Chapter 188: Severed Hand

There are many wise women and beautiful ladies from noble families, but Feng Jinyao’s dual nature—sometimes a graceful noblewoman and other times a fierce and capable figure—left Xiao Tingyi somewhat perplexed about which side of her was her true self.

The whip mark on the gate of the Prince Kang’s mansion seemed to have struck at his own cold heart. He felt a cracking sensation within, as though something was about to burst forth.

Perhaps, as the old minister said, she was indeed special to him.

With this thought, a smile unconsciously curved his lips. Fortunately, he was alone in the carriage; otherwise, someone might have noticed his unusual demeanor.

Outside the carriage, Yang Zhao signaled his hidden scouts, who soon disappeared from the gate of the Prince Kang’s mansion.

Nightfall was approaching.

At the Bai family residence, chaos reigned. When Madam Bai arrived, she found that Princess Wen Yi had fainted three times from crying, and Bai Silang was even pinching people’s acupoints so hard that they were turning purple.

“Fourth Sister-in-law, don’t panic. Ah Yao and the others have gone after them. They’ll definitely catch up.”

After receiving a message from the carriage driver, she rushed to the Yingtian Prefecture. Given her special status, the Prefect of Yingtian didn’t dare to be negligent, especially since the kidnapped person was the beloved granddaughter of the Minister. Naturally, they sent more personnel to capture the criminals.

Her purpose in returning was to inform the Bai family of the situation.

Madam Bai, who had been silent, frowned even more tightly. “Such a large commotion—when Siruo is found, won’t the entire city know she was kidnapped? Her reputation…”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but everyone present understood. Even Bai Xiang, lying on the bed, looked clear-eyed.

“Ah Yao did the right thing. If not, the rumor tomorrow would be that my granddaughter eloped with someone. At that point, no matter what we do, we couldn’t stop the gossip. If Siruo truly elopes, she won’t have any future.”

Bai Xiang’s words shocked everyone. Although the customs of the Great Jin Dynasty were not extremely conservative, the standards for noble women were still high. If Bai Siruo were labeled as an eloper, she would never be able to redeem herself.

The Bai family, the Prince Kang’s mansion, and even the Feng family would all suffer a loss of reputation.

Such a precise plan would indeed take them all down. Fortunately, Ah Yao discovered the plot; otherwise, by the time they realized Bai Siruo was missing in the middle of the night, it would be too late to act.

Now, they could only wait at home and place their hopes on Ah Yao.

Though it was nearly February and not as cold as midwinter, Feng Jinyao wore only a pleated skirt that was a bit thicker than a thin dress. The long cloak she had discarded because it would slow the horse down.

The wind was not a big deal for Su Cheng and Xiao Mu Qian, but for Feng Jinyao, who was used to the comforts of a noble home, it was bitterly cold.

“Ah Yao, are you alright?”

Su Cheng asked worriedly while riding.

“I’m fine. We need to find my cousin first!”

Her resolute gaze even made Su Cheng admire her. She truly was a daughter of the Feng family, capable of enduring hardships like her elder brothers.

He fell silent and slowed down a bit to follow behind and protect her.

Ahead, Xiao Mu Qian, gripping the reins tightly, was so furious that the sound of cracking could be heard. If Lu Yuanfeng were in front of him, he would probably have already crushed him.

He kept praying for Bai Siruo’s safety.

Horses’ hooves quickly left marks on the ground. In a rural house on the outskirts of the western suburbs, Lu Yuanfeng had restrained Bai Siruo, tying her hands and feet and gagging her with a cloth. She was thrown into a side room.

Bai Siruo was still unconscious on the bed, while Lu Yuanfeng warmed himself with wine by the flickering candlelight.

After driving for almost two hours, his body had been numbed by the cold.

Yet, seeing the unconscious beauty made his heart burn with excitement.

“Bai Siruo, don’t blame me. After all, you were born into the Bai family and are so easy to deceive. You obstructed someone’s path, so you’re destined to be at my mercy. When the news of your elopement spreads through the city, the Prince Kang’s mansion will surely be devastated. Hmph, let him enjoy the limelight while I make him taste the bitterness of cuckoldry!”

He finished his drink and looked at her with a greedy and lecherous gaze.

He stepped towards the bed, his fingers touching her smooth face, feeling like electricity. Indeed, as a noblewoman, she was different from the women in brothels.

As he reached to undo her clothes, a cold gleam suddenly flashed, and before he could react, his entire hand was severed, blood splattering onto Bai Siruo.

Lu Yuanfeng cried out in pain, and when he looked up to see who had attacked him, he was shocked to see Xiao Mu Qian.

Xiao Mu Qian’s face was cold and fierce as he glared at Lu Yuanfeng, his voice icy and menacing. “If you dare touch her again, I’ll take your life!”

Having emerged from the battlefield, Xiao Mu Qian’s ferocity was beyond what someone like Lu Yuanfeng, who dabbled in the pleasure quarters, could endure.

“You... you’re not afraid...” Lu Yuanfeng almost blurted out the words “Wei Guogong.” but his last shred of rationality told him that mentioning those words might cost him his life.

He could only clutch his severed hand and howl in agony.

Xiao Mu Qian quickly moved to the bedside, lifting the still unconscious Bai Siruo with great care and heartache.

Before this moment, he had only seen Bai Siruo as a noblewoman who was different from others, straightforward and clear in her affections, and a suitable candidate as a wife.

But after discovering she was kidnapped, as he raced here, all he hoped for was that she would be safe. Even if she were unfortunately violated, she would still be someone he cherished.

In this life, he wanted no one else, and no one else could have her.

He whispered to her ear, “I’m so glad you’re alright.”

When Su Cheng and Feng Jinyao arrived, they saw this scene. Feng Jinyao, seeing Bai Siruo in Xiao Mu Qian’s arms, finally relaxed. She approached and shook Bai Siruo.

“Cousin, cousin!”

Seeing that Bai Siruo didn’t respond, it was clear she had been drugged. Feng Jinyao turned her cold gaze to Lu Yuanfeng.

“Where’s the antidote?”

Lu Yuanfeng, gritting his teeth in pain, couldn’t focus on anything else. Su Cheng kicked him squarely in the chest, nearly knocking the wind out of him.

“Speak!”

 Chapter 160: The Tang Family's Plans

Qi Wangfei felt that the capital city was both large and small. Familiar faces were often seen, and it was easy to encounter the same people repeatedly.

For this reason, she didn't think much about her recent encounters with the Tang family, including today's intentional attempts by Madam Tang to prolong their conversation. Recalling the day she returned to the city from the countryside and noticed the Tang family’s carriage nearby when she met with Prince Qing, she realized that her initial assumption of having misread the situation might have been wrong.

At that time, she had been focused on her conversation with Prince Qing and had merely glanced at the Tang carriage without giving it much thought. In retrospect, it was likely the Tang family after all.

