Chapter 228: Silencing

A few days after Xie Jing Xing returned to the residence of Prince Rui, he had to make another trip to Fu Yang City. At the beginning Lu Zheng Xuan chose Fu Yang City as the base of rebellion because of the complicated powers in Fu Yang City. Even though the Mo Yan Army people were sweeping away the remaining forces, they were only military forces. This time the Imperial family would not let any one of those hidden dogs of Lu Zheng Xuan go. It was better to kill three thousands than to let one off, thus the matter was handed over to Xie Jing Xing to oversee personally.

After Xie Jing Xing left, all the matters inside and outside the residence of Prince Rui was handed over to Shen Miao to manage. Due to the heavy weight that the residence of Prince Rui had in the entire Long Ye, many officials were watching and monitoring the every moves of the residence of Prince Rui. The more critical the situation was, the more that they could not make a mistake. Shen Miao was like usual, often chatting with those Furens and subtly passing on some information thus the situation was controlled.

The disaster that was brought by the Lu family was passed and because the rebellion started from the Lu family, there was no impact to the commoners of Long Ye. At the most they would only scold the Lu family for being rebels.

As long as the commoners were stablised, the officials would not dare to make unnecessary movements. The overall situation was stable and everything seemed to be the same as before, with the exception of one family.

The residence of the Prime Minister, the Ye family.

Ye Mao Cai had gone through arduous training in the Imperial courts for so many years and when Emperor Yong Le was initially enthroned, he was only a weak youth but now this youth had grown up to become an unfathomable male and his means were as heartless as his father, thus it seemed that there was no more living routes for the Ye family.

Ye Mao Cai was not as stupid as Lu Zheng Xuan nor was he also arrogant. The forces that Emperor Yong Le shown had made Ye Mao Cai understand that the Ye family was incapable of competing with the Imperial family of Great Liang as it was like a thorn that was pierced onto the Emperor's body. It was alright that it did not itch or was painful but what the Ye family had to pay was the fate of the entire residence.

No one wanted to die and no one was willing to embark on a route that would end.

Ye Mao Cai started to plan to flee. He hoped that he could protect his only descendent but when necessary, this could also be abandoned. However the most important thing was that the every moves of the Ye family was monitored by the Imperial family's people so it was very difficult to escape.

Moreover no one had thought that Emperor Xian De's moves would be that fast.

On this day, Shen Miao just came back from the Imperial Censor's Furen residence and it was almost late in the evening. The long summer finally passed and the winds of early autumn started to form. The trees and flowers in the courtyard started to fall and cover the floor in a tine layer. Even though it was swept away, when a wind blow, a few more leaves fluttered down. Jing Zhe's was having headache due to anger but could not help but take the broom to sweep the courtyard.

Shen Miao sat at the edge of the courtyard and Tang Shu came over and said to her with a smile, "Furen, the kitchens has boiled soup. When the soup is ready, one will instruct them to bring a bowl to Furen. These days Furen had been waking up early and returning late at night. It is indeed tiring."

"It is only accompanying people to talk. It is not tiring." Shen Miao smiled gently. She also thought about Xie Jing Xing, who was still in Fu Yang and could not help but sighed.

Things were still far from complete. Currently this Yong Ye seemed calm but danger was hiding deeper. Even if the Ye family was taken care, how about Ming Qi, which was thousands of Li (1 Li = 1 mile) away? Now her entire heart was hanging two ways, at one side it was hang up with Ming Qi and the other side was worried about Great Liang. Just how long could Emperor Yong Le's condition last for and the uncertain matter of when Fu Xiu Yi would join forces with Qin country and attack Great Liang. Once there was any accident, only Xie Jing Xing could handle the responsibility in the Imperial family of Great Liang. Likewise, she had to face even more problems.

Xie Jing Xing's words were right, there was no time. There was no time for them to slowly deal with the other party.

Just as she was thinking, she saw Mo Qing walking in hurriedly with a strange expression. These days Shen Miao had instructed Mo Qing to monitor the Ye siblings day and night. Ye Mei had already aligned with Jin Xing Ming and Jin Xing Ming would be leaving Great Liang. Shen Miao had decided not to let her succeed as from some perspective, Ye Mei was more of an endless trouble than compared to Ye Mao Cai.

"The Emperor's side had decreed to invite Ye Mao Cai into the Palace." Mo Qing said.

Shen Miao was startled, "Enter the Palace?"

Mo Qing nodded his head, "Correct. Currently the Ye residence is in chaos and the servants are escaping scattered but there are people from the Palace that are guarding outside. Insider is however in a mess."

