Chapter 719: A Counterplot and Courting Disaster (4)

Mo Yan understood her father well. Although he was gentle, he was remarkably resilient. Otherwise, he would have given up long ago after failing to achieve success in the exams repeatedly. Instead, he continued teaching and studying diligently, laying a solid foundation that enabled him to become a top student at Changshan Academy within just a year.

She speculated that her father, unwilling to give up the exam and reluctant to fall into someone else's trap, might have deliberately performed poorly to avoid drawing attention and suspicion. However, despite this strategy, he still fell victim to the plotters' schemes.

If her guesses were correct, clearing her father's name shouldn’t be too difficult, but it was likely that the schemers had further plans to force her father to admit guilt.

The only way forward was to see her father as soon as possible, verify these matters, and understand what the schemers might do next to gain the upper hand and rescue her father.

But Mo Yan didn’t even know where her father was being held, or if she could see him before he was interrogated. She had to suppress her anxiety and decided to go to the city the next day to investigate. Regardless of the cost, she needed to see her father.

…

Xiao Ruiyuan and Yan Junyu, who were escorting Chu Heng, did not return to the Jing Mountain Villa but went directly to the Prince’s residence. The three of them, without pausing for rest, immediately went to the study to discuss matters.

“… Prince Heng and the Lin family are indeed foolish to bring this issue to the Emperor. They don’t fear the situation escalating too much and causing them to suffer losses instead of gains!” Yan Junyu scoffed, shaking his jade fan.

Chu Heng shook his head, unsure whether he disagreed with Yan Junyu’s opinion or also found Prince Heng and the Lin family to be foolish. “Han Zhang, what should we do next?”

Yan Junyu glanced at Xiao Ruiyuan, observing his frost-covered face. He taunted with ambiguous intent, “Still worried about that girl? She might be more composed than you think. She might have already come up with a way to save her father!”

Though this was true, Yan Junyu’s familiar tone, as if he understood Mo Yan better than anyone else, made Xiao Ruiyuan’s face darken further, his gaze sharp with warning.

Yan Junyu, seemingly oblivious to the tension, continued provocatively, “That girl is fiercely protective. If she knew it was you who agreed to Mo Xiansheng’s request to use him as bait and counterplot against Prince Heng and the Lin family, she might not trust you anymore! If that’s the case, at least I’d still have a chance, right? Oh, should I tell her now?”

As Yan Junyu spoke, a swift gust of wind from Xiao Ruiyuan’s hand nearly struck him. Yan Junyu barely avoided it, retaliating while feigning injury, “You treacherous fellow, you really tried to harm me!”

Xiao Ruiyuan, with a stern face, said nothing but intensified his attacks.

“Enough, enough! Stop fighting!” Seeing that his two cousins were about to come to blows, Chu Heng stepped in to mediate, his face marked by helplessness.

Despite being in their twenties, they still behaved like children, resorting to physical confrontations over disagreements. Whoever got hurt, it would be Chu Heng, their older cousin, who would feel the pain.

Worried about accidentally hurting Chu Heng, both men exchanged cold snorts and backed off, both feeling dissatisfied.

Chu Heng rubbed his forehead and changed the topic. “We need to address the urgent matters. First, we must ensure that Mo Xiansheng remains unharmed. We can’t let Prince Heng and the Lin family inflict any personal punishment on him!”

Xiao Ruiyuan stopped glaring at Yan Junyu and reported to Chu Heng, “I received news from the secret guards that Mo Xiansheng is temporarily detained in the Ministry of Justice's prison, with Dark Nine keeping watch.”

Dark Nine was one of the top secret guards. With him watching the prison, Xiao Ruiyuan would receive the quickest updates if anything happened inside.

“That’s good to hear.” Chu Heng nodded, approving of Xiao Ruiyuan’s arrangements.

After discussing the details of their next steps, and seeing that it was getting late, Chu Heng changed into his official robes and prepared to visit the palace to gauge Emperor Huian’s stance and implement their subsequent plans.

Xiao Ruiyuan accompanied Chu Heng to the palace gates, where they happened to run into the similarly arriving Lin Dalao.

Lin Dalao, seeing Chu Heng, showed a flicker of gloom in his eyes. Although he dared not offend a prince, he quickly greeted Chu Heng and then, with a forced smile, said, “Prince, at this hour, are you here to see the Emperor? I also have important matters to report. Why don’t we go together?”

Lin Dalao, nearing his sixties, was a person of significant background and had a favored concubine daughter. Even though the Lin family had been suppressed by Emperor Huian in recent years, no one dared to show disrespect. The insult he felt was evident as he stared daggers at Chu Heng, barely containing his anger. If not for maintaining a shred of rationality, he would have already voiced his indignation.

Seeing Lin Dalao’s enraged expression and his face shifting like a palette, Chu Heng’s disdain and hatred deepened. With a cold snort, he turned and entered the palace gates.

Xiao Ruiyuan, radiating a cold, murderous aura, watched Lin Dalao until the latter, intimidated, lowered his head and stopped glaring at Chu Heng’s back. Only then did Xiao Ruiyuan turn and enter the palace.

Even before Chu Heng and Lin Dalao could meet Emperor Huian, the Emperor had already learned of the scene at the palace gates. Although he harbored deep resentment toward the foolish and malicious Lin Dalao, he had to endure due to his concern for Lin Taishi.

Eunuch Liang, who served the Emperor, sensed his anger and shook his head slightly. Lin Dalao, who continually courted disaster, was likely about to meet his end this time...

(The End of this Chapter)

 Chapter 718: A Counterplot and Courting Disaster (3)

“Yan girl, don't be so polite! Everyone has their troubles. Your family has helped us so much in the past, so now that you’re facing difficulties, we can’t just stand by and watch. If you need anything, just ask!” 

Mo Yan nodded repeatedly, grateful for the villagers' kindness.

The group chatted a bit longer, and seeing that Mo Yan and her siblings looked somewhat better, they felt reassured. Knowing it wasn't appropriate to linger at the Mo family home, they bid Mo Yan farewell and gradually left.

Before leaving, they voluntarily helped clean up the remnants of the feast, taking away their tables, chairs, and benches as they departed.

A dozen or so women who had come early in the morning to help and hadn’t had time to eat quickly grabbed a bite before continuing to assist the Mo family. They washed dishes, pots, and pans, and cleaned the house.

It wasn't until the kitchen was spotless and the smell of alcohol had dissipated from the rooms where the feast was held that they took the rice, flour, vegetables, and meat that Mo Yan insisted on giving them. After offering some more words of comfort to Mo Yan and her siblings, they finally left the Mo family home.

The Mo residence, bustling all morning, returned to its usual tranquility.

Mo Yan gathered her younger siblings in her room, mustering her strength to comfort them. Only when they were convinced that their sister had a plan to save their father and that he would safely return home did she breathe a sigh of relief.

Once her siblings had left, Mo Yan excused herself from Liu Tinglan, who wanted to stay with her, and after closing the door, she entered her hidden space.

Inside, everything was as serene and beautiful as ever, untouched by the troubles of the outside world. After the day's overwhelming events, only here could her chaotic mind find true peace.

The little white ball of fluff and the five beasts spotted their master from afar. Sensing that she needed quiet, they refrained from rushing over as they usually would.

Mo Yan also had no mind to play with them. As she harvested the herbs that had grown too large for their space, she pondered the situation surrounding her father’s alleged exam cheating.

On the day her father returned from the examination hall, something was off—he had nightmares about someone trying to harm her. On the night the results were posted, even though he was drunk and unconscious, he grabbed her hand and vowed to protect her from any harm. And today, even Master Liu mentioned that given her father’s abilities, he shouldn’t have ranked just 101st, yet her father had excused it as nerves affecting his performance...

