Chapter 247 - 247 Conspiracy
247 Conspiracy
Just as Lin Suisui had guessed, from the next day onwards, Su Le and the others keenly discovered that there were many suspicious strangers outside the residence.
However, with Lu Ze’s instructions in advance, Su Le and the others didn’t react to the probing until the day of the plum banquet.
The West Mountain Plum Garden was considered an attraction in Cloud Mountain City. It was halfway up the West Mountain, and at the top of the mountain was the Frigid Cloud Temple. Because a hot spring was later discovered on this mountain, the noble families in Cloud Mountain City bought manors there later on.
However, the plum garden where Pei Zhaoyue was holding a banquet today wasn’t anyone’s private property, but the outer courtyard of the Cold Mountain Temple. Previously, it was just a few trees randomly planted by monks in the mountains. However, after the plum garden gradually became famous, the abbot of the Frigid Mountain Temple, Monk Kong Yun, simply built this plum garden.
However, although it was called a plum garden, it wasn’t surrounded by walls. It meant that everyone there was equal. Regardless of whether they were poor or rich, anyone could enter this plum forest to admire the flowers.
Lin Suisui and Lu Ze’s carriage left the city early in the morning. Under the protection of the surrounding light cavalry, they rushed towards the plum garden.
There was quite a commotion along the way. Almost the entire Cloud Mountain City knew about it before they left the city.
When this news reached the Plum Garden, Pei Zhaoyue was sitting at the head of the table with an arrogant expression while looking at the old consort of Huai Yang, who was clearly older than him.
“I know what you’re thinking, old consort, but don’t you know who ordered the Ma family to be exterminated?! It was my nephew. Do you think he’ll really disregard my well-being?!
Also, who do the Ma family and the Zhou family think they are?! They’re just lap dogs raised by our general!
In this day and age, it’s not easy to find people, but is there a shortage of lap dogs?!”
Pei Zhaoyue stared at Duke Huai Yang’s mother, who was cowering and wanted to hide, but had nowhere to hide. The disdain in her eyes intensified. “Do you think that since a little girl like her can bully me, you can too?!
What does Duke Huai Yang’s ministry have right now?!
You guys are just a royal family in decline!
“If you’re sensible, listen to my instructions. In the future, I’ll definitely help you find a good grandson-in-law! At that time, you can also return to the capital. It’s better than staying in this remote place in the north!”
“Madam Pei, Ningfu is my only granddaughter. I don’t have any other wishes now. I only hope that she can marry into a good family! If you’re willing to help, I’ll definitely listen to you.”
The old consort deliberated for a moment before getting up and bowing to Pei Zhaoyue.
Although Pei Zhaoyue was arrogant, she was right about one thing. Even without the General’s residence, she still had the Pei family, the Empress, and the fourth prince to rely on. She was much more powerful than that arrogant little girl!
Besides, her nephew, Mr. Pei, was still in Cloud Mountain City. No matter what, now wasn’t the time to offend her.
“Then have you prepared the things I told you to prepare previously?!”
After she heard the old consort’s promise, the ruthless expression on Pei Zhaoyue’s face finally dissipated a little. She stared at the old consort as she said, “It’s just snowed, so the road into the mountain is not easy to travel on!”
“I’ve already instructed and arranged things. It’s just that…”
The old consort pursed her lips and looked at Pei Zhaoyue awkwardly as she said, “It’s just that other than that girl, there are also women from other families who are coming to admire the flowers. If, if…”
“What’s there to be afraid of?! If I was afraid of implicating the innocent, I wouldn’t have used this plan! The reason I invited so many people to the banquet this time is to conceal my true target!
What will the avalanche have to do with us?!
Blame those people for being unlucky!”
As Pei Zhaoyue spoke, she couldn’t help but raise her hand and yawn. She had a good time last night. She had stayed in the manor on the mountain with someone and made love in the hot spring all night. If not for the fact that she had a good show to watch today, she wouldn’t have gotten up so early in the morning and rushed over.
“Alright, I’m going to rest for a while. Please help yourself!”
She raised her hand tiredly and gestured for the old consort and the others to leave.
How could the old consort dare to disobey her? She stood up and exchanged a few more pleasantries before turning around and leaving the pavilion built along the plum garden.
Those who had received the invitation from Pei Zhaoyue naturally didn’t dare to be negligent. Not to mention that the snowy road was difficult to walk on, even if it was raining knives, they had to attend the banquet on time.
Those with means had already gone to their manors closest to the plum garden early on. This way, they didn’t have to be in a hurry and wake up early. They could take their time.
However, many families who didn’t have a manor on the West Mountain had to leave the city early in the morning to rush to the West Mountain like Lin Suisui and the others.
Among them was Mr. Tang’s wife.
She didn’t come alone this time. Naturally, she also called her sister-in-law, Song Zhou, who had also received the invitation. The two of them sat in the carriage with ugly expressions.
“I know what you want to say, but what can I do?! The wife of the general who stabilizes the north is a wolf, and Madam Liu is a tiger!
Your brother-in-law and I are just rats caught in the bellows. Who can afford to offend them?!”
Tang Song looked at Song Zhou with an aggrieved expression. Before she could speak, Tang Song lamented, “Two days ago, the general’s wife called me over and asked me a lot of questions!
I really have no choice. I wonder when these days will end!”
“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen! You might as well let your husband compromise. He hasn’t done anything meaningful all these years anyway!
It’s better than being caught up in a dilemma and being on tenterhooks!
If things go wrong, he might get executed!
Make a compromise. Come home and just focus on taking care of the business. At least our family will be safe and sound! But now, you just helped Madam Liu, but then you passed on a lot of news to the general’s wife yesterday!
If anything really happened, who would be the unlucky one?!
When devils fight, it’s always the lackey that suffers. You should discuss resignation with your husband when you go back this time…”
Song Zhou was trying to persuade Tang Song. However, before she could finish speaking, she heard a deafening bang not far ahead, and the entire ground trembled…