Perhaps she was naive, but Tang Zhuyun genuinely felt that Lei Qun was a dedicated craftsman who was also very open and honest.
She couldn't imagine that Lei Qun approached her with the intention of plotting a rebellion.
The key point is that Ren Yingying was the one who initially took charge of everything at the academy.
If nothing unexpected happens, Ren Yingying won't go to Liaodong, and she should still be in charge of this matter now.
Did my taking over mean I was just handing over an unexpected kill to the other side?
She felt very uncomfortable.
Xiu'er's expression also turned somewhat strange. "Nanxing, don't tell me that White Lotus Lady is Lei Qun."
It's absolutely disgusting.
Nanxing: "... No, not quite. But it's not far off though..."
Tang Zhuyun, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, replied, "Is it Lei Qun's grandmother?"
"Hmm. Your Highness, how did you know?"
Tang Zhuyun: I was mistaken.
Lei Qun once told her that his grandmother was very capable, an extremely outstanding woman, but because of her gender, she could not display all her abilities.
Looking back now, that was far too modest.
To be revered as a "goddess" by the common people, a living deity-like being, is this person an ordinary person?
However, Tang Zhuyun had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
--Since Lei Qun is a member of the royal family, why does he use his grandmother's name when creating influence among the common people?
Is it simply because of her gender that the White Lotus Lady is more believable?
I'm afraid not.
There were also rebellions like this in previous dynasties, didn't they? One of them even proclaimed himself Heavenly Emperor.
Lei Qun could easily do the same.
What exactly is wrong?
Nanxing continued, "Lei Qun was actually the late emperor's seventh brother, the posthumous son of Prince Taihe."
Tang Zhuyun: "Was it during the struggle for the throne between the late emperor's brothers that you lost?"
Nanxing nodded.
Xiu'er also said, "I know that, that's exactly how it is."
Prince Taihe was quite a handful back then.
The late emperor was forced to go to the border town and met Xiao Wu; it was this woman's doing.
He almost succeeded.
However, he was still short, so he died for his country.
Of course, the late emperor would not bear the reputation of fratricide, so the entire Prince Taihe family was attacked by bandits on their way out of the capital, and not a single master of the family survived.
--Except for Lei Qun, who slipped through the net.
Lei Qun was born posthumously, and her mother was a maid. Back then, Prince Taihe didn't even remember her, so he kept her in the capital as an ordinary maid, which is why she escaped death.
Hearing this, Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but say, "Whose son is it anyway? There's no way to prove it now that he's dead."
Although Lei Qun does resemble...
"Whether it is or not, those people just say it is," Nanxing said calmly.
Xiu'er rested her chin on her hand, her brows furrowed, looking somewhat puzzled.
After a long pause, she said, "I'm thinking, putting aside whether Lei Qun's identity is real or not, let's assume he is real for now; then shouldn't his grandmother have been a concubine in the palace back then, the biological mother of Prince Taihe, and one of the late emperor's stepmothers?"
How did this person end up among the common people?
"She should be the deceased Dowager Consort Jingyi," Nanxing said. "She came from Nanyue."
Tang Zhuyun: "!!!"
No wonder!
In that case, it seems everything can be connected.
Strictly speaking, she should be considered a concubine, so no one even considered her.
The Nanyue possessed some unorthodox arts, so her feigned death wasn't so difficult to understand.
Then they found someone who looked exactly like them, also from the Yanrong Clan of Nanyue, and it was the work of Dowager Consort Jingyi.
Jinse's guess was indeed true.
It seems we need to talk to Jinse and see if she has any more information about this Dowager Consort Jingyi.
Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but sigh.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Xiu'er asked.
Nanxing also looked at her.
Tang Zhuyun rolled her eyes and said, "This Dowager Consort Jingyi must be in her seventies or eighties by now."
Nanxing said, "According to the palace records, she should be the same age as the late emperor."
Tang Zhuyun: "... So it turns out they came from behind to surpass me."
Her son was much younger than the late emperor, yet he managed to surpass him and almost succeed. The late emperor was truly a scoundrel.
"When the late emperor was alive," Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but complain, "Why didn't she rise up in rebellion?"
Emperor Wen is cleaning up the mess that the previous emperor should have cleaned up; it's frustrating to even think about it.
Xiu'er said, "That must be because we weren't prepared beforehand; even if we were to start a rebellion, we'd need a legitimate reason. Look, the Emperor has given them leverage!"
Tang Zhuyun retorted defiantly, "I don't like hearing you say that. What evidence does the Emperor have against him?"
"Blinded by lust, he dotes solely on the Empress."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
"Just kidding. In the end, it's just that His Majesty is too impatient. Impatient is one thing, but he's also soft-hearted... Sigh."
Tang Zhuyun understood what she meant.
Xiu'er was saying that Emperor Wen should not have allowed the retired emperor to exist in this way.
But she could understand.
This is for peace of mind for the rest of my life.
Moreover, those who want to do evil will have one reason if they don't have another.
Does that mean they wouldn't rebel if Emperor Wen ascended the throne directly?
The White Lotus Sect has been secretly developing among the people for over twenty years!
Tang Zhuyun suddenly remembered something else and asked Nanxing, "How did you find out so much?"
Lei Qun has been arrested.
"Huh?" Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er exclaimed in surprise at the same time.
Isn't this the big boss?
How could it be wiped out so quickly?
Nanxing stated truthfully, "Actually, I think he deliberately got arrested."
Lei Qun himself deliberately revealed his weakness.
After being arrested, Lei Qun confessed everything without needing to be interrogated.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
What exactly is Lei Qun trying to do?
"Your Nanxing said, "He said he was tired of being manipulated. Actually, he was quite happy being a craftsman in the Lei Family. He would rather just be a member of the Lei Family."
How he became a member of the Lei Family is another story altogether.
But in any case, it was all fake.
His early life was spent as a puppet in the hands of Dowager Consort Jingyi.
"Your Majesty, he wishes to see you, but the Emperor has not granted his request."
Clearly, Lei Qun's feelings for the Empress are extraordinary.
It's not necessarily admiration, but it's still different.
Tang Zhuyun remained silent.
She wondered if there was some conspiracy involved, or if Lei Qun had simply grown tired of the situation.
She had no idea.
"Let's talk about seeing him later," Tang Zhuyun said. "Even if we do see him, it will require the Emperor's permission and his accompaniment. For now, let's have someone take good care of him and focus on suppressing the bandits."
The White Lotus Sect Cult has infiltrated so deeply that pulling them out would likely be a painful and devastating undertaking.
Emperor Wen must be very distressed right now.
"Where's Jinse?" Xiu'er asked. "Quickly, have someone bring Jinse here. I get panicked as soon as I hear she's connected to Nanyue."
Because the evil arts of Nanyue were unknown.
This unknown can instill fear and anxiety.
Tang Zhuyun also wanted to know, so she sent someone to fetch Jinse.