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  Chang Geng bowed respectfully and said, "Not long after you left, the old master woke up once. He heard about the matter of searching for poisonous herbs and knew it was not an easy task. He also feared that you had no one to rely on, so he asked me to return to the manor to listen to your instructions and take action."

  Ming Xuan's face showed a look of surprise, "Husband woke up? How is his current condition? Is it better?"

  Chang Geng's eyebrows furrowed involuntarily, and he shook his head in a low voice. "Master woke up for a while before falling asleep again. Yu Zhen Shitai said that until the remaining poison is completely eliminated, this state will likely continue for some time."

  He slightly paused, as if recalling something, and hastily took out a crystal-clear jade token from his bosom and handed it over. "This jade token is the master's personal token of trust; these years, he has laid down many pawns in Shengjing City, and whoever sees this token will carry out Master's orders without fail. The master has instructed that as long as Madame gives an order, all subordinates must obey."

  Pei Jingchen knew his life was in danger, and he understood Ming Xuan's temperament. He knew she would not give up any opportunity to cure him, and at this time, he was often drowsy and had no way to make decisions on his own. So he ordered Chang Geng to hand over the jade symbol representing his identity to Ming Xuan, which was equivalent to handing over his life and everything to her.

  If it's successful, everyone will be delighted. He has old grievances and new hatreds that have not been eliminated, and he is very satisfied with his new wife. He wants to keep his life to avenge his grievances and also accompany her to grow old together.

  If he didn't make it, he would also leave behind the connections and resources in his hands to her. Although it was a pity, it could at least protect her from being bullied by others. He knew her very well and was certain that if he couldn't survive, she would definitely help him fulfill his lifelong wish. In this way, there wouldn't be any regrets left behind.

  Ming Xuan's expression was complex as she took the jade symbol, her heart feeling a pang of sadness, but a faint smile still appeared on her lips. Her eyes slightly condensed as she looked at Chang Geng and said, "At this time, my husband didn't cry or say something like 'listen to heaven's fate' or 'don't take risks for him', which proves that I didn't marry the wrong person. Just because of this, I will not disappoint his intentions."

  She held the jade token in her hand, stroking it gently, and said firmly, "I'll keep this jade token for him for now, and return it to him personally when he's better, Changgeng. Since you're listening to my orders, go take care of two things for me first."

  Chang Geng bowed his head. After a moment, he nodded solemnly and said, "I will certainly not disappoint your trust."

  Ming Xuan let out a soft sigh as she gazed at Chang Geng's back, thinking that everything that needed to be arranged had already been taken care of. From now on, all there was left to do was wait. Waiting was the most heart-wrenching thing, and she didn't know how much longer it would take, but for now, she just hoped it would happen as soon as possible. Because she couldn't bear to wait too long.

  On the third day after Miss Yang's funeral, rumors began to spread in the lower streets and alleys of Shengjing City. Some people swore that Miss Yang's death was not due to illness, but because Master Yang had an incestuous relationship with his mother's sister, and Miss Yang, although young, was very chaste and refused to comply, choosing to die rather than submit.

  At the moment, Zhou Dynasty's capital is in a state of peace and prosperity, with its people living and working happily. As the capital, Shengjing is naturally blessed with good weather and abundant harvests. With nothing much to do, people gather together to share interesting stories and gossip. The private scandals of the wealthy families are also a topic that never gets old. At first, these rumors were only whispered among a few close friends, but after a few days, they spread like wildfire throughout the city.

  Rumors are the most terrifying sharp blades, in the alleys and streets, as they are passed from mouth to mouth, these rumors have been embellished with oil and vinegar, and many new versions and slanders have emerged. After being deliberately spread by some people, this storm has become more and more intense. There are even storytellers who have turned this scandal into a story, spreading it in the major tea houses and taverns of the city, and even the nobles in the palace have heard about it.

  When Yang Youzhong learned of this matter again, he wanted to suppress it, but it was already too late. He cried and ran to the Golden Hall to kneel down and beg the emperor for justice. After the Capital Garrison arrested a few people, the matter finally subsided, but the reputation of the Yang family was completely ruined. Whenever someone from the Yang family went out, there were always people who secretly looked at them with strange eyes.

  In the study of Lord Pei Gu, Yang You Zheng sat on a yellow rosewood armchair with a frosty face. "Lord, you really won't intervene in this matter? The Yang family has been framed by scoundrels and suffered such a great injustice, losing not only my old face but also affecting the reputation of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's mother, who is also from our Yang clan. If Her Majesty's name is tarnished, the Pei family will not have an easy time either!"

  He heavily pounded the tea table, coldly snorting, "This loss I will not swallow in vain, I have already sent people to investigate, this rumor has been spread by several groups of people, although it is unknown who else participated in this matter, but Han Xiu and Gu Changqi cannot escape responsibility, Lord, they are not just bullying me, they are slapping your face, do you really not want to intervene?"

  Yang Youzheng was furious. On that day, the second house had come up with this bad idea to deal with Pei Jingxuan. At first, he didn't take it seriously. Yang Si was just a concubine's daughter who wore the title of legitimate daughter and was also mute, unable to bring the best benefits to the Yang family. So, he used her to help his daughter deal with Pei Jingxuan, not caring about it at all. Who knew that such a simple thing couldn't be done properly, and it brought him endless trouble.

