The explanation for Luo Yuan's peculiar travel route that day was thus revealed. He must have communicated with these secret soldiers hidden within Bianliang in some manner. She recalled Qing Ye telling her how many northern refugees had recently arrived in the capital. These people had likely infiltrated the city disguised as refugees. She wondered if Qing Ye's group had any statistics on these refugees.
The next day, Yang Ruo Ning secretly contacted Qing Ye via radio. As they concluded, she asked Qing Ye if the court had tallied the number of refugees and their places of residence since their arrival in the capital.
Qing Ye replied that he had not heard of any such count.
"Why ask about this?" Qing Ye inquired, a little curious.
"Nothing much, it's just that there are too many refugees, and I thought it would be best for the authorities to have a count for resettlement purposes."
"I also mentioned to the Duke of State if these refugees could be provided with shelter and food, but there has been no follow-up," Qing Ye said.
"Oh, really?" Yang Ruo Ning sighed softly. Jiang Qi's ambition was perhaps too great; was he unwilling to even grant Qing Ye the authority to handle such matters?
She then asked, "Is Yue Feng still at the monastery? Has her health improved?"
"Yes, Mother's health has improved somewhat, but she still needs to recuperate there."
Yang Ruo Ning had not seen Jiang Yue Feng for some time. Qing Ye had mentioned that her heartburn condition had worsened. Yang Ruo Ning suspected that Jiang Yue Feng was most likely having heart problems. In this era, a heart condition was tantamount to a death sentence. Jiang Yue Feng's frequent heartburn episodes might have signaled that her time was short, and she could suffer a fatal cardiac arrest at any moment. And now, she could no longer freely enter and exit the monastery to visit Yue Feng. The guards at the gate had told her that seeing the Empress Dowager required Jiang Qi's consent. For the past month, Jiang Qi had been making excuses to prevent her from visiting Yue Feng. Yang Ruo Ning knew this was likely Jiang Qi's way of coercing her into quickly uncovering Luo Yuan's methods of secret operations.
"Ruo Ning, if anything happens to me, Qing Ye... I'll trouble you," Jiang Yue Feng had said to her the last time they met.
Yang Ruo Ning sighed, "Qing Ye, let's leave together, leave this place and return to your father's and my world."
"I'm afraid... I can't leave," Qing Ye's voice was so faint it seemed to drift away, "I can't... leave..."
"Come with me, here you will..." Yang Ruo Ning didn't finish her sentence; she hadn't yet decided whether to tell Qing Ye about future events.
"Yang Ruo Ning, I think we shouldn't talk anymore. What if Luo Yuan finds out..."
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine!"
"The Luo Yuan that I know will eliminate anyone who stands in his way. I probably can't talk to you like this for a while. Yang Ruo Ning, you need to be careful. No, Yang Ruo Ning, you should return to your world, and we should never meet again."
"Qing Ye! Qing Ye!" Qing Ye's parting words left Yang Ruo Ning panicked. She shouted Qing Ye's name into the radio, but only the static crackle of electricity came from the other end.
"Fuck!" Yang Ruo Ning fiercely threw the radio in her hand into the flower bushes beside her.
After learning that Qing Ye was Jason's son, she had sworn she would not lose him again. Qing Ye was her only family, Jason's dying wish, and Jiang Yue Feng's last entrustment. No matter what, she would not let Qing Ye be harmed.
If Qing Ye was so resolute, then she had to uncover Luo Yuan's plan and delay his ascension! The clue was clearly hidden in those seemingly regular and ordinary activities. What could it be?
Meanwhile, Luo Yuan suddenly made a move.
That night, after Yang Ruo Ning had fallen asleep, Luo Yuan changed into his night clothes, climbed onto the roof, and stealthily departed. He had rarely gone out in person recently, and this time it was clearly unusual.
After he left, Yang Ruo Ning immediately put on her listening equipment.
He did not leave the city. After about twenty minutes, voices could be heard from that direction.
A deep male voice said, "Sir, the Imperial City Department has suddenly taken action, using the excuse of public disorder in the capital to arrest many of our brothers."
"How many?" Luo Yuan asked.
"Over a hundred."
Luo Yuan was silent for a few seconds.
"Are they all locked up in the Xing Prison?"
"They are not held in Xing Prison. Their operation was covert this time, so I haven't been able to gather any information yet."
"Oh? They don't know where they've been imprisoned?" Luo Yuan's voice grew more serious.
