After the interstellar female general died in battle, she transmigrated into the body of a dashing p

Duke Yun took it and replied coldly, "If it weren't for An'er mentioning it, I wouldn't have remembered this person at all. Besides, I haven't been involved with Duping for a long time."

To avoid suspicion and to reassure the emperor, it was probably precisely because of this that those with ulterior motives were able to take advantage of the situation.

Yun'ao Army, Yun'ao Army, after all, was originally the Yun family army. No one knows how much Wu Xuemin embezzled or what he did with it, but he has indeed arrived in Duping. Now, if someone uses this as an excuse to accuse the Yun'ao Army of harboring ulterior motives, then the spearhead will be aimed directly at the Yun family. At that time, no one knows whether the emperor will still protect them as before.

This emperor was not one to be merciful.

If the Yun family makes even the slightest mistake, the name of loyalty and righteousness earned through generations of bloodshed will be completely destroyed, and they may even end up with no trace of their remains.

If that's the case, then the breach in Luotian County's dike wasn't a natural disaster, but rather a scheme orchestrated by someone willing to sacrifice the lives of tens of thousands of ordinary people to destroy Yunfu. The insidious nature of their intentions is chilling.

Kong Mufeng stood shoulder to shoulder with Yun Guogong, his hands bound as before, his voice like a breeze from a secluded valley, "Now what do you plan to do?"

He looked at the somewhat desolate courtyard and felt that something was missing.

"What do you say?"

"You're asking me?" Kong Mufeng pointed at himself as if he had seen a ghost, then flicked his sleeves. "I'd be happy to finish you off with one strike, but I want to live a few more years playing with you black-hearted people!" He plans ten steps ahead with every move, and his words have multiple meanings. You can't understand him at all if you don't have a brain.

Just thinking about it makes me feel exhausted for them. No wonder those in high positions don't live long!

Duke Yun turned and walked down the stone steps, revealing undisguised contempt to his old friend of many years, "You're so arrogant, you've lived for decades and you're still not as good as An girl."

"She's a little fox raised by you old foxes, isn't it normal that I can't compare?!" How many people in the world can be born as pampered and noble as this little girl, whose experiences and knowledge from childhood are beyond the reach of ordinary people, coupled with the personal guidance of several people at the pinnacle of power, and her own near-demonic intelligence? How many people in the world can compare to her in this environment?!

Every country has its favored princes and princesses, but none can move freely in the imperial court like An Ya Tou, and participate in politics without restraint. People say: "I wonder what great virtue she accumulated in her past life to be born into such a good family." This statement truly expresses everyone's envy.

Duke Yun ignored his unambitious words and continued walking towards his study, saying to the steward beside him, "Call Song Qing over."

"Yes." Xu Shi felt the coldness emanating from the Duke of Yun and was stunned for a moment.

Chen Songqing was responsible for the security of the Duke's mansion, as well as for espionage outside. His master rarely saw him unless there was something important to discuss.

In recent years, in order to temper the Yun family's power, the master has intentionally avoided the court and cultivated his mind and character. The ferocity he had gained from fighting on the battlefield in his early years has also dissipated considerably. But now... the sky over the capital... is about to change.

Shaoqing, study—

The Duke of Yun took a pen and started writing something at his desk.

"Master." Chen Songqing, dressed in a black, narrow-sleeved outfit, entered the room and saw the Duke, who exuded a cold aura. His heart trembled, and he quickly bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

Duke Yun did not look up, but said in a calm voice, "Tell me about the current situation in Jingnan."

Chen Songqing was startled. He had mentioned the situation in Jingnan to his master as usual before, but his master hadn't paid much attention to it then. Why was it like this now...? He couldn't figure it out, but he still told him what he had learned: "The First Prince and the Fifth Prince's people are implicating each other, and more than twenty officials have been implicated, including a third-rank official."

To this day, probably no one understands why an investigation into a small repair expense has implicated so many people.

Duke Yun sealed the letter, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Deliver this letter to Marquis Lin."

On the Jingnan side, they all wanted to take this opportunity to take a piece of the pie from each other, and the current situation is nothing more than the result of jackals fighting each other.

The southwest region is Yang Liming's territory. How could he not know about the dirty deeds happening there?

"Is there anything that needs to be done in Jingnan, Master?" Chen Songqing asked cautiously as he took the letter.

At this time, why would the Emperor write to Yang Liming, asking him to resolve the chaotic situation over there? But judging from the Emperor's reaction today, it doesn't seem like the Emperor's intention.

"No need. Tell the brothers outside to be vigilant and report any unusual information immediately."

