In the evening, Yu Li brought Zhu Daixiu back to the boat.
As he rowed the boat, he said to Zhu Daixiu,"Qing `er, let's go back!"
Zhu Daixiu's small face sank." Master, must we go back? There's a market across the lake. Can't we find an inn there for the night?”
Yu Li laughed in surprise."Little fool, you're already mine. No matter where you go, no one can change this fact. Why do you only care about spending a moment with me? Besides, I'm here to investigate the case by the emperor's decree. How can I delay my work because of my personal feelings?”
Zhu Daixiu nodded. In fact, how could she not know that she could never leave this man in this lifetime! No matter where he went, she would follow him. But…but Jia Shi, he…he was harboring evil intentions and harbored malicious intentions. Could Lord Twelve understand?
"Master, what case are you investigating? Can you tell Qing 'Er?" she asked worriedly.”
At the mention of the investigation, Yu Li's smile disappeared and his handsome face became a little serious." There's no harm in telling you. Do you remember my fifth brother?"
Zhu Daixiu was stunned. She remembered that handsome but cold-hearted, cold-hearted, and cold-blooded elder brother. When he flipped his face, even Emperor Qianlong feared him!! Thank you, Prince Yu Qi.
"Are you talking about that fifth elder brother Yu Qi wangye that even the current emperor revered?”
"Yes, there was a theft in Fifth Brother's residence a while ago. Later, we found some stolen goods in Yuanlu Pawnshop in the capital. Pawnshops were usually used to sell stolen goods, so it wasn't a big deal to find them. The problem was that Fifth Brother actually found a Hundred Vehicle Record in Yuanlu Pawnshop…”
Zhu Daixiu's expression changed, and her body unconsciously trembled slightly." Hundred Vehicle Record? What's that?"
"In ancient times, the Hundred Carriages Record was used to refer to Great Officers, so the Hundred Carriages Record could barely be said to be the Hundred Officials Record.”
Zhu Daixiu forced a smile."So what? It was just a book that recorded the words and deeds of the officials, wasn't it?”
Yu Li shook his head."No, if it was really that simple, why would Fifth Brother enter the palace to meet the Emperor on the night he received the book?"And why would the emperor ask me to investigate the case in the south? The Hundred Carriages Record didn't record the words and deeds of the officials, but recorded all their methods of bribery and climbing. After the Emperor read the book, he was quite angry. He had already dismissed more than 30 civil and military officials written in the book and handed them all over to the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court for trial. I should have been sent to the Imperial Clan Court for punishment. If it weren't for Fifth Brother and Fourth Brother's protection, I'm afraid you wouldn't have the chance to see me again in this life.”
Zhu Daixiu's face turned even paler." W-why? That book…it has nothing to do with you, how could you…"
Yu Li smiled bitterly," I am the head of the Ministry of Personnel. My subordinate officials made such a big mistake, how can I escape responsibility? However, Fifth Brother said that it was better to make up for one's sins than to punish. Anyway, that book was not written just now. If we really want to investigate, I'm afraid we'll have to investigate the Holy Great-grandfather all the way. Therefore, he made a request to the Emperor and asked me to come out and investigate the origin of the Hundred Vehicle Record and the person who recorded it. I want to see what methods this person used to make so many civil and military officials obey him.”
"Then…did you find anything?”
"Now we only know that Jia Shi is related to this matter. However, Jia Shi is a nouveau riche and did not come from the imperial examination. He might not even be able to read a few words." So there must be another expert behind him. In my opinion…" Yu Li paused. Just as he was about to say something, he suddenly saw flames soaring into the sky not far away. From the direction of the flames, it seemed to be…
He pointed at the fire and said,"Qing 'er, look at that place."”
Zhu Daixiu also saw it, and her already pale face turned ashen." Master, that…that's the Jia Residence. Let's go back quickly. I'm worried about my mother…"
Yu Li's heart trembled, and he hurriedly rowed the boat into the ferry port, pulling Zhu Daixiu and rushing back to the Jia Mansion.
They were halfway there when Dong Chang stopped Yu Li." Twelfth Master, don't go over. The fire is still burning!"”
Yu Li grabbed Dong Chang." What happened? Why is there a fire?"
"This servant isn't sure either. This servant went out with Lord Twelve early in the morning. Later on, Lord Twelve went to row a boat to relax, so this servant brought my brothers around. When I came back, I saw that there was already a big fire.”
"Let's go over and take a look."
"But…"
Before the two of them could finish speaking, they saw Zhu Daixiu rushing toward the Jia residence without any regard for anything, shouting,
"Mother…"
Yu Li turned pale with fright and hurriedly used his lightness skill to catch up with her. He stopped Zhu Daixiu in time before she was about to rush into the fire. "Qing `er, are you crazy? You can't go in with such a big fire.”
