Rebirth and Reversal of Fortune

Chapter 132 Sowing Discord, Uncovering the Conspiracy

The rumors spread by the new forces that the Marquis's family was plotting a rebellion were like a bombshell, causing a huge uproar in the capital. But this was only the first step in their conspiracy. Immediately afterwards, they began to secretly sow discord between the Marquis's family and other families.

"Don't be fooled by the Marquis's mansion. They're only trying to use you as shields." The spies from the new power were stirring up trouble among the various families.

Some families already harbored doubts about the Marquis's mansion, and after hearing these rumors, their attitudes became even more wavering.

"What exactly is the Marquis's mansion planning?"

"Have we really been used?"

Su Jinxiu and Xiao Ling sensed the undercurrent of crisis.

“My lord, we must dispel the doubts of other families as soon as possible and not let the enemy’s conspiracy succeed.” Su Jinxiu said solemnly.

Xiao Ling nodded: "I will visit several important families now and explain things to them in person."

However, when Xiao Ling went to the Li family with gifts, she was turned away at the door.

"Master Li is not receiving guests, General Xiao, please return home," the Li family's steward said coldly.

Xiao Ling's heart sank, but he still said, "Please tell Master Li that the Marquis's mansion has never had any disloyal intentions."

The situation is also not optimistic in the Wang family.

“Master Wang, there must be some misunderstanding here,” Xiao Ling said.

Master Wang said sarcastically, "General Xiao, given the current situation, my Wang family dares not get too close to the Marquis's mansion."

Despite Xiao Ling's best efforts, many families still kept their distance from the Marquis's mansion.

Su Jinxiu was also making efforts, inviting the ladies of various families to gather at the Marquis's residence.

"Sisters, the Marquis's Mansion has always been in the same boat with you all. Now that someone is deliberately trying to sow discord, I hope you will not believe them," Su Jinxiu said sincerely.

But some women were still whispering behind her back.

"Who knows if she's telling the truth or not."

"It's better to be careful."

At the same time, the new forces took the opportunity to intensify their suppression of the Marquis's businesses, causing the Marquis's business to plummet.

"Madam, many shops are closed, and the shop assistants have all left," the butler said anxiously.

Su Jinxiu suppressed her anxiety: "We need to find another way to recruit people. We can't just give up like this."

Just when the Marquis's mansion was in a state of utter chaos, another imperial decree arrived.

"The Emperor ordered General Xiao to enter the palace immediately for an audience with the Emperor."

Xiao Ling and Su Jinxiu both understood that this journey was fraught with uncertainty...

Xiao Ling received the imperial decree and went to the palace to meet the emperor, while Su Jinxiu anxiously awaited news at the Marquis's residence. She knew in her heart that this was a test concerning the life and death of the Marquis's family.

In the palace, facing the emperor's questioning, Xiao Ling calmly and firmly stated the Marquis's family's loyalty and pointed out the flaws in the rumors. The emperor fell into deep thought and did not express his opinion on the spot.

Meanwhile, Su Jinxiu was not idle at the Marquis's residence. She carefully analyzed the enemy's various actions and finally discovered some clues.

“This series of events happened too coincidentally; someone must have meticulously planned it behind the scenes,” Su Jinxiu said to her trusted confidant.

After a thorough investigation, Su Jinxiu discovered that the reason the new forces were able to stir up trouble so quickly was that they had bribed some officials in the imperial court to obtain confidential information about the Marquis's mansion, and then used this information to create chaos.

"So that's how it is. No wonder we're always being controlled." Su Jinxiu suddenly realized.

She immediately informed Xiao Ling of this discovery. After receiving the news, Xiao Ling skillfully communicated with the emperor's loyal ministers in the palace, finally making the emperor gain a new understanding of the Marquis's family's situation.

The emperor began to re-examine the problems of the Marquis's residence and secretly sent people to investigate.

At the same time, Su Jinxiu decided to take the initiative. She invited some families and merchants who still trusted the Marquis's mansion to discuss countermeasures together.

“Now that we have seen through the enemy’s plot, we can no longer sit idly by and wait for our doom,” Su Jinxiu said.

Everyone expressed their willingness to support the Marquis's residence.

Under Su Jinxiu's planning, they began to collect evidence of the new forces' crimes and expose the crimes of the bribed officials.

"As long as this evidence can be presented to the emperor, the Marquis's family can be exonerated."

However, the new forces noticed the Marquis's actions, strengthened their defenses, and became even more aggressive in their suppression of the Marquis's family.

The Hou family's properties suffered severe damage, and some of their partner merchants were also threatened.

"Madam, it seems our actions have been detected by the enemy."

Su Jinxiu gritted her teeth: "No matter what, we can't give up."

Just as they were making difficult progress, good news came from the palace from Xiao Ling.

The emperor had begun to waver in his belief in the injustice done to the Marquis's family and decided to reopen the investigation.

Su Jinxiu was overjoyed: "This is our chance, we must seize it."

But the new forces would not give up so easily; they devised an even more vicious scheme...