  Yang Si's reputation was of no concern to him, but Yang Wenbing was his legitimate grandson, the third generation aside from Yang Wenmao, the child he valued most. For these extremely unpleasant and unfounded rumors, he suffered a great blow, not only losing the marriage with the eldest daughter of He Pingxiang that was almost settled, but also hindering his future prospects. This huge blow to his reputation would remain a stain even after ten or twenty years, impossible to wash away.

  And all these are the result of multiple mix-ups, but the culprit points directly at Ping Zhang Zheng Shi Han Xiu!

  This young man, who was only in his early twenties, had been lording over him and making arbitrary decisions. He had suggested to Pei Xiang several times that he should get rid of Pei Xiang's political enemy, but Pei Xiang had not taken any action. Now, the real Yang Si was being held by Han Xiou, so how could Yang Youzhong remain calm?

  On the main seat, Pei Xiangru was as still as an old monk in meditation, his eyes tightly closed, seemingly not hearing Yang You's complaints at all. After a long time, he finally opened his eyes and smiled slightly at Yang You, "Guoqing, you can't calm down again."

  Guo Qing is Yang You Cheng's courtesy name.

  Yang Youzheng snorted coldly and turned to leave, "This fire didn't directly burn down the Pei family's house, so Master Xiang can speak easily, but I lost two grandsons, not to mention that all the young ladies in our household who haven't married yet were affected. How can this be tolerated? The little brat surnamed Han is the son-in-law of the Lu family, and the Emperor has been relying on him more and more over the past two years. Who knows when he'll climb over Master Xiang's head? Master Xiang really has a big belly to hold a boat!"

  It was the first time he dared to say such cold and sarcastic words after being with Pei for many years.

  Pei Xiang smiled calmly, seemingly unwilling to argue with Yang You Zheng. He picked up the teacup in his hand, took a light sip of the fragrant tea and said with a smile, "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Rumors can harm people, but they can also save them. That's all I have to say. If Guo Qing really can't tolerate even this small matter, then please leave."

  He saw Yang Youzhong suddenly calm down, a cold smile floating at the corner of his mouth. "Don't waste two grandsons, come on, see the guest off!"

  This time, Yang Youxiang did not make a fuss and retreated respectfully.

  In the study, behind the ancient painting of the oriole singing amidst green willows, a crack suddenly appeared, and the slit grew larger, revealing a stone gate. From inside, a middle-aged man with an ordinary face walked out, bowed his head to Pei Xiang, and made a fist, "Master Pei!"

  Bai Xiang nodded slightly, "Shi Zeng, what do you think?"

  The man named Shi Zeng thought for a moment and said, "Yang Wu Ye may have some courage, but he is still not old enough to be cunning. He wants to set up the master, where can he succeed? Putting it in the Korean government's villa, it is underestimating the wise and capable Lord Han of Ping Zhang. It is also his own fault that Yang You Zheng is ruthless and cruel. Since they have stopped quarreling just now, this matter will not be stirred up for long."

  Pei Xiang narrowed his eyes and said, "Although Guo Qing is a personal talent, he can't even manage the children at home properly. They're all muddled and none of them are sensible. I know they still have their hearts set on the treasure left behind by Chu Xiang Wang back then, so they'll think of every way to plant someone beside that kid. It's better this way, let them receive some lessons and behave themselves. In the future, people from the Yang family will also be easier for me to manage."

  He paused for a moment, looked up and asked, "What has the young master been busy with lately?"

  Shi Zeng replied, "On the surface, they are still lingering around those Qin Lou Chu Guan and getting drunk with the courtesans, but in reality, these young masters have once again dispatched a batch of men to head west. Counting this time, they have already sent out six batches of people. It seems that after all these years, the young master has never given up."

  He secretly raised his eyes and looked at Pei Xiang's face, saying in a low voice, "The prince's people returned without any results, but our people also didn't find out anything."

  "Pei Xiang snorted, 'I have five sons, and the other four are all worthy of being called brave and capable. But he alone has to go against me. All for a woman? Is it worth the twenty years of animosity between us? If not for his mother being my wife since we were young, and her inability to let him go before she passed away, I would have stripped him of his title as heir long ago!'"

  His eyes slightly dimmed, and he said in a cold voice, "Shi Zeng, continue to send people to Xining to investigate thoroughly. Han Shi is just a lone woman, if she's still alive, except for her old home in Xining, she has nowhere else to go. However, it's been over twenty years, she's probably already remarried. To find out, we'll need to put in some effort."

  Shi Zeng nodded in agreement, then suddenly looked up and asked, "Sir, I have a question that I dare not ask, but I don't know whether it's appropriate to ask or not."

  Pei Xiang raised an eyebrow, "Speak."

  Shi Zeng hesitated for a moment before speaking, "This time I followed your orders to investigate the background of Ping Zhang's political affairs, Han Daren. I discovered that his adoptive father, the late General Wei Guo, was also from Xining. The General's lineage and the Han family are from the same clan. I thought, if the Han family hadn't died out back then, is it possible they would have fled to the Western Frontier?"

  He hesitated and said, "Looking at that Korean repair Korean master's eyebrows, it seems to have a few points like the Korean family..."

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