Chapter 166: The Zhao Family’s House Is Raided and Zhao Mingxu Is Imprisoned

Qin Muyun understood the hidden meaning in Qi Yanzhou’s words.

“I know, in this dreadful world, running away is useless.”

He had always thought that being a playboy was the best way to balance the family’s power and ensure the safety of his loved ones.

The emperor would not allow any family to have too many capable people, especially high-ranking officials.

But Ye Chutang’s appearance made him realize how foolish it was to hide one’s talents.

Retreating only makes others think you’re weak and easy to bully.

However, a renowned reputation can elevate you above power.

Seeing that Qin Muyun had understood, Qi Yanzhou smiled and said, “With your talents, you’ll soon make a name for yourself.”

After speaking, he asked, “The weapons in Prince An’s residence, they won’t cause trouble for your master, will they?”

The emperor would definitely suspect that the Qintianjian (official astronomical bureau) was bribed to deal with Zhao Mingxu.

Qin Muyun said firmly, “Master didn’t say anything wrong. Even if the emperor grows suspicious, he can’t do much.”

“That’s good.”

“Ziqian, let me do a divination for you.”

Seeing Qin Muyun reach into his sleeve for copper coins, Qi Yanzhou grabbed his wrist.

“Your body hasn’t recovered, don’t worry about it.”

“Even if you stop me now, I’ll still do a divination later. Let go.”

Qi Yanzhou knew Qin Muyun always followed through on his words, so he released his wrist.

Three copper coins, thrown six times.

“Water and sky, need, also need hexagram. Waiting in stillness for the right moment, is the middle-high hexagram.”

Qi Yanzhou didn’t understand divination, but “middle-high hexagram” was enough to suggest that tomorrow’s plan would go smoothly.

“What does it mean?”

Qin Muyun explained, “This hexagram is a combination of two opposite hexagrams. The lower trigram is Qián, representing strength; the upper trigram is Kǎn, representing danger. Strength meeting danger requires stability and caution, not rash action. Observing the times and waiting for change, the outcome will definitely succeed.”

[Note: Taken from “The Complete Explanation of the 64 Hexagrams of the I Ching.”]

He continued to explain in detail from six aspects, including business, commerce, and decision-making.

After hearing, Qi Yanzhou simply said two words.

“Good hexagram!”

Qin Muyun also agreed, “In that case, I can rest easy.”

The two shared a meal and a bit of wine.

When they left Guangju Pavilion, they happened to see the Imperial Guards escorting Zhao Mingxu through the door.

Zhao Mingxu, with a deathly pale face, glared at Qi Yanzhou with intense hatred in his eyes.

“Qi Yanzhou, may you die a terrible death! I curse you to be without descendants!”

Qi Yanzhou grabbed the jade pendant hanging from his waist and smashed it into Zhao Mingxu’s mouth.

Four of his front teeth were knocked out, and his mouth was filled with blood.

“If you talk nonsense again, I’ll cut out your tongue.”

Before the words even finished, a cold glare reflected in Zhao Mingxu’s eyes.

He immediately closed them, fearing for his life, wanting to curse but unable to.

Qi Yanzhou turned to the Imperial Guards and asked, “What crime has Zhao County Lord committed?”

“Lord Wang, Zhao Mingxu attempted to rebel. He is now a criminal, being sent to the Lord’s mansion, with his house raided and him imprisoned, waiting for the emperor’s judgment.”

With that, they dragged Zhao Mingxu away.

Qi Yanzhou thought the emperor would immediately dispose of Zhao Mingxu, but to his surprise, he held back.

He speculated that the emperor might be delaying in fear of affecting tomorrow’s wedding.

Qin Muyun clicked his tongue twice.

“Zhao Mingxu, from the high-ranking Prince An, has become a prisoner in just over a month. Truly, it’s amazing how quickly things can change.”

“From the day Chutang arrived in the capital, the situation in the court and the world has completely shifted.”

