The next day, the National Advisor received news from the Supreme Court. Yin Muran had managed to escape, but as for that Li fellow, he had spilled the beans after just a few rounds of interrogation.
However, those behind - the - scenes masterminds were deeply hidden and had never shown their true faces. All they had managed to find out were some of their plans.
They set up opera troupes in some places to attract people. They would then select suitable women and hand them over to their superiors. The superiors would only pick some of them, leaving the rest at their disposal. Most of these women were sold to brothels, while some had their legs broken, were made mute, and then thrown into beggar dens.
They usually targeted unremarkable women. Only once did Yin Muran make a mistake and capture a wealthy young lady. He even went into hiding for a few days, fearing that he would be discovered.
Unexpectedly, someone above took a fancy to the young lady. Without hesitation, they resolved the matter without leaving a trace and rewarded Yin Muran handsomely. The organization also benefited from it.
After that, Yin Muran tasted the sweetness and started to act more boldly. Among the girls he captured each time, there was always one of some significance. The organization was even willing to clean up his mess.
Yan Mo's men had also learned from a servant that this matter might be related to the House of Blossoms. Every time Yin Muran reported his work, he would visit the House of Blossoms. Sometimes, those large - scale operations were also arranged from there.
"What do you mean by 'large - scale operations'?"
"Some people would specifically request a girl from a certain family," replied the official sent by the Supreme Court.
"What! These people are so audacious that they even specifically request girls! Right under the nose of the imperial city, it's simply outrageous! They're nothing but beasts!" Sun Ru was so outraged that he couldn't help but curse.
A man with a similar but more rugged face beside him frowned uncomfortably. This was Sun Ru's elder brother, Sun Yu.
Sun Yu had returned last night with a solemn look and a letter in hand. Sun Ru thought that there must be something important, so he consciously stepped back.
Huo Qizhou also frowned. "The new emperor has just taken the throne. His foundation is unstable, and he is still inexperienced in governing the country. Yet, his subordinates are causing such a stir."
"Master, do you want to check out the House of Blossoms?" Sun Ru asked.
"Get ready. We'll go tonight."
"Yes."
After seeing off the official from the Supreme Court, Sun Ru saw the carriage from the Yan Mansion. He quickly stepped forward to greet it. As soon as the carriage stopped, Yan Mo lifted the curtain and jumped out.
"Is Huo Qizhou in the mansion?"
"Sir, the master is in the study."
"Alright." Yan Mo walked into the National Advisor's mansion as if he were in his own home. Sun Ru pursed his lips and followed behind.
"The official from the Supreme Court has just reported this matter to the master. There's no need for you to make this trip, Lord Yan."
"I didn't come here for this. It's about General Huaihua. Xiaoruz, your master is so head - strong. I've already said that this method won't work, but he still did it. Now, it's all right. He's run into General Huaihua. How are we going to clean up this mess? Fortunately, Miss Shi is okay. Otherwise, the Shi family would have caused a huge ruckus."
"What's going on?" Huo Qizhou walked out of the study just in time to hear this. Sun Ru let out a sigh of relief. He had been wondering how to respond to Lord Yan's words. Fortunately, the master had saved him.
"Of course, it's about Yao Kun." Yan Mo tossed his small pebble again.
Yesterday, the situation was urgent, and it was already late at night. All the shops on the street had closed. Yan Mo had no choice but to take the person back to his mansion and ask the doctor in his mansion to treat Yao Kun's wounds. Fortunately, the wound was not deep, but the person had been unconscious.
This was a serious matter. Yan Mo specifically told the people in his mansion not to spread the word. Gossiping was strictly forbidden in his mansion, so he wasn't worried that the news would leak out. But unexpectedly, there were already rumors outside.
No one in his mansion knew about the person, but the palace was in an uproar. It was said that it was related to the Empress Dowager and that she was the one who had harmed Yao Kun.
"Are you really sure that no one in your mansion has leaked the news?" Once the news leaked, everyone's attention would be focused on this matter, and it would be very difficult to handle.
"Hey, Huo Qizhou, why don't you believe me? I also suspected the people in my mansion at first. I sent my confidant to investigate early on. There's no such thing. Moreover, the news came from outside."
"Someone is spreading this news outside. It's really strange."
"Is someone always monitoring us?"
"I don't think it's us. It's those two girls. Why is the Empress Dowager involved? Although Miss Shi stays by the Empress Dowager's side, not many people should know about this. I only just found out."
Huo Qizhou let out a soft laugh. "Do you really believe her nonsense?"
"What do you mean? What do you mean by'really believe'..." Yan Mo was stunned and stopped speaking.
It seemed quite possible!
"She's the Empress Dowager!"
Huo Qizhou didn't comment.
"Then you still let someone do such a dangerous thing yesterday. Huo Qizhou, you're a traitor!"
"This is just a deal between the Empress Dowager and me. She helps me lure out the people, and I help her hide the fact that she sneaked out of the palace."
"But now, everyone in Changjing knows that the Empress Dowager sneaked out of the palace."
"You didn't know just now either."
"I just didn't react."
"The vice - minister of the Supreme Court might have to be replaced," Huo Qizhou teased him.
"Tsk, I won't talk to you about these things. I've been watching that little girl all night. I'm confused."
Huo Qizhou smiled.
"I wonder how chaotic the palace must be now. The Empress Dowager seemed so innocent yesterday. After such a big scare, I don't know if she can handle those old foxes." Yan Mo sighed. "I'll go to the Supreme Court first. This matter isn't over yet. There's still a lot of work to do." Yan Mo stood up and was about to leave.
"What are you going to do about Yao Kun?" Huo Qizhou called out to him.
"What else can I do? The person is still unconscious. We have to wait until she wakes up at least. Otherwise, should I just send her to General Yao like this? If you want to send her, you go. I can't stand Yao Yunnian's hot temper." He might just get beaten up and accused unreasonably.
"I advised you about this before, but you didn't listen. Now, look at what's happened." If he had known that Miss Shi was the Empress Dowager, he would have stopped him even if he had to lie under the horses' hooves.
Huo Qizhou admitted that he had been a bit impatient and lost his senses because of that thing. He had thought that it was a sure - thing. After all, he had fought against Yao Kun and knew her strength, but he had forgotten that Yao Kun had never faced the dirty tricks of a scoundrel like Yin Muran.
He also wondered how the one in the palace was doing. She didn't look in good spirits when she went back yesterday. Would she be able to handle things today?
Maybe the former Empress Dowager could, but she had changed a bit.
Huo Qizhou pondered for a while and then stood up. "I'll go to the palace. We'll go to the House of Blossoms tonight."
Yan Mo guessed that he would go too and immediately nodded.