Chapter 258: The General’s Mansion Is Surrounded
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
After speaking, Ye Xiao left Jiang Hong’s study.
Jiang Peihuan stuffed the envelope into her sleeve and left shortly after.
But upon entering her own plum garden, Jiang Peihuan gave a cold glance at Xue Ru’s room.
At this moment, Xue Ru was still unaware that her actions had been discovered by Jiang Peihuan. She was pacing back and forth in her room, her eyes full of excitement.
She had already sent out the message.
Now, she was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Prince Qing.
As night deepened, due to a sudden whim of Old Madam Jiang, the main members of the Jiang family dined together in the Chrysanthemum Hall.
Even Xue Ru sat at the table.
“It’s getting late. You all should go back and rest,” said the old madam, looking at everyone.
Jiang Hong, being the eldest, was about to speak when he saw Deputy General Liu rushing in.
“Great General, our mansion is surrounded.”
“What did you say?”
Hearing Deputy General Liu’s words, even the usually composed Jiang Hong’s face changed slightly.
“Soldiers are everywhere outside, surrounding our entire mansion.”
“How many of them? Who’s leading?”
“About a thousand soldiers. Prince Qing is leading.”
Hearing this, Jiang Hong instinctively looked at Xue Ru, and so did the rest of the Jiang family.
“Ru Er, is Prince Qing here for you?”
Everyone thought Prince Xiao Junhao came for Xue Ru, even Xue Yan thought so, hence she directly asked Xue Ru.
But Xue Ru shook her head, “Aunt, I don’t know.”
As Xue Ru’s words fell, Xiao Junhao’s voice came from outside, “Great General,
I received a confidential report claiming you are still in contact with the Northern Border.”
Dressed in black with his long hair tied up, Xiao Junhao’s appearance stirred emotions in Xue Ru’s eyes. However, he turned his gaze to Jiang Peihuan. He expected to see panic and fear in her eyes, but she only showed indifference.
When Xiao Junhao finished speaking, Jiang Peihuan stepped forward, defending her family. “Your Highness, one should provide evidence when making accusations. My father has always been loyal to the Emperor. If you claim he’s been in touch with the Northern Border, where’s your proof?”
“Evidence will surface when sought,” Xiao Junhao retorted.
“Search the place!���
Upon uttering these words, Xiao Junhao motioned to Pei Wu.
At Xiao Junhao’s command, Pei Wu began to move towards Yan Lin. However, a chilling gust swept past him, prompting him to dodge on instinct.
He turned to see Jiang Peihuan standing there, a black whip gripped firmly in her hand, now squarely between him and his destination.
She leveled the whip at Pei Wu and said icily, “This is my mother’s courtyard. Anyone who dares take a step forward will answer to me.”
“Miss Jiang, I’m merely following orders. Kindly move aside.”
It seemed like Jiang Peihuan didn’t hear Pei Wu at all and remained still.
Seeing this, Pei Wu, feeling a bit embarrassed, drew his sword, “If that’s the case, I apologize in advance.”
As he spoke, Pei Wu lunged at Jiang Peihuan with his sword. But before it could reach her, the sword was deflected by someone—it was Jiang Hong.
“How dare you harm my daughter in front of me? Do you think I, Jiang Hong, am dead?”
“Great General, are you unwilling to let my men in because you have something to hide?”
At this time, Xiao Junhao also approached the entrance of Yan Lin.
Hearing Xiao Junhao’s words, Jiang Hong replied with a gloomy look, “Prince Qing, although you are a prince, you don’t have the right to search my residence.”
“And if it’s by my order?”
A flash of light appeared, and then the figure of Emperor Qi Ming appeared in front of everyone.
Seeing Emperor Qi Ming, everyone knelt down and greeted, “Your Majesty.”
Emperor Qi Ming approached Jiang Hong and looked at the kneeling crowd. His eyes were full of complexity. Remembering what Xiao Junhao told him, Emperor Qi Ming finally turned to Jiang Hong and said, “Jiang Hong, I have heard that you still have connections with the North Border. Is this true?”
“Your Majesty, ever since I handed over my military seal, I have had no dealings with the North Border.”
“In that case, let Prince Qing search.”
As soon as Jiang Hong finished speaking, Emperor Qi Ming ordered directly.
Hearing this, there was a hint of surprise in Jiang Hong’s eyes, followed by a hint of pain.
After a moment, he lowered his head and replied, “Your servant obeys.” And with that, Jiang Hong stepped aside.
“Wait!”
Just as Pei Wu was about to lead his men inside, he saw Jiang Peihuan kneel before Emperor Qi Ming.
“Jiang Peihuan, you dare to defy my order?”
Facing Jiang Peihuan kneeling before him, Emperor Qi Ming said coldly.
“Your servant would never defy Your Majesty’s command.”
“Then why aren’t you stepping aside?”
“Your Majesty, you ordered a search of the General’s Mansion. No one in the mansion dares to defy your order. However, if outsiders hear of this, it might harm my father’s reputation.”
“If my father really did something that betrayed Your Majesty, he naturally deserves to be punished. However, my father has always been loyal to Your Majesty. I dare ask, if nothing is found in my father’s courtyard today, how will Your Majesty treat this matter?”
Towards the end, Jiang Peihuan looked directly into Emperor Qi Ming’s eyes.
Initially, Emperor Qi Ming showed some anger at Jiang Peihuan’s questioning, but after seeing the look in her eyes, his anger subsided.
After a long pause, he said, “If your father is falsely accused, 1 will stand by your father’s side, no matter who speaks ill of him in my presence.”
“And, I will severely punish the one who gave me this information.”
“I believe in Your Majesty,” said Jiang Peihuan as she stepped aside.
Subsequently, Pei Wu led his men into the courtyard.
Suddenly, the sound of rummaging could be heard. Hearing this, everyone in the General’s Mansion turned pale.
Only Jiang Peihuan remained calm. However, when her gaze fell on Xue Ru, it was filled with undisguised murderous intent.
For the sake of Old Madame Xue and Xue Yan, Jiang Peihuan could overlook Xue Ru’s schemes against her. However, this time Xue Ru attempted to ruin the entire Jiang family, and Jiang Peihuan could no longer forgive her.
Half an hour passed with no news.
An hour passed, still no news.
As no one came out, Xiao Junhao looked increasingly uneasy.
Finally, Pei Wu came out with his men. Seeing them, Xiao Junhao showed a hint of a smile. However, Pei Wu’s words made Xiao Junhao’s smile disappear instantly.
“Your Majesty, we found nothing.”
After speaking, Pei Wu lowered his head.
“This can’t be possible!”