After the failed attempt to pretend to be dead, the sickly child was favored by the treacherous mini

After Shen Jinmo and Xie Nanxing purged all the officials in Dingxi County, they returned to Luoan with bulging banknotes. It was already autumn in Luoan.

He entered through the Luoan city gate with thousands of soldiers. The Luoan people who followed along the way saw clearly that it was the Xie family's carriage and realized that Shen Jinmo must be in the carriage.

Everyone's face suddenly became angry, their eyes filled with indignation. At first glance, it seemed that these people had an irreconcilable hatred with Shen Jinmo.

But because there were thousands of soldiers guarding the side of the carriage, these people who fell into the vegetable basket did not dare to throw the fruits and vegetables prepared in the morning at where Shen Jinmo was.

After all, they could neither expect a treacherous minister to have any conscience, nor could they expect a treacherous minister to pardon the petty disturbances of the common people.

Since they couldn't smash it, they had to vent their anger, and intermittent whispers began to spread everywhere.

"This Shen Jinmo went to the drought-stricken area, and not only did he not think about how to save the people from the disaster, but he actually only thought about how to accept bribes and enrich himself every day."

"When His Royal Highness the Crown Prince returned to Luoan a month ago, he was carried into the palace. I heard that it was all because of Shen Jinmo's beating."

"Shen Jinmo is just a minister of the Imperial Guards. How could he be able to beat the crown prince?"

"Isn't it because he is used to pretending to be good in front of the emperor, and putting on the appearance of a loyal minister in front of the emperor? The emperor is busy with all kinds of affairs every day, how could he know that this person would become like this when he is away from the emperor's eyes and ears?"

"Thinking about how the prince prayed for rain every day in Dingxi County, working day and night to calm the wrath of the sky and send down the rain, and seeing Shen Jinmo bullying the people every day, I feel that he should be cut into pieces."

"I also heard that the Crown Prince saw Shen Jinmo accepting bribes from officials and tried to stop him, but failed and ended up being seriously injured."

"Alas, with such a treacherous minister in power and the emperor being blinded and favoring him, our lives will probably be even more difficult."

"We can only hope that God will open his eyes and a bolt of lightning will strike this treacherous minister to death."

Shen Jinmo was sitting in the carriage. Just by hearing the beginning, he knew how the rumor was made up.

Xia Ling doesn't have many bargaining chips in his hands now, and the only thing he can use is the people's hearts.

But unfortunately, no matter how vicious the rumor was, it could not affect Shen Jinmo in the slightest.

Because Shen Jinmo hopes that all the malice in the world will be directed towards him.

Because no one tried to stop them, the noises around them grew louder.

Because he was too tired last night, Xie Nanxing, who was still sleeping today, let out two muffled groans.

With his eyes filled with warmth, Shen Jinmo said to Xie Nanxing, "It's still early, dear. Go to sleep for a while."

"Ah."

Xie Nanxing buried his head in Shen Jinmo's lower abdomen and continued to do it.

Shen Jinmo was afraid that someone would disturb Xie Nanxing's sleep again, so he covered Xie Nanxing's ears with both hands.

The inside of the carriage was quiet and warm, but outside it was noisy and full of bad words.

These two realms that should be incompatible with each other actually make people feel that they are quite harmonious.

When Shen Jinmo carried Xie Nanxing into the Xie Mansion, Sui Yi was immediately summoned into the Dark Guard Division.

Less than half a cup of tea later, the young eunuch in front of the emperor came to the Secret Guard Department and respectfully invited Sui Yi to go to the Golden Palace.

"Your Majesty, long live the emperor."

He prostrated himself and kowtowed; the person on the throne did not speak a word, and Sui Yi remained motionless and pious.

Although he knelt on the ground for a long time, Sui Yi did not find it difficult at all.

The coolness and comfort of the Golden Palace today are the ultimate bliss for Sui Yi, who just returned from Dingxi County.

"Flat body."

Xia Hong took the teacup handed over by Eunuch Lin, paused for a moment and said, "Please take a seat."

Sui Yi, who had never been treated so well before, kowtowed repeatedly to express his gratitude. Only then did he dare to sit carefully on the soft stool with the help of Eunuch Lin.

His posture was visibly stiff. Compared to kneeling or standing, Sui Yi was obviously not used to sitting in front of Xia Hong.

Without the self-confidence that Shen Jinmo had developed since childhood at the pinnacle of power, he naturally could not be as comfortable as Shen Jinmo.

Sui Yi knew in his heart that the reason he was treated so well today must be because Xia Ling was overreaching and Sui Er was becoming more and more out of control.

"Tell me about Dingxi County."

Sui Yi stood up again after hearing this and bowed to Xia Hong:

"The Crown Prince went to talk to Lord Shen as soon as he entered Dingxi County. He said that when Lord Shen returns to the capital, there will no longer be an option for the Ninth Prince in this world, and Your Majesty..."

Having said this, Sui Yi paused. He did not dare to look up at Xia Hong, nor did he dare to say such outrageous words at this moment.

"Hmph." With a cold snort, Xia Hong dropped the teacup heavily on the desk.

He fell to his knees, cold sweat running down Suiyi's cheeks, waiting for the holy wrath to subside.

"I forgive you, speak."

The hands on the ground were clenched into fists. The emperor's heart was fickle. Because of the fear of the punishment under the holy wrath, Sui Yi's voice began to tremble.

"The prince said that the emperor is old and will pass away sooner or later. He asked Lord Shen to think of a way out for him as soon as possible, so that he would not end up following the emperor."

Of course, Xia Ling never said this.

But Sui Yi understood that this was what Xia Ling was thinking in his heart.

And Shen Jinmo asked him to say it in front of the emperor.

He grasped the teacup in one hand and threw it heavily to the ground.

Xia Hong had no doubt about the truthfulness of Sui Yi's words, because he knew that Xia Ling must be thinking so.

However, Xia Ling, who dared to talk about cooperation with Shen Jinmo in such a way, completely angered Xia Hong.

The hall fell into dead silence, and even Eunuch Lin was forced to his knees.

At this early autumn time, Xia Hong, sitting on the dragon throne, completely lost the last bit of affection he had for Xia Ling.

"How did Wang Heng do it?"

Having survived a disaster, Sui Yi took a deep breath and said, "Lord Shen didn't care about the prince's attempts to win him over. He just exposed the prince's intentions towards Xie Nanxing, and even took action against him because of the prince's acquiescence."

Xia Hong glanced at Sui Yi with disdain. He naturally had more than just Sui Yi in Dingxi County. "Was the Crown Prince injured by Wang Heng?"

"Yes and no."

After saying this, seeing that Xia Hong did not speak to stop him, he continued:

"Later, Master Xie came to Dingxi County, and the prince went to find Master Xie. After using threats and bribes to no avail, he immediately forced Master Xie to death at the post station."

"Master Xie had been injured several times and was on guard, so the prince was actually injured by Master Xie. However, Lord Shen did not want Master Xie to be implicated, so he arranged for someone to spread the word."

A slight test brought a satisfactory answer. Xia Hong, who confirmed that Shen Jinmo and Sui Yi had not joined forces and had no intention of betrayal, began to withdraw his intimidation.