bestfiction Chapter 726: My brother and I secretly brought down the Qiao family and made great contributions to
Chapter 726: My brother and I secretly brought down the Qiao family and made great contributions to
Young Master Sun lowered his voice, but seemed a little agitated. "Do you know what the people are talking about? They're saying things like the Imperial Family is going to kill people, there's going to be a catastrophe in the capital, and even that it's going to turn into a hell on earth? What kind of talk is that? Is that something you can just say casually?"
Sun Hetang looked bewildered. "Third brother, I really don't know anything. You told me to stay in the yard and not to offend Qiao Jian'er and Qiao Zhizhi. I've listened to you these past few days and bought so many paintings. I haven't finished studying them yet, so how can I care about anything else?"
"I haven't heard a single word of the rumors you're talking about."
"But I bought the painting with that poem on it, and it became yours. It was even printed in multiple copies, and those beggars and scoundrels spread it around. So I came to ask you, Fifth Sister, are you really not involved in this at all? This is no small matter. Such a sensitive matter should never be tangled lightly, lest you get into trouble."
"Yes, I do have a painting with this poem inscribed on it. So what? Does that prove that I did it?" Sun Hetang looked aggrieved.
"Third brother, you usually protect me the most, but I didn't expect that I would be the first one to suspect you."
Young Master Sun San couldn't help but reflect on his words and actions. There was no clear evidence to prove that it was his fifth sister who did it, so he shouldn't have suspected her.
But it happened right after he bought the painting, and the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.
Sun Hetang sneered: "Third brother, have you ever thought that Qiao Zhizhi might have printed it herself and found someone to spread it herself?"
"Qiao Zhizhi, what reason does she have to do this?"
"It's very simple. She has a grudge against us. You bought this painting, so she wants to smear us. So she has people spread misinterpretations of that poem everywhere, hoping to pin it on us. Her intentions are sinister and extremely malicious."
Young Master Sun narrowed his eyes, revealing the hatred he had suppressed in his heart: "If this is true, the Qiao family will definitely kill the Sun family."
Seeing that Third Young Master Sun believed him, Sun Hetang struck while the iron was hot: "Third Brother, now we just need to spread the news that the painting with this poem was painted by Qiao Zhizhi. Lu Guchuan has been taken away by the Dali Temple for interrogation. The Qiao family must be in collusion with Lu Guchuan. When the time comes, the Qiao family will be finished."
Young Master Sun San showed hesitation. If he did this, it would be tantamount to declaring war on the Qiao family.
"To be on the safe side, I'm afraid I'll have to inform my grandfather and father."
"I think there's no need to say anything. Grandfather and the others are too cautious and will definitely stop us, which will result in us missing the opportunity. Why don't we get it done and give Grandfather a surprise."
Young Master Sun San still felt something was wrong, so Sun Hetang grabbed his arm.
"Third brother, among the four brothers, you dote on me the most, so I am willing to make more plans for you. Grandfather and father don't value you the most. Take this opportunity to perform well and you will definitely impress them."
"The Qiao family is now a major concern for Grandfather and Father. They are a thorn in their side. If the Qiao family collapses, it will only benefit you."
When Mr. Sun San heard her say this, he couldn't help but feel moved.
Yes, if he performs well, perhaps his situation of being ignored will change, and his future life will be completely different.
"If you want to do it, then do it carefully. The Princess of Zhenguo is naturally perceptive. If you can hide it from her eyes, you will be halfway to success."
"Yes, she is indeed quite smart, but this time, I am sure I can beat her." Sun Hetang said confidently.
She bribed so many beggars and hooligans at the beginning and acted quickly because she didn't want to give Qiao Jianer too much time to react. Now it seems that the Qiao family has not reacted yet.
The Qiao family didn't know that a catastrophe was looming over their heads.
Because of a poem, Lu Guchuan was taken to the Dali Temple. The atmosphere among the major noble families and aristocratic newcomers in the capital became tense. Many families began to check the calligraphy and paintings in their homes, and destroyed or burned all those with inscriptions.
Qiao Zhizhi no longer painted paintings with inscriptions.
These past two days, she was always feeling uneasy while painting. The rumors outside were becoming more and more terrifying, and she had written Lu Guchuan's letter on an ink painting, which was also bought by someone from the Sun family.
I just stopped writing.
Even when she went to the Calligraphy and Painting Academy for classes, some students looked at her with strange eyes, and some even whispered to each other. Many students also asked for leave and did not come, so the classrooms were quite empty.
With a personality like Qiao Zhizhi's, how could she tolerate such silent slander? She simply posted a notice on the outer wall of the calligraphy and painting academy that classes were temporarily suspended.
As soon as the notice was posted, many people gathered around.
"The class is suspended. That's right. If someone does something like this, it's a bad moral character, and they're in danger themselves. How can they educate others?"
"Writing anti-government poems on paintings has made them famous, and even made them painting teachers. This world is truly full of makeshift troupes running rampant."
"The Qiao family is different now. They have a princess who protects the country, all the men in the family are generals, and they are planning to marry into the Lin family. So they are starting to lose their minds."
Compared to what I vaguely heard before, these people's words were more direct and bold.
Qiao Zhizhi's eyes turned cold, and when she turned around, the onlookers dispersed.
There was only one figure standing beside her, dressed in white and with a gentle face.
It was obviously a very ordinary scene, but Qiao Zhizhi felt a lump in her throat.
"It's okay. These people are just listening to rumors, or they are deliberately spreading rumors to make you uneasy. Why let them succeed?"
"I am not the most important. I am just afraid that the Qiao family will be implicated." Qiao Zhizhi sighed.
At that time, she was just selling paintings, and she wrote that line of poetry for Lu Guchuan just because she thought it matched the painting.
Who knew things would escalate to this point?
"will not."
"Why are you so sure?"
"Because I saw Princess Zhenguo, she was calm and composed, not taking this matter to heart. I suspect she is playing a big game."
Qiao Zhizhi's expression moved.
It is early spring now. In the large garden behind the Qiao family's house, the branches are sprouting tender green new branches, and some flower buds are beginning to open, which contains a thriving atmosphere.
Qiao Jian'er leaned on the waterside pavilion, with a large stack of various reports and account books of Tianhe Province in her hands.
There was a light mist rising above the pool, and red-crowned cranes stood majestically above Tingzhou. She would occasionally gaze into the distance to relax her sore eyelids.
Qiao Zhizhi stepped onto the waterside pavilion and saw Qiao Jianer concentrating, so she didn't want to disturb him for the time being.
She wanted to retreat, but Qiao Jianer had already looked over: "Sister Zhizhi, I saw it, and you still want to leave."
Qiao Zhizhi had no choice but to sit down next to her: "You are so busy, why do I have to disturb you?"
"Being busy at home is also busy. Being busy for the army, for Tianhe Province, and for making money is also busy. They are all equally important to me."
Qiao Zhizhi was silent for a moment: "Jian'er, I heard that Lu Guchuan was suspended and imprisoned."
This is a very bad sign.