Chapter 177: Words like a thunderclap

Zhang Mingyuan's principal wife perhaps doesn't know much.

But, anyone who has any dealings with Zhang Mingyuan cannot avoid her, this principal wife.

This is the Dayu Dynasty's way of social interaction.

Men have their way, and the lady of the house also has her way.

If two court officials associate, and the lady of the house does not stir at all, then this relationship must be judged differently.

Zhang Guanshi originally did not want to bring up this topic, but after secretly glancing at Chen Wuji's icy gaze, she still spoke frankly: "There are the southwestern barbarians."

"My master has business dealings with the Shaodang Qiang Tribe and the Laojie Qiang Tribe; I have met the wives of their tribal chiefs. Furthermore..."

Zhang Guanshi fell silent for a while, then suddenly asked: "Sir, if I tell everything, can we mother and daughter be spared the death penalty? I ask for nothing else, only that we mother and daughter live."

"His Majesty is benevolent, but it also depends on whether what you say has value. At least for now, I see nothing useful in what you have said." Chen Wuji said calmly.

He naturally could not make this decision for His Majesty the Emperor.

However, fooling around a bit doesn't matter.

"Yes!" Zhang Guanshi nodded heavily, "The Shaodang Qiang Tribe and the Zhang Clan have already had three marriage alliances; the next-generation heir of the Shaodang Qiang Tribe is to marry a daughter of the Zhang Clan. My master, in order to win over the Laojie Qiang Tribe, is currently planning to marry my daughter Zhang Xiuer to the heir of the Laojie Qiang Tribe."

"I am not clear about the business between the Zhang Clan and these two Qiang tribes, but I once inadvertently heard that the Qiang tribes would unite to invade Nan Jun, and my master also said that the Court would send General Zhou to suppress the bandits, asking them to make their performance more convincing, etc."

Chen Wuji's eyes flickered slightly.

After saying so much, I finally heard a relatively crucial piece of information.

The Qiang tribes unite to raid the border, but who is this General Zhou again?

Let's ask Qin Zhanhong later.

"Continue!" Chen Wuji said indifferently.

"Even if it is just bits and pieces like what was just said, you can say more. This is what can truly save your mother and daughter's lives."

"... Yes."

Zhang Guanshi bowed her noble head, pondered earnestly for a moment, then suddenly said: "There is another matter; I don't know if it counts as useful. I once saw a letter in my master's study, because my master strictly forbade us from touching anything in the study, I only went to fetch something and glanced at it hastily."

"The letter mentioned that the Crown Prince is accomplished in both literature and martial arts, bearing the style of his ancestors, which is unfavorable to the stability of the state and the peace of the land; I only saw this sentence, and dared not look further. Indeed, that letter, my master must have examined it for a long time, it was crumpled and creased, and a corner was even burned."

"That letter is very strange; the signature reads— Pond Frog, but the seal used resembles a pig's face."

Chen Wuji's heart shuddered violently.

Damn it, how did the Crown Prince get involved too?

Is this something a lowly hunter like me could know?

No, this case cannot be tried.

"Go call Official Qin!" Chen Wuji ordered his attendants.

"Yes."

After a moment, Qin Zhanhong entered, radiating a surging killing intent, asking: "What's wrong?"

Chen Wuji made way, gave Qin Zhanhong a glance, and said to Zhang Guanshi: "Please continue."

"Nothing more." Zhang Guanshi shook her head, "I really can't recall anything else."

Qin Zhanhong raised her head, her clear gaze quietly fixed on Chen Wuji.

"Think again carefully." Chen Wuji said.

Zhang Guanshi pondered a moment more, still shook her head: "Indeed I cannot recall anything else; although I am the senior wife, the things I am entitled to know in the household are truly few."

Chen Wuji had no choice but to hand over the confession just written by Chazi to Qin Zhanhong, saying: "Take a look at this; I'll ask someone else."

"... Okay."

Qin Zhanhong was somewhat puzzled.

Only after she finished reading what was written on the confession did her face suddenly change dramatically.

Qiang tribes raiding the border, General Zhou, Crown Prince...

These few words linked together were like a nuclear bomb exploding in her heart.

What on earth is all this?

We were only supposed to investigate the corruption of Ruan Xiang's family; how did it suddenly become like this?

What the hell are these people up to?

Qin Zhanhong angrily grabbed two handfuls of hair, snatched the brush from Chazi's hand, and suddenly wrote furiously.

After writing a sealed memorial, she pulled a strand of hair and placed it in the envelope, then carefully sealed it with wax and stamped it.

"Duan Yingxiong, I need you to personally run this trip; you must deliver it in person, understand?" Qin Zhanhong said sternly, word by word.

Duan Yingxiong had been standing nearby all along; Chen Wuji's words, not missing a syllable, he heard clearly, and naturally also knew the weight of this letter.

Too heavy.

So heavy that even ten or so of his lives could not bear it.

"Yes!" Duan Yingxiong straightened his back and responded heavily.

Chen Wuji strolled to the courtyard, deciding to ask an inconspicuous person again.

"Why are you doing this? What did my father do wrong?"

Suddenly, a voice full of resentment rang out.

In the crowd that had knelt in unison, a woman with a slender figure, not appearing thin but rather somewhat lustrous, rose to her feet, eyes brimming with tears, bloodshot veins in her eyes staring straight at Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji turned his head and saw that familiar face.

Zhang Xiuer.

After forming a grudge with Zhang Mingyuan, he had long anticipated this day.

But, for this woman who is merely somewhat familiar, he had no psychological burden.

Chen Wuji glanced at the attendant standing nearby, did not answer Zhang Xiuer's words, and walked straight into the side chamber.

A moment later, two constables brought Zhang Xiuer in, and at the same time a clerk also came in holding the Four Treasures of the Study, spreading out the bamboo slip on a table at the side.

"I want to know why?" Zhang Xiuer stood in the hall, her gaze like a vengeful ghost fixedly staring at Chen Wuji, as if she wanted to pin him down and see through him with her almond eyes.

Chen Wuji remained calm, "This question, I think you should know better than I do. I want to know, what kind of person is your father in your heart?"

"An official who serves the country and the people, dares to speak out for justice, and even repeatedly remonstrated at court to the point of death—a good official!" Zhang Xiuer said this with decisive firmness, her face full of pride.

Chen Wuji chuckled lightly, "Since you say that, you surely don't know that I was threatened by your father after curing your little ailment—one condition in exchange for me honestly keeping quiet. Fortunately, I also had something a bit troublesome to deal with that day, so I just brought it up casually."

"How could that be?!" Zhang Xiuer exclaimed, "Your father did that only to repay you—how can your heart be so dark? I thought you were an upright and kind person."

"I am, but your father is not!" Chen Wuji said.

"It seems you still don't understand what's going on. Let me explain: I, a hunter, don't deserve the Zhang family's gratitude; if you're sensible, you'll propose terms and settle it once and for all. If you're not, I don't know what will happen—you might as well guess."