Chapter 730: A Perfect Counterattack at the Trial (3)

As the distant crowing of roosters signaled the arrival of dawn, Xiao Ruiyuan, having made up his mind, clenched his fists. His eyes sparkled with an unusual intensity.

Everything was arranged. All that remained was to crush Prince Heng and the Lin family's conspiracy after dawn. Once the fraud case was resolved and both Prince Heng and the Lin family—two significant threats—were eliminated, he could propose to the Mo family without any worries. Even if people tried to oppose him, he would proudly declare that the lovely lady was the one he, Xiao Ruiyuan, admired!

……

In stark contrast to the harmonious atmosphere at the Wei Yuan Marquis' residence, the Prince Heng's manor was shrouded in a layer of ominous clouds.

Having stayed up all night, Prince Heng, with bloodshot eyes, glared intensely at the trembling Lin Dalao. His voice was as cold and menacing as a ghost emerging from hell. "Say it again!"

Lin Dalao, who was slightly plump, trembled even more, unsure whether he was frightened by Prince Heng's rage or by the impending disaster.

Despite the menacing presence of Prince Heng, Lin Dalao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and stuttered out his earlier statement. "Your Highness, your humble servant's man sent to set the fire did not, did not return."

"Bang!"

Prince Heng slammed his hand on the table, breaking the corner with a loud crack. His eyes, bloodshot with anger, fixed on Lin Dalao with contempt, completely disregarding that this was his maternal grandfather. He harshly berated him. "Useless fool, you can't even handle this simple task. I should never have entrusted it to you, a worthless person."

Lin Dalao, insulted by his grandson, felt deeply humiliated but dared not show any dissatisfaction. He hurriedly argued, "Your humble servant has investigated. The Ministry of Justice did not catch the arsonist, and he was a skilled assassin trained by me. Even if captured, he wouldn't confess to being sent by us. The situation may not be as dire as we feared."

"Hmph, at this point, you're still making excuses for your stupidity!" Prince Heng said coldly, showing no sympathy for Lin Dalao's optimism. "I don't want to argue with you. Send someone immediately to find him, especially in the Crown Prince’s residence. If found, kill him at once. He must not be allowed to testify against me."

If the man trained for years did not return after the arson, it meant he had been captured. Regardless, he could not be allowed to live.

"Your humble servant will carry out the order," Lin Dalao said, shivering all over and nodding submissively.

While Lin Dalao was bowing his head, Prince Heng vanished from the study like a gust of wind. Lin Dalao waited for a while, and finding Prince Heng absent, he was shocked and hurried outside to search for him, but found no trace. He wanted to ask someone, but there was no one available. The servants of the manor had mostly gone to rest, and no one knew where Prince Heng had gone.

As he thought about possible locations where Prince Heng might have gone, Lin Dalao's eyes lit up, and he rushed towards the Lin family estate...

At dawn, the scholars gathered again at the palace gate, having learned about the fire in the Ministry of Justice’s prison last night. The main suspect in the fraud case had nearly perished in the blaze.

These scholars were not fools and quickly deduced that the fire was deliberately set to kill and silence someone. The anger among them was palpable. Whether they had passed or failed the exams, they all knelt at the palace gate, demanding an immediate trial to punish the perpetrators and restore the integrity of the examination process.

Many who had previously believed in the Crown Prince Chu Heng's innocence began to doubt him after this incident. After all, the primary suspect in the fraud case was Chu Heng. If he wasn’t guilty, why would he send someone to infiltrate the prison and eliminate witnesses?

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 729: A Perfect Counterattack at the Trial (2)

"Thank you for sparing me the punishment!" An Jiu, who had narrowly avoided a penalty, quickly kowtowed in gratitude. He then looked up, puzzled, and asked Xiao Ruiyuan, "Master, since the arsonist is a secret assassin trained by the Lin family, and since the attack was aimed at Master Mo, why didn’t he just eliminate Master Mo directly and then set the fire to destroy the evidence? Instead, he made a lot of noise after starting the fire, which allowed people to notice. Why was that?"

Seeing his subordinate ask such a foolish question, Xiao Ruiyuan's face darkened. He turned to Xiao Shiyi, who had been smirking, and said, "You explain it to him! If he remains so foolish in the future, it's on you to deal with him!"

Xiao Shiyi's face stiffened, and he reluctantly accepted the task. He looked at An Jiu, who was kneeling with a gleam of mischief in his eyes, and gritted his teeth in annoyance, taking An Jiu away for a "reeducation."

With two people gone, the already quiet study became even more serene.

Xiao Ruiyuan, feeling somewhat weary, rubbed his forehead and went to the window. He opened it, letting in the soft moonlight that illuminated his nearly perfect profile.

Under the eaves opposite, Xiao Shiyi was instructing An Jiu in a somewhat exaggerated manner, "The fire set by Prince Heng was meant to create a false impression of murder and cover-up, framing the Crown Prince as the mastermind behind the fraud case. This would make people believe even more strongly that the Crown Prince is responsible for the scandal. It doesn’t matter whether Master Mo is tried or not. Even a child could understand this. How come you didn’t get it? Really, your thick head is frustrating!"

Annoyed by the "thick head" remark, An Jiu retorted, "Just because you’re so smart! If you were really that capable, who was it that sent the weakest brothers to protect Miss Mo and got their buttocks beaten by the master? Why didn’t you see the master’s intentions back then? You were always by the master’s side!"

The memory of being punished for his mistakes was a dark history for Xiao Shiyi, and being reminded of it by An Jiu made him furious. His eyes darkened with rage, and he nearly lunged at An Jiu.

An Jiu, feeling vindicated, took great pleasure in the situation and continued, "Back then, I immediately saw that the master had a special interest in Miss Mo. Yet, you chose the weakest brothers for her protection. Wasn’t that doubting the master’s feelings for her? The punishment you received was meant to teach you a lesson not to think with your backside. Looks like it worked, huh!"

Seeing An Jiu becoming more insistent, Xiao Shiyi couldn’t take it anymore and punched An Jiu in the stomach. "You’re so mouthy, you think you’re so clever. You let your brother’s butt get beaten and act like you don’t care about our years of shared hardship..."

Unprepared for the punch, An Jiu was hit squarely, and his anger flared up. He started fighting with Xiao Shiyi.

As they fought and argued, their conversation revolved around who truly had the "thick head," and inevitably, they began discussing their master and Miss Mo’s past.

They recounted almost every detail from their acquaintance until now, occasionally interspersing their conversation with sentimental phrases like "destined by fate" and "a match made in heaven."

Xiao Ruiyuan stood quietly by the bed, bathed in moonlight. His face, softened by the gentle light, reflected on the experiences he had shared with Yan’er.

He earnestly recalled their past together, a faint smile unconsciously forming at the corners of his mouth.

Since their relationship was "destined by fate," wouldn’t it be better to let Uncle Mo know sooner? He really couldn’t wait any longer!

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 728: A Perfect Counterattack at the Trial (1)

At midnight on November 14th, a sudden fire broke out in the depths of the Ministry of Justice's prison, destroying three old rooms. Fortunately, the deepest part only held one suspect related to the examination fraud case, and the fire was detected in time by patrolling prison guards. They quickly extinguished the flames and rescued the suspect, who had been overcome by smoke.

The head jailer, not daring to be negligent, immediately reported the fire. The Ministry of Justice officials conducted an overnight investigation and discovered fire-starting tools left by the arsonist. Other prisoners confirmed hearing noises outside the prison, mistakenly thinking it was a routine patrol, and thus did not pay much attention until the fire started.

The Ministry of Justice officials interrogated thirty prison guards overnight. The guards all claimed they had not entered the prison at midnight and had evidence proving their absence from the scene, leading to an initial conclusion that the fire was arson related to the high-profile examination fraud case.