Frequent encounters within a short period raised her suspicions, especially with today’s overt attempts at cordiality, which felt like an effort to cultivate a relationship for future purposes. In a city fraught with hidden currents, she couldn’t help but think more deeply about these events.

Fortunately, she had previously made arrangements for a quiet stay at the temple and had instructed a little monk to help maintain some discretion regarding her accommodations. She simply wanted peace and didn’t want to force the young monk to lie against his nature.

So, when she asked the little monk to inform others that she wished to stay in a secluded area, he conveyed her words without any falsehoods. Now, seeing the Tang family also staying in the inner courtyard, she furrowed her brow and inquired about the situation from Aunt Qiu.

Although Aunt Qiu wasn’t an all-knowing source, she was adept at gathering information about the city's gossip. Because of this skill, Qi Wangfei Consort, despite her gentle demeanor and avoidance of competition, rarely suffered in social dealings.

Upon hearing Qi Wangfei Consort’s question, Aunt Qiu looked around to ensure no outsiders were present before whispering, “I’ve heard some things, but I can’t guarantee their truth.”

Aunt Qiu often prefaced her gossip with disclaimers, knowing that her insights might not always be reliable. Qi Wangfei had grown accustomed to this, nodding for Aunt Qiu to continue.

With Qi Wangfei Consort’s assurance, Aunt Qiu smiled and said, “I heard that the palace intends for the Tang family’s fourth daughter to become a concubine for the Crown Prince, but the Tang family doesn’t seem too eager about it.”

As she spoke, Aunt Qiu gestured towards the direction of the Tang family's quarters, clearly indicating that the fourth daughter in question was Tang Youqing.

Such matters rarely circulated unless something was already in the works. Given that this news was reaching Qi Wangfei Consort, it likely indicated that the queen was expressing interest, but the Crown Prince's stance remained ambiguous.

It seemed that the Tang family was hesitant about the arrangement. Although a concubine in the royal household held a higher status than other secondary wives or concubines, she would still not enjoy the same dignity as the main wife.

Madam Tang, by associating with Qi Wangfei Consort, was likely eyeing the sons of the Qi family. Although Tang Youqing was the fourth daughter, she was still a legitimate daughter of the family, and Madam Tang, as the sister-in-law of the empress, held considerable status and reputation.

Thus, she would likely only consider the eldest son of the Qi family as a potential match. If the two families were to join through marriage, the Qi family would inadvertently ally itself with the Crown Prince’s faction.

While the Crown Prince was known for his good character and prudence, it was understood that the emperor would generally not easily replace an heir without substantial cause. Aligning with the Crown Prince would not entail a high risk, but Qi Wangfei Consort was not particularly keen on the idea.

If her husband were more politically astute and diligent, she might have considered it reasonable to pursue additional wealth and influence through such an alliance, especially given that the Qi family had many children.

However, her husband had always preferred leisure over ambition. As the younger brother of the emperor and a son of the empress, he felt no pressure to worry about political matters, instead focusing on his own enjoyment. Now in middle age, he had begun to seek out more daughters, yet remained indifferent to pressing concerns.

Because of this, Qi Wangfei Consort had adopted a more laid-back attitude. She recognized that they could not carelessly engage in political maneuvers with the Tang family.

Once on board a metaphorical ship, it was often difficult to disembark. Given the current dynamics, it seemed that the Tang family was indeed setting their sights on the Qi family. While the situation remained uncertain, Qi Wangfei Consort felt she was not mistaken.

She decided to observe further; if things didn’t seem favorable, she would arrange for an engagement for her eldest son soon. They could claim it was a childhood promise made during a casual chat, now deemed appropriate to formalize.

With these thoughts in mind, Qi Wangfei Consort felt a sense of relief. She turned to Aunt Qiu and instructed, “Keep an eye on Suisui for me. That little boy from the Tang family is quite mischievous; we can’t let him bully her.”

Though Madam Tang had a favorable demeanor, and the children's quarrels were trivial, Qi Wangfei Consort’s maternal instinct couldn’t overlook the possibility of her daughter being bullied.

The constant pretense of cordiality was tiresome, and Qi Wangfei Consort found it increasingly frustrating.  

Seated quietly, she attempted to read scriptures while contemplating the developments. She continued to do so until Suisui woke up, at which point Qi Wangfei Consort's expression brightened, “Let’s go check on Suisui.”

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 Chapter 78: Is There Such a Thought?

The Chang family, which has never had strict family rules, also lacks heavy, rigid customs. Since Cui Jing and Wei Shuyi are both familiar with Chang Suining, and though they are in the same hall, they each have their own small table to eat at, Chang Suining does not avoid them and has lunch with everyone at noon.

As the head of the family, Chang Kuo sits in the main seat.

At the lower seats are the esteemed guests, Cui Jing on one side and Wei Shuyi on the other.

Further down are Chu Xing, Ah Dian, and several other veteran seniors with experience in the military.

In this order of seniority, Chang family's son and daughter are seated at the very end.

Seeing that they are about to sit close to the entrance of the hall, Chang Suining unconsciously looks at Chang Kuo's position, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

Chang Kuo raises his glass to toast the guests, and Chu Xing and the others follow suit, lifting their wine cups.

Sitting opposite, Chang Sui'an leans forward and tells Chang Suining, “Ning Ning, I had someone switch your wine to fruit wine. You should try it first; if it’s still not to your liking, you can have honey tea.”

Chang Suining looks at the fruit wine in front of her and nods.

She remembers her days in the military when she would drink strong liquor with the soldiers, earning the reputation of being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.

Though the claim of a thousand cups is a bit exaggerated, she never thought that one day she would fall to the point of only being able to drink fruit wine.

She raises her cup and drinks the fruit wine in one gulp.

“How is it, Ning Ning?” Chang Sui'an asks quietly.

Chang Suining answers honestly, “...It’s very sweet.”

Chang Sui'an grins, “Right? I specifically had someone add honey for you.”

Faced with this affection and pampering from her brother, Chang Suining can only say, “Thank you, brother.”

“Let’s eat!” Chang Kuo's voice booms, filled with enthusiasm. “General Cui and Tenth Young Master Wei don’t need to be formal; just treat it like home!”

During the meal, Chang Kuo raises his glass several times.

Wei Shuyi also frequently toasts, alternately honoring Cui Jing and not forgetting to bring up Chang Kuo, teasing Ah Dian to drink more, showing that he is quite persistent in getting Cui Jing to drink.

Cui Jing rarely speaks, and while facing Wei Shuyi's incessant chatter directed at him, he appears somewhat indifferent and disdainful. However, he accepts the wine that is offered to him without refusal.

Watching them clink glasses and drink merrily, Chang Suining stays clear-headed, not daring to drink much of the fruit wine.

