The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Chapter 896: Chapter 896: Better Still Than Stirred

After dealing with Chief Qian for half a day, Song Zhiyuan returned to the government office with a throat lozenge in his mouth, and found Jiang Fula already waiting there.

”This servant greets the Prime Minister.” Jiang Fula respectfully knelt and knocked his head a few times.

Song Zhiyuan was a bit surprised, ”You came over so quickly. Is it about the two children of the third family getting smallpox? Is there a result from the investigation?”

Jiang Fula nodded, ”There is some clue, I ask the Prime Minister to make a decision.”

Seeing Jiang Fula’s somewhat solemn expression, Song Zhiyuan rubbed his thumb and forefinger, and said, ”Let’s talk inside.”

He walked a step ahead, Jiang Fula followed two steps behind closely, and with a wave of his hand, guards stationed themselves everywhere, to prevent eavesdropping.

Song Zhiyuan took his seat, Jiang Fula served him tea, and after seeing him drink, stood aside and relayed the findings from the investigation, along with the analysis and discussions he had with Nanny Song Ci Palace.

”... The Dowager Madam said her words shouldn’t be taken as truth, and how this matter should be handled requires the Prime Minister’s decision.” Jiang Fula cautiously observed Song Zhiyuan’s cold demeanor, and said, ”This servant believes the Dowager Madam is both right and wrong. With her being elderly, it is absolutely not advisable for her to take risks. But on the other hand, if those two are dealt with, it’s uncertain if others will replace them in hiding, and those hidden in the dark are not easier to control than those in plain sight.”

Song Zhiyuan was a bit displeased, ”What was the third brother’s reaction to this investigation result?”

”Just as the Dowager Madam said, Master Bai was stabbed and the third master completely trusts that she is innocent, convinced that the maid named Shuangluang retaliated out of resentment, and ordered someone to drag her corpse to the mass grave to feed the dogs.”

Song Zhiyuan laughed in exasperation, ”Is his past cleverness diminishing with age? Such little guts and understanding.”

Jiang Fula didn’t dare to make a sound.

Song Zhiyuan was indeed somewhat disappointed. Though not outstanding in the past, the third master managed tasks decently, especially reopening the Tea Horse Ancient Trail’s trade, which was commendable. Otherwise, how could he have had this opportunity before the Emperor, which led to his appointment as the doctor in the Ministry of Revenue?

However, after returning to the capital, he seemed like a changed person, achieving little, spending his days scheming, and now so confused about the internal matters.

”His ability is just at the fifth rank.” Song Zhiyuan’s voice was cold. The fifth rank: average and compliant, unlikely to stir up trouble unless he seeks it himself.

Hearing this, Jiang Fula couldn’t help but light a silent candle for the Prime Minister Mansion’s third master.

With just this sentence from the Prime Minister, the third master likely has no hopes of promotion in the future, and will undoubtedly be firmly suppressed by the Prime Minister.

”Prime Minister, about the Dowager Madam...”

Song Zhiyuan curled his fingers, and said, ”The Dowager Madam makes some sense. It’s better to be still than to act rashly. Keep an eye on those two, and see if they can lead to the people behind them. Also, send two teams to Shanxi to investigate separately into the Bai family and this Madame Quan.”

”Yes.”

”We can’t be lax about the Dowager Madam’s side either. Arrange more people around her, let Qian Yong assign a female guard skilled in poisons to her side, and station more people in the main courtyard.”

Jiang Fula respectfully replied, ”Before I came, I had already made those arrangements.”

Only after issuing a few more instructions did Song Zhiyuan wave his hand, allowing Jiang Fula to leave.

Once the door was closed, Song Zhiyuan’s eyes darkened as he recalled Jiang Fula’s words, the composed analysis from Song Ci, and remembering Jinghui’s words from a few years ago, a peculiar glint flashed in his eyes.