Shen Miao muttered, "How could it be this fast…"

Everyone knew that Emperor Yong Le wanted to deal with the Ye family so she was also not surprised but Xie Jing Xing was currently in Fu Yang and Emperor Yong Le's health was not good. To send the order when Xie Jing Xing was present would perhaps be more confident but when Shen Miao thought about it, perhaps by giving the Ye family an opportunity to breathe, Ye Mao Cai might take the opportunity to escape. Now by using the formal reason of inviting Ye Mao Cai to enter the Palace and imprison him, it is smashing the head of the thieves first. The Ye residence, without the head, would first be in chaos so when one would clean up, it would be easy picking.

She thought for a bit and said, "You, Cong Yang and Tie Yi, the three of you immediately go to Ye residence now and monitor Ye Mei and sibling. If they make any moves, only follow. If they want to leave Long Ye, stop them and bring them back. Life and death do not matter."

"Three people all monitor Ye Mei and sibiling?" Cong Yang jumped down from the tree and said, "It is just overly wastage of talents. One heard that the Ye Furen is not an easy master. Why not I watch over that Ye Furen?"

"No need to bother about her." Shen Miao said. "Even though she is intelligent, she is after all a married woman. These days the information that one heard was that Ye Mao Cai did not let Ye Furen meddle with his formal affairs so Ye Furen is not in contact with Ye Mao Cai's forces so she can only be an intelligent woman only. The Emperor did not let her enter the Palace and it was because of this reason. She, one person, would not be able to create any wind or waves. It is Ye Mei and sibling that is very cunning. For them to leave the Ye residence this easily, one felt that it would not be that easy. She would definitely have some plans that would be beneficial to her. This is what you need to pay most attention to."

Cong Yang thought about it and felt that she spoke with a bit of reason before nodded his head. Tie Yi had always obeyed orders, not to mention Mo Qing. When three of them was about to leave, Shen Miao paused and suddenly stopped them, "Yes, if you encounter the crippled Young Master of the Ye residence, there is no need to harm him. If someone wants to harm him, remember to help him."

*****

In the night, the Ye residence was in a chaotic mess.

No one had expected that the Imperial family would suddenly send people to 'invite' Ye Mao Cai. Even though the servants did not know what exactly had happened, but these days they had been hearing rumours and now that Ye Mao Cai was invited away at this moment, Ye Mao Cai's resistance had confirm the conjecture in their heart. The first thing they did was to pack up their clothes and jewelry to prepare to flee. Even though no one would shed tears when they fled from a hopeless household, they still pretended that they hoped that it was just a misunderstanding and still did their work. The entire residence was filled with people living with fear.

These servants are usually disciplined by Ye Furen very well but this was a life threatening matter so unless one was a saint, no one would take it for granted.

In the midst of this chaos, Ye Furen was starting to pack up her personal gold and jewelry.

She had long saw Ye Mao Cai's plan. She initially still had a trace of hope on Ye Mao Cai but in Ye Mao Cai's fleeing plans, it did not include her from the beginning to the end. A married couple was birds of the same forest but at the face of trouble, each would fly on its own. Ye Furen at last saw clearly that Ye Mao Cai did not have any concerns or care about the husband and wife relationship so she would treat it as though she did not have a husband. Currently Ye Mao Cai's fleeing plans was to her advantage as who let Ye Mao Cai become the biggest target in Emperor Yong Le's eyes?

She carefully searched for all the bank notes and jewelry that were light and could be taken around, after all one could not sit still and wait.

Ye Mei and Ye Ke were also the same at this moment.

Ye Ke was pacing back and forth in the room with his brows full of anxiety as he ask Ye Mei periodically, "Older Sister, is what you said true? The Prime Minister residence is truly collapsing? How can this be possible? One did not hear anything at all previously. Perhaps the Emperor invited Father to the Palace for some court matters and it is not like what we are thinking about."

Ye Mei packed up some bank notes as she had started to pawn those jewelries that a few days back as planned for money before exchanging them for bank notes that could be used in all the banks in Great Liang. These things were good to carry around and were also essential. She said, "Are you still deceiving yourself till now? If it was only to discuss about matters of the court then why did Ye Mao Cai instructed the guards to take action towards those who tried to escape when he was invited away? This is clearly making sure that no one flees."

"But there was no a single signs at all!" Ye Ke still refused to believe Ye Mei's words at all.

"It is just that you did not pay any attention."

Ye Ke's eyes widen and stared at Ye Mei incredulously, "Eldest Sister, what do you mean? Could it be that you have known earlier? If you already knew it, then why did you not tell me?"