After all, her body is not what it once was, and it's better to be cautious; her former reputation should not be tarnished, and her dignity in this life should also be preserved.

Thus, she drinks only half a jug of fruit wine and focuses on eating meat instead.

On the other side, facing Wei Shuyi's compliments, Chang Kuo laughs, saying, “...Not at all! I'm just an old soldier! And Tenth Young Master Wei is still young, with a truly limitless future ahead!”

He had just said the same thing a moment ago.

Chang Suining understands.

Ah, he’s already seven parts drunk.

The signs of Old Chang getting drunk—the beginning of repeated phrases.

He starts to urge everyone, “Come on, come on, as promised, we won't go home until we're drunk; let’s keep drinking!”

Chang Suining looks around the hall, realizing that anyone present seems more sober than Chang Kuo—

It seems that in the end, the only one who won't go home drunk is him.

“Thud!”

Suddenly, a sound comes from the opposite side. Chang Suining looks up and sees Chang Sui'an collapsed on the table in front of him, unconscious.

Chang Suining: “...”

She spoke too soon.

Chang Kuo waves his hand dismissively, “Take him away!”

As Chang Sui'an is helped away by the servants, Chu Xing and the others hold up their wine cups more cautiously, not daring to drink too much—after all, if they all fall down one by one, what face would the general's residence have?

With Chang Sui'an out of the picture, the banquet is nearing its end.

Children are always restless at the table; Ah Dian has long wanted to leave and now sneaks over to Chang Suining's side, crouching down and whispering, “Little A Li, let’s go to the garden to feed the fish?”

Feeling that the hall is a bit stuffy, Chang Suining puts down her chopsticks and stands up to say to Chang Kuo, “Father, I’ll take Ah Dian out for a walk.”

Chang Kuo, his face flushed from drinking, smiles even more warmly and affectionately, “Go ahead, go ahead.”

“Won’t Tenth Young Master Wei come with us?” Ah Dian asks Wei Shuyi. “Let’s see who can skip stones further!”

Earlier, when they were drinking, Wei Shuyi had jokingly said that he was also quite good at skipping stones—

Chang Suining originally wanted to pull Ah Dian away, but unexpectedly, Wei Shuyi smiles and agrees, rising leisurely, “General Chang, I will take my leave first.”

Chang Kuo laughs heartily, “Tenth Young Master Wei is leaving already? The wine isn’t finished yet!”

“I have a low tolerance for alcohol. If I drink more, I fear I will lose face, so I concede first,” Wei Shuyi smiles as he bows, his gaze landing on Cui Jing. “I, Wei, am useless; this important task can only be handed over to general Cui.”

Chang Kuo laughs heartily, “Tenth Young Master Wei is too modest!”

But he doesn’t insist any longer.

Though he loves to drink and treats his guests warmly, he is not someone who will relentlessly press others to drink at the table.

Wei Shuyi then leaves the table with Chang Suining.

Once outside the dining hall, seeing that Wei Shuyi seems about to speak, Chang Suining, not wanting to be probed, takes the initiative, “Tenth Young Master Wei, weren’t you going to drink with general Cui and reminisce? Why did you follow me out?”

“One must know when to advance and when to retreat,” Wei Shuyi sighs. “It’s been two years since we last met, and Cui Jing’an’s alcohol tolerance has grown; it seems I cannot get him drunk anymore. If I don’t show some sense, I’m afraid I’ll end up being dragged down with him.”

In the end, he adds regretfully, “It’s a pity, I still haven’t seen Cui Jing’an drunk.”

“Don’t say you haven’t seen it; I haven’t either,” Ah Dian chimes in. “They all say that Xiao Jing is just like the prince; neither can get drunk!”

Wei Shuyi, however, smiles and says, “I have seen it, and it was quite amusing.”

“However, that was a long time ago when we were still children…” As Wei Shuyi speaks, he lightly hisses: “Perhaps I’m the only one who has seen him drunk... He might have been planning to silence me since then.”

Ah Dian is enlightened: “Is that why Xiao Jing doesn’t like Tenth Young Master Wei?”

Wei Shuyi laughs in surprise.

Chang Suining can’t help but nod—indeed, he is very much disliked, even Ah Dian can tell.

“Well, that’s not entirely true…” Wei Shuyi suddenly opens the folding fan in his hand, revealing nothing on it. He smiles and says, “Cui Jing’an doesn’t like me, probably because I have something he doesn’t.”

Chang Suining blurted out, “You talk too much?”

Wei Shuyi snaps the fan shut with a “pa” sound and taps it on her head: “Not at all—”

Chang Suining stares at him in disbelief.

This person actually dared to hit her on the head?

Afraid that he really drank too much.

"Cui Ling'an's mother passed away early, and his father has been strict with him. He doesn't like to obey and was born with a rebellious nature, making him not very likable at home... While my parents, though somewhat eccentric, have never forced me to do anything." Wei Shuyi sighed and shook his head. "Perhaps because of this, although we had similarities in our childhood, we gradually developed entirely different personalities."

This was what he had, but Cui Jing did not.

Chang Suining remained noncommittal.

People's temperaments are different, their desires and paths varied, and yet one's birth and parents are not something one can choose. This can lead to an insurmountable gap that even makes them feel like enemies. However, under the constraints of propriety, filial piety, and social norms, it’s hard to sever these ties—

Just as Wei Shuyi said, he was fortunate to have good parents, a harmonious and relaxed family atmosphere, and no one to restrict him.

But Cui Jing did not have this luck.

She didn’t have it either.

Chang Suining looked ahead.

But fortunately, she had severed those ties cleanly, though the process was like carving bone.

"But there is one thing that Cui Jing'an has, and I do not," Wei Shuyi said, squinting at the blazing spring sun.

Ah Dian looked in the same direction he was gazing. "Is it the sun?"

Wei Shuyi nodded with a smile, saying ambiguously, "General Dian is right, it is indeed the sun."

Ah Dian proudly puffed out his chest.

Chang Suining didn’t delve into what he meant. In contrast to Wei Shuyi, she did not enjoy probing into matters unrelated to her.

Wei Shuyi looked at her, seeming to want to speak.

Chang Suining preemptively said, "What does Deputy Wei think about who will succeed the position of Minister of Rites?"

Wei Shuyi smiled and shook his head. "This matter is not something I can rashly speculate on."

It was significant that the Holy Emperor chose to target the Pei family.

Thus, who would succeed Pei Min's former position as Minister of Rites was particularly important.

But it wasn’t solely up to the Holy Emperor.

Those aristocratic officials would not easily concede.

And if the Holy Emperor’s word didn’t count, he had even less reason to say anything more.

So he only sighed, "The court has been arguing about this matter for the past few days, and the Holy Emperor is quite troubled... There are many discussions."

"However... I never expected that Miss Chang would also be concerned about court matters?" He looked at Chang Suining with a smile, playfully asking, "I wonder who you think is fit for the position?"