Since the case involved examination fraud, it was beyond the scope of a mere Ministry of Justice official to handle. The official did not wait until dawn but went directly to the residence of the Ministry of Justice Deputy Minister to report the full details.

Upon hearing the report, the Deputy Minister immediately washed and dressed, and hurriedly reported the incident to the Minister of Justice. Sensing the unusual nature of the situation, the Minister of Justice, before the morning court session, rushed to the palace to meet with Emperor Huian.

After hearing the details, Emperor Huian was enraged and ordered the Ministry of Justice to assist the Jingzhao Prefecture in thoroughly investigating the arson case, capturing the true culprit, and meting out severe punishment.

Compared to the turmoil caused by the fire at the Ministry of Justice, the Wei Yuan Marquis’ residence appeared exceptionally serene under the moonlight, exuding an indescribable sense of beauty.

Since the second son, Xiao Ruiqing, was expelled from the capital and sent back to his ancestral home, Wei Yuan Marquis Xiao Xiong had severed ties with his eldest son, Xiao Ruiyuan. Although they had not completely cut off father-son relations, they had become estranged.

Three days after the expulsion of his beloved son, Xiao Xiong and his wife, Wei Shi, moved to a villa on the outskirts of the capital and had not responded to any correspondence for months. They subtly implied that the eldest son was unfilial and had driven out his half-brother while forcing his father and stepmother to live away from the mansion.

The high society of the capital was well aware of the conflicts within the Wei Yuan Marquis' family. Compared to the ineffective and disgraced Xiao Xiong, they were more inclined to associate with the promising and flourishing Xiao Ruiyuan. Who cared about his alleged unfilial behavior? Especially after Chu Heng's poison was cured, numerous people sought to befriend Xiao Ruiyuan.

Many families with eligible daughters viewed Xiao Ruiyuan as an ideal match and attempted to arrange marriages, but found it difficult to even enter the Wei Yuan Marquis’ residence. Those who managed to enter were told that Xiao Ruiyuan was away, having been recently dispatched by Emperor Huian to protect the Crown Prince at the Jing Mountain villa and rarely returning to the residence.

Although Xiao Ruiyuan was aware of the matchmaking attempts, he was indifferent. In his heart, only the woman he loved could be the future mistress of the marquis' house.

At this time, Xiao Ruiyuan had not slept and was in his study, listening to the report from An Jiu about the prison fire. When he heard that Mo Qingze had been overcome by smoke, his expression darkened, and he looked at An Jiu with a hint of displeasure.

Realizing his master’s dissatisfaction, An Jiu hastily knelt and apologized, "I failed to protect Master Mo. It is my negligence. Please punish me as you see fit!"

No one had expected Prince Heng and others to resort to such a tactic. Although An Jiu had discovered and captured the arsonist in time, the fact that Mo Qingze was affected by the smoke was undeniable. He felt he had let down his master and deserved punishment.

Xiao Ruiyuan coldly regarded An Jiu and said, "Given that you captured the arsonist and made up for your failure, I will let this pass this time. But do not let it happen again!"

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 1588: Profits or Losses in the End

When Luji was about an hour away from closing, there was another small peak in customers. Many workers on their way home rushed over.

Among them was the person who had been talking to Shu Yu about the banners in the morning. He had said he would come back in the evening, and he actually did.

Coincidentally, he was the one who won the last first prize.

Shu Yu thought he would choose the golden hairpin, but to her surprise, he picked the double-sided embroidery.

After the first prize was gone, some people were disappointed for a while, but they regained their spirits and continued the lucky draw. After all, there were still second, third, and fourth prizes.

By the time the last third prize was drawn, it was already dark outside.

The number of guests outside decreased, and Shu Yu told them the truth – only consolation prizes were left.

Upon hearing this, some guests left, but others stayed and continued.

There were still some popcorn left, so Shu Yu decided to give everyone a large portion.

Finally, when the last guest left, everyone let out a long sigh of relief.

"Finally, we're done." Da Niu slumped on a chair at the back, closing his eyes to rest for a while.

He had been through hardships, but the tension of the whole day was really exhausting.

Shu Yu was tired too, but her mood was still good. She leaned on the counter and looked at Meng Yunzheng, who was calculating, and said, "Take a break, we can settle the accounts later."

Meng Yunzheng smiled and replied, "I'm not tired, we'll know today's profits soon."

"Okay, then you continue." She turned to Wei Ronghua and said, " shopkeeper Wei, take everyone to the restaurant across the street and order some late-night snacks. Everyone has worked hard all day and needs a good rest after eating. Bring back two portions for us when you come back."

Apart from Wei Ronghua, the others would all find a place to rest in the backyard.

Wei Fangfang was young, so Shu Yu had asked her to leave early. Helping out occasionally was fine, but after a whole day's work, it wasn't fair to exploit child labor.

Wei Ronghua nodded and called the others, "Let's go, let's go eat something across the street."

Everyone hurriedly left the shop.

The spacious Luji store was now almost empty. Not only were the goods almost gone, but the number of people also reduced to only two – Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng. It suddenly became quite deserted.

Shu Yu went to the back of the counter and sat next to Meng Yunzheng.

Both of them remained silent, one calculating and the other observing, giving the scene a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

Meng Yunzheng was meticulous in his work. After calculating once, he double-checked everything.

Once he was sure, he wrote down the results and pushed the paper in front of Shi Yuyu with a smile, "It seems like this event went well."

Shi Yuyu looked at the final figures on the paper and raised an eyebrow, "This much?"

Three hundred fifty-seven taels, three maces, and six candareens??

This was the pure profit, excluding labor costs and the cost of the lottery prizes.

"Ah Yu, how did we do?" People started to trickle in from outside.

Shi Yuyu raised her head, "You guys are too quick. Didn't I tell you to go and have a good meal?"

Wei Ronghua helplessly said, "We all want to know whether we made a profit or a loss today."

After all, those prizes weren't cheap, and most of the people who bought sunflower seeds directly went for the lottery once they got two hundred coins.

Shi Yuyu didn't keep them guessing and smiled, "Naturally, we made a profit."

Everyone's eyes lit up, "How much?"

 Chapter 1587: Merchants Imitating Each Other

Shu Yu observed the expression of the young woman and smiled faintly. So, the effect of the prizes is indeed astonishing, right?

While others were still participating in the lottery, the young woman bought some sunflower seeds and sent her maid to buy a few kilograms of sunflower oil.

The maid was puzzled but still received two wooden tokens.

The young woman tried her luck two more times, but unfortunately, both times were consolation prizes.

Then, she drew two packs of fragrant popcorn, a delicacy she had never seen or tasted before.

Mother and daughter left the shop and sat in the carriage, sharing the popcorn until a servant came to inform them that someone had won the fourth prize, a doll, and wanted to sell it to her.

After concluding the deal, she finally left the memorable shop, feeling as if she wanted to draw another prize. Watching her daughter happily hugging the doll, she let out a long sigh of relief.

Although customers came and went, there was still a long queue in front of Luji store.

As it was getting hotter outside during the noon, Shu Yu asked Ying Xi and Xia Yan to fetch water and provide a bowl for each person waiting outside.

Although it was September, the heat had subsided somewhat, but the glaring sun overhead during the midday still made it difficult for people.

Fortunately, many of the customers had gone to nearby restaurants to eat, which brought a lot of business to the shops around Feng Tao Lane. The shopkeeper was delighted.

Seeing that it was less crowded at noon, Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng went to the restaurant across the street to have lunch.

They didn't chat much, considering the crowded surroundings and the work they had to attend to later.

After finishing their meal, they returned to the store and asked the others to take turns going to the opposite restaurant for their meals. Shu Yu had already paid for the meals, so they could eat whatever they liked and be well-fed to continue working.