"I only guessed it and most of the time still relied on intuition. Since there is no evidence, even if I were to tell you, will you believe it?" Ye Mei sneered in her heart but on the surface said warmly, "What's more, I have arranged these matters myself. You are after all my Younger Brother. Now that the Ye family is collapsing, we cannot sink together with them and one have to find an opportunity to escape. I will bring you along."

Ye Ke's expression was somewhat complicated and seemed to be very reluctant, "One had thought that the Ye residence was the best choice to stay in and one had not think that one would not even have a single official rank at all and now would even have to flee like a dog. Thinking about this, it would better if one did not come over to the Ye family and remain in Qin province."

"That might not be necessarily so." All of Ye Mei's bank notes had been packed and it was divided to a few bunches, "One always have to ensure one's life is intact. You better not wait here and go to your room to pack up all the valuables. These things needs to be used when one is fleeing."

Ye Ke moved his lips but at the end he did not say anything and accepted his fate as he walked out with his head down from Ye Mei's room. It seemed that he had listened to Ye Mei's words and returned to the room to pack up.

After Ye Mei saw him left, there was not a sound in the room for a long time before she stood up. A dark look flashed in her eyes and after a short moment, she gently exited the room.

She headed towards Ye Mao Cai's study.

Ye Mao Cai's study was closed and normally only Ye Ke and Ye Furen entered the study as Ye Mao Cai would occasionally speak to them. However Ye Mao Cai had a cautious personality thus if he really wanted to hide some things, he would not place it in the study where it would be easily found. However the more dangerous a place was, the safer it was thus Ye Mao Cai did the opposite and deliberately place it in the study which was rather surprising.

However Ye Mei had gotten a tip from Ye Ke previously thus she knew that there was a painting of a beauty in Ye Mao Cai's study. There seemed to be some flaw in the beauty painting and there was something important to Ye Mao Cai in it. Now that Ye Mao Cai was taken away and there was no hope for Ye Ke to be an official, this thing could only be placed here.

Everyone in the Prime Minister residence was anxious and there was not a single person outside the study. It was very easy for Ye Mei to enter it and she quickly found that paint of a beauty. The painting was hung on the wall that was directly facing Ye Mao Cai's desk. Ye Mei walked over and used her hand to touch it but she felt that the painting was very flat, as if nothing was wrong with it.

How did Ye Ke discover it?

Ye Mei did not give up and search for it seriously but came out with nothing. She was a little discourage and suspected that the thing behind the painting had been moved elsewhere. Ye Mei was angry with that painting of a beauty and glared at the painting with dissatisfaction when she saw that there was something wrong with the painting.

The beauty in the painting was standing under the peach tree smiling and her cheeks seemed to have a blush, poising in a shy manner. However that pair of eyes was very indifferent as it did not contain any smiles but the sparkle gave others a wrong impression that this painting was lifelike, and made others feel a chill behind their back.

Ye Mei's heart paused and she suddenly reached out her hands to touch the beauty's eyes. Sure enough she felt a hard convex bulge and she pressed it. She heard a 'pa' sound and suddenly on top of the beauty painting, there was a concave. Her heart became excited as she reach out and fished out a metal little box.

That little box should be what Ye Ke had mentioned, Ye Mao Cai's most precious item. After Ye Mei had gotten the stuff, she no longer stayed and turned around to leave.

At this time, the doors of the study suddenly opened and Ye Mei was startled as she saw Ye Hong Guang rolling his wheelchair in.

Upon seeing Ye Mei, Ye Hong Guang's eyes also widen, "Eldest Sister?"

Ye Hong Guang was very worried today.

All the servants in the residence were in chaos and his position as an inconvenienced Young Master was not high. Normally it was Ye Mao Cai that protected him so they would not treat him badly but when Ye Mao Cai left, Ye Furen would not even see him so those servants would not be bothered about him, that there was no one to even push his wheelchair.

Ye Hong Guang was also very worried about Ye Mao Cai in his heart but there was no one in the entire residence that talk to him. Under all the different hardships, he could only rolled himself to Ye Mao Cai's study, as if the study still had Ye Mao Cai's air and he could feel that he was the Young Master of the Ye family with his Father backing.

Who knew that when he entered the study, he would see Ye Mei?

"Eldest Sister, why are you here?" Ye Hong Guang asked.

Ye Mei was holding the metal box and after seeing that it was Ye Hong Guang that entered, she became relieved and smiled, "Oh. Father had previously asked me to come over to take some things and pass it to him when he return from the Palace. I saw that all the servants in this residence was busy so I came over to find it for myself."

