In the middle of the night, two tall and slender figures accompanied a cute and petite figure as they leaped into King Cheng's Imperial Residence. They arrived at the courtyard where King Cheng Sang Ding lived without anyone noticing.
Needless to say, these three figures were naturally the 12th Prince Yu Li and 14th Prince Yu Reng who had come to the Prince Cheng's mansion to inquire about the news, as well as Zhu Xiao Xiao who wanted to clear his father's injustice and save Yuyun.
Zhu Xiaoxiao approached the window and gently pried open a small crack with a dagger. She narrowed her eyes and peeked inside.
It was the third watch of the night, the time when he was having a good dream. However, Sang Ding's room was still brightly lit. Sang Ding paced back and forth uneasily as if he was waiting for someone.
Not long after, a guard walked to the door and shouted in a low voice,""Wangye, the person you've been waiting for has arrived.”
Sang Ding nodded." Quick, call him in."”
"Tsk!"
Not long after, the guard brought a thin man in. When Zhu Xiaoxiao saw this man, she couldn't help but be shocked. She quickly covered her mouth to prevent herself from shouting.
It turned out that the person who sneaked in to see Sang Ding in the middle of the night was Wu Wenyue, the son of Wu Wanjin.
As soon as Wu Wenyue entered, he bowed respectfully to Sang Ding and said,""Congratulations, Your Highness. This lowly one has finally fulfilled my mission and obtained the item.”
Sang Ding was overjoyed." You got it?"
"Yes, I spent a lot of effort and was almost seen through by E Min. However, I didn't disappoint your highness and stole the two account books.”
Wu Wenyue took out two account books and handed them to Sang Ding.
Sang Ding took a look and nodded." That's right, these are the two books. Fortunately, you stole these two account books. Otherwise, if they really fell into the hands of Fifth Brother, not only would Yinghua lose her life, but I would also have to pay for it."”Before he could finish, Sang Ding tore the two account books into pieces and burned them to ashes.
Sang Ding finally heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the account books burned to the ground. He picked up the milk on the table and took a big gulp. He looked up at the ordinary-looking young man in his twenties.
"Did anyone see you when you came?”
"No, this lowly one has looked left and right, but no one has seen it.”
"Does anyone know that you left Shaoxing to come to the capital to look for me?”
"Not really. This lowly one took advantage of Prince De's fleet leaving Shaoxing to disguise as a personal guard and mix in. Not only did Prince De not know, even this lowly one's father did not know.”
"Oh? You disguised yourself as a personal guard and mixed in with the fleet?"
"Yes. Otherwise, how could I have found the opportunity to poison him?”
"Yes!" Sang Ding nodded repeatedly. He picked up a teacup from the table and handed it to Wu Wenyue." You've worked hard for the whole night. You must be thirsty. Drink some water first. I'll think about how to save your father."”
Wu Wenyue didn't suspect anything. He took the teacup and downed it in one gulp." Thank you, Your Highness! Your Highness, my father was raped by Zhu Xiaoxiao, that girl, and was covered in scars. He was also tortured by Yuyun to confess to smuggling and bribery. No matter what, please make a decision for us!”
Sang Ding sat on a chair, twirling his beard as he looked at Wu Wenyue." I will naturally make the decision for you." This salt was a necessity for the people. From the Emperor to the common people, they could not go without salt for a day. It was hateful that Zhu Zhen was demanding on the fire consumption and paying the bill. It caused everyone to be in a foul mood and complain everywhere. Otherwise, how could there be any private trafficking?”
"That's right! That's why we salt merchants have joined forces to ask His Highness and the Imperial Governor to make a decision to abolish the regulations. It's a pity that the governor has been dismissed, otherwise…"
Sang Ding snorted coldly. How could he decide whether he would be dismissed from office or not with just a word? Moreover, he couldn't even protect Yuyun now. How could he have the time to care about others? By the way, is your father on his way to the capital?”
"Yes, I went to ask around yesterday. My father has already arrived in Zhigu.”
"Alright, I'll send someone to deal with your father's matter. Moreover, I'll do it without anyone noticing, just like you.”
Wu Wenyue didn't understand the hidden meaning in Sang Ding's words. He respectfully called out a thousand." If Your Highness is fine, I'll take my leave first!"”
" Alright!" Sang Ding's eyes were cold." Go ahead!" You can leave in peace on this road to the netherworld. You don't have to worry about exposing your whereabouts, and no one will follow you!”
"Your…Your Highness? What are you saying…"
Suddenly, Wu Wenyue understood! Because of the pain in his lower abdomen, he understood what Sang Ding meant.
He staggered and fell to the ground." Sang Ding, you want to silence me?”
