Chapter 117: A game of smoke and shadows 1 (2/2)
Lu Yaozhu blacked out at the mention of treason, never I'm a million years did he think that the Emperor would take such a route. Prime Minister Shi wouldn't be so confident in his actions if he didn't think that the Emperor would support him. Even if the Emperor was envious of the people's love for the Lu family and their power in court, accusing them of treason would be disastrous to not just the Lu family but also the Empress.
Why would he ever make such a risky move such as this? Has the Emperor decided to give up on the Empress completely or was this just another one of his sick moves to make the Empress dependant on him? Lu Yaozhu didn't understand was the Emperor was aiming at but he needed to ensure that nothing went as he planned not just for his family but also the Empress.
He owed her that much for what she went through because of him. He needed to be responsible for her safety at least this once, she can not always be the one making sacrifices for him.
He was aware of Prime minister Shi's and Imperial consort Shi's secret ambitions, while the Emperor was blind to their secret alliances with Chu state, he was aware of it all. His father always advised everyone to be careful who they brought into their house but the Emperor never listened.
In his greed the Emperor brought a demoness into his home, the shi family may pretend to be loyal to the kingdom but they only act for their benefit. He needed to use this opportunity to draw the Emperor's attention to that.
Lu Yaozhu tapped his chin thoughtfully and said ”I have a plan but for it to work, I will need everyone's contribution. Truthfully my plan will be very risky but if executed properly, we will all be able to get whatever we want. What do you say, Miss Wu, Magistrate Li? Are you ready to make a bet?
Li Sichen glanced at Wu Yao, he wasn't the one the most hurt by the Sun family. Wu Yao lost her aunt and her granduncle hadn't recovered from losing his only child. He was doing this for her so every decision must be her choice. He could see the excitement in her eyes. Wu Yao liked taking risks, as far as it led her to achieve her wishes.
Governor Lu already had her attention, He looked back at the governor and grinned ” we are in”
*****
Four days later, At Ningzhuo.
A small troupe of Imperial guards rode into the town and headed straight for Sun Mansion and Deputy Sun's mansion. The guards were led to the mansion by Lu Yaozhu, which caused quite the fanfare. It was mid-day, everyone went about their businesses, the commoners manning their stalls watched as heavily armed guards and prison carriages surrounded the Sun family mansion.
They watched as old master Sun was led out of the mansion and into the waiting carriage. The next stop was Deputy Sun's mansion, where Deputy Sun was arrested. Both men were transported to the court jail to stay. They would be leaving for the capital the next day.
Back at the governor's house
Su Liya was informed of the arrest by Rong Rong. The arrest was very public, the news was spread in just a few minutes after it had happened. Su Liya observed the behaviour of the servants around her, she wanted to check their response and find out just how many spies were in their residence.
At the end of her experiment, she found out that only 20% of the servants were compromised. Steward Meng made himself scarce, he must have been scared that he would be arrested too but that never happened.
Every time there was a knock on the door, his heart skipped. It wasn't until Governor Lu left with the Imperial guards the next day that he finally relaxed.
Before leaving with the guard Lu Yaozhu station a unit of his secret guards to keep Su Liya safe