However, everyone chose simple dishes, not wanting to delay their work. Most of them ordered noodles, steamed buns, or other quickly prepared or pre-made items.

Shu Yu could only helplessly watch as they ate simply, but their enthusiasm remained undiminished. Seeing how successful the business was, they seemed as if they had drunk the finest nectar, showing no signs of fatigue.

In the afternoon, customers continued to pour in, and gradually, all the prizes were distributed.

However, the first prize was relatively difficult to draw, and it wasn't until the afternoon that the second first prize was drawn.

This person was different from the young woman in the morning, and her family's circumstances were probably average. She chose a golden hairpin and left the shop with joy.

Two second prizes, wooden boxes made of camphor wood, and a writing brush were also selected.

Six third prizes were drawn.

Thus, there was only one first prize, two second prizes, and four third prizes left.

The number of prizes was decreasing, and the customers at the back were getting more anxious.

As evening approached, the heat wave showed no signs of waning, leaving many nearby shopkeepers envious of the crowd gathered in front of Luji store.

No one had expected that Luji lottery event would generate such a tremendous response.

As a result, for a long time after this, various businesses began to imitate and conduct their own lottery events.

Unfortunately, although the gimmick was copied, the most critical factor was the quality of their own products.

Luji store not only had delicious sunflower seeds and precious sunflower oil, but also rare instant noodles. Even the prizes were carefully selected based on the customer, touching the hearts of the recipients.

However, most of the other merchants failed to grasp the essence. Especially since their target customers were wealthy, the prizes offered were not unique enough to arouse their interest.

 Chapter 202: She Comes to Save Herself

Facing Chang Suining, the arriving officers showed their badges and explained their purpose. The granddaughter of Feng Family had disappeared the night before her wedding, and her whereabouts were unknown. For several days, the capital's officials had tracked suspicious traces from Feng's residence to Xingning lane.

Hearing this, Chang Ren secretly rejoiced at the foresight of the young lady in not allowing General Ah Dian to accompany them. If he had been present, hearing such words, General Dian would have immediately refuted them, saying "Impossible, you're lying," and claiming that everything was cleaned up thoroughly.

However, the officer's words were indeed a fabrication. They could not have left any suspicious traces that night, as they had taken every precaution. The officers claimed to have a solid pretext, stating that a night watchman had seen a suspicious figure near the back gate of the Chang residence.

Once the officer finished speaking, he added, "We have been ordered to search for the missing young lady of the Feng family, and we ask for your cooperation. Please do not obstruct our actions."

Chang Suining not only nodded in agreement but also instructed Steward Bai to arrange for the servants to guide the officers.

As the officers went to search, Chang Suining whispered to Chang Ren, "Keep a close watch on them, make sure they don’t try anything underhanded or set us up with false evidence."

Outside the Chang residence, everything was under the holy Emperor's control. Inside, Chang Suining would not allow any mistakes.

The officers searched through every corner of the estate, leaving no stone unturned. They even overturned the firewood piles in the kitchen for inspection.

Some of the veteran soldiers watching could barely contain their anger.

Their General had made great contributions to the Empire, yet now, his son was wrongfully imprisoned, and these officers were treating the Chang family like a den of criminals based on a single made-up rumor!

"Where is the justice?" one of the soldiers muttered.

"Get out of the way!"

When an officer kicked the guard dog in the kitchen, causing it to yelp and run away, the old soldier was infuriated. He stepped forward to intervene but was stopped by a companion.

"The young lady said… keep a close watch on them. Don’t let them use provocations to catch us off guard," the companion whispered, his brow furrowed with concern.

Xiao Duan and Xiao Wu crouched down to comfort the frightened dog, hiding in the corner, watching the officers with fearful eyes.

After half a day of searching, the scene outside the Chang residence attracted attention and sparked discussions.

"Has something happened again at the Chang residence?"

"Could it be that the Chang family’s young master implicated the Chang family lady? Did she really incite the murder of Seventh Lady Changsun?" 

"But those officers don't seem like they're from the Minister of Justice; they look like they’re from the capital's local officials."

Some people discussed, some speculated, and some sighed, "General Chang is fighting on the battlefield, yet these two children are left here in the capital, helpless..."

"Your words make it sound like the Chang family young master is being wronged. The evidence is clear now, both witnesses and material evidence!"

"Who are the witnesses?"

"Did you not hear? Last night, a monk at Dayun Temple hanged himself!"

This was no rumor.

The previous night, a monk at Dayun Temple had committed suicide in the maple forest at the back of the mountain, leaving behind a blood-written letter. In it, he confessed that he had witnessed Chang Sui'an committing the crime that day, but due to fear of bringing trouble upon himself and fearing the blame of not saving Seventh Lady Changsun, he had been unable to come forward with his testimony.

For these past days, the monk had been filled with remorse and guilt, thinking himself unworthy of being a monk. He had decided to end his life to atone for his sins, hoping for redemption.

This morning, the monk’s body and the letter had been sent to the Minister of Justice.

Because of secret communication, Chang Suining had learned about this incident before the Minister of Justice did.

First, she had made Li Lu remain silent. Then, using the need to protect Yao Yi’s reputation, she had transferred full responsibility for the case to Han Shaoqing, a trusted official of the holy Emperor.

Next, she had fabricated false testimony, and the so-called "witness" had left a letter and died, leaving no possibility for cross-examination.

Now, they were using the excuse of investigating the disappearance to search for Feng Min.

Compared to the previous actions of the Chang family, the current moves, orchestrated under the authority of the holy Emperor, were like a tightly woven net, swiftly tightening with no intention of leaving any room for escape for those caught within.

The sense of entrapment hung heavily over Chang Suining.

She stood in the front hall, watching the officers as they returned. She asked Xi’er, "How many more days until the first day of the month?"

Xi’er, although unsure of the reason behind the question, quickly answered, "Miss, it will be the day after tomorrow."

The day after tomorrow.

Chang Suining repeated the words in her mind.

The officers were already in front of her.

"Have you found anything?" she asked.

"Apologies for troubling your residence today," the lead officer, returning empty-handed, said, his face betraying some embarrassment. "However, the Feng family’s daughter holds a special status as the future concubine of the Marquis of Ying's son. Until we find her, we need to leave a few officers to monitor your residence. We hope you can understand."

Chang Suining replied, "Please, go ahead."

As she watched the officers leave, Xi’er’s heart was filled with unease. "Miss, they are clearly using this as an excuse to monitor us…"

To call it guarding would be no different from house arrest!

Chang Suining replied, "Monitoring is just one part of it."

Surveillance is one thing, but the real intent is to find Feng Min, the witness, and take her away. 

Although Chang Ren and the others had left no trace of their actions that night, it wouldn't affect the conclusion that Feng Min was in her hands by tomorrow or the next day.

Finding Feng Min at the Chang residence would naturally be the best outcome. It would also provide an opportunity to frame her with a crime, making it impossible for her to escape.

Even if she couldn't be found, the officers wouldn't leave empty-handed. After the disturbance caused by these officers, rumors would spread quickly. Soon, it would be said that the disappearance of the side consort, who was to marry the Ming family’s heir, was related to the Chang family.

At first glance, this might seem unrelated to her older brother’s situation, but with the "preceding cause" in place, if she stubbornly insisted on bringing Feng Min to the officials to identify Ming Jin, the authorities could easily interpret this as her having kidnapped Feng Min and forced her to frame Ming Jin.

Thus, this search by the officers served to completely eliminate any usefulness Feng Min might have as a witness in her hands. In the end, even if the officials didn’t rebut, the public would likely refuse to believe Feng Min's testimony.

The methods of the holy Emperor were always more thorough, more comprehensive, and better at cutting off threats at their root. Moreover, they understood how to quell and reduce public "dissatisfaction."

