And during this time the streets within the capital were full of Chen Wang's city defense troops. The Rong fu was being secretly monitored by Chen Wang's guards, truly making other people feel uneasy, as if something huge was going to take place.

But, the bigger the possibility that something huge was going to happen, the preceding few more days seemed to be more quiet and peaceful, just like the surface of the sea before the storm without any trace of waves, but when the actual storm swept through, it would bring devastating blows.

Inside the Imperial Palace during this time, the Empress Dowager and the Empress were both worriedly staring at Emperor Yu Qian who had already taken the antidote. All of them were anxiously waiting for Emperor Yu Qian to regain consciousness.

“How long would His Majesty still remain unconscious?” Still not seeing Emperor Yu Qian woken up, the Empress suddenly felt a bit flustered as she questioned the imperial physician who was standing beside the dragon throne.

“Please don't worry, Your Highness. Let's wait for another quarter of an hour, His Majesty will certainly wake up. But His Majesty hasn't had a decent meal for a very long time, among the royal meals for the past few days, he only had porridge as an appropriate meal, once His Majesty has his appetite back, we shall gradually add some meaty diet.” While the imperial physician was taking Emperor Yu Qian's pulse, he replied to the Empress' inquiries, he also mentioned all the details about the Emperor Yu Qian's diet, what he shall eat and the appropriate time to consume it after he waken up.

After hearing those words, the Empress Dowager nodded her head, after which she spoke steadily “Having you beside His Majesty to tend to his needs, we evidently feel quite assured. For His Majesty's diet and health for the next few days, you will be the one in charge. You must make His Majesty recover as soon as possible!”

While they were exchanging words, Emperor Yu Qian's both eyes which had not been opened for almost a month, gradually opened.....

“Your Majesty....” The few people guarding beside the dragon throne simultaneously cried out in surprise, the Empress and the Empress Dowager were both overwhelmed with tears of joy. The Empress Dowager's eyes werebrimming with specks of glistening teardrops, her both hands could not help but take the other hand of Emperor Yu Qian, with smile on her face she said, “Your Majesty, you are finally awake!”

Emperor Yu Qian glanced at the few persons before him. When he felt the burning sensation enveloping his body had already faded away, he knew for sure that his serious illness had already recovered, then facing the Empress Dowager he forced out a weak smile, yet before he could utter anything, he discovered that his throat was very much sore and dry, unexpectedly unable to speak a word.

“Empress Dowager, His Majesty's body is curently still extremely weak. Nubi shall boil some decoction for recuperation after a while.” That imperial physician carefully checked Emperor Yu Qian's pulse, then he slightly felt reassured, afterwhich he took a teacup handed over to him by some palace maid, using silver spoon to scoop up the warm water inside, then putting it beside Emperor Yu Qian's mouth.

However, the pain inside Emperor Yu Qian's throat was too difficult to bear as if it was set under fire, this time being offered the warm water, he immediately drank it, the motion was done several times. In a short amount of time, the Emperor consumed all the warm water in the imperial physician's hands.

“Why are you here, Mother?” Resting for a long while, feeling his throat getting better, Emperor Yu Qian then slowly spoke, his gaze shifted from the Empress Dowager to the Empress' tearstickened face, then he glanced at the imperial physician at the side, one by one he observed their expressions, as if they had already aged ten years.

“Your Majesty, do you know that you have been poisoned for almost a month now, today you've finally woken up after consuming the antidote! I shall certainly be guarding by your side together with the Empress, now that you have already regained back your consciousness, it seemed that the huge problem in my heart had already been settled.” Upon speaking, the tears in the Empress Dowager's eyes trailed down on her face, looking towards Emperor Yu Qian in distress.

“You must have been worried, Mother. But, being unconscious for almost a month, how about the major events in the royal court....” This time Emperor Yu Qian's mind was still somehow unstable, yet his heart was anxiously wprried about the things in the royal court, particularly when he learned that he had been unconscious for a month, his pale face seemed to become even more anxious.

The Empress Dowager just patted his hand, smiled and said “Your Majesty you not need to worry, we have Chu Xiang and Chen Wang in the royal court, things have been handled properly. Once you get well, I shall instruct them to come over and personally report all the things that happened during the past few days.”