After saying this, Qi Yanzhou headed toward the Prince of Chen’s residence.

Qin Muyun was stunned by his words.

He thought about the events that had recently occurred and suddenly remembered something his master had said. “Muyun, although the fate of a nation cannot be predicted, divination can ‘see the big through the small,’ revealing heavenly secrets. Remember, the heavenly secrets change endlessly, and from the moment you learn of them, it’s only a sign, not the conclusion.”

He never fully understood the first part of this advice, but now he finally grasped its meaning.

Qin Muyun looked toward the palace and whispered, “Master, I must study the Tui Bei Tu.”

The Tui Bei Tu is a book of heavenly principles that can predict the future with remarkable accuracy.

Only someone with extraordinary wisdom should study it.

Otherwise, it could damage one’s wisdom and turn them into an idiot.

Qin Muyun knew he was not exceptionally wise, but he wanted to do something for the people of the world!

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After dinner, Ye Chutang heard the news that Zhao Mingxu’s house had been raided and he had been imprisoned.

She sat by the stone table, looking at the lively Ningchuyuan, and finally felt the realness of her upcoming marriage.

“Jin Yi, come with me for a moment.”

Jinzhi looked at the darkening sky and disapproved, saying, “Miss, you’re getting married tomorrow. It’s not auspicious to go out tonight.”

Ye Chutang smiled and said, “I need to let my mother know that the child she worked so hard to raise has finally found a good match and is about to get married.”

After marriage, she would be exiled and wouldn’t have the time to visit.

She wanted to personally go and tell her that the revenge for the three of them was finally avenged!

Jinzhi was moved by Ye Chutang’s filial piety, and her eyes shimmered with tears.

“Miss, it’s better to worship at home.”

After saying that, she prepared to leave the house to buy incense, candles, and paper money.

Ye Chutang grabbed her arm. “Let’s go to the cemetery.”

As they left the house, they happened to run into Ye Jingchuan.

Ye Jingchuan didn’t dare face Tang Wanqing and didn’t want to go at all.

But Ye Chutang fed him a poison pill, and instantly, he became obedient.

On the way out of the city, Jinzhi bought incense, candles, paper money, and the fruits and snacks Tang Wanqing loved to eat.

Ye Chutang asked Ye Jingchuan, “How did you get rid of my brother?”

Since she had met the Song family’s young master at Huating Academy, she often thought about their conversation.

She always felt that Song Mingyu repeatedly mentioning her brother had some hidden purpose.

Especially when Song Jingning rushed into the main hall, he didn’t finish his sentence.

“Since ancient times, early death has been considered ominous…”

If she wasn’t mistaken, the Song family was trying to use the ancient treatment of early death to make her reveal something.

Now, she was starting to suspect that Song Jingning was her real brother!

Ye Jingchuan had no idea what Ye Chutang was thinking and was terrified by her cold expression, swallowing nervously.

“Why are you suddenly asking about this?”

Ye Chutang’s gaze turned murderous.

“My brother died under mysterious circumstances. I want to know the details and perform a ritual for him, setting up a tomb in his honor.”

Ye Jingchuan immediately recalled the eldest legitimate son, whom Kong Ru had strangled to death and then thrown away.

The child, no bigger than a palm, was covered in bruises, wrinkled, ugly, and terrifying.

As the image of the child appeared in his mind, he couldn’t help but shudder.

Ye Chutang wanted to slap Ye Jingchuan into the air.

“Speak!”

Ye Jingchuan trembled and hurriedly said, “Manager Chen knows best.”

He had regarded the early death of the child as ominous and didn’t pay much attention, handing everything over to Manager Chen to handle.

After Manager Chen finished, he wanted to report back to him, but Ye Jingchuan refused, not wanting to hear a word.

Ye Chutang gave Ye Jingchuan two words. “Beast!”

Ye Jingchuan, scolded, dared not retort, shrinking into a corner of the carriage to reduce his presence.

The carriage swayed as it neared the cemetery.