nycdaug Chapter 302 Old Five's Stalking
Chapter 302 Old Five's Stalking
Chapter 302 The Fifth Brother's Stalking
The atmosphere inside the Su family villa was somewhat somber.
Her maternal grandmother, aunt, Uncle Lin and Aunt Lin's family, and her sisters all sat quietly in the living room.
The Duchess has already briefly informed her family members present of what happened at today's banquet.
Everyone was filled with worry and anxiously awaited Su Yinyin's return, wanting to know the latest developments.
As soon as Su Yinyin stepped into the villa, the faint sound of the door opening was exceptionally clear in the quiet living room.
Upon hearing the sound, Su Yue immediately stood up as if by reflex and hurriedly turned around to check.
Su Yinyin walked in with steady steps, followed closely by Biyu and Lao Yi.
Seeing that everyone was in the living room, Su Yinyin turned to Lao Yi and Biyu and said, "Jin, you two go to the study and wait for me."
Lao Yi and Bi Yu respectfully accepted the order and turned to walk towards the study.
Su Yinyin then slowly walked to the front of everyone and gently sat down.
Her grandmother looked at her with a worried expression, her eyes full of concern and heartache, and asked anxiously, "Yinyin, such a big thing happened at the banquet today, were you hurt? How are you now?"
Because of her advanced age, the old lady did not go to the palace to celebrate her birthday.
Only the Duke and Duchess went.
Su Yinyin smiled slightly, her smile filled with reassurance and composure, and gently comforted her, "Grandmother, don't worry, I'm fine. Although today was extremely dangerous, things have already made some important progress."
Auntie couldn't help but say, "Yinyin, we all know you're capable, but this matter involves so many countries and the situation is so complicated. You must be extra careful."
Su Yinyin nodded seriously and said, "Aunt, I understand the pros and cons."
I have just discussed this matter with His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. The Regent is also interrogating those two key figures in prison and has obtained some crucial clues.
"What clue?" Su Yue asked eagerly, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Su Yinyin's expression turned serious, and she said solemnly, "We have learned that, in addition to those who have already been exposed, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites is also their accomplice, and has been passing on messages and arranging various matters for them."
His Majesty has now sent men to arrest him. However, the true mastermind behind them, the father of the Empress and her sisters of Great Yan, remains a mystery.
However, what is certain is that this person holds a high position of power and has been hiding in the shadows for many years. His influence is immense, and bringing him to justice will be no easy task.
Su Yinyin spoke while observing everyone's expressions.
The Duchess frowned, her face showing worry, and said, "It seems that the forces behind this are deeply entrenched, and a single move could have far-reaching consequences. I'm afraid it won't be so easy to resolve. Yinyin, what do you plan to do next?"
A resolute and determined glint flashed in Su Yinyin's eyes, like a cold star twinkling in the night sky.
"The Regent and I will continue to investigate the clues. We will follow the existing leads and find the mastermind who is hiding so deeply, and completely crush their conspiracy."
Although Su Yue and the others didn't quite understand these complex court intrigues and national affairs.
But they could also sense the seriousness of the situation from everyone's expressions and words, and they all listened intently, not daring to make a sound.
Su Nian'an said with a worried look, "Big sister, you and the Regent must be careful. Those people are really too evil. They will use any means necessary."
Su Yinyin smiled and gently patted her younger sister's head, saying tenderly, "Don't worry, little sister, I'll be careful."
By the way, everyone should stay at home as much as possible these next few days and avoid going out, just in case.
The situation outside is turbulent, but the palace is relatively safer.
After arranging things at home, Su Yinyin got up and walked with firm steps to the study.
Lao Yi and Bi Yu were already waiting in the study. When they saw Su Yinyin enter, they immediately bowed respectfully.
Su Yinyin said, "Jin, Biyu, on the way here, you told me that you discovered some clues. Tell me in detail what exactly happened."
The old man said respectfully, "Miss, when I was fighting those men in black just now, I sensed two experts in the distance."
They kept staring at the direction of the cell from a distance, their behavior highly suspicious.
The fifth brother reacted quickly and secretly followed them to see if he could find their hideout and obtain more clues.
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Su Yinyin's eyes, and she said with a smile, "Really? That's great! It seems we're one step closer to the truth."
We'll probably find out who's behind this soon.
Biyu, go and arrange for some secret guards to strengthen patrols and protection of the Su residence.
