northernbook Chapter 646 Emperor Xiao Refuses the Request
Chapter 646 Emperor Xiao Refuses the Request
When Jiang Suining and the others walked down the second floor, they heard the voices of Wen Yan scolding Cheng Du and Cheng Du calling her "sister" in a flattering manner.
Pei Zhaozhi turned his head and looked back, "I didn't expect that Cheng Du is actually the younger brother of Master Wen."
"He's not a biological child." The maid who was leading the way in front said indifferently.
Jiang Suining saw the unhappy look on the other person's face and asked, "Are they sworn siblings?"
"Mr. Cheng was adopted by the host when he was a child. If the host hadn't protected him, he would have died when he first entered the black market."
Jiang Suining and Shen Yanxi looked at each other, and Shen Yanxi asked casually, "Then I guess the relationship between the two siblings should be very good. In this black market, it's not easy to have a family that can support each other."
"Hmph, what family? Maybe you have raised an ungrateful person." The maid muttered.
"What do you mean?" Pei Zhaozhi asked.
But the maid pursed her lips and did not answer.
Shen Yanxi laughed, "Cheng Du has a good temper and is a nice person, how could he be an ungrateful person? Maybe you just don't like him and are making up stories here."
"I'm not talking nonsense. The host has been so good to him, yet he still wants to compete for the position of host. What an ungrateful person!"
The maid spoke indignantly, but after she finished speaking she realized that she had said too much, so she immediately shut up and said no more. She quickened her pace and sent the few people to the door, pointing at the people waiting outside.
"He will take you to the river, and you just follow him."
After saying this, he turned around and walked into the Wuliang Tower, without giving Shen Yanxi and the others any chance to ask questions.
On the way to the river, Pei Zhaozhi looked at the guide in front of him, kept a little distance, and then spoke to Jiang Suining and the others in a low voice.
"What did that maid just say, that Cheng Du wanted to compete for the position of building owner?"
Jiang Suining explained, "According to the rules of the black market, the position of the black market owner changes every five years. Others who are interested in competing for the position of the building owner can ascend to the position of the building owner as long as they can defeat the building owner and gain the support of most people in the black market. Of course, during these five years, if someone can find a way to kill the current building owner and then gain the recognition of others, they can also replace him."
Judging from Wen Yan's appearance, he is no more than twenty years old, and it has been almost five years now. In other words, he had established a foothold in this black market when he was a teenager and became the master of the black market.
"Then if no one wants to compete for the position of building owner or no one can win, then Wen Yan will continue?" Pei Zhaozhi asked.
"That's right. I heard that under Wen Yan's leadership, the black market is stable and many people admire her. So even though the time is almost up, no one shows any desire to compete with Wen Yan. But from what the maid said just now, Cheng Du may be interested in the position of the building owner."
Although Cheng Du usually looks nonchalant and lazy, from their previous collaborations, he can feel that he is prudent and cautious. If he is really determined to compete with Wen Yan, he should be able to compete with her.
Pei Zhaozhi also admired Cheng Du in his heart. "I think Cheng Du can also make a difference in other places. Why does he have to stay in the black market and become the lord of the black market? It's a pity."
Pei Zhaozhi suddenly looked at Jiang Suining again, "How do you know so much about the black market?"
"Of course I asked someone to inquire about the news carefully." Jiang Suining said with a smile.
The reason why Cheng Du was allowed into the palace before was because there was really no other way. But the other party was from the black market after all. If we don’t find out everything clearly and rashly cooperate with the black market, the consequences will be disastrous if something goes wrong in the palace.
Therefore, they tried their best to find out all the information they could. However, they did not find out the news that Cheng Du was Wen Yan's younger brother.
Pei Zhaozhi looked at Jiang Suining, then at Shen Yanxi, and finally his gaze returned to Jiang Suining and he spoke in a low voice.
"Sui Ning, are you particularly interested in the black market?"
Jiang Suining smiled, "Why do you ask?"
“I can’t explain it, it’s just a feeling.”
Although this incident involves Xilin's secret agents and is considered a big deal, it has nothing to do with Sui Ning, and she can completely choose not to come to this black market.
Originally, he thought Suining had nothing to do at home, or was worried about Yanxi coming alone, so he came along. But now it seems that Suining himself is very interested in the black market.
Jiang Suining's smile deepened, "Indeed, it is a little bit. Maybe it's because I have nothing to do recently and I am too relaxed."
They were almost at the river, and Pei Zhaozhi didn't say anything more.
After a few people got on the boat and left, they left the black market along the way they came.
Pei Zhaozhi took the two yamen runners guarding outside back to the Ministry of Justice, while Shen Yanxi and Jiang Suining returned to Ning Garden.
On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, all officials ended their holiday and resumed their morning court session.
After the morning court session, Shen Yanxi and Pei Zhaozhi went to the imperial study to report what happened in the black market to Emperor Xiao.
As soon as Shen Yanxi opened his mouth, he saw Emperor Xiao's face darken, and as expected, he was opposed in the end.
"The black market is full of evil people. Even if there are refugees and beggars who sneak in, they will inevitably have some dark thoughts after staying in the black market for a long time. If we let those people work in the imperial city, or even do business, wouldn't it endanger the safety of the imperial city? This is absolutely impossible!"
Emperor Xiao rubbed his brow tiredly as he spoke, and the headache came up again.
Pei Zhaozhi, who was also standing in the imperial study, bowed respectfully and explained, "Your Majesty, according to what happened yesterday, the people in the black market are determined. I'm afraid..."
Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Emperor Xiao in annoyance.
"After all, it's just a black market. If you really dare to protect Xilin's secret agents, I will never be polite. It was a special case before, so I let the black market people enter the palace. I have also promised to release Yan Qi, and the previous matter is over. Now we must not give them hope and let them think that they can trade with the court at any time. If so, where is the dignity of the court!"
This resolute attitude caused Pei Zhaozhi to secretly glance at Emperor Xiao.
Although the emperor's words made sense, the irritability and impatience in his words were really too much.
Moreover, sending troops to the black market is no small matter. If this is really done, it will definitely cause a lot of commotion in the imperial city. The emperor should be very clear about this, otherwise he would not have allowed the black market to exist for so long.
At this point, Pei Zhaozhi wanted to speak up to persuade him again, but was interrupted by Shen Yanxi.
Shen Yanxi secretly shook his head at Pei Zhaozhi, signaling him not to speak again, and then spoke to Emperor Xiao.
"Your Majesty, we understand your intention. Lord Pei and I will find an opportunity to go to the black market again to convey your intention and discuss the matter again."
Emperor Xiao frowned and looked at Shen Yanxi and Pei Zhaozhi, then he took a deep breath and his irritable mood was suppressed a little.
"Okay, in any case, the Xilin spies must be captured, preferably alive. I want to know what they have been doing hiding in the imperial city for so long. As for the black market, we must not lower our stance and damage the reputation of the court!"
"Yes, Wei Chen obeys your order."