This question directed at a young lady just coming of age sounded like a teasing joke.

However, Chang Suining was not offended at all. Instead, she replied confidently, "I believe it must be Lord Zhu."

Wei Shuyi raised his eyebrows slightly. "Lord Zhu? You must mean the Grand Tutor Zhu, who was once the teacher of the late crown prince?"

"Exactly."

Wei Shuyi laughed. "It seems that Miss Chang is somewhat knowledgeable about court officials. Do you know how old Grand Tutor Zhu is now?"

Without hesitation, Chang Suining answered, "He must be nearly seventy."

Wei Shuyi appeared somewhat surprised, but his smile remained. "Then you must also know that our officials retire at seventy?"

Chang Suining countered, "Isn't that just right?"

Not knowing what he thought of, Wei Shuyi's expression shifted slightly, and his smile faded somewhat.

After a moment, he asked with a smile, "Your perspective is quite unique... I wonder where you heard that from?"

Chang Suining glanced at him. "Do I still need to hear it from somewhere else?"

Wei Shuyi's smile faltered. "..."

It was the first time in his life he felt so offended.

Looking at the calm girl beside him, he smiled and said, "I had no idea that you had an interest in political affairs, Miss Chang."

Chang Suining remained noncommittal.

She had no choice but to be interested.

"If you have this ambition, you might as well enter the palace in the future and take the exam to become a female historian," Wei Shuyi said earnestly. "That way, you wouldn't be wasting your talents."

Chang Suining replied, "There's no need for that."

Wei Shuyi said, "Oh?"

"Although the current Holy Emperor is also a woman, there is only one woman in the court who truly has political power—Ming Nushi," Chang Suining said calmly. "It's not easy for women to hold office in the palace, and opportunities are scarce—"

There is a vast world out there; why would she fight over this small space with those who already have it tough?

Moreover, once in the palace, she would be restricted in many ways.

And now that her ability to protect herself was limited, even minor disturbances could lead to her being crushed. The true power struggles in the palace were not something she could escape from by merely having a fight like she did with Ming Jin.

Additionally, if she were to start from being a junior female official in the inner court, it would take at least a decade of accumulation to gain political power—

Too slow; she didn’t like it.

And serving Ming Hou was even less appealing.

She wanted to do what she liked.

"Not wanting to compete with women..." Wei Shuyi asked with a smile, "Does that mean you want to compete with men instead?"

"I never said that," Chang Suining replied, glancing ahead. Suddenly, she yawned and said carelessly, "I have no strength to compete with anyone."

She lifted her head slightly, feeling that the sun today was a bit too warm.

As they spoke, the garden was right in front of them.

Ah Dian entered the garden and began picking up stones, not forgetting to share some with Chang Suining as he led Wei Shuyi toward the largest pond in the garden.

On the other side, the banquet in the dining hall had already ended.

After Chu Xing and the others left, Chang Kuo pulled Cui Jing aside into the study, claiming there was something important to ask him.

"What does the general mean?" Upon entering the study, and finding no one else around, Cui Jing asked seriously.

Chang Kuo sat down in a chair and fell silent for a moment, just staring at him.

Cui Jing felt somewhat bewildered by the stare.

However, he was accustomed to being patient, so he allowed Chang Kuo to keep looking at him.

After a long while, Chang Kuo finally spoke slowly: "There are no outsiders here, so I’ll ask you, General Cui, do you have feelings for my daughter? Do you want to become my Chang family’s son-in-law?"

Cui Jing's expression was slightly surprised: "…?"

Clearly, General Chang had also eaten while drinking!

—How could he get this drunk?

"How could that be?" He answered without hesitation.

He even found it absurd, furrowing his brow in confusion. "Why would the general say that?"

Chang Kuo spread his hands. "Then why did you give half of the copper token to my daughter?"

He had known about this when he was at Dayun Temple but hadn't found the opportunity to ask Cui Jing directly.

Cui Jing explained honestly: "Miss Chang intervened on Ah Dian's behalf and fought Ming Jin, fearing there would be trouble in the future. Since she is a member of the Xuanzhe Mansion, it was my negligence. I gave the copper token as a small token of apology—"

Chang Kuo understood. "Oh... So that's how it is!"

He had originally thought that Cui Jing's act of giving a copper token was unusual, showing a proactive connection with others, not realizing it was simply a wish to avoid debt and entanglement—

"If the general finds it inappropriate, Cui Jing can take it back."

"There's nothing wrong with it!" Chang Kuo's brows and eyes relaxed, and with some regret, he said, "There's nothing out of line here; it’s really my daughter who is a bit too charming. I can’t help but think more deeply. I can't resist asking—this is something a father can understand, right, General Cui?"

Cui Jing: "…"

Clearly, he didn’t quite understand.

"In short, I overthought it. Don't take offense! I'll punish myself with a cup!" Chang Kuo said as he grabbed a nearby teacup and gulped it down.

With that cup of tea, he became even more intoxicated, smiling and asking, "But speaking of which, Ling'an, it’s about time you consider getting married, right?"

Goodnight, everyone~ (Today’s work was supervised by my cat! Let me show you my supervisor) 

(End of this chapter)

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 1144: A Beast

Wang Jiayi suddenly felt anxious. She couldn't even find a way to piece everything together in such a short time, let alone her maid withstand the interrogation. To her despair, Shu Yu immediately asked Yao Bo to take her maid to another room for questioning.

Wang Jiayi tried to stop them, but she couldn't even signal her maid.

Yao An and Yao Hong also grew nervous. They wanted to follow, but Shu Yu stopped them, assuring them that with Yao Bo and Madam Yao handling the matter, Wang Jiayi wouldn't be wrongly accused but would not be able to deceive them either. They decided to listen to her and stayed back.

In the meantime, Shu Yu took a dagger from her servant, blocking Yao An and Yao Hong's path.

Yao Tianqing and Madam Yao had already gone to the adjacent room to watch Yao Bo interrogating Wang Jiayi's personal maid. They didn't notice Shu Yu's return.

Yao An and Yao Hong felt uneasy under Shu Yu's watchful gaze, while Wang Jiayi's entourage, including Cai'er and Fung Mama, were also watching them closely.

Kang Shi snorted coldly and told Zhao Xi, "Doctor Zhao, could you please take a look at Ah Yu? She ate something unclean earlier, and I don't know if she's okay."

Shu Yu was, of course, perfectly fine. Ying Xi had already explained everything when she came to find him earlier.

However, in front of everyone, he needed to put on a show.

Zhao Xi examined her while whispering, "Why did you stay outside and get involved in this? Luckily, Ah Yun didn't come back last night, or else he would have rushed over and chopped that Yao guy. But don't worry, I'll settle the score for you later."

After all, she was his little sister-in-law.

Shu Yu appeared surprised and asked, "He didn't come back?"