"Sir, the Imperial City Department's sudden action must have been ordered by Jiang Qi. Jiang Qi, from an unknown source, has gotten wind of something, and I'm afraid..." the man hesitated.
"Afraid of what?"
"I'm afraid there's an informant, sir."
"First, find out where our people are imprisoned. Since it's under the guise of disturbing public order, they shouldn't be in immediate danger. But just in case, we need to be fully prepared. Regarding the informant, there is no evidence, so do not mention this matter in front of others. Leave it to me to handle."
"Yes, sir."
Hearing this, Yang Ruo Ning shivered. They suspected an informant? She had a premonition that something was wrong.
Jiang Qi, that old fox, knew something!
The next morning, while delivering goods, Yang Ruo Ning secretly went to Jiang Qi's mansion.
This was her first visit to Jiang Qi's home. Jiang Qi's grand residence was adjacent to the Imperial Palace, occupying the most prosperous area of Bianliang. Compared to Luo Yuan's discretion, the Jiang mansion was ostentatiously luxurious. The grand red mansion gate, made of the finest Phoebe zhennan wood, seemed to tell all visitors that this was the home of Da Song's most powerful regent.
After announcing her name, Yang Ruo Ning was led by a young attendant through a series of turns to a garden. In the garden, Jiang Qi was under a grapevine, playing with a child around five or six years old.
Seeing her enter, Jiang Qi beckoned, and the nanny came to take the child inside.
Yang Ruo Ning asked him who the child was, and Jiang Qi said it was his youngest son.
Yang Ruo Ning: "I thought you only liked men."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean this old man can't have sons."
At this moment, several attendants, who looked only eleven or twelve years old and had delicate features, brought in some tea and fruits and placed them on a stone table in the garden. She remained silent, only scoffing inwardly.
Jiang Qi waved his hand, and everyone withdrew, leaving only her and Jiang Qi.
"How did you know?"
"The Emperor asked me about the refugees."
"And then you knew?"
"Because the Emperor said it was your suggestion."
"What will you do with those people?"
Jiang Qi took a sip of tea and smiled slightly. "Do people from your side all speak so frankly, like young ladies?"
"It's you who always speaks in ways that are difficult to understand."
"That's not entirely true. Young lady, you haven't been involved in court affairs, and you don't understand the dangers involved. Speaking too frankly will only bring trouble upon yourself."
"I am only now beginning to understand this, thanks to Lord Jiang."
"Miss Yang is intelligent and discerning; she hardly needs my guidance."
Yang Ruo Ning grew impatient and didn't want to listen to Jiang Qi's platitudes. "So, what will you do?"
"It's better that young lady doesn't know about this matter."
"Since it started because of me, I feel I have a responsibility to know."
Jiang Qi gently placed down his teacup and said leisurely, "If the young lady insists, then this old man will not hide it. But I have a word of caution to offer first." He looked at Yang Ruo Ning. "Young lady, remember, this is Da Song, and this world has its own rules of conduct. Do not judge matters here by your own standards."
Yang Ruo Ning's brow furrowed slightly, not understanding Jiang Qi's meaning. Then, she heard Jiang Qi say, "If everything went smoothly, those people are now souls under the blade, aren't they?"
A chill ran down Yang Ruo Ning's spine. She shivered uncontrollably. Her mind reeled, and she heard her own voice, "What?"
"You killed all those people?!"
"Rooting out weeds prevents future troubles."
"Then... the leader..."
"Miss Yang, if you are referring to Luo Yuan, this old man has yet to find any concrete evidence."
"I want to tell you, Luo Yuan is my husband."
"Husband? What is that?"
"I married him."
"Oh? Is that so?" Jiang Qi looked at Yang Ruo Ning, a smile of unclear meaning in his eyes. "Miss Yang, have you indeed fallen for General Luo?"
"Luo Yuan... and Qing Ye are both my family. Family, to me, is someone I would protect even if it meant blowing up the Imperial Palace."
"I know. General Luo will be in no danger for the time being," Jiang Qi said.
Yang Ruo Ning didn't know how she walked out of the Jiang mansion. She was dazed. She was caught completely off guard by the sudden turn of events. She didn't know how Luo Yuan would react when he found out. She didn't know if she was responsible or how she should take responsibility. Should she tell Luo Yuan?
He would kill her, wouldn't he?
He would ultimately succeed; this might just be a setback on his path to success, Yang Ruo Ning thought. At this point, the only thing to do was to save Qing Ye and Yue Feng first.