Wishful Things

"After I left the Beijing Yamen Prison the night before, I ordered Xiao Wu to arrange staff to watch out for anyone coming to visit Zhan Yunjiao—"

At first, I was just keeping an eye out, to see if there would be any so-called suspicious people, that is, if there would be any accomplices with Zhan Yunjiao.

Although this may be minimal.

Xu Mingyi roughly guessed his intention: "The result?"

He has always acted comprehensively, and even did many things that she didn't know when she didn't know, but there is one thing she has experienced now-he never said useless words, and if it wasn't something that had results, he would not specifically talk to her afterwards.

"As a result, I met a middle-aged man who claimed to be a member of the Zhan clan last night, and indeed he also met Zhan Yunjiao." Wu Chao didn't pretend to be a joke, and went straight to the point: "Based on the status of the so-called Zhan clan member, we naturally wouldn't see such a repeat offender. According to investigations, this person was met by Yin Zhunyun of the Jifu through the relationship of the Shangshufu of the Ministry of War."

"I didn't notice too much difference in this matter, and I haven't had time to discuss it with you this morning." Wu Chao looked at Xu Mingyi, and said, "But today Zhan Yunjiao suddenly changed his mind, so it's worth paying attention to."

The Minister of the Ministry of War has a motive.

And the night visits to the prison of the Beijing Yamen happened to meet the conditions——

Xu Mingyi's eyes changed.

Therefore, it was not that the members of the Zhan clan borrowed the relationship of the Minister of the Ministry of War to visit the juniors who made mistakes. Instead, the Minister of the Ministry of War used the Zhan clan as a cover to meet Zhan Yunjiao.

However, what kind of conditions did the Minister of Military Affairs offer to make Zhan Yunjiao seem so willing to change her confession?

Is it on the condition of saving her? ——Besides this, she couldn't think of anything else that could impress Zhan Yunjiao.

But would Zhan Yunjiao believe such an unrealistic and extremely risky lie?

Even if it's just half-belief with no other choice, but Zhan Yunjiao is not a firm-minded person, the Minister of Military Affairs is not afraid that she will leak this matter?

Or is it that the Ministry of War Minister's Mansion is absolutely sure that Zhan Yunjiao can be controlled to death?

Xu Mingyi thought too much for a while, and couldn't help being a little distracted.

Until Wu Chao spoke again.

"It is said that Xia Tingzhen and Ji Xiu are now facing each other in the court, and several times they offered advice before the saint, but it was actually Ji Xiu who had the upper hand."

Xu Mingyi looked at him in surprise.

Others in Ningyang have always been clear about these things?

However, thinking about it, there is nothing surprising. After all, this person is a grandson of the Wu family, and he is always concerned about political affairs. Maybe it is just a daily homework habit developed since childhood.

When it came to homework, the young man in front of him really looked like a gentleman, and he didn't forget to ask her a question: "Do you think this matter is more or less strange?"

Xu Mingyi nodded.

She knew that the strangeness he was talking about was not about Ji Xiu and Xia Tingzhen's current relationship - after all, the reason why this fire was ignited was because of her and Wu Chao's tricks in the first place, making Ji Xiu feel the scapegoat for plotting against Xia Han.

What's really strange is that Ji Xiu not only didn't suffer in this contest, on the contrary, he has recently regained Emperor Qingming's favor.

"My grandfather and I talked about this matter in private, and my grandfather concluded that, based on his understanding of Ji Xiu, there must be someone behind Ji Xiu who is making suggestions for him."

This Ji Shangshu was not originally a person who was very good at playing tricks.

Otherwise, as the person who contributed the most to supporting Emperor Qingming's ascension to the throne, he would not have been pinned down by Xia Tingzhen all these years, and most of his military power would have been divided.

Wu Chao nodded and said, "Mr. Zhen Guo really knows things like a god."

Xiao Qi on the side heard the words, secretly said it was a pity.

Such a sincere flattery, it's really a pity that I didn't shoot it face to face.

"It can't be said that things are like gods." Xu Mingyi said humbly on behalf of his grandfather: "It's just that I know Ji Xiu better and have known him for a longer period of time."

As he spoke, he asked, "Do you know the reason for this?"

"I heard that a new staff member has arrived in the Minister's Mansion of the Ministry of War."

New staff?

Knowing that the "heard" in his mouth must not have been heard from the street, Xu Mingyi hastily asked: "Where does this staff member come from?"

