Chương 721

Tuy nhiên, Tiểu Ngũ lại không biết anh ấy đang nghĩ gì vào lúc này; cô chỉ vui vẻ gật đầu đồng ý mà thôi.

— Được rồi, được rồi!

Cô vui vẻ vươn tay ra.

Tạ An Bạch không hiểu chuyện gì đang xảy ra, chỉ có thể hỏi Yếp Sơ Đường: “Tiểu Ngũ, điều này là…”

Yếp Sơ Đường nhướng mày: “Tiểu Ngũ nói rằng sau này cô ấy nhất định sẽ chọn thêm nhiều món quà tốt hơn nữa để gửi đến nhà của Tiểu công tử Tạ.”

Tạ An Bạch ngạc nhiên.

Tất nhiên, Tiểu Ngũ không biết chuyện gì đã xảy ra, nhưng khi Tạ An Bạch nói rằng anh sẽ giữ những món quà cô ấy tặng để trân trọng, cô ấy rất vui mừng.

— Nơi nào Tạ An Bạch đến, chẳng phải đó cũng là nhà của anh ấy sao?

Cô ấy chính là như vậy mà.

Nơi nào chị gái cô ấy ở, nhà của cô ấy cũng ở đó.

Tạ An Bạch im lặng một lúc, rồi cười.

“Được! Khi nào Tiểu Ngũ muốn đến tìm tôi, tôi luôn hoan nghênh!”

Anh cẩn thận cất chiếc quạt lại, chào tạm biệt với Yếp Sơ Đường và Tiểu Ngũ.

“Trời đã khuya rồi, tôi không muốn làm phiền các cô nữa.”

Yếp Sơ Đường hiểu rằng sau cái chết của Tạ An Quân và Tiêu Gia Ý, cả gia đình Tạ sẽ rối loạn; chắc chắn vẫn còn rất nhiều việc đang chờ Tạ An Bạch giải quyết, nên cô cũng không nói thêm gì nữa, chỉ nhẹ nhàng gật đầu.

“Chúc Tiểu công tử Tạ mọi việc thuận lợi.”

Tạ An Bạch từ từ nắm chặt chiếc quạt, gật đầu một cách nhẹ nhàng nhưng kiên định.

“Cảm ơn.”

……

Yếp Sơ Đường dẫn Tiểu Ngũ trở về nhà, thay quần áo, ăn uống đơn giản rồi lại quay trở lại phòng đọc sách.

Không khác gì những lần trước khi cô vào cung; dường như hôm nay cũng chỉ là một công việc thường lệ khi cô vào cung để khám bệnh mà thôi.

Tuy nhiên, những chuyện xảy ra trong cung không thể nào giấu được; tất nhiên, Cao đế Mục có lẽ cũng không hề có ý định che giấu chúng.

Chỉ trong một buổi chiều, những tin tức đã nhanh chóng lan truyền khắp nơi!

Đồng thời với đó, Cao đế Mục cũng ra lệnh bắt đầu điều tra những người có liên quan đến sự việc này.

Chỉ trong vài giờ ngắn ngủi, hơn mười quan chức đã bị bắt.

Mọi người đều biết rằng có chuyện lớn xảy ra!

Khi những quan chức đó bị bắt, có người đang ở nhà hàng, có người ở nhà mình, thậm chí có người còn đang trên đường.

Quân cấm vệ không cho họ cơ hội biện hộ nào, chỉ bắt họ một cách nhanh chóng.

……

Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow and smiled lightly, “So you’ve come back?”

Today isn’t a ten-day holiday.

Seeing her reaction, Ye Jingyan thought to himself, as expected.

“It seems that sister knows about all those rumors outside as well.”

Although they were in this small space, it seemed as if sister always found out about everything first, invisibly controlling everything.

Ye Chutang didn’t confirm or deny anything, and simply recounted what had happened in the morning.

“…That’s roughly it. With the emperor in a furious rage, naturally, someone will have to suffer the consequences.”

Although Ye Jingyan had heard some rumors before, hearing the specific details still took him by surprise, and it took him a while to recover his composure.

“I see… No wonder, at such a critical moment, the emperor still resorted to such drastic measures.”

It was March, and the imperial examinations were just around the corner, with countless scholars gathering in the capital.

If this matter could have been suppressed, it wouldn’t have been blown up at this time.

Emperor Wu of Mu was indeed extremely angry.

