A traitor

Sending Su Qinglang back to Shangshu Mansion, standing at the door, Mei Liusheng wanted to leave, but Su Qinglang said: "Brother Mei assisted in the trial of Du Qingyun's case, but what difficulties did you encounter?"

Mei Liusheng was silent for a moment before replying: "Brother Su, it's true."

After a pause, he said tentatively: "We have already found out that this case seems to be related to Master Zhao E Zhao."

Zhao E, Minister of the Household Department, Su Qinglang's sibling, is also the right-hand man of Qin Jian, the former Minister of the Household Department Xu Jingzong Xu adults.

Because his son Xu Hanwen, who was also Su Qinglang's former classmate, was suspected of treason and all his families were killed, Zhao E, with Qin Jian's support, was promoted to the post of Minister of the Household Department, and it has been five years now.

Du Qingyun's case, on the surface, is just a corruption case, but actually involves a lot of things, and many ministers are related to this matter.

He and Cai Jun, a newcomer, a servant of the Ministry of Rites, and ant-like characters, if they want to find out the truth of the matter in the turbulent power vortex, how easy is it?

Even if they are not afraid of offending their superiors, and with the determination to dig into the bottom of the investigation with the determination to succeed if they fail, other people will not cooperate. The records of the ministers related to this case were all made things difficult by the colleagues of the Ministry of Officials, and they did not even enter the gate of the Ministry of Officials.

Su Qinglang had expected this matter a long time ago. In Du Qingyun's case, one of the important criminals was the owner of the mine.

He didn't believe that Du Qingyun would go out of his way to cover up a businessman in the market by buying murder, so it must be to cover up something more important.

Since it is related to minerals, then Zhao E, the Minister of the Household Department, must be involved. In order to prevent them from pursuing it, it is natural to make troubles overtly and covertly.

So, he shook his head helplessly and said: "Those old men in the official department have never had any opinions. They are all masters who follow the wind. Come with me. I will write a letter to you and show it to them when the time comes. I dare not embarrass you any longer."

Hearing this, Mei Liusheng was delighted in his heart, but he was still puzzled and said: "Brother Su has nothing to do with this matter, why do you help?"

If he remembered correctly, since that Zhao E was Qin Jian's dog, he had a close relationship with Su Qinglang, and could be regarded as an ally in the same camp.

Su Qinglang raised a smile on his lips, and replied: "Cai Jun is a member of our Ministry of Rites, and he went out to represent not only the Ministry of Rites, but also my face, Su Qinglang. Outside the door, today I want them to take a look, in this imperial court, who has the final say."

"Moreover……"

He paused, and then said: "Since Brother Mei is my good friend, I don't intend to hide this matter from you. Although Zhao E is in the same camp as me, with Brother Mei's profound knowledge, he should know the truth that one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers." .”

When Mei Liusheng heard this, he immediately understood that Su Qinglang's method, on the surface, was to help him and Cai Jun investigate the case, but it was actually aimed at Zhao E, who was behind the case.

Both of them are ministers, and both are Qin Jian's right-hand men, while Zhao E has been in the court for many years, no matter in terms of qualifications or experience, he is more experienced than Su Qinglang, so he can be regarded as his strong opponent.

If he took this opportunity to get rid of Zhao E, then in front of Qin Jian, from now on, he would rely on Su Qinglang again, and no one could contend with him.

It's just that he didn't expect that he could do so much in order to fight for power.

Thinking of this, he bowed his hands and saluted: "If so, thank you brother Su."

The two walked into the mansion, and then came to Su Qinglang's study. Su Qinglang was writing letters at the side, while Mei Liusheng stood in the room, looking at the surrounding scenes.

A row of pear wood bookshelves are placed on the two sides of the wall, and various books, ancient scrolls, treasures and antiques are placed between the compartments.

Light gauze curtains, phoenix tails and silver hooks, are tied to red-lacquered wooden posts, and the silk vat behind it can be vaguely seen.

On the silk vat, there are carvings, patterns and paintings, which are lifelike, and the picture scrolls are neatly arranged, and there are two pots of orchids, which are placed on the shelf next to the wooden pillar.

A gust of breeze blows, mixed with a faint fragrance, Mei Liusheng feels relaxed and happy, looks away, only to see a few windows facing the lake, standing in the house, you can see the blue waves, green water, strange rockery, and an apricot tree outside It grows by the lake, hidden in the middle of the rockery, and the slanted branches extend under the window, revealing half of the white as snow flower branches.

Although there are many rare and luxurious things in the whole study room, it doesn't feel extravagant, but has an elegant and refreshing mood.

"Okay." Su Qinglang put away his pen and ink, and checked his eyes by the way, but when he looked up, he saw Mei Liusheng was looking at his study.

He put down his pen, and then said modestly: "I have just moved here for a few years, and I have been busy with political affairs. It is just a simple arrangement, and I have neglected to take care of it, which made Brother Mei laugh."

Mei Liusheng withdrew his gaze and said, "Where, Brother Su has studied extensively and has a lot of research on garden design. Liu Sheng is ashamed of himself."

Su Qinglang smiled, and said: "I can't say research, it's just that I studied with my teacher for a while a few years ago, and I just got a little bit of a superficial knowledge. If I can still get into Brother Mei's eyes, I can help you when your house is completed. One or two."

As he said that, seeing that the pen and ink on the paper had dried up, he folded up the letterhead and put it in an envelope, saying: "Next time I go to the official department and take out this letter, they won't dare to do anything wrong."

Mei Liusheng took the letter. Although the letter was for him, the first inscription on it was Cai Jun. He was slightly puzzled, but soon understood.