All these signs pointed to her father knowing that someone was planning to frame him through this examination. As for the motive… it was likely aimed at her, with the ultimate goal of undermining Crown Prince Chu Heng. Many knew that she had saved Chu Heng and had a connection with him. It wasn’t impossible that some might think Chu Heng was using the exam to repay her or had other plans.

Among those with both the motive and the means to orchestrate such a scheme and directly report it to Emperor Huian, the first that came to Mo Yan's mind was Prince Heng and the Lin family, whom she had gravely offended and who bore deep hatred towards Chu Heng.

Other princes who once coveted the throne might also have such motives, but their suspicion was far less than that of Prince Heng and the Lin family.

With these suspects in mind, Mo Yan's mind began racing, devising a plan to rescue her father. Before the exam, someone from Prince Heng or the Lin family must have contacted her father, likely attempting to give him the exam answers. When he refused, they used her to coerce him into cheating.

Her father wasn’t foolish; agreeing to cheat would inevitably lead him into their trap. But if he refused, they would find another way to frame him, forcing him to agree in the end.

The simplest way to escape this plot would have been to withdraw from the exam. But after years of hard study, having the opportunity to finally take the imperial exam again, who could bear to let all that effort go to waste?

(The End of this Chapter)

 Chapter 1578: Second Prize Winner Announced

Shu Yu raised an eyebrow, wondering if another big prize had been drawn. As expected, someone loudly exclaimed, "Second prize, it's the second prize!"

Madam Tan, who was standing nearby, couldn't resist her curiosity and walked over to see what the second prize was.

She was standing at the back, not far away, making it easy for her to see.

At the lottery table now was Wei Fangfang, who came to help.

Wei Fangfang walked to the table and lifted the cloth covering the second prize, revealing the prizes underneath.

Everyone's eyes widened in surprise. Before they could react, Wei Fangfang said, "There are a total of five second prizes, and each winner can choose between two different items – a camphorwood box and an inkstone. Which one would you like to choose, ma'am?"

The woman who won the second prize seemed to have modest economic conditions.

Shu Yu was curious because people like her wouldn't usually spend two hundred wen on unfamiliar snacks.

Just like the Lu family of the past, two hundred wen could buy many things – pots, bowls, pans, food, and even a few pounds of meat, all of which were more practical than these prizes.

The woman seemed unable to believe her luck as she blinked and stared at the paper that said "Second Prize" in her hand.

Another woman beside her exclaimed with surprise and astonishment, "Sister-in-law, you're truly lucky lately. Your niece is about to get married, and this camphorwood box is just perfect for her dowry."

Someone else inquired curiously, "Is there a happy occasion in your family? This camphorwood box is so exquisite; it would make a great dowry for a girl. Your sister-in-law is really lucky."

The woman nodded repeatedly, feeling delighted and started speaking more, "Yes, yes, we didn't plan to come here to buy sunflower seeds. Spending two hundred wen for a lottery ticket wasn't cheap, but then, we have to treat our future in-laws, so we thought of buying some nice things. Who knew we would get such a stroke of luck?"

The woman who won the prize finally regained her senses. Her eyes were fixated on the camphorwood box, and her lips trembled as she said, "I, I just wanted to try my luck, hoping to get a fourth prize. I wanted that piece of cloth to make a new outfit for my daughter."

Even if she couldn't get the cloth, getting three packs of instant noodles would have been fine.

But unexpectedly, when she tried her luck, she won the second prize – a camphorwood box!

She couldn't resist reaching out to touch the box, feeling its delicate carvings and seamless lid. It was even more beautiful than the camphorwood box the village head's daughter received when she got married. If they were to make one themselves, they probably wouldn't be able to make it as good as this.

The two hundred wen she spent... it was definitely worth it, just for this exquisite camphorwood box alone.

She swallowed, looked up at Wei Fangfang, and then through her to Shu Yu, who was standing behind, asking, "Is this... is this really for me?"

Shu Yu nodded and smiled, "Of course, with so many witnesses, we wouldn't deceive anyone. There are only five second prizes, and congratulations, you are one of the lucky winners. The box on the table is just a sample; I'll have someone bring you a new one. Can you take it home?"

This box was made by Lu Erbai in collaboration with someone else, and he always did his best in everything he did, so the quality of the camphorwood box was naturally excellent.

 Chapter 1577: Madam Tan Wants to Give It a Try

Shu Yu's hand paused, and a look of joy flashed in her eyes. She wanted to ask urgently what was going on, what the plan was, and whether Hao Dingshan had returned to capital. But it wasn't the right time with so many guests coming and going outside.

The middle-aged scholar knew what she was thinking and didn't say much. He immediately congratulated loudly after those words.

Shu Yu smiled and thanked him, "Thank you for your concern, Sir. Please have a cup of tea inside."

The middle-aged scholar declined, "No, I still have some matters to attend to. I'll take my leave."

Shu Yu saw him off at the door, and when she returned, she appeared visibly more relaxed and at ease.

There were even more people in the store now, not just ordinary folks, but many wealthy households who came to buy sunflower oil. Everyone was surprised by the crowd inside the store.

"It hasn't been open for long, how come there are so many people?" Shu Yu greeted the guests at the door for a while before going back inside the shop.

As soon as she entered, she noticed that Madam Tan, who should have been resting in the backyard, had come out and was leaning against the lottery table, watching everyone take turns drawing lots with great curiosity.

When Shu Yu approached, Madam Tan was speaking to her maidservant, "It seems there are three prizes. I wonder what the first prize is."

Shu Yu stopped beside her and smiled, "Are you interested, Madam Tan?"

Madam Tan turned to her, "Of course, your approach is so innovative and sensational that even I'm tempted. Moreover, the prizes are not just perfunctory; even a consolation prize would be good."

Shu Yu was helpless, "But what I really want is for everyone to truly like the sunflower seeds and oil."

Madam Tan chuckled, "You're greedy. Don't people have to buy something before the draw? Once they buy it, they won't leave it untouched. Whether it's the sunflower seeds, the oil, or even your instant noodles, they are all novel and delicious. Once the excitement of the draw dies down, the reputation of these three items will also be established."

Shu Yu knew this very well, so she wasn't worried that the current prizes were more attractive than the sunflower seeds and oil.

There's nothing to be done; people are always more curious about the unknown.

Shu Yu asked Madam Tan, "Would you like to try drawing once?"

Madam Tan thought about it. Although she knew she had to maintain her image as a wealthy lady, the draw was just too enticing. Especially when she saw many other ladies and young women standing on the side, eager to try.

"Alright, then I'll buy some sunflower oil and give it a try."

"You don't need to buy it..."

"That won't do," Madam Tan said seriously, "I can't break the rules."

Before Shu Yu could refuse, she directly sent her maidservant to place the order and get the wooden plaque.

Shu Yu smiled and didn't stop her. After all, she had prepared gifts for every friend who gave her a present. She would see what Madam Tan was interested in and give her an additional gift.

There were more people buying sunflower seeds, so it take long for the maidservant to return with the wooden plaque and join the queue for the draw.

The draw itself was slow because of the large number of people. Although only one person had won the fifth and fourth prizes so far, it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd.

Madam Tan watched the line moving not far away and began to rub her hands, her tone slightly nervous, "I'm not very lucky. I'm not expecting to win the first prize or anything, the fourth prize will do."

Shu Yu chuckled, just about to say something, when suddenly, cheers erupted from the direction of the draw table.

 Chapter 192: Retribution is a Natural Law for Killing

The servant lowered her voice and truthfully reported, "Yes, the Changsun father and son even said that they are waiting for her to uncover the truth..."

Chang Shi frowned, a mix of agitation and unease clouding her expression.