Zhu Daixiu struggled and cried in Yu Li's arms. "But my mother, my mother…Master, please save my mother. I beg you to save my mother. I only have my mother left. If anything happens to Mother, then I don't want to live anymore! Mother, mother!"
Yu Li was speechless. In fact, when he was chasing after them, he realized that the entire Jia Residence had already fallen into a sea of fire. The strange thing was that there were hundreds of servants in the Jia Residence, but on the way, he did not hear anyone shouting for help. This showed a fact. The people of the Jia family were probably silenced first and then set fire to their corpses. Otherwise, how could such a situation occur?
He hugged Zhu Daixiu, who was on the verge of collapse, and said to Dong Chang,"Dong Chang, are there no survivors?"
Dong Chang lowered his head and said,"Almost all the ordinary families within a mile of the Jia residence were silenced. The method was exactly the same as here. I think…"?
Before Dong Chang could finish speaking, Zhu Daixiu's vision went black and she fainted.
Yu Li picked her up by the waist and said,""Dong Chang, there are three things I need you to do.”
Dong Chang flicked his sleeves and knelt on the ground." Please instruct me, Lord Twelve."”
"First, find our people first. Second, find a way to cross the lake to the market opposite to buy horses. The more horses, the better. If possible, prepare a carriage. I want to set off immediately and return to the capital overnight.”
"This servant obeys!"
The fire continued to burn until the third day, and the fire gradually weakened. On the fifth day, it was finally extinguished. However, during the burning process, the fire was so strong that Yu Li could see it from dozens of miles away. Thinking of this, he could not help but shiver.
If he hadn't been angry with Zhu Daixiu, if he had been greedy for her beauty and refused to get up, he was afraid that the one who would be buried in the fire cave now would also be his twelfth brother!
Looking at Zhu Daixiu, who was sleeping soundly in his arms, he broke out in a cold sweat. If Jia Shi had not forced her to serve him, if she had been so angry that she refused to leave with him, then she would have already…
Thinking about how he and his beloved woman had unintentionally escaped a disaster, Yu Li couldn't help but feel a lingering fear. But when he thought about how the clues that he had painstakingly chased after were cut off just like that, he felt depressed. He thought about how the other party dared to commit murder and arson when he was around. It was obvious that he did not put his twelfth prince and the imperial court in his eyes.
Damn it! Who was so daring and lawless? It would be fine if he couldn't find out, but if he did, he would definitely tear this person into pieces!
As he was thinking, Dong Chang, who was driving, shouted from outside,"Twelfth brother, fourth brother, Prince De, thirteenth brother and fourteenth brother are all here!”
Yu Li was stunned. Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother, Thirteenth Brother, and Fourteenth Brother were all here? Could it be that the capital already knew about the massacre in Huxi Town? Or did something big happen?
Just as he thought of this, he heard Dong Chang and the group of attendants shout in unison,
"This servant greets the fourth brother, fifth brother, thirteenth brother and fourteenth brother.”
"Where's your master?" Yuqi asked in a deep voice. Was he injured too? Otherwise, why…"
Yu Li opened the curtain and poked his head out. "Fifth Brother, stop cursing me. Do you want me to be burned by the fire?”
Seeing that his twelfth brother was safe and sound, Yuqi was relieved." It's good that you're okay. I sent people to Huxi Town to pick you up, but they didn't pick you up. I was so scared that I couldn't sleep well. I was afraid that something would happen to you. Then I..." Yuqi paused and suddenly saw Zhu Daixiu in Yuli's arms." She's..."
Yu Li smiled gently." She's your future sister-in-law. Her name is Zhu Daixiu. She's from a humble background. I'd like to ask Fifth Brother and Fourth Brother to help me raise my status and speak up for me with the Emperor."”
"Zhu Daixiu?" Yuqi muttered to himself and turned around to exchange a look with his fourth brother.
Yu He understood what Yuqi meant, so he rode forward."Twelfth brother, this matter is not urgent. We came to pick you up today because we have something very important to tell you before the emperor summons you to the palace.”
Yu Li frowned and glanced at his two other brothers. When he saw that his 13th brother Yu Hao and 14th brother Yu Reng, who were usually fearless, also had serious expressions on their faces, he immediately understood the seriousness of the matter.
He immediately nodded." Alright, let's go to Fifth Brother's residence first."”
Yuqi looked at the unconscious Zhu Daixiu with a meaningful look, then he and Yu Lin rode their horses to the residence of Prince De.
