The gambling god's wife in the Duke's Mansion is getting divorced again

The secret guards sent by Xiao Ji staked out Cuijing Garden for a whole night, but came up empty-handed.

Not only did the person who was supposed to meet him not show up, but even Mr. Wu’s shadow was nowhere to be found.

He was like a slippery loach, slipping through fingers and quickly slipping away, his vigilance was extremely high.

"That Mr. Wu must have seen through the trick that day. He's really amazing."

Sang Wan sighed unwillingly. Originally, he could have caught the big fish in the palace by following this clue, but now these people had hidden in the smoke-filled building, and it would be extremely difficult to lure them out.

Baili Xi sighed, "Wang Xiaoer is dead, and his lover has also escaped. This clue is broken."

"I asked Xiaoshun to arrange for someone to look for her. In this world, where can a prostitute run away? She has been accustomed to the comfortable life of living comfortably with Wang Xiaoer for so many years, and she can't do hard work. The people of Lord Wu in the palace will not let her go either."

Sang Wan drank his tea slowly, his eyes fixed on the account book in his hand, his brows furrowed deeply.

"Not only have contraband items flowed into the palace over the years, but many valuable items have also flowed out through the ghost market.

Wang Dana must have remembered every transaction clearly in order to save his life.

But, who has pocketed all this money, and where has it been used?"

Baili Xi leaned over curiously and looked at the account book together.

Sang Wan pointed to a page in the account book and tapped it:

"In September alone, the turnover of medicinal materials, food ingredients, charcoal, etc. was nearly one million taels.

The items for resale range from precious medicinal herbs to silk fabrics, and there is a wide variety of them.

This is not a business that an ordinary eunuch can do."

"There's a big scoundrel in the Inner Court!" Baili Xi was eager to try. "I'll report it!"

Sang Wan slammed the account book shut.

"Young man, you are playing with fire."

Baili Xi burst out laughing, "I'm just teasing you."

He served in the imperial court and knew that less trouble was better than more. If he had taken the account books directly to the emperor, regardless of who this rat was, just asking about the origins of the account books would have been enough to make him suffer.

“The more you do, the more mistakes you make. It’s better not to do anything.”

Baili Xi shook his head meaningfully.

Just stay away from trouble.

“For something in the palace to get out, it would have to go through so many people. This is no longer just one rat, but a whole nest.

We rashly reported it, and they picked up a scapegoat, and the case was dropped.

We are exposed and become their target, which is a losing proposition no matter how you look at it."

Rather than reporting the incident, Sang Wan was more concerned about where the money went.

Baili Xi now admires her even more:

"What do you think?"

"Do you know any underground banks in the capital?" she asked. "Let's follow the clues and investigate."

"You little bitch, you're ordering me around so smoothly now." Baili spread his hands towards her, "Give me some benefits?"

Sang Wan smiled at him helplessly: "What do you want?"

"Embroider a handkerchief for me." Baili Xi was very careful, watching her expression all the time, afraid that she would be unhappy. "It doesn't have to be too complicated, a simple pattern will do."

"Okay." Sang Wan rubbed his forehead, knowing that he couldn't get away with it this time, so he had to agree.

The young man was so happy that he was afraid she would change her mind, so he ran away: "I'll go check it out now."

"Come back." Sang Wan smiled bitterly.

"How's the investigation into the alchemy going?"

Baili Xi turned back and lowered his voice: "Don't you think it's strange that there is not even a trace of anything?"

He used his duty to patrol every corner of the palace, but he neither saw the alchemy furnace nor met the Taoist priest.

These days, he has been on high alert and thinks every eunuch he sees is Master Wu.

Sang Wan bit her finger carelessly and muttered to herself, "Could it be that there is a secret room in the palace?"

She was only wearing casual clothes today, with her hair loosely tied behind her head with a hairpin, but she looked even more seductive than usual.

Baili Xi wanted to look but didn't dare to. He was afraid that if he looked at her any longer, he would not be able to help but hug her.

"I'll go back and find out more. Don't worry."

"Row."

Sang Wan nodded and went back to looking at the account book.

Baili Xi waited for a while, and seeing that she was still motionless, he had to leave reluctantly.

Sang Wan wrote another note to Qingshan and asked Yanhong to deliver it:

"Whoever goes to the Ghost Market to inquire must not reveal a single word about the Nan'an Palace. Also, tell Qingshan that if anyone from the palace wants to discuss business with him, he should be polite and not refuse outright."

"Yes, Master."

Yanhong followed Xiaoshun's call and adapted quickly.

