"Well, Aunt Xu said that he was the one who tried his best to protect my mother, otherwise -"
Luo Jiuli stopped talking, glanced at the secret guard gratefully, and then said.
"Those mountain bandits are quite difficult for even the prince's secret guards to deal with. They must be highly skilled in martial arts and their identity is questionable."
"According to what Mother Xu said, those bandits are ruthless people. If they are just trying to steal money, how can they be willing to kill people?"
"What's more, there was the incident of Hu Bingyu before, and my mother was injured later. What kind of bandit is he? What kind of background does he have? He dares to attack the wife of a powerful family in the capital."
As soon as she said this, Pei Tingsong and the secret guard looked at her at the same time.
Pei Tingsong: My sister-in-law is so thoughtful.
Secret Guard: Miss Luo Er is so courageous. She can understand the essence of this matter in just a few sentences.
Xiao Mingxuan pursed his lips slightly when he heard this.
"Don't worry, whether it's a real bandit or a fake bandit, I will make him pay the price."
"Pei Tingsong."
"Your Majesty."
Pei Tingsong stood up and bowed respectfully.
"Go to the palace in person and report to the Emperor Ming that the Duke's wife was seriously injured by bandits."
"yes."
Pei Tingsong didn't dare to delay and walked out of the front hall.
After Pei Tingsong walked away, Xiao Mingxuan waved his hand to the black-clothed secret guard on the side to retreat, and called Qin Yin in again.
"Qin Yin."
At the door, Qin Yin walked in.
"Send a message to Lingxiao Pavilion and investigate thoroughly who are the bandits outside the capital who have private connections with the dignitaries in the city."
"yes."
Qin Yin received the order and understood the meaning of his master's words, turned around and retreated quickly.
Luo Jiuli was suspicious. This was not the first time she heard the words "Lingxiao Pavilion" from Xiao Mingxuan's mouth.
Mysterious, powerful, extraordinary, and elusive, she had endless reveries about this place.
Xiao Mingxuan turned to look at Luo Jiuli and saw a certain solemnity on her face.
"What’s wrong with you?"
He thought it was because this incident had an impact on her mood and made her feel bad.
Luo Jiuli shook his head and suppressed the doubts in his heart.
"nothing?"
"When I first entered the hall, I saw that the secret guard was reporting something to you?"
Xiao Mingxuan nodded.
"When the secret guard reported just now, he said that he had fought against the leader of the bandit. Whether it was the number of ways the man attacked or the way he killed people under the pretext of robbing money, he was by no means as simple as an ordinary bandit."
When Luo Jiuli heard this, his eyebrows instantly turned cold.
"That means this matter is most likely related to some people in the capital?"
"Is it the Queen Mother? The Imperial Concubine? Or the Grand Sima? Or the Palace of Prince An?"
Is it selfish or to get back at her?
Xiao Mingxuan saw her frown slightly and took her hand.
"Everyone is suspicious, even those you didn't expect, those who are unwilling to remain unknown and want to stir up trouble."
"But before you have evidence, you must not act rashly."
"Ok, I know."
Luo Jiuli suppressed the anger in his heart.
Because I understand that there are too many involved, and I also know that this matter is just like Xiao Mingxuan said, everyone is suspicious, not only the Queen Mother, the noble concubine, the Grand Sima, but also his father's political opponents or those who want to stir up trouble.
among the suspects.
"I leave this matter to the prince. If my mother is injured, we can't just let it go."
"Um."
Xiao Mingxuan nodded.
"You just need to take good care of your mother's health, and leave everything else to me."
With Xiao Mingxuan in charge, Luo Jiuli felt a lot more at ease.
"Steward Zhang."
Outside the courtyard, Butler Zhang lifted his robe and went up the steps, stood outside the hall, and said respectfully.
"Second Miss."
Luo Jiuli looked at the housekeeper outside the door.
"Of all the people who went to Nanhua Temple with my mother this time, the five guards who died will each be given a one-time allowance of three hundred taels. Those who are injured or disabled will be treated by a doctor. Each of them will be given one hundred taels to recuperate.
Don’t give them anything to do during this period, leave the disabled ones behind, and give them some light work after they recover from their injuries.”
"All expenses will be paid out of my account. You can go directly to Chun Rong to get the banknote later."
When the housekeeper heard this, his eyes couldn't help but look a little moved.
"On behalf of all the servants in the palace, I would like to thank Second Young Lady for your thoughtfulness. However, the allowances and rewards issued by Second Young Lady are a bit higher than those set by the Duke."
On the side, Xiao Mingxuan also nodded and looked at Luo Jiuli.
"What Butler Zhang said is absolutely true. The amount of money you want to distribute is not only higher than what the Duke has set, but it even exceeds that of the imperial court."
"After a general or a soldier is killed in battle, the imperial court will order the Ministry of Rites to issue memorial and burial silver, the Ministry of War to issue commemorative silver, and the Ministry of Industry to issue commemorative silver to the deceased."
"Leaving aside the high-ranking officials, the fifth-grade official positions are only 300 to 350 taels; the sixth-grade official positions are only 250 taels, and the seventh-grade and lower official positions are only 220 taels."
"Soldiers without official positions are only about one hundred taels."
Luo Jiuli looked sad when he heard this.
"We all sacrificed our lives to protect our family and country, but the value of human life is actually related to the level of official rank."
Injustice, injustice, and anger.
But she knew that this was the feudal class system, and she couldn't change it, and there was nothing she could do about it.
"Then let's pay them according to the pension that my father set before. In addition, add twenty taels to each person, and it will be said to be a reward for their loyal protection of the Lord."
This incident is more or less related to her. She is a person who never wants to owe anyone a favor, otherwise she will feel uneasy.
"yes."
The butler bowed respectfully and then left.
"Li'er."
Xiao Mingxuan grabbed her hand.
"Don't blame yourself, this has nothing to do with you."
Luo Jiuli looked at him and said nothing.
Doesn't it matter? Things have already happened. There are still many things to do now, and there is no room for her to be sad and angry.
——
At the same time, the imperial study room in the palace.
"What did you say? The Duke's wife encountered bandits on the road and was seriously injured?"
The emperor sat behind the dragon case and was shocked.
Pei Tingsong nodded.
"Your Majesty, not only that, those bandits also killed five guards of the Duke's Mansion, and the rest were injured and disabled to varying degrees."
"Especially the bandit leader, his vicious methods and powerful martial arts are rare."
"If it weren't for the secret guards sent by the Nine Kings to protect the life of the Duke and Madam, I'm afraid I would have to come to see the Emperor in plain clothes today."
The emperor stood up, with a sharp look in his eyes, a hint of coldness, and a solemn look.
"People's hearts are not like snakes swallowing elephants. These bandits are entrenched in a corner. They have big trees with deep roots and do all kinds of evil."
"You dare to kill the imperial family members at the feet of the emperor. It seems that if you don't get rid of them one by one, it will definitely cause disaster."
When Pei Tingsong heard this, he raised his eyebrows slightly, then quickly lowered his head and bowed:
"What the emperor said is absolutely true. These mountain bandits collude with each other, exploit the people, occupy the mountains as kings, and harm one side. They are indeed a great disaster to the imperial court."