As soon as they arrived at Prince De's residence, Bi Huan immediately came out to greet them." Bi Huan greets all of you. Greetings to all of you…"
Bi Huan was halfway through her sentence when her sharp eyes caught a glimpse of a stunning beauty in Yu Li's arms. Her appearance was delicate and rare in the world. Compared to the Fourteenth Prince's Fujin, Ding Xiyan, and the Thirteenth Prince's Fujin, Wei Yan 'er, she could be said to be even better.
Bi Huan rushed forward and looked left and right. She stared at Zhu Daixiu curiously and even reached out to scratch her pink face. "Tsk tsk, Twelfth Brother, you also want to make an exception and marry the Fujin?”
The simple words " exceptional promotion " described the shocking relationship between Yuhao and Yureng. Not only was he locked up in the Imperial Clan Court, but he also almost caused a disaster.
Unexpectedly, the usually calm Yu Li's face turned red and he carried Zhu Daixiu to Bi Huan.
"Bihuan, where is your room? Qing 'er is not feeling well. Can you let her rest in your room?”
This time, it was Bi Huan's turn to blush. How could she have a boudoir? From the moment she entered the Prince's residence, her boudoir was Yuqi's bedroom. She had always served Yuqi. The two of them shared the same bed and were as close as husband and wife. Everyone in the Prince's residence knew that Bi Huan was Yuqi's Fujin. It was just that she lacked a title.
Bi Huan couldn't help but lower her head and give Yuqi a look, wanting him to come up with an idea. Who knew that Yuqi actually pretended not to see it and turned his face away, sitting on the chair, as if he was determined to watch a good show.
Bi Huan's pretty face immediately flipped, wanting to flare up, but she immediately smiled and nodded, inwardly scolding Yu Qi and Yu Li, these two brothers who were in cahoots with each other.
She smiled and said,"Well, the Twelfth Prince also knows that although Bi Huan is from Suzhou, she is not as gentle and supple as a Suzhou girl. She is also clumsy when doing things, and always makes Fifth Master angry." So if the twelfth prince doesn't mind, Bi Huan can lend the room to the future wife of the twelfth prince, but that place is very messy, like a kennel, is the twelfth prince willing?”
Hearing the word "kennel", Yuqi spat out the tea in his mouth. A kennel? She actually compared his room to a dog kennel? Then wouldn't the people living inside become dogs? When he raised his head and was about to call Bi Huan, that girl had already led Yu Li into the inner room.
Seeing this, Yuhao and Yureng couldn't help but laugh out loud. Yuhao clapped his hands and said,""Fifth brother, in the entire capital, including the emperor, I'm afraid only this girl dares to call you a dog.”
Yureng also nodded." Fifth Brother, she's been hanging around for so many years. Please make an exception for her!" Look at how stubborn she is towards Fifth Brother."
The always gentle Yu He also echoed,""That's right! If the girl was too gentle, Fifth Brother would think that she had no personality, and if the girl was too lively, he would think that she had no upbringing. Why not this girl! Smart and quick-witted, with a sharp mouth, she's a perfect match for you. Anyway, you don't care about her background, right?”
Yuqi angrily glared at his three brothers." Stop fooling around. This girl called me a dog, then wouldn't my brothers all become dog brothers?”
The three brothers were all stunned. Among them, Yuhao reacted the fastest." Then, does that mean the Emperor has become…"
Yuqi was about to stop him from continuing when Yuli coincidentally returned to the hall.
"What's wrong with the emperor?"
Seeing the wind, Yu Rong quickly changed the topic,""Your Majesty already knows who the person who recorded the Hundred Vehicle Record is.”
Yu Li was stunned." Your Majesty already knows?”
Yuqi nodded heavily." Twelfth Brother, you better be mentally prepared.”
Yuli was even more confused." Mental preparation? Why should I be mentally prepared? He was already happy that he had caught the main character, so why did he need to be mentally prepared?”
"Twelfth brother, there's naturally a reason why fifth brother would say that."”
"What's the reason?" Yu Li looked around at his four brothers, only to find that each of them had a difficult expression and a solemn expression. "What are you all doing with such expressions? Could it be that I know the person who recorded the books? Is he an official under me?”
Yuqi stood up and put his arm around Yuli's shoulder as they walked outside. "Twelfth Brother, Fifth Brother wants to ask you, how did you get to know that girl called Zhu Daixiu?”
At the mention of Zhu Daixiu, Yu Li was even more confused."Qing 'er? Fifth brother, why are you asking about Qing Er?”