While speaking, the Empress Dowager signaled the palace maids to help prop up Emperor Yu Qian, then she personally took the bowl of porridge from the Empress' hands, one by one she carefully feed Emperor Yu Qian.

Since Emperor Yu Qian had woken up, a few chancellors stayed behind Yang Xin Palace to report all the things that had occurred to Emperor Yu Qian.

On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, Yun Qian Meng received another letter from Chu Fei Yang. Right at the top of the letter, all the major symptoms and experiences during the testing period were recorded. Finished reading the letter, before Yun Qian Meng could lift up her brush to write the letter of reply, yet she caught sight of Liu Han Yu, who seemed to be usually calm, came rushing in with a flustered face.....

“Xiaojie, xiaojie, it's not good, something bad happened....” While running inside the inner room, Liu Han Yu was yelling very loudly, her eyes looked terrified.

Yun Qian Meng immediately put away the letter then faced Liu Han Yu, seeing her slightly messy hair bun as a result of taking a dash, the beaded hairpin on her head jingled loudly. Although she had been running, yet her face was extremely pale, even at the time she was already standing in front of Yun Qian Meng, her body was still trembling faintly.

“What's going on? Why are you scared like that, yiniang?” Yun Qian Meng still remained calm, but the feeling of uneasiness had already crept up crawling inside her heart.

“Da xiaojie, something's wrong! The leader of the imperial guard, Superior Wu, had charged inside of our xiangfu leading his troops, at this moment they were searching every place! And the whole xiangfu had already been surrounded by the imperial guards, xiangye.... xiangye, he....” While speaking, Liu Han Yu's tears feel down, both lips trembling unable to speak further.

“Speak!” Yun Qian Meng suddenly shouted coldly, frightening Liu Han Yu as her body shook once again, regardless of being alarmed, she immediately continued, “Xiangye was.... has been taken by His Majesty and was being imprisoned inside the prison of Ministry of Justice.... xiaojie, what should we do now, what's really going on?”

As compared to Liu Han Yu who had not been mentally prepared, Yun Qian Meng who was trying to analyze the situation at hand seemed to be incomparably calm. Particularly, the moment when the matter that she had been worrying about had finally became evident, though Yun Qian Meng could not fully understand why the person behind this would targetting xiangfu, but with this tip of an iceberg, she would be able to find a way to comply with it.

“How about at the old madam's place?” This time during the absence of the master of xiangfu, the old madamthe head of the fu, naturally she would come out and clearly inquired about the matter.

“Nubi haven't been to Bai Shun Tang yet, thus I'm unclear about the situation there.” Liu Han Yu somehow couldn't understand why Yun Qian Meng would suddenly ask about the old madam, for a moment she was feeling troubled yet again. Now that Yun Xuan Zhi had been imprisoned, and Superior Wu had not clearly explained the matter as he resolutely intruded inside xiangfu and searched around, there were plenty of women inside xiangfu, those who got startled were not just one or two, before Liu Han Yu visited Yun Yan she had immediately come over to Qi Lui Yuan, only hoping that Yun Qian Meng would be able to come up with a plan.

But while she was still waiting for Yun Qian Meng to speak, outside the doorway of Qi Luo Yuan, a burst of orderly footsteps echoed, after which the quarreling sounds of servant girls and old women came through.

“This is our da xiaojie's courtyard, how could we permit you to search around as you wish?” the unyielding voice of Mi Mama reverberated from within the courtyard, looking towards the entrance of Qi Luo Yuan through the wooden window, a troop of imperial guards holding long swords had already intruded inside of Qi Luo Yuan, yet they were being blocked off by the servant girls and Mamas, and even though these imperial guards were emotionless, they still did not use violence against those women who even had no strength to truss a chicken. Both sides were merely just confronting each other, did not seem to have any blood shedding incident as of yet.

Hearing the quarreling voices, Liu Han Yu's face suddenly turned ugly. Her eyes could not help but shifted to the direction of courtyard where Yun Yan was staying, her both hands were pinching hard on the handkerchief in her hands uncontrollably, her heart was extremely anxious.

