When their eyes met, Wen Yuanxiu's expression was calm, without any panic or fear.
It's not that Wen Yuanxiu is very capable, but that on the way from the remote mountain village of Lin'an Prefecture to Shangjing, Wen Xiuyuan has experienced all the emotions and thought clearly enough.
Before Yu Zheng could speak, he took the initiative and said, "I want to make a deal with the prince."
"Oh?" Yu Zheng's eyebrows moved slightly and he said with great interest: "Tell me, what capital do you have to make a deal with me."
Wen Yuanxiu was already a prisoner, so if he didn't talk about anything else, just talking about the things he did for Governor Lin, it would be enough for him to be executed.
"The villain has letters between Governor Lin and Lord Cao." Wen Yuanxiu looked at Yu Zheng intently, thinking about the chips and observing Yu Zheng's reaction.
Falling into the hands of Yu Zheng, Wen Yuanxiu knew that he could not escape, and he was afraid that he would not be able to bear the confession even under severe torture.
So after much deliberation, Wenyuan chose the path that was most beneficial to him.
Take the initiative to show your sincerity, avoid the pain of flesh and blood, and still get what you want.
"What do you want? Tell me." Yu Zheng tapped the armrest of the chair repeatedly.
Yu Zheng could have simply tortured him to extract a confession without agreeing to Wen Yuanxiu's deal. But after seeing too many stubborn people, it was rare to meet a smart person, which saved a lot of effort. Yu Zheng was in a good mood and didn't mind making an exception.
Wen Yuanxiu looked at the solemn and confident man in front of him, and said word by word: "I want the prince to keep my wife and children safe."
In fact, he was very lucky that it was Yu Zheng who found him instead of Cao Qian.
If Cao Qian finds him, he will be killed directly to silence him, and his wife and children will also escape to death.
Zhuiyun said from the side at the right time: "His wife and children have been placed in a villa on the outskirts of Beijing. They are the concubines of Governor Lin."
No wonder he became Governor Lin's confidant and had the correspondence between Governor Lin and Cao Qian.
"Everyone is already in my hands. No matter how you calculate this transaction, I will suffer the loss." Yu Zheng frowned, seeming to be a little dissatisfied.
Wen Yuanxiu understood that he, his wife and children had fallen into Yu Zheng's hands, and he was not qualified to negotiate terms. But it doesn't matter if he dies, but his wife and children shouldn't be affected by this. They don't know anything.
Thinking of this, Wen Yuanxiu showed a trace of panic in his eyes: "I still have the account books. I have records of every money Governor Lin donated to Mr. Cao."
The account books and letters are all irrefutable evidence.
However, Yu Zheng remained silent and did not respond, unmoved.
Time passed by bit by bit, and Wen Yuanxiu was stared at by Yu Zheng's cold and piercing eyes, which sent chills down his spine and numbness on his scalp.
He gritted his teeth and handed over the last bargaining chip: "I know where the stolen money that Governor Lin embezzled is."
Yu Zheng's eyebrows finally moved: "Say."
This is an agreed deal.
Wen Yuanxiu looked happy and told the truth.
When Governor Lin was assassinated by Cao Qian, he died suddenly without any explanation. Naturally, the stolen money he embezzled could not be found.
That was a huge sum of money, and Cao Qian was definitely looking for it too.
Before leaving, Yu Zheng told Sun Hechuan: "Watch him closely and don't allow anyone to approach."
If Cao Qian found out about such an important witness as Wen Yuanxiu, he would be unable to hold back. He would try every means to get words out of him, and then kill him to silence him.
"Yes." Sun Hechuan also knew that the situation was serious, and immediately imprisoned Wen Yuanxiu in a secret cell and sent his cronies to guard him.
After leaving Dali Temple, Yu Zheng asked Zhuiyun to go back to his house to rest first, while he and Zhufeng went to Zhou's house.
