After crossing over: kidnapping a female hunter to be the stepfather of the three cubs

She looked at the joy in front of her, which was silently comforting her and giving her strength.

So she told the story of her life, from a noble lady in the capital to a beggar, and then she fled all the way here. She also talked about her life in Dashi Village and the blood and tears of her family, happily telling the truth one by one.

The more Huanxi listened, the more frightened she became. In ancient times, imperial power was so devastating that a single word from above could determine the life and death of those below. They were no better than ants.

If this kind of life were placed on her, she would not dare to think about how to bear it. But the woman in front of her, who was only in her twenties and had experienced the ups and downs of life, was still so optimistic about life. She admired her from the bottom of her heart.

This was the first time Xu Qingzhao had opened her heart to someone in all these years, apart from telling the village head and his wife. As she spoke of the painful part, tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably.

Huanxi took the handkerchief and gently wiped away her tears, comforting her earnestly:

"Qing Zhao...it's all over, it's all over..."

Xu Qingzhao smiled, sniffed, and said, "Huanhuan, thank you for listening to me. I'm much better now."

But Zhao Huanxi still found something wrong in her words, so he asked:

"I have a question, I wonder if I can ask it?"

"You said."

"You said that when you went to Donglin Mansion, there was a person who could disguise himself and secretly protect you. How did he know you were going to Donglin Mansion?"

Xu Qingzhao didn't know either, so he said, "I don't know either. I met him a few times and asked him, but he refused to say. I have a feeling... the person behind him is not simple."

Zhao Huanxi was also thinking about countermeasures in his mind, so he continued to ask, "Did you have any good friends in the capital? Or did your father have other hidden connections that you didn't know about?"

Xu Qingzhao shook his head. Those who had been on good terms with his father back then had all been dealt with. Now, apart from the current emperor's faction, the rest of the court was mostly neutral and uncorrupted. If there was indeed a family he was on good terms with... it would only be his second sister's ex-husband...

When the Xu family was in trouble, there was no one else who was related to the family and still had a foothold in the capital except him...

Moreover, Xu Jinchu floated all the way to Donglin Mansion after jumping into the river. This matter seems so mysterious. It is absolutely impossible if there is no one behind the scenes.

Then Xiang Xiang said to Huan Xi, "Second sister's former husband is still in the capital."

Zhao Huanxi suddenly remembered the key point. Since Xu Jinchu was still alive and not affected, there must be someone protecting him secretly.

"So, what's the official rank of that man in Beijing now?"

Xu Qingzhao thought about it and said, "First rank, Privy Councilor."

Zhao Huanxi was puzzled. She had never heard of this official's job, so she asked.

Xu Qingzhao then explained the position to her. It turned out to be a position slightly lower than the prime minister, primarily responsible for military decrees and mobilizing the imperial guards. While the power was considerable, it was subject to the emperor's orders. All military actions required the emperor's approval.

Zhao Huanxi suddenly had an idea after hearing this. He felt that this person was the one who secretly protected the Xu family. So he asked about the person's name and family background. From this, he could judge what kind of person he was.

It turned out that this former second brother-in-law was named Wei Yangqing, an orphan from a poor family who had been rescued by Xu's father in his early years. He had been raised in the Xu residence and sponsored him to pass the imperial examinations and become an official in the court. Later, Xu Jinchu was betrothed to him.

Although Xu's father was trying to win people's hearts, he was definitely confident in using the people he promoted.

As a result, when this person saw the Xu family's decline, he quickly distanced himself from it and became a staunch royalist. Isn't this just Chen Shimei's script?

But if you think about it carefully, you can still find clues that this person is a good card.

But Zhao Huanxi couldn't understand how Wei Yangqing, who was clearly just a scholar and had no martial arts skills, could have gotten such a position in charge of military affairs.

Or was it because of his exceptional talent in this area that the emperor could put aside past grudges and use this person for his own benefit? Obviously, if it were Zhao Huanxi, she would not be at ease.

Therefore, the emperor must have some leverage over Wei Yangqing, which made him willingly work for him.

Huanxi looked towards Xu Jinchu outside the room and sighed. She said to Xu Qingzhao:

"Don't overthink it. You've been here for several years. If the boss hasn't killed you all, that means this is the end of it."

She said this without any confidence. After all, she had hunted Xu Qingzhao down like this back then, so how could she let him go so easily?

And the more she looked at him, the more she felt that this emperor resembled Emperor Yongzheng...same fratricide, same fourth son, same...cruel and ruthless...

But there is no doubt that Emperor Yongzheng was a good emperor. Looking at Emperor Jinyang, she dared not comment.

Besides, Xu's father was implicated because of his standing position. Was he standing with the eighth brother or the fourteenth brother?

I was lost in thought. The sky outside was gradually getting darker. It was probably sunset when we were eating. Now it was completely dark.

She walked out of Xu Qingzhao's room worriedly. At this time, Yu Yan came over and asked how Xu Qingzhao was doing. Huanxi just smiled and said she was fine.

At this time, Linghua knocked on the door and said:

"Madam, Miss Hongying is here and is waiting in the front hall."

Huanxi was wondering why Hongying didn't come directly over, so she stood up and instructed Linghua:

"Go and make a pot of good tea, and prepare the food and banquet I ordered for you to prepare this day, and bring a few chairs over."

So he took Yu Yan to the front hall and saw Hongying took two large boxes and put them on the table, motioning Huanxi and Yu Yan to open them.

Zhao Huanxi glanced at Hongying with a mysterious look, picked up a green box and opened it. Inside was a long hairpin made of emerald jade with osmanthus dots, and a pair of crescent-shaped emerald earrings of the same color.

What woman doesn't like jewelry? Zhao Huanxi also likes it, so she asked Hongying:

"No merit, no reward. Hongying, this isn't a festival gift, is it?"

At this time, Yu Yan also opened the smoky blue box in front of her, which contained a pair of exquisite white jade hairpins and a pair of lotus-petal earrings of the same color.

"Hey, do you like it? This isn't a festival gift. The festival gift is in the yard. This is a boudoir gift from me to you two good sisters. I have to go on a convoy mission the day after tomorrow and may not be back for a while."

She glanced left and right, but didn't see any trace of Xu Qingzhao, so she breathed a sigh of relief.

Both of these pieces of jewelry are low-key and unpretentious. Although Yu Yan usually dresses simply, she also likes these beautiful things.

So she said, "Then I will respectfully obey your command. I will have to dress up properly tomorrow so that I can match this set of jewelry."

"Xiao Yu'er, you're laughing at me again."

Zhao Huanxi smiled and shook his head, then ordered the two people in the kitchen to carry the gifts in and told them to remember what was inside so that they could return the favor next time.

Favors are only favors when there is give and take. If it is one-sided, who would feel comfortable?