Ye Chutang said, “It’s precisely because it’s this time that we can’t afford any major disruptions.”

Ye Jingyan seemed to be deep in thought.

Ye Chutang continued, “It’s good that you’ve come back; the coming period is likely to be turbulent in the capital. Even the Imperial Academy may not be a place of peace.”

Fan Chengzhuo held a third-rank official position and had once served as the Minister of Justice, while Xie Anjun was granted the title of Marquis of Loyalty and Valor, with deep connections within the military.

If these two joined forces and communicated with Wa Zhen, the impact could be immeasurable.

How many of their lackeys and followers were there throughout the court?

Without a thorough investigation, Emperor Wu of Mu might not even be able to sleep well.

Ye Jingyan’s brows furrowed slightly, “This matter has caused such a stir; who knows if some scholars might act impulsively in the future…”

“They won’t.”

Ye Chutang shook her head,

“Youthful people are indeed easily led and exploited, but this time the emperor is resolute and will not allow such a thing to happen.”

Ye Jingyan thought for a moment and found her reasoning sensible, so he also felt relieved.

Although he himself would not participate in the imperial examinations, many of his classmates and friends were eager to try their luck, placing their futures on it.

If something went wrong, they might regret it for a lifetime.

Ye Chutang said, “Also, people from the South Hu will be coming soon. This period might actually be the safest time in the capital.”

Hearing her mention this, Ye Jingyan also became curious.

“Sister, do you know who from the South Hu will come to the capital this time?”

Ye Chutang sighed lightly, “Do you really think sister doesn’t know everything?”

Ye Jingyan was also surprised, “Could it be that sister doesn’t know?”

Ye Chutang: “…”

She lay back in the rattan chair, covering her face with a book.

“…Besides a few important officials from the South Hu, Shui Xingqiu will also come.”

“Shui Xingqiu?”

Ye Jingyan murmured that name softly,

“The head of the Nanhu Shui family? How come he’s also here?”

Ye Chutang explained, “He can be considered Tuoba Yu’s teacher. Tuoba Yu’s recent risky actions are also related to him; therefore, now that Tuoba Yu is in trouble, he has no choice but to come.”

“I see…”

Just as Ye Jingyan was about to ask more, a maid hurried in from outside.

“Second young miss, the fourth young master has returned!”

Seeing the maid’s clearly excited expression, Ye Jingyan felt somewhat surprised.

“Why has Ah Feng returned at this time?”

Previously, he had said that although he had returned to the capital, he still had to follow military rules and could not often go home.

“Didn’t he say anything before?”

The maid’s face lit up with joy as she hurriedly explained, “Besides the fourth young master, there is also a distinguished guest who has arrived!”

“A distinguished guest?”

Now that they were in the capital as well, the maids and servants in the mansion had seen many nobles, but there were probably very few who could elicit such a reaction from them.

Especially at this time of day, who could it be?

Ye Chutang put down her book and glanced outside thoughtfully.

“Could it be Princess Qinyang who has come?”

The maid smiled and said, “Not just her! There’s also King Yannan! King Yannan has come along with Princess Qinyang!”

So it’s these two?

Ye Jingyan was taken aback for a moment, then quickly realized and turned to look at Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang blinked.

“This kid really surprised us with this. He didn’t even bother to inform us in advance.”

She immediately instructed the maid to prepare a feast, then turned back to look at Ye Jingyan.

“Today is truly a lucky day; everyone has arrived.”

Ye Jingyan, observing her calm demeanor, felt that something was not quite right.

Sister… why does it seem like she had already prepared for their arrival long in advance?

Just as he was thinking about this, Ye Chutang tilted her chin slightly.

“Xiao Wu is writing in the study; go call her over and tell her that Ah Feng has returned.”

……

In the front hall,

Princess Qinyang greeted her father warmly as soon as she entered,

“Father, please sit down! You’re just like at our own mansion here; there’s no need to be formal! Chutang has hidden quite a few fine wines here. Which one would you like to drink?”

She was full of enthusiasm, listing them all as if they were her personal treasures.

“‘Xue Zhong Yin’ from Yun Lai Wine Shop is truly exceptional! But since it’s not easy to come here, how about something that’s not available outside?”

As she spoke, she looked at Ye Yunfeng, who hadn’t said a word since they entered. Thinking he was being considerate of King Yannan, she quickly added,

“Ah Feng, don’t be formal! Today is a family feast; treat it as if it were your own home!”