Reborn as a Noble's Son

Chapter 649: Chapter 605 Jiang Ruoxuan’s Choice_1

These past few days have been tough for Jiang Ruoxuan. By now, the whole of Wanghai City is buzzing with rumors that she is Mayor Nie’s lover, with all her accomplishments allegedly due to Mayor Nie’s secret support. It’s widely known throughout Wanghai City that the ministers serving before and after her in the City Committee’s publicity department, Lin Mohan and Zhou Zihui, were both Mayor Nie’s trusted aides.

As she entered the Wanghai TV Station’s office building, Jiang Ruoxuan felt scrutinized by unusual glances. Even bosses who usually treated her with condescension now seemed to be showing courtesy, which had left Jiang Ruoxuan feeling somewhat helpless.

Just as she entered her office and sat down, there came a knock on the door. She opened it to find the station’s director Cai along with two stern-faced employees.

Looking at Jiang Ruoxuan, Director Cai said with a polite smile, “Ruoxuan, these gentlemen are from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission. They want to talk to you about something.”

Upon hearing his words, Jiang Ruoxuan visibly shuddered. The rumors appeared to be true. Nie had not appeared in Wanghai City for days and was conspicuously absent from leadership activities. It appears that Mayor Nie had indeed been put under “Shuanggui” by the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Ruoxuan lifted her head and asked, “May I know what this is about?”

Cai, smiling, nodded in response, “Gentlemen, you take your time. I should get going.”

Of course, he would step away. These were the people from the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission. Their presence can put anyone under pressure. It would be strange if he chose to stay.

The two employees were Old Song and Qi, the same duo who interrogated Li Jupeng the previous day. Old Song, looking at the worried Jiang Ruoxuan, reassured her kindly, “Comrade Ruoxuan, there’s no need to be nervous. Let’s sit down and talk. We’re here to discuss a few things with you.”

Pausing for a moment, Old Song looked at the office environment, keeping a pleasant demeanor and tone, and said, “Comrade Ruoxuan, you are a high achiever. Have you thought about working at Minnan TV? I have some connections with the Bureau Director Ma of the Provincial Radio and Television Bureau. If you are interested in transferring, I can help you out.”

Old Song’s behavior was a stark contrast to how he treated Li Jupeng, who he tried pressuring, causing him severe mental strain, in hopes of making him commit an unfair act. Unfortunately, the strategy didn’t work on Li.

However, such an approach wouldn’t work with Jiang Ruoxuan. If she confesses, it would be for the best since she was one of the people involved. Once she acknowledges it, there is nothing verbal justification or physical evidence could do to clear Nie Zhenbang’s name. After all, this incidence is a severe violation of lifestyle discipline.

But this will end up affecting a woman’s reputation and future – Jiang Ruoxuan might end up infamous not only in Minan Province but also throughout the country. To make her confess would require the Commission to offer a substantial offer unrelated to the investigation.

Upon hearing Old Song’s statement, Jiang Ruoxuan quickly realized what was going on even though she was unaware of the interior workings of the system. She knew that personnel transfers wouldn’t be handled by the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission.

Choosing her words carefully, she looked at Old Song and asked, “Sir, what exactly do you want me to do?”

As she finished speaking, Old Song gave an appreciative laugh and raised his thumb, saying, “Hehe, you’re smart, Reporter Jiang. Actually, it isn’t anything big. We need you to confess the secrets you’ve been keeping for Mayor Nie. Reporter Jiang, you’ve been tying yourself to Nie Zhenbang in the hopes of achieving something. Having a career opportunity at Minnan TV Station is a rare chance. Also, Nie Zhenbang can’t help himself, let alone you. You should weigh the pros and cons. Being as smart as you are, you certainly know how to choose.” @@novelbin@@

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruoxuan turned serious and looked at Old Song, replying indignantly, “Sir, I don’t know what you’re talking about. My relationship with Mayor Nie is strictly professional. The time when I invited him to our alumni event was just a coincidence. Other than that, I have nothing to say.”

Her words made Old Song and Qi feel awkward. Qi looked darkly at Jiang Ruoxuan and said with a stern voice, “Jiang Ruoxuan, you should think about whether it’s worth the price to cover for Nie Zhenbang. According to what we already know, questioning you is merely a formality. Have you thought about your own future when Nie Zhenbang can’t protect himself anymore?”

This statement served as a veiled threat. Ruoxuan gave a cold laugh inside. They make it sound so good, ‘what we already know.’ If they indeed knew everything, why would they need to investigate? They could just put me under “Shuanggui” and file a case. Moreover, they might fool others with this, but can they fool the person involved? Isn’t that just wishful thinking?

Faced with this choice, let alone attempting to frame Nie Zhenbang, Jiang Ruoxuan would not consider framing anyone unrelated either.

