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墨書 Inktalez
The Du Family Golden Pavilion is renowned and is one of the favored spots for the noblewomen of the Capital City.
However, Qing Wu and her mother seldom set foot there.
Firstly, because Du Fangjin, the legitimate daughter of the Du Family, has a close relationship with Liu Anmeng, the daughter of Uncle San. When Qing Wu first returned to the capital, she had a conflict with that group, with Du Fangjin and Liu Anmeng being the two leaders. Since then, both parties have been at odds.
Moreover, Huo Yun'ai discovered that Qing Wu, Uncle San, and Liu Fangshi were secretly colluding with Zheng An, which gradually clarified the relationship between the Du Family and Zheng An. Qing Wu was even more unwilling to have any ties with that family and had specifically instructed her family multiple times.
Liu Fangshi merely runs a pastry shop; even if he produced valuable items, few would believe in their worth. Others closely associated with Zheng An were also not suitable for such dealings.
But the Du Family is different.
With the name of the Du Family Golden Pavilion behind them, no matter what precious items the Du Family sold, others would dare to spend money.
However, the old man of the Du Family likely wouldn’t ruin significant matters for such “small profits,” so he probably wouldn’t be aware of this. Therefore, Pan Gonggong and his associates must be connected to someone else.
Once it involves outside the palace, especially with connections to people like Zheng An, Huo Yun'ai would send someone to investigate thoroughly without needing Qing Wu to intervene further.
In the following days, she focused on publishing the roster of the Six Bureaus and properly arranging each department, leaving her no time to attend to other matters; she even skipped her biweekly rest days.
Every time it was time for a break, she looked at the various documents piled on her desk and sighed about not having enough time. She only sent Dou Mama back home to report safety and bring back items she had prepared for her family before heading to Falling Sunset Pavilion to continue her busy work.
Huo Yun'ai felt very distressed seeing her so exhausted but had no choice but to harden her heart and let her handle these matters alone as quickly as possible.
The Six Bureaus were established by her own efforts, and she also drafted the rules and regulations for each department. From this point on, she truly began managing the inner palace. Unknowingly during this time, she established her authority and built connections. This would be extremely beneficial for her future control over the inner palace.
If he intervened even slightly, others might say that with the Emperor's assistance, she could naturally succeed, overshadowing her original abilities and contributions.
As for doing it quickly...
Six Bureaus has just been established, and there are certainly some oversights; many details need to be scrutinized more carefully.
Now that she is a female official and not very old, it is understandable if she makes some mistakes, and others will be more forgiving towards her. However, if problems arise after she takes charge of the harem, people may question her ability as Queen.
This kind of situation is something he is extremely unwilling to see. Therefore, he can only watch her busy day and night, secretly instructing others to prepare more meals for her to nourish her health.
As he observes the girl growing up, the harem becomes increasingly orderly, and praises for her have reached the previous dynasty, causing some people to become restless.
Zheng An and Zhu Ge Lao have knelt multiple times at Zhaoyuan Palace and at the palace gates, but they have not been able to persuade Huo Yun'ai to retract the decree or change the selection of Queen.
The Imperial Teacher often discusses privately with others that the Emperor's actions are truly disheartening. For an unknown girl, he repeatedly engages in such outrageous behavior. It must be noted that he is not an ordinary person but a ruler of the empire. To disregard the wishes of the court for the sake of beauty is indeed too reckless.
For a youth of this age in other families, saying "reckless" might carry a hint of "wild and unrestrained" praise. But for a monarch, this phrase is undoubtedly a direct criticism.
It should be understood that under the Queen, there must be someone with both talent and virtue. If she serves the king solely based on beauty, how would the common people view this nation's mother?
Due to the words of the Imperial Teacher, everyone began to ponder.
Most ministers in the court have seen Qing Wu. When they first encountered her beauty, they were indeed quite astonished. Thus, when Zheng An hinted that the Emperor appointed her as consort because of her looks, everyone believed it.
Many could not help but agree, feeling that what the Imperial Teacher said made sense. The Emperor's actions truly seemed to disregard those below him.
Then they planted this idea in their hearts and completely forgot their earlier praises for Qing Wu for managing the harem so well.
Little did they know that one careless remark from Zheng An would truly backfire on him.
That occasion was the birthday celebration of the former Minister of War, where all the officials gathered to congratulate him and stayed for a lunch banquet.
During the banquet, someone unknowingly brought up Qing Wu, discussing in private how beautiful she was and wondering if she looked like this when she was a child.
Everyone was talking over each other, creating a chaotic scene without any clear reason. Zheng An felt a headache coming on and quietly remarked, "How much can a person change from childhood to adulthood? She was just as seductive back then."
Although it was a quiet comment, someone overheard and pressed Zheng An for details, asking if he had seen the girl when she was young.
Before Zheng An could respond, someone nearby laughed and confirmed that he must have seen her. The girl's father had been transferred to the northwest at the behest of Zheng Daren.
It was the Minister of Personnel who spoke up. Back then, he was the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. No one knew better than the Ministry of Personnel about official transfers. No one doubted the words of the esteemed Minister.
This revelation stirred up quite a buzz.
Who would have thought that the future National Father-in-Law had connections with the Imperial Teacher many years ago?
Curious individuals began to dig deeper into the matter.
The Minister of Personnel only knew the details of the transfer; everything else was beyond his knowledge.