"No, he sent someone to pass on the message that he would be out of the city for a while, probably won't be back until tomorrow," Zhao Xi replied.

Satisfied with the answer, Shu Yu stood up and asked him to check Kang Shi as well.

Although she had already confirmed during the day that Kang Shi was fine, she wanted to be sure that there were no complications after the events of the night.

Thankfully, Kang Shi and her baby were both healthy, and Shu Yu felt relieved.

She then pointed to the drug package on the table and asked Zhao Xi to confirm its contents.

While Zhao Xi was inspecting the package, Yao Bo had finished questioning Wang Jiayi.

Yao Tianqing and Madam Yao walked out first, wearing ashamed expressions as they looked at Shu Yu.

Madam Yao came forward and held Shu Yu's hand, saying, "It's my fault for not managing the backyard properly. I kindly let you stay here, but it ended up causing trouble for you, almost putting you in danger..."

As she spoke, her eyes turned red as she glared at Yao An.

Yao An's expression changed. He knew that Wang Jiayi's maid couldn't withstand the pressure and must have confessed about the source of the drugs. Furthermore, she might have revealed even more, exposing everything they knew.

His face darkened, and he was about to say something when Yao Tianqing stepped forward and slapped him hard.

"Ah..." Yao Hong, who was standing nearby, screamed and took two steps back, covering her mouth.

"Beast!" Yao Tianqing was trembling with anger.

Next Chapter▶▶

  **Chapter 159: Qi Wangfei's Doubts**

Madam Tang hadn’t even had a chance to eat her vegetarian meal before she found herself apologizing to two other tables of guests.

Tang Lingheng was causing trouble everywhere he went. Not only did he show no remorse, but after his mother apologized, he circled back to make faces at the others.

Madam Tang was exasperated: What had she done to deserve this?

Among the guests, some were just common folk. Seeing the attire and bearing of Madam Tang and her group, they recognized their noble status and didn’t want to provoke them. Madam Tang’s apology was already considered generous.

However, one of the tables belonged to the Qiao family, relatives by marriage to the family of the Imperial Consort. Meanwhile, the Tang family was the Imperial Empress’s kin. The strained relationship between the two families was well known.

Moreover, the Qiao family had brought along a three-year-old child who was now crying loudly after being scared by Tang Lingheng. 

Tang Lingheng, instead of realizing his mistake, continued to provoke, saying, “Crybaby! So noisy, it’s annoying. Why doesn’t someone just cover his mouth?”

Madam Tang felt utterly humiliated but still instinctively defended her son. 

“Kids don’t know any better. It wasn’t intentional,” she pleaded. “Let’s not make a big deal out of this, considering the relationship between our two families. We adults should be more forgiving. He’s just a child.”

This kind of reasoning made Qi Wangfei Consort shake her head. The Qiao family had no intention of giving Madam Tang any face. The tension between the Empress and the Imperial Consort in the palace extended beyond the palace walls to their respective families. The fact that they weren’t fighting outright was already considered decorum.

Moreover, Tang Lingheng’s behavior was simply unacceptable. Even as his mother apologized, he continued to provoke others. Seeing this, Qi Wangfei Consort sighed inwardly. A child like this, if not disciplined properly, was bound to cause major problems in the future. But considering Madam Tang’s attitude… discipline was probably just wishful thinking.

Qi Wangfei had no desire to get involved in other people’s family affairs, especially when they involved rivalries between influential families. Even a minor squabble could escalate into something much larger, and the Prince’s family had no intention of getting caught up in such disputes. 

Seeing that Suisui had finished eating and was getting sleepy, Qi Wangfei Consort decided it was time to retreat. She had arranged to stay at Lanruo Temple for a few days and had already requested a quiet room in the West Courtyard, which had been prepared while they ate. 

The accommodation was in a square courtyard with front and back rows of rooms. Each room was marked with simple labels like A, B, C, and D rather than names. Because Qi Wangfei Consort had requested a quiet place, they were assigned the easternmost A-room of the outer courtyard. 

The A-room had three large spaces, with Qi Wangfei Consort and Suisui sleeping in the middle room, and the accompanying servants in the rooms on either side. The large heated brick beds in the rooms were spacious enough to comfortably sleep five or six adults. 

When they returned, the servants had already cleaned the room meticulously, not a speck of dust was to be found, even in the corners. 

Qi Wangfei gently patted the drowsy Suisui on the back. “My Suisui, did you feel wronged today?”

Suisui blinked sleepily at her mother, not understanding the question. Too tired to think, she simply snuggled back into Qi Wangfei Consort’s shoulder.

Seeing her daughter’s sweet, sleepy face, Qi Wangfei Consort’s heart melted. “Sleep, sleep. Mother will keep watch over you.”

Qi Wangfei sat holding Suisui, planning to let her daughter fall completely asleep before moving her to the bed. 

Although Suisui was dozing off, she was still aware of her mother’s comfort and concern. She stirred and insisted, “I can sleep by myself. If Mother holds me, your arms will get sore.”

These words filled Qi Wangfei Consort with both pride and heartache. She resolved that if she and Liuxiu couldn’t persuade the Empress Dowager to recognize Suisui’s status, she would turn to the Prince for help.

Whatever it took, Suisui’s status had to be secured, so she would not be looked down upon by others!

Gently placing Suisui on the bed, Qi Wangfei Consort removed her shoes, hat, and outer clothes, then covered her with a small quilt. She expertly patted Suisui’s back, soothing her to sleep.

Watching her daughter peacefully resting, Qi Wangfei Consort finally stepped back, instructing Xiang Gugu to keep watch while she left with Qiu Gugu.

Although she felt a little tired from the morning, Qi Wangfei Consort wasn’t sleepy and still had some unresolved questions for Qiu Gugu.

As she stepped outside, Qi Wangfei Consort glanced towards the inner courtyard. Madam Tang, having just finished a dispute with the Qiao family, was reprimanding her son as they made their way back to their own room. 

However, Tang Lingheng paid her no mind. As soon as she said something he didn’t like, he spun around and ran off, leaving Madam Tang shouting futilely after him.

Qi Wangfei shook her head at the sight.

Earlier, when she met Madam Tang, she had felt a lingering doubt. 

To avoid unwanted encounters, she had requested to stay close to the more regular guests in the temple, hoping to be surrounded by a calming influence, far from the Tang family’s disturbances.

The Tang family was connected to the Empress, and being too close to them could draw the Prince’s family into future power struggles. 

Her family was already prosperous enough without needing to vie for anything more, and unnecessary involvement could bring disastrous consequences.

Confirming that they were alone, Qi Wangfei Consort quietly asked Qiu Gugu, “Has anything been going on with the Tang family recently? This is the second time we’ve run into them.”

Next Chapter▶▶

"IF YOU LIKE THE TRANSLATIONS, CONSIDER SUPPORTING US ON PATREON."

