Chaos of Ming 1628

Wei Zhongxian's face instantly darkened, his voice icy: "Young Master Sun, I don't understand what you're saying."

"Master, you understand, don't you?" Sun Qing smiled as well.

The eunuch faction owes its current status to a woman named Ke Shi.

If she hadn't been so extravagant and needed people to amass wealth for her, there would have been no Wei Zhongxian, let alone the eunuch faction as we know it today.

Killing Madam Ke is an act of ingratitude and will always be despised.

But that only applies to others, especially those who care about their image. Who is Wei Zhongxian?

If he cared about these things, he wouldn't have sold his daughter in the first place, nor would he have gambled everything and castrated himself.

Yang Qingqing's gaze was deep, and even though she sang very well, the barely perceptible disdain in her eyes still betrayed her.

Although Tian Ergeng was jokingly called "Tian Ergeng the Second Year of University," he was still one of Wei Zhongxian's subordinates. No matter how capable he was, he never dared to overstep Wei Zhongxian's authority.

Who would believe that Wei Zhongxian was unaware of the fact that he dared to lay a hand on Madam Ke?

Wei Zhongxian, who had just been smiling, lost all his composure, his narrow eyes suddenly darkened, and a fierce aura surged within them.

Seeing this, Yang Qingqing's previously relaxed hands quietly clenched, her fingertips turning white, and her gaze towards Sun Qing's wooden tube revealed a hint of worry.

Wei Zhongxian was known for his cunning and scheming. How could he not be furious when such a thing was exposed so directly?

He stood up, placed his hands on the table, and leaned forward: "Sun Qing, do you know what you're saying?"

"Just because our family trusts you a little, you think we need something from you?"

"Grandfather," Yang Qingqing cried anxiously, calling out to Wei Zhongxian, "He certainly didn't mean to offend us. Why don't we hear what he has to say?"

"The current situation needs someone to break the deadlock." Yang Qingqing's expression turned solemn as she finished speaking.

Wei Zhongxian's expression relaxed slightly.

At this moment, it was Sun Qing's turn to be surprised.

Although it was expected that Yang Qingqing's identity was far from simple, this address of "Grandfather" directly revealed Yang Qingqing's identity.

Since she is Wei Zhongxian's granddaughter, then she must be Yang Liuqi's daughter.

The Zhuozhong Zhi clearly records that Wei Zhongxian had a wife in his early years who bore him a daughter. Wei Zhongxian sold his only young daughter to the Yang family as a child bride, and she later married Yang Liuqi.

Therefore, Wei Zhongxian also had his only son-in-law, Yang Liuqi.

This person is rarely mentioned in historical records, only briefly.

Since Yang Qingqing is Wei Zhongxian's granddaughter, she must be Yang Liuqi's child. This makes sense.

Sun Qing's gaze fell on Yang Qingqing, and he sighed softly, his tone bitter: "It's a pity, in the end you will also suffer the fate of exile."

This time, he wasn't putting on airs; it was simply a heartfelt exclamation.

Qingqing wanted to go abroad, and now, Qingqing will also be exiled.

The saying "what goes up must come down" seems to be an inescapable conclusion.

Both of them were startled, but quickly regained their composure.

Wei Zhongxian's eyes flashed with a deep, menacing light. After a long silence, he gave a self-deprecating laugh, his voice hoarse: "So be it!"

He was filled with helplessness and could only resign himself to his fate: "Actually, you're right. Everyone, from the government to the people, is seeking profit and avoiding harm."

"Indeed, it's a matter of one hair affecting the whole body. The current emperor is not like the late emperor; he is ultimately not one of our own."

He neither acknowledged nor denied Madam Ke's death, but simply asked Sun Qing, "What do you want me to say?"

Sun Qing made the right bet.

A person who is so ruthless to himself doesn't care about saving face at all.

Moreover, now that Zhu Youxiao has become emperor, Wei Zhongxian should be afraid. After all, when Zhu Youjian was still the Prince of Xin, Madam Ke and Wei Zhongxian had repeatedly slandered him and even poisoned him; the two of them truly wanted to kill Zhu Youxiao.

Furthermore, the fact that Prince Xin ascended the throne was largely due to the efforts of these two. Madam Ke, in collusion with Wei Zhongxian, persecuted Emperor Tianqi's pregnant concubines, resulting in the deaths of all the princes and princesses. But how could such a calamity, wiping out the late emperor's bloodline, be accomplished by anyone else?

