Having a Baby Before Marrying a Wicked Husband - Chapter 121

It was already the spring of the second year when Yan Cai and Jiang Manyue’s family returned to the capital. On the same day, he was called into the palace.

As for the two captives from Beirong, they were handed over to the imperial court. Yan Cai no longer had to worry about these two individuals’ meals, which was a great relief. However, Gu Zhuo—also known as the Assistant Minister of War—had been found to have fled in fear the previous month. During his escape, he was killed by the pursuing officials.

Otherwise, he could have reunited with Xierli in prison. During the search of Gu Zhuo’s mansion, some letters exchanged between Gu Zhuo and Xierli, as well as Gu Ren, who had already committed suicide, were found.

Therefore, the charges against Liu Neng could not be absolved. Gu Ren, who had already committed suicide, was indeed from Beirong. While Liu Neng had no ill intentions and had only followed Gu Ren’s guidance, he could not be absolved of the crime of being deceived by a villain and was sentenced accordingly.

Several items found in Gu Zhuo’s room further proved his involvement in the assassination attempt on the Emperor at the hunting ground that day.

Gu Zhuo, taking advantage of his position as the Minister of War, had inserted his men among the soldiers that day. Additionally, the commander of the Imperial Guards, Zhang, who had a close relationship with him, had facilitated his plans.

Gu Zhuo deliberately brought trouble to the Ughyur people who were in the capital at the time, attempting to sow discord between the Chen Dynasty and the Ughyur, using others to achieve his own ends. Whether it was the Chen Dynasty wiping out the Ughyur or the Ughyur giving the Chen Dynasty a beating, for their Beirong, it was a win-win situation.

Now, when old accounts were settled, everything became clear. Those closely associated with Gu Zhuo, such as Commander Zhang, also lost their positions.

The confiscation of Gu Zhuo’s assets was led by Yan Cai, and the Grand Minister of Justice assisted in counting and confiscating the seized money and items. Jiang Manyue, who had resigned from all official positions and become a civilian, followed him. Looking from a distance, with Yan Cai slightly shorter build in the middle, they appeared like guardians on his left and right side.

The Grand Minister of Justice was very diplomatic, knowing that this young and amiable-looking Carefree Prince was currently a favorite of the Emperor and was not someone to offend.

Just by looking at how the Emperor summoned him to the palace immediately upon his return from the border and rewarded him handsomely, it was evident that he was deeply favored by the Emperor.

Gu Zhuo’s family was quite wealthy, and their mansion was beautifully constructed, filled with various valuable decorations such as deep-sea red corals, fist-sized pearls, and jade lamps adorned with various gemstones.

The exact things confiscated during a house search, only the ones conducting the search would know. So it’s normal for one or two items to be missing sometimes. When the Grand Minister of Justice saw Yan Cai curiously covering the night pearl with a cloth and looking at it glow in the dark, he felt that a favorable opportunity to curry favor had come.

“Your Highness, this is a great item. With just one, a room can be as bright as if lit by lamps. If Your Highness likes it, then…” The Grand Minister of Justice didn’t say it too explicitly but made a gesture of putting something into his pocket and continued, “I have never seen pearls like this being confiscated from Gu Zhuo’s home.”

Yan Cai: “…” Truly impressive, these people were really skilled at telling lies with a straight face.

Although he was indeed curious about the glowing pearl, he had no intention of secretly keeping it for himself. Moreover, how can such an act be spoken out so casually? Is it really okay?

However, the Grand Minister of Justice misunderstood Yan Cai’s shocked expression, thinking he wasn’t being generous enough or didn’t like the quantity or it’s too few, so he hurriedly spoke again.

“Your Highness, there’s another one in my home. I could give it to you, killing two birds with one stone.”

Yan Cai looked at him numbly, but luckily Jiang Manyue came to his rescue.

“Thank you very much for your kindness. But my Prince doesn’t have much interest or knowledge about pearls, so we won’t take what you love.”