“Liu yiniang, you may go ahead and get back to Yun Yan's side through the minor pathway, if there's anything I will notify you.” Hearing the quarreling sounds became increasingly louder, Yun Qian Meng spoke with knitted brows.

Liu Han Yu who was actually worrying about Yun Yan's situation right now, immediately nodded her head facing Yun Qian Meng, quickly she turned around, following the minor pathway behind Qi Luo Yuan as she hurriedly ran towards Yun Yan's courtyard.

Yun Qian Meng just frowned and observed the current situation., Feeling certain that she had already hidden Chu Fei Yang's letter inside her sleeves, she immediately stood up and went down the stairs.historical

“What had actually happened?” A cold voice came through, immediately kept the bellowing sounds of the servant girls and old women under control.

“Da xiaojie, these people are trying to rush inside the courtyard! Yet they refused to give us the reason. We are truly angry about it, that's why we started to quarrel with them!” Mu Chun spoke with reddish eyes, during the usual days aside from Mi Mama, Mu Chun was the most protective over Yun Qian Meng, this time these people were trying to rush inside the da xiaojie's courtyard for some unknown reasons, Mu Chun definitely would not allow them to do such thing!

“Yun xiaojie, we are just following orders, please do not stop us!” This time, a member of the imperial guard coldly stated, although he was somehow surprised because of Yun Qian Meng's appearance, but he clearly knew in his heart to whom he was receiving his orders, this time he was implementing the imperial command, his solid heart would not be so easily wavered by anything.

“Following orders? Whose orders? Is there an imperial decree? Or any official documents?” Yun Qian Meng's cold gaze suddenly shot across that imperial guard, exposing an indifferent smile in the corner of her mouth, afterwhich she asked in a cold voice.

“Of course it is His Majesty's oral command!” This time, Superior Wu approached striding with quick steps coming from a distant place.

Yun Qian Meng looked around, seemed like it was already a very long time ago that she had last seen Superior Wu, now that she finally faced him again, yet she discovered Superior Wu's body was covered with a layer of murderous spirit, but the pure and noble vital energy was still present, making Yun Qian Meng slightly feel ill at ease, then she collectedly asked, “Not know why would His Majesty give such oral command? Why would he suddenly instruct the imperial guards to surround the entire xiangfu, and now with the need to search the entire xiangfu?”

When Yun Qian Meng was observing Superior Wu, he was also examining this noble young lady, seeing her calm temperament was still present, during this sudden outburst of situation, her eyes did not contain any indecisive fear, but still had her usual calmness. The scene permitting Superior Wu to secretly admire this da xiaojie of the Yun xiangfu.

If Yun Xiang had committed the crime today, then it would definitely cause harm to all the people in Yun xiangfu for no reason at all.

Seeing Yun Qian Meng like this, Superior Wu started to explain beyond all the people's expectation, “His Majesty had just given an oral command, Yun Xiang was suspected for being involved in the incident of covering up the fraud in this year's imperial examination, thushe will be temporarily imprisoned within the Ministry of Justice. I am assigned to lead the troops to search around the entire Yun xiangfu, strict instructions were given not to allow any person to step out of the gate, anyone who disobeyed the orders will be beheaded!”

Hearing these words, all the eyes of servant girl and old women were opened wide. Their faces were deathly still, only Yun Qian Meng was the one who remained the unperturbed, though her delicate brows were slightly crunched up, but she was fully aware that if she would excessively stop them, perhaps in the future she would become the weak point where the other people would aim their targets at. With that in mind, she slightly retreated one step back, leaving a path way, afterwhich she lifted up her both eyes staring fixedly at Superior Wu, the quietly said, “I have some things left behind by my deceased mother in my own room, please search around carefully, and please do not break those things.”

Superior Wu had not expected Yun Qian Meng to be straightforward like this, just simply permitting them upon hearing that it was based on Emperor Yu Qian's oral command.

But, the words that Yun Qian Meng last spoken, only made Superior Wu feel that this woman was truly awesome, not simply reminding all the people, but to also implies that even if Yun Xuan Zhi was imprisoned inside the Ministry of Justice, Fu Guo Gongfu would still stand straight and high. In addition, during those days when the er xiaojie of Fu Guo Gong Fu had gotten married, the late emperor had also granted numerous gifts from the Palace, such kind of imperial gifts, even the leader of the imperial guards like him, would not dare to simply smash or break them, perhaps only himself would be allowed to personally search around Yun Qian Meng's chambers, or else if anything got broken, it might cost him his official post.

