Cui Jin certainly knew that her words had displeased Ruan Jiu.
However, she really didn't have any fatal handle on Gu Kexing. After all, Gu Kexing was extremely suspicious and cautious in his actions.
All this was just a stopgap measure. In order to take revenge, she had to drag Ruan Jiu into this first.
The information about Chi Wei and Zhou Chang was a secret she had painstakingly uncovered over the years.
As for everything about Gu Kexing, she knew very little.
Cui Jin explained, "I sincerely want to form an alliance with you to deal with Gu Kexing. But he is really too careful in his actions. I can't find any handle on him."
After hearing this, Ruan Jiu closed her eyes tightly.
She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger so as not to storm off.
After all, she had done so many things for Cui Jin in vain. If she couldn't get some useful information from Cui Jin, she would really be unwilling.
After calming down, Ruan Jiu opened her eyes and slowly said, "Then I'd trouble madam to tell me something about Gu Kexing."
Cui Jin asked, "What do you want to know?"
Ruan Jiu thought for a moment. "How about starting from how he became the prime minister?"
Cui Jin pursed her lips, raised her eyes, and her gaze drifted into the distance.
It seemed as if she was carefully recalling everything about Gu Kexing.
"Back then, Gu Kexing was able to become the prime minister not only because of my father's recommendation but also because he exposed General Huo's act of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country."
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu suddenly felt lucky that she hadn't stormed off just now.
It seemed that she might be able to learn something about the Huo family from Cui Jin.
So, Ruan Jiu pretended to be confused and asked, "General Huo?"
Cui Jin nodded. "After General Huo died in battle, the emperor posthumously conferred the title of Marquis Chengen on him. But not long after, Gu Kexing presented evidence of General Huo's collusion with the enemy and betrayal of the country to the emperor.
That's how Gu Kexing became the prime minister."
"Did General Huo really collude with the enemy and betray the country? Could those evidences have been forged by Gu Kexing?" Ruan Jiu asked.
After hearing this, Cui Jin shook her head. "It should not be. After all, they were General Huo's personal letters."
"Think carefully. Are there any doubts in it?" Ruan Jiu asked eagerly.
Cui Jin pursed her lips and frowned. "My father had just passed away at that time. I was heart - broken and knew very little about this matter. But why are you so concerned about this?"
Seeing the doubt in Cui Jin's eyes, Ruan Jiu knew that she had been a bit too eager just now.
In order not to arouse Cui Jin's suspicion, she immediately explained, "I once heard from others that General Huo was upright. I don't think he was the kind of person who would collude with the enemy and betray the country. Maybe it was Gu Kexing who deliberately framed him.
If we can find evidence to prove this, we can use it to bring down Gu Kexing."
Hearing what Ruan Jiu said, Cui Jin thought it made sense.
After all, if the Huo family hadn't had an accident back then, General Huo's younger sister should have become the queen.
No matter how you looked at it, the Gu family had benefited the most from this incident.
Immediately, Cui Jin recalled carefully, trying to find some useful information in her mind.
Suddenly, Cui Jin's eyes flashed. "Maybe Concubine Shu knows the inside story!"
"Concubine Shu?" Ruan Jiu asked.
Cui Jin nodded. "Concubine Shu is General Huo's younger sister. Before the accident of the Huo family, Lady Huo once entered the palace to visit Concubine Shu. After the accident of the Huo family, the emperor immediately demoted Concubine Shu to the Cold Palace."
After a pause, she added with a look of regret, "But I heard that Concubine Shu has already gone crazy in the Cold Palace. I'm afraid she can't remember what happened back then."
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu felt extremely annoyed.
It was like a hope that had just been kindled was suddenly extinguished.
However, Lady Huo must have told Concubine Shu something very important back then, or she wouldn't have entered the palace while pregnant.
But according to what Cui Jin said, it was not even known whether Concubine Shu could remember what happened back then.
But Concubine Shu might be the only one who knew the truth of that year.
Thinking of this, Ruan Jiu frowned tightly. "I wonder if madam can help me meet Concubine Shu?"
After hearing this, Cui Jin immediately exclaimed, "What? You want to meet Concubine Shu?"
Ruan Jiu nodded seriously.
Cui Jin frowned tightly, looking embarrassed. "That's the Cold Palace!"
"Trust me. Concubine Shu must know something! As long as we find evidence to prove that Gu Kexing deliberately framed the Huo family back then, Gu Kexing will never be able to make a comeback."
Although it was not easy for her to go to the Cold Palace to meet Concubine Shu, with Cui Jin's ability, it was not impossible.
Hearing what Ruan Jiu said, Cui Jin also didn't want to miss this opportunity.
So, her eyes darkened. "Find a way to enter the palace. I'll arrange someone to meet you in the palace."
After that, Ruan Jiu told Cui Jin a few more things, asking her to continue to hide herself well.
Once there was any news about Gu Kexing, she should tell her immediately.
However, this matter of entering the palace to meet Concubine Shu must not be known to Xie Jingchu.
So, the next day, Ruan Jiu took the excuse of going to measure the clothes for the eldest princess and left the mansion alone.
Fortunately, with the palace token given by the eldest princess, Ruan Jiu smoothly entered the palace.
After entering the palace, Cui Jin arranged a maid to secretly lead Ruan Jiu straight to the Cold Palace.
"Miss, please hurry up. It's not suitable to stay here for a long time. I'll guard here for you." The maid repeatedly reminded.
Ruan Jiu nodded.
Although the Cold Palace had been ignored for years, the gate was always locked.
Fortunately, Cui Jin had bribed the maid who delivered meals every day, so they had the opportunity to sneak into the Cold Palace.
After the maid opened the door lock, she couldn't help but remind again, "Miss, be careful. The one inside..."
Seeing the maid's hesitant look, Ruan Jiu frowned and nodded slightly.
As soon as she pushed open the door, a puff of dust came at her face.
Ruan Jiu immediately covered her mouth and nose and couldn't help coughing several times.
Then what came into view were the dilapidated houses and the overgrown courtyard.
The whole Cold Palace was dark and damp. There was no sign of the warm sunshine at all.
Ruan Jiu couldn't help sighing. A palace wall seemed to separate the inside and the outside into two different worlds.
No wonder people said that once you entered the palace gates, it was as deep as the sea.
If you were a bit careless, you would end up spending the rest of your life in the Cold Palace.
Ruan Jiu took a few more cautious steps forward, her eyes constantly searching for Concubine Shu's figure.
Just then, a figure suddenly attacked from behind Ruan Jiu.
It suddenly knocked Ruan Jiu to the ground.
Before Ruan Jiu could react, a pair of hands tightly grabbed her neck.
"How dare you, you low - class maid! You even dared to harm this palace!"
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu then realized that the disheveled and shabbily - dressed person in front of her was Concubine Shu, who had once been the most favored in the harem.
Ruan Jiu didn't have time to think. She immediately grabbed Concubine Shu's wrist and twisted it.
Concubine Shu let out a painful cry.
Ruan Jiu took the opportunity to turn over and got up, taking several steps back in succession.
Then, Concubine Shu rushed at Ruan Jiu like a madwoman again.
However, Ruan Jiu was already on guard at this time.
She dodged to the side, making Concubine Shu miss and fall heavily to the ground.