Beast Taming Mad Concubine: The Useless Young Lady is Back!

Ye Qinghao took Liu Xueying away, and she was gone for several days.

Five days later, Liu Xueying still hadn't returned.

"I'm starting to think that what I suspected before—that Liu Xueying was secretly murdered and her body disposed of by Ye Qinghao—might be true. Five days have passed, and Liu Xueying hasn't returned. Even many servants in the Ye residence have started to secretly discuss this matter."

"What are they all talking about?"

Jiu Xiao curled her lip: "What else could we be talking about? It's because that day you cried to Ye Qinghao that you were trapped in the illusion of the Night Enchantress, and even saw Aunt Jiu, who had disappeared for more than two years, in the illusion. After that, Ye Qinghao angrily went straight to Liu Xueying..."

"Therefore, rumors are circulating in the mansion that Liu Xueying is the one who killed Ninth Concubine and then used the same methods to trap you and kill you. Because Ye Qinghao knew about this, Liu Xueying was secretly dealt with."

Ye Qing'an said calmly, "I have to say, these rumors have, to some extent, indeed guessed the truth of the matter."

Jiu Xiao rolled his eyes: "There are really few people willing to make a move in brothels and casinos. It's been several days and there's still no news."

Ye Qing'an hummed in agreement, not in a hurry at all.

"However, ever since you said that brothels and casinos are the places with the most information and the most complete information, I have been secretly hiding in these places to gather information recently, and I have indeed gathered quite a lot of information."

Jiuxiao raised his head slightly: "Although most of what we found out was news from the imperial court, I still think it's useful."

"Speaking of those court officials, they really do seem to enjoy discussing matters in brothels. They'll discuss something, then each find a girl to sleep with, tsk..."

Ye Qing'an glanced at Jiu Xiao: "You went to the brothel, really just to gather information?"

"Huh?" Jiuxiao looked somewhat bewildered: "Otherwise what?"

As soon as he asked the question, Jiu Xiao realized what he meant: "Do you think I'm supposed to go see the girls inside? Or do you think I'm here to watch a live sex show?"

Seeing that Ye Qing'an remained silent, Jiu Xiao became even more furious: "Do I have to be like this? How many of the women in those brothels are prettier than me? And the men who go to those brothels, there are hardly any whose figures or appearances I find acceptable. Looking at them is simply an eyesore."

"Alright then." Ye Qing'an glanced at Jiu Xiao, and perhaps it was indeed as Jiu Xiao said, that there were probably very few courtesans whose looks could compare to Jiu Xiao's.

"So, what have you found out?"

When Jiu Xiao heard Ye Qing'an ask about this, his expression softened slightly: "I've heard that the Emperor has recently dealt with quite a few officials in the court, some secretly, and many have been demoted."

"Oh?" Ye Qing'an narrowed his eyes. Changes in officials in the court are no small matter. If what Jiu Xiao said is true, then this is quite interesting.

"Did those officials in the court say why?"

"Because many of these cases were handled covertly, without even being given a crime, it's hard to say that they were all punished or demoted for the same reason. However, according to those officials, it was probably due to forming cliques for personal gain."

"Forming cliques for personal gain?"

Jiuxiao nodded: "From what those officials said, most of those who were punished or demoted were close to several princes and nobles."

"Those officials were all living in fear, afraid that they would be the next to be quietly dealt with."

Ye Qing'an paced back and forth in the illusion a few times. The current emperor was in his prime, but several princes had already come of age.

At this time, what the emperor is most worried about is his own son seizing the throne. Therefore, most emperors will try every means to suppress the power in the hands of the princes.

For a ruler, it is a grave taboo for a prince to win over court officials and secretly collude with them.

So before, she was somewhat confused as to why Ye Qinghao had already chosen a side so early on, placing Ye Feiran next to the Crown Prince, which was practically an open show of support for the Crown Prince.

If the Emperor cares about these things, then Ye Qinghao must be a thorn in the Emperor's side.

Ye Qinghao's rise to his current position is certainly not solely due to inheriting his father's legacy, nor is it merely a matter of luck.

He must have his reasons.

Furthermore, as the head of all officials, Ye Qinghao could not possibly be unaware that the Emperor was secretly purging officials who were close to the princes.

Ye Qing'an lowered her eyes, concealing the glint in them.

Whether Ye Qinghao knew or not was irrelevant; what mattered was that she could use this opportunity to show off her skills in front of him.

Ye Qing'an raised her eyes: "The day before yesterday, didn't Consort Lan send someone to invite me to the palace tomorrow?"

“Yes.” Jiu Xiao looked at Ye Qing’an with some surprise. “Even though your memory isn’t great, you shouldn’t have forgotten something this important, right?”

"I haven't forgotten, I'm just checking."

The next day, Ye Qing'an entered the palace early in the morning.

Consort Lan summoned Ye Qing'an to the palace for no important reason. She simply chatted with him, bestowed some gifts upon him, and then sent him back to his residence.

Upon returning to the Ye residence, Ye Qing'an went directly to the main courtyard.

When Ye Qinghao saw Ye Qing'an enter, his brows furrowed subconsciously. However, as if he remembered something, he waited for her to bow and stand up before asking, "You just returned from the palace? Did you go to the palace today to pay your respects to Consort Lan?"

"Yes."

"What's wrong? What did Consort Lan say to you?"

Ye Qing'an nodded: "The Imperial Concubine was just chatting with me, but I learned some things from her conversation, and I think I should report them to Father."

"Oh?" Ye Qinghao asked casually, "What did the Imperial Concubine say to you?"

"Actually, it's just some trivial matters, such as what new people have recently entered the palace, who is the most favored, and who is not."

"It was only when the Imperial Concubine mentioned that His Majesty had not visited the Empress's or Consort Xian's palaces for several days."

"The Imperial Concubine said that it was probably because His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Second Prince had been getting too close to officials in the court. The Emperor was furious and did not go to the Empress and the Virtuous Consort's palaces. Perhaps this was a signal."

Ye Qinghao frowned: "What signal?"

"It's a sign that the Emperor dislikes the princes colluding with court officials in private. I've also heard that recently, several court officials have been punished or demoted because they were close to the princes."

Ye Qinghao looked intently at Ye Qing'an: "So?"

Ye Qing'an raised her eyes: "Father, Zirui is still in the East Palace."

“Before, Zirui had been staying by His Highness the Crown Prince’s side and was very close to him. I’m just worried that this matter will implicate Father and Zirui.”