The Junior Steward shook a map out of his sleeve. The location of Puji Temple on it had been circled in red. "This fellow also confessed that every time the Yue Mansion transports illicit salt, they donate a 'Thousand-Buddha Robe' to the temple in the name of the Imperial Noble Consort," he said. "In reality, they are using the monks' and nuns' Ordination Certificates as safe-conduct passes—"
Bao Zheng frowned instantly. "Are you saying... Lady Cao is dragging the Imperial Noble Consort into this?"
The Junior Steward nodded heavily, his fingertip poking the three characters for "Puji Temple" on the map. "Precisely! That secretary confessed that each box of the Yue Mansion's 'Thousand-Buddha Robes' actually contains only two robes, with illicit salt packed underneath. When the monks and nuns cross checkpoints holding the Imperial Noble Consort's Ordination Certificates, the guards certainly dare not inspect them and only dare wave them through."
Chapter 353