He knew Su Qinglang very well, since he made such an arrangement, he must have other plans, so he didn't ask, but just thanked him.

Hearing that Ruyi from outside came to the study, stood at the door and said, "My lord, madam is here."

As soon as the words were finished, no one was seen, but an earth-shattering sound came from outside: "Su Qinglang, get out!"

Mei Liusheng was startled, and looked at Su Qinglang, only to see him trembling, his fingers clutching his sleeves, showing a sense of fear.

After a while, he looked at Mei Liusheng and said with a smile, "It's my second mother who is here. Brother Mei, I'll take you out first."

The two walked out of the study room together, and they bumped into Liang Shi, Liang Shi was furious, originally he was looking for Su Qinglang to settle accounts with Qiu Hou for the blind date, but he didn't expect that there would be a guest.

He froze for a moment, quickly restrained his expression, suppressed the anger in his heart, and put on a majestic and dignified look.

He glanced at Ruyi, with a sense of blame: "There are guests, but don't tell me."

Su Qinglang knew Erniang very well, if there were outsiders around, it would be a huge mistake, and he would not teach him in public.

So he pretended to be calm and said to her: "Er Niang, this is Mrs. Mei, I will send him out first, we will talk about it when we come back."

Mrs. Liang looked at Mei Liusheng a few times, nodded, and walked into the study first.

Su Qinglang sent Mei Liusheng away, and stood at the door of the Shangshu Mansion, Mei Liusheng looked a little worried, and glanced at the mansion.

Looking at Su Qinglang again, he said, "Brother Su, are you alright?"

Su Qinglang raised her lips, and replied: "Er Niang has a hard mouth and a soft heart, at most she will teach her a lesson, what can happen?"

Only then did Mei Liusheng feel relieved, bid farewell to him, and sent Mei Liusheng away, Su Qinglang returned to the mansion, stepped into the room, but saw his second mother crying.

Seeing the pen holder in her hand with lowered eyes, she fixed her eyes and said, "Second Niang..."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liang quickly turned her back, wiped away her tears, and put the pen holder back to its original place without compromising.

She turned her back to Su Qinglang, and asked, "The one just now, is this year's new champion."

Su Qinglang hummed, and heard her say again: "Young talent, he looks like a good person, you should have more contacts with such people in the future, don't follow those who are messy, let others secretly poke Our backbone."

Su Qinglang lowered his head and said, "Qinglang is incompetent, and Er Niang has been wronged."

"Your child, Er Niang is doing well, there is nothing wrong with you..." Liang Shi scolded.

She turned around, her red eyes were facing Su Qinglang, she quickly turned her head away, reached out to wipe away her tears, and said, "I've heard about Master Du..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Su Qinglang said: "Er Niang, I can follow you in other matters, but Qinglang has his own arrangements for court affairs, and I hope I can make my own decisions."

Mrs. Liang was stopped by him for a while, and she couldn't say what she said next, she could only say: "That Miss Du is a good girl, if you really don't like it, just come back and tell Er Niang, how can you treat her like this, Is this how Erniang taught you on weekdays?"

Su Qinglang knew that he had made a mistake, and said apologetically, "Qinglang has followed Erniang's teachings, to be courteous and respectful to others in everything, and to treat a girl's family even better. However, I really had unspeakable difficulties that day, please forgive me by Erniang."

Thinking of his fiancées who had accidents, Mrs. Liang had a faint feeling that it was related to this matter.

After being silent for a while, I still couldn't help asking: "Is there really no room for maneuver in Mr. Du's matter?"

Su Qinglang shook his head, and answered decisively: "No..."

Mrs. Liang was at a loss for words for a while, finally sighed, and said: "Forget it, since that's the case, I don't understand the affairs of the court. I have inquired with your father before, and this matter seems to be a bit tricky. If it is necessary, I don't want to let it go." You're in trouble, it's just clear..."

She paused, looked up at Su Qinglang, with a look of pain on her brows: "It's been so many years, can't you let go of what happened back then..."

Su Qinglang was startled, then smiled again, and said: "Qinglang is stupid, why did Erniang say that?"

With grief in her heart, tears welled up in Liang's heart, and she choked up and said: "At the beginning, the child chose to sacrifice himself to save your life, Erniang was grateful in her heart, she could take my life, but Qinglang, Erniang didn't I have the heart to see you suffer... I have a deep kindness, I will keep it in my heart, and I should work hard, but if I am too persistent, I am afraid I will hurt myself..."

Listening to her words, Su Qinglang was stunned for a moment, glanced at the bamboo tube on the table, and remained silent for a long time.

He turned his body slowly, turned his back to his second mother, closed his eyes and said: "There is no turning back when I open the bow. Since I made the choice at the beginning, there is a cliff behind me. I have no time to look back, and I have no chance to look back. Can overcome thorns and thorns, forge ahead indomitable."

After finishing the words, he opened his eyes, and there was a cold smile on the corner of his pale lips, and he said: "Er Niang, everything is just about to begin..."

At night, in a separate courtyard, Mei Liusheng was holding a dagger and sitting under the long corridor of the study, with a black inkstone in front of him, which was the "Dripping Guanyin" sent by Su Qinglang.

Cheng Ying appeared behind him silently, and saluted him: "My lord, Prime Minister Pei is here."

Wearing a cloak, Pei Yan came into the room and bowed to him. Just as he was about to speak, he was shocked when he saw the dagger in his hand: "Your Highness, this is..."

Mei Liusheng raised his head when he heard the words, the deep darkness of the night was reflected in his cool eyes, and murmured: "After years of tossing and turning, I finally returned to my king's hands. Who can say that this is not God's will?"