Furthermore, Wei Zhongxian's power was entirely due to the influence of Madam Ke, which caused unrest throughout the court and among the people, resulting in widespread resentment.

Many of the eunuchs in the palace were Madam Ke's confidants. As long as she was still alive, the imperial power would be difficult to stabilize.

If Sun Qing could understand it, then surely Wei Zhongxian could too? Perhaps it was precisely because he understood it all too well that he was afraid.

"Master Eunuch," Sun Qing asked bluntly, "as far as you know, how much silver did you manage to find when you raided Madam Ke's house?"

Wei Zhongxian's face tightened, and he said in a deep voice, "I don't know."

"Then you'll soon find out." Sun Qing smiled confidently: "Go and cry, but remember, the current emperor is different from the late emperor."

"It is better to simply shed tears of shame and admit that you misjudged people than to weep for three days around the bed."

"I beg Your Majesty to allow you to atone for your sins through meritorious service."

Sun Qing paused for a moment after saying this: "Convict Madam Ke, give her a reason to die."

"Wouldn't that drag me down with me?" Wei Zhongxian had that much self-awareness.

Sun Qing smiled and asked, "Are the women who went to the capital still in the manor?"

Wei Zhongxian pressed his face against the railing, his hands gripping the armrest tightly.

Sun Qing has once again revealed his secret!

"I understand," Wei Zhongxian drawled. "Have you heard that you knowingly let those eight women go in the carriage?"

"No!" Sun Qing interrupted Wei Zhongxian: "It is clearly Madam Ke, who was secretly found from the common people and hidden in the mansion."

"When the eunuch learned of this by chance, he tried to persuade her to stop, but to no avail, and accidentally killed Madam Ke."

"Bring those eight women to the Emperor. I think the Emperor will be grateful for the Eunuch's kindness."

This shameless act could save his life and make him a fortune. Sun Qing couldn't fathom why Wei Zhongxian would refuse.

If Wei Zhongxian does this, the matter of confiscating Madam Ke's property will inevitably fall into Wei Zhongxian's hands. After all, Emperor Chongzhen is too sensitive and suspicious; if you offer him your loyalty, he will instead become wary.

Zhu Youjian hated Madam Ke to the core, wishing he could grind her bones to dust. As for when and how she died, as long as she was dead, that was enough.

Wei Zhongxian's expression was grave, his face taut. Madam Ke was already dead, secretly sent back to the capital, where she remained secluded, avoiding all visitors. Even so, the number of people who came to inquire about her health each day was countless.

Fortunately, the weather changed drastically after autumn arrived, getting colder day by day, and the ice cellar kept it from rotting and smelling bad.

Madam Ke truly deserved to die; if she lived any longer, Wei Zhongxian would not be able to withstand her.

That's a good method—killing two birds with one stone.

Wei Zhongxian's eyes were full of approval: "You are meticulous in your actions and have a long-term vision. A person like you is bound to have a bright future."

Sun Qing bowed and smiled, yielding at every turn: "You flatter me, Master. I am but a humble and ignorant junior, relying entirely on the times. I am truly unworthy of such praise."

"Well said," Wei Zhongxian's smile didn't reach his eyes, "but since you've been so dedicated to helping us, is there anything you want in return?"

Given Wei Zhongxian's current power, it wouldn't be difficult for Sun Qing to become a high-ranking official in the capital, provided he simply asks.

Sun Qing did not want an official position, only saying, "If I had a travel permit, that would be even better."

"Haha," Wei Zhongxian laughed, "This is a small matter, I can handle it today."

"You, on the other hand, have already shocked me with just a brief chat. It makes me really want to talk to you more."

I've said what needed to be said; leaving anything behind would only cause more trouble.

Without waiting for Wei Zhongxian to reply, he took a half step back and bowed, saying, "I will not disturb your rest any longer, Eunuch. I will take my leave now."

Sun Qing made a move to leave, but Wei Zhongxian chuckled and said, "Wait!"

With a thud, Sun Qing's body stiffened.

But then Wei Zhongxian pointed at Yang Qingqing and said, "We never mistreat those who work for us."

"Qing'er is great. Let her stay with you. She can do whatever she wants, and it will be convenient for her!"