  **Chapter 77: Had I known he would come, I wouldn’t have come**

The sacrificial items were set alight, illuminating the surroundings. 

Xi'er placed a mat in front of her mistress.

Chang Suining hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose not to kneel—she didn’t mind kneeling for A Li’s deceased mother, but she was afraid it might scare the spirit from the afterlife. 

So she sat down on the mat and began to throw paper money into the bronze basin to burn.

Chang Suì'ān squatted beside her, helping to burn the offerings while quietly asking, “Ning Ning, since you saw your biological mother in your dream, did you ask her when your birthday is?” 

Chang Suining replied, “...I didn’t ask that.” 

The dream hadn’t been that detailed. 

Chang Suì'ān quickly instructed, “Next time, be sure to ask, so your brother can throw you a birthday party!” 

Other girls had birthday gifts, but his sister never celebrated her birthday because it was considered inauspicious—this had always weighed heavily on him. 

Chang Suining nodded. “Okay.” 

If A Li’s mother dared to come back to her dreams again— 

Chang Suì'ān's eyes sparkled with anticipation. “When it’s time for Ning Ning’s birthday party, we should invite all the young ladies from the capital. I’ll make up for the sixteen years’ worth of birthday gifts you missed!” 

Chang Suining nodded again. 

That was easy enough to arrange. 

But wait... 

Just liking a date wouldn’t suffice. 

Chang Suining stared into the flames and thought it over, deciding to find a chance to ask Wu Jue for the best and most auspicious birthdate to use. 

This time around, she would take control of her own fate; she would decide what kind of life she would lead. 

While she was deep in thought, the hand holding the fire poker to stir the burning offerings suddenly paused, and she turned to look toward the dark woods behind her, saying, “Father, I think someone is—” 

Chang Kuo, who was standing with his hands clasped behind his back, turned to look as well, puzzled. “No one’s there.” 

Chang Suining remained alert. “What if an assassin has sneaked into the manor?” 

Chang Kuo chuckled. “What kind of assassin would dare come to our manor? Who would be so foolish?” 

Chang Suining eyed her father’s overconfidence with suspicion. “Aren’t you going to check?” 

“You’re quite the cautious one!” Chang Kuo stroked his beard and said with a smile, “Well... it’s always good to be careful.” 

Chang Suining fell silent. 

She could have said more to make sure the intruder didn’t get too far. 

“Lao Bai, take someone to check it out,” Chang Kuo finally waved his hand at the steward. 

The steward replied, “Yes,” and led a few servants to investigate. After a while, they returned. “General, we didn’t find anything suspicious.” 

Chang Kuo smiled at his daughter. “See? I told you there was no one.” 

Chang Suining ng nodded. 

It didn’t matter; as long as he was enjoying the performance, that was good enough for her. 

She lazily continued to burn the paper money—at this rate, she wouldn’t finish burning everything tonight. 

Chang Kuo said, “I have to attend court early tomorrow, so I’ll head back... Sui'an, stay here with Ning Ning.” 

Chang Suì'ān nodded in agreement. 

Chang Kuo then leisurely left. 

Once he was out of sight of the two children, he quickly quickened his pace and hurried back to the residence. 

At the dimly lit end of the corridor stood a shadow in dark clothing. 

Chang Kuo walked into the corridor and said impatiently, “What are you doing here again? This is the General’s residence, not the western market... you can’t just come and go as you please!” 

The figure in black turned around; it was a woman. She raised her hand to salute Chang Kuo and spoke formally, “My master sent me to deliver a message to General Chang—upon your victorious return to the capital, it has come to my attention that someone intends to send you a beautiful concubine. But at your age, it’s best to remain virtuous and not bring back those questionable women, as it will only cause more trouble.” 

“Who cares what she thinks!” Chang Kuo exploded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “I’ll do whatever I want!” 

The woman looked at him, “So, does the general intend to bring a concubine into his home?” 

“Of course not!” Chang Kuo huffed, waving his sleeve. “Tell her that I don’t want a concubine because I can’t be bothered, not because I’m afraid of her!” 

The woman in black replied, “...Understood.” 

“If there’s nothing else, hurry up and leave.” Chang Kuo sneered. “Even my daughter could hear that commotion; your people are getting worse and worse.” 

Upon hearing this, the black-clad woman felt a tinge of embarrassment. 

She had been very careful and made no noise at all—how had that little girl detected her? 

Unable to respond, she took out a porcelain bottle and placed it on the railing of the corridor. “This is something my master asked me to give you. It will help relieve your leg pain during rainy weather; just take one.” 

Chang Kuo glanced over and spat, “A weasel offering New Year’s greetings to a chicken... you have bad intentions! Who would want her stuff? Take it away!” 

The woman reluctantly took back the item. 

Cháng Kuò, puzzled, asked, “Really taking it back?” 

“Get lost, and tell her to stop bothering me about such trivial matters!” He impatiently waved her off and turned away, muttering, “...What a nuisance! She keeps coming back like a ghost! Just giving her a little color, and she can’t let it go!” 

The woman rubbed her sore ears and turned to disappear into the darkness. 

It was predictable that the same torment would befall her once she reported back to her master. 

The woman who was supposed to leave the same way suddenly paused, thinking of something, and took a different route. 

In the garden, Chang Suining, who had been burning paper money until she felt numb, yawned. 

Yawns were contagious, and Chang Suì'ān followed suit, tears springing to his eyes. 

He rubbed his eyes, gradually lowering his head. 

Chang Suining sensed something was off and looked up at him, startled. “Brother, why are you crying?” 

“I miss my mother too…” The young man’s voice was hoarse and choked. 

He had only yawned, but as he rubbed his eyes, a sudden feeling welled up inside him. 

“I don’t even know what my mother looks like.” He wiped his tears with the back of his hand. 

Chang Suining couldn’t help but reach out and gently pat his shoulder. 

To be honest, she didn’t know what Chang Suì'ān’s mother looked like either. Chang Kuo was a man of humble beginnings, and he had remained single for over thirty years. Then one day, he suddenly returned home with a nursing infant, claiming it was his son. 

If he had a son, where was his wife? 

Upon asking, she learned that the wife had died in childbirth. 

According to him, the wife had been promised to him by his family long ago, and he had forgotten about it. It was only on his last trip home that he learned she had been waiting for him all along. He then respectfully paid his respects to her family and went off to war. 

When he returned home to bring her back to the capital, he found out that she had passed away, leaving only the child behind.

As he spoke, he held the child in one arm and took out a tablet bearing the name of his deceased wife with the other.

Everyone fell silent at the sudden appearance of the tablet.

Countless words could only be transformed into one: "Poor sister-in-law."

Chang Kuo held a grand funeral for his deceased wife.

Thus, before anyone had the chance to enjoy the wedding banquet, they were seated to partake in the mourning feast.

