138: Xia Qifei pretends to return to Fan Xian! Ming Qingda kills him

Chapter 138: Xia Qifei Falsely Joins Fan Xian! Ming Qingda Murders His Own Mother! (23)

Guangxin Palace.

Li Chengze’s downfall meant Li Yunrui lost a crucial arm, but she remained calm and composed.

Indeed, as long as she handed over control of the Imperial Treasury’s finances, Emperor Qing would not try to kill her.

Li Chang'an’s sharp ambition destined him to be Li Yunrui’s enemy.

Because Li Chang'an had disliked Li Yunrui since childhood, the two were like strangers.

If Li Chang'an had the chance to ascend, it would be absolutely impossible for him to be manipulated by Li Yunrui.

As time passed, Li Yunrui often thought of the disdain and disgust in ten-year-old Li Chang'an’s eyes.

Perhaps if she had worn more clothes that year, Li Chang'an might not have been so disgusted, and there might have been a different outcome, perhaps even a surprise.

Looking at Li Chengqian, who was sitting opposite her, Li Yunrui spoke without any reservations.

“Your Majesty, Uncle Prince Yong, and even my own appearance are all top-notch.”

“By your generation, even the best, Fan Xian, falls quite short. It truly is a case of each generation being worse than the last.”

Li Chengqian touched his gradually subsiding swollen Face, revealing a confident smile, “I’m not that bad, am I?”

Li Yunrui rolled her eyes, “You have the worst appearance of your generation.”

She didn’t care if the Crown Prince was embarrassed or not, and continued to talk to herself.

“The Second Prince has already fallen, but I still want Fan Xian dead.”

The Crown Prince found Li Yunrui’s attitude very troublesome.

He had finally managed to persuade the Empress not to kill Fan Xian, but he clearly couldn’t persuade Li Yunrui.

“Aunt, Your Majesty sent word that Uncle Prince Yong is also heading to Jiangnan Road, under the guise of investigating the core organization of the Junshan Society, to investigate the Ming Family.”

“Isn’t this clearly a reminder for me to support Fan Xian and Uncle Prince Yong in a race against time?”

“At this moment, how can I kill Fan Xian?”

Li Yunrui played with her fingers and said indifferently, “Then you help him.”

“After you help him, I’ll kill him on his way back to the capital. Isn’t that giving you enough Face?”

Li Chengqian realized that he could persuade the Empress, but he couldn’t persuade Li Yunrui at all.

Ultimately, the Empress thought of him, but Li Yunrui always thought of herself first.

“Aunt, you don’t plan to protect the Ming Family?”

Li Yunrui sneered, “Do you think they can still be protected now? It’s already good enough if I can manage to preserve the Foundation of the Junshan Society.”

“I will contact Ye Liuyun and have him act at a critical moment. The head butler of the Junshan Society cannot fall into the hands of Li Chang'an or Fan Xian.”

The head butler of the Junshan Society was the Ming Family’s accountant.

It could be said that both Li Chang'an, who was suppressing the Junshan Society, and Fan Xian, who was investigating Imperial Treasury smuggling, were determined to get their hands on this person.

Therefore, Li Yunrui had no choice but to ask the Great Grandmaster for help.

Outside the capital city’s dock.

Fan Xian boarded the large ship, poised and ready to depart.

His title for this trip to Jiangnan Road was long: Junior Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Commissioner of the Supervisory Council concurrently Head of the Department One, and Imperial Envoy to Jiangnan Road.

This imperial assignment, of course, was to continue punishing corruption and investigating malfeasance, with the authority to execute first and report later.

So, Fan Xian’s journey south had two apparent missions: first, to punish corruption, and second, to bring down the Ming Family.

Only by carrying the banner of punishing corruption could he wield the power to execute first and report later. In truth, Fan Xian’s most important mission was to bring down the Ming Family.

And Fan Xian’s deeper purpose in taking on this assignment was, of course, to gain control of the Imperial Treasury’s Three Great Workshops and repair the barrett.

However, on the eve of his departure, the barrett and all its bullets were stolen!

