Chapter 1530: Chapter 1529: Malicious Rumors_1

Meanwhile, Qiao Xiaomai and Tong Sanlang were sitting in a horse carriage on their way to the palace. This was Tong Sanlang’s first outing from the residence since his injury. His health was not good, so the carriage traveled very slowly, taking double the usual time. By the time they arrived at Da’an Palace, Yang Wenxiao had already started his afternoon nap.

An afternoon nap, then they would wait.

Since Tong Sanlang hadn’t been active today, Qiao Xiaomai helped him walk in circles in the open space outside the great hall of Da’an Palace, while Sea Breeze stood aside, waiting respectfully.

About half an hour later, Yang Wenxiao woke, and Gao Lian quickly reported to him. Moments later, Yang Wenxiao let them in.

“Sanlang, it has been a long time since I’ve seen you,” Yang Wenxiao examined Tong Sanlang from head to toe with a somewhat sentimental expression. “You’ve lost weight.”

Tong Sanlang smiled, “Having lain in bed for several months, I haven’t come to visit you. I hope you won’t blame me.”

“Eh, no need for such polite words,” Yang Wenxiao waved his hand indifferently and asked, “Rushing over at this hour, what has happened?”

“Something serious has happened,” Tong Sanlang said, turning to look at Qiao Xiaomai.

With an indignant expression, Qiao Xiaomai spoke, “Your Majesty, earlier Lingsu came to visit me at my residence with Bei Yun, and then Bei Yun said that someone is spreading rumors that I have a treasure basin. They say that it’s because of this treasure basin that I have become known as a living god of wealth.”

“Your Majesty, I have been wronged! If I really had such a treasure basin, why would I still be so busy?”

“If I truly had such a treasure basin, I would definitely have it spewing out silver daily. I wouldn’t do anything else but watch it produce silver!”

“But I don’t have it. I don’t possess such a Divine Weapon. All the silver I’ve earned has come from the intelligence and wisdom of myself and the people around me. We and the people by my side have sacrificed so much to earn money. It’s unfair to simply dismiss our hard work with a lie.”

“Attributing our recent years of hardship to a non-existent basin is unfair to us!”

“Your Majesty, you must seek justice for me!”

Qiao Xiaomai’s words tumbled out rapid and fierce, her tone as if she carried flames. With clenched fists and gritted teeth, she appeared ready to strike and kick the rumormongers if they were in front of her.

Yang Wenxiao was stunned for a moment, then turned to Gao Lian, “Is there such a matter?”

Gao Lian shook his head, “I have not received any news of this yet, I will investigate immediately.”

He said this and hurriedly left the great hall.

As Yang Wenxiao’s trusted confidant, he was certainly sharp, well aware of the malicious intent behind the creation of such rumors, and knew the matter had to be investigated thoroughly and quickly.

“Don’t be anxious, let’s wait until everything is clear,” Yang Wenxiao consoled her.

“How can I not be anxious? My hard-earned reputation is being tarnished by scoundrels with just a flick of their tongues. Moreover, they have fabricated a treasure basin out of thin air, and I am in a frenzy. The moment I heard about this, I rushed to see you. What if some muddle-headed people believe I really have this thing? How can I explain it?”

“I couldn’t clarify it even if I grew mouths all over my body!”

Tong Sanlang also said with a grave voice, “Your Majesty, because of the missing treasure that no one can trace, my mother was kidnapped, and I too faced life-threatening danger. Now, someone behind the scenes has fabricated this rumor of a treasure basin, which will make Xiaomai’s future predicament ten or a hundred times more dangerous than what I faced.”

“What if people believe it and harm Xiaomai stealthily? What should we do then?”

“Now, even going out has become problematic for me, and I am completely unable to use Martial Arts. I cannot protect her, Your Majesty. I beg you, you must protect her well.”