Qingyu Case: Female Minister of Dali Temple

After sending the people back to Chengfeng Courtyard, Li Tianliu glanced at the sky and said, "I'll go see how the arrangements are going."

Chen Shao returned to the main hall and sat down. He took the scented tea brewed by Quan Shuyu, took two sips, and looked at the bent flower leaves in the yard.

Fu Jiu stood under the eaves outside the main hall, picked up a few fallen leaves blown by the strong wind, and said, "It's going to rain."

Chan Yi also caught a leaf that was blown into the house and said, "Stop talking nonsense!"

Quan Shuyu glanced outside, a hint of worry flashing across his face: "Looking at the weather, I'm afraid it's going to rain tonight."

Chan Yi didn't know how to refute her, so she muttered a few words and turned to look at Chen Shao.

Chen Shao picked up the leaves that fell in front of his feet. The leaves were green and full of vitality. They were the branches blown down by the strong wind. According to superstitious people, it is not a good sign if the arrow is on the string but encounters bad weather. Putting the leaves aside, Chen Shao opened his eyes and looked into the yard. The fallen leaves were like rain, flying around like headless flies under the strong wind. Not only will it rain tonight, but it will also be a heavy rain. After asking Chan Yi and Quan Shuyu to close all the windows, Chen Shao got up and slowly walked out of the main hall. Looking at the people in the east wing who were also attracted by the wind, he said calmly: "The weather has been getting hotter day by day recently. It's time for a good rain to cool down."

Chan Yi, who had just closed the window, heard this and said worriedly, "It's okay to rain, but it didn't rain earlier or later, but at this time!"

"Isn't this the perfect time?" Chen Shao said calmly, "The Yulin Guards, like General Li Xiao, have been on the battlefield and experienced many battles. The worse the environment, the better it is for them."

"You trust us," Li Tianliu walked through the fallen leaves blown by the wind and hummed twice, "Just this once."

Chen Shao responded readily with a "OK".

Li Tianliu paused suspiciously.

"What's wrong?" Chen Shao asked deliberately. Is it just this once? According to the law of development of things, as long as zero times are broken, there will be countless times. The probability of zero times and one time is lower than winning the lottery.

Li Tianliu snorted.

Chen Shao curved his lips and tilted his head to instruct Quan Shuyu: "After we go to Gu's house, you go back to the east wing. Before we come back, no matter what you hear, don't pay attention to it. If an accident really happens, don't worry about anyone, save yourself first."

Quan Shuyu was about to answer when Chan Yi thrust several porcelain bottles at him, "These bottles are filled with poison. If you really encounter an accident, open the stoppers and sprinkle them on the people who come. Also, if you encounter an accident, you must protect yourself first, and if you have the strength to spare, then protect others."

Quan Shuyu felt warm in his heart. He carefully put away the porcelain bottle and replied gently, "Okay."

"Also," Chan Yi said seriously, "these poisons I gave you are for use against enemies, never use them on yourself. At any time, staying alive is more important than anything else."

Quan Shuyu smiled and nodded: "Okay, I understand."

Listening to their chatter, Li Tianliu interrupted casually: "What kind of poison is it? Give me a few bottles."

Chan Yi rolled her eyes at him and sneered, "Sure, ten taels of silver for one bottle, we'll pay the money and get the goods."

Li Tianliu said, "Is your heart made of black dog blood?"

"Yes." Chan Yi fought back, "I made it specifically to avoid you."

Li Tianliu couldn't argue with Fu Jiu because of her venomous words. He nudged her with his shoulder and said, "I'll give you 100 taels of silver. Beat her up for me."

Facing Chan Yi's provocative gaze, Fu Jiu couldn't help but think of the scene last year when she expressionlessly dissolved the spy who was ambushing Chen Zhao into corpse water. She shuddered violently, took two steps back and said, "Go ahead and hit me. I don't dare."

Li Tianliu said: "I don't hit women."

In order to draw a clear line between them and prevent Chan Yi from hurting innocent people, Fu Jiu said without giving him any face: "A month before coming to Hongyuan County, you attacked the boat of Miss Zhao Liu, the youngest daughter of Zhao Guanwen, the official in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, causing her to fall into the water and nearly die."

Li Tianliu said disapprovingly: "She can't swim, what does it have to do with me?"

Who made her say such a bad thing, saying that the Duke Chen's Mansion had been cursed by the series of accidents, and that Master Chen Er and Master Chen Liu would not live long. It was already a great mercy for him to spare her life.

Fu Jiu retorted: "Young ladies from aristocratic families, few of them can swim."

Li Tianliu argued: "I only hit her boat, but I didn't hit her."

Listening to the argument between the two, Chan Yi snorted twice to show her disdain, and then began to explain to Quan Shuyu.

The wind was growing stronger and stronger, as if it could overturn mountains and seas.