The Fan Manor was secretly guarded by Tiger Guards, yet someone easily entered the Fan Manor and stole such heavy items without being detected. Their strength must be above the ninth rank.

So, Fan Xian quickly drew up a list of suspects: Emperor Qing, the Crown Prince, The Eldest Princess, Prince Yong, the Qin Family, and the Ye Family!

If Lin Wan'er hadn't been far away in Jiangnan Road with Qingwen and Xiren, Princess Yichen would also have been a suspect.

Ye Qingmei’s cause of death was shrouded in mystery, so it was impossible to investigate accurately at present.

Therefore, Fan Xian’s strategy was to firmly grasp the Three Great Workshops.

If the other party didn’t understand how to use the barrett, and never realized it couldn’t fire without a trigger, that would be a stroke of luck.

If the other party knew the barrett was missing parts, they would very likely go to the Three Great Workshops to forge a trigger.

Therefore, he had to quickly head south, bring down the Ming Family, and seize control of the Three Great Workshops.

Perhaps during this process, he would discover who stole the barrett.

Fan Xian boarded the large ship and found several people waiting to see him off.

Besides Fan Jian and Liu Ruyu, there were also the Crown Prince and the First Prince.

The Crown Prince was Fan Xian’s current ally, an Alliance formed when they jointly opposed the Second Prince, which had not yet disbanded.

The First Prince’s mother was once an Eastern Yi slave girl, captured by Chen Pingping to serve Emperor Qing on his return to the capital when his Meridians were severed.

Chen Pingping developed a subtle romantic affection for her, but Emperor Qing forcibly took her, and she later entered the palace as Consort Ning.

Consort Ning offended the Empress Dowager and was almost given death, but Ye Qingmei spoke up for her, saving her life.

Therefore, due to Consort Ning, the First Prince was currently quite friendly towards Fan Xian, Ye Qingmei’s son.

Fan Xian drank a cup with the First Prince and the Crown Prince, then thanked them, “Thank you, both Your Highnesses.”

“Both Your Highnesses, I feel that I haven’t been a very good son.”

“You know I grew up in Danzhou, and after returning to the capital, I’ve always been in the Fan Manor. I haven’t had the chance to visit the Fan Family Ancestral Hall.”

“As a member of the Fan Family, it’s not right that I haven’t been to the Fan Family Ancestral Hall.”

He spoke, then turned to Fan Jian and said, “Father, please be my witness.”

“When I return from Jiangnan Road, I should at least kowtow and offer incense at the ancestral hall.”

As Fan Xian spoke, the Crown Prince merely smiled without a word.

The First Prince couldn’t help but remind him, “Think carefully. Once you enter the ancestral hall and are recorded in the family tree, you will truly be surnamed Fan.”

Fan Xian smiled and said, “What do you mean? I’m already surnamed Fan.”

Hearing Fan Xian’s words, Fan Jian revealed a very smug smile.

An adopted son, gained at the cost of his own son’s life, was now going to enter his family’s ancestral hall. He really didn’t know what he was so smug about.

The Crown Prince chuckled, “Good, I will be your witness for this!”

Fan Jian was both smug and relieved, “Wait until you come home!”

After Fan Xian boarded the ship, Deng Ziyue and Zong Zhui reported the latest news.

“My Lord, Princess Yichen also plans to take action against the Ming Family!”

Fan Xian said somewhat unexpectedly, “She is only temporarily managing it, simply to sort out the accounts. Why would she make such a big move against the Ming Family?”

Zong Zhui said, “Last month, Princess Yichen believed that there was too large a discrepancy between the Ming Family’s accounts and inventory, so she wanted to send her own people to inspect the Three Great Workshops on-site.”

“But the Ming Family claimed that Princess Yichen was only acting as a temporary manager and had no authority to inspect the Three Great Workshops, leading to a very unpleasant dispute between the two sides.”

“Later, a Xia Qifei suddenly appeared, claiming to be the Ming Family’s seventh young master, and accused the Ming Family’s eldest young master, Ming Qingda, of seizing the inheritance.”

“It now appears that Xia Qifei likely has Princess Yichen’s support, and the Ming Family is the most entrenched local power. All levels of government offices dare not make a judgment.”