Sang Ding laughed loudly." That's right. This is murder! As long as you die, no one will ever know who poisoned the wine. As long as the account book is destroyed, No. 5 will never be able to find any evidence. Then, we'll finally settle your father, and this matter will be completed. Hahaha!”
Wu Wenyue opened his mouth and vomited blood." You…Sang Ding, you're so cruel. I worked so hard for you, but you…"
"You can't blame me. Every man for himself! If you really want to blame someone, blame No. 5! Who taught him to investigate cases for no reason?"
"You!"
"Don't worry! I'll let you two meet soon. Perhaps even Zhu Zhen will meet you on the road to the afterlife! When the time comes, you guys can catch up, hahaha! Men!"
The guard at the door entered." Your Highness!”
"Drag this person out and bury him. Remember not to let anyone see him, understand?”
"Tsk!"
Yureng, who was under the window, nodded to Yuli, indicating that he wanted to follow up and see what was going on. Yuli turned around to look for Zhu Xiaoxiao, but he was shocked to find that Zhu Xiaoxiao had disappeared without a trace.
In the prison of the Ministry of Justice, Yuyun was leaning against the wall with her eyes closed.
He had been locked up in the Ministry of Justice prison for five days. During these five days, other than his father, Yuhe, who came to visit him once, no one else came.
In fact, Yuyun didn't care if anyone came to see him, because he knew that he was upright and upright, so he wasn't afraid of others checking. Moreover, he had confidence in Yuqi. He knew that Yuqi would find a way to investigate everything and save him.
He was most worried about Zhu Xiaoxiao.
That's right! His small, lively, crafty, and active wife, Zhu Xiaoxiao!
He didn't know when she had become the most important person in his heart. She was his biggest concern. He was thinking about her almost all the time!
He thought about her smile, her innocence, her cuteness, her intelligence, and even more so her shrewdness and her temper that liked to punch people. How would she react when she found out that he was locked up in the prison of the Ministry of Justice? Should he jump up on the spot and curse the entire Qing Dynasty? Or did she rush to the Ministry of Justice to save him without even putting on her shoes? Or run to Yuqi's house and threaten Yuqi to save her?
Thinking of Zhu Xiaoxiao's possible reaction, Yuyun almost laughed.
That little thing was impulsive, but not clever enough. She was afraid that before she could find Yuqi, she would fight with Yuqi's guards a few times.
In fact, he did not hate her for hitting people. After all, she had good intentions and there was nothing wrong with what she did. What would others think of him if a girl kept shouting fiercely that she wanted to hit people? Moreover, he had made an agreement with Yuqi to teach this little thing to be a well-educated and polite young miss, right?
Therefore, he had to think of a way to temper this girl and stop her from fighting and killing all day.
At this moment, the Ministry of Justice's Bitieshi walked over." Lord Yu, someone wants to see you. Please move to the signing room!”
Hearing this, Yuyun's two thick eyebrows unconsciously furrowed. Who would come to the Ministry of Justice's prison to see him? Or in the signing room? Could it be…Fifth Master or Fourteenth Master?
Thinking of this, Yuyun jumped up and followed the pen to the signing room.
In the signing room, a slim figure was back facing Yuyun. Yuyun had just stepped into the signing room when this person pounced over and hugged Yuyun tightly. It was Qingjiu.
"Little Yuzi, I finally see you!”
Yuyun was stunned. Her excitement disappeared and was replaced by an indescribable sense of disgust.
He reached out and pushed Qingjiu away." This is the Ministry of Justice's signing room. Gege, please have some self-respect!”
Qingjiu didn't care at all. She cried and laughed at the same time. She pulled Yuyun to sit down on the chair." Little Yuzi, are you okay? Did they do anything to you? I told Ama to treat you well. If they dare to be rude to you, tell me and I'll let Ama teach them a lesson!”
Yuyun crossed her arms and looked at her coldly." There's no need. The Ministry of Justice is under the charge of the 14th master. For the sake of the 14th master, they won't dare to be presumptuous!”
Qingjiu only smiled at the soft nails Yuyun gave her. She opened the brocade box and took out a few warm cakes and a pot of milk on the table." I know you like to eat cakes, so I specially asked the chef to make them. Eat them while they're hot!"”
Yuyun didn't move." This is the Ministry of Justice's prison. What are you doing here?”
"I heard that you got someone to lock you up. I was so worried, so I came over to take a look.”
"Is that so? Just looking?"
"Of course, I care about you. Shouldn't I come to see you?”
"Thank you for your concern. Since you're only here to take a look, you can leave now.”
Qing Jiu stared at Yu Yun in disbelief.”
"It's because this prison is full of mosquitoes and flies. It's dirty, smelly, and messy. If Gege is dirtied, Yuyun can't afford it!”
