Chapter 322 - 320: He’ll Probably Be Over the Moon (Second Update)

Chapter 322: Chapter 320: He’ll Probably Be Over the Moon (Second Update)

Xu Jing couldn’t help but look at Xiao Yi.

Although she had always known that there were some issues between Xiao Yi and her own family, she hadn’t asked about them, nor had he mentioned any details.

Xiao Yi gently rubbed the pale blue cup with his slender fingers, remaining silent for a moment before saying, "Although I rarely have contact with the Xiao Family now, I still have the capability to investigate whether anyone within the Xiao Family harbors rebellious intentions."

Zhao Jingxuan gave him a glance and said, "Then I’ll leave the Xiao Family to you. No matter what, I don’t wish for any of those colluding with Li Yuan to come from our two families. However, if it’s someone from the Wang Family or the Jiang Family, that would be even more difficult. After all, it’s easier to investigate one’s own family than to probe into others’, which always adds several layers of complexity."

Since they had taken over the matter, the Holy Emperor might likely have them continue the investigation.

It was foreseeable that they would be busy for some time.

The Wang Family and the Jiang Family... Xu Jing couldn’t help but recall her dealings with these two families during this period.

Since she arrived at the Western Capital, inadvertently, she had formed some connections with all four of these families.

Suddenly, something came to her mind and she asked, "After talking for so long, you haven’t mentioned why this matter is related to me?"

"Oh, I almost forgot about that!"

Zhao Jingxuan clapped his hands lightly and said, "Now that we know this involves the four great families of Great Chu, the situation has become quite tricky. Before everything is clear, to avoid alerting anyone, this matter should not be made public, and any investigations must be conducted privately.

But that does not mean we won’t do anything openly. Before clearing the suspicion from each family, we must keep a close eye on their current activities. Any inappropriate actions that need stopping should be stopped."

Inappropriate actions? Xu Jing asked, "For example?"

"For example, the Wang Family secretly selling Cold Food Powder..."

Xiao Yi coldly chimed in, "And the Jiang Family wanting to support Guangming Hall to provide medicine for the army."

Xu Jing was slightly taken aback.

She knew about the Jiang Family’s support for Guangming Hall, but hearing about the Wang Family secretly selling Cold Food Powder was new to her!

Xiao Yi looked at her and said warmly, "I only found out about the Wang Family’s connection to the dark web selling Cold Food Powder during your investigation at the Imperial College. It should be said that the dark web was established by members of the Wang Family. I’ve been tracking this issue for some time and discovered that besides students from the Imperial College and ordinary citizens, many officials and generals in the court are also purchasing Cold Food Powder through it.

Cold Food Powder is a banned drug in Great Chu, and selling it yields enormous profits. If the Wang Family is risking selling it solely for profit, it would be simple enough. The real concern is if they have some ulterior motives."

After all, during the previous dynasty’s chaos, the swift collapse was largely due to the excessive indulgence in Cold Food Powder by nobility and generals.

Stopping the Jiang Family from supporting Guangming Hall is more straightforward to understand.

The army is the backbone of a nation, and if the Jiang Family intends to compromise the military through medicine, it would be a simple matter!

When Zhou Qi mentioned the Jiang Family’s support for Guangming Hall previously, she never imagined it could be connected to such a significant issue!

In a moment of intuition, she realized why Xiao Yi said she would want to know this matter and asked, "You can’t openly accuse the Jiang Family of potential rebellion, so you plan to stop their support for Guangming Hall through other means. Are you thinking of supporting another medical hall to compete with Guangming Hall for the right to supply medicine to the army?"

Zhao Jingxuan couldn’t help but laugh heartily, clapping his thigh and saying, "As expected of Miss Xu, truly clever and insightful! Yes, while taking down the Wang Family’s Cold Food Powder network is straightforward, stopping the Jiang Family and Guangming Hall poses more challenges. On the surface, their actions are above reproach, so the only course is ’fair competition’.

Though it’s called fair competition, we all know the Holy Emperor will quietly support us. With his backing, as long as we can convince the Jiang Family, the position is as good as ours."

Xu Jing’s heart couldn’t help but race.

She never hid the fact that she is an ambitious woman in her career.

When Zhou Qi bitterly lamented Guangming Hall’s impending lead over them, she wasn’t completely without discontent. However, logically, she knew she and Zhou Qi lacked the power to compete, and she didn’t want to jeopardize Xiao Yi’s relationship with the Jiang Family over her own matters.

Yet now, a grand opportunity had fallen into her lap. Seizing it could propel her career to new heights.

Would she give it up?

How could she!

With a slight smile, she raised her teacup and formally toasted Zhao Jingxuan and Xiao Yi, saying, "I understand your intentions. If you need assistance from me or the Zhou Family, we will not hesitate to help."

This hefty piece of cake was too much for her alone; involvement from the Zhou Family was inevitable.

She believed Zhou Qi would be more than eager to partake, possibly even over the moon with joy.

Zhao Jingxuan paused, gave Xiao Yi a look, and then chuckled, "As Yanci predicted, I initially suggested supporting Miss Xu to compete with Guangming Hall. Yanci was initially hesitant, saying it’s too dangerous. But later, he reluctantly admitted that Miss Xu is a woman with her own ideas, and once she knows about this, his objections would be futile."

Xu Jing blinked and glanced over at Xiao Yi.

Yet Xiao Yi merely shook his head helplessly, sipped his hot tea, and said, "I truly don’t want Jing to get involved in this matter. If the hidden force behind this is indeed the Jiang Family, they’d use every underhanded trick to secure Guangming Hall’s position supplying the military. They won’t hesitate to use any despicable methods to achieve their goals."

"I’m aware of that,"

Xu Jing replied earnestly, "But wealth and honor are sought amidst danger. What deed comes without peril? Furthermore, my motivations for wanting to take this on aren’t purely personal. The Zhou Family has grievances with the Lin Family that runs Guangming Hall. Unaware of this opportunity, they accepted the situation, but knowing about it, how could they pass up the chance?

Moreover..."

Pausing, Xu Jing’s voice softened, "As your wife, I’m already involved. Getting a little more involved or less involved doesn’t make much difference. You’ve helped me plenty before, and I want to share some of your burdens."

Xiao Yi was slightly stunned, never expecting his reasons factored into her consideration.

Involuntarily, he gazed at the woman before him, noticeably moved.

Sitting opposite, Zhao Jingxuan, unable to bear it any longer, suddenly stood up and dragged Xiao Yi away in exasperation, "Enough already, the decision is made. Supporting Miss Xu’s medical hall won’t conclude overnight. We can discuss it further later!

Xiao Yanci, don’t you dare slack off; get to work! I want to return to my wife and children before the year ends!"

Well, as if anyone else doesn’t have a wife and kids!

Watching Xiao Yi being helplessly dragged away by Zhao Jingxuan, Xu Jing couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

With the two men gone, she rested her chin on her hand and began contemplating.

Since the decision was made to seize the opportunity, her plans needed adjustments accordingly.

Many tasks also had to commence sooner rather than later.