Sima Changshen did not hesitate and said: "Qining, don't worry, what I have said has always been true to my word. Tomorrow the Marquis will submit a letter to ask the emperor to deprive me of my title." He With an ugly face, after saying this, he sneered, put his hands behind his back, and walked away.
The ministers made way for him, but some people were already thinking that Sima Changshen's promise might be true, but it was unknown whether the Marquis would really be deprived of him.
Nowadays, Sima Lan's power in the court is unmatched, and the empress dowager in the harem is from the Sima family. The spoils are in the hands of the emperor. If the empress dowager in the harem of Sima Lan in the previous dynasty interceded in private, the emperor might not really be able to deprive Sima Changshen. of title.
Qi Ning, however, had already raised his hands and said to everyone around him: "My lords, please waste everyone's time. Fortunately, with your witnesses, Lord Dou's grievances can be vindicated."
Dou Kui immediately looked around and saluted, and all the officials were thinking. It was already late at night, and the officials did not want to stay longer and left.
Dou Kui survived the catastrophe and felt lucky in his heart. When he saw all the officials leaving, he walked up to Qi Ning and said with lingering fear: "Master Hou, tonight is very thrilling. If it weren't for Master Hou's strategizing, I would be afraid of...!" Here, I was confused and couldn't help but ask: "Master Hou, how come the things in this box turned into a respectful bucket?"
Qi Ning smiled slightly, leaned closer and whispered: "Master Dou, don't be surprised. This move is making noises in the east and west."
Dou Kui suddenly realized and understood that although he knew that he was being used as a pawn by Qin Ning, fortunately, the result was indeed satisfactory. If Qin Ning hadn't made a move to attack the east and west, he would have been imprisoned now. He no longer cared about it and said softly: "Master Marquis, those treasures...?"
"Master Dou, is there really a secret treasure in the Huainan Prince's Palace?" Qining put his hands behind his back, half-smiling.
Dou Kui understood instantly, chuckled, and said softly: "There is no secret treasure anywhere, it's just a rumor created by someone with ulterior motives. The treasures of the Huainan Palace have long been transported to the Ministry of Household Affairs, and not even a piece of silver is left behind." He was also a sensible person, so he knew that it was not appropriate to say more about this matter, so he cupped his hands and said, "Master Hou, please go back to the household department first. It's getting late, so Master Hou will go back to his house to rest early."
Qi Ning nodded slightly and said with a smile: "Thank you for your hard work today, Mr. Dou."
Dou Kui bowed again, said nothing more, got on the carriage, the coachman turned the front of the carriage, the carriage rattled, and soon left.
However, Qi Feng had already brought Qi Ning's horse over. Qi Ning got on his horse and headed back home.
It was already past midnight when we returned to the Hou Mansion, but Han Shou, the manager of the Hou Mansion, was waiting in the lobby. When he saw Qi Ning coming back, he immediately served tea. Qin Ning took a sip and said with a smile: "The manager hasn't had a rest yet?"
Han Shou came closer and said softly: "Master Hou, the Third Old Master came here this evening at ten o'clock to meet the Third Madam."
"oh?"
"It's for the marriage of the Marquis." Han Shou said: "The third old master was quite attentive this time. He went to Xianleju where the Marquis lived several times. He also sent betrothal gifts there and also invited Miss Ximen's birthday card. Come here, everything is in the hands of the third lady now. I heard that the third old lady is going to make a trip in the next two days, just to ask for an appointment. As long as a date is set, things will be almost the same, we are just waiting for the wedding. "
Qi Ning actually didn't know what Gu Qinghan was thinking about this marriage, so he asked softly: "Does the third lady say anything about this marriage?"
"The Third Madam seems to be very happy too." Han Shou said: "The Third Madam was always kind to the Third Old Master before, but today she was quite polite to the Third Old Master. She also thanked the Third Old Master again and again for taking the time to arrange the Marquis' marriage. back."
Qi Ning knew that Gu Qinghan was a generous woman in front of others. Even if she had any thoughts in her heart, she would never express them easily.
After sneaking into her room that night to learn a lot of things, he hadn't seen her in the past few days, and he really missed her a little. However, knowing that the Madam's eyes had been staring behind her, he knew that as much as possible It is better not to have too much contact with Gu Qinghan, so as not to let the madam see the flaws.
"Mr. Steward, please go and rest first. I know everything." Qining said warmly, "I will ask Sanniang later what the situation is."
Han Shou was getting older, and he was really tired after holding on until now, so he retreated.
After Han Shou retreated, Qi Ning waved Qi Feng over. Qi Feng leaned forward and whispered: "Master Marquis, Li Tang hasn't come back yet. I don't know how things are going."
"There will be no problem with his work." Qi Ning said softly: "When you come back, let him go directly to my room." After thinking for a while, he said: "You have something to do later."
"What's up?"
"Last time I went to meet with the Beggar Clan, I took you there. You know that place." Qining whispered: "You are mine. Lord Bai also knows that Gray Crow is recovering from his injuries. You can turn back." Go and see how Gray Crow is doing now. If there is no danger to his life, you can arrange a quiet place. I want to see him and don’t let others know."
Qi Feng whispered: "Don't worry, Mr. Hou, I will handle it properly."
