Chapter 121 – Mu Zixi’s Downfall (Second Shift) (2 / 2)

“En.” Marquis Zhong raised his eyes and looked coldly at Zhong Xuan, not having the slightest bit of fatherly love, for Marquis Zhong, as long as he was able to achieve his goal, all those who could be utilized were pawns in his eyes.

For example, Zhong Hui, and for example, Zhong Xuan in front of him, only that Marquis Zhong did not know that he had long since entered the game set up by Zhong Xuan, and the person who was playing the game was not him, but Zhong Xuan, who he considered to be a pawn in front of him.

Zhong Xuan was like a very obedient daughter at the moment, respectfully standing beside him, waiting for Marquis Zhong to sit down, Zhong Xuan personally poured tea, “What are your orders, father?”

“To the waxing moon, you will reach maturity, your marriage is thought to be decided by the emperor, do you have plans” Marquis Zhong asked in a low voice.

“My daughter will build up momentum in these few months.” Zhong Xuan originally thought that after her return, she would do some good deeds that everyone praised and make a name for herself, but she did not expect that she would be dominated by Mu Zi Yan, which made her original plan completely disrupted, and now she cannot let Mu Zi Yan get more and more rampant, and she must be able to salvage some of it.

“The Emperor’s intention is to give you to the Crown Prince as a side consort.” Marquis Zhong said faintly.

“Daughter listens to father.” Zhong Xuan’s eyes flashed with a flash of ghostly light, but she responded without moving.

“En.” Marquis Zhong saw that she was so sensible and nodded with satisfaction, “However, the Crown Prince is but a puppet, and nowadays, amongst all the princes, apart from the Fifth Prince at the border, it is the Third Prince who is the most promising, don’t you think so”

“Father, with all due respect to my daughter, you are no more in front of the Emperor now than you were before, you must be doing something to make regain the Emperor’s trust in father.” Zhong Xuan said in a low voice.

“The old man knows this reasoning, but these days, but can not think of a good method.” Marquis Zhong was also broken and bothered about this.

“Daughter just got the news, the northern green country night attack on the corner of the town, inevitably a war, this border shortage of food and grass, now the treasury, although abundant, but the north has just suffered a locust plague, I think it can not be allocated out, as long as the father took the initiative to put forward the reduction of salary silver in January, so as to provide relief to the disaster, the other officials will be following suit, so is also regarded as a solution to the emperor’s immediate needs. ” Zhong Xuan said softly.

“Not bad, in that case the Emperor will reappoint old madam.” Marquis Zhong clapped his hands and turned his eyes to Zhong Xuan, “Xuan’er ah, you are truly a blessing for old me.”

“Father, as for my daughter’s marriage, it depends on the Emperor’s regard for you.” Zhong Xuan’s words were a reminder to Marquis Zhong that whether or not she married well was directly related to his favor with the Emperor.

Marquis Zhong gave a slight lurch, his eyes flashed with a flash of ghostly light, “You’re just a concubine daughter, even if the Emperor valued the old man, it would be to give your third sister a good marriage.”

Zhong Xuan hooked her lips in a light smile, “Father is extremely right.”

“Well, old me will not treat you poorly since.” Marquis Zhong didn’t want to marry Zhong Xuan off so early, he hadn’t tamed her completely yet, so there was no guarantee that she would cross the river and tear down the bridge in the future.

Zhong Xuan knew what Marquis Zhong had in mind, but she didn’t poke at it.

When Marquis Zhong left, she turned around and went back to the inner room, “It seems that third sister has been living too leisurely lately.”

“Master.” The servant girl at the side hung her head and responded, “The slave girl will go and do it now.”

“Let her lie down for a few days.” Zhong Xuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and then she leaned back on the soft couch to take a nap.

That night, Mu Zi Yan and Bi Yun sneaked into Mu Zi Ruoxi’s courtyard and went straight to the inner room, which had since been cleared and reduced, and she just stood in place and looked around before marching over to her bed.

“Onii-chan,” Biyun lowered her voice to follow her.

Mu Zi Yan stared at the bed and couch for a long time, and then lifted the bedding, gently knocking on the bed and couch boards, and there is no ground mechanism, she then knocked up along the wall, followed by rows to the front of the dressing table, lowered his head and stared at the trousseau for a long time.

She raised her hand and gently turned the trousseau around, then she saw a crack in the floor on the right side of the bed, Mu Zi Yan went up and half squatted and pushed the floor to both sides, and a box was placed inside.

Mu Zi Yan opened the box, then saw a letter placed inside, she then unfolded, inside is two store deed, and some jewelry.

