Changsheng: Peak at the Beginning

Chapter 1502: Legend of the Hidden Sea 22

Zang Hai's brain was really sharp and his methods were really fierce. He immediately told the masked man the news that the Gui Seal was hidden in the mechanical disc made by Emperor Zhenshun himself in Hanzhang Palace. He also acted as if he suspected that Emperor Zhenshun was the third person who destroyed his Kuai family, which made the masked man dumbfounded twice.

First, the masked man really didn't expect that the Guixi would be in the hands of Emperor Zhenshun so early;

Secondly, the masked man never expected that Zang Hai would pretend to be fascinated by King Qinghe, but secretly suspect that his future father-in-law had killed his entire family!

The masked man was thinking in a daze that if he had not personally arranged everything for Kuai Duo's family back then, perhaps he would have been convinced by Zang Hai today!

Although he was amazed at Cang Hai's train of thought, the masked man vaguely remembered that he had long been eyeing Prime Minister Shi Yiping as his scapegoat, and by the way, borrowed Cang Hai's hand to remove this roadblock, so he immediately followed Cang Hai's words and said: "If the Gui Seal is really hidden in Hanzhang Palace, then you, a favorite of the emperor, have some chance to get the Gui Seal."

Zang Hai cursed the shameless old man in his heart, but he pretended to be embarrassed and said, "I'm afraid I have to rely on your connections. Although I can enter and leave Hanzhang Palace, I can only go there when I am summoned. There is no way I can stay overnight, and I don't even have a chance to be alone for a while."

The masked man then remembered that Hanzhang Hall was not some other place after all. The front hall was where court meetings were held and various formal banquets were held, while the back hall was where Emperor Zhenshun opened up the office and residence. Not only could court officials not go there at will, even the serving palace maids could only stay in the tea room in the back hall.

So if Zang Hai seemed to be making excuses, he really wasn't making any excuses.

Of course the masked man was a little wary of Zang Hai and it was impossible for him to agree to steal the Gui Seal from Hanzhang Palace right away, so he just said he would think of a solution.

Zang Hai didn't care whether the masked man had a way to get the Gui Seal from the mechanism disc. Anyway, he had the detailed map of the Gui Seal provided by Ming Yusuti, and various rare treasures provided by Xiao Jinyue. He could copy more than one Gui Seal. As long as the masked man's men went to Hanzhang Palace, he could frame Zhao Bingwen for the "Gui Seal"!

However, Zang Hai really underestimated Zhao Bingwen. He actually developed connections in front of the emperor. One day, Zang Hai sneaked into Qinghe Palace again, but before he could say a few words to Xiao Jinyue, someone came to report that someone in the palace wanted to see him.

At first, Xiao Jinyue didn't quite understand why the eunuch Shi Quan came here in such a hurry, so she asked Cang Hai to wait in the garden while she went to the front to meet the guest.

As soon as Xiao Jinyue showed up, Shi Quan knelt down and begged for forgiveness: "Your Majesty, I have caused a great disaster, please forgive me!"

Xiao Jinyue didn't like Shi Quan's crying appearance, and reprimanded him with a stern face: "What's the point of asking for forgiveness? Tell me what crime you have committed!"

It was impossible for Xiao Jinyue to tolerate all of Shi Quan's crimes just because he had joined her army. Shi Quan obviously understood this, so he was very nervous when he came to her house today.

Shi Quan knelt on the ground without saying anything for a while. Xiao Jinyue was not in a hurry. If he wanted to kneel, then let him kneel. After two cups of tea, Shi Quan's trust in Xiao Jinyue prevailed, and he finally told everything: "When I was young, my whole family was saved by Zhao Bingwen, the deputy assistant of the county magistrate at that time. At that time, although I swore allegiance to Zhao Bingwen, I was indeed grateful to Zhao Bingwen and wanted to repay his kindness."

"Later, my hometown suffered a great disaster, and I lost all my relatives and guards. Unfortunately, I was abducted and sold into the palace and became a eunuch."

"After that, I carefully inquired about Zhao Bingwen's behavior and thought he was a good official who cared about the people. Thinking of the favor he had shown me, I would always reveal some information to Zhao Bingwen at critical moments."

"Later, I became the chief steward in front of the emperor, and was also in charge of the Capital City Division, which was on par with Cao Jingxian's Duwei Division. Although I understand that I should only obey the emperor, I will always be slightly biased when facing Zhao Bingwen."

"But recently Zhao Bingwen actually threatened me to repay his kindness and left evidence of my gratitude over the years, using it to blackmail me into stealing the Guixi!"

This was something Xiao Jinyue had not expected. She knew that Shi Quan must have nothing to hide. She sighed and asked Shi Quan to stand up. "You get up now."

"As for today's matter, I can only save your life and the lives of your trusted aides. You can no longer stay in the palace to work."

Shi Quan had been planning a good ending for himself and his confidants, but when faced with such a big incident, Xiao Jinyue was actually willing to save their lives. It really was worth his decisive surrender!

As for Zhao Bingwen, Xiao Jinyue suggested, "Although the mechanism built by our father himself is still a long way from being the best in the world, it is impossible for someone like you who has no knowledge of this to unlock it and take out the things inside."

"So just tell Zhao Bingwen the truth. He will definitely ask you to do him a favor, so you can't refuse. But there's no need to refuse. Just let me catch him in the trap."

It sounded like Xiao Jinyue was going to report to Emperor Zhenshun. Shi Quan was still a little hesitant, so Xiao Jinyue said, "Don't worry, I will find a suitable reason for my father to clean up the harem. When the time comes, you and your confidants will be guaranteed by me, so you can go to my property to settle down first."

Only then did Shi Quan get rid of the hesitation and reluctance in his heart, and it came and went quietly.

Xiao Jinyue didn't tell Zang Hai about Shi Quan. The two of them chatted casually about some poetry and songs. Zang Hai just felt that he had become a little closer to Xiao Jinyue, so he left with satisfaction.

The next day, Xiao Jinyue went directly to Emperor Zhenshun and talked about the cleaning of the harem that she had promised Shi Quan. However, she also proposed a relatively complete system: "Why not just change the harem into the inner court, and divide the servants into palace maids, female historians, and female officials? Eunuchs are special, so we can only continue with the previous method, but palace maids, female historians, and female officials can all be restricted to a certain age, and they must be released from the palace when they reach the age."

Emperor Zhenshun immediately became interested and took the rules written by Xiao Jinyue and looked at them carefully. The age of 25 to leave the palace was not bad at all, especially since it stated that those who had made meritorious contributions could leave the palace early, and even those serving in the palace could see their relatives one day a month. Emperor Zhenshun thought it was really good.

Emperor Zhenshun was particularly satisfied with the rule that one could leave the palace when reaching a certain age. This way, he no longer had to worry about another person like the empress dowager appearing.

Now that Emperor Zhenshun's harem is empty, the palace has released all the elderly people over the age of 25 under the banner of praying for the late emperor and the empress dowager, which has indeed caused Prince Linzi to lose a lot of manpower.

Emperor Zhenshun had already ordered that those who were released be kept under close watch.

As for those who have no relatives and are too old to get married, Xiao Jinyue will of course provide them with a place to settle down.