Today's trial had been full of setbacks. It hadn’t been possible to pin the crime on Chang Sui'an, and suddenly, Li Lu had appeared as a witness—though he had not yet been able to testify due to his illness. 

She hadn’t developed supernatural foresight and could not predict every outcome. Everything she did had been on the fly, a step-by-step approach. Because of this, whenever an unforeseen complication arose, it only heightened her anxiety.

In this moment, Chang Suining’s claim that she had found "clues" felt like a sharp needle, piercing directly at a critical point.

The servant thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps she’s just bluffing, speaking nonsense to confuse people..."

"No," Chang Shi shook her head. "Someone just delivered a message saying that someone secretly investigated the case of the eunuch who drowned at the horse paddock in Furong Garden. Who do you think could have done this?"

"Could it be Chang Suining?" The servant was shocked. Was the young girl so sharp?

Chang Shi replied, "She herself doesn’t have such methods, it’s obviously the Court of the Palace Assistants helping her."

The servant took a moment to steady her nerves. "Don’t worry, Madam. The incident with the eunuch at the paddock was done cleanly. They shouldn’t find anything."

"But if they’ve found something about the eunuch, they can also find other things." Chang Shi frowned deeply. "There are too many people helping her in the shadows. It’s possible that she really has uncovered something."

She was engaged in an unprepared and risky game. Every action felt like a step into the unknown, with constant risk of missing something critical. It made her particularly suspicious at the slightest disturbance.

Especially when the entire scheme was orchestrated by her alone in the shadows. Neither Marquis Ying’s family nor the holy Emperor could be relied upon for support. Instead, they were potential threats she had to guard against and keep in the dark.

This increased Chang Shi's tension and anxiety.

"I told you long ago, that little Chang girl is no easy character!" She suddenly swiped at a jade vase on the table, sending it crashing to the ground. A cold, murderous glint flashed in her eyes.

---

"Suining, isn’t this a bit too risky?" 

Qiao Yubai had escorted Chang Suining back to the Chang residence. They were now in the outer study where Suining had been staying recently. Once alone, Qiao Yubai, with furrowed brows, asked in concern.

"What are you referring to, Brother Yubai?" Chang Suining walked over to the desk.

"You directly said you’ve found clues. While it might provoke them into action, what if..." Qiao Yubai’s voice lowered further, his face full of worry. "What if they decide to harm you because of this?"

"Then so be it. I’m waiting for them to strike." Chang Suining sat down behind the desk, a calm look in her eyes. "If they’re truly impulsive enough to do that, and so easily disturbed, then the situation will be much simpler to resolve."

But she feared the enemy wasn’t as impulsive and reckless as she hoped.

---

The pristine white jade vase shattered, the sharp edges gleaming coldly.

The servant was too stunned to call for help. "Madam, you... aren’t you planning to..."

After a long pause, Chang Shi squeezed out a cold laugh through clenched teeth. "I wish I could, but I cannot do so right now."

If she killed Chang Suining at this moment, there was a risk that even one small mistake could expose everything, leaving evidence for Suining’s side to use against her. 

Even if she succeeded in killing Chang Suining, it wouldn’t mean the end of the issue. Head Enuch, Yu Zeng, the Imperial Academy’s Qiao Yang, and other members of the Chang family would never give up on helping Chang Sui'an. 

And if she killed Chang Suining now, it would send a clear message that the Chang Sui'an case was indeed full of injustice, only creating more complications in the long run.

It would be a foolish and costly move. She would be out of her mind to do it!

Chang Shi took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, analyzing the situation logically.

For now, there were only two places she needed to focus on—the two visible “changes” in the situation. She should keep a close watch on them.

"Have someone keep an eye on movements from the Prince Rong’s residence. As soon as we hear that the Prince’s son has recovered and is ready to testify, let me know immediately."

"Yes, Madam."

"Send someone to the Feng family and have them prepare. In three days, a bridal sedan will be sent to fetch a bride."

The servant hesitated for a moment but understood her mistress's reasoning. There was no time to delay—such matters should be done sooner rather than later. The longer it was postponed, the more likely something could go wrong. Bringing the bride in early was the most secure option.

"Yes, I’ll arrange it right away."

After the servant left, another maid entered and quickly tidied up the broken vase and the mess on the floor.

---

"With things as they are, your situation is very dangerous." Qiao Yubai’s expression grew serious. "Suining, I’ll stay here with you. If you need to do anything, just tell me, and I’ll handle it."

Now, Chang family only had Suining. He couldn’t feel at ease. His parents were also very worried. His mother had already arranged to come tonight to stay with Suining and help with whatever she could, even if it was just watching over her meals and daily routines.

Suining had already heard about this from Qiao Yubai on the way back. She smiled faintly and said, "With Third Aunt here, it will be enough. Brother Yubai, you came here to skip class. Don’t delay your studies any further."

She then said, "Don’t worry, Brother. The Chang family isn’t lacking in capable people. I won’t put myself in danger."

"But..." 

Qiao Yubai wanted to say more, but Chang Suining interrupted him. "Brother Yubai, who do you think is the most suspicious among these people?" 

She had been carefully studying the list since she sat down.

Qiao Yubai stood up and walked over to the desk. 

The list was spread out, taking up half the desk. It was filled with densely written names, but most had been crossed out, likely excluded by Suining herself.

Among the remaining names, a few had been circled in red, clearly the main suspects.

Qiao Yubai’s gaze naturally fell on those marked names.

When his eyes landed on the surname at the top of the list, a heavy feeling settled in his chest.

"Suining, if it really is…" After a moment, he raised his eyes to meet Chang Suining's gaze. "What should we do?"

"Whoever it is, Brother cannot take the blame for them." Chang Suining’s eyes fixed on the words "Ming family" written on the list. "Retribution for murder is a matter of natural law."

In that instant, Qiao Yubai recalled the Dragon Boat Festival game of jujutsu at the Imperial Academy.

Back then, when he was injured by Chang Miao and treated unfairly, it was Suining who, in an unexpected way, fought for justice for him and all the other students involved in the match.

Now, what Sui'an was facing was an even greater injustice.

What they were up against were perhaps even more difficult enemies.

Although the two situations were completely different, he could foresee Suining’s determination from this comparison—and it was this very determination, more than anything else, that was perhaps more unshakeable than even the highest of enemies.

After a moment, Qiao Yubai nodded firmly. "Yes, it should be so."

Soon after, Chang Suining had someone summon Bai Guan to come over.

"Send the best supplements from the storehouse to the Prince Rong’s residence," Chang Suining instructed. "It’s best if you go personally to show our Chang family’s concern and respect."

Bai Guan agreed.

Qiao Yubai looked concerned. After a moment of thinking, he spoke up, "Suining, don’t you think this might be a bit inappropriate?"

Normally, at times like this, it would be best to avoid having direct contact with the witness.

"Brother Yubai is right; it’s indeed inappropriate," Chang Suining replied. "But since Father is not in the capital and I’m worried about Brother’s safety, it’s only natural that I want to show goodwill toward the witness, don’t you think?"

Qiao Yubai wasn’t slow-witted. Upon hearing this, he understood her intentions.

At such a time, the closer she got to Li Lu, the clearer her intentions would be, and those watching in the background would become more anxious.

This move was similar to publicly stating to the Chang family, "The real killer is someone else, and we have found clues."

As for whether anyone would later question Li Lu for giving false testimony "on her behalf"—Suining wasn’t planning to consider that possibility right now.

She only said, "Not only should we send these gifts, but we must send them every day until Li Lu is fully recovered and able to go out."

They would start by sending gifts for two days, and when the person "wakes up," she would personally visit to "check on him."

However, unlike sending gifts, if she were to visit, she would need to avoid being seen.

Chang Suining glanced at the list in front of her, quietly contemplating her next steps.