“Please don't worry Yun xiaojie, we will certainly search the place carefully.” After speaking, Superior Wu led the guard behind him as they went up the lady chambers.

“Xiaojie, how could you permit men to intrude inside your lady chamber!” Mi Mama looked on helplessly as Superior Wu led a few guards inside Yun Qian Meng's room, she was so anxious that her eyes were red.

But Yun Qian Meng did not really mind as she patted the back of Mi Mama's hands, pacifying her and explained, “There's no need to worry that much, even if we wanted to stop them today, that Superior Wu will certainly search around forcibly. Since it was the Emperor's command, it will be better for us to cooperate, so as to avoid committing crime due to going against the Imperial Decree.”

The main reason why Yun Qian Meng had allowed Superior Wu to go inside the room and search around was because there were no direct conflicts of interest between Superior Wu and xiangfu. Besides, based on the attitude that Superior Wu had showed towards Su Yuan during their previous encounter at the gates of the palace, they were not accomplices. As a result Yun Qian Meng would actually bet that Superior Wu would not take the risk to deliberately entrap her.

When Mi Mama heard Yun Qian Meng's analysis, her tensed up expression gradually calmed down a bit. After al,l the crime that one would commit by going against the imperial decree would naturally be extremely serious, even the first-rank official like Yun Xuan Zhi was also being imprisoned by Emperor Yu Qian for his mistakes, let alone the lowly people like them. This time around if they were to excessively resist, it would actually inflicting trouble to their da xiaojie. In any case their courtyard did not possess any shameful things, they were not worried if any outside people search around the area.

As expected, after a short moment, Superior Wu finally led out his people over, seeing Yun Qian Meng still standing in the same spot with an nonchalant expression on her face, Superior Wu said in a deep voice, “Apologize for bothering you, Yun xiaojie! But during these few days I might assign a few guards to guard the xiangfu, still we would like to request you, xiaojie, and the people in the fu not to wander all over the place, just stay in your respective courtyards as much as possible, or else the swords don't have eyes, if they were to injure all of you, none of us were to blame!”

Yun Qian Meng took note of the baleful look exuding from Superior Wu's body became increasingly heavier, and the frightened state of the servant girls standing at the side as they all lowered down their heads. At once she knew that Superior was extracting a psychological attack on everyone's mind, allowing all the people to stay well behaved inside their respective chambers and not to make any harsh moves.

Yun Qian Meng just slightly shifted her fluid glancereplied in a cold tone, “Thanks Superior Wu for your reminder. But, My grandmother is already very old, and a few young sisters are still very young, they will not be able to withstand the fright, if they speak any inappropriate words, please accept our apologies. Please do not bear it in your mind.”

Superior Wu had not expected that Yun Qian Meng would show concern for the other people inside Yun xiangfu during this time around. Steps slightly halted, he could not but turned around and glanced back at Yun Qian Meng, yet he was greeted by Yun Qian Meng's back figure as she walked back to her lady chamber, then he recalled her words moments ago. Superior Wu felt that there had been things indirectly implied within her words, apparently they were not as simple as what it might appear on the surface.

But, after much thought, it merely felt like Yun Qian Meng had been simply showing her thoughtfulness towards her family members, causing Superior Wu to inadvertently frowning his brows.

“Move!” With a wave of the hand, the remaining imperial guard stayed behind to guard Qi Luo Yuan, while Superior Wu led the other few men as they proceeded to the other courtyards.

Mi Mama and the others attentively protecting Yun Qian Meng as they walked back to the inner room. All of them had on their serious faces, feeling a black cloud covering above the xiangfu, unable to see the daylight.

Unexpectedly, Yun Qian Meng still maintained her cool, affecting everyone inside Qi Luo Yuan to feel at ease. Mi Mama pacified all the people's hearts as they gradually regained back their usual mood, henceforth they were able to work undisturbed.

In fact, the oral command of the Emperor as mentioned by Superior Wu, was pretty much the same thing that Yun Qian Meng had been worrying about.