Then, Jiang Ruoxuan said with a serious tone, “Both of you leaders, I don’t understand what you’re talking about. If you have any evidence, feel free to act, arrest or sentence. These matters have nothing to do with me. Mayor Nie and I are just ordinary friends. If you insist on splashing this dirty water on me, I wouldn’t mind filing for an administrative lawsuit. I’m sorry, I have to work. If there’s nothing else, I won’t keep the two of you.”

With the completion of her sentence, Jiang Ruoxuan left. Seeing her leave, Qi frowned and whispered, “Old Song, what should we do? This woman is immune to both soft and hard tactics. We don’t have much time. We can’t keep dragging these unfounded matters.”

Old Song’s expression also became solemn. He had thought that after making some noise in Wanghai City, the local officials would certainly come forward, and all sorts of dirt would be splashed on Nie Zhenbang. However, quite the contrary has happened. After two days of investigation, there’s been no progress. Nie Zhenbang’s statements were incredibly consistent and firm. It was unclear whether the incident involving Nie Zhenbang was familiar to them, they didn’t seem to recall anything.

After pondering for a moment, Old Song said in a deep voice, “Let’s go, return to the Wanghai Hotel. We can only report this matter to Secretary Yi.”

The suite on the fourth floor of Hong Yan Lou, Wanghai Hotel, had now become the temporary residence of Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee, Yi Mingyang.

At that moment, Yi Mingyang was sitting on the sofa in the living room of the suite, resting his eyes. Meanwhile, Old Song from the investigation team was quietly reporting to him, “Secretary Yi, this is essentially what has happened. Over these past few days, we have individually spoken to all the officials who have a good relationship with Nie Zhenbang. However, they all have the same statement, that Nie Zhenbang has no issue with his lifestyle. Especially this Jiang Ruoxuan, she is like a rock in a cesspool, utterly hard and smelly. This woman even threatened to sue us. Should we allow the Provincial Broadcasting Bureau to put some pressure on the Wanghai City TV Station and Wanghai Broadcasting Bureau?”

Listening to this, Yi Mingyang also opened his eyes. He admired Nie Zhenbang’s charm in his heart. In just a year, Nie Zhenbang managed to gain such fidelity from the officials in Wanghai City. This ability is not common within the system.

From this incident, it seems that there really could be no problems between Nie Zhenbang and Jiang Ruoxuan.

Yi Mingyang believed in the saying that there are no walls that do not leak. If this matter were real, no matter how tight-lipped they may be, there would definitely be some traces to be found.

On one hand, Old Song and his team were responsible for speaking with the officials of Wanghai City. On the other hand, two other teams were secretly inspecting Wanghai City. According to the investigative data, after the reunion that day, Nie Zhenbang did indeed send Jiang Ruoxuan back to Wanghai TV Station. Based on the timing, this was a normal schedule.

However, from all available information, there seems to be no issues found with Nie Zhenbang. But he wouldn’t be satisfied leaving things as they are.

This was an opportunity to knock down Qiao Yiren. Regardless of anything else, Nie Zhenbang was Qiao Yiren’s man. Hence, if Nie Zhenbang had any issues, Qiao Yiren would have to bear some of the leader’s responsibility. When that moment came, his opportunity would arrive. Even if he couldn’t become the Secretary, he could at least seize the Governor’s position.

All hustle and bustle is for profit. If it weren’t the case, he wouldn’t have come to Wanghai City. Thinking of this, Yi Mingyang also nodded, “Alright, I know about this. You all, go out first.”

Such oppressive matters were things that Yi Mingyang would never expose outright. If he did, his prestige as the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Committee would be lost.

After Old Song and the others left, Yi Mingyang directly dialed the number of the Propaganda Minister, Xiang Qiurong, who was also a Standing Committee member of the Provincial Party Committee.

As soon as the call connected, Yi Mingyang laughed, “Minister Qiu Rong, it’s me, Yi Mingyang. Sorry to disturb.”

As the only female among the members of the Provincial Committee, not holding a position such as the head of the United Front Work Department, but rather the powerful Minister of Propaganda, Qiu Rong’s capabilities were undoubtedly exceptional.

Upon hearing Yi Mingyang’s voice, Qiu Rong’s brow furrowed. Yi Mingyang’s trip to Wanghai City was a decision passed by the Provincial Committee. Qiu Rong was naturally clear about this. At this moment, getting a call from Yi Mingyang, prompting her to think of Wanghai City, Qiu Rong understood that things were likely not as simple as they appeared. Without letting on her suspicion, she replied with a smile, “Secretary Yi, you’re too polite. It’s business hours, so it’s not a disturbance at all. Aren’t you in Wanghai City? Why did you call, is there something you need?”