The Prime Minister Knows How to Handle Her Wife (ABO, GL) - Chapter 30

Chapter 30

“Helpless?”

“Madam Jin, did you shamelessly say you were forced into helplessness despite being in the business of cheating and swindling?”

Candlelight illuminated the study. Wind blew through the open wooden window, stirring the scent of ink in the room. A wide robe with silver patterns on a dark background fluttered in the breeze.

Sheng Shiyue leaned lazily on a beauty couch. She bent one leg and rested it on the edge. Her long hair, freed from its hairpin, hung loosely. Her posture appeared relaxed, but her words cut sharply.

She held an agate waist pendant in her hand. While toying with it, she said, “As far as I know, the Liang Kingdom hasn’t reached a point where able-bodied people go hungry, has it?”

Her attitude wasn’t particularly kind, but it was understandable. After all, this group of Thousand Gates people first helped Xu Zhengming deceive Meng Qingxin. Then, they tried to cheat at the gambling table. Sheng Shiyue, out of respect for her former Thousand Gates master, intended to show them some leniency. However, Madam Jin barged into the washroom, injured Ye Liuyun, and caused Sheng Shiyue to stay bedridden for days. Under such circumstances, a good attitude would be surprising.

Madam Jin anticipated this reaction. She knelt silently nearby and let Sheng Shiyue mock her.

She naturally possessed a gentle appearance. After recent hardships, her figure grew even thinner and frailer, as if a gust of wind could knock her over.

Sheng Shiyue glanced at her. The remaining words lingered on her tongue but ultimately went unsaid. She impatiently said, “How do you explain yourself?”

She found such frail posturing most annoying.

Upon hearing this, Madam Jin felt a sense of relief. She thought to herself that Ye Liuyun hadn’t lied to her.

In the washroom, despite their unusual circumstances, there were moments of clarity. Madam Jin, realizing her sacrificial scheme had failed, felt anxious. Yet Ye Liuyun, who was implicated, showed no anger. Instead, she gently comforted Madam Jin, saying that Your Highness wasn’t as bad as rumors suggested and urged her not to overthink.

Perhaps Ye Liuyun’s comfort was effective, or maybe Madam Jin had no strength to resist and could only suppress her anxiety temporarily.

They talked intermittently for a long time, discussing Sheng Shiyue, Madam Jin, and other Thousand Gates members. During this, Ye Liuyun learned about Tian Ling.

Madam Jin gritted her teeth. With a resolute mindset of facing death, she said, “Your Highness, we indeed make a living through cheating and swindling. But this time, we came to the capital to save people.”

“We aim to save a group of innocent children who were treated as commodities and sold to wealthy merchants for pleasure.”

She heavily kowtowed and said, “I beg Your Highness to save them.”

Madam Jin’s real name was Jin Jinglian. She was an abandoned child from Liangzhou. Fortunately, several Thousand Gates members took her in as a disciple, giving her a semblance of family. Sadly, those members were old and passed away when Jin Jinglian was in her teens. The city held only painful memories, so Jin Jinglian left alone to wander.

Those Thousand Gates members she met during her travels were pitiful people she rescued.

For example, Tian Ling had a unique talent but received no love from her parents. They sold her to a brothel, where she performed ventriloquism daily and endured beatings and harsh treatment. Unable to bear it, Jin Jinglian spent a fortune to buy Tian Ling’s contract, granting her freedom.

The others each had their own misfortunes. Even after Jin Jinglian saved them, they had nowhere to go and could only follow her.

Jin Jinglian had no wealth. Leading such a large group, she taught them the Thousand Gates skills she had learned. They respectfully called her Madam.

They knew their trade involved cheating and swindling. Thus, they targeted only corrupt officials and evil merchants. Most of the money they swindled went to oppressed commoners.

Hearing this, Sheng Shiyue’s expression softened slightly. She asked, “What’s this about saving people?”

Seeing her attitude shift, Jin Jinglian hurriedly said, “This matter began a few months ago. Our group planned to visit Bianjing to see the Liang Kingdom’s largest city. However, dozens of miles outside Bianjing, we found a little girl.”

“She was in a terrible state, covered in wounds. If we hadn’t found her, she likely wouldn’t have survived long. As we carried her into our carriage, a group of vicious servants chased us. We tricked them and fled further away, waiting for the girl to wake up.”

Jin Jinglian’s eyes showed pity. She sighed and said, “This little girl was the one who previously spoke out against Your Highness. She only trusted us too much and didn’t mean to offend Your Highness.”

Sheng Shiyue waved her hand dismissively. She wasn’t one to hold a grudge against a child.

When the girl woke up, Jin Jinglian’s group couldn’t help but ask her what happened. The girl cried for a long time before stammering out her story.

She lived in the suburbs of Bianjing. While playing outside, someone covered her face with a cloth. When she woke, she found herself in a dark cell filled with children her age. Anyone who cried or screamed was beaten. Her injuries came from such beatings.

Every few days, a group of children was taken away and never returned.

One day, she and seven or eight other children were woken by the vicious servants. After a quick wash, they were dressed in new clothes and taken to a luxurious place.