Apparently, there were people who intended to lay their hands to Yun Xuan Zhi by taking advantage of the current imperial examination.

In addition, Emperor Yu Qian had just recovered from some serious illness, yet with this swift and decisive action of investigating his very own right hand minister, such behavior really made people feel skeptical.

And as for Yun Xuan Zhi being involved in the corruptive practices of fraud, Yun Qian Meng believed that it was just a illusory problem.

Outsiders might have no idea about it, but how could Yun Qian Meng not know?

Based on Yun Xuan Zhi's current relationship with the old madam, how would he wish to see Yun Yi Heng brothers to attain the position of Imperial Top Scorer? It was already generous enough that he had not given the Yun Yi Heng brothers the lowest marks during the grading of exam papers, how would he had the means to bribe the other examiners for the sake of the two brothers, and even had deliberately let Yun Yi Heng brothers ascend to the position of the Imperial Top Scorer?

Consequently, this time, Yun Qian Meng strongly believed that Yun Xuan Zhi was indeed being entrapped by someone.

Furthermore, Emperor Yu Qian had already instructed his people to imprison Yun Xuan Zhi without first determining the right and wrong, even more, with this great fanfare as to how they proceeded to search around the entire Yun xiangfu; such kind of actions, was indeed very fishy.

Seeing Yun Qian Meng sitting beside the window and pondering things deeply, Mi Mama sent all the other people away. Even if outside Qi Luo Yuan was already in chaos, yet it was still as quiet as the night inside Qi Luo Yuan. All the people regarded the incident a while ago as if it had never happened, all were performing their tasks with lowered heads.

But during this time, crying and yelling sounds could be heard inside Bai Shun Tang. The old madam had never encountered such event before, seeing a group of imperial guards carrying weapons rushed in without any prior notice.

When they rushed inside her courtyard, they started right away to thoroughly search around overturning trunks and boxes, frightening the old madam as she pointed her finger towards Yun Xuan Zhi's study room then cursed loudly, “I have brought up a person that brings bad luck! Instead of performing his job properly, he preferred to violate rules, and even involving his own mother. I'd rather die, than to become a burden to my parents and siblings!”

Before Superior Wu could step inside Bai Shun Tang, he had already heard the old madam cursing Yun Xuan Zhi. For a brief moment Yun Qian Meng's words flew back to mind, he somehow came to understand why the people outside were saying that Yun Xuan Zhi and his mother were not in good terms.

“What now?” Seeing the imperial guards already retreated, Superior Wu asked.

“Reporting to you, superior, everything seems normal.” An imperial guard immediately replied.

When the old madam heard the imperial guard calling the man dressed in official clothes ‘superior', she immediately ran forward and interogating angrily, “Who are you? Why do you have to search the xiangfu?”

Superior Wu coldly stared at the old madam in front of him, then recited the oral command of Emperor Yu Qian once again.

The old madam's face immediately turned ugly. For a long while she seemed not to be able to regain her usual composure, fortunately Rui Mama who was standing beside her comforting her, only then she breathed out raggedly.

Yet, the old madam, without much warning shouted back at Superior Wu, “Superior, this matter isn't my concern! All were sins committed by Yun Xuan Zhi, why wouldn't you let me off? I'm merely staying at xiangfu temporarily, today I was planning to get back to my younger son's place!”

While speaking, the old madam did not even spare enough time to tidy up her bundle, she planned to crossover Superior Wu and depart from xiangfu.

But those imperial guards who were already guarding outside the doorway of Bai Shun Tang unsheathed the long swords in their hands, blocking off the old madam's path. Looking at the white dazzling light of the swords, the old madam was terrified as she suddenly retreated a few big steps back, her face was deathly pale yet her eyes were full of anger as she stared at Superior Wu, then she reprimanded him, “What do you mean by this? Don't tell me that I'm not allowed to leave xiangfu?”

Superior Wu looked at the old madam who was pestering endlessly, his eyes flashed with impatience, afterwhich he stated in a firm voice “You are not allowed! Please hold your conducts, old madame! The temporary dwelling place of Yun xiang's younger brother was already being surrounded by the imperial guards at this time. Even if you go over there right now, you won't be able to change the current situation! You'd better remain in xiangfu, do not act blindly without thinking, or else the imperial guards in the doorway will do what they were told!”