"Because the origin is a mystery, Xuesheng Tea House noticed it." Wu Chao did not hide anything from her: "Not only the origin is a mystery, but also his age, appearance, and even male or female have not been found out so far. This person has never shown his face in front of people since he entered the Shangshu Mansion."

Xu Mingyi: "So strange?"

"Well, he should be regarded as a capable person." Wu Chao commented objectively: "Just judging from the strategies he offered, he has a very deep intention to follow the emperor's heart, but he doesn't care about the pros and cons of the real overall situation. It is not an exaggeration to say that his intentions are not righteous."

Such people, even if they do have talents, are also talents that can cause disasters in the world.

Xu Mingyi couldn't help frowning slightly: "Where did Ji Xiu find such a person..."

And never show up in front of people...

Could it be that there is something unusual about the origin?

After all, if it is just to support a staff, it is not something that needs to be hidden.

Or is it that Ji Xiu is afraid that this person's talent will be spread, that he will be targeted by others, and even be used by others?

According to this, if there is such a person behind Ji Xiu, then the matter between Xia Xi and Zhan Yunjiao is probably related to this person.

"This matter can't be left alone." Wu Chao said while putting down the teacup in his hand.

Xu Mingyi was thinking about the matter of the staff, and suddenly heard this sentence, and said subconsciously: "The situation is like this, Xia Xi can't escape this time."

Wu Chao glanced at her.

What is this girl thinking?

"I'm talking about the Ministry of War Minister's Mansion."

That person named Xia Xi needn't bother, but in this case, while the Minister of Military Affairs was scheming against the Xia family's attempt to sabotage the Xia family's bid to attract the new top scholar, they used Xu Mingyi as a bait and almost put her in danger.

"You said this..."

Only then did Xu Mingyi understand what he meant, but there was a smile in his eyes: "As the saying goes, soldiers never tire of deceit, but they were tricked by someone along the way, what's the big deal?"

She didn't care, but Wu Chao was stunned when he heard it: "Aren't you angry?"

"Don't be angry." Xu Mingyi answered it as a matter of course: "These are not fights between little girls. If they slap me, I can lift my foot and kick people into the lotus pond. The Ji family used me, and I used Ji Xiu in the past. They are all in the vortex of this fight, and each of them depends on his own ability."

Wu Chao didn't speak for a while, just looked at her quietly, his eyes seemed to be thinking.

Xu Mingyi then said again: "Besides, on weekdays, if you vent your anger, you will vent it. But right now, if you take action against Ji Xiu, wouldn't Xia Tingzhen be reaping the benefits in vain? Don't say vent your anger by then, it's too late."

Speaking of this, she couldn't help asking: "Supposedly, shouldn't these be the first things you think about?"

He is clearly the one who looks at the overall situation first when doing things.

"It's different."

"What's the difference?"

"You are different." The boy replied without hesitation.

She was different from everyone, even himself.

Xu Mingyi was startled for a moment, and then a smile overflowed from his eyes. He picked up the teacup, lowered his smiling eyes, let out an "oh", and took a sip of tea while holding the teacup.

It turned out that it was because of her that there was an exception.

Wu Chao glanced at her, as if he was afraid that she would think that he was impulsive and immature, and that a young man didn't want to be looked down upon by the girl he liked, so he uncharacteristically explained one more sentence: "I will never act in a disregard of the overall situation."

Xu Mingyi nodded.

Of course she knew - she was not even as good as him when it came to being thorough.

Wu Chao felt that the attitude of the girl in front of him was casual and perfunctory, so somehow, he said "I'm not afraid of your grievances—" out of his mouth.

Xiao Qi on the side was dumbfounded.

Young master...why are you still complaining?

Is this the rumored "playing poor Dafa"?

I have to say, this is too unfair, right?

And... did the young master forget that he was still standing here because he only had Miss Xu in his eyes?

If the young master realizes later, for the sake of face and dignity, will he kill him to silence him?

Xiao Qiyi was tense for a while, and wanted to retreat silently, but he didn't dare to move at all—is there any skill in this world that can make people invisible instantly? In other words, is it still too late to be deaf?

But at this time, the door of the box was knocked from the outside.

Wu Chao didn't turn his head, he just said, "Come in."

The door was pushed open, and the waiter came in with a long-mouthed copper pot: "The little one is here to refill tea for the guest!"

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiao Qi retreated cautiously—it was really too difficult for him.

After the buddy left, only Wu Chao and Wu Chao were left in the box.

Only then did Xu Mingyi answer his words just now: "...don't worry, I don't feel wronged."

