Yun State, Zhongqing City.

In the past, the Yizihou Mansion had always had a clean courtyard, but today it has a large open courtyard with lanterns and colorful decorations, making it quite festive.

Every few moments, the carriages of officials from the capital would park in front of the gate of the Yizhou Mansion. The gift-giver put down the gift in front of the concierge, then turned around and left without stopping for a moment.

The people in the Hou family did not say anything to persuade him to stay, they just stood in front of the door and kept greeting each other.

This scene, let alone when Ma Minwen first served as Shangshu Ling, even the older generation of distinguished nobles in the capital, who were idle at home and stood aside in the court, would not have such a deserted banquet.

Perhaps in the eyes of others, they just feel that the Yizihou Mansion, without the grace of the holy family and the power in its hands, is in a state of neglect, which makes people feel a lot of emotion.

But only the many veterans in the court knew that the Yizhou Mansion, which looked inconspicuous and deserted, had a great influence in the court!

When the late emperor was still alive, Ma Minwen served in the court. After Wang Xiao came to power, he also relied on his smooth temperament to take the position of Jiuqing.

After the current emperor ascended the throne, he, Ma Minwen, decisively surrendered and took the lead to stabilize the government. Then he married the Yang family, and the Qu family and the Tao family were all mentioned as relatives by the current emperor.

When the power of the four families was at its peak, the important ministers of the civil and military groups in the DPRK and China were either former disciples of these families, or were favored by their promotions. When Qu Cheng was serving as Shangshu Ling, mere servants could command the local government.

Officials rely on this influence.

However, it is precisely because of this that Qu Cheng, who took over as Shangshu Ling, was "seriously ill" and returned home to be recuperated. By the way, Xiao Cheng was given the opportunity to replace Shangshu Ling's responsibilities with the cabinet.

As an emperor, Xiao Cheng's thoughts hidden in his words and deeds would be patiently studied and guessed by people below.

Among the four families, it doesn't matter that the Yang family's daughter is favored by the harem, and the Tao family's old prince is still respected by His Majesty.

But the Ma family and the Qu family have shown some fear and scruples. Naturally, most people in the court dare not have contact with them anymore. They don't even dare to accept the posts sent by the two families, and they don't dare to do anything on a daily basis.

Coming and going.

But even so, at the banquet held by the Ma family, so many ministers from the court and the court sent people to deliver gifts. Even if they did not attend the banquet, it shows how amazing the remaining influence of the Ma family in the court is!

In the study room of the Ma Mansion, Ma Minwen, who had been relieved of his duties in the imperial court and was raised at home, looked much better than before. Even his slightly thin figure in the past could be seen to be much richer.

At this time, Ma Minwen waved his hand and asked everyone waiting on the side to leave. Even the eldest son who wanted to wait on the side was kicked out. In the entire study, only Ma Minwen, Qu Cheng, and

Yang Xuanyan and three others.

After a moment of silence in the study, Ma Minwen smiled and said:

"Although our three families are related by marriage, we have very little contact with each other. Today, we can only get together with you two through my eldest grandson's birthday party!"

When Qu Cheng heard this, he couldn't help but chuckle and said:

"Yes. This scene reminds me of the time when His Majesty first came to the throne. Marquis Anning also took advantage of the birthday banquet to secretly contact His Majesty."

Hearing this, Yang Xuanyan also nodded and said:

"Today is different from the past! Your Majesty has never prohibited the exchanges between our three families... It's just that we are so careful to be on the safe side."

Marquis of Anning, which is the title Yang Xuanyan holds today.

When Wang Xiao, the powerful minister, took control of the court situation, Xiao Cheng used the Yang family's relationship to contact the Ma, Qu, and Tao families. Only then was he able to quickly stabilize the court situation after taking power. The same was true when Yang Xuanyan secretly contacted Xiao Cheng.

Like this today, in the name of a birthday party...

Hearing this, Qu Cheng quickly waved his hands and said:

"I made a mistake!"

Xiao Cheng still misses his old feelings for the family, and he has never put any restrictions on them. In any case, they are not in the same situation as when Wang Xiao took power.

After reminiscing for a while, Ma Minwen coughed lightly and said:

"The Taiwei is currently busy with military affairs, so he didn't come. However, he did send someone privately to send a congratulatory gift and a letter!"

When Qu Cheng and Yang Xuanyan heard this, they both put down the tea cups in their hands and sat upright.

This letter is the key to the three of them gathering here.

"You may have heard about recent events. Although things are calm on the surface in Beijing, privately there are undercurrents that make people uneasy."

"The Central Military Governor's Office, the Forbidden Army Yamen, the Gyeonggi Prefecture Yamen, the Shangyu Preparatory Office, and the East Police Factory. These important yamen in central Beijing have each received secret reports. Now there are forces in Beijing secretly stirring up trouble, and they are so bold.

I'm here and want to attack the palace."

However, in just a few days, the news spread throughout the capital. Even Yang Xuanyan, who had been at home for a long time and had always stayed away from the court, heard about it.

