would set up a Buddhahood at home or frequently visit temples to offer incense, Su Xiang sought to "atone" to soothe his occasionally uneasy conscience.
But he was different from those people; he didn’t set up a Buddhahood or visit temples. All his spiritual solace came from his youngest son, Yaoqi.
Yaoqi’s three elder brothers had each made contributions to the family, both large and small.
And within those contributions, there was always some that went against conscience.
When it came to Yaoqi, Su Xiang hoped he could be the last "pure land" for the Su Family, so he never let his youngest son meddle in any family matters, raising him delicately like a girl.
Because of this, his desire to control his youngest son was stronger than for his other three sons.
Suddenly one day, Yaoqi’s wings had grown strong, and he wanted to break free from the string that bound him, escaping his control.
For Su Xiang, that was absolutely unacceptable.
Even if his youngest son was a "pure land," he had to realize his last value in marriage. Otherwise, the pure land would be no different from dirt.
Hearing this tone, Yaoqi knew there was no need to continue the conversation. He didn’t want to say any more and slowly closed his eyes.
Seventeen years, never had Su Xiang seen his son become like this over a woman, and in that moment, his anger reached its peak, "Tell me! Who is that woman?"
The thin eyelids of Yaoqi trembled slightly, but they ultimately did not open.
He knew his father was so overbearing; he had lived in this house for seventeen years and understood better than anyone.
He was just seventeen, as innocent as a blank sheet of paper in worldly matters, further influenced by the "filial piety" in the books. He couldn’t manipulate the topic to his advantage maturely and shrewdly, nor could he refute his father, only sulking silently.
The more he acted this way, the more Su Xiang wanted to dig up the earth to find the woman and peel her skin off alive.
Leaving Yaoqi’s courtyard, Su Xiang quickly summoned his men and instructed, "Go, investigate Fourth Young Master’s recent whereabouts and see which women he’s been associating with."
——
With two coarse women replacing the old servants’ work, the old woman could watch over Jinbao without leaving his side almost every day. The little kid hadn’t caused any mischief lately.
Wen Wan could finally attend Hongwen Academy in peace these past days.
However, unbeknownst to her, she had unwittingly been burdened with an unfounded accusation.
Su Xiang hadn’t even seen her yet, but he had already thought of a hundred ways to kill her.
The Su Family moved swiftly. Within a few days, they were closing in on Wen Wan.
But at the last juncture, they encountered the Hidden Guard from the Changping Princess Mansion, and all the men sent by the Su Family were assassinated, their efforts wasted.
Upon learning that the men he sent were completely wiped out, Su Xiang flew into a rage, "Who did it?"
The eldest son, Su Hongqi, frowned and shook his head, "I am investigating, father."
Su Xiang felt a tightness in his chest, "Could it be the Emperor’s people?"
"Impossible." Su Hongqi replied, "Emperor Guangxi has been increasingly cautious in recent years. Unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t confront us directly. Those who acted this time moved quickly and left no trace, like highly trained Hidden Guards. Even if we had double our numbers, we might not be a match for them."
Su Xiang, who has roamed the officialdom for decades, could only see conspiracy and power. Naturally, he thought that someone must be using a woman as bait to lure the Su Family, then took the opportunity to strike unexpectedly.
Su Hongqi also found his father’s analysis reasonable.
Otherwise, this matter would be inexplicable.
Su Xiang took the opportunity to enter the palace to meet Empress Su.
Empress Su was quite surprised to hear this, "Who is so eager to make a move against our Su Family?"
Thinking of how he suffered a great loss, Su Xiang’s face turned completely dark, "Other than that person, the old minister really can’t think of a second candidate."
The so-called "that person" could only refer to Emperor Guangxi or Empress Dowager Renyi.
Emperor Guangxi wouldn’t resort to such feminine tactics, so it could only be the Empress Dowager.
Being a woman, Empress Su considered many matters more carefully and comprehensively than men, "The spies from the Shou’an Palace haven’t reported anything recently, and we don’t have solid evidence. Hastily suspecting the Empress Dowager would be too rash. If there’s an error in the truth, the consequences would be unimaginable. It would be better for you, brother, to have someone investigate if there’s any other hidden truth in this matter."
Prompted by Empress Su’s reminder, Su Xiang immediately realized he had been too impulsive in this matter.
Given the Empress Dowager’s flawless ways, how could she possibly be suspected right away?
Leaving the Imperial Palace, Su Xiang instructed his eldest son, Su Hongqi, to continue investigating with his men.
After over half a month, they finally found some clues.
Su Hongqi immediately reported the news to Su Xiang.
When Su Xiang learned that it was Princess Changping who targeted the Su family, his face darkened even more, "We have no enmity with those people over there. Why would she target someone from our side?"
Su Hongqi thought of something, "Father, why don’t I ask our third aunt for help in investigating the situation?"
The "third aunt" Su Hongqi referred to was none other than the Lu Family’s matriarch, Su Yi.
Su Xiang’s tense expression finally relaxed a bit, "Having married into the Lu Family for so many years, it’s time for her to contribute something."
——
When Su Hongqi met Su Yi, he explained everything that happened to Su Yaoqi and the details about how Su Xiang’s men were completely wiped out when trying to trace the whereabouts of that woman.
Su Yi squinted her eyes, clearly surprised, "Could it really be Zhao Xunyin’s handiwork?"
"I always felt something was off about this." Su Hongqi said, "The Eldest Princess has lived in seclusion for many years and hasn’t bothered with worldly matters. How could she have such a group of people under her hand, and why would she suddenly attack the Su Family? It doesn’t make sense from any angle."
"Not necessarily." Su Yi suddenly smirked, "Perhaps you just happened to provoke one of her people."
"The Eldest Princess’s people?" Su Hongqi widened his eyes in disbelief, "Does third aunt mean that the girl Little Four is interested in is related to the Eldest Princess?"
"That’s the only explanation so far. As for more details, give me some time, and I should be able to discover the truth soon."
Su Yi picked up a teacup, and the clear tea reflected her sinister eyes.
The eldest nephew was right. There’s no reason for Zhao Xunyin to target the Su Family. Her fierce attack only implies that the girl Little Four is interested in holds significant importance to Zhao Xunyin.
If the child she had back then was still alive and was a girl, then this girl...
With this thought, Su Yi became increasingly certain of her conjecture.
"Hongqi, have you discovered the girl’s identity?"
Su Hongqi shook his head, "The people we sent out probably found something, but unfortunately, they were all silenced, and no information came back."
"What a pity." Su Yi sighed regretfully, "But since the grass has been stirred, Zhao Xunyin must be on guard. It might not be easy for you to trace that girl’s whereabouts again."
"Then what should we do? We can’t let all those brothers die in vain, can we?"
Su Yi sneered, her smile a bit cold.
If you can’t move the daughter, then move the son. It’s only fair to give Zhao Xunyin some payback.
"I’ve discovered a shocking case about Lu Yanqing. However, due to my position, I find it difficult to act. Later, I’ll give you the information, and you should have your brother find a way to beat the Petition Drum and file a lawsuit about how Lu Yanqing, the son of the Princess Mansion, secretly opened a coal mine without the court’s approval, leading to a collapse that buried over eighty citizens."
Su Hongqi broke into a cold sweat, "Third aunt, are you serious?"
"The evidence is undeniable!"