Li Tianliu unconsciously stopped quarreling with Fu Jiu. Looking at the dark clouds overhead, his expression gradually became serious. "When we get to Gu's house, remember to follow your young master at all times. Especially when the operation begins, you must not stray even a step away."

Fu Jiu also changed her usual naivety and nodded seriously, "I know."

"If you are really worried about her, you can send her to those gardens or Ren's family." Li Tianliu reminded slowly.

Chan Yi rarely refuted him, "How could I forget about the Ren family? You should go back and pack up quickly... Never mind, just go like this, you won't be gone for many hours anyway."

"No need," Quan Shuyu refused, "I will stay in the east wing and not go anywhere."

"no……"

"I know you are doing this for my own good," Quan Shuyu held her hand, "I can hide in the Ren family this time, but what about in the future? It's not like there will always be a Ren family for me to hide in when I'm in danger. I believe you can succeed, and you should also believe that I can protect myself."

She didn't want to be a holdback.

Chan Yi wanted to persuade him, but Chen Shao said, "Go and take the evidence from the Zhu and Gu families, and get ready to go."

"Go ahead, don't worry about me." Fu Jiu brought out the evidence, and Quan Shuyu let go of Chan Yi's hand. "You gave me so many poisons, I also want to try if they work."

Chen Shao has left.

Chan Yi had no other choice but to tell him, "Remember to protect yourself."

The whole book is good.

The wind is really strong.

The carriage was moving against the wind and it was very difficult.

It originally took only half an hour to get to Gu's house, but today it took nearly an hour to arrive.

Gu Yingzhao and Gu Erye were still discussing matters in Gu Laoye's Yongfu Courtyard. They had been discussing for a whole day. What they were discussing was the matter of the Zhu family slandering the Gu family behind their backs. After hearing the news that Chen Shao was coming, everyone couldn't help but look at the sky. Gu Laoye said, "You two go together and quickly bring the person in. No matter what happens between us and the Zhu family, it is not appropriate to offend Master Chen Liu!"

This is what most of the other members of the Gu family think.

Gu Yingzhao had no choice but to follow Master Gu out to greet them.

After a brief exchange of courtesies, Gu Yingzhao greeted the people and walked towards Guangren Courtyard, saying, "The wind is so strong, it will probably rain soon. My lord, if you want to play chess, please send someone to tell me. I will just go to the prefectural governor's mansion. How can I take the risk myself?"

The news that Chen Shao had driven Anrentang, Sizhentang, Wanhetang and Kangletang out of Huimin Pharmacy had spread like wildfire, and the Gu family had naturally heard the news early on. Most people in the Gu family believed that Chen Shao's move was to win over the Gu family. This was also the reason why everyone in the Gu family, including Mr. Gu, was unwilling to give up the Zhu family so quickly, but also unwilling to offend Chen Shao.

The relationship between the Gu family and the Zhu family was too complicated. Giving up the Zhu family would be like cutting off one's own arm. But the Zhu family had gone too far this time, and they were unwilling to just let it go. Therefore, after a day of discussion, most of the Gu family members thought that they should take advantage of Chen Shao's attempt to win over the Gu family and force the Zhu family to make concessions.

It seems that the Gu family has made a choice. Listening to Gu Yingzhao's words, which were obviously different from those of the previous two days, Chen Shao curled his lips, and after walking into the leeward corridor with him, he slowly said, "We originally planned to do this, but I'm afraid that if we send someone over and Master Gu follows, it will rain. Judging from the wind, the rain must be heavy. If Master Gu encounters rain on the way, it may affect his mood for playing chess. With this in mind, I'd better let me come."

As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of lightning suddenly split the sky, followed by a rumbling thunder like a wheel rolling in. Before the thunder had dissipated, heavy rain poured down.

The rain hit the flowers and plants outside the corridor. The splashing raindrops were like clouds and mist, covering everyone.

Chan Yi held up an umbrella to shield her from the rain and fog. Chen Shao pressed down the umbrella, looked at the heavy rain outside the corridor and said with a smile: "It's a coincidence. If you were two steps later, you would have been caught in the rain."

"It can be seen that you are a blessed man." Gu Yingzhao greeted her flatteringly and walked quickly into Guangren Courtyard. After shaking off the raindrops on his body, he asked Master Gu to prepare hot tea and then welcomed her to sit in the main hall. The strong wind brought heavy rain, and the rain mist formed was like a light dance under the illumination of lightning. Looking at this wonder, Gu Yingzhao said meaningfully, "This year's summer heat is stronger than in previous years. I was originally speculating whether there would be a drought. With this heavy rain, the crops are saved."

Chen Shao echoed, "When I left the city to deal with the Wen family's farm some time ago, I saw many people carrying water to pour on the crops. This rain not only saved the crops in the fields, but also saved many people."