Yuqi patted him." Don't be nervous. I won't treat her like how I treated Xiyan. I don't want to break up a good marriage." I just want to know how the 12th Prince, who is famous in the capital, who has so many ladies begging for him but can't get him, who even dared to reject the emperor's marriage, is willing to settle down this time?”
Speaking of the matter between Ding Xiyan and Yu Ren, Yu Li more or less knew a little. After all, it was unheard of for an elder brother to be imprisoned because of a woman, but what was even more surprising was that Yu Ren was still able to regain his freedom because of this woman.
Thinking of this, Yu Li's expression softened and a doting smile appeared on his face." I met her a year ago. At that time, she was only seventeen years old..."
Hence, Yu Li told her how he knew Zhu Daixiu, how he fell in love with her, how he found out that she was the granddaughter of the Ming Dynasty's last minister, and how he was heartbroken to think that she was burned alive by her clansmen.
"The granddaughter of a minister from the Ming Dynasty?" These words made Yuqi frown.
"That's right, her grandfather was an official of the previous dynasty. Because of his contributions in protecting his master, he was bestowed with a surname. After our dynasty gained control of the world, Qing `er's grandfather was like many scholars of the previous dynasty, swearing not to contribute to our dynasty. I remember that the Sacred Ancestor grandfather had to worry a lot about this.”
"Then why was she burned to death by her clansmen? How did you meet her again?"
"Fifth brother, think about it. He's not even willing to work for the people, let alone be with the Manchu people. Besides, I'm an elder brother. How…how could her clansmen agree?”
"Oh? Then why didn't she die?"
"The reason why her clansmen wanted to burn her to death was to make her leave me. They even threatened her with her parents 'lives. Qing Er had no choice but to buy a female corpse that had just died of illness to make me give up. "I didn't expect…I didn't expect to meet her again in Huxi Town, I…" As he spoke up to here, Yu Li couldn't help but feel a little excited, and a glimmer of light flashed in his beautiful eyes.
Yuqi sighed softly when he saw this." Twelfth Brother, you love her very much?”
Yu Li turned his head and smiled at Yu Qi. That smile was extremely charming, causing Yu Qi to be a little dumbfounded for a moment.
"Fifth brother, you don't know Qing `er's beauty and goodness. If you knew, you would also fall in love with her.”
Yuqi shook his head and waved his hand." Forget it. Looking at you, Thirteenth Brother, and Fourteenth Brother, I was scared out of my wits. How would I dare to get involved with a woman again? Let's not talk about this first. Fifth Brother has something to ask you. If you know, tell me. This way, Fifth Brother might be able to think of a way to save you.”
Yu Li heard that something was wrong with Yu Qi's tone. He hurriedly grabbed Yu Qi's hand," Fifth Brother, what happened? Why did you, Fourth Brother, Thirteenth Brother, and Fourteenth Brother specially come to pick me up? And why…"
Yuqi calmly held his hand." Twelfth Brother, don't be anxious." Let me ask you first. You mentioned those ministers from the previous dynasty. Do you know where they are now?”
Yu Li was stunned." A minister from the previous dynasty? Fifth Brother, why are you asking this?"
Yuqi let out a long sigh and looked up at the beautiful scenery." Old Seventh went to the Emperor's mother to complain. He said that you forced a woman to rape and even killed Jia Shi's family for that woman. You destroyed the entire Huxi Town."”
Yu Li was so angry that his face turned green. He turned around and was about to leave." This damn Old Seventh. He still doesn't know how to repent after being beaten up by me last time? Must I hit him hard before he knows how to restrain himself?”
Yu Li shouted," Twelfth Brother, don't be impulsive. The Emperor will judge whether Seventh Brother is making things up or not. Isn't your behavior proving what Seventh Brother said?"”
"But…"
Yuqi raised his hand to stop him from continuing,""Listen to me, the main point of what Old Seven said is not that you set fire to Huxi Town, but the Hundred Vehicle Record. The reason why the Emperor is angry is also because of that Hundred Vehicle Record.”
"Hundred Vehicle Record?"
"Yes! Old Seven said that the Hundred Carriages Record was a work left behind by a minister of the previous dynasty to ridicule our dynasty. It was specially used to show that it was better to have a ruler in the barbarians than to have nothing in China. It is better for China to have no vassals than for the barbarians to have vassals. Twelfth Brother, you should know that the Emperor hates scholars who stir up trouble with words, right?”
Yu Li nodded with a pale face." That's right. He even caused many unjust imprisonment because of this."”
He raised his head." Fifth Brother, if this matter is really related to the ministers of the previous dynasty, then Qing 'er…"
Yuqi stared at his tall and sturdy younger brother, who was almost as tall as him." Twelfth Brother, Fifth Brother doesn't want to offend you, but I still have to say that if the Hundred Vehicle Record was really written by a minister of the previous dynasty, then Zhu Daixiu will only die! Because the Emperor would never allow her to live!”