"What thing is it?" Ye Hong Guang's gaze landed on the small box in Ye Mei's embrace, "Is it the little box that Eldest Sister is carrying?"

Ye Mei smiled, "It is." She then said, "Third Younger Brother is also here to look for something? Then I will not bother you. The room will be left for Third Younger Brother, may Third Younger Brother slowly search." She was about to leave and just as she was passed Ye Hong Guang's wheelchair, she heard Ye Hong Guang suddenly speaking, "Eldest Sister, don't you know that Father had never let females enter his study?"

Ye Mei paused and her feet stopped at once.

Ye Hong Guang's eyes were very clear and childlike but at this time it seemed to be very sharp. He said, "Eldest Sister, why do you want to life? Why lie to me?"

"I did not lie to you." Ye Mei firmed up her thoughts and said with a smile, "I am saying the truth. If you don't believe then wait for Father's return and ask him, then you will know if what I said is true or false."

However Ye Hong Guang did not hear Ye Mei's words and continue to speak, "Is it because of this small box in your arms? Because you want to steal the things inside the small box? This small box belongs to my Father right? Even though one do not know what it is, but seeing that you stealing it in such a chaotic time, one think that this thing is important to my Father and is very valuable by itself."

Ye Mei was startled.

This youth who seemed to be weak and could not take the wind had after all inherited some things from Ye Mao Cai. Even though he was not familiar with the ways of the world, he was undoubtedly very intelligent.

Ye Mei clenched her fists.

"Put this small box down and I can treat it as nothing had happened." Ye Hong Guang said.

"Third Younger Brother." Ye Mei tried to coax him, "This small box is something that Father instructed me to take. I really did not steal it."

"Since you did not steal it and it was Father that instructed you to take, then one is not in a hurry. Wait till Father returned then you can personally give it to him." Ye Hong Guang was not willing to give in a little at all.

Ye Mei saw that the agreed time to meet Jin Xing Ming was drawing closer, she became anxious, "What if I am not willing?"

"Why not?" Ye Hong Guang frowned, "Could it be that you really stole it?"

Ye Mei was somewhat annoyed in her heart. Ye Hong Guang's thoughts were different from normal people, thus she did not know how to make this youth give in to her. If one said that he was intelligent, he was dumb as he would hand over the things in his hands to other. If one said that he was stupid, he was however about to see the uniqueness of this small box and stopped her at such a critical time.

Seeing Ye Mei not moving, Ye Hong Guang's good temper started to close up gradually. He said seriously, "If Eldest Sister is insistent then I can only call Mother over and let Mother stop you."

Ye Furen?

Even though Ye Furen was not worth mentioning in the eyes of Emperor Yong Le and was only a somewhat smart woman, in the Prime Minister residence, all the servants had to listen to Ye Furen's command. Moreover even though Ye Furen recognised her as her daughter, she would only stand on the side of Ye Mao Cai's. If Ye Furen knows about this, one feared that the small box could not be protected.

"No!" Ye Mei blurted out.

"Then put down the small box."

Ye Mei said, "Third Younger Brother, listen to me…"

"Someone come!" Ye Hong Guang suddenly shouted out, scaring Ye Mei so much that she immediately covered his mouth. Ye Hong Guang started to struggle but he could not walk and was weak thus he was completed controlled by Ye Mei. As Ye Mei covered his mouth, her gaze landed not far off from her hand, onto the big pair of scissors on top of the paper basket.

A flash appeared in her eyes and she no longer care in her heart. She did not hesitate as she grabbed the scissors and stabbed it into Ye Hong Guang's chest without even wrinkling her brows!

Ye Hong Guang's mouth and nose and was caught off guards by Ye Mei's stab. After struggling his legs a few times, his eyes stared straight at Ye Mei, as if he had not thought that she would be such a vicious female. He no longer had the energy to shout and could only moan labouriously.

Ye Mei glance at him coldly and said, "One initially did not want you to die but you really talk too much." She then turned around and left.

Ye Hong Guang fell onto the ground as the wheelchair tipped over. His entire body was flat on the ground and gradually the blood pooled around the floor. He tried so hard to crawl to the doors to call others but how would it be easy? The doors that were nearby was currently like an unreachable road, so long that it made one despair.

Tie Yi and the few just arrived in the Ye residence but did not see Ye Mei's whereabouts. One had thought that Ye Mei had fleed in the short amount of time but when they search to the study, they jumped in shock. Ye Hong Guang was on the floor in a pool of blood, one did not know if he was dead or alive.

Cong Yang asked, "What happened? What should be done?"