Hearing her bring up the topic, Gu Yingzhao said at the right time: "This is because you are wholeheartedly caring for the people, and even God couldn't bear to disappoint you, so he sent down this heavy rain."

Master Gu brought the tea up.

After taking two sips, Chen Shaoqian said, "No matter how devoted I am to the people, I am only one person. Two fists cannot beat four hands. If we want the people to truly live a good life, we have to rely on everyone to work together. Just like this rain, no matter how heavy it is, if it only lasts for one day and there is no rain for the next six months or a year, the people will still have a hard time surviving."

"Young Master, what you said makes a lot of sense." Gu Yingzhao nodded in agreement, but did not continue.

Chen Shao sipped his tea slowly. He didn't speak, and so did she.

After playing in silence for about half a cup of tea, Gu Yingzhao spoke again: "Sir, how about you use my chessboard today? Although my chessboard is not as expensive as yours, it has some advantages."

The Gu family made a choice, but they didn't make a complete choice. In short, they were still waiting for the Zhu family to make a statement. If the Zhu family was willing to give in, then the Gu family would also be willing to put aside their past grudges and reconcile with them. If the Zhu family was unwilling to give in, the Gu family would choose to join her. Knowing the attitude of the Gu family's fence-sitters, Chen Shao put down his teacup and said directly: "Let's talk about it next time when we are free. I didn't come here to play chess today."

The smile on Gu Yingzhao's face froze for a moment, and Second Master Gu became even more alert. They both looked at Li Tianliu and the Yulin Guards standing inside and outside the door calmly. The number and expressions of the Yulin Guards who came today were no different from usual. Even so, with the previous experience of the Wen family in mind, Gu Yingzhao and Second Master Gu did not let down their guard.

After giving Mr. Gu a look, Gu Yingzhao put down his teacup and smiled again, "Young Master, if you have anything to ask, please tell me. As long as the Gu family can do it, we will never refuse."

"That's what I've been waiting for, Master Gu." Chen Shao smiled and said a few polite words to Master Gu as he walked away. Then he told Fu Jiu, "Bring the box over here."

Under Gu Yingzhao's vigilant gaze, Fu Jiu placed the box containing the Zhu family's evidence on the coffee table next to Chen Shao and opened the box. Chen Shao casually took out a few pieces of evidence, looked at them for a while, and tilted his head to look at Gu Yingzhao: "I heard that the Gu family and the Zhu family's main branches are both in Wu County?"

Gu Yingzhao took a look at the box. Although he didn't know what was in it, he had a hunch that it was dangerous. He put his fist to his lips and pretended to consider it. When he saw Master Gu coming back, he answered yes.

Chen Shao glanced outside calmly, raised his lips slightly, and continued to ask: "So, the Gu family and the Zhu family are old friends?"

Gu Yingzhao looked at the box again, and the sense of danger became stronger and stronger. He hesitated for a moment before answering, "I guess so."

It was another ambiguous answer. Chen Shao sneered silently: "It means that although the Gu family doesn't know everything about what the Zhu family did, they know something about it, right?"

"I wonder what you are talking about, sir?" Gu Yingzhao asked proactively. He was not a person who liked to be led by the nose.

Chen Shao looked at him, and only after he saw him avoid his gaze did he pass over the pieces of evidence in his hand. Gu Yingzhao did not take them immediately, but his eyes fell on the paper immediately. Seeing the record on the paper that the Bi Tao Garden belonged to the Gu family and the Zhu family, and the information after this sentence that listed the time of entry, identity, age, home address, who brought them into the garden, etc. of every boy or girl who entered the garden, he stood up suddenly in shock and said, "This is a false accusation, please investigate it thoroughly to clear my Gu family's name!"

Perhaps because he had never seen him lose his composure like this before, Second Master Gu quickly came over to take the evidence. When he saw the information for the first time, he took two steps back in shock, and his face turned pale instantly. Suppressing his pounding heart, he quickly looked at the second piece of evidence.

The second piece of evidence records that a small merchant bought a batch of goods that the Zhu family had their eyes on without knowing it. After Mr. Zhu found out, he secretly gave several business deals to two merchants that were in competition with the small merchant and expressed his dissatisfaction with the small merchant in a tactful way. There was also evidence that the two merchants, in order to curry favor with the Gu family, joined forces to force the small merchant to the point of ruin.

Fortunately, it’s not the Gu family.

Gu Erye couldn't wait to look at the third, fourth, and fifth pieces of evidence. The latter pieces of evidence all recorded detailed evidence of the Zhu family using the same method to cause merchants or ordinary people to lose their homes and lives.

Still no Gu family.

Master Gu's tense heartstrings were completely relaxed. After handing the evidence to Gu Yingzhao, he bowed to Chen Shao and said in the same way: "This is clearly a false accusation. I hope you can investigate it thoroughly to clear my Gu family's name!"

Chen Shao asked slowly and calmly: "Just to clear your Gu family's name?"