---

As evening approached, there was a visitor at the Feng family’s house.

The visitor was a trusted maid from Chang Shi’s side, and it was Madam Jie herself who came to meet her.

"My mistress has agreed to the proposal from the County Princess, setting the auspicious day for three days from now. I wonder what the County Princess thinks."

Though the maid posed it as a question, her tone held no real inquiry—she was simply informing Madam Jie.

Madam Jie didn’t mind, as this was a transaction, and one needed to be aware when making a deal with others.

The idea of using a joyful event to counteract bad luck was unpleasant, but there was no way to refute it. To get Min’er married off quickly, they had to have a reason to avoid suspicion from outsiders.

So, Madam Jie smiled and nodded.

Before long, the Ming family’s maid left.

Madam Jie had someone call her son and daughter-in-law over and, in the same manner, explained the situation to them.

"Three days from now?"

"To boost her spirits... to become a concubine?!" 

"How could this be allowed!"

Master Feng reacted strongly: "How could Min'er become some concubine to boost someone's spirits... Why would Mother agree to such a request from the Ming family?"

Ever since Madam Jie’s reputation was ruined and she was demoted to a county princess, he had grown increasingly dissatisfied with her.

Madam Feng was also shocked, but unlike her husband, she had been intimidated and obedient to her mother-in-law for years. At this moment, she didn’t dare openly express her dissatisfaction.

Facing her son’s questioning, Madam Jie simply said calmly, “What kind of family could Min’er still marry into? The wife of an ordinary family can't compare to being a concubine in the Ming family. Moreover, the Ming heir currently doesn't have a primary wife, so Min’er’s marriage to him would be no different from becoming his main wife.”

When her son was about to speak again, she interrupted: "Stop dwelling on the idea of 'boosting spirits.' You should know that if it weren’t for the fortune-telling, such an opportunity wouldn’t fall to Min’er."

Master Feng's expression wavered.

"Becoming in-laws with the Ming family is like becoming in-laws with the emperor; you should understand that, right?" Madam Jie sneered. "Stop clinging to your useless pride and think about the bigger picture." 

Seeing that her husband seemed to be swayed, Madam Feng muttered "stupid man" under her breath, and finally couldn't hold herself back, speaking up, "But Min’er, she..."

Madam Jie shot a cold glance at her daughter-in-law and interrupted sharply, "Min’er is willing."

What? 

Madam Feng couldn’t believe it.

She knew her daughter well—Min’er wasn’t particularly outstanding, but she had always dreamed of marrying into a high-ranking family. This was something her mother-in-law had taught her to aspire to. 

With a daughter who had this ambition, how could she be willing to become a concubine just to boost someone’s spirits?

Madam Feng quickly went to find her daughter, wanting to clarify things.

When she arrived, she found Min’er happily having measurements taken for her wedding gown.

Madam Feng: "…"

It seemed there was nothing more to ask.

After a long while, once everyone else had left, Madam Feng hesitated and only asked, “Min’er, do you know that the Ming heir is quite the flirt?”

"Of course I know, Mother," Min’er replied, "But do you think I’m marrying him as a person?"

She wasn’t marrying him—she was marrying the Ming family’s heir.

Seeing her mother about to say more, Min’er became impatient and added, "The engagement is already set. There’s no chance to change it. Instead of saying these useless things, it would be better for you to help me prepare properly so I can leave in style."

She didn’t want to hear it anymore. Her mother didn’t understand the inner turmoil she had endured to reach this point, nor did she know that she had no other choice.

Now, she only hoped that her grandmother’s words were true—that once she married into the Ming family, she would be treated well and would live the life she had dreamed of.

Two days later, something happened that made Min’er feel a bit more secure.

That evening, her father returned from the Ministry of Works, his face full of joy.

His superiors had informed him that he would be promoted to Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Works and that the Ming family had helped arrange the promotion. They even praised him, saying he had a good daughter, and that his good fortune was enviable, and that he should take good care of him in the future.

With such flattery, Master Feng felt elated and completely dismissed his earlier dissatisfaction with the idea of "boosting spirits."

Min’er was overjoyed when she heard this and instinctively glanced at her grandmother.

Madam Jie smiled and nodded at her.

Min’er felt increasingly grateful to her grandmother. It was definitely because her grandmother had had a good conversation with the wife of Marquis Ying that the Marquis’s family had not looked down on her. Although she would be a concubine, she was still more esteemed than most of the women in the capital, and no one would dare to look down on her!

With this thought in mind, Min’er didn’t plan to hide the matter anymore. She even invited many young ladies from the capital to a pre-wedding gift-giving party the day before her departure. The event was quite lively.

Getting married was a one-time thing, and even if she was a concubine, she would go out in style!

---

One morning, Yao Xia and Wei Miaoqing, along with other young women, gathered to visit Chang Suining.

"You all didn’t have to come," Chang Suining said frankly. "At this point, it’s not a good idea to get too close to me."

She wouldn’t question their friendship because of this temporary "distance."

These young women were all daughters of officials in the capital, and their fathers and grandfathers were mostly serving in the court. With such constraints, their actions were bound to be limited.

The world was hard on them, and she could not further trouble them in the name of friendship.

"What’s there to be afraid of? Can the Chang family really do anything to me?" The girl from the Wei family, who came from a large and influential household with a very capable brother, said with confidence.

"With my uncle around, why would I need to avoid suspicion?" said the girl from the Yao family, relying on the support of her powerful uncle.

There were also many other girls with optimistic attitudes, their eyes full of long-term vision, and a bit of a chivalrous spirit—

"After all, Young Master Chang is innocent. The truth will come out sooner or later!"

"That’s right!"

"Don’t be afraid, Sister Chang!"

A group of young women gathered around Chang Suining, comforting her.

Chang Suining looked at the young, innocent faces.

Even though they might part ways soon, she would remember them well.

As they chatted, the conversation gradually shifted in another direction, and this shift happened to provide Chang Suining with a new clue.

(End of chapter.)

 Chapter 191: Alright, I Agree

May 18, 2023

The words from the officer caused a slight change in Yao Yi’s expression. He nodded, and the officer then withdrew.

A murmur of surprise spread among the crowd of onlookers.

The young boy who had earlier questioned whether Li Lu would commit perjury now furrowed his brow.

Li Lu hadn’t arrived?

People in the crowd started whispering.

"Is he unconscious due to illness?"

"This... isn’t this too coincidental?"

"Normally, it would be too much of a coincidence, but Li Lu’s health has always been poor, hasn’t it?"

Chang Suining watched as the officials in the grand hall whispered to one another due to Li Lu’s absence.

Indeed.

Li Lu, who had previously fallen ill after being frightened by an attack from the sacred elephant at Dayun Temple, had traveled tirelessly for days to attend the autumn festival and, upon hearing about the death of Seventh Miss Changsun, had fallen ill and lost consciousness. This was a reasonable explanation.

With the key witness absent, the trial encountered a delay. After deliberation by the three courts, it was decided to postpone the trial and wait for Li Lu to wake up.

Yao Yi then ordered that Chang Sui'an be temporarily detained until the trial could resume.

"On what grounds!"

A young man, wearing a white ribbon on his wrist, stormed forward, questioning angrily, "Under such undeniable evidence, why is the verdict not being made? Just because he told a lie, the trial is postponed... Does this mean if Prince Lu never recovers, the case will be put off forever? Who knows, during this delay, someone might secretly intervene to help him escape punishment!"

Yao Yi looked at the boy and replied sternly, "The procedure of the trial must be followed. Please remain calm, Lord Changsun."

This young man was Changsun Yan’s son, the legitimate grandson of the current Prime Minister, Changsun Ji.

Although he was Changsun Xuan’s nephew, he was only a few years younger than her, and they had grown up together. Calling her his aunt felt no different from calling her an older sister.