After speaking, Superior Wu stepped outside of Bai Shun Tang with large strides, leaving the stupefied old madam behind.

“What.. what.. what did he say? The Yi Heng brothers, were they being involved by that crazy Yun Xuan Zhi?” After a while, the old madam finally uttered this statement.

Looking at the situation, Rui Mama was afraid that the old madam might not be able to withstand it. Hurriedly she then instructed the servant girls to support old madam to lie down on the bed.

The incident regarding the investigation of xiangfu was quite odd, even the oral command of Emperor Yu Qian was extremely fast, while everybody was caught unprepared, Superior Wu had already exercised control over the entire xiangfu.

During the whole day on the twenty-fourth day, the entire Yun xiangfu was intensely restless.

But, the restless of all the people did not quiet or pacify down, as everyone could only remain in their own respective courtyards under the strict watch of the imperial guard. Whether weeping or grieving, for a moment, the crying, cursing, and complaining sounds in each courtyard, were endless. It was truly annoying.

That same night, with the absence of the usual tranquility, the darkness of the night was being shattered. There were imperial guards carrying torches as they patrolled all over xiangfu. Tonight, all the people were bound to suffer from insomnia.

Yun Qian Meng allowed all the people to return to their rooms to take some rest, then she herself was sitting all alone beside the table waiting for news from Xi Lin.

During midnight, the figure of a person slightly flickered past the window. Yun Qian Meng immediately got up and approached the wooden window. Caught sight of the person outside, she spoke in a lowered voice, “Xiaojie, His Majesty had already issued an imperial decree, all the people in xiangfu will be sent to the prison of the Ministry of Justice. They will select a date to investigate this case. And the accounts book that had recommended Yun Xiang to be the major examiner, was actually presented by Su Yuan. Xiaojie, why don't you come with me as we go back to Chu xiangfu, so as not to make xiangye got worried.”

Hearing the news from Xi Lin, she had not expected that Emperor Yu Qian would act that fast. They had just searched the entire Yun xiangfu during the day, then by night they will immediately send all the people to the prison.

This time, she definitely would not hide inside Chu xiangfu. Without definite information yet as to the identity of the person behind all of this, any person or any thing would become his prey. If she were to act blindly without thinking, perhaps even Chu Fei Yang and Chu Wang would have been implicated into this issue. And when the time came that person would take this opportunity to sweep clean all the obstruction, thus her actions would not only help herself, but it might also help the person behind these instead!

“Now isn't the right time to involve Chu xiangfu yet. You must return back first, if there's anything I would certainly notify you.” Hearing a sound of door being opened some distance away, Yun Qian Meng knew that the imperial decree must have already reached xiangfu, then she immediately requested Xi Lin to depart as quickly as possible, so as to avoid being discovered.

She herself then returned back to her inner room, took out the small box containing the deeds for land and house that Chu Fei Yang had sent her, and took out the secret weapon in the bottom layer and hid it away inside her sleeve, afterwhich she put the small box inside the chest then locked it. Fortunately after she had done all these, the sound of Mu Chun knocking on the door echoed from the doorway.

“Come in!” Lighting the candle stick on the table, Yun Qian Meng calmly said.

Obtaining the permission, Mu Chun hastily opened the door and came in. Her forehead was covered with beads of sweat, then Yun Qian Meng became aware of the reason why she had rushed over anxiously.

“Xiaojie, His Majesty's imperial decree has arrived! Superior Wu was requesting you to proceed to the Guest Hall to receive the imperial decree.” Seeing Yun Qian Meng's calm composure, Mu Chun tensely said.

“Let's go!” Yet Yun Qian Meng just indifferently responded, her calm response made Mu Chun to be slightly distracted, after which she nodded her head, lifting up the lantern high in her hands to illuminating Yun Qian Meng's path.

But, when Yun Qian Meng walked past her own dressing table, she immediately took out a silver hairpin from a small box then placed it in her hair, then she led Mu Chun as they proceed to the Guest Hall together.

When Yun Qian Meng arrived at the Guest Hall, all-->>

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