Every corner must be thoroughly searched; we must not allow them any opportunity to exploit the situation, and we must ensure the safety of everyone in the mansion.
Biyu replied, "Yes, Miss." After saying that, she hurriedly withdrew to arrange the relevant matters.
At this moment, only Su Yinyin and Lao Yi remained in the study.
Looking at Su Yinyin's slightly tired face, the old man asked with concern, "Miss, are you tired?"
Su Yinyin sighed softly and said, "Yes, Jin, I'm so tired. Once everything is completely settled, come back to the village with me. I miss the peace and tranquility there."
The old man's gaze was firm, and he said without hesitation, "Alright, wherever Miss goes, I will accompany you."
No matter when or where, I will always be by your side.
Meanwhile, after Zhou Yuan had arranged the aftermath in the prison in an orderly manner, he immediately set about dealing with the matter of the Vice Minister of Rites.
He knew that although this person was just a small pawn in the whole conspiracy, he might have key clues, and he had to bring him to justice as soon as possible.
Zhou Yuan personally led a team of elite guards, like a black torrent, and quickly headed towards the residence of the Vice Minister of Rites.
The thunderous sound of horses' hooves echoed through the streets, drawing the attention of passersby.
When Zhou Yuan and his group arrived at the residence of the Vice Minister of Rites, they found the place in a state of slight panic, as if the people inside sensed the impending danger.
The Vice Minister of Rites was frantically disguising himself, preparing to flee. He was dressed in the clothes of an ordinary citizen, and his face was smeared with paint in an attempt to conceal his identity.
Zhou Yuan saw through his intentions at a glance and shouted, "Vice Minister of Rites, how dare you commit such a crime, where do you think you can escape to?"
"You think you can escape the grasp of this king?"
The sound was like a booming bell, resounding throughout the entire courtyard.
Upon hearing this angry shout, the Vice Minister of Rites turned ashen-faced, his legs went weak, and he knelt down with a thud.
His voice trembled as he pleaded, "Regent, spare my life! I was forced into it! They made me do it! I had no choice!"
Zhou Yuan looked at him coldly, his eyes filled with disgust and disdain. "Now that things have come to this, do you think you can escape your guilt by saying you were forced to do it?"
As an official of the imperial court, you enjoy the salary of the court, yet you collude with enemy countries and attempt to overthrow the Great Zhou Kingdom. Such crimes are unforgivable!
"Guards, seize him and throw him in jail!"
The guards swarmed forward like wolves and tigers, quickly binding the Vice Minister of Rites hand and foot and escorting him toward the prison.
As Zhou Yuan watched the Vice Minister of Rites being escorted away, he secretly thought to himself that this man was nothing more than an insignificant nobody.
The real mastermind must be hiding in the deepest shadows, like a venomous snake lurking in the darkness, ready to deliver a fatal blow to the Great Zhou Kingdom at any moment.
He must extract more useful information from this person as soon as possible in order to completely unveil the mystery of this conspiracy and expose all the evil hidden in the darkness.
Upon returning to the prison, Zhou Yuan did not delay at all and immediately interrogated the Vice Minister of Rites again.
He sat in the main seat, his gaze piercing, as if he could see right through the Vice Minister of Rites.
He stared at him coldly and said, word by word, "You'd better tell me honestly who else is behind your forces."
What are the specific details of your plan? If you utter even half a lie, I will make you wish you were dead!
The Vice Minister of Rites was so frightened that he trembled like a leaf, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I'll talk, I'll talk... I was just helping them collect dirt and evidence on other ministers, and then using that to win people's hearts and expand their power."
Zhou Yuan felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that the matter was far more complicated than he had imagined.
He pressed on, "Then do you know the true identity of the master you speak of, the father of the Empress of Great Yan and her sister?"
The Vice Minister of Rites hesitated for a moment, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes, and stammered, "I... I only know that they all call him Master, I really don't know his specific identity."
Each message was delivered using a special code and an intermediary; I have never met him in person.
Every time we met, the middleman wore a mask; I had no idea what he looked like or how to contact him.
Zhou Yuan frowned deeply, knowing that it would not be easy to find out the identity of the mastermind from this person.
But he was not discouraged. He firmly believed that as long as he continued to follow this clue and peeled back the layers, he would eventually find the truth hidden in the darkness.