The adults there wore masks and bid on the children like commodities. After successful transactions, some adults took children to adjacent rooms. Soon, the children’s miserable cries echoed. The little girl, however, was taken away and placed alone in a carriage.

She didn’t know why the carriage was empty or where it was headed. In panic, she seized a chance to escape, luckily following others out of the city and meeting Jin Jinglian’s group.

The child didn’t understand what happened, but Jin Jinglian’s group did. Shocked and enraged, they planned to enter the city to rescue others.

“Impossible!” At this point, Sheng Shiyue stood abruptly and shouted sharply, “How could such filthy things happen under the Emperor’s feet?”

She couldn’t accept it immediately and paced back and forth.

Although Sheng Lishu wasn’t a great mother, she was an excellent emperor. During her reign, she governed diligently, reduced heavy taxes, and harshly punished corrupt officials. Even among the Liang Kingdom’s emperors, she was exceptional. Yet, such things happened right under the imperial city.

Though Sheng Shiyue was a playboy, she wasn’t foolish.

According to Jin Jinglian, such large-scale, long-term human trafficking couldn’t be managed by ordinary people. It required the protection of numerous officials, likely of high rank, to keep it completely hidden.

Who were they?

How many buyers were there?

Upon reflection, wasn’t half the court corrupt?

Sheng Shiyue’s hands, hanging by her sides, clenched into fists. Her palms sweated.

Jin Jinglian kowtowed heavily again and said solemnly, “Before this, we already rescued a group of children and hid them in a small courtyard in the city. If Your Highness doesn’t believe me, you can come with me to see.”

At the same time, she felt relieved. Sheng Shiyue’s reputation in Bianjing was terrible, known even to newcomers like them. After being imprisoned by Sheng Shiyue, they were terrified,不敢说出此事，又想出了那么拙劣的计谋。

Until Ye Liuyun’s repeated assurances in the washroom, and the fact that they faced no beatings or starvation during their captivity, Jin Jinglian resolved to tell Sheng Shiyue.

Now, seeing Sheng Shiyue’s shock and anger, she knew Sheng Shiyue wasn’t involved and might even help them.

Outside, a strong wind rose. The gloomy weather, brewing all day, finally unleashed pouring rain. It battered leaves, stirred up soil, and brought a damp, stifling smell.

Sheng Shiyue, pacing back and forth, finally stopped. After a long silence, she only said, “Take me to see them first.”

She still couldn’t believe it.

Jin Jinglian’s face lit up with joy. As long as Sheng Shiyue was willing to look, it was enough. She hurriedly said, “How about tomorrow? The food in the courtyard runs low. If the children get hungry and wander out, those people might find them.”

Sheng Shiyue waved her hand in agreement. She tiredly sat back on the beauty couch and asked, “How did you end up in Xu Zhengming’s hands?”

At this, Jin Jinglian looked embarrassed and said, “We fell into the Eighth Princess’s hands.”

“Oh?”

The story here was simpler.

After rescuing the children, the group had little money left. They resorted to their old tricks. However, the Eighth Princess saw through a fake painting they used. She captured them and sent them to Xu Zhengming, promising their release if they deceived Meng Qingxin and defeated Sheng Shiyue.

Instead, they met Sheng Shiyue, a tough opponent. The others slipped away when Xu Zhengming collapsed in failure, hoping to find another chance to rescue Jin Jinglian.

Unexpectedly, Xu Zhengming tried to take Jin Jinglian elsewhere that night. If Meng Qingxin and others hadn’t stumbled upon them, Jin Jinglian’s fate would be uncertain. The rest needed no further explanation.

Her voice faded into the wind. Sheng Shiyue sat quietly for a moment before saying, “Tomorrow, I’ll prepare a carriage to take you all. If you’re lying…”

Before she finished, Jin Jinglian firmly said, “I’ll leave it to Your Highness’s judgment.”

Sheng Shiyue opened her mouth but said nothing more. She stood and walked out of the room.

Outside, someone waited with an umbrella. Seeing Sheng Shiyue, they quickly sheltered her, ensuring she left without getting wet.

Jin Jinglian waited a while before standing. As she stepped over the threshold, she saw Ye Liuyun in a green archery outfit at the door.

Ye Liuyun said nothing. Her usually smiling lips pressed into a straight line. Her gentleness vanished, leaving only silence.

Jin Jinglian tried to speak, but Ye Liuyun cut her off.

“Let’s go. I’ll escort you,” Ye Liuyun said, opening an oil-paper umbrella. Her back, honed by years of martial training, stood straight.

Jin Jinglian followed beside her.

The rain grew heavier, pelting like marbles. The wind howled relentlessly. If not for Ye Liuyun’s strength, the umbrella might have blown away.

Seeing this, Ye Liuyun put an arm around Jin Jinglian’s shoulder, slightly turning to shield her. She tilted the umbrella toward Jin Jinglian.

This left half her body soaked, but Ye Liuyun didn’t dodge and kept holding her as they walked.

Jin Jinglian struggled lightly and said softly, “Your back is wet.”

Ye Liuyun’s tone remained flat. She said simply, “It’s fine.”