In other words, after this, Feng Min would hold no value in Chang Suining’s hands.

Chang Suining emerged from the corridor. 

What she lacked here, she could still find elsewhere.

On the horizon, the cold wind tore at the dark clouds. Between their struggle, raindrops began to fall.

The rain came swiftly, and people on the long street hurried their steps.

Two carriages met head-on, with one driving particularly fast. The coachman of the slower carriage tried to avoid the collision but still couldn’t entirely escape. One side of the carriage was scraped, and the horses nearly tipped over.

Inside one of the carriages, a young boy injured his forehead and angrily threw open the carriage curtain.

The coachmen and servants on both sides were already arguing.

A person walked out from the opposite carriage, seemingly indifferent, with an air of complete disregard.

Changsun Ji recognized him. "…Young Master Cui?"

"I’m sorry, your head’s been broken," Cui Lang said with a soft hiss, "But you did the same to Sui'an brother's head the other day, so I suppose we're even!"

Changsun Ji had initially respected the fact that the other was from the Cui family, but upon hearing this, his expression immediately soured. "You did that on purpose!"

"So what if I did?" Cui Lang, holding an umbrella, walked provocatively toward Changsun Ji, relying on his few years and taller height to seem more imposing. "Maybe this bump on your head will fix things. You might even thank me later."

Changsun Ji opened his mouth to retort, but Cui Lang didn’t give him a chance: "Speaking of heads… we should get it checked."

Cui Lang glanced at the injury on the young boy’s forehead, then took off his money pouch and put it in Changsun Ji’s hand, patting it lightly. "Here’s some silver as compensation."

Not paying any attention to Changsun Ji’s angered face, he ordered Changsun Ji’s servants: "The Rejuvenation Hall is just ahead. Take your young master there quickly. If you delay and the injury worsens, it won't be good!"

This was plainly an insult!

"Young Master Cui is truly going too far!" Changsun Ji clenched the pouch tightly, about to throw it away. But when he met Cui Lang’s eyes—eyes with no real malice—he suddenly realized the pouch felt off.

"Did you just realize that I, Cui Lang, like to bully people?" Cui Lang shrugged off his damp sleeves. "Let's go, let's go, the rain is heavy. It's not the right time for a fight."

Seeing Cui Lang return to his carriage, Changsun Ji’s servants were furious. "Young master, we can’t just let them go like this!"

"I have my grandfather's orders today. I don’t have time to quarrel with him. We’ll settle this later!" Changsun Ji said darkly. "Let’s go!"

The boy returned to the carriage and immediately opened the pouch.

Sure enough, there was no silver inside, only a small bamboo tube about the size of a thumb.

He had felt something strange in his hand earlier and hadn't immediately thrown it away.

Opening the bamboo tube, he found a rolled-up note inside.

Changsun Ji quickly unrolled it, revealing just two lines of small writing: 

"The truth is hidden behind the Guanyin Temple in the west of the city. You’ll understand when you see it. Be cautious in your actions, and don’t alert the enemy."

It was signed only with the character "Chang."

The young boy’s youthful brow furrowed, and after much thought, he decided not to act on his own. Instead, he returned home and gave the note to his grandfather, Changsun Yuan.

After reading it, Changsun Yuan thought for a moment, then secretly sent someone to the location mentioned in the note, repeatedly instructing them to avoid drawing attention.

Apart from other matters, the fact that the Chang family’s lady used a reckless young man like Young Master Cui to pass on such a message showed that there were likely many eyes and ears watching from the shadows.

And the eyes on the Chang family were always numerous.

As night fell, a young girl, severely injured and unconscious, was silently brought back to the Changsun residence in a sack.

Though unconscious, she was accompanied by a letter—more specifically, her confession.

Looking at the events described on the letter, Changsun Yuan’s expression changed several times.

Ming family... Ming Jin?!

"Father..." Changsun Yan, after reading the note, could hardly suppress the anger in his heart but remained doubtful. "Could it be that the Chang family woman is trying to clear her brother's name? How can we be sure it's not fabricated?"

Changsun Yuan looked at the unconscious girl with closed eyes. "First, wake her up."

Feng Min didn’t regain consciousness until late at night. As soon as she woke, she recognized the cold, gaunt face of the man before her—it was none other than the current Prime Minister, Changsun Yuan, and the father of Seventh Lady Changsun, whom she had indirectly caused to die.

The elderly man’s gaze was as sharp as a blade. "Tell me again, word for word, the details of the day when you two committed the crime."

Feng Min was terrified but dared not disobey. 

Her voice trembled as she recounted the events.

Seeing the fear and regret in the girl’s tear-streaked face, Changsun Yuan’s heart ached like a knife wound. He asked slowly, "What was the last thing Xuan'er said?"

This was a test to determine the truth, and also a father's desire to hear his wrongly dead daughter’s last words in this world.

"Seventh Lady Changsun told her maid, she said..." At that time, Changsun Xuan was being choked by Ming Jin, her voice weak and fearful. Feng Min, crying as she spoke, echoed, "Shu Xin, quickly, quickly go find Xiaozao…"

Shu Xin was Changsun Xuan's maid. Xiaozao was a unique nickname Changsun Xuan used for her nephew, Changsun Ji, a name that outsiders wouldn’t know.

Changsun Ji, gripping his fists and his eyes red with emotion, froze for a moment upon hearing those words. Then, unable to hold back, he abruptly turned, flung open the door, and ran into the corridor.

The boy, disregarding his image, stood in the corridor and wept, the sound of his cries mixing with the rain.

When his little aunt had met with misfortune, he had been picking chrysanthemums in the back mountain. He hadn't seen her for a long time and had intended to look for her, but along the way, a few friends had called him over. They had made plans to play cuju after returning to the city. The conversation grew long, and so, he forgot about looking for his little aunt.

It was all his fault!

The boy cried louder, overwhelmed with grief, self-blame, and regret.

Feng Min had already been taken away.

Inside, Changsun Yan's eyes also contained sorrow and suppressed anger. "Father, what do you think? Is this credible?"

Although Feng Min’s words seemed flawless, since it concerned the Ming family, it had to be handled with great caution to avoid being manipulated or stirred up by others.

Changsun Yuan tightly gripped the armrests of his chair. "Immediately send someone to thoroughly investigate every action of the Ming family, mother and son, over the past few days... Be quick."

It would be hard to uncover hidden truths without any leads. However, if they first obtained an "answer," retracing their steps would often reveal the flaws. Even if they couldn’t find concrete evidence, determining the truth would be enough.

Changsun Yan agreed and then asked, "What if it really was Ming Jin’s doing?"

Changsun Yuan responded coldly: "He must pay with his life."

...

Chang Suining naturally wasn’t afraid of Changsun family investigating the truth—if it was real, then she wouldn’t fear the investigation.

She chose to send Feng Min to the Changsun family, not only to borrow their strength but also to preserve the value of Feng Min as a witness.

The Changsun family had their methods, and she believed they would soon confirm the matter, at which point they would take action.

The Changsun family could use Feng Min’s testimony to exert pressure on the Ming family in the court, but that alone wouldn’t be enough.

At least the Ming family still had room to argue, and this confrontation would take a long time to resolve. But her older brother didn’t have the luxury of time.

The Changsun family’s role lay in the political and power struggles, and while they would insist on justice for Seventh Lady Changsun, the justice they sought wouldn’t be as precise as saving her brother’s life.

Each party had different goals, and that was the nature of interests—no matter how wronged her brother was in prison, it wouldn’t affect the Changsun family’s pursuit of justice for Seventh Lady Changsun.

Thus, the Changsun family was merely a tool for her, not an ally in life or death, nor a partner in whom to place all her hopes.

Her family’s sons still needed her to save them.

The rain continued through the night.

