She Holds the World After Being Reborn-Chapter 417 - 416: You’re right, I am indeed here

After quite a while,

Hao Ren regained his composure.

"Elder brother, you truly were Master’s most proud disciple, nothing could ever escape your eyes," he sighed, placing the teacup on the stone table, "When I first came to Luzhou County, it was but a poor little village. Over twenty years have passed, and it has become an existence that surpasses a town. However, Luzhou County has only maintained a superficial prosperity; beneath it lies a forbidden zone that no one dares to speak of openly."

At this point, regret flashed through Hao Ren’s eyes.

"When my family fell on hard times, I had no choice but to accept the Imperial Court’s order to come to this small place as the County Magistrate. I, too, had high aspirations, determined to be a good magistrate, but in the end, I was swayed by power and exchanged my integrity for these superficial things."

Ji Yuntai listened quietly.

"So what exactly did you do?"

"Tianxiang Gambling House," Hao Ren said, his eyes bloodshot, "This gambling house is actually owned by a relative of a prominent minister in the Imperial Court, who is said to have overwhelming influence and highly esteemed by the Crown Prince. When he opened the gambling house, he threatened and tempted me not to meddle in his affairs. Now, more than twenty years have passed, and though the Tianxiang Gambling House seems like just a gambling house on the surface, behind the scenes it engages in murder and robbing. The death of that croupier was merely a smokescreen, to cover up the incidents of missing girls that have been ongoing for months."

Hao Ren laid out the secrets he kept in his heart.

Hearing this, Ji Yuntai frowned slightly, "If you already knew, why not report it to the Capital City with a memorial to the Imperial Court?"

"How would you know I haven’t written one?!" Hao Ren said indignantly, "It’s just because that person in the Imperial Court holds such a high and heavy position, my memorial was intercepted halfway."

"If it weren’t for my official position, I fear I would have already been executed by now." The Imperial Court was in turmoil, and it was a time when officials were needed, especially those like him who could be easily controlled—they saw no reason to eliminate him completely.

Indeed, Hao Ren had been quite controllable over the years.

Keeping up the appearance of prosperity and thriving in Luzhou County.

"So you made a deal with Tianxiang Gambling House in exchange for the development of Luzhou County?" Ji Yuntai was smart and immediately understood Hao Ren’s actions.

"Master said, when in a desperate situation, one could find another way to live. I was just preserving my life while giving these common people the best of everything," Hao Ren was right, it was indeed what Master had taught.

Seeing Hao Ren suddenly overwhelmed with regret when facing himself,

Ji Yuntai did not know what to say for a moment.

He set down the teacup and patted Hao Ren on the shoulder, "After all this talk, what do you want me to help you with?"

"I am asking for elder brother’s help to rescue those missing girls!" If those girls did not return, Hao Ren would have trouble sleeping well in the years to come!

"As you can see, I am without possessions or official post, what makes you think I can help you?" Ji Yuntai sighed softly, "If you think I am clever, I can lend you my wits, but beyond that, there’s nothing else I can do."

"Your wits are enough!" Hao Ren immediately replied.

"Why is Tianxiang Gambling House collecting these girls?" Ji Yuntai asked.

"Most of them are for people’s play, the outstanding ones are sent to the hands of the powerful in the Capital City..." which is to say, to be spies.

"To be spies for that person in the Capital City?" It was just like Ji Yuntai to catch on so quickly, "You’ve told me everything else, why not reveal that person’s identity as well?"

Hao Ren’s gaze turned obscure, "I fear that speaking out, no one would believe me."

"Speak, and I will believe you," Ji Yuntai responded.

"It’s the Grand Tutor."

Ji Yuntai frowned, "Hasn’t the Grand Tutor died?" He remembered he had long since died, thoroughly so.

That was Yan Wanqing’s handiwork, who didn’t know that?

Hao Ren shook his head, "I’m referring to the previous Grand Tutor, the one who is about to celebrate his eightieth birthday."

"Grand Tutor Qin?!" Ji Yuntai was truly surprised this time.

Grand Tutor Qin was the only one of advanced age who still retained his official title. Although he was no longer capable of managing affairs of state, the late emperor had cherished his teachings and thus had always preserved his residence and title for him.

The Crown Prince, Xiao Pingfeng, once studied knowledge under this Grand Tutor Qin.

To be honest, if it was him, no wonder Hao Ren did not dare to provoke him.

Grand Tutor Qin had been an official in the Imperial Court for sixty years; nearly all the high-ranking officials were his students.

In these layers of protection and mutual support among officials, no matter how much he struggled, he couldn’t escape Grand Tutor Qin’s grasp.

Ji Yuntai suddenly felt some sympathy for Hao Ren.

"Brother, I don’t want to engage in a power struggle with Grand Tutor Qin, I just want you to help me find those missing girls, that’s all, I ask for nothing else," he said. After all, he had been a County Magistrate for over twenty years, and the end of his days was almost in sight.

He no longer had the youthful audacity of his early years; all he hoped for now was that the people of Luzhou County could live and work in peace and contentment, and this brought him more joy than anything else as the County Magistrate.

"Actually, it’s not that you can’t engage in a power struggle," Ji Yuntai suddenly thought of someone. If it was her, then dealing with Grand Tutor Qin wouldn’t be too difficult.

After all, she was the person who had once fought a deadly struggle with the late emperor and ultimately come out victorious.

"Who?" Hao Ren quickly asked.

"Princess Anping, Yan Wanqing," Ji Yuntai didn’t think to conceal, "However, since she left the Capital City, there has been no news of her. If you want to find her, it will take some extra effort."

"Princess Anping?" Hao Ren was stunned, "She’s alive?!"

After causing such a commotion, she could still be alive; this woman was truly formidable. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Ji Yuntai darkened his expression, "Why couldn’t she be alive? The family of the Duke who safeguards the nation is full of heroes, and Yan Wanqing herself once led the armies to pacify the Japanese Pirates in Xiliang City. She deserves to be called a heroine among women. Even in that incident, it was the fault of the late emperor’s misconduct. You were not there and naturally do not understand what the situation was really like."

"You say it as if you were on the scene, Brother," Hao Ren said disdainfully.

This time Ji Yuntai became solemn, "You’re right, I was indeed there."

At that time in the Lingxiao Hall, he witnessed all the strategizing between the princess and the late emperor and the latter’s wretched state, unable to cleanse his blood-stained hands.

He had seen all of it with his own eyes.

Therefore, even if everyone else did not understand Yan Wanqing and saw her as a traitorous courtier, Ji Yuntai would be the first to stand up and unconditionally support her.

After Hao Ren pressed Ji Yuntai to recount the events of that day, he was left with a roiling passion hard to quell.

"Brother, you are right. If it was the princess, Grand Tutor Qin and his entourage would certainly be brought to justice," he clenched his fist, "I will send someone to find the princess immediately!"

For Luzhou County, for Dawei, he must find the princess!