Changsheng: Peak at the Beginning

As soon as the three of them returned, they received an invitation from Gong Shangjiao in the hands of Elder Xue, which specifically invited Jiang Xinxin, Master Xue, and Xue Chongzi to visit Jiao Palace together.

What else could Elder Xue do? He could only tell them to be careful when they went out and not to reveal their identities.

When Elder Xue turned around, he felt that Gong Ziyu's approach might not work, but Gong Shangjiao didn't seem as strict as they thought. So, if they could gain a certain degree of freedom in the back mountain, they might still have to start with Gong Shangjiao.

Early the next morning, Elder Xue sent three sets of clothes and jewelry that were more gorgeous and solemn than their daily wear. However, Jiang Xinxin did not want to give Gong Shangjiao so much face, so she wore the blue wide-sleeved Liuxian skirt that she wore when she first met Xue Chongzi and Xue Gongzi, but she added two more pearl hairpins on her head.

The palace was quite luxurious, and although they themselves thought so, Master Xue had already thought that it might not be appropriate to wear old clothes when he went out for the first time to visit someone. He was stopped by Xue Chongzi, who knew him very well.

Jiang Xinxin took the initiative to explain: "I don't like Gong Shangjiao's aggressive attitude. Although we were in the wrong last night, I would not be happy if I were threatened like this."

The three of them were quickly led into the Jiao Palace with the special invitation made by Gong Shangjiao.

The Corner Palace was built according to the terrain of the mountain. If it were not for its size and shape, Jiang Xinxin would almost have thought it was a palace from the Han and Tang dynasties. However, the Corner Palace of Gong Shangjiao was originally named after the palace. No one knew what was going on in this world, how could a mere quack dare to be so presumptuous.

Gong Shangjiao came to greet them in person at the entrance of the main hall, with Gong Yuanzheng standing beside him. After a round of greetings, everyone was allowed to enter the house. At this time, Jiang Xinxin was already very annoyed, and her thoughts were written directly on her face, which made Gong Yuanzheng very dissatisfied with her, but because of Gong Shangjiao, she could only keep it in her heart, looking very aggrieved.

However, looking at Gong Yuanzheng's aggrieved face, Jiang Xinxin was not so annoyed anymore.

After a cup of tea, Jiang Xinxin asked directly: "I wonder why Mr. Jiao insisted on seeing me?"

Jiang Xinxin's tone was particularly impolite, and Gong Yuanzheng could no longer hold back. He almost stood up and attacked Jiang Xinxin: "My brother invited you to dinner and I'm wronging you?!"

Jiang Xinxin chuckled: "Mr. Zheng is young, and he thinks that others are also children. Your brother must have something to ask for if he wants to see me, and you, a little kid, naturally can't see this clearly."

"you!"

Gong Yuanzheng jumped up suddenly, but was stopped by Gong Shangjiao.

Xue Chongzi was very dissatisfied with Gong Yuanzheng's attitude, and said with a dark face: "Master Zheng must have felt that the miasma in the back mountain has weakened recently. This was all Miss Jiang's idea. I remember that the back mountain also informed the front mountain. Logically, Miss Jiang saved the entire palace. Such a great favor, isn't it worth everyone in the palace to be happy?"

Gong Shangjiao was put on the spot like this, but the one who caused the trouble happened to be his most valued younger brother, so he could only stand up and apologize first. When Gong Yuanzheng heard that Jiang Xinxin was the one who came up with the idea to weaken the miasma, his face turned red with shame.

"It's all Gong Yuanzheng's fault. Miss Jiang didn't recognize you in person. If you have any dissatisfaction, I will accept it without any complaints."

"It's just that my brother must have invited Miss Jiang here for something very important. Miss Jiang, please don't bear a grudge against my brother. This is all my fault..."

Gong Shangjiao felt both touched and sad when he saw this. He quietly concealed the tears running down his cheeks. He pulled Gong Yuanzheng to sit down and personally poured tea for Jiang Xinxin to apologize.

Jiang Xinxin was not the kind of person who would not let go even if she was right. She felt a little unhappy and that was fine after she vented it. Besides, the two brothers had never thought of moral blackmail from beginning to end, which made her look at them with a new respect.

Gong Shangjiao directly stated his intentions: "The palace is facing the biggest crisis since its establishment. No matter how many spies and assassins come, I think we can successfully overcome the crisis by ourselves. But I didn't expect Gong Ziyu to take the position of the blade, and he only wants to vent his anger when doing things."

"If it were another time, we would have time to discipline him, or at least teach him the ropes. But now Wu Feng is coming with such force, and the bride he chose happened to be a spy sent by Wu Feng!"

At this point, Gong Shangjiao inevitably showed some signs of fatigue, which made Gong Yuanzheng very worried. Even Xue Chongzi and Xue Gongzi frowned.

Jiang Xinxin didn't move at all, waiting for Gong Shangjiao's next words.

Gong Shangjiao laughed secretly at this, then cheered up and continued, "I, Gong Shangjiao, have some brains and good martial arts, but I don't have three heads and six arms, and sometimes two fists can't beat four hands. And Miss Jiang, since you can come up with ideas to reduce the miasma of the palace gate, you still have some intention of being close to the palace gate, so I would like to hear some suggestions from your third party."

Gong Shangjiao admitted that there was some acting involved, but in fact he was very sincere. He now regretted very much that he had to put Shangguan Qian under his nose even though he knew there was something wrong. He was really busy outside all day and when he got home he had to concentrate on dealing with a spy. He was just asking for trouble.

Jiang Xinxin looked at Xue Chongzi and Xue Gongzi, and saw that they were both urging her to agree. She sighed inwardly, this was not her intentional interference in the palace's internal affairs, but the palace ministers were asking her for help.

"Please tell me in detail, Master Jiao."

Gong Shangjiao mainly wanted to hear opinions about the assassination of Zhiren and Shao Zhiren, so he repeated Mrs. Wu Ji's confession word for word.

Jiang Xinxin sighed clearly and said, "I don't know what's going on with you, but in my opinion, the first person to discover the body should be the first person to be investigated."

"Madam Wu Ji said that when she went to deliver something to Zhi Ren the night before, she found that there was no light in the house and no guards around. When she got closer, she saw three figures fighting. When she came back the next morning, she found that Zhi Ren and the young master were both dead."

"First, since the guards outside were gone, why didn't Madam Wuji give an immediate warning?"

"Second, when you saw people fighting in the house, why didn't you raise the alarm?"

"Ordinary people always make some noise when they are scared. Madam Wu Ji may be the unusual person, but doesn't this just prove that she is unusual, regardless of whether she has anything to do with the sword and the assassination of the young master. At such a critical moment, anything unusual should be carefully investigated."

Jiang Xinxin hesitated for a moment, then spoke again: "Besides, I have heard something before. I suspect that Madam Wu Ji is most likely the spy lurking in the palace gate twenty years ago. Because in the past twenty years, apart from Madam Wu Ji, me and those brides, no one has entered the palace gate and is still alive."

Gong Shangjiao and Gong Yuanzheng were suddenly shocked. They had indeed never doubted Madam Wu Ji. Even though they would greet Madam Wu Ji every time they saw her, they always seemed to forget about her afterwards.