Mo Qing came out from another room and said, "The Ye siblings planned to flee out from the residence. Older Brother Tie Yi's QingGong is good so you should follow."

Tie Yi complied and jumped out of the window before disappearing into the night.

Mo Qing's gaze landed on Ye Hong Guang, who was on the floor, and also jumped in shock, "What happened?"

"One does not know." Cong Yang scratched his head and knelt by Ye Hong Guang to check his breathing, "There is still breathing but one do not know if he could be saved."

"It seemed that he had be schemed by others." Mo Qing said, "Quickly attract people over."

"Forget about it." Cong Yang patted his hands, "The servants in this residence cannot even take care of themselves, how would there be time to take care of this Young Master. Have you heard of a defeated Phoenix is not better than a chicken? Moreover this residence's Furen do not like him and would be clapping one's hands upon seeing his situation so how would they call a physician over?"

"Then bring him back." Mo Qing walked over to Ye Hong Guang's side and carried him up. Ye Hong Guang was weak and one did not need much effort to carry him. Mo Qing said, "Furen sees this kid differently thus it would not be good if we did not save him. One thinks that if Furen is present, she would also make such a choice. First bring him back and look for Gentleman Gao. It would depend on his fate if he can be saved or not."

Cong Yang shrugged, "Listen to you then."

However one suddenly saw the youth open his eyes and use all his energy to squeeze out some words.

"Mei… Stole… Something… Flee…"

"What is the meaning of his words?" Cong Yang asked curiously.

However Ye Hong Guang's head tilted and would not wake up no matter how one called for him.

"No idea. Quickly leave else the servants will come." Mo Qing said. Both of them dared not make any mistakes, thus they did not stay longer and quickly leave.

Shen Miao was sitting at the room waiting for news. Emperor Yong Le's action came so fast that many things were done beforehand. It was one thing to plan but it was another thing if a plan could be successful.

However as Tie Ye and the few had gone for so long, it had made her heart heavy as she was thinking if Ye Mei had already fled.

Just as she was thinking, she saw Jing Zhe happy speaking, "They have come back!"

Shen Miao stood up and only heard Gu Yu, who was outside the doors, speaking with shock, "What is going on?"

"Quickly invite Physician Gao over." This was Mo Qing's voice.

After that the doors were pushed open and Mo Qing and Cong Yang walked in. Mo Qing was also carrying someone into the room and placed that person onto the bed. Shen Miao took a look and was startled and said coarsely, "Ye Hong Guang!"

"When this subordinate went up, he was laying in the study and seemed to be assassinated by others and the assassin should be someone in the residence. Ye Mei and sibling were planning to flee and Tie Yi had followed them and left signals all the way. This subordinate will rush over immediately. One had already instructed others to invite Gentleman Gao over." Mo Qing explained.

"Who in the Ye residence has such a deep hatred with a child?" Shen Miao saw the similarity of Ye Hong Guang's face with Fu Ming, her heart felt very upset and was somewhat angry too, "That could use such a poisonous action onto a child."

"Perhaps it is done by Ye Mei?" Cong Yang said.

Shen Miao frowned, "What is the explanation for those words?"

"This child woke up once and said a few words 'Mei stole something and flee'." Mo Qing said, "This subordinate guessed that she perhaps wanted to s ay that Ye Mei and stolen something and flee and perhaps when she was stealing, Ye Hong Guang saw it and thus she silenced him by murdering him."

"But what exactly did one stole?" Cong Yang said, "Gold and jewelry? To harm a child because of these things? This female is truly vicious."

"Not right." Shen Miao said suddenly.

Both of them were startled and asked at the same time, "What is not right?"

"Not right. This matter is not right." Suddenly a thought flashed in Shen Miao's heart. She had no time to explain and immediately said, "Cong Yang, immediately follow Tie Yi's signals and go over. If Le Mei wants to leave Long Ye, no matter if it is a water or land route, do not stop her but prolong their time. Slow them down. Get them to go slowly."

"Don't stop them?" Cong Yang was startled.

"Yes, don't stop." Shen Miao said and she looked back at Ye Hong Guang on the bed and called Jing Zhe and Gu Yu in so that Gao Yang could immediately treat him when he comes in.

Finally she said to Mo Qing, "Mo Qing, come with me to the study."

Even though everyone was unable to make head or tails, upon seeing her serious expression, they did not dare to refute and followed her instructions.

Shen Miao's gaze was as sharp as a knife.

Mei Furen stole something and flee?

Stole what? Flee towards where?

Shen Miao almost did not understand her intentions and thus specially sending her off a trip.