Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 348 A Thorn in the Emperor's Heart
When Lu Jia saw Yang Bonong come out carrying a bundle of things with a very serious expression, she couldn't help but ask him, "What is this?"

Yang Bonong, however, pulled her tightly and led her out, saying, "We'll talk about it at the Grand Commandant's residence."

Lu Jia could only silently follow.

At the Grand Commandant's residence, not long after Lu Jia left, Shen Qingzhou returned.

Everyone knows that the Yan family will not sit idly by and wait for their doom; the faction they have built up in the court over the years is definitely not just for show.

Having experienced a failure in his previous life, Shen Qingzhou understood all of this even more clearly.

He finished packing his things and was preparing to go to the Lu residence to pick up Lu Jia when He Qu hurriedly entered:
"A carriage just came out from the palace and headed this way, but it disappeared when it got close."

At this crucial moment, no movement could be ignored. Shen Qingzhou stopped and asked, "What kind of carriage is it? Can you identify it?"

"It's quite common; there's no insignia. But it doesn't necessarily mean it came from the palace; it just came from the direction of the palace city. The brothers saw it when they were keeping an eye on the cabinet. They thought it was heading towards the Yan family, but it turned out to be coming this way."

Shen Qingzhou looked at the dark sky and said, "At this time, if they are not from the palace, then they can only be from the Inner Palace."

"Remind the guards on night duty to report to me if there is any movement around the gates. Then lead a group of men to the Lu residence to fetch the young mistress."

After He Qu left, Shen Qingzhou looked around and saw several dogs in the yard behind him starting to bark.

He went back and scolded them a few times. After a short while, the dogs started barking again towards the west wall.

Beyond the west wall lies the main courtyard.

Shen Qingzhou's gaze lingered for a moment before she straightened up.

Shen Bo did not leave his residence that day, but the people coming and going to deliver messages never stopped.

“Since Yan Song returned to the mansion, people have been coming and going from the Yan family, but no one has ever been to the Lu mansion.”

"Where is Lu Jie?" Shen Bo asked.

"Lord Lu hasn't visited the Yan family yet, but he might soon. Although he didn't go himself, he sent someone to inquire after them."

Shen Bo stopped under the curtain and stroked his beard.

He turned around twice with his hands behind his back and asked again, "Where is the eldest young master? Hasn't he returned yet?"

"Grand Commandant, Eunuch Li has arrived!"

The person who made the announcement was Yi Zhe, who has not left since tonight.

Shen Bo suddenly stopped, glanced at the sky outside which was almost dawn, and quickly walked to the door.

"Grand Commandant!" Li Quan quickly entered the house after removing his raincoat. "The Yan family is colluding with Gao Hong. An hour ago, Yan Song met with Gao Hong outside the palace, and the two exchanged messages privately. Yan Song then bid farewell to Gao Hong and went straight back to his residence!"

“I was just wondering which path the Yan family would choose to take, and it turns out they’ve turned to Gao Hong!” Shen Bo frowned. “Gao Hong has served the Emperor for many years and is deeply favored by him. With him on the case, the Yan family is likely to succeed!”

“It’s not just about succeeding!” Li Quan stepped forward. “I bet there will be a result by nightfall tomorrow at the latest! Your Excellency should immediately devise a backup plan!”

Shen Bo pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands in greeting: "Over the years, you have been secretly helping me. You have also made great efforts to push the Emperor to thoroughly investigate the military pay case."

“Tonight, you risked your life to deliver this message again, all for the sake of peace in the land! I thank you for your righteousness!” “No, Grand Commandant,” Li Quan waved his hand, “I came here for my own sake. Gao Hong has been trying to oust me and take over the position of Grand Eunuch for years.”

"His alliance with the Yan family must be based on their assistance."

"And the only thing I have ever done in recent years has gone against the Emperor's wishes is the matter of choosing an heir. As a result, the Emperor has not only lost his affection for His Highness the Crown Prince, but has also treated me differently than before!"
“I do not yet know what Yan Song gave to Gao Hong, but if Gao Hong uses the events of that year to his advantage, I am afraid I will be unable to cope. Therefore, I have come here in person to inform the Grand Commandant and ask him to make plans as soon as possible.”

As he spoke, he took out two more petitions from his bosom. "These are two petitions from Yan Song's hometown people, along with a petition written in blood by ten thousand people, impeaching the Yan family for their crimes committed in their ancestral home."

"When it came into my hands this time, I kept it to myself, because I knew the time was not right and it would be useless to hand it over."

"But now that day may not be far off, let's leave it to you for now."

He solemnly handed over the petition and said slowly, "There must be many more petitions like this, but they have all been lost somewhere."

"Unfortunately, my abilities are limited, and I have been unable to collect more. I can only place my hopes on you, sir!"

Shen Bo's chest heaved as he quickly flipped open the petition in his hand. It was a thick book, with only two or three pages of actual text at the top. The bottom twenty or so pages were densely covered with the signatures, fingerprints, and blood-red fingerprints of different people!

"Such serious charges should not have fallen into your hands, Father-in-law. How did you obtain them?"

"I obtained it by chance while I was out on an official business. As you can probably guess, the person who submitted the petition is already dead. Fortunately, they could kill one or two, but certainly not ten or twenty, let alone hundreds! Keep it safe, and you can take it out again when the time is right."

"This……"

“We are all on the same path, so there’s no need for further words, sir.” Li Quan stopped him from continuing. “I came here not only to deliver this, but also to let you know that it is truly an honor to have befriended a hero like you in this lifetime!”

At this point, he bowed deeply and said, "Gao Hong is still watching me in secret, so I cannot stay any longer. I will take my leave now! There is no need for you to see me off, sir."

After saying this, he put on his raincoat again, gave Shen Bo a deep look, and then left as quickly as he had come.

Thunder rumbled in the sky.

The rain got heavier again.

Countless sounds between heaven and earth were drowned out by the sound of rain.

Shen Bo stared at the rain for a long time before finally walking slowly back into the house.

On the table was the petition from the people, covered with countless bright red fingerprints like red plum petals falling on the snow.

Shen Qingzhou, who had been standing with her arms crossed under the side window, withdrew her gaze, then opened her arms and disappeared back into the night.

Yi Zhe, who had escorted Li Quan to the courtyard gate, closed the gate and came to the table: "Eunuch Li said that the Yan family has colluded with Gao Hong. Although we had expected this, we had no concrete evidence. Now it has been confirmed. Furthermore, Eunuch Li said that there will be results by nightfall at the latest tomorrow. This shows that the Yan family has invested heavily."

"The fact that the emperor was able to change his mind at this time is probably related to the war in the southeast."

Shen Bo stood with his hands on his hips under the lamp: "Hu Yucheng in the southeast needs money to fight. If the Yan family is willing to go all out, this battle will indeed be a headache."

"unless……"

"Unless what?" Yi Zhe asked impatiently.

Shen Bo's gaze was dark: "Unless there is a way to touch that thorn in the Emperor's heart."