Unfortunately, these high-ranking officials maintained an aloof demeanor in public but were quite gossipy in private. Unable to handle the pressure, the Minister quickly went to another table to bring Qin Shuying over, asking him to share what happened back then.
Everyone had already heard vague details about how Qin Shuying saved the girl years ago. When they saw him arrive, they all smiled and urged him to speak.
Unexpectedly, Qin Shuying's first words left everyone stunned.
"That girl... it wasn't me who saved her back then; it was His Majesty."
This revelation caused an uproar. Everyone hurriedly asked for more details.
Qin Shuying provided a rough outline of events. However, his words hinted that His Majesty had been paying attention to the girl, whether intentionally or not.
Those present sighed upon hearing this.
Previously, it was thought that the Emperor was a cold-hearted person, whose very liver and gallbladder were likely frozen. Otherwise, how could he oppose the Imperial Teacher who had watched him grow up?
Now that I think about it, His Majesty is actually quite sentimental. However, over the years, he has only been different towards that one girl.
Upon careful consideration, it makes sense that he is special towards that girl. During the war, all his relatives perished, and when he saved her, she had also witnessed her entire family being slaughtered. Although their experiences were different, the loneliness and helplessness after such a drastic change in family circumstances were exactly the same.
Now he is willing to go against the majority to firmly establish her as his consort...
Perhaps it is because he feels a sense of empathy and pity for her.
At this moment, someone stood up at the right time and lazily recounted how the girl had been unable to return home due to her duties with the Six Bureaus. He also mentioned that she had a fiery temperament, joking that if she knew everyone judged her solely based on one word—“beauty”—she would probably be so angry she would fall ill.
It was none other than Zheng Ning, the Ghost Hand Painter.
He is the younger brother of Zheng An, the Imperial Teacher, and has watched that girl grow up as her master.
Zheng Ning is well-traveled and has many friends; almost everyone who knows him speaks highly of his character. He does have a slightly eccentric temperament. But then again, how can someone with outstanding talent not have a bit of a temper?
As soon as he spoke, everyone suddenly realized that despite being part of the Zheng Family, Zheng Ning had been at odds with the Imperial Teacher for many years and had not set foot in the Zheng Family gate since.
On the contrary, he had lived with the Liu Family, the girl’s family, for many years. Now back in the capital, they are as close as family and have never moved away from the Liu Residence.
And that girl...
That girl has received the true teachings of the Ghost Hand Painter and has mastered painting to an extraordinary level. If it weren't for her diligent practice, no matter how talented her master was, how much achievement could she have attained?
Thinking this way, everyone's gaze became complicated.
They have all navigated through officialdom for many years; each one is clever in their own right. Who among them would be foolish?
Previously, it was merely a matter of being blinded by certain things. Now, as the surface is torn away and the truth is explored bit by bit, it brings a chill to the heart.
Since Zheng An made that statement, until Qin Shuying finished recounting the events, the people around continued to speak one after another, leaving Zheng An no opportunity to catch his breath or defend himself.
Once Qin Shuying and Zheng Ning returned to their respective places, everyone dared not speak loudly about the ruler, instead whispering about what had just happened.
Zheng An observed the expressions of everyone and knew that at this point, saying anything more would be futile. He looked coldly around, his grip on the wine cup tightening.
The last to learn of this matter were probably the members of the Liu Family.
That day, Liu Fangyi returned home feeling somewhat dazed. His steps were unsteady, lacking the usual composure. He didn’t even notice when He Family approached him.
Seeing this, He Family quickly grabbed him and anxiously asked what was going on.
It took a moment for Liu Fangyi to realize it was his wife. After pausing for a moment, he recounted to her the incident of Huo Yun'ai saving Qing Wu.
He Family was also taken aback and momentarily at a loss for words.
“I only learned about it when someone asked me just now,” Liu Fangyi wiped his face and sighed, “But it’s ninety-nine percent true.”
“Does, does Daughter know?”
“At that time she was so young and frightened; how could she understand those things?” Liu Fangyi waved his hand dismissively. “Forget it. Don’t ask her. Otherwise, if she recalls the tragic state of her family again, she might not sleep well.”
Thinking about it, He Family nodded in agreement. As she helped Liu Fangyi take off his outer garment, she asked, “Do you know what’s happening with Uncle San?”
“Hmm.” Liu Fangyi replied heavily.
A few days ago, the Du Family had been arrested. Later it was discovered that Liu Fangshi was implicated in the case involving the Du Family, and he too was imprisoned. Today, Liu Fangshi’s snack shop was also shut down.
He Family said softly, "When their shop was sealed, many people were watching nearby. I noticed a figure in the crowd that looked somewhat familiar..."
Hearing her start like this, Liu Fangyi knew that his wife was feeling a bit flustered. After waiting for a long time without hearing a response, he took the initiative to ask, "Who does it look like?"
He Family frowned slightly, hesitating.
She had only seen a side profile at that time. Moreover, she hadn't seen the person in years, and they must have changed a lot. Although she felt about eighty percent sure, upon careful thought, she was still a bit uncertain.
After being troubled for a while, she finally said, "It looks like Liu Mama."
Upon hearing those three words, even Liu Fangyi couldn't help but exclaim, "It’s actually her?!"
Liu Mama was the person who had been by Sister Lan's side on the night of the incident.
What exactly happened that night? Why was it that Sister Lan had improved before dinner but was gasping for breath after just one night? Perhaps no one knew better than Liu Mama.
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