Jin Jinglian didn’t dare struggle too hard. Seeing resistance was futile, she said, “You heard everything?”

Ye Liuyun’s appearance suggested she’d stood outside for a while. Her clothes were damp with mist, icy cold.

Ye Liuyun said, “Hmm,” pausing before adding, “This matter involves many. Even for Your Highness…”

Jin Jinglian said, “They bury the dead children in a clearing outside the city. When we went, the pit could barely hold the bones. Crows that feed on carrion perched in flocks, nearly breaking branches.”

Her words quickened, hatred seeping through her teeth. “They were just innocent children, tortured to death by heartless fiends. How unjust?”

Ye Liuyun remained cold. “Others don’t concern me. I only care that Your Highness is safe.”

In the dark, rainy night, their figures grew small. Their footsteps were swallowed by the storm, leaving only the sound of their breaths as they stayed close.

Fallen leaves struck the umbrella. The hand gripping the handle showed bulging veins, layered with rainwater.

At the courtyard, Jin Jinglian spoke again, “You and Your Highness are good people.”

Ye Liuyun’s lips twitched. She pushed Jin Jinglian onto the steps under the eaves, standing in the rain herself.

A flash of lightning illuminated their figures.

Ye Liuyun suddenly said, “I should’ve strangled you in the washroom.”

Jin Jinglian said nothing, watching Ye Liuyun turn and disappear into the dark.

In the palace.

Someone hunched over a desk sensed something. A knock came, and a person entered, bowing respectfully before saying, “My lord, this year’s martial exam list has been reviewed and compiled by the ministries. Please review it.”

Ning Qingge nodded slightly. The person presented a booklet with both hands, then stood aside with bowed head, not daring to look at Ning Qingge.

Ning Qingge noticed from the corner of her eye but showed no reaction, as if accustomed to their mix of respect and fear. She casually flipped through the booklet, scanning it.

The person didn’t dare move, standing still until Ning Qingge suddenly spoke. He flinched, looked at her, and nervously said, “My lord…”

Ning Qingge’s tone was calm, showing no hint of reproach. She said, “Why is Qu Yu from the Qu family still on the list?”

The person knelt in fright and hurriedly said, “Lord Qu specifically instructed us. He said his daughter, though she broke an arm, doesn’t hinder her horsemanship or essay writing. She’s even better than most candidates with one hand. With the martial exam half a month away, he asked us to make an exception…”

Ning Qingge’s expression didn’t change. Her overly refined features appeared cold and distant. She said, “Remove her.”

“With the martial exam approaching, she fought over a moment’s anger. Her temperament is volatile, and her mind is narrow. Even if she passes, she’s unfit for important roles.”

Her words were firm. The person wanted to defend Qu Yu but couldn’t. He gritted his teeth and said, “Yes.”

Ning Qingge reviewed the booklet a bit more, nodded approval, and the person quickly took it away.

The door closed again. Outside, the rain grew louder, as if pouring all the rain that hadn’t fallen earlier, showing no sign of stopping.

Ning Qingge looked at a three-tiered lacquered food box nearby, sent from Nanyuan earlier. She’d delayed until now and felt hungry.

She opened the box. The first tier held only a plate of mung bean cakes.

Ning Qingge didn’t like sweets or pastries. Nanyuan knew this. Including them meant one thing: a message, not urgent but one Ning Qingge had specifically instructed not to delay.

It concerned Sheng Shiyue.

Ning Qingge took the middle cake, broke it, and found a note. It read: “Before heading to Yicui Tower, Your Highness was taken by Meng Qingxin and Xiao Jing to Anchun Pavilion. They stayed long, buying aphrodisiacs, toys…”

Below was a long list. This ancestor, with her wealth, bought recklessly without understanding their use, likely emptying half of Anchun Pavilion.

Ning Qingge’s grip on the paper tightened, her knuckles whitening.

After a long pause, she muttered, “Impressive.”

Her tone was resigned, both exasperated and amused, unsure what the three had secretly planned to visit such a place.

As for how she knew about Anchun Pavilion, it tied to Yicui Tower. Years ago, she sought Huanyan to inquire about past events and learned a high-ranking official targeted Yicui Tower, wanting it under his control.

The Madam of Yicui Tower refused, so he schemed against her. When Ning Qingge visited, Yicui Tower was strong outside but weak within, likely to close soon.

Though a place of debauchery, Yicui Tower attracted many nobles. Drunk in the arms of beauties, they easily spilled secrets. If used well, it was an excellent information source. More importantly, Sheng Shiyue often played there. If someone schemed to get close to her, it would be trouble.

After much thought, Ning Qingge made a private deal with the Madam, bringing Yicui Tower under her control.

Anchun Pavilion originally involved artisans making novelties sold at Yicui Tower for profit.

Later, Ning Qingge heard of this and opened Anchun Pavilion in Bianjing’s shadows, selling items for Kunze. It was a casual move, but the business thrived, even outearning Yicui Tower. Now, it caught Sheng Shiyue sneaking in.

Ning Qingge rubbed her brow, her expression growing more complex.