The following morning, Chang Suining donned her robes, tied her cloak, and took the short sword that Cui Jing had given her at the apprenticeship banquet—its edge so sharp it could cut jade like clay.

Goodnight~ 

 Chapter 201: Regret Like a Knife  

2023-05-28

Chang Shi unconsciously clenched her teeth: "Of course, I remember... It was at the lotus flower banquet."

"But Mother only knows the surface of it... this talk of nobility actually hides a deeper meaning," Ming Luo's voice was low. "Later, the Tianjing National Master divined for her multiple times, and finally came to a conclusion... This woman's fate, though noble, conflicts with the imperial star, and will bring disaster to the holy Emperor and the Ming family."

Chang Shi's expression suddenly changed: "What..."

"Until now, it’s clear that the prophecy was not false..." Ming Luo furrowed her brow. "She has indeed brought many troubles to the Ming family."

Chang Shi: "Then... why does the holy Emperor still keep her?"

"The National Master’s prophecy was only made a few days ago," Ming Luo replied. "And the National Master said that this woman’s fate is linked with the holy Emperor’s imperial star. If she encounters disaster, it would be due to her destiny. However, the holy Emperor should not act against her, or it would disrupt the heavenly order and be bad for the holy Emperor’s luck."

"Now I understand..." Chang Shi’s gaze shifted several times. "No wonder ever since Ah Shen crossed paths with her, disasters have never ceased!"

So she was truly a born calamity star!

"This matter concerns the holy Emperor, and I should not have brought it up to you," Ming Luo finally said. "But before this case is settled, she is the biggest variable. I’m telling you this to remind you, Mother, not to let your guard down, lest something unexpected happens."

Chang Shi acknowledged outwardly, but the murderous thoughts she had just suppressed grew rapidly out of control.

Such a calamity star should have been removed long ago!

The Emperor may not be able to act against her, but she could!

Since the feud had already begun, if she killed the other person out of personal vengeance, it would be as if the other person's fate had come to an end... and not an interference with the heavenly order.

In this way, the calamity star would be removed, the variable erased, and the holy Emperor would surely be pleased with the result!

She had no sense of complying with heavenly orders—she only wanted to kill the little wretch who had brought all this disaster upon her... But if it happened to align with the holy Emperor’s "heavenly order," then it would be perfect, and she would have the courage to act.

This realization provided a perfect outlet for Chang Shi’s vengeful heart, and she no longer had any hesitation.

Even if she died, she would make sure that little wretch died before her!

After exiting the inner palace gates, Ming Luo stopped.

The carriage from the Marquis Ying's residence had been waiting outside the palace gates. Nanny Liao, who had been anxious all day, hurried over to support Chang Shi.

Ming Luo quietly watched as the carriage disappeared into the distance.

Due to the prophecy and the holy Emperor's private suspicions, the holy Emperor would not act against Chang Suining.

Thankfully, there was just the right kind of dying madwoman to use.

A madwoman who knew she was about to die would do anything before her death.

Ming Luo had not incited anything. She had simply reminded Chang Shi to be cautious, to avoid any mistakes.

And even if what she had said was slightly off...

No matter what Chang Shi did next, whether she succeeded or failed, she would never be able to face the holy Emperor again, and she wouldn’t have the chance to speak in front of him.

In the end, those who are doomed to die are the most useful.

As she watched the carriage disappear down the long palace road, Ming Luo, holding the palace lamp, turned and walked back into the towering palace.

Next, she would just wait for Chang Shi’s good news.

At this moment, looking at the brightly lit palaces ahead, which seemed to contain all the filth of the past and every kind of ambition, Ming Luo’s eyes revealed a hint of sentimentality.

This really was a good place.

When she first came to this palace as a child, she had wanted to stay forever.

To truly stay, she had done so much.

Including the death of her concubine mother. She knew the truth about her concubine mother's death. She had a chance to warn her concubine mother, but she didn’t.

Her concubine mother, aside from her embarrassing background and her bullied childhood, had never given her anything.

That concubine mother, who could barely read, would often hold her hand when she came to visit the Ming family after Ming Luo had been taken to the palace, her eyes filled with endless hope and pride, even starting to become deluded, saying foolish things, making greedy requests.

Like a poor person suddenly getting rich, like a clown.

Others secretly laughed at her concubine mother, while she felt nothing but fear and anxiety.

She was afraid that this useless, foolish concubine mother would drag her down, make the holy Emperor dislike her, and ruin everything she had fought so hard to achieve.

So when she found out that someone had poisoned her concubine mother’s food, she chose to act like she didn’t know.

If she died, it would be cleaner that way. If she died, she wouldn’t constantly remind everyone of her disgraceful biological mother, her lowly origins...

From then on, she could stay by the holy Emperor’s side, receive the best education, wear clean palace robes, and no one would ever again mention the ignorant concubines in that small courtyard. No one would dare to look down on her again.

Over the years, she had gotten everything she had wished for, except for the sudden appearance of Chang Suining, which had become a sharp thorn in her heart.

Now, her once lofty and revered legitimate mother was on the verge of death, and it seemed she was going to die in hopeless despair—yet before her death, she could possibly remove that thorn for her...

If Chang Shi could help her this time, it would be as if she had atoned for her sins, after all, Chang Shi owed her concubine mother a life.

After returning to Ganlu Hall, Ming Luo soon had an inner servant find Yu Zeng: "Master Yu, the wife of the Marquis of Ying has already left the palace."

Yu Zeng frowned deeply.

Chang Shi’s entry into the palace today was unusual. She had been unconscious for a long time, and afterward, the holy Emperor had urgently summoned his trusted subordinates to Ganlu Hall...

Yu Zeng had a vague answer in his mind.

Not long after, he handed a letter to his confidant, instructing him to deliver it before the palace gates were locked for the night.

---

Tonight, there was no moon, and the night was cold and dark.

In the outer study of the Chang residence, Qiao Yubai, who had hurried over again, brought with him not only the news he had gathered about recent events from Qiao Jishou, but also a letter of endorsement.

Chang Suining took it.

"This was organized by Cui Liulang," Qiao Yubai said. "Everyone from the Wuer Society is on it, along with other students who are familiar with Sui An... All of them are willing to vouch for him."

Chang Suining opened the letter and found the name of Song Xian among those listed.

Qiao Yubai continued, "They asked me to send it to the Ministry of Justice tomorrow."

"Thank them for me, Brother Yubai," Chang Suining said after reading each name, memorizing them. "If there's a chance in the future, I will thank them personally."

"But as for this letter..." She closed it and lightly pressed it under her hand. "There's no need to send it to the Ministry of Justice."

Qiao Yubai looked at her. "Ning Ning..."

"They believe that Brother did not commit the murder and are willing to vouch for him. Their sincerity and willingness to help are genuine," Chang Suining said. "But they do not know who they will be opposing by doing so."

"They don’t know, but I do."

"Among them, there may be the children of officials, or future scholars who will participate in the exams next year. I cannot let their good intentions turn into obstacles that might hinder their futures."

They came to help with courage and goodwill, and she must protect these "ignorant and fearless" good intentions.

Chang Suining added, "Moreover, this letter of endorsement can no longer influence anything. There's no need to drag them into this."

Qiao Yubai finally nodded.

Earlier, Chang Suining had explained everything to him, and he understood clearly the kind of "ferocious tiger" they were facing.

To be honest, he was afraid and even somewhat helpless.

The Emperor was the one they all revered—he was the sovereign they had studied for, waiting for the day they could be loyal to him. He was the highest point of everything.

But this supreme ruler had chosen to protect the Ming family and sacrifice Sui'an...

They could fight against the government, they could fight against the murderer, but how could they fight against a ruler who held the power of life and death over the entire nation?