Yao Yi, who had seen many victims losing their temper over delays in their cases, could understand the boy’s emotions, especially since he had just lost a close relative.

At thirteen, boys were among the most difficult to handle, especially when they were going through such a painful experience.

Yao Yi understood the boy’s anger, but the boy wasn’t appeased and became even more furious. "Clearly, you, Lord Yao, are using your power to protect him!"

Who didn’t know that Lord Yao had close ties with the Chang family?

The boy’s eyes turned red as he saw Chang Sui'an being escorted out of the hall by two officers. He seized the inkstone that someone nearby had been holding.

"My inkstone!" the scholar cried out in shock.

Chang Sui'an, who had long practiced martial arts and had developed a keen sense of danger, was restrained by the two officers, one on each side, and could only tilt his head to one side.

Or rather, he didn’t dare make any sudden moves, for any such action would have caused the inkstone to strike the officers instead.

Chang Sui'an allowed the inkstone to hit his head. He winced in pain and stepped back, his right temple bleeding, and the ink splattered all over his face and clothes.

"You murderer, return my aunt’s life!"

Shouts of shock spread throughout the hall.

Ink flowed into his eyes, and Chang Sui'an’s eyes reddened as he cried out, "I’m not the murderer! I didn’t kill anyone!"

"You still won’t admit it!" Changsun Ji gritted his teeth, "You people from barbaric, uncivilized martial families are naturally brutal and inhuman!"

"Your father destroyed his military achievements on the battlefield due to his bloodthirsty nature and disobedience to orders, and now, look at you—reckless, violent, and frightening, only knowing how to kill!"

"Shut up!" Chang Sui'an felt wronged and enraged. He immediately tried to break free from the officers’ hold.

It was one thing to be wronged, but it was another to insult his father!

His father, injured and old, was still leading troops to fight on the battlefield!

"Ji!" Changsun Yan scolded his son sharply, finally standing up.

But the boy didn’t hear his father’s reprimand. Seeing that Chang Sui'an seemed ready to fight, he raised his fist to charge forward.

"Enough!"

Someone firmly grabbed the boy’s raised wrist, and a cold voice rang in his ears.

The young girl turned her gaze toward Chang Sui'an. As their eyes met, Chang Sui'an stopped struggling, and tears began to flow uncontrollably from his eyes.

He shook his head at his sister—he hadn’t harmed anyone!

Seeing the disheveled boy, covered in ink, with such a look, Chang Suining felt a dull ache in her heart. She gave him a gentle nod—of course, she knew.

Changsun Ji turned his head and recognized Chang Suining. "You... you dare to come!"

"Both my brother and I are completely innocent. Why wouldn’t we dare to come?" Chang Suining looked at him. "Not only my brother and I, but the entire Chang family is innocent and loyal. My father is indeed skilled in battle, but he kills only traitors and enemies who plot against our great dynasty. Under his sword, there are no innocent souls."

"You speak of a bloodthirsty person, but now, my old and injured father is out fighting the enemy, while what are you doing? Disrespecting the law, attacking people on a whim, and tarnishing the names of loyal men based on hearsay?"

"You..." Changsun Ji’s face alternated between red and white, and he tried to shake off Chang Suining’s grip, but couldn’t break free.

It wasn’t until two of his attendants stepped forward that his wrist was released.

"Keep an eye on your young master," Chang Suining said to the attendants, though her eyes were still on the boy. "If he dares to bite again, I’ll pull out his teeth."

She understood that, as a victim, the boy’s grief had clouded his judgment, and she could empathize with him. However, she was offering sympathy, not owing him any debt.

She and her brother didn’t owe the Changsun family anything, and they shouldn’t have to endlessly bear the other party’s emotions.

Changsun Ji was blocked by the family servants, and the officers stepped forward to control the situation. Just as Chang Sui'an was about to be taken away, he suddenly turned his head and urgently called out, “Ning Ning!”

Tears filled his eyes, but he struggled to hold them back, suppressing the choking feeling in his throat.

"Don’t be afraid! The truth will come out soon!" He tried his best to sound certain.

Chang Suining’s heart tightened.

Silly brother, even at this moment, he was trying to comfort her.

Her brother, young and unrefined, had grown up in wealth and comfort, nurturing a pure and innocent heart. He didn’t understand that the world was full of wrongful accusations, and if they waited passively, the truth would never emerge.

“He already said he didn’t harm anyone! Why are they still taking him away? Xiao Sui'an would never lie! Why are these people being unreasonable? They just bully others!”

Ah Dian, who was standing by, anxiously said, "Xiao A Li, let’s take Xiao Sui'an home! His face is all dirty, let’s take him back and clean him up!"

As he spoke, he was about to step forward to take him.

“It’s not possible right now,” Chang Suining held his arm and reassured him, “Don’t rush. I will take my brother home.”

"I want to see what methods you’ll use to help him deny his guilt!" Changsun Ji glared at the girl speaking.

"The method I’ll use is to find the real murderer who killed Seventh Miss Changsun," Chang Suining looked at him, "Then, I’ll have Lord Changsun publicly apologize to my brother."

Changsun Ji bit out each word, "If the murderer is indeed someone else, not only will I apologize, but I will also offer a generous gift to thank you!"

His words sounded authoritative, but his tone was clearly skeptical—he didn’t believe there was another murderer, and it seemed like he was just saying this to provoke.

Chang Suining didn’t care what he thought and replied, “Alright, I agree.”

"You..." Changsun Ji was momentarily speechless, pointing a finger at her nose. Just as he was about to speak again, his father’s voice stopped him.

Changsun Yan walked over.

He had come here today to listen to the trial, but with the case suddenly halted, he hadn’t rushed to intervene. However, his expression was not a happy one.

He had lost his younger sister, and his grief and anger were no less than his son’s.

But beyond grief and anger, he felt even more regretful—regretful on behalf of his sister.

Now, he looked steadily at the young girl, who was about the same age as his sister. His eyes were cold.

The girl, however, showed no fear. Instead, she calmly met his gaze, and with unwavering confidence, she said, “Lord Changsun, the real murderer of Seventh Miss Changsun’s is still out there.”

“Is that so?” Changsun Yan coldly replied.

“Yes,” Chang Suining answered.

In the midst of all the gazes around them, she said, “I have already found some clues, and I believe the truth will soon be revealed.”

"Then, the Changsun family will wait for the truth that Miss Chang Suining speaks of," Changsun Yan said, his face dark as he turned to leave.

Changsun Ji followed him.

As Chang Sui'an was taken away and the Changsun family left, the crowd that had gathered, seeing there was no more drama to witness, slowly began to disperse.

"I wonder when Prince Lu will recover. When will he be able to testify?"

“Did you hear... Chang Suining just said she has already found some clues?”

"..."

As the crowd discussed and left, Cui Lang lowered his voice to ask, "Master, what clues have you found? Can it really help clear Brother Sui'an’s name?"

Chang Suining shook her head and replied, "No, I just said that for their benefit."

The clues she had uncovered were still far from enough.

"..." Cui Lang sighed. "But the Changsun family people definitely won’t believe it. If Master says that, they’ll probably think you’re trying to cover up Brother Sui'an’s crime."

Once people have a preconceived notion, it’s very difficult to change their minds.

"I know," Chang Suining said, looking at the people dispersing. "I said it for their benefit."

When she mentioned "for their benefit," Cui Lang followed her gaze and finally understood: "Master is...?"

Chang Suining didn’t elaborate further but walked toward the person picking up the inkstone.

Qiao Yubai had understood as well.

Since someone was framing Sui'an, they must be worried about the possibility of the plan failing. Today’s court hearing might very well have some hidden eyes watching.

Could Ning Ning’s words be meant to make them uneasy, to provoke them into acting?