Hearing this, Qu Cheng nodded and said:

"It was because of this incident. What did I think it was? This kind of thing has already reached the point where everyone knows it before it is started. The forces behind the scenes are obviously just clowns, so why worry about it?

So far?"

Attacking someone in the palace, such a big brain-destroying matter, had already spread to everyone before it was even started. It is really no wonder that Qu Cheng looked down on the people behind the scenes so much at this time.

"If it was just because of this incident, it would naturally not have reached this level..."

Ma Minwen paused, his eyes condensed, and he said in a deep voice:

"The letter from the Lieutenant tells me that at some point, several government offices followed one of the clues and found their way to the residence of Marquis Yizi!"

As soon as these words came out, Qu Cheng and Yang Xuanyan were suddenly shocked.

"What?"

"Why does this matter involve the Yizhou Mansion?"

Ma Minwen raised his hand slightly to signal the two of them not to panic, and continued:

"The Qing Dynasty will be purified. Come to think of it, this is just a method deliberately released by the people behind the scenes to disturb the view! Since I, the Marquis of Yizi, are not involved in it, I naturally have nothing to fear. Every government office wants to investigate, and our Marquis's Mansion is the one who wants to investigate.

The door is wide open for investigation."

After hearing Ma Minwen's statement, Qu Cheng and Yang Xuanyan felt relieved.

After all, with the influence of the Ma, Qu, Yang, and Tao families, it is unlikely that anyone will be wronged. I am afraid that if the Ma family is really involved in this matter, it will not be easy to deal with...

But actually thinking about it carefully, it is obviously impossible for Ma Minwen to be so tactful and cautious, and never forget to control the temperament of his children in the family.

"In this case, fortunately, we can just leave it alone. His Majesty is on his way back to the capital now. He will be able to return to the capital in less than a month. Why should we panic?" Yang Xuanyan said.

Qu Cheng didn't look relaxed at this time, but his face became extremely serious, and he said in a deep voice:

"I'm afraid it's this sign that Marquis Yizi is worried about..."

"The people behind the scenes want to attack the palace, and their targets are probably the two princes who are under one year old. And among the three concubines in the harem, only the empress Yang Zhaoyi has no heirs. Even if we don't have the courage and thoughts to assassinate the prince,

I’m afraid it’s difficult to eliminate the suspicions of those who are interested!”

When Ma Minwen heard this, he nodded solemnly and said:

"Yes! From now on, as long as the princes in the palace behave slightly differently, our family will be suspected and may even be criticized. How can we cope with this in the long run?"

The alliance of the four families has deep-rooted power and considerable influence. This tree is so big that it has become the target of public criticism. If there is no way to scare others this time, I am afraid that it will be even more difficult to deal with in the future!

When Yang Xuanyan heard this, he frowned and said:

"What should we do?"

Hearing this, Ma Minwen said in a deep voice:

"No matter what, we must not let anything happen to the two princes in the palace, otherwise it will be difficult! Also, we are not greedy for power, but in order to preserve the wealth of the four families, Empress Zhaoyi must give birth to an heir as soon as possible."

Qu Cheng and Ma Minwen listened and nodded in unison.

"The people behind the scenes have actually been suspected for a long time. But there is no substantial evidence, so it is difficult to take them down. You are using your own strength and connections to see if you can find any clues."

"Okay!" the two responded.

And at this moment, I suddenly heard a servant from the mansion walking quickly to the door outside the study and saying:

"Three princes, someone from the palace has come to deliver the order!"

In the study, the three of them heard someone coming from the palace. They quickly got up and came out. After tidying up their clothes, they went to the front hall to greet him.

As soon as they arrived at the main hall, they saw Chu Li, the great eunuch of the palace, leading a group of young eunuchs holding brocade boxes and gifts, waiting with smiles.

When the three of them saw this, they quickly stepped forward, bowed and apologized:

"I've kept the Grand Eunuch waiting for a long time!"

Chu Li quickly turned away, not daring to accept the courtesy, and said hurriedly:

"The three marquises are of high status, and our family does not dare to accept the courtesy. We are here today just for His Majesty's order. You three can accept the order!"

"Your Majesty's will?" Ma Minwen was slightly stunned and said.

Chu Li smiled and nodded, saying:

"Although His Majesty has not returned to the capital yet, he has already known about the birth of the eldest grandson of Marquis Yizi. Therefore, he sent someone to quickly return the imperial edict and a reward!"

Hearing this, Ma Minwenton felt flattered and said quickly:

"Go quickly and bring my grandson to receive the order!"

Although there was a banquet in the Yizhou Mansion today, not many people came to the table. Therefore, the imperial edict was sent suddenly, and after a period of confusion, there was finally no big mistake.

After reading out the imperial edict prepared by the cabinet, saying auspicious words in response to the scriptures, Chu Li folded his hands slightly, handed it to Ma Minwen, and said with a smile:

"Yizi Hou's eldest grandson is one year old. His Majesty has always kept it in mind and rewarded him with many rewards. Yang Zhaoyi also specially sent someone to deliver an extremely precious gold and jade longevity lock. Even the two empresses in the palace also have their own rewards. To the Marquis,

This kind of honor and grace, no one in the court or above can match it!"
To be continued...