The Rebirth of the Deposed Empress

Xu Shangming didn't know that the mastermind behind this matter was Ye Chuji. He only knew that there was a nobleman who used him to buy and sell contraband salt, and he could also profit from it.

But in the past, the nobleman sent the same person to Longcheng. Why did he suddenly change this time?

Xu Shangming was a little thoughtful but not cautious enough, so he spoke directly to Hua Jingqian:

"Where is that person from before? Why did it suddenly become you?"

When Hua Jingqian heard Xu Shangming's question, he felt a little confused.

Ye Chuji clearly told himself that he discovered this opportunity to buy and sell contraband salt by accident, and he himself was not interested in the money, so he told Hua Jingqian.

But listening to Xu Shangming's words, it seemed like he had done this many times before.

Hua Jingqian was suspicious but remained calm, following Xu Shangming's words and asked:

"What do you mean? Do you still remember who came every time?"

Xu Shangming felt that his words were simply disrespectful.

"Hey! It's been years, and the same person comes every time. How could I not remember it?"

After hearing this answer, Hua Jingqian was certain that Ye Chuji was trying to put him off.

He said that he didn't care about the money, but in fact he had been buying and selling a lot of contraband salt in secret.

A prince could do such a thing, Hua Jingqian felt a little contempt in his heart.

After confirming his guess, Hua Jingqian didn't have time to argue with Xu Shangming about other things, and said directly:

"That person has something important to do and can't come. I will make the arrangements this time."

Xu Shangming nodded quickly in agreement.

"Yes Yes Yes."

"Then may I ask if I can escort the silver to you this time?"

Although the illicit salt trade is indeed profitable, it doesn't need an escort, right? Can't we just exchange it for silver bills?

Hua Jingqian didn't quite understand why it had to be so complicated, and asked suspiciously:

"In the past, you sent people to escort the silver earned from this business?"

Xu Shangming chuckled twice.

"Of course! The nobles above don't want banknotes, and the nobles who came to Longcheng for business before all kept a low profile and didn't bring too many guards with them."

"So every time the task of escorting the adults and the money naturally fell on me."

As he spoke, he took out a booklet from his arms and spread it out in front of Hua Jingqian.

"Look, sir, I have taken careful notes to ensure that every escort will go smoothly!"

Hua Jingqian took the booklet and looked at it carefully.

It was indeed as Xu Shangming said, it recorded the time, arrival location and route of each escort.

Hua Jingqian looked at the booklet quietly, but he was making plans in his mind.

Ye Chuji had clearly gotten involved in this mess a long time ago, and he had been hiding it from himself. Could there be something fishy going on?

Could it be that this matter is about to be discovered, and he wants to take the opportunity to make me a scapegoat?

The more Hua Jingqian thought about it, the more this seemed possible.

I can't go and take the blame for Ye Chuji. No matter what, I have to drag him into the water so that he can take me with him when he tries to save himself.

Although this booklet does not explicitly point to Ye Chuji, it is at least somewhat related to this matter. It is better to keep it in hand just in case.

Thinking of this, Hua Jingqian quickly changed his expression to one of disapproval.

"How could Lord Xu keep such a book in his hands? If someone finds out, what will happen to the nobles above?"

Xu Shangming didn't expect that he was fine just now, but his expression changed so much after seeing this booklet.

"Is there something wrong with this booklet?"

"That's impossible. In the past, the guards did not hide these things from the public when they left the city! Why can't I just write it down?"

Hua Jingqian snorted, very unhappy.

"Are you questioning me? If so, why don't I present this booklet to you and see if you will let me off easily!"

Xu Shangming didn't dare to take the risk, so he waved his hand and said:

"No, no, no, I dare not."

"I will destroy this booklet right now! Please turn a blind eye to it, sir, and don't tell the noble man!"

As Xu Shangming was about to take the booklet, Hua Jingqian dodged him.

"I will leave this thing to you. You are not allowed to interfere with it. You are not allowed to mention this thing to anyone. Do you understand?"

Xu Shangming nodded:

"Please rest assured, sir. I understand."

After receiving the booklet, Hua Jingqian didn't really take it seriously.

This thing really doesn't look like it has much use.

If the illegal salt trafficking had not been discovered this time, he would not have thought of this thing.

Hua Jingqian took the booklet out of the wooden box, flipped through it, and felt a little nervous.

I don’t know if this thing is enough to deal with Ye Chuji. If Ye Chuji finds out that what he has in his hand is just such a useless thing, he will probably be so angry that he will kill him.

Hua Jingqian sat in the chair, feeling a little upset.

Suddenly he thought of Hua Fuying. It was Hua Fuying who gave him advice so that Ye Chuji would not be dissatisfied with him because of Hua Fuyue's matter. Later, it was thanks to her that she went to find the prince to rescue him from prison.

It would be better to let her go with me to see Ye Chuji. If Ye Chuji makes trouble, she can also deal with him with her intelligence.

If it really doesn’t work... Hua Jingqian narrowed his eyes.

Then I can only let her be my shield.

After thinking of a plan, Hua Jingqian finally felt relieved and went to have dinner.

However, he didn't notice that as soon as he left the study, someone entered from the roof.

He took out the book he had hidden.

In order not to alert the enemy, the man did not take the booklet away. Instead, he took out a pen and paper and copied down everything on it.

After leaving the study, Hua Jingqian did not stay in his room for dinner, but went to Lin Siyu's yard.

Lin Siyu was as gentle as usual. When she saw Hua Jingqian, she only put on a faint smile and did not seem very enthusiastic.

"master."

Hua Jingqian reached out and helped Lin Siyu, who was bowing, up.

"I haven't been to your yard for a long time. I came to see you. How are you today?"

"Thank you for your concern, Master. Everything is fine."

Hua Jingqian sat down and asked his servants to place the good deeds they had just done on the table.

"Dine with me."

Knowing that everyone in the mansion had just had lunch not long ago, Hua Jingqian didn't care whether Lin Siyu could eat or not, and directly asked her to have lunch with him.

Lin Siyu did not refuse and sat down slowly, reaching for the plate with her chopsticks from time to time.

In the end, it was put into Hua Jingqian's bowl.

Hua Jingqian enjoyed this kind of service very much. He looked at her with satisfaction and then said:

"Ying'er has been married for so long, you must miss her a lot, right? Ying'er is also ignorant, she hasn't come to see you for so long."

"I will send someone to the Shangshu Mansion right away and ask her to come back to accompany you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Siyu paused for a moment with her chopsticks, but she quickly reacted and continued to reach for Hua Jingqian's bowl as if nothing had happened.

Lin Siyu knew that Hua Fuying went to the prince to rescue Hua Jingqian, and she allowed Hua Fuying to do this.