Chapter 142 Poisoned Wine
The dull and suffocating atmosphere in the Xiao Mansion made Mengxi feel that the day when she would leave the Xiao Mansion was approaching. Her guess was not entirely correct, but it was almost right. In the battle for the throne, due to the momentary confusion of the Second Master, the Xiao family was in a queue this time. The Crown Prince was critically ill, and the position of the Crown Prince was in jeopardy. The Xiao family was also in a precarious situation, facing the test of overthrow.
Mengxi didn't know that there was a violent storm in the east wing of Shouxi Hall at that moment, and she was almost on the verge of death.
The maids had already been sent out of the east wing. Shishu and Shihua were guarding outside the door. In the east wing, Xiao Jun was kneeling on the ground, begging the old lady and the master:
"Jun'er begs grandma and father to take back the decision. The crown prince is critically ill and our Xiao family is facing difficulties, but marrying Xiu'er will not help. A few days ago, the operating rights of the southern mineral deposits were obtained, and Jun'er has mobilized part of the funds to invest in the south, under the name of Shangguan Jun. These days, Jun'er will step up the mobilization and transfer the Xiao family's funds as soon as possible, and protect the backbone of the Xiao family's industry, and send them to the south to operate the mineral deposits incognito. Grandma, although we don't have much time to prepare, the Xiao family is an aristocratic family after all, with deep roots. Even if Prince Yan ascends to the throne and Emperor Jin is still there, they dare not attack the Xiao family directly, but will only deal with the Xiao family's industry in secret. It is true that the Xiao family will suffer some financial losses, but it may not really be a disaster of annihilation. What's more, the Taoist priest once said that Jun'er and his cousin are not compatible. Jun'er will never divorce his wife and marry another. I hope grandma and father will help you."
The old lady's lips trembled when she heard this. She had clearly seen that her grandson never entered the east wing, and she thought it would not be difficult to ask him to divorce his wife and remarry. But she had no idea when Jun'er started to like Xi'er.
Thinking of Mengxi's birth as a concubine's daughter, it was such an injustice. She opened her mouth to expose this matter and put an end to the Xiao family's thoughts. But then she changed her mind and realized that Mengxi's divorce was a foregone conclusion today, so it would be better not to mention it. This matter, which would humiliate the Xiao family, should be known to her alone. It would be bad if everyone in the mansion knew about it.
Thinking of this, the old lady calmed down and said:
"Jun'er is confused. Over the past month, rumors have been spreading in Pingyang City, saying that the Xiao family has protected the prince. In particular, the news that your second uncle has surrendered to the prince has long been spread. The King of Yan must know this. The King of Yan is not like the prince, who is kind-hearted. He is ruthless and never hesitates to use any means to eliminate dissidents. Once the prince dies, the King of Yan will kill monkeys to warn chickens in order to eliminate the prince's power as soon as possible. First, he will start with my Xiao family. Looking at the court and the country, except for the prime minister Jia Guangzhong, they are all the power of the King of Yan. If you find someone to impeach your second uncle, your second uncle's entire family will be convicted. This evil son also knows that he has caused a big disaster. Yesterday, he rushed back to send an urgent letter, asking me to let Concubine Jing come forward to negotiate and protect his family."
The old lady paused when she spoke, looked at the second master on the ground and continued:
"Jun'er is right. Prince Yan will not attack the Xiao family directly, but he can unite with the Ouyang family and the Li family to suppress us . These two aristocratic families have long been eyeing the Xiao family. How can we let go of such a good opportunity? Once the Xiao family's wealth and power are gone, Prince Yan will take advantage of the opportunity and destroy the Xiao family. At that time, even if Concubine Jing and Emperor Jin want to protect us, I'm afraid they will be unable to do so. What's more, by then, the Xiao family will be useless. Since ancient times, the love of emperors has always been a mirage. I'm afraid that Concubine Jing will not live long by then. As for the incompatibility, there is always a way to solve it, but once the Xiao family is overthrown, it will be extremely difficult to revive it!"
After the old lady finished speaking, the master continued:
"In the past two days, the Xiao family's property in Pingyang has been monitored by the King of Yan. It may not be easy to move a large amount of money. Jun'er, at this time, we can no longer move the funds in Pingyang City, and your father is powerless. According to your grandmother's opinion, divorcing Xi'er and marrying Xiu'er is also an expedient measure. With Zhang Yushi as a guarantor, lobbying the King of Yan, at least the King of Yan will believe that the rumor that the Xiao family has guaranteed the prince is just a rumor. My Xiao family has always been neutral. If we can win a chance for the Xiao family, we will make a long-term plan and make other plans. I'm afraid we really have to give up your second uncle this time."
"But father..."
"Jun'er, your father understands that Xi'er is a magnanimous person who is decisive in her actions. She is indeed a lady of a noble family . Even the elders in the clan praise Jun'er for marrying a good wife. In your heart, Xi'er is indeed a hundred times better than your cousin. Not only Jun'er is reluctant to let her go, but your father will not be reluctant to divorce her unless it is absolutely necessary. It is my Xiao family who feels guilty towards her."
"Father and grandmother have a point. But Jun'er is a man of seven feet tall. How can he do such a thing worse than pigs and dogs just to survive? Tie the fate of the Xiao family to a woman. Grandma, the prince is only critically ill, he has not died yet. We still have a chance. Jun'er still has time. Jun'er will come up with a good solution. Jun'er doesn't like his cousin. Jun'er will never divorce his wife. I beg grandma and father to help me!"
After hearing what her grandson said, the old lady trembled all over and pointed at Xiao Jun and cursed:
"Beast! Beast! Your grandmother and your father are worse than pigs and dogs! What sin did I commit in my previous life to raise such an unworthy grandson like you? You actually cursed your elders for a woman. It's hard for your father and I to raise you since you were young. The foundation of the Xiao family's ancestors has been destroyed in my hands. How can I have the face to see your dead grandfather and my ancestors? It's better for you to die so as not to witness the annihilation of my Xiao family!"
After the old lady finished speaking, she stood up tremblingly and bumped her head against the wall. The eldest master stood up and hugged the old lady to prevent her from hitting the wall. He helped the old lady sit back on the chair, knelt at her feet and said:
"Mother, please calm down. Jun'er is unfilial and has caused you trouble. I will definitely discipline Jun'er. Please don't be upset. If you really do that, I will have no place to stand."
"Grandma, please calm down. Jun'er was just anxious at the moment and said something he didn't want to say. I didn't mean to insult you or my father. Jun'er kowtows to you."
Xiao Jun, who had been standing there in a daze, saw his father also kneeling on the ground to apologize to his grandmother. He knew that his grandmother had misunderstood him, so he also kowtowed and apologized.
The old lady couldn't say a word, but just kept mumbling:
"What an injustice, what an injustice ..."
The eldest master saw that the old lady had calmed down. After hearing what Xiao Jun said, he looked up and said to the old lady:
"Mother, please forgive my son for being rude"
After the master finished speaking, without waiting for the old lady to speak, he stood up and shouted to the door:
"Someone come!"
The secretary pushed the door open and bowed to the master:
"What do you want, Master?"
"Go, prepare a cup of poisoned wine, send it to the east wing of Xiaoxiang Courtyard, and give it to the Second Mistress. Tell her that it was my family who let her down. What happened today was a last resort. After she dies, my family will bury her with honor and include her in my family tree. Please invite her to the ancestral temple so that future generations can worship her and kneel down to her. I, Xiao Chen, promise today that when Jun'er has a son in the future, he will definitely give birth to a son in her name and offer incense to her."