Qi Ning drank another half bowl of tea before getting up and going back to his room. When he returned to his room, he immediately thought of the Ksitigarbha music score. Mrs. Tian said that she wanted to separate the two pieces of music in the music score as soon as possible. For more than ten days, I don’t know if I can get a glimpse of the mystery after separation.
He was wondering if he could find some time to go there in the next two days to check on the progress. There was a knock on the door, and then he heard Li Tang's voice: "Master Hou, it's me, Li Tang!"
Qi Ning stepped forward and opened the door. Without any nonsense, he asked Li Tang to enter the room and immediately closed the door.
After Li Tang entered the room, Qin Ning motioned for him to sit down at the table and poured him a cup of tea himself. After Li Tang thanked him, he whispered: "Master Hou, we have already handed over to the other side. There are fifty-three items in total." Mr. Yuan will personally handle the goods."
"That's good." Qining breathed a sigh of relief: "Are you sure no one will notice?"
Li Tang chuckled and said: "The Marquis is clever. After King Huainan committed suicide in the imperial mausoleum, the Huainan Palace was targeted by the Sima family. Yesterday, the house was ransacked. There were no fewer than seven or eight pairs of eyes near the palace staring at them. If those people were not captured, If they are transferred away, it is impossible for those treasures to be transported out of the palace."
Qi Ning smiled slightly and said: "Everyone knows that the Huainan Palace is a treasure house. If the Sima family wants to get their hands on the treasures of the Huainan Palace, they will not let others get it."
"After Dou Kui left in the carriage, the group of people thought that what Dou Kui was transporting was the treasure of the palace, and they all followed him immediately." Li Tang said with a smile: "The Marquis used Dou Kui to lure away those eyes, and deliberately After struggling for half a night, all the attention was drawn to it, and only then did we have the opportunity and time to transport the treasures out."
"This is because you acted quickly." Qi Ning mused: "Sima Changshen was negligent for a moment and did not expect this. However, he may have come to his senses now and knows that we are crossing Chencang secretly... Now I am afraid that there will be another attack near the palace. He has his people."
"It's too late to send people now." Li Tang said: "Everything has been transported away, and they are guarding outside the palace in vain." He whispered: "I just have a worry, I don't know whether to talk about it or not."
Qi Ning patted Li Tang on the shoulder: "If you have something to say, just say it without hesitation."
"Master Hou, do you think Yuan Rong is really trustworthy?" Li Tang asked worriedly: "If he tells Mr. Yuan about this, I'm afraid...!"
Qi Ning smiled and said: "I thought about it beforehand, and after much deliberation, only he can believe it. He owes me a favor. The most important thing is that I promise to give him 10% after I take action. This is different from him. If he has immediate interests, he will not fail to do it. Moreover, he usually spends a lot, but does not make much profit. This time it is enough for him to make a lot of money. How can he give up? As long as he gets his hands on it, he will know that he must not be a human being. Got it."
"Just trust him, Lord Marquis." Li Tang was slightly relieved.
"Besides him, there is no one else to trust. The most important thing is that only he can take advantage of those things." Qining said: "Although Tianjia Medicine is also in business, there may be ways to take advantage of it, but some people already know that Tianjia Medicine Xing has a relationship with me, so I will keep an eye on the Tian family. Once this happens, the Tian family can't act rashly. Only Yuan Rong will have no suspicion. No one will think that I will trust me enough to hand over those secret treasures to Yuan Rong. In hand."
"Young Master Yuan has many friends and knows many merchants." Li Tang understood: "Did the Marquis use Master Yuan's hands to let those treasures escape from the hands of those merchants?"
Qi Ning smiled lightly and said nothing.
In fact, this is exactly what he planned to do.
Qi Ning knew very well that those treasures left in his hands were just objects for appreciation. They could only be used for money if they were exchanged for silver. To develop strength, it was impossible to rely solely on the Jinyihou brand. There must be enough financial resources to support it, and Jinyi Although the Qi family holds the hereditary title of marquis, there is very little money that can be mobilized in the palace, not to mention that with the wife watching, Qining will not touch the money of the marquis family.
Even if he holds the treasures in his hands, he has no way to take action. Moreover, the Sima family will definitely keep a close eye on him, so even if he has ways to take action, he won't have much chance.
On the contrary, Yuan Rong's side was an excellent choice.
Yuan Rong knows a lot of people. The most important thing is that Qi Ning still remembers the young men he met during the Qinhuai River Flowers Post-Selection, whether it was Chen Mukuan of Weitang Porcelain, Jiang Cheng of Songjiang Tea House, or even Zhu Jiabu Zhu Yuchen from the village, these people are all wealthy people with many connections. If these people take action secretly, it will not only be quick but also safe.
"Master Marquis, although Mr. Yuan is trustworthy, should we send someone to pay attention?" Li Tang reminded in a low voice.
Qi Ning thought for a moment, shook his head and said: "Don't trust the people you employ, and don't trust the people you suspect. Since I have given this matter to Yuan Rong, I can rest assured to let him handle it." He smiled slyly: "Although there shouldn't be any problems with this matter, But just in case, let’s not get involved in what happens next.”
Li Tang understood Qin Ning's deep meaning and said softly: "I understand, little one." He knew in his heart that if something went wrong, it would not affect the young Marquis.