“Now, this case has been reported to Xue Qing, the Governor-General of Jiangnan Road, but there has still been no verdict.”

Fan Xian suddenly said, “Old Deng, is this Xia Qifei the leader of the Jiangnan Water Fortress, Xia Qifei?”

The Supervisory Council’s intelligence was advanced. Xia Qifei, with the support of the local Net, had been a well-known figure in the Jianghu of Jiangnan Road for many years.

Deng Ziyue replied, “That’s right, it’s that Chief Xia.

We have already prepared the evidence of his plundering merchant ships and colluding with local officials.”

Fan Xian asked Zong Zhui, “Have Princess Yichen’s people had any private contact with Xia Qifei?”

Zong Zhui replied, “The Supervisory Council’s Jiangnan Branch people monitor Xia Qifei every day. He has not had any contact with Princess Yichen’s people.”

Hearing this news, Fan Xian was moved and said, “That’s good. With the evidence we have, it’s enough to make Xia Qifei completely submissive.”

“We will also support Xia Qifei in seizing the Ming Family’s property, making it difficult for Ming Qingda to cope, and we will surely take down the Ming Family in one fell swoop!”

Zong Zhui chuckled, “Princess Yichen still thinks that if she helps Xia Qifei, he will be grateful to her.”

“But she would never have imagined that My Lord would subdue Xia Qifei in advance!”

Ten days later, Fan Xian arrived in Jiangnan Road.

The current Ming Family knew that the situation was critical; if they couldn’t withstand Fan Xian’s investigation, they would be doomed.

Although The Eldest Princess was still willing to help the Ming Family, the Supervisory Council had far-reaching influence, and the Ming Family felt immense pressure.

Ming Qingda and the Old Madam Ming discussed for a long time. The Ming Family had no retreat; if the smuggling was confirmed, the only outcome would be the execution of the entire family!

After Fan Xian arrived in Jiangnan Road, he specifically arranged to meet Xia Qifei.

After seeing the Supervisory Council’s irrefutable evidence, Xia Qifei was indeed scared pale and sweating profusely.

Later, Fan Xian also produced the Supervisory Council’s waist token and promised Xia Qifei an official position, at which point Xia Qifei was completely convinced.

Fan Xian also used the Supervisory Council’s power to pressure Xue Qing, the Governor-General of Jiangnan Road.

But what Fan Xian didn’t know was that Xue Qing was Emperor Qing’s confidant and wouldn’t give anyone Face.

The Ming Family’s inheritance dispute was a matter of great importance, and Xue Qing’s secret memorial was already close to Emperor Qing’s desk.

Without Emperor Qing’s decree, how would he dare to easily rule to give part of the Ming Family’s property to Xia Qifei?

The lawsuit was still ongoing, and Fan Xian also proactively arranged to meet the Ming Family to see if he could find a Breakthrough.

In the afternoon.

Fan Xian and Ming Qingda agreed that he would come to the manor for a banquet in the evening.

In a remote courtyard of the Ming Family, dozens of middle-aged men in tattered clothes lay on wooden boards covered with mats.

On a small table beside each person was a bowl of medicinal soup. The scene looked as if a group of sick people were about to take medicine to cure their illnesses.

A person who looked like a steward walked back and forth among the wooden boards, “Everyone, fellow villagers, the Ming Family is doing good deeds, so just drink it!”

At this moment, a man in a simple green robe with graying hair slowly walked into the courtyard.

The steward immediately bowed and said, “Patriarch! Why have you come?”

The newcomer was none other than Ming Qingda, the apparent spokesperson for the Ming Family.

“Everyone here are fellow villagers who voluntarily pledged their loyalty, but why do some of them look so familiar?”

The steward quickly said, “They have all received great kindness from the Ming Family, and now at this critical moment, they are willing to serve the Ming Family with their lives!”

Ming Qingda walked up to one of the men and even warmly patted his shoulder, “You all, you’ve worked hard!”

Finally, he walked to the very front and cupped his hands to everyone, saying, “I, Ming Qingda, on behalf of the Ming Family, thank all you elders and fellow villagers!”