Qiao Yubai’s mood was heavy, but seeing Chang Suining remain silent, he assumed she too was unsure and tried to comfort her. "Ning Ning, you’ve already managed to find out all this and rescued the daugther of the Feng family. That’s already remarkable. Don’t worry, the beginning is always the hardest..."

Chang Suining, lost in thought, instinctively nodded. "Yes, the beginning is the hardest, and the middle is even harder."

Qiao Yubai paused.

If that’s the case...

He faced reality. "Even the ending will be hard."

"Indeed." Chang Suining opened a list of names on the table, her eyes scanning those of ordinary backgrounds or from humble families with little official standing.

It was indeed hard, but she had come this far not to compromise for anyone.

At that moment, the study door was knocked, and Wang Shi entered, carrying a pot of soup.

Qiao Yubai hurried to take it from her.

Wang Shi spoke gently, "It’s cold today. Third Sister made chicken soup for you, Ning Ning. Drink it while it’s still warm."

Although Chang Suining had no appetite, she nodded. "Thank you, Third Sister."

The chicken soup, with crushed pepper, was warm, and drinking it seemed to drive away all the cold.

Chang Suining finished the entire bowl of soup.

In the meantime, Bai Guan Shi sent a letter from Yu Zeng, which explained the unusual circumstances of Chang Shi's entry into the palace today. It also advised Chang Suining not to act rashly and to ensure her own safety. Yu Zeng would seek an opportunity to leave the palace in the next few days and would discuss strategies with her in person at that time.

Chang Suining said, "It seems Master Yu has also sensed that the situation is changing. This matter is bound to become even more difficult."

Reality is never as gentle as the chicken soup Third Sister made. As the saying goes, "The beginning is always the hardest," as if once the beginning is made, everything will go smoothly, but that’s not the case.

However, after drinking this bowl of warming soup, one would have the strength to face the "harder" and "even harder" things to come.

When Wang Shi left with the soup pot, she ran into Chang Ren, who had just returned from outside.

Chang Ren quickly entered the study. "Miss."

Chang Suining nodded and asked, "How many families did you meet today?"

"I've met them all," Chang Ren replied. "But two of them were unwilling to speak honestly. They seem to be fearful and have no intention to pursue it further."

"That's fine. If they are unwilling, there’s no need to force them." Chang Suining said, "For now, protect the families that have reached an agreement."

Chang Ren acknowledged and proceeded with the instructions.

As the night deepened and both Chang Ren and Qiao Yubai left, Xi’er was about to advise her mistress to rest when she saw Ah Zhi walking over briskly.

"Miss, the person in the guest courtyard has woken up."

---

When Feng Min woke up, she struggled to look around. She tried to sit up but couldn’t, and with a weak voice, she asked the only person in the room, "Where is this?"

The person did not speak.

Feng Min asked again, "Who are you?"

The person still remained silent.

"Why did you save me?"

"What do you want from me?"

Physician Sun: "..."

Physician Sun did, in fact, turn and leave, politely closing the door behind him.

"...?" Feng Min looked helplessly at the closed door.

After a moment, the door was opened again.

Seeing the person who walked in, Feng Min's expression changed. "It’s you..."

"Surprised?" Chang Suining looked at her. "I led you out, so of course, I wouldn’t abandon you."

Feng Min's lips, pale and devoid of color, moved slightly in a stiff manner. "Such kind words... It's as if you saved me for my sake."

"I did save you. Without me, you'd already be dead by now," Chang Suining replied. "The only difference is whether you die outside the Feng residence or at the Marquis of Ying’s estate."

"Does that mean if I’m in your hands now, I won’t die?" Feng Min closed her eyes weakly and tiredly, but the conversation from the small Buddhist hall echoed in her ears.

She didn’t want to cry, but tears still spilled from the corners of her eyes.

Everyone wanted her dead, including her family.

More than anger or resentment, at this moment, what she felt was a profound sadness and hopelessness.

"Of course, you can survive."

At hearing this, Feng Min opened her eyes in a daze. "You... are you willing to let me go?"

"I’m not the victim, I don’t carry the surname Changsun, and I don’t have the right to decide whether you live or die." Chang Suining looked at her. "Although you were an accomplice, if you surrender voluntarily, reveal the mastermind, make amends, and follow the law, your punishment will be lighter. You can avoid the death penalty."

Feng Min seemed to find her words hard to believe. "…Don’t you still not know who the real murderer is?"

Chang Suining answered with a sharp retort: "Do I look as foolish as you?"

"..." Feng Min responded, "Then what do you mean by surrendering? Do you think a single word from me can convict the young master of the Ming family?"

Chang Suining didn’t answer her question right away but instead asked, "So, you have no evidence at all?"

"...Chang Shi is a schemer. How could she give me the opportunity to leave any evidence?"

Chang Suining said, "Seems like it was all in vain to save you."

Feng Min replied, "You..."

Chang Suining, with an unflinching tone, said, "It doesn't matter. At least you're still a piece of evidence, better than nothing."

She looked at Feng Min. "If you want to live, if you want to see those who tried to kill you get their due punishment, then follow my instructions from now on."

Feng Min felt this was a flight of fancy. When she initially tried to escape, it was simply to escape—she never dared to imagine the possibility of going up against the Ming family.

She looked at Chang Suining skeptically, "What do you have to fight against the Ming family?"

Chang Suining answered, "You don't need to ask. Just do as I say."

The calmness in Chang Suining’s voice and her steady gaze seemed to suggest she had everything under control, which made Feng Min, perhaps reluctantly, trust her a little.

What Feng Min didn’t know was that this "strategic control" was all an act on Chang Suining’s part.

She was very skilled at bluffing—making something seem much stronger and more formidable than it really was.

Once, with only three hundred soldiers, she had bluffed an enemy, making it seem like thirty thousand troops were behind her.

She had even once asked an enemy general if he had any last words before his death, all the while preparing her own "last words" in her mind.

On the battlefield, complete victories were rare.

And now, facing the emperor, if she could truly have control over everything, that would be another matter entirely. If she had the power to go up against the emperor, she might as well take that seat herself.

Sometimes, bluffing was necessary to maintain morale—it was the key to winning. If people were too frightened to think clearly, no matter how great the plans, they would be useless.

Seeing that she had managed to convince Feng Min, Chang Suining decided to press on and instructed Xi’er to fetch paper and a writing brush.

Chang Suining said, "Start by detailing the entire process of the crime, and then put your fingerprint on it."

She added, "If you hide anything or lie, when it comes to court later, it will be you who suffers."

Feng Min muttered softly to herself, "Don't worry, I won’t."

Chang Suining was right. She wanted to live. She wanted to see those who had wronged her get what they deserved. That was the first reason.

The second reason, which might be hard for anyone to believe, was that she truly regretted her actions.

The moment the knife fell on her, the moment she faced death, she suddenly realized her regret.

She regretted killing innocent people, regretted making deals with the tiger, and regretted trusting the so-called family.

When she had fainted, it seemed like she had dreamed, and in that dream, she hadn't helped Ming Jin kill anyone. Instead, she had run away with miss Changsun from the maple forest.

What would have happened if they had run away?

Would they have been seen in their disheveled state? Would Ming Jin have sought revenge?

Even if it could have been that bad, wouldn’t it still have been better than her current situation?

But she was selfish and foolish, and all she could think of was the teachings her grandmother had drilled into her: a woman should not lose her reputation, and she should marry well in the future.

These "teachings" that had been ingrained in her from a young age had led her to think only of marrying into the Ming family and never offending Ming Jin, which ultimately led to her harming both herself and others.

As Feng Min repeated every moment of what had happened, the feeling of regret was like a knife, slowly tormenting her.

After telling everything in a weak state, Feng Min lost consciousness once again.

---

Soon, the Minister of Justice resumed its session for the reexamination of Chang Sui'an.

