With this thought, Ye Chongming said: “Based on my understanding of your niece, the Yang family won’t be the only ones suffering from this matter.”
Ye Hongchang’s pupils contracted: “You mean… the Meng family?”
Ye Chongming nodded slightly.
“How is that possible?” Ye Hongchang couldn’t imagine how this matter could implicate the Meng family.
“Let’s wait and see,” Ye Chongming said with anticipation.
What did sending Meng Chengwei into exile amount to? Taking down the Meng family, or even Princess Consort Min, who backed them—that would be truly impressive.
Considering how Ye Yaming had methodically trapped Meng Chengwei step by step, he suspected she might very well use the Yang family affair to ensnare the Meng family.
In Ma Dafu’s case against Yang Hong, due to the serious nature of the allegations, both plaintiff and defendant were temporarily detained.
Because of the account book, Magistrate Qi Peicui feared for Ma Dafu’s safety and kept him in separate confinement with several bailiffs protecting him.
Ma Dafu had presented the account book in front of the crowd of onlookers, so its existence was common knowledge, though the names it contained remained unknown. When Qi Peicui returned home, both his wife and Qi Ji anxiously asked him about the matter.
After reassuring his wife, Qi Peicui called Qi Ji to his study and asked: “Is this Yang family case the Ye family’s countermove?”
At noon, he had heard his son say a few negative things about the Yang family, but having other matters on his mind, he hadn’t given it much thought.
But now that the Yang family had been accused, and with such charges and in such a manner, coupled with his son’s comments at noon and the recent conflict between the Yang and Ye families, he couldn’t help but wonder.
Qi Ji was different from Lu Guanyi. He had both parents and grew up favored, even while raised alongside his grandfather. When he met Lu Guanyi in the Capital, he had simply attached himself to Lu Guanyi’s superior abilities, like a decoration on his leg, and Lu Guanyi would deal with any problems with a wave of his hand.
Thus, Qi Ji lacked deep cunning or scheming abilities.
If Qi Peicui had asked at a different time, Qi Ji might have considered his answer carefully to help cover for the Ye family.
But now, with the account book situation, Qi Ji didn’t know if it affected his father’s safety or career. Blood is thicker than water—he naturally wouldn’t conceal information from his father for the Ye family’s sake. He immediately told Qi Peicui everything Ye Yaming had said to him.
After listening, Qi Peicui remained silent for a long while.
Qi Ji anxiously asked: “Father, is there a problem?”
Qi Peicui nodded: “That account book recorded all the money Yang Hong gave to officials over the past five years, up until the New Year this year. But mine was notably absent.”
Qi Ji’s eyes widened: “You mean…”
“Yes. Someone removed the page with my name on it.”
The account book was kept by Yang Hong personally. Qi Peicui had compared the handwriting and was certain of this.
The book meticulously recorded every payment to former Prefect Li Zhaoxun—when, where, and through whom each sum was delivered. Yang Hong wouldn’t possibly have omitted the current prefect.
The only explanation was that someone had removed the page with his name.
The book was hand-bound. Having been used for recording for five years and frequently handled, its pages were already aged, and the binding thread was worn. After removing his page, whoever did it probably realized that using a new thread would make the tampering obvious, so they reused the old thread, attempting to restore it to its original state by aligning the pressed section of the thread as closely as possible.
If Qi Peicui hadn’t been deliberately looking for it and examining it carefully, he wouldn’t have noticed anything amiss.
“Will this matter affect you?” Qi Ji asked.
He felt resentment toward the Ye family.
Such a significant matter, involving his father’s official position, and the Ye family hadn’t said a word to them, instead directly producing the account book during the trial in front of so many spectators, putting their family in a passive position.
If his father were affected by this, he wouldn’t go so far as to say he’d never forgive the Ye family, but he certainly wouldn’t cooperate with them anymore.
Qi Peicui noticed his son’s emotions.
He patted his shoulder and said: “The Yang family isn’t to be feared, but the Meng family and Princess Consort Min do have considerable influence. If they allied with other factions, I’m not saying they could do anything drastic, but removing me from my position as Lin’an Prefect wouldn’t be difficult. Also, you know that Circuit Intendant Zhao is aligned with the Fourth Prince’s faction, right?”
“So, the Ye family isn’t harming me but helping me. Our family is deeply indebted to them.”
As he spoke, he let out a long sigh.
In this world, which official doesn’t have some dirt? Those who are incorruptible and outspoken can’t go far; one must compromise with reality to some extent. If one’s backbone remains seventy or eighty percent straight, that’s already an exceptionally good official worthy of being recorded in history.
And precisely because no one is completely clean, when others truly want to target you, they won’t lack for leverage. By bribing some people and fabricating evidence, having a censor submit a memorial criticizing you, with a few others chiming in, if your backing isn’t strong enough and no one protects you, your official hat won’t be secure.
Although Qi Peicui had people supporting him, and his position was safe, if someone impeached him, the best outcome would be a lateral transfer after completing his three-year term in Lin’an; the worst would be demotion and transfer elsewhere, with his current position claimed by another faction.
Jiangnan was prosperous—salt, grain, tea, sea transport, and canal transport—each dripping with wealth. Which faction wouldn’t want their people to occupy this position and reap benefits for their side?
The Crown Prince’s faction had exerted tremendous effort to place him here.
Now that Ma Dafu had presented this account book, Circuit Intendant Zhao and officials from the Provincial Surveillance Commission were present. Given the gravity of the matter and Zhao’s involvement, the account book was now being guarded by representatives from Qi Peicui, the Lin’an Prefecture Associate Prefect, and the Provincial Surveillance Commission.
Zhao was aligned with the Fourth Prince’s faction and, being a consecutive appointee, knew the local terrain well. Since Qi Peicui’s arrival in Lin’an, he had faced numerous obstructions from Zhao, making it extremely difficult to carry out his duties.
Now, with Ma Dafu submitting this account book, Qi Peicui could remove Zhao from his position.
The new circuit intendant wouldn’t be from their faction, of course. But the power struggles among the upper echelons at court would at least bring some benefits to the Crown Prince’s faction, and the newcomer would not be from the Fourth Prince’s faction.
In essence, this move by the Ye family enabled him to secure his position, remove an adversarial colleague, and earn merit in the Crown Prince’s eyes. Whether intentional or not, he owed the Ye family a great debt of gratitude.
Having grown up in an official’s household, Qi Ji wasn’t completely ignorant. With his father’s hint, he also understood the intricacies.
He stood up abruptly, his expression changing several times.
Seeing this, Qi Peicui found it strange and asked: “What’s wrong with you?”
Qi Ji took a deep breath, moved closer to Qi Peicui, and said with extreme excitement: “Father, do you know who runs the Ye family?”
Qi Peicui raised an eyebrow: “Isn’t it Ye Chongming?”
Qi Ji nodded and fully disclosed the recent events at the Ye family and Lu Guanyi’s analysis to his father.
Despite his many years as an official who had seen all sorts of situations, Qi Peicui was shocked, his eyes widening: “You’re saying that all of this was orchestrated by the Third Miss Ye, who just came of age?”