Sang Wan was about to say something, but Yan Hong laughed first and said:

"Xiao Shun told me everything. My brother calls you Master, and you saved me, so you are naturally my Master too!"

"Silly sister." Sang Wan's eyes flashed with a smile, "After this busy period is over, I'll let Xiaoshun take you to the northwest to reunite with your brother."

"Thank you, Master!" Yan Hong did not ask what the specific task was. She knew that Sang Wan was a man with plans in mind, and she just needed to obey.

*

The days passed by quickly, and both Sang Wan and Xiao Ji had their own worries, so their New Year's Eve was neither exciting nor boring.

Soon it was the eighth day of the first lunar month, and the ceremony of conferring the empress was held as scheduled.

Emperor Zhao of Xia really loved Zheng Yunlan. He not only gave her the position of empress, but also gave her the most grand ceremony.

Hundreds of officials and members of the imperial family were present. He didn't care at all whether these people recognized that this woman, the mother of the country, was the former wife of the Duke and the empress of the previous emperor.

Zheng Yunlan wore a dark blue and green 翟袆衣, a nine-dragon and four-phoenix crown on her head, two white jade pendants around her waist, and blue socks and blue shoes, showing her majesty and luxury, and once again ascended the throne of queen.

On the ninth day of the first lunar month, Prince Yun Xiao Yi died of a cold that had not been cured for a long time.

On January 12, the eldest prince was named "Prince Yu" and given nine pearls; because of her son's status, Concubine Rong was promoted to Concubine Rong Huang.

The undercurrents within and outside the palace that had been surging over Zheng Yunlan's coronation were completely quelled. Emperor Zhao of Xia managed to maintain a level playing field, his imperial power reaching its peak.

"Is everything settled?"

Xiao Ji was brewing tea by the stove, still speaking slowly and calmly. The only time he lost his composure seemed like an illusion to Sang Wan, as if it had never happened.

Madam Li stayed in the mansion and he never summoned her again. He continued to carry out his daily activities as usual.

"Don't worry, brother. Qingshan and Yanhong have already taken care of him, and Baishi has also gone down to remove the poison from him."

The person they were talking about was Prince Yun Xiao Yi.

Sang Wan found a man of similar stature among the death row prisoners, and Yan Hong used disguise to replace King Yun; the Immortal had already let Qingshan quietly lead him into the ghost town.

Sang Wan took the tea from Xiao Ji with both hands and warmed her hands with the teacup.

The aroma of tea lingered in the air, and the tea brewed with charcoal fire was even more fragrant. Xiao Ji also added red dates, longans and other ingredients to it, making it more suitable for women to drink.

"It is God's will that Ayi should not die."

Xiao Ji offered her tea instead of wine, "Thank you."

"Brother, we as a family don't say thank you." Sang Wan drank the tea in one gulp. The tea was sweet and delicious. "If you really want to thank me, please make this tea for me more often in your free time. It's really delicious."

"Awan, if you want to drink, I will make it for you no matter how busy I am."

Xiao Ji was very considerate as he added tea and handed water slowly and steadily. Several important events happened one after another in the first month of the year, and the two siblings finally had some time to sit down and chat, which they both cherished very much.

The snow outside has stopped, the eaves are covered with icicles, plum trees are blooming on the branches, and magpies are making a noise in the spring, adding a touch of joy to the quietness.

The same joy flowed between Xiao Ji's eyes and brows. The happiest thing about this year was that they had gone to great lengths to save the life of Prince Yun Xiao Yi and secretly sent him into the ghost town.

It makes me so proud to have accomplished such a shocking thing under the noses of His Majesty and the Imperial City Bureau's minions.

"Brother, you are the most determined person I have ever met. Even when Mount Tai collapses in front of you, you remain calm. No ordinary person can shake your composure."

Xiao Ji glanced at her sideways and added a splash of tea with a bamboo ladle: "Are you praising me or scolding me?"

"I'm sincere, and the sun and the moon can bear witness to that." Sang Wan swore to the heavens, "I'm only praising you. I don't think anything could make you lose your composure."

Xiao Ji smiled calmly.

Uncle Li went to the door and announced:

"Your Majesty, Miss Qiu requests to see you."

The bamboo ladle in Xiao Ji's hand fell into the teapot with a thud. His expression instantly became restrained and shy. He wiped his robe with his hands in an awkward manner, not knowing where to put them.

"Please, ask her to come in."

Sang Wan lowered her head, pursed her lips and smiled secretly: "Ah, there are still people who can make my brother, who is as strong as a rock, change his expression drastically."

What kind of woman is the legendary Qiu Chaoge?