Peasant Woman’s Decreed Life as a Wife-Chapter 2296 - 2293: Losing Face
"After we entered the Cavalry Battalion, Lord Chu arranged for someone to explain the training content clearly to us. He even tested it first. We are all volunteering; Lord Chu had mentioned before that these training exercises are very dangerous, and a single mishap could result in death, so we were given the choice to volunteer."
"So, you were all volunteers?" Lord Zhou finally realized what he had found strange before. He couldn’t figure out why the soldiers did not resent Chu Heng at all; in fact, they seemed to subtly support him.
This alone made him understand that the truth of the matter definitely wasn’t as Minister Xiang claimed.
He breathed a sigh of relief as the testimonies proved Chu Heng’s innocence, and he could now explain the situation to the Emperor without encountering any trouble.
Indeed.
The testimonies of the soldiers questioned next matched what Zhao Wen had said.
Moreover, the wounded soldiers were well-treated, receiving good medicines, and their usual treatment remained unchanged. Chu Heng handled everything with such thoroughness; no wonder the soldiers held no grudges against him.
Yet, this further implied that the information Minister Xiang had gathered before might have been deliberately laid out by Chu Heng as a trap.
If Xiang City did nothing, that would be one thing.
But he directly impeached Chu Heng in front of the Emperor at the Imperial Court.
Once the truth came out, Xiang City would likely be humiliated.
However, this kind of affair.
Wasn’t something Lord Zhou needed to ponder over.
Thinking it would be a tricky case, who would have thought the situation would flip around, bringing no trouble to the Court of Judicial Review?
Fearing that Xiang City might hear of the news and cause further trouble, Lord Zhou didn’t pass the case to his subordinates but promptly gathered the testimonies and reports from the Capital Garrison, quickly delivering them to the palace while it was still early.
Leaving the Imperial Study, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Wiping the sweat off his forehead.
Walking out of the palace with light steps.
And at the time Lord Zhou entered the palace, Xiang City had already heard the news.
"So soon."
"Send someone to inquire about the situation."
Therefore, before Lord Zhou even left the palace, Xiang City had already inquired about the news from other officials in the Court of Judicial Review.
Upon hearing the reported news, he angrily smashed an inkstone, his face flushed red with rage.
He’d fallen into Chu Heng’s trap again!
His furious curses echoed from the study room.
The servants in the courtyard were as silent as cicadas in winter.
Until a secret letter was delivered to Xiang City.
Upon reading its content.
Xiang City’s eyes first widened in disbelief, then he calmed down, murmuring: "No wonder... No wonder the Emperor has always protected him, turns out he’s been helping the Emperor acquire funds all along."
After reading the contents, Xiang City burned the letter entirely.
Instructing his subordinates, saying that temporarily they shouldn’t bother Chu Heng, at least outwardly maintaining the semblance of friendship with him.
Especially paying close attention to the Chu family’s actions.
It seems the Chu family always found ways to earn money?
"With so much silver in the Emperor’s hands, naturally whoever is favored will be indulged." Xiang City calmed down, realizing that it’s not just about opposing Emperor Xuanming now, but about helping the Prince win favor.
Keeping a low profile with public forces was crucial.
Zhou Tianqi was unaware of Xiang City’s plans.
But seeing how Xiang City, despite knowing he’d fallen into a trap, still tried to win him over, Zhou Tianqi simply played along with him.
He had nothing in common with Xiang City’s people.
But what Lord Chu said was also right.
If you don’t engage with them, how will you know what the other party is thinking? Gaining some information is better than being unexpectedly caught up in schemes.