Li Lu arrived, sick.

"That day, I did speak alone with the young master of the Chang family... but after we parted, I didn’t know where he went," Li Lu explained.

Chang Sui'an, hearing this, quickly said, "But after I left, His Highness remained there, saying he wanted to sit alone for a while. If I had gone to the maple forest afterward, I would have passed by His Highness's location, and surely, he would have seen me!"

"I only stayed for a short while before leaving. Afterward, I truly do not know what happened, so I cannot vouch for it," Li Lu said apologetically, looking at Chang Sui'an.

"I'm sorry, Chang family young master. I am merely stating what I know."

Chang Sui'an was stunned.

If what Li Lu said was true, then there was no fault with it. But for some reason, as he looked at this apologetic and righteous Prince's heir, Chang Sui'an couldn’t shake the strange feeling...

Before he could think any further, an imperial decree was delivered.

The decree was for Yao Yi.

After the eunuch read the decree, he explained to Yao Yi, "There have been rumors recently that Lord Yao has been partial to the suspects and tried to shield them. the holy Emperor, to prevent this from harming your reputation and affecting future trials, has decided to have you temporarily step aside from this case and hand it over to Han Shaoqing for investigation."

Yao Yi was shaken, but he could only say, "Yes, Yao Yi... will comply with the emperor's will."

Chang Sui'an instinctively looked at Yao Yi.

the holy Emperor had removed Yao Yi from overseeing this case? 

Though the young man didn’t know much about the outside political situation, at that moment, he instinctively sensed that even greater danger was closing in on him.

It was then that he truly understood what it meant to face the real horrors of imprisonment and the injustice of wrongful accusations.

The Minister of Justice dungeon was pitch black, and the sky outside was also overcast.

The cold wind stirred dead leaves as a group of officers hurried toward the General Chang residence in Xingning lane.

 Chapter 727: The Final Struggle (4)

As soon as the news broke, the public was initially skeptical. However, soon after, fabricated motives for Chu Heng’s alleged actions emerged, claiming that he sought to win over scholars and establish his reputation through these “talented” individuals. It was said that Chu Heng, having been ill for over twenty years, had less public favor than the third prince, Prince Heng. By gaining the support of scholars, he hoped to secure his position as emperor, even if he were truly incompetent, and be remembered as a great ruler.

With the Crown Prince being targeted, those who had passed the imperial examinations felt increasingly insecure. They feared not only the nullification of their results but also being accused of fraud, which would ruin their futures. Even if their results were merely voided and they had to retake the exams, they lacked confidence in passing again. The subject matter and the examiners could vary, impacting their chances. Many had succeeded through luck, and another attempt could result in failure.

Furthermore, no one wanted the stigma of fraud attached to their name, as it was the greatest insult to a scholar. Thus, those who had originally been passive observers of the situation now joined the protest, gathering at the palace gates. They argued with the failed candidates and petitioned the court to expedite the trial and clear their names.

Seeing the situation escalate, Crown Prince Chu Heng remained silent. Some believed that he was innocent and had nothing to hide, while others thought he was too guilty to admit his involvement. Under the manipulation of certain individuals, the latter view gained traction. Scholars at the palace gates began to criticize Chu Heng’s character, questioning his ability to fulfill his role and even calling for Emperor Huian to remove him as Crown Prince.

With no response from the court and no trial date set, the scholars at the palace gates split into two factions, engaging in constant verbal battles, turning the area into their “battlefield.”

The absence of intervention allowed the scandal to spread rapidly. Within less than half a month, it reached major prefectures, with thousands of failed scholars rushing to the capital or petitioning the local government to demand a thorough investigation and justice for the scholarly community.

---

In the residence of Prince Heng, the Prince read the reports from various regions with a sinister smile. The smile, marred by scars on his face, twisted into a snake-like grimace, starkly contrasting with his formerly gentle demeanor.

Since his disfigurement on Phoenix Mountain, Prince Heng had rarely left his residence. Unable to accept his ruined appearance and the loss of his claim to the throne, he had been relentlessly seeking a way to remove the scars while devising plans for revenge against Chu Heng, who had ruined his future and left him in his current wretched state.

Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan, who had assisted Chu Heng, were also targets of his ire. With no chance to strike directly at Chu Heng, Prince Heng had shifted his hatred toward Mo Yan. However, his attempts to eliminate Mo Yan’s family had failed repeatedly, with assassins either not returning or being captured. He then set up a trap during the autumn examinations to ensnare Chu Heng’s faction.

Unexpectedly, the plan unfolded even more smoothly than anticipated, easily pushing his greatest enemy into the spotlight.

With everything under his control and the trial day approaching, Prince Heng anticipated crushing all his enemies beneath his feet and reveling in his revenge, his face gleaming with malicious satisfaction.

Noticing Prince Heng’s improved mood, which was no longer as erratic and frightening, Lin Dalao quickly inquired, “Your Highness, the trial date remains undetermined. It seems the Emperor may be biased in favor of Chu Heng. What should we do?”

Prince Heng’s smile faded, replaced by a fierce glare. “Hmph, even if that old fool favors Chu Heng, can he silence the voices of the entire world?”

“True, but as long as the trial remains pending, the matter will never be resolved, and Chu Heng will remain the Crown Prince. What is the point of our schemes?” Lin Dalao said anxiously. He feared that if the Emperor stalled, their efforts would be in vain.

Prince Heng’s expression fluctuated before he suddenly asked, “Has great-grandfather still not revealed that matter to you?”

The matter in question was a secret held by Lin Taishi regarding Emperor Huian.

Lin Dalao shook his head in frustration. “The old man is stubborn. He insists on taking the secret to his grave. We may never use it to our advantage.”

Prince Heng, irritated, paced restlessly, his resentment toward Lin Taishi growing. If his great-grandfather had shared the secret, he could have leveraged it to secure his position as Crown Prince without such elaborate schemes.

Realizing that only one option remained to force the old man to expedite the trial, Prince Heng’s eyes darkened with determination. He gestured to the anxious Lin Dalao, signaling a new plan…

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 726: The Final Struggle (3)

In Da Chu, many former soldiers occupied positions similar to that of the prison guard. Although the court provided compensation and allowed injured soldiers to retire early, most chose to stay in the border areas or the capital, supporting each other through hard times.

Compared to many other injured soldiers, the prison guard’s situation was relatively good. Xiao Ruiyuan had arranged various positions for former soldiers, and while these positions were not as favorable, they were still highly sought after by the injured, who wanted to avoid being seen as a burden and to feel that their lives still had meaning.

---

After returning from the Ministry of Justice’s prison, Mo Yan dealt with various matters at home and on the construction site while asking her shadow guards to keep an eye on the progress of the examination fraud case. If there were any uncontrollable changes, she wanted to be informed in time to find a way to rescue her father.

At this time, she had received word from Xiao Ruiyuan confirming that Chu Heng would strike back, but the timing wasn’t right yet, so she had to wait and watch.

The area outside the palace gates remained bustling, with failed candidates braving the harsh weather daily, submitting countless petitions with the same requests.

The court had yet to respond, and as time passed, the candidates grew increasingly agitated, their rhetoric becoming more radical.

Rumors spread that the mastermind behind the examination fraud was the newly appointed County Princess’s father. Since County Princess had made significant contributions by discovering high-yield rice, the court was hesitant to proceed with the trial or provide a reasonable explanation to the hundreds of candidates.

Candidates, focused solely on their own ambitions and glory, didn’t care about Qi Wangfei’s contributions. Since it didn’t bring them fame or benefits, they wouldn’t abandon their pursuit of justice for the fraud.

Learning that the County Princess was originally just an ordinary farmer who struck it lucky by discovering high-yield rice, the candidates felt even more that the world was unjust. Their bitterness and jealousy towards the fraud mastermind and their family were further stoked. Thus, in the subsequent petitions, they added a new demand: to revoke the County Princess’s title permanently.