"The amount of money embezzled by the governor of Lin'an Prefecture is already staggering. It is conceivable that the amount donated to Cao Qian will be even more. If we can successfully obtain the evidence, it will be possible to overthrow Cao Qian." Taifu Zhou was overjoyed.
Although corruption and bribery are serious crimes, it is difficult to destroy the entire Cao family with the Queen and Yu Cheng around.
Yu Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly as he said, "That's not enough."
Zhou Boxu understood what he meant and said: "I have found some clues here that Cao Sheng raped women and took their lives, but there is still no evidence."
"Where's Prime Minister Xie?" Yu Zheng asked.
Since the last meeting in the suburban courtyard, the two parties have reached an agreement, and the exchange of information will be communicated by Zhou Boxu and Xie Qi'an.
Zhou Bo prefaced: "Xie Qi'an has a list of Cao Qian's purchases and sales of officials, and is collecting evidence."
Yu Zheng nodded, and the three of them discussed the next moves and actions.
East Palace.
After more than a month of nursing, Yu Cheng's injury has recovered.
The queen was overjoyed and said: "Since you were injured, your grandfather has been worried about you and often said, now that you are well, we will go to visit his old man together tomorrow."
"Okay." Yu Cheng agreed.
Grand Master Cao is old and sick, and it is customary to visit him during the Chinese New Year, so he cannot refuse.
Cao Muxue was so excited that she could finally go home.
After the morning court meeting the next day, with the emperor's permission, the queen and Yu Chengcao Muxue swaggered back to the Cao Mansion to visit relatives.
Cao Qian led the people in the mansion to greet him.
"Welcome to the Queen, Your Highness the Crown Prince, and the Crown Princess."
Cao Sheng looked at Yu Cheng holding the moon among the stars, feeling extremely jealous in his heart.
He had not forgotten that the thirty sticks last time were punished by Yu Cheng himself, which cost him half his life and he had to lie in bed for several months before he could recover.
Cao Sheng didn't understand why the Cao family would keep such a low profile in front of him since Yu Cheng was able to firmly hold the position of prince because of the power of the Cao family.
The Cao family tried their best to plan for Yu Cheng, and even used his marriage to pave the way for Yu Cheng. But what did Yu Cheng repay the Cao family?
The more Cao Sheng thought about it, the more annoyed he became, and the more he hated Yu Cheng.
"I haven't been back for a long time, and my home is still the same." The queen looked at the familiar and unfamiliar house and felt a little emotional.
Mrs. Cao smiled and said: "This will always be my queen's home, and my queen's yard will always remain."
The queen smiled and was in a good mood.
After some pleasantries, Cao Qian took the queen and others to Grand Master Cao's courtyard.
"Father." Seeing the thin old man on the bed, the queen's eyes were filled with tears.
Grand Master Cao, who was lying motionless on the bed, slowly opened his eyes when he heard the voice. When he saw the queen, his old, cloudy eyes burst out with a flash of light.
"Back... back." Grand Master Cao raised his hand with difficulty.
The queen quickly stepped forward and held Master Cao's hand that was so withered that it was only skin and bones.
"Grandpa." Cao Muxue's eyes turned red when she saw Grand Master Cao who loved him.
"Grandpa." Yu Cheng also came to the bed to say hello.
"Cheng'er is here too...all are back, so...so..."
Master Cao was overjoyed, and a rare smile appeared on his wrinkled face.
Relatives are reunited, the atmosphere in the house is warm and joyful, and the whole family gathers together to talk and laugh.
While he was talking, a servant brought some soup and medicine.
"I'll come." The queen took the bowl and served the soup herself.
Cao Qian helped Taishi Cao sit up, and the queen scooped out the medicine, blew it to warm it, and fed it to Taishi Cao one spoonful at a time.
After being sick in bed for many years, Master Cao took medicine every day, but his mouth and stomach felt bitter. Every mouthful of medicine made him frown.
But he knew in his heart that he couldn't die. One more day he lives, one more day of prosperity for the Cao family.
Therefore, no matter how hard it was to swallow, he never stopped taking the decoction for a day.