That was exactly Chang Suining’s plan.

Although she had gathered some clues, if she wanted to take it further, forcing the other party to act was the fastest way. The most dangerous thing in situations like this was for the other party to remain passive, hiding too well, leaving no trace for her to grasp.

He picked up the inkstone that had broken into two pieces, and the scholar started to worry.

How could the Changsun family be like this? They casually took someone's things to smash them, and afterward, they didn't even mention compensation.

It wouldn’t be proper for him to go to their door demanding compensation, would it?

The man thought about it seriously for a moment, realizing that doing so would likely ruin his budding career in officialdom, so he could only sigh in place.

At that moment, a purse was handed to him.

“Please, Master Tan, buy yourself another inkstone,” the voice said.

Tan Li looked toward the girl holding the purse, his expression full of anxiety. “Miss Chang, how could I accept this…”

“This matter also started because of my Chang family. Scholar Tan, please accept it,” she insisted.

“This is really not appropriate…” Tan Li sighed. “Miss Chang’s family is going through such misfortune, and I can’t even offer any help. How could I accept your silver?”

Although he was struggling financially, a gentleman takes money in a righteous way.

“Precisely because of the misfortune, the bad luck. Doing good deeds might turn things around. Buying an inkstone for a talented scholar is a good deed,” Chang Suining said, pushing the purse forward again with a slight smile. “Scholar Tan, you doing this favor is also a good deed.”

Is there such a saying?

Tan Li was momentarily speechless.

After a while, he took the purse with both hands. “Then I will shamelessly accept this… uh, I’ll shamelessly accept this good deed…”

Taking money in this way could be considered helping others… Helping others is also a righteous act.

But this purse in his hand felt heavier than he had expected.

This wasn’t just compensation for his broken inkstone; it was almost enough to cover his heating expenses for the winter!

The capital city was not only unbearably hot in the summer, but the winter cold could be deadly as well.

He had been worried about not having money to write during the winter, but now he could get through the winter and look forward to the spring exams.

And as for the girl in front of him, who said she was buying him an inkstone, how did he know she didn’t have the intention to help him out, simply using the purchase as a more graceful excuse to protect his scholar’s dignity?

His winter was certainly going to be much easier, but Miss Chang…

Tan Li’s thoughts were mixed. In the end, he said, “I hope my broken inkstone can help your brother overcome this misfortune. The ink left in the inkstone can only stain for a moment. The day of cleansing the filth will come soon.”

Chang Suining nodded. “Thank you for your kind words, Scholar Tan.”

After Tan Li bowed deeply to her, he left.

“Tan, what’s going on here?”

Several scholars who had been waiting nearby noticed the commotion and gathered around.

Tan Li replied, “This is the money Miss Chang gave me for a new inkstone.”

“Miss Chang is quite generous…”

One of them, holding his own inkstone, sighed regretfully, “If I had known this, I should have gotten closer earlier!”

When he first saw Tan Li’s inkstone being smashed, he instinctively hugged his own, but now he regretted not seizing the opportunity—after all, both of them had inkstones, but he missed such a chance!

Song Xian, who was standing nearby, frowned and reminded them, “This is no time for jokes.”

He instinctively glanced at the girl standing there.

Although he was also a student of the Imperial Academy, he was nearing the imperial examination and had the freedom to come and go from the academy.

He had come to the Minister of Justice because he had arranged a job for several struggling scholars, copying the plaque for a new house of a wealthy official’s family. Each one would earn a couple of taels of silver, and he had just finished the work and “coincidentally” passed by this place.

At this moment, Chang Suining also noticed him.

Song Xian quickly avoided her gaze. “Let’s go.”

“Brothers, do you think… that Chang family’s son was really wronged?” one of the scholars asked quietly as they walked away.

“From my perspective, it must be true.”

“You’ve accepted the money for a new inkstone, but you can’t decide everything…”

“Young Master Chang is of good character, so this matter must have been a misunderstanding,” Song Xian said, looking ahead.

The others instinctively glanced at Song Xian.

Since the game of chess, Song Xian’s attitude toward matters related to Miss Chang seemed to have changed quite a bit.

...

“Did she really say that?”

In Marquis Ying’s residence, Chang Shi soon heard about everything that had happened at the Minister of Justice, her brows furrowing tightly.

Thank you to everyone for your votes. Good night!

 Chapter 717: A Counterplot and Courting Disaster (2)

Aside from the villagers who came to celebrate, only Xiao Ruiyuan and a few others remained in the hall. They were preparing to leave.

Chu Heng approached Mo Yan to bid farewell. Mo Yan, still overwhelmed with worry, barely had the energy to be polite. She simply apologized, “I’m sorry for the poor hospitality today, Your Highness. I hope you can forgive us.”

Chu Heng shook his head, indicating it was fine. He looked at the lost and helpless Mo Yan, wanting to say something but ultimately remained silent.

Xiao Ruiyuan stood nearby, his gaze fixed on the young woman, who barely reached his shoulder, still reeling from the shock of her father's arrest. He was reluctant to leave her in such a vulnerable state. However, he had no choice but to return to the city to arrange the next steps.

If he could, he would have liked to take her into his arms and comfort her, but with so many people around, he couldn’t do anything. All he could manage was a dry, “Don’t worry,” while his anxious heart ached with hers.

Sensing his gaze, Mo Yan looked up, meeting Xiao Ruiyuan's eyes filled with concern and worry. She shook her head slightly, signaling him not to worry about her.

Xiao Ruiyuan saw this, and his hand clenched into a tight fist at his side, fearing that he might lose control and pull her into his arms in the next moment.

On the other side of Chu Heng, Yan Junyu noticed the silent exchange between the two. Hiding his bitterness, he casually said to Mo Yan, “With me here, your father will be back soon and safe. I won’t let him suffer in prison, so don’t worry.”

Yan Junyu had visited the Mo family several times, and the villagers knew that he had financed the construction of the winery for them. His words wouldn’t cause any misunderstandings.

Mo Yan knew Yan Junyu wasn’t one to boast and believed in his ability to keep her father from suffering. His words also reflected the intentions of Chu Heng, the Crown Prince, which further eased her worries. She expressed her gratitude, “Thank you.”

Yan Junyu chuckled, “A simple ‘thank you’ is too cheap! When your father is released, give me a few more jars of your finest wine. The ones you sent before weren’t even enough for the old man at home.”

Mo Yan, not one to begrudge a few jars of wine, immediately instructed Li Xiu and the others to retrieve thirty jars of high-quality wine from the cellar, including vintage grape wine and ginkgo wine.

Yan Junyu accepted them without hesitation, ordering his guards to load the wine onto his carriage.

As the three men left Liuyang Village, surrounded by their guards, Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t get a chance to speak to Mo Yan alone.

Mo Yan watched the carriages disappear into the distance, and her worries about her father once again filled her heart.

“Yan girl, don’t worry. With so many important people helping, your father will surely return safely!”

“Yes, just take care of the house and look after your younger siblings. They’re still young and inexperienced, so be sure to keep an eye on them and don’t let today’s events scare them.”

“That’s right. If there’s ever any trouble at home, just let us know. We’ll help however we can!”

...

Out of concern for Mo Qingze and sympathy for Mo Yan and her siblings, the villagers did not leave immediately after his arrest. Instead, they offered words of comfort to Mo Yan and her family.

These people might not fully understand the consequences of the cheating scandal or whether Mo Qingze was truly innocent, but they remembered everything the Mo family had done for Liuyang Village and its people. At this moment, no one would kick the children when they were down.

“Thank you, thank you, uncles, aunts…” Mo Yan was deeply grateful, thanking them repeatedly despite knowing they couldn’t do much to help.