Yu Li took a few steps back in disbelief." What did you say?”
Yuqi nodded heavily." Unless you can prove that the Hundred Vehicle Record has nothing to do with the last minister, and you can prove that Zhu Daixiu is not the granddaughter of the last minister, she will have no chance of survival."”
Yu Li stumbled into the living room, ignoring the surprised looks of his other brothers, and went straight to Yu Qi's room.
Bi Huan, who was taking care of Zhu Daixiu, suddenly saw Yu Li enter the room with a pale face and stood up in panic. "Twelfth brother, your face is so ugly, are you alright?”
Yu Li shook his head. He didn't even have the strength to speak. He only waved his hand, signaling Bi Huan to leave.
As soon as Bi Huan left, Yu Li sat on the edge of the bed and held Zhu Daixiu's hand tightly with his cold hand. "Qing `er, get up. I have something to ask you.”
Zhu Daixiu lay still, two streams of tears sliding down her snow-white cheeks.
Yu Li's heart clenched." Qing `er, you know?”
She slowly opened her eyes and sat up, tears streaming down her face. "When the other brothers came to pick you up, I knew, I…"
Yu Li froze on the spot as if he had been struck by lightning." So you also know who the person who recorded the Hundred Vehicle Record is?”
She nodded bitterly." It's my father.”
Yu Li was even more surprised this time, even his voice unconsciously raised,"Your father? What was going on? Why did your father write the Hundred Vehicle Record? Isn't your father dead?"
"My father is dead. He was killed by them!"They took the secret files of the Merit Examination Department from the Ministry of Personnel and threatened him with my mother and my life. Father had no choice but to agree for my mother and me."I didn't expect that after Father finished writing, they would kill me to silence me…Grandpa, Father died so unjustly, Father died so unjustly!”
Secret files of the Merit Examination Division? Didn't this prove that there was a traitor among his disciples? Otherwise, how could the secret files of the Merit Examination Department, which had never been read by imperial decree, be leaked?
Thinking of this, Yu Li's handsome face was cold and expressionless. His eyes were wide open, and his voice seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth. " Then you said that your clansmen used your parents 'lives to threaten you to leave me because they were against you being with me. This is also…"
Zhu Daixiu was sobbing in Yu Li's arms, unable to breathe." They knew that you liked me, so in order to hide the Hundred Vehicle Record and frame you, they put me on the execution platform, saying that I violated the clan rules and wanted to burn me." Master, what clan rules do we have? The Qing Dynasty has ruled for so many years. No matter how old-fashioned we are, we know how important a good emperor is to the people. We have long…"
Yu Li caressed her wet long hair with heartache." Then how did Jia Shi catch you and your daughter?”
He didn't need to get it, but to capture it, because by connecting Zhu Daixiu's narration, it was easy to know what method Jia Shi used to capture Zhu Daixiu and her daughter.
"He pretended to be kind and saved me from the execution ground, saying that the emperor of the Qing Dynasty was benevolent and would not allow burning. So he prepared a female corpse to replace me, saying that she was my substitute and wanted to be punished in my place. Then, he brought me and my mother to Huxi Town.”
"So he beat and scolded you? Threatening you to listen to him and serve me obediently?”
"He has been preparing for this day for a long time. So once Master really goes, how can he give up this great opportunity?" She looked up at Yuli with her tearful face." Master, will you blame me? If it wasn't for me, their scheme wouldn't have succeeded and they wouldn't have harmed you. But I…I really love you, I really have no choice…"
Yu Li shook his head and covered her small mouth with a kiss." Don't say that! If he really wanted to blame someone, he could only blame the heavens! Who taught the heavens to let us meet and fall in love?”
"But…"
"No buts! Qing 'Er, you still haven't told me who' they 'are.”
Zhu Daixiu looked deeply at Yu Li and spoke after a long time,"Master, do you really want to know?"
Yu Li gritted his teeth and said,"That heartless thing. If I don't find him, I swear I'm not human!" Qing 'Er, speak! Who are they?"
"Don't be surprised if I tell you.”
Yu Li's sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly, he already had an idea in his heart.
Zhu Daixiu took a deep breath and slowly said,"It's Seventh Prince."
As soon as the words "Seventh Prince" fell, curses came from the door and window."I knew it was that damn seventh brother who was causing trouble. It would be strange if I didn't skin him alive!”
Yuqi, who was outside the door, shouted,"Fourteenth Brother, come back!"”#
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