This incident, while tragic, also conveyed a sense of haste and absurdity. However, out of respect for the deceased, everyone tacitly refrained from probing further. 

As for whether the child was Old Chang’s, there was never a shred of doubt among them. This was due to respect, but also grounded in the facts—father and son resembled a great water buffalo cradling a little calf; no one would believe they were not biological relatives.

“And Mother never comes to me in my dreams…” Chang Sui'an said, a bit aggrieved. “Does she not like me?”

“How could anyone not like Brother?” Chang Suining pondered for a moment and asked, “Brother, have you ever had a dream where you woke up and couldn’t remember anything?”

Tears welled in Chang Sui'an's eyes as he nodded at her.

“That means the people who miss us have quietly visited us in our dreams,” Chang Suining said slowly, as she used a fire poker to stir the paper money, speaking earnestly. “But they worry we might become too lost in the dream, and when we wake up, we would feel sad. So, before they leave, they help us forget everything.”

“Then that means… Mother comes to see me every day!” Chang Sui'an’s eyes suddenly sparkled. “I can hardly remember what dreams I’ve had!”

Chang Suining: “…” Sounds like you sleep pretty deeply.

“Speaking of which, the Qingming Festival is coming, and we should go pay respects at Mother’s grave,” Chang Sui'an said, his mood much better, casually asking, “Ning Ning, would you like to go together?”

Chang Suining nodded. “Sure!”

“Then we’ll go tomorrow…” Chang Sui'an hesitated for a moment. “No, we can’t go tomorrow; we have guests at home.”

Chang Suining looked at him. “Guests?”

“It’s General Cui,” Chang Sui'an replied. “Didn’t we invite General Cui to return to the capital and come to our home for a banquet at the Dayun Temple? Yesterday, Father sent an invitation to Xuanzhe Mansion, and General Cui replied that he would be visiting tomorrow—”

Chang Suining understood. 

It was because Cui Jing had helped her last time at the temple. Chang Kuo said he would hold a banquet to thank him after returning to the capital.

The two were both mentors and friends, as well as comrades who had fought side by side. It was just that Cui Jing had a cold personality and didn’t enjoy socializing with others; otherwise, it would be normal for them to gather for drinks every few days.

Given that the other party had come to visit, and this banquet was set up in gratitude for helping her, it would be inappropriate for them to choose this moment to go out, even out of courtesy.

The siblings agreed to go out of the city to pay respects the day after.

After their agreement, they both yawned one after another.

Finally, they finished burning the items. Chang Suining returned to her courtyard, smelling of incense. After washing up, she fell asleep, getting up the next day to head to the training ground as usual.

Chu Xing watched the figure of the girl riding a green donkey galloping away, feeling particularly good—perhaps because he had experienced the pain of almost losing her the day before, he now cherished her even more.

Today, he even brought two comrades from the mansion along, saying it was to “guide the young lady in her endeavors,” but in reality, it was more of a show-off—“Look, this is my student that I, Chu Xing, taught! Haha, I have a student; you don’t, right?”

Facing his subtle boast, the two generals smiled on the surface while cursing inwardly.

At this moment, one of them straightened his expression. “Oh, why is General Cui here?”

As he spoke, he hurried over.

Chu Xing looked over and saw it was indeed Cui Jing.

“I didn’t lie to you, did I? He’s here at this hour!” Ah Dian, who brought Cui Jing over, pointed at the Chang siblings on the training ground.

Chang Kuo had not yet returned from court, unlike Cui Jing, who guarded Xuanzhe Mansion and was specially permitted not to attend court every day unless summoned.

Chang Suining, hearing the commotion, was a bit surprised to see Cui Jing here.

The training ground was set up in the front courtyard, so his presence here was not inappropriate. What surprised her was that he had come so early.

She had thought he would likely come around mealtime due to his busy official duties, so she hadn’t waited in the front hall too early. Now that a guest had found their way to the training ground, it made them seem neglectful in their hospitality.

After running a lap, Chang Suining stopped a short distance from Cui Jing.

Cui Jing saw the girl in a sky-blue robe, her dark hair tied up high, nimbly jump off the donkey and walk toward him, receiving a handkerchief from the servant to wipe her sweat.

“General Cui,” she said, slightly out of breath, her forehead dampened with sweat as she raised her hand to bow, rather than curtsying like ordinary girls.

Cui Jing nodded slightly and glanced behind her. “Nice donkey.”

Chang Suining asked, “Does General Cui like it?”

He felt that if he said he liked it, he might end up leading the donkey by the hand when leaving the Chang family, so Cui Jing didn’t dare to easily agree, only asking, “What’s its name?”

“Zhu Feng, just named yesterday.”

Cui Jing’s brow twitched slightly—was it “Chasing Wind” or “Bamboo Wind Blowing Through the Courtyard While Drinking”?

“Bamboo wind blowing through the courtyard while drinking,” he recalled, “two pomegranate flames evoking poetic sorrow.”

The prince’s warhorse was named Pomegranate Flame.

“My horse is called Ru Feng, and my sister named hers Zhu Feng,” Chang Sui'an explained with a laugh as he approached.

Chang Suining nodded—this explanation was good because it was completely misleading.

Upon hearing Chang Sui'an’s explanation, Cui Jing did not inquire further.

Chang Suining did not linger: “General Cui, please excuse me for a moment.”

Cui Jing nodded.

“Little A Li—” Ah Dian instinctively wanted to follow her, but Cui Jing raised his hand to stop him.

She clearly intended to go change her clothes.

Ah Dian looked at him in confusion.

Cui Jing said, “I brought something for my senior, would you like to take a look?”

Ah Dian quickly nodded. “Yes! Where is it?”

“Please follow me to the front hall.”

“Mmhm!”

Cui Jing stepped toward the front hall, with Chu Xing and the others accompanying him.

After Chang Suining changed and freshened up, Chang Kuo also returned to the mansion.

However, he was not alone; he had brought a guest with him.

When Chang Suining arrived outside the front hall, she happened to see the visitor.

“Minister Wei?”

Wei Shuyi, who was about to ascend the steps, turned around and smiled at the girl in the white and blue dress with a fair and smooth complexion. “Young Miss Chang looks in good spirits; it seems your injury has healed.”

“When I encountered Minister Wei at court, I invited him to join us,” Chang Kuo explained with a smile to his daughter.

Previously, during the incident in Hezhou, Chang Kuo felt he owed Wei Shuyi a favor. However, since the matter of his daughter being abducted could not be publicized, he had no way to express his gratitude openly. Today, seizing the opportunity to invite Cui Jing for a banquet, he simply asked Wei Shuyi to join them as well.

Chang Suining understood.

The three of them entered the hall together.

“Minister Wei is here as well,” Chang Sui'an warmly welcomed the guests. “Please take a seat!”