If you feel aggrieved even by such small things, then why do you do so-called big things.

Besides, the crisis is getting closer and closer, and she has no time to feel wronged.

Wu Chao only gave a "hmm" and said in a warm voice, "Then this account will be recorded first."

It was he who underestimated her.

In fact, thinking about it carefully, when he first met her, what he admired her most was from the bottom of his heart, thinking that this is a girl who can do great things——

It was only later that his mood towards her gradually changed, for fear that she would be wronged, and he felt a little unhappy in his heart.

But he still doesn't intend to change.

An exception is an exception, and with him, she will always be an exception.

When encountering the same thing in the future, he will have the same reaction. What if she really feels wronged?

Of course, if she really felt that what he did was inappropriate, then he would choose to respect her idea—he wanted to do it, and she didn't want him to do it, there was no conflict between the two.

"Then just remember it." Xu Mingyi looked at him, with a steady heart and a bright smile in his eyes: "If one day I suddenly feel wronged, I will tell you."

Seeing such a smiling face, Wu Chao also smiled, and his tone became more gentle: "Okay."

Xu Mingyi then asked: "By the way, I just heard you talk about Ji Xiu, and it seems that you are very clear about the current situation in Beijing?"

"Just know a thing or two."

"Then why don't you talk to me?" The girl's tone had the meaning of asking for advice humbly. While speaking, she personally refilled a cup of hot tea for him and pushed it in front of him.

What she wants to hear most now is the situation in the court.

I heard from my grandfather, from my father, and occasionally from my mother about the back houses of the rich and powerful.

It is always good to listen more, and everyone sees it from a different angle, and the same thing is said by different people, which will also give her new thinking and gains.

"What do you want to hear?"

Wu Chao picked up the cup of tea, feeling unbelievably happy.

"Just talk about it, anything."

Wu Chao tried his best to pick out some useful things to tell her.

When he stopped to drink tea, Xu Mingyi stood up and opened the window to breathe.

At this time, a large oil-walled carriage passed by on the long street outside the window.

The weather is getting warmer day by day, and the car curtains on both sides of the car wall have been replaced with light gauze for those who pay attention to fineness.

There was a wind blowing in the afternoon, and the small gauze curtain was lifted for a moment, and then quickly fell down.

But even just this one glance made Xu Mingyi see the people sitting in the car.

It was a girl's face, originally a somewhat aura-like appearance, but most of the time, there was an air of arrogance floating between her brows and eyes.

Or because I have recently admitted that there are many things that are not going well, in addition to impatience, at this time there is more than two points of coldness.

That's Xia Xi——

This girl who was at odds with her in both lives.

And that look just now should be the last time she saw Xia Xi - it just so happened that she opened this window at this time, or it was because of God's will in the dark.

But Xu Mingyi didn't feel too happy in his heart.

Of course, there is no sympathy either.

Girls of Xia Xi's background, while enjoying the glory and wealth, most of them also have many involuntary things, and even if they are only daughters, it is not completely unrelated to the power struggle in the court. If you don't know how to judge the situation, but act recklessly, regardless of the pros and cons of the family's honor and disgrace, then once you are used by others, it will only be wiped out in an instant.

Therefore, the matter of Xia Xi also gave her another vigilance.

Today Xia Xi will be used as a pawn by the Minister of War for sacrifice, and tomorrow it may be replaced by her.

And my grandfather said that on the battlefield, if you want to save your life, you need to have a knife in your hand in addition to a clear mind.

She is now on the battlefield.

So, keep these things in mind at all times.

...

Until getting off the carriage in front of the mansion, Xia Xi was still complaining: "Can you coax him well, listening to him cry all the way made my ears hurt."

The wet nurse answered "yes" while patting the crying child.

Mrs. Xue came down from the carriage, took the child over, held the child in her arms, and walked towards the mansion while coaxing him patiently.

Xia Xi glanced at her mother.

I always feel that when my mother is holding the second brother's child, her eyes are always a little weird...

"Ma'am, Miss..." The porter hurried up to greet her, with a complex expression on his face, "Master has been waiting for Miss for a long time, Miss, please go directly to the side hall."

Xia Xi frowned upon hearing this.

Father is waiting for her?

Could it be that... the servant who went to urge her to go back to the mansion earlier, but hesitated to say why, was actually sent by her father?

But what did father ask her for?

Thank you for your monthly pass, thank you Qinghan for your reward, thank you, thank you.

Good night.