Changsheng: Peak at the Beginning

Chapter 1489: Legend of the Hidden Sea 9

As soon as Xiang Antu made any move, he was immediately noticed by the Qinghe Palace. However, Shen Mudan found out that Xiang Antu took action immediately after meeting Zang Hai. She became more curious about Zang Hai, so she sent people to investigate Zang Hai's background. Of course, she reported Xiang Antu's movements to Xiao Jinyue as soon as possible.

Xiao Jinyue is still waiting for news from Jiangnan. She plans to send people out to sea, and of course she has to find out the situation in Jiangnan first.

Shen Mudan said worriedly, "Your Highness, after Xiang Antu met with Zang Hai, more than 20 experts gathered outside the city and headed for the four city gates. As far as I know, the only person worth noting recently is Lu Jin, the adopted son of Cao Jingxian, the capital city official."

"I also found out that Cao Jingxian sent Lu Jin to Qingquan Town with a dozen factory guards a few days ago to investigate Zang Hai's background. Now, judging from the actions of Zang Hai and Xiang An Tu, I'm afraid that Zang Hai's background is different. He is actually colluding with Xiang An Tu. Maybe he is a spy sent by Dong Xia to Dayong."

"In this case, Xiang Antu must have already developed disloyalty towards Dayong!"

Xiao Jinyue hasn't received any news from Qingquan Town yet, so she won't speculate anything for the time being. However, it is normal to say that Xiang Antu has developed disloyalty towards Dayong.

After all, Dongxia is a country founded by women, and all the rulers in history have been queens. Logically speaking, Xiang Antu also has the opportunity to inherit the throne of Dongxia. Now she is just a princess in name only in Dayong, and she has to learn the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues and make herself virtuous. Even though Dongxia is a small country, it is a great paradise for Xiang Antu.

Xiang Antu is a foreign hostage, and there is really little she can do to disrupt the order of the Dayong government. Xiao Jinyue feels that since he has his eyes on her, there is no need to praise her too much, as long as she doesn't have the chance to harm Dayong.

Xiao Jinyue ordered: "Send some people to keep an eye on Zang Hai from a distance. As for Xiang Antu, everything just remains normal. Don't worry too much."

Shen Mudan replied yes, but she couldn't help but remind Xiao Jinyue, "Your Highness, the Guixi disappeared in Dayong ten years ago, and Dongxia must have made a lot of moves. Maybe Xiang Antu and Canghai are targeting the Guixi this time."

Xiao Jinyue nodded to show that he understood, but seeing that Shen Mudan was still frowning, he put down the scroll in his hand and explained, "The Gui Seal did cause the late emperor to suffer a big defeat, but judging from the defeat of Dongxia ten years ago, the Gui Seal does have abilities beyond the imagination of ordinary people, but if you want to use it, you may have to pay a huge price. Otherwise, why doesn't Dongxia use the Gui Seal to defeat Dayong again?"

Shen Mudan still didn't want to change her opinion, but she agreed with Xiao Jinyue: "Your Majesty is right."

"But this Guixi has the power to influence a war after all. Even if we, the Great Yong, don't use it, we can't let it fall into the hands of other forces."

This is not bad, but Xiao Jinyue can't say that the Guixi is hidden in the mechanical plate made by her father in Hanzhang Palace, so there is no need to worry about doing anything.

Xiao Jinyue pretended to ponder for a moment, then said: "Then you must keep a close eye on Xiang Antu and Canghai, but as long as they don't directly endanger the Great Yong court or the people, I will ignore the rest."

Shen Mudan solemnly responded again and went back to wait for news from Qingquan Town.

Xiang Antu, Canghai and even the masked man behind Canghai, are unaware that there is a third party watching them. Although Shen Mudan sometimes has a strong sense of crisis, she is very reliable and trustworthy, so Xiao Jinyue puts most of her energy on Jiangnan.

Prince Yongrong accidentally learned that Xiao Jinyue's men had gone to Jiangnan, and he came out from the back door with his hands behind his back.

There is a garden in the Qinghe Palace that imitates the style of Jiangnan, with ups and downs and twists and turns, and there is even a mountain that can be climbed.

When Prince Yongrong came over, he saw Xiao Jinyue and two maids playing with koi in the water pavilion.

Seeing Prince Yongrong coming, the two maids hurriedly greeted him, and then took away the previous tea and snacks in the pavilion and served new ones.

While Xiao Jinyue invited Prince Yongrong to take a seat, she greeted him, "Uncle Wang, you haven't been here for a while. What's the matter? Are you dazzled by Miss Liuchu?"

The Miss Liuchu mentioned by Xiao Jinyue is a famous courtesan in Jiangnan. She has been famous for more than ten years. She is still charming and graceful. She has a close relationship with Prince Yongrong. She has some abilities both in the capital and in Jiangnan.

Prince Yongrong was somewhat embarrassed by the junior's teasing. He shook his fan and said unhappily, "Don't you know the relationship between this prince and Liuchu very well?"

Xiao Jinyue put on an innocent look and said, "Then I didn't know Uncle Wang was so affectionate."

Prince Yongrong said helplessly, "Okay, okay, let's not talk about this. I came here today because I accidentally saw you sending people to Jiangnan. Did you find out something?"

As for the matter of going out to sea, Xiao Jinyue had never thought of leaving Yongrong Palace behind, so he said bluntly: "Uncle Wang, I intend to send people to explore the sea, but you know that our ancestors once ordered a sea ban due to the situation. But you and I both know that there are countless Jiangnan tyrants and even court officials who have gone out to sea privately."

"They have earned a lot of money in the name of Westerners, but they don't pay taxes to the court. They even try their best to extort money from the people. Normally, I can tolerate these people, but there is a Prince of Linzi who uses this to raise private soldiers and intends to rebel. I will never tolerate it."

Prince Yongrong said in surprise: "That guy Lao Jiu intercepted most of the salt tax and it's still not enough?!"

Xiao Jinyue said with a smile: "Look at what Uncle Wang said, the Prince of Linzi is planning a rebellion. He has to raise troops and win over court officials, and he also has to squander money. How can he support such a big business with so little money!"

Prince Yongrong just thought that Xiao Jinyue was smart. This was something he and Emperor Zhenshun had not figured out for many years. In the past, they just thought that it was the Queen Mother and officials from the lineage of Prince Linzi who made the effort. Although it seemed to be the case, otherwise the court would not have been unable to collect all the salt taxes.

But now, after listening to Xiao Jinyue's words, he was shocked to realize how deeply bound Prince Linzi was to the gentry in the south of the Yangtze River.

Prince Yongrong laughed and said, "I thought that even though I couldn't compare to the Queen Mother when she was alive, I was still slightly better than Old Nine who cut off one of his arms after the Queen Mother passed away. Now that I think about it, I'm afraid Old Nine is full of tricks and has hidden a lot of things!"

Xiao Jinyue sighed, looked towards the direction of the palace and said, "In the past, my father was still considered young and strong. Even though he was suppressed by the Queen Mother, the court officials still felt that my father had a better chance of winning."

"But the Queen Mother spread the news that my father would not have an heir. Even though the court officials did not believe it for a while, after seeing that my father had not been pregnant for so many years, they guessed it was almost certain."

"Besides, several of your cousins ​​in the palace are not healthy enough, and the court officials are seeking profit and stability, so they naturally look down on us. We are willing to give Prince Linzi some convenience."