Cui Jing merely glanced at Wei Shuyi before turning his gaze away indifferently.

Chang Suining observed this and felt the other party seemed to say—had I known he would be here, I wouldn’t have come.

“It’s been a few days since I’ve seen you, General Cui,” Wei Shuyi, seemingly unfazed by the cold shoulder, seated himself beside Cui Jing and smiled. “I usually want to catch up and drink with you, but you always find various reasons to decline. Today seems to be my lucky day.”

Chang Kuo laughed heartily. “Let’s all drink today! No one leaves until we’re drunk!”

At this moment, Chang Suining still hadn’t realized who this would ultimately apply to.

(End of this chapter) 

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 1143: Wang Jiayi Meets Shu Yu

Yao An was somewhat angry, and Yao Hong was even more furious. "Why didn't you say anything earlier? We've been in the capital for over a month, and you've seen Yao Bo cousin a long time ago. Why keep it a secret?"

Wang Jiayi replied softly, "I didn't dare to. Young Master Yao Bo is already married. Even if I spoke up, what would be the point? I thought I could keep this matter to myself, and nobody would know, and it would just pass like that."

"In that case, what were you doing today?" Yao Hong questioned.

"I heard this morning that Sister Kang is pregnant, and I felt jealous. Plus, Young master Yao Bo just happened to be on break and came home. I couldn't control myself and acted impulsively. I thought since Sister Kang is pregnant, it's only right for young master Yao Bo to take a concubine. Then, with all the commotion happening today, I saw that there was no one in this yard because of the incident with Lu Xiangjun. In the confusion, I made a big mistake," Wang Jiayi explained tearfully, showing deep regret.

Her display made it difficult for Madam Yao to scold her for being delusional.

The others exchanged glances, and some even believed her story.

Shu Yu found it amusing. She glanced at the angry Kang Shi, then at Yao Bo, who was growing increasingly disgusted. Suddenly, she asked Wang Jiayi, "Miss Wang, I have a question that I don't quite understand. Where did you get the drugs from?"

Everyone paused, realizing that it was a valid question. Where did she get the drugs from?

Yao Hong and Yao An snapped out of their shock, realizing that they couldn't care less about Wang Jiayi's infatuation with Yao Bo cousin. They were more concerned that she might implicate them.

Yao Hong glared at Wang Jiayi, while Yao An wanted to divert the topic.

But Wang Jiayi had already spoken up, "I had my maid buy it for me."

Yao An froze, and he exchanged a glance with Yao Hong. They decided to hold back for now.

Shu Yu looked at them and continued asking Wang Jiayi, "Oh? You said today's incident was due to Sister Kang's pregnancy, and you only made up your mind today. But you claimed that you prepared the drugs a few days ago. How does that add up?"

Wang Jiayi was taken aback and quickly said, "I did start having thoughts a few days ago, but I truly made up my mind today."

"Is that so? Then specifically, which day was it a few days ago? I think the time frame is so recent, you shouldn't forget, right?"

This time, Wang Jiayi was more cautious and chose a time when her maid went out. "It was three days ago in the afternoon."

But no matter how cautious she was, it was of no use. Shu Yu followed up immediately, "Alright, then let's ask that maid. Ask her where she bought the drugs, how much money she spent, what the person selling the drugs looked like, and how she knew they had that kind of medicine."

Next Chapter▶▶

Chapter 625: Wang Qing

County Magistrate Xu saw that the evidence was solid, and at this point, he still showed no fear, indicating that he had some reliance. He felt a bit panicked inside but considering that they had reached this point, there was naturally no turning back, so he tried to maintain his composure on the surface.

"Mr. Wang, this evidence was obtained through interrogation of the criminals by this official. Please understand, the law must be enforced without mercy." County Magistrate Xu's attitude remained non-confrontational, but his words were infuriating.

"Magistrate Xu, do you know what you're doing?" Mr. Wang was furious, his face as dark as water as he asked coldly.

County Magistrate Xu replied firmly, "Of course, I am administering justice."

"But I don't acknowledge any of these accusations. This must be a mistake. Shouldn't Magistrate Xu reconsider the investigation?" Mr. Wang protested.

County Magistrate Xu looked surprised. "How could that be? All of these are the villains who went to kill Tang Bao, the villains who kidnapped the Third Young Master of the Xie family, and even Wang's steward confessed. How could this be false?"

"You arrested Wang's steward without authorization?" Mr. Wang's face changed drastically, and his heart raced. How could it be? Xu Pengzheng definitely didn't have the guts to do this!

"Magistrate Xu, do you want to know why I dared to do this, because I have someone backing me up?" Mr. Wang's eyes met Xu Pengzheng's, and he thought of the Zhao family in the capital. His panicked heart instantly calmed down. Xu Pengzheng was just a county magistrate. Even if it was the Xie family, they wouldn't dare to directly oppose the Zhao family.

What did he have to fear?

"I know." County Magistrate Xu looked at Mr. Wang, who was indirectly admitting his own crimes with profound meaning.

Mr. Wang was shocked. "How did you know?"

"Mr. Wang, have you forgotten that all of your actions were targeted against the Xie family? This time, you wanted to stop the Third Young Master of the Xie family from taking the exam. I presume there are arrangements in the capital as well."

"The Xie family won't sit idly by."

"So you chose the Xie family?" Mr. Wang sneered, trying to sow discord. "Aren't you afraid of standing on the wrong side and losing everything, even your life?"

"Besides, what can the Xie family give you that I can't?" Mr. Wang said, luring him with temptation.

County Magistrate Xu shook his head and sighed, "Although that's true, today I have already taken action against you. The rift has already formed. Even if I say I will help you now, will you not hold me accountable for what I did today?"

"Enough talking, you're determined to stand with the Xie family?" Mr. Wang snorted, his eyes becoming colder.

"You chose this yourself, don't blame me for not being polite."

Before he knew it, a group of people burst into the room.

In the next moment, a knife was placed at County Magistrate Xu's neck, and he was being held hostage!

"You..." County Magistrate Xu's eyes widened in shock, a moment of panic mixed with anger as he shouted, "This is the county office! Holding a government official hostage is a serious crime!"

"Is it? But no one knows that we've taken an official hostage. When Magistrate Xu unexpectedly dies, it doesn't seem difficult at all." Mr. Wang laughed sinisterly, his eyes already filled with murderous intent.

At this moment, County Magistrate Xu regretted it deeply. This had exceeded his expectations.

"Um... if I help you deal with the Xie family now, will you spare me?" County Magistrate Xu's face turned red after saying this, embarrassed.

Mr. Wang heard this and burst into laughter, reaching out to lightly pat his face, extremely insulting, "Magistrate Xu, when I asked you to choose just now, what did you say to me?"

"Now." Mr. Wang grinned, "It's too late!"

"Second son, he's yours now."

Next Chapter ▶▶