(The End of this Chapter)

 Chapter 716: A Counterplot and Courting Disaster (1)

With the imperial decree issued, no one could stop the guards from taking Mo Qingze away. Amidst the cries of Xin'er and the others, Mo Qingze was eventually led away. However, due to Chu Heng's intervention, the guards did not dare to use chains on him, allowing Mo Qingze to retain some dignity in front of others.

No one had expected such a calamity on what was supposed to be a joyous day, leaving everyone with mixed emotions. Master Liu, Han Zhiyun, and several tutors, who were well aware of their friend (student)’s abilities and character, found it impossible to believe he would cheat.

“Don’t worry, you all. Uncle Han believes your father is innocent! Rest assured, I will return to the capital and thoroughly investigate this matter, clear your father’s name, and get him out of this mess,” Han Zhiyun said solemnly to Mo Yan and her four younger siblings.

Han Zhiyun came from a notable family, with several uncles and brothers holding official positions in the court. Gathering information like this would be no problem for him, and he could leverage his family connections to ensure that Mo Qingze wouldn’t suffer in prison.

Mo Yan, who was comforting her siblings, felt a warmth in her heart. She stepped forward and bowed deeply to Han Zhiyun, “Thank you, Uncle Han, for your help. Yan’er is deeply grateful!”

The younger ones followed suit, bowing and thanking Han Zhiyun, “Thank you, Uncle Han!”

Han Zhiyun quickly helped them up, feigning anger, “What is this? Do you see me as an outsider?”

Master Liu chimed in, “There’s no need for formalities with your Uncle Han. He’s your father’s friend; helping him is only natural! I don’t have the same influence as your Uncle Han, but I’ll do my best to rally the scholars and petition the court to thoroughly investigate this cheating scandal and clear your father’s name!”

“Count Yun Jin in as well!” Shen Ji said earnestly, bowing to Master Liu.

“Indeed, Ziyu is a student of Changshan Academy. No matter what, the academy will do everything it can to prove his innocence. We cannot let one of our students suffer unjustly!” the tutors agreed in unison.

The tutors knew Mo Qingze to be a man of integrity and high moral character. Though he valued success, he cherished his reputation even more and had the ability to succeed on his own merits. There was no way he would resort to cheating.

They also understood that if the accusations were upheld, not only would Mo Qingze's future be destroyed, but Changshan Academy would suffer a tremendous blow. The academy had never been involved in a cheating scandal since its founding, and they could not stand by and watch its century-old reputation be tarnished.

“Thank you! Thank you, uncles, teachers… thank you…” Mo Yan expressed her gratitude, feeling at a loss for words beyond that.

It’s often said that it's easy to add flowers to a bouquet, but difficult to offer help in times of need. What truly matters is the type of people one befriends. Those driven by self-interest would avoid trouble, but those with strong values and loyalty would stand by their friends, whether they were soaring high or sinking low.

Time was of the essence, and Han Zhiyun, worried that Mo Qingze might suffer in prison, didn’t linger at the Mo residence. After reassuring Mo Yan and her siblings, he quickly left with his wife and children.

Master Liu and Shen Ji, eager to return and contact useful friends, also bid farewell to Mo Yan.

However, Liu Tinglan insisted on staying. She couldn’t do much to help but wanted to stay by her dear friend’s side and offer her some comfort.

The Liu couple had no objections to this and, after reminding her not to cause trouble for the Mo family, left the Mo residence.

À tutors and Mo Qingze’s other classmates soon followed suit.

Shopkeeper Xing, who served Yan Junyu, knew he couldn’t do much to help the Mo family. After offering some comfort to Mo Yan and her siblings, he sought Yan Junyu’s permission and left with Shopkeeper Mu, who was also unable to assist, to avoid adding to the confusion.

(The End of this Chapter)

 Chapter 715: Intimidation and Mo Qingze's Arrest (4)

Before Mo Qingze could finish speaking, the lead general's expression grew even colder. He waved his hand and commanded sternly, "Take him away!"

At his words, two guards stepped forward, chains in hand, ready to bind Mo Qingze.

The sudden turn of events left everyone in the hall stunned and unable to react. Mo Yan, hearing the commotion, walked out without knowing what was happening, only to witness this scene that filled her with both anxiety and anger. She was about to step forward to stop them when another voice suddenly rang out, "Stop!"

Chu Heng's voice interrupted the soldiers as they were about to lock up Mo Qingze. He stood up and walked over to Mo Qingze, his presence commanding respect as he questioned the lead guard, "Why are you arresting Master Mo? Do you have an imperial decree?"

The lead guard's eyes widened as he finally realized that the person standing before him was none other than the Crown Prince. His face turned pale, and he quickly knelt down, "Your humble servant did not realize Your Highness was present. Please forgive this offense!"

The other guards, seeing this, also knelt down and begged for forgiveness.

"Explain why you are arresting Master Mo. Do you have an imperial decree?"

Now that he was facing these guards, Chu Heng no longer held back the imposing aura of the crown prince of the nation. Though his question seemed simple, it carried an immense weight that pressed into the hearts of the guards.

The guards had come to the Mo residence solely focused on making an arrest, not noticing the bright yellow carriage parked outside or considering that the Crown Prince might be here.

Hearing the Crown Prince's question, they knew he intended to intervene, making it likely they would leave empty-handed. Each one inwardly cursed their bad luck.

The lead guard, however, was a man of rigid integrity. Hearing Chu Heng's question, he cupped his hands and replied resolutely, "Your Highness, someone has accused the newly appointed Juren, Mo Qingze, of cheating in the imperial examination. The Emperor, in his fury, ordered us to arrest him. I hope Your Highness understands."

This revelation stunned everyone in the room.

"Impossible!"

Mo Yan, Master Liu, Han Zhiyun, Shen Ji, and several tutors from Changshan Academy all spoke in unison.

Mo Yan might not have fully understood the severe consequences of cheating in the imperial examination, but she knew her father would never cheat. If this wasn't a misunderstanding caused by the actions of a guilty party, then it was a deliberate frame-up. 

Either way, she couldn't just let her father be taken away, or he would surely endure torture during interrogation.

The others, however, were well aware of the grave implications of cheating in the imperial examination. Once convicted, not only would Mo Qingze's career be destroyed, but his entire family would also be implicated, with at least three generations barred from participating in the imperial examinations.

In the past, whenever someone was caught cheating, countless others were implicated. Even if the implicated individuals were innocent, their reputations and careers were irreparably damaged. None had ever managed to pass the imperial examinations or hold office after being implicated.

Therefore, even though they believed Mo Qingze was innocent, they couldn't accept the situation.

The lead guard ignored their protests and continued to address the inscrutable Crown Prince, "Your humble servant would never dare fabricate the Emperor's intentions. I ask Your Highness to allow us to take Mo Qingze into custody. If he is indeed innocent, the Emperor will surely grant him justice."

The implication was clear: the Emperor himself would oversee the investigation of this cheating case, so Chu Heng should not interfere with their duties. After all, if this were a matter for the local authorities, it wouldn't have fallen to the imperial guards.

Chu Heng understood this clearly, and his expression darkened. "No matter what, you cannot take him today. I will explain everything to my father!"

Mo Yan and the others, who had been holding their breath, finally sighed in relief. With Chu Heng's assurance, Mo Qingze would not be thrown into prison to suffer.

The lead guard hesitated, but before he could agree, another group of ten guards burst into the Mo household.

This time, they carried an imperial decree for the arrest of Mo Qingze.

Seeing the bright yellow decree and the imperial seal on its lower left corner, even Chu Heng, the Crown Prince, could not defy the Emperor's orders. He glanced at the pale-faced Mo Yan, a trace of reluctance in his eyes, but he could only step aside.

Mo Yan's heart sank further. The worry and fear for her father surged within her, nearly compelling her to summon the Five Beasts to drive these guards away and rescue her father.