Upon hearing these words, the Grand Minister of Justice suddenly felt enlightened; The Tanghua’s words were much easier to understand. The relationship between the Prince and the Tanghua — the relationship of sharing the same bed — undoubtedly allowed him to better understand the Prince’s intentions.

Tanghua said that the Prince had no knowledge about pearls meant he had knowledge about other things. The worst thing to encounter wasn’t high demands or greed; dealing with demands and greed was easy as long as people had desires.

Having no desires or demands was the biggest trouble.

Tanghua’s words were clearly pointing him in a direction.

“The Tanghua is right, pearls are nothing special, just common items. I wonder, according to the Tanghua’s discernment, what truly stands out?” The Grand Minister of Justice wore a professionally subtle smile, waiting for Jiang Manyue to speak. He figured it out: rather than waiting for the Prince to speak, it was better to pry a hole from the people around him.

“There’s nothing particularly common or uncommon about it; it’s just a matter of personal preference.”

“Tanghua is absolutely right.”

“But,” Jiang Manyue paused, wearing a professional fake smile, “My Prince has some interest in these jades, just for fun, they’re not particularly useful.”

The Grand Minister of Justice slapped his thigh, as if suddenly enlightened: “His Highness is indeed refined, and I happen to have some knowledge about jades. Please allow me to introduce them to His Highness…”

Yan Cai: There’s no way to interrupt them now; they’ve said it all. He could only put on a fake smile and go along with them.

However, Jiang Manyue’s remark made sense to him. They still needed a lot of spiritual jades for their second child. As for spiritual jades, no matter how many they have, it’s never enough. Not only the small ones; even if they’re willing to give him the big ones, he can turn them into pebbles in minutes.

The Grand Minister of Justice, without any guilty conscience, crossed off a box of jade on the list and placed it directly in front of Yan Cai.

“The Prince’s precious jade accidentally fell here.”

Yan Cai: Can you be any more fake? There are other guards here.

However, those officials and soldiers who were searching the house were experienced and knowledgeable, unlike Yan Cai, who was a country bumpkin. They were all unfazed, accustomed to such scenes, and paid no extra attention to the exchange between the two.

They’re all well-trained! Yan Cai sighed. Jiang Manyue caught his expression and whispered something in his ear.

“No need to be surprised. Conducting these searches is usually a lucrative job; it’s unavoidable. The Emperor assigning you this task is like turning a blind eye to let you benefit a little.”

Yan Cai turned his head, staring wide-eyed at Jiang Manyue. Indeed, there was wisdom in the ways of the ancient officials. This is an unspoken rule!

Too corrupt!

Yan Cai shook his head, then calmly accepted the jades given by the Grand Minister of Justice. Seeing him accept it, the Grand Minister of Justice felt relieved.

Thank goodness! If Yan Cai had been incorruptible and refused to take anything, he would have had cause for concern.

In this light, the Carefree Prince is just a normal person, nothing to fear. Why is the Third Prince so worried about this person?

Even if the Emperor favors him, the Carefree Prince is just a Prince with a different surname, and the Third Prince is really overly worried.

Before he could start his mental gymnastics, Yan Cai pushed back the box of jade.

Yan Cai only took one or two jades in his hand and didn’t want the rest.

“I only need one or two.”

The Grand Minister of Justice’s heart skipped a beat. Oh no, this wasn’t good. With a whole box of precious jades, he only chose two, and they were the ones with poor quality.

What did this mean? Was the Prince implying something?

The Grand Minister of Justice couldn’t understand, so he had to seek help from Jiang Manyue. He looked at Jiang Manyue eagerly, hoping that this Prince’s confidant and thought transmitter could provide him with some information. It was better than having him guess alone and still not understand what the Prince wanted.

Yan Cai squinted at the two facing him: What’s the meaning of this? Flirting with Jiang Manyue right in front of him?