"Also, investigate how Wu Xuemin was transferred to Hongcheng and whether he had any contact with Changfeng."

Wu Xuemin's arrival in Hongcheng was no coincidence. Whatever his role was, it was inextricably linked to the people he had joined. Now, it was only natural to investigate this person thoroughly.

"Yes." Chen Songqing had a guess in his mind, knowing that he could no longer evade or be casual about outside information as he had before.

Meanwhile, inside the Imperial Study—

Zheng Hongyuan sat upright in the nanmu chair, turning the thumb ring on his thumb, his expression inscrutable.

Xi Renzhuo, the Minister of Personnel, was dressed in a black and red official robe. He held a letter in his hand. His composure gradually turned into solemnity, and his fingertips turned white. Although the temperature in the hall was just right, a layer of sweat beaded on his forehead.

After reading the above, he trembled violently and prostrated himself on the ground. The marks of time on his face became even more pronounced with his panicked expression: "This old minister has misjudged people and failed Your Majesty's grace. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"You can't judge people well?" Zheng Hongyuan's deep voice remained flat: "If I remember correctly, Minister Xi can be considered a veteran of two reigns."

Xi Renzhuo dared not respond. The Xi family's foundation was not as deep as that of the Prime Minister and the others. When the late emperor was alive, he was only a fourth-rank official in the Ministry of Personnel. Later, by befriending Prime Minister Jian, he caught up with the competition for the supreme position and finally gained merit in supporting the emperor. It can be said that he was able to sit on the position of Minister without the help of Prime Minister Jian.

The paper listed the misdeeds of more than twenty officials, all of whom had passed through the Ministry of Personnel. As for the intricacies of official transfers, everyone knew the truth.

Zheng Hongyuan then said calmly, "I know that you are busy with official duties and it is inevitable that you will be negligent sometimes. You need not be so concerned."

Liu Fuquan, who was standing to the side with his eyes downcast and mind at ease, immediately stepped forward to help the man up and took back the letter.

"Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty." Xi Renzhuo stood up and glanced deeply at the letter. He was still wondering why the Emperor had suddenly summoned him, raised it high, and then gently lowered it. Then the cold voice came again.

"My dear minister, you are very busy. Those below you should be constantly vigilant and offer advice. The Ministry of Personnel is in charge of the allocation of civil officials throughout the country. If they cannot be fair and impartial in selecting people from among the common people, then what use are they to the court?!"

"Does Minister Xi agree?"

Xi Renzhu wiped his sweat with his sleeve and nodded repeatedly. "What Your Majesty says is true. When I return, I will definitely rectify the conduct of the Ministry of Personnel and will not let Your Majesty worry."

Zheng Hongyuan smiled and said, "I trust you, my dear minister. It is my good fortune and Anchong's good fortune to have such capable ministers to share my burdens!"

"Your Majesty is too modest. It is our great fortune to be able to assist Your Majesty." Seeing that the Emperor truly had no intention of punishing him, Xi Renzhuo's heart finally settled down.

...The two flattered each other, creating a harmonious scene of ruler and subject.

Before Xi Renzhuo left, Zheng Hongyuan spoke up as if on a whim: "I heard that Minister Xi had a very pleasant conversation with the Prime Minister at Fumeng Tower the other day, and even praised the newly produced chrysanthemum wine there as very delicious. I wonder what's so special about that wine that made the two of you praise it so highly?"

"Your Majesty, that wine, to be honest, wasn't exactly a top-tier brew. I just heard that it was made with snow water the previous year and stored in an ice cellar. When you drink it warm, it's mellow and sweet with a hint of chrysanthemum. As it enters your body, it's like a delicate chrysanthemum in front of your eyes. It's actually quite similar to chilled plum wine." Xi Renzhuo felt an urge to drink another cup when he recalled that wine.

Zheng Hongyuan picked up his pen and continued reviewing the memorials. Seemingly captivated by the description, he said calmly, "Then I'll have someone buy some to try."

......

After leaving the palace, Xi Renzhuo had someone buy several bottles of chrysanthemum wine. When he received them, he froze.

Very few people knew about his meeting with the Prime Minister at the Floating Dream Pavilion, and the Emperor not only knew about it but also knew the content of their conversation.

The Emperor was not curious. Today’s visit to the palace may have seemed like a formality, but it was actually a warning and a reprimand. The Ministry of Personnel was not under Xi Renzhuo’s personal control. So how much did the Emperor know about his affair with the Prime Minister?

With a 'clatter,' the wine pot in his hand fell to the ground. Xi Renzhuo's hair stood on end, his back was soaked with cold sweat, and his steps faltered as he entered the mansion, almost causing him to fall to the ground.