Mu Zi Yan’s eyes flashed a flash of ghostly light, then got up, closed that floor, and then took that box and left, to be back to the Smoke Drop Courtyard, she stared at the two land deeds, “Tomorrow go with me to take a look.”

“Yes.” The two of them, Bi Yun and Yun Xiang, answered.

Mu Zi Yan collected the two land deeds and after washing and dressing, she sat on the bed and cultivated her inner strength.

The next day, to be back from the Jiyueyuan, with Yunxiang, Bi Yun out of the Mu Houfu, to which the deed of the store, which is a silk store, to be after she entered, back and forth to survey.

The shopkeeper is now crackling on the abacus, store only two fellows in the store busy, because now the time is still early, there are no guests, to see Mu Zi Yan into the shop, the shopkeeper raised his eyes to look at, see her clothes are extraordinary, and quickly put down the hands of the ledger, a smile to welcome the up, “the young lady, the small store has just entered a good satin, but you want to look at! “

Mu Zi Yan saw that the shopkeeper was enthusiastic, she turned her eyes to look at the two fellows, who were slightly stunned at the moment, and then each of them went about their business.

Her eyes flashed with a ghostly light, “But take a casual look around.”

“What are you waiting for, don’t hurry to make tea.” The shopkeeper drank coldly towards one of the fellows.

“Yes.” That fellow hurriedly put down the work in his hands, and he dug into the back hall.

Mu Zi Yan turned slowly, “There’s nothing I like.”

After saying that, he lifted his steps and left the store, and after sitting inside the carriage, he looked at Yunxiang, “Keep a careful eye on it, there is something wrong with this store.”

“Yes.” Rue Xiang answered, and then went to order.

Bi Yun looked at Mu Zi Yan, “Eldest Miss, the slave girl also feels strange.”

“En.” Mu Zi Yan nodded, after the carriage left, the shopkeeper went back to the store, raised his eyes to look at the two, then he saw the store closed until Mu Zi Yan walked away, and after a short while, this store suddenly caught fire.

Mu Zi Yan now went to another store, this is the rice store, and opposite is Mu Zi Yue husband’s family store, Mu Zi Yan then got off the carriage, coincidentally see Zhang Zong from the rice store out.

“Smokey, I was about to pay a visit when you came.” Zhang Zong saw that it was Mu Zi Yan and walked over with a smile.

Mu Zi Yan saw how happy he was, thinking that the case was getting somewhere, she smiled and went forward, “Senior Zhang.”

“Let’s go, let’s go back to the government office and talk about it.” Zhang Zong said with a smile.

“Good.” Mu Zi Yan nodded slightly, so she turned around and got on the carriage, and when she passed by that rice store, she saw a figure suddenly flash by.

“Eldest Miss, look.” Bi Yun realized something at this moment and whispered.

Mu Zi Yan lifted the curtain, then saw that the rice store suddenly caught fire, instantly submerged in the fire.

Zhang Zong also just mounted the horse, but saw the opposite side of the rice store suddenly fire, quickly dismounted again, leading people to go extinguish the fire.

Yunxiang just got the news at this moment, “Eldest Miss, that silk store is also on fire.”

“What about the shopkeeper and the two fellows” Mu Zi Yan continued to ask.

“It’s gone.” Rue whispered.

“Good, very good.” Mu Zi Yan coldly laughed, “Let’s go to the Capital Magistrate’s Office first.”

“Yes.” Yunxiang answered in a low voice, and then ordered the driver to drive the car.

Mu Zi Yan has now become a regular visitor to the government offices of the Beijing Zhaoyin, therefore, the magistrates see Mu Zi Yan is also very respectful, such as Mu Zi Yan into the back room, they see Lu Maiden is fiddling with her autopsy tools.

Mu Zi Yan then stepped forward, “Sister Lu.”

When Niangzi Lu saw her come in, she smiled and got up, “Why did you come over at this hour”

“When I passed by the rice store just now, I happened to bump into Brother Zhang, and when he saw me come over, he said that the case had a frown on his face and asked me to come.” Mu Zi Yan said while sitting down.

“Then where is he,” Niangzi Lu raised her eyes and did not see Zhang Zong.

“Unexpectedly, the rice store across the street suddenly caught fire, and he is now putting out the fire.” Mu Zi Yan said lightly, raising her eyes to look at Niangzi Lu with a smile, “Sister Lu, do you think it’s coincidental”

“It’s quite a coincidence.” Lady Lu nodded in response.

Mu Zi Yan and Niangzi Lu chatting, to be Zhang Zong back has been an hour later, now has reached noon, Mu Zi Yan will stay here with lunch.

Zhang Zong’s brows furrowed, “This is arson, but, in addition to the burned things inside, there was no body to be seen.”

“These two are concealed stakes.” Mu Zi Yan looked at him and said.