She forced herself to calm down, her mind racing for a solution, yet she found herself at a loss.

Xiao Ruiyuan, seeing Mo Yan in such pain, couldn't bear it. He grabbed her self-abusing hand tightly, not caring if others noticed. "Yan'er, Uncle Mo will be fine. Trust me!"

"Really? My father will really be okay?" Mo Yan gripped Xiao Ruiyuan's hand tightly, clinging to it like a lifeline. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, filled with worry for her father, frustration at her helplessness, and a deep-seated sense of despair mixed with a glimmer of hope.

Xiao Ruiyuan nodded solemnly, his voice firm. "Trust me, Uncle Mo will be fine!"

His words had a calming effect, and Mo Yan slowly regained her composure. She looked at her father, who was now bound by the guards, her heart aching as though pierced by needles. She fought the urge to rush forward, her mind now clearer than ever, racing to think of a viable plan.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind, only to vanish before she could grasp it.

"Father—"

"Godfather—"

Seeing their father about to be taken away, Xin'er and the others, who had been held back by Yan Junyu, could no longer restrain themselves. They rushed forward, clinging tightly to their father, resisting the guards' attempts to pull them away.

The guards, mindful of Chu Heng, were reluctant to use force against the children. After a few half-hearted attempts, they eventually let them be.

(The End of this Chapter)

 Chapter 1576: Can't Stop

The shorter girl didn't hesitate and pointed at the fabric doll, saying, "I want this."

Since the fabric on the table was uncovered, her eyes had been firmly locked onto the doll, unable to look away.

It was just too adorable, shaped like a sunflower.

In the middle of the sunflower, there was a pattern of a little person resembling a sunflower seed, exactly like the child on the easel at the entrance. It seemed as if a little seed child was sitting in the middle of the sunflower.

When the two girls were sitting in the carriage earlier, they saw the pattern on the easel and found it particularly cute, which made the coachman slow down the carriage. This also allowed them to catch the scent of popcorn from the customers standing at the entrance.

They never expected that the pattern would be made into a fabric doll, which was extremely adorable.

The shorter girl quickly grabbed the cushion, holding it tightly as if afraid someone might take it from her.

Shu Yu chuckled, "Miss, this cushion is a sample, and it's a bit smaller. I'll have someone bring you a new one from the back."

The shorter girl nodded eagerly, "Quick, quick, quick."

Ying Xi went to the backyard and brought back a doll larger than the sample. The girl had to open her arms wide to embrace it fully.

"It's so beautiful, so adorable, I love it."

Others looked on enviously, especially the taller girl beside her, who couldn't help but hit her own hand.

Although winning popcorn was nice, she liked the doll more.

However, quite a few people still felt that choosing the fabric was more practical. Although the doll was cute, it couldn't be eaten or drunk, at most, it would just be placed for decoration.

On the other hand, choosing the fabric had more practical uses, as it could be used to make clothes or skirts, saving them from having to visit a fabric store.

The shorter girl cherished the doll for a while and then turned her gaze back to the lottery box.

What to do? She wanted to continue drawing; this thing seemed addictive.

What if she drew Third Prize, Second Prize, or even First Prize? Even if not, she could still win other prizes that had already been drawn.

However, more people were queuing up behind them, and some were getting impatient to draw the lottery. The two girls had to step aside.

As more people started buying things, the lottery activity became more organized.

After speaking a bit too much, Shu Yu turned to drink some water. When she looked up again, she saw Madam Tan coming over with a maid.

Madam Tan held a gift box in her hand and was startled by the bustling crowd at the entrance. She stood in shock outside for quite a while before finally stepping inside.

"Lady Lu, congratulations!" She handed over the gift box and looked around in disbelief, "Didn't you just open for business at the Chen hour? It hasn't even been two quarters, and there are already so many people here? I thought I came too late."

"Not at all, Madam Tan, please have a seat inside."

After leading Madam Tan inside, Shu Yu soon saw Doctor Xie arriving as well.

Shu Yu didn't know many people in the city, but those she had some acquaintance with came to congratulate her.

Doctor Xie was very busy, and after giving her gift, she looked at the bustling shop and sighed before taking her leave.

Shortly after, someone came from the local government office.

As the Village lord, Shu Yu didn't need the prefect to personally come, but with the grand publicity for her opening, everyone knew about it. So, the prefect sent someone to deliver a gift, which was entirely reasonable.

The person who came was the middle-aged scholar that Shu Yu had met before. He handed over the gift box and whispered, "The plan was a success."

 Chapter 1575: Two Types of Fourth Prize

Not to mention, there were some people who didn't lack money and were truly enticed by Wei Ronghua's words, planning to go back and try the sunflower oil.

On the other side, consolation prizes were being given out one after another, and some people who received popcorn in paper bags were reluctant to leave. Some stood at the door eating, attracting more passersby to come in.

A carriage passed by and suddenly stopped. Two young ladies got off the carriage and asked about the popcorn's origin before entering the shop.

While Shu Yu was arranging the lottery, she immediately greeted them when he saw them approaching.

To her surprise, the two young ladies asked, "Do you sell that popcorn in your shop?"

Shu Yu smiled, "Not for sale at the moment, it's today's consolation prize. If you are interested, you can buy some sunflower seeds or sunflower oil and join the lottery."

The two young ladies exchanged a glance and heard Wei Ronghua's promotional voice nearby.

Clearly, these two were well-off, seeing the crowd gathered around the sunflower seed seller and hearing that even palace nobles use the sunflower oil, they couldn't wait to buy a few kilograms of it.

Shu Yu's eyes lit up; they were the first customers buying sunflower oil today.

They paid ten taels of silver directly, and Shu Yu immediately invited them to participate in the lottery.

Initially, the two young ladies were only interested in the popcorn, but now, the lottery prize also caught their attention.

As the lottery was about to begin, they became a bit nervous, jostling each other.

After a while, the taller girl was pushed forward, took a deep breath, and reached into the lottery box.

She drew a consolation prize, and they were delighted.

Shu Yu handed them a paper bag, "Congratulations."

Upon receiving the popcorn, they couldn't wait to open it. Though they maintained their poise in public, they only tasted a couple of popcorns before having their maid collect the rest.

However, their eyes remained fixed on the lottery box.

What should they do? They wanted to draw again.

The shorter girl's eyes sparkled, and she said to Shu Yu, "Host, we also want to buy... five taels worth of sunflower seeds, one of each flavor. Can we continue to participate in the lottery with that?"

"Of course, you can."

The shorter girl paid for the sunflower seeds and received a wooden token, but she didn't even bother to take the seeds. She came directly to participate in the lottery.

Her luck seemed better than the taller girl's, as she drew a paper slip and read, "Fourth Prize."

The onlookers were even more excited than her, "Fourth Prize, the Fourth Prize is out? This lottery doesn't seem so difficult."

The shorter girl also became excited and hurriedly asked, "What is the Fourth Prize?"

Shu Yu lifted the cloth on the table, and everyone fixed their gaze, "Hey, how come there are two types?"

Shu Yu explained, "The Fourth, Third, Second, and First Prizes all have two types of rewards. The winners can choose one item from the two options."

Everyone's eyes widened, they could do that?

In their opinion, the rich would definitely choose the more expensive option.

But Shu Yu didn't quite agree. Even if it was the First Prize, the price difference was limited, and if the prize didn't interest people, it would be meaningless.

The target customers included both high and low spenders. If the prizes didn't resonate with them and didn't pique their interest, it wouldn't be effective.

Now, the Fourth Prize had two options: fabric and a fabric doll.

Shu Yu pointed at the two items and explained, "There are thirty Fourth Prize winners, and these two are the prizes. I wonder which one the young ladies would like?"