After speaking, he turned and lit three sticks of incense, respectfully offering sacrifices.

Behind him, the lying men all sat up, letting out piteous sobs.

Because what they held was not medicinal soup, but poison.

Ming Qingda turned around and faced everyone, saying, “Gentlemen, without trust, a man cannot stand!”

“You can rest assured, our Ming Family has always kept its word.”

“If you drink this medicine, your families will be our Ming Family’s families from now on!”

“As long as the Ming Family remains, the Ming Family guarantees they will have food and clothing without worry!”

These haggard-faced villagers, clearly poor people, one by one raised the poisoned medicine in their hands.

One of them even shouted, “Thank you, Patriarch, for your great kindness and virtue!”

These people were all innocent common folk. They sold their lives, for dozens of taels of silver, to the Ming Family.

The Ming Family had infiltrated the Imperial Treasury’s Three Great Workshops for many years, and all the key equipment and craftsmen in the Three Great Workshops had already been transferred.

Because The Eldest Princess knew that she would eventually lose the Imperial Treasury, whether it was Fan Xian or Lin Wan'er, Li Yunrui did not want them to control the Imperial Treasury’s Three Great Workshops.

Therefore, she had long ago devised the strategy of ‘shedding the cicada’s shell’ (a deceptive maneuver).

Now, the Three Great Workshops were filled with inferior, imitation equipment that only had the appearance of the real thing.

The Ming Family bought the lives of these innocent people, then burned them along with the imitation equipment of the Three Great Workshops, so they could publicly claim that the Three Great Workshops had caught fire.

And the real Three Great Workshops had already been secretly moved by them.

This trick was truly a grand deception, incredibly audacious. Without Li Yunrui’s support, the Ming Family probably wouldn’t have had the guts to do it.

Ming Qingda drank a bowl of wine in his hand, his Face filled with a sense of sacrifice, “A farewell toast to all you fellow villagers!”

However, just as he was about to smash the bowl, he suddenly saw dozens of figures leap over the wall!

“Shadow Guard is eliminating the rebellious members of the Junshan Society! Everyone, put down your weapons!”

Teng Zijing roared, and more than ten flying knives flew from his hand, knocking down all the medicine bowls in their hands!

Li Chang'an led the Shadow Guard secretly to Jiangnan Road and did not come with much fanfare.

Therefore, when Ming Qingda heard the name of the Dragon Guard Manor’s Shadow Guard, he immediately lost half his soul!

The Junshan Society, he certainly knew about it.

The Junshan Society, established and controlled by Li Yunrui, had now become a rebellious faction!

Fortunately, Ming Qingda reacted quickly, knowing that the people in the courtyard could not resist the ninth-rank experts opposite them.

He said to his household guards, “Don’t move around. We will cooperate with the Shadow Guard adults’ investigation.”

Teng Zijing said to the Shadow Guard experts, “Take all these people away, and keep all these medicinal soups as evidence.”

What Ming Qingda didn’t expect was that Teng Zijing only saved the lives of these innocent people and didn’t arrest him.

He had even prepared how to argue if he were caught.

The Ming Family was on the verge of collapse. These dozens of innocent people would die in vain, so Li Chang'an ordered Teng Zijing to save them first.

“Patriarch Ming, His Highness Prince Yong will arrive tomorrow.”

“His Highness said that when he arrives, he hopes your Ming Family will confess truthfully!”

After Teng Zijing left, Ming Qingda was restless with anxiety.

During the banquet for Fan Xian that evening, a towering blaze suddenly ignited in the sky outside the window!

Ming Qingda exclaimed in horror, “Young Master Fan, the Three Great Workshops are on fire! That is the Foundation of the Imperial Treasury!”

As if it never rains but it pours, amidst the Ming Family’s widespread panic, a servant suddenly rushed forward and knelt before Ming Qingda.

“Patriarch! Something terrible has happened!”

“The Old Madam! She… she hung herself!”

Upon hearing this, Ming Qingda’s vision instantly blurred, then he rolled his eyes and completely fainted.