“Dark stakes” Zhang Zong’s eyes flashed with surprise, “What do you know”

“This matter is a long story, however, I do not know whose hidden stakes this is.” Mu Zi Yan said indifferently, “By the way, Brother Zhang, what have you found out at your place”

“That corpse is not Mu Ziyue.” Zhang Zong whispered.

“It’s not her,” Mu Zi Yan’s eyes slightly raised, “Then things are really interesting.”

“En.” Zhang Zong nodded his head and replied, “If it is not her, then why is this female corpse so similar to her, and where is she?”

“If I’m not wrong, this shopkeeper must have been killed by her.” Mu Zi Yan looked at Zhang Zong and said.

“You mean she faked her death” Zhang Zong’s eyes flashed with a dark cold light, “Why would she do that”

“This,” Mu Zi Yan shook her head, “I wouldn’t know.”

“That case how to end” Zhang Zong more headache, “if really fake death, then certainly to pull her out.”

“If you want to pull her out, then you have to trick her.” Mu Zi Yan looked at Zhang Zong and said.

“Smokey is right.” Zhang Zong nodded, “I know what to do.”

“En.” Mu Zi Yan smiled and spoke, “It’s good that Big Brother Zhang understands.”

“Hey, how come strange things have been happening one after another lately, this one after another, I always feel that there is some sort of involvement.” Zhang Zong looked at Mu Zi Yan and said, “It seems that they are all directed at you.”

Mu Zi Yan smiled lightly and said, “It’s best if Brother Zhang thinks so.”

“Indeed,” Zhang Zong stared at Mu Zi Yan, “just who went through all the trouble and set up so many innings just for you.”

Mu Zi Yan shook her head, “I don’t know.”

“Smokey, who exactly did you offend,” Zhang Zong couldn’t help but worry.

“Brother Zhang, I know this matter in my heart, by the way, the matter of those two stores, Brother Zhang knows that is, as for whose hidden stakes it is, it won’t be long before we know.” Mu Zi Yan then got up and left the Beijing Zhaoyin government office.

Zhang Zong looked towards Niangzi Lu and sighed deeply, “How come I feel that Smokey seems to be involved in a conspiracy”

“You’d better hurry up and go about your business.” Seeing Zhang Zong worriedly, Niangzi Lu whispered.

“En.” Zhang Zong then turned around and went to the public hall.

When Niangzi Lu saw Zhang Zong leave, the corners of her mouth curled into a faint smile, and with it, she sighed, her eyes flashing with intense worry.

Mu Zi Yan returned to the Smoke Drop Courtyard, “Good plan.”

“Eldest Miss, those two stores” Yunxiang saw Mu Zi Yan’s eyes overflowing with ghostly light and asked carefully.

“Using me to pull out the hidden stakes, Zhong Xuan ah Zhong Xuan, you really did leave a backstroke.” Mu Zi Yan raised her hand and tore the two land deeds to shreds, and then took the jewelry over.

Unwrapping the golden hairpin, a note was placed inside, and two words were clearly written, “Many thanks.”

Mu Zi Yan sneered, “Good, very good.”

“Eldest Miss.” Yun Xiang saw Mu Zi Yan emitting a cold earthly light around her, she called out worriedly.

“Can you find out the hidden stakes Zhong Xuan has planted in the capital,” Mu Zi Yan said in a deep voice.

“Only two were found out.” Rue whispered.

“Good.” Mu Zi Yan hooked her lips and smiled coldly, “After eradicating it tonight, since she gave me a big gift, I deserve to return the favor, and after that, I will reveal that these two hidden stakes are the Zhong Houfu’s to the Emperor.”

“Yes.” Yunxiang answered, turned around and went to send a message to Bai Xuan.

Mu Zi Yan leaned back on the soft couch, “What about the carpenter”

“Eldest Miss, has ordered someone to secretly take her captive.” Yunxiang stepped forward and returned, “Now in the hot spring manor.”

“Send him to the border.” Mu Zi Yan continued, “Send these two golden bullet pills, along with this letter, to the Fifth Prince, as a way of thanking her for the token she gifted me before she left.”

“Yes.” Yunxiang raised her hand to receive the letter written by Mu Zi Yan and carefully wrapped up the two golden pellets while waiting for Bai Xuan to come and take them away.

The night was already late, Zhong Xuan was sitting on the soft couch, her charming eyes looking towards Leng Hanfeng, “After the waxing moon, I will reach maturity.”

“But you’re here to ask for a gift,” Leng Hanfeng asked lightly as he looked at her.

“Don’t you want to marry me” Zhong Xuan asked, looking straight at him.