While examination fraud had occurred in the past, this case was unprecedented in its scope and impact, making it the most severe since the establishment of Da Chu. Yet, even more severe developments were yet to come.

Mo Yan was furious with Prince Heng and the Lin family. Although she didn’t care much about the title, being forcibly stripped of it was another matter. It was clear that Prince Heng and the Lin family aimed to achieve two goals with one stone: not only to bring down Chu Heng but also to eliminate her entire family, demonstrating their malicious intent.

By creating public outrage, Prince Heng and his allies hoped to make the issue so severe that even if Emperor Huian were inclined to favor Chu Heng, he would be forced to heed public opinion and impose harsher punishments. Even if Chu Heng’s title as crown prince were not abolished, his public reputation would be thoroughly tarnished.

If Prince Heng were to later muster enough power to seize the throne, it wouldn’t be impossible to use this incident to label Chu Heng as incompetent and unfit for the role…

Mo Yan could already anticipate Prince Heng and his allies' next moves. As expected, on the fifth day, when calls for the revocation of the County Princess’s title reached their peak, another explosive revelation emerged: the real mastermind behind the examination fraud was Crown Prince Chu Heng himself!

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 1586: Surprisingly Exquisite Double-Sided Embroidery

Little girl Shuang Shuang agreed, and when she unfolded the paper, it indicated that she had won. She was immediately overjoyed, thinking she could finally bring back the flowery doll she had been longing for.

However, upon hearing explanation from behind, she learned that although she had won, the prize was not the flowery doll.

The little girl's emotions instantly crumbled. She had promised her mother not to make a fuss if she didn't win, but she had clearly won, so why didn't she get the flowery doll?

Being young, she couldn't grasp the complexities of the lottery rules.

She was so heartbroken.

The young woman was also quite helpless, unsure whether to be happy that her daughter had good luck or not.

Fortunately, a loud voice from someone behind them interrupted, "Madam, why don't you wait a bit longer? I'll be drawing next. If I win the fourth prize, I'll choose the doll, and then we can discuss it outside?"

The young woman's eyes lit up. Indeed, there were still many chances for the fourth prize, and there must be ordinary families in the crowd who didn't care much for the doll.

In their eyes, the doll was not as valuable as a piece of cloth.

As long as she offered a higher price than the cloth, someone would surely be willing to choose the doll and sell it to her.

She looked at Shu Yu, who didn't intervene. She had already said that once customers left the shop, she wouldn't interfere with how they handled their prizes.

The young woman breathed a sigh of relief and other well-off customers behind her also chimed in, "Madam, if I win the fourth prize, I'm willing to trade for your first prize with the doll."

The young woman's lips twitched. They were wishful thinking.

She comforted her daughter and promised to wait a bit longer, assuring her that she would get the flowery doll. Then she chose the prize for the first place.

She opted for the double-sided embroidered ornament.

She hadn't looked closely before, but now that it was in her hands, she could see the intricate patterns of the double-sided embroidery.

One side featured sunflowers, while the other displayed mountains. The design was not overly complex, but the craftsmanship was incredibly detailed and flawless.

The young woman's eyes sparkled with delight. The embroiderer who created this double-sided embroidery was truly skilled, with no imperfections whatsoever.

She was especially grateful that Shu Yu hadn't agreed to exchange her first prize for the fourth prize earlier. Otherwise, she would have missed out on such a pleasantly surprising piece of embroidery.

She stood there, reluctant to let go of it, until someone behind her urged her to move aside.

The others continued with the lottery, but even though there were plenty of fourth prizes, it wasn't that easy to win.

She was worried that her daughter had been waiting for a long time, but once the little girl received her mother's assurance after crying, she settled down.

Her maid was feeding her sunflower seeds, and the little girl, who loved them, squinted her eyes with delight.

She tugged at her mother's sleeve, "Mom, these are delicious. Can you buy more?"

The young woman thought, since there was nothing else to do while waiting, she agreed to buy more melon seeds and decided to try her luck again.

She immediately instructed her maid to purchase them and fed her daughter some sunflower seeds while enjoying a few herself.

As she tasted them, her eyes couldn't help but light up.

These snacks were so fragrant and crispy; they were surprisingly delicious?

She had thought that something so cheap, something even commoners could easily buy, would have an average taste. If it weren't for her daughter's desire for the doll, she wouldn't have set foot inside the shop.

If these sunflower seeds were this good, then the sunflower oil that even the palace purchased, wouldn't it be even better?

 Chapter 1585: The First Prize for a Doll

The crying sound was heartbreaking and filled with anger, instantly silencing all the excited discussions about which prize to choose. Everyone, including Shu Yu, turned their attention to the little girl who was sobbing.

The child was around four or five years old, standing beside the young woman who won the first prize. She had closed her eyes and tears streamed down her face.

The young woman was startled and quickly squatted down to comfort her, saying, "What's wrong, Shuang Shuang? Don't cry; mommy is here."

Shuang Shuang, the little girl, was comforted with a few pats on her back, and her crying slightly subsided, but her tearful posture remained.

However, she managed to convey the reason for her tears between sobs, "I don't want the golden hairpin, or the ornament. I want a doll, a pretty cloth doll. Sob... I don't want them. I drew it, and I want the doll."

The crowd instantly understood her wishes.

The young woman felt a headache coming on, "But we won the first prize, and the doll is a fourth prize. The first prize is better than the fourth prize."

Others also chimed in to offer advice and persuade her.

However, such reasoning was futile for a young child who was pampered and unable to understand the concept of first and fourth prizes. She couldn't accept such explanations; she only wanted the doll.

"Mommy, you promised me that I could draw a doll. I want the doll."

The young woman's face showed a hint of embarrassment. She had indeed said that, but now she had drawn a better prize. The double-sided embroidered ornament looked beautiful and was undoubtedly worth much more than the doll. If she missed it, she might never have the chance again.

However, her daughter didn't understand these considerations; all she cared about was the doll.

The young woman became even more distressed. Finally, when her daughter was almost out of breath from crying, she couldn't help but sigh and looked at Shu Yu, "Lu Xiangjun, um... can I buy the doll?"

Shu Yu shook his head, "I'm sorry, the dolls were prepared as prizes. If we sell them, there won't be enough for the fourth prizes."

Dolls were not expensive, and there were quite a few well-off families among the customers. If they liked the dolls and wanted to buy them, they would sell out quickly.

The young woman clenched her teeth, "Then, can I exchange the first prize for the fourth prize?"

This request was not unreasonable, as she wanted to exchange a higher prize for a lower one.

However, once such a precedent was set, things could easily become chaotic.

Since it was a lottery, rules had to be followed; otherwise, if people weren't satisfied with their prizes and could just exchange them as they pleased, the whole point of having different prize levels would lose its meaning.

Shu Yu shook his head again, and as the lady looked disappointed, he suddenly spoke again, "We have rules for the lottery. However, once customers leave the shop with their prizes, how they handle them is beyond our control."

As soon as these words came out, others immediately understood. Seeing the little girl still crying, they offered a suggestion to the young woman, "You can ask the person who won the fourth prize if they are willing to sell the doll."

A doll shouldn't be too expensive.

The young woman looked at her daughter's apparent good background and realized that she could ask someone from a less fortunate family who won the fourth prize to trade with her.

However, the young woman had thought of this before. When her daughter passed by the shop entrance and saw someone hugging a doll, shouting that they wanted it, she approached and tried to negotiate.

Unfortunately, the person who won the fourth prize and chose the doll was obviously well-off. How could they sell something they liked?

The young woman had no choice. She had already discussed with her daughter to draw a prize from the shop, but she couldn't cause a scene if she didn't win.