“With your and my status, you will definitely not marry me.” Leng Hanfeng said very frankly, raising his hand to embrace Zhong Xuan into his arms, “I know what you’re thinking”

“What was I thinking,” Zhong Xuan tilted her head and smiled seductively, her fingertips brushing over his face.

Leng Hanfeng lowered his head and inhaled the ethereal fragrance emanating from her body, his thin lips hooked into a smile, “Don’t worry, I’ll rely on you for everything.”

Zhong Xuan smiled pleasantly, “I really wasn’t wrong about you.”

“It’s good that you know.” Leng Hanfeng lowered his head and pecked her lips shallowly, the two of them had done everything they needed to do except for the last layer they needed to do that had yet to be broken through.

At this time, there was a sound outside, Zhong Xuan gasped and left from his arms, after landing, her complexion had returned to normal, lowering her voice, “What is it?”

“Master, two hidden stakes in the capital were pulled out just now, and this matter has alarmed the royal secret guards, and now the emperor already knows that these two stakes are the Zhong Houfu’s.” The subordinate stood outside and reported.

“Rubbish,” Zhong Xuan’s eyes sank as she slammed her palm on a couple of cases, “Have the other hidden stakes conceal themselves as soon as possible.”

“Yes.” The subordinate answered and then flew away.

Zhong Xuan was furious and gritted her teeth, “Mu Zi Yan”

Leng Hanfeng saw Zhong Xuan like this, he knew that tonight’s incident must be related to Mu Zi Yan, I do not know why, he repeatedly wanted to show her kindness, but she was indifferent, he did not know why Mu Zi Yan was so cold to him, did she know the relationship between him and Zhong Xuan!

Zhong Xuan turned to see that Leng Hanfeng was losing his mind, she was now angry and growled lowly, “You’re thinking about Mu Zi Yan”

“What are you mad about,” Leng Hanfeng’s brows furrowed as he looked at the always calm Zhong Xuan who was now this irrational, he said in a deep voice.

Zhong Xuan also knows that she is out of line, but she just can’t help but be angry, she thinks highly of herself, the world can be in her hands, why should there be a Mu Zi Yan to stir up the situation and this woman seems to be she hurriedly shook her head to deny it, “No, absolutely not possible.”

She took a deep breath and recovered as usual, “I’ll go back first.”

“En.” Leng Hanfeng saw that she looked gloomy and went forward to hold her in his arms, “A moment of success or failure is nothing.”

“I know.” Zhong Xuan withdrew from Leng Hanfeng’s embrace and turned to leave.

Leng Hanfeng waited for Zhong Xuan to leave, pondered for a moment, lifted his steps and left, without realizing it, he landed outside the Marquis Mu’s mansion, standing on the eaves of the house looking out over the Smokefall Courtyard, he then took out the jade xiao from his pocket.

Before he blew up, he saw two black shadows suddenly land in front of him, and after some more entanglement, he was finally defeated, his eyes filled with anger, and he flew away.

Mu Zi Yan was in the middle of spreading her hair down, when a figure suddenly fell down, Mu Zi Yan alertly stepped back and saw Leng Han Feng standing in front of her.

Her eyes sank as she looked at him coldly, “Lord Leng’s late night visit is too unruly.”

“Wanting to see Miss Mu is really difficult.” Leng Hanfeng said and slowly sat down.

Fortunately, Mu Zi Yan was wearing her regular clothes at the moment and did not have any improprieties, otherwise, she would definitely poke Leng Hanfeng’s pair of deep eyes blind.

She raised her eyebrows lightly, “This young lady sees whoever she wants to see, and doesn’t see whoever she doesn’t want to see, not just any scented or smelly one.”

“Miss Mu doesn’t want to hear me say a few words” Leng Hanfeng saw Mu Ziyan this eloquent, he raised his eyes to survey her boudoir and nodded his head slightly, “I’ll leave when I’m done.”

“Scram,” Mu Zi Yan said in a deep voice.

“Killing is nothing but head pointing, I don’t know how Leng Mou has provoked Miss Mu, making Miss Mu so displeased” Leng Hanfeng had never known why she was so disgusted with himself, so much so that he was always suspicious, and every time he was cross-eyed by her, and didn’t hesitate to use a whip to whip him, he would still think of her from time to time.

Mu Zi Yan sneered, “No reason.”

“Since this is the case, then Leng Mou will wait until the answer before leaving, if Miss Mu is not worried about spreading any bad reputation, you can drive Leng Mou out, even though Leng Mou is a humble person, even if he is said to be an arrogant person at that time, since he will also be responsible for Miss Mu’s reputation.” Leng Hanfeng said unhurriedly.

—— off-topic — —

This is just a preliminary punishment for Mu Zixi, and the ultimate punishment is something you can guess, haha.