Qingjiu shook her head." I don't care. For you, I don't care about anything! Little Yuzi, are you really not hungry? How about eating some cake?"
Yuyun was still indifferent. I'm not hungry. Even if I am, I don't want to eat.”
"Why? Are you not eating because I sent it to you, or…are you waiting for Zhu Xiaoxiao, that wild girl, to send you food?”
Yuyun's eyes flashed, but she didn't deny it.
Qingjiu was a little angry." If you are waiting for that girl, I advise you to give up." That girl can't even protect herself now. How would she have the time to visit you and bring you food?”
"Xiaoxiao can't even protect herself? What do you mean by that?"
Qingjiu snorted." That girl is so audacious. She dared to sneak into the Imperial Residence at night to assassinate me and Ama." Fortunately, the strict security in the residence did not allow her to succeed. Otherwise, it would be terrible if the emperor investigated.”
Yuyun's body stiffened." What did you say? A small assassin prince and you? Where was she now? Where is she now?"
Qingjiu looked at Yuyun and asked,""What do you think?"
"You…you captured her?"
"She intended to assassinate him. How can we not arrest her?”
Yuyun almost collapsed on the chair. How could this be? This girl…was actually bold enough to go to the Imperial Residence of King Cheng to be an assassin? Why did she go to the Imperial Residence of King Cheng? There was no reason for her to go to the Imperial Residence of King Cheng. Firstly, she did not know the relationship between Yinghua and Prince Cheng. Secondly, she did not have any evidence to prove that the poisoned wine was related to Prince Cheng, so she did not need to go to Prince Cheng's Imperial Residence to assassinate him! Thinking of this, Yuyun calmed down a lot.
He shook his head." I don't believe it! Xiaoxiao was not an assassin, and she had no reason to go to the Imperial Residence of King Cheng to assassinate him.”
Qingjiu giggled." Why not? The reason was sufficient! First, her father, Zhu Zhen, was the murderer who poisoned the wine. After Fifth Master was poisoned, the Emperor handed this case to me, so she naturally wanted to assassinate me to destroy the evidence. Second, Yinghua was Ama's disciple, and Yinghua was framed for the murder of Zhu Zhen's daughter. Fifth Master took off his flower feather. The person who framed and framed her was Zhu Zhen. Now that Yinghua had returned to the capital, the Emperor had also handed the case over to Ama to handle. Under such circumstances, do you think she wouldn't come to the Prince's mansion to assassinate him?”
Yuyun sneered." Qingjiu, I always thought that although you were willful and arrogant, you were smart. It seems that I was wrong."”
Qingjiu was stunned." Little Yuzi, you…"
"First, no one would present poisoned wine to the emperor as a tribute, and no one would dare to poison the wine even though they knew it was a tribute, unless they were tired of living. However, Zhu Zhen had a good reputation in Shaoxing, and the people of Shaoxing loved him, so there was no need for him to do this. Besides, not only would he get himself into trouble by doing so, but it would also cause Shaoxing Southern Wine's reputation to plummet. No one would do such a thing, let alone Zhu Zhen, unless…someone deliberately framed him!
Second, Xiao Xiao didn't know that Yinghua was King Cheng's disciple. Lord Five and I only found out about Yinghua's corruption and bribery when we arrived in Shaoxing. It was Lord Five's idea to deal with Yinghua. Not only Xiao Xiao didn't know, even Zhu Zhen didn't know. Since he didn't know, how could he frame her?
Thirdly, although Xiao Xiao had a lively personality and liked to play around, she was not an insensible little girl. She clearly knew that Zhu Zhen was accused of conniving a woman to commit murder because of her, so how could she assassinate King Cheng when her father was being escorted to the capital and cause trouble for herself and Zhu Zhen? Wasn't he courting death? Therefore, none of your reasons are valid. I don't believe anything you say at all!”
" You…" Qingjiu glared at Yuyun, unable to say a word of defense.
She had long heard that Yuyun was elegant, flexible, and eloquent, but she never knew why people would say that about him. Because the Yuyun she saw was easy-going and carefree, aloof from the world, and she could not associate it with what she had heard. Only now did she finally understand why Yuyun would be described in such a way inside and outside the court. She also finally understood that the arrogant Yuqi, the wild Yureng, and even the cunning Yulu were all courteous to Yuyun and even obeyed her words. No wonder Qianlong wanted Yuyun to be the chief assistant minister after Yuqi ascended the throne!
"I don't care if you believe it or not. In short, it's a fact that Zhu Xiaoxiao is in the Imperial Residence of King Cheng. It's also a fact that she wants to assassinate A'Ma and me.”
Yuyun glanced at her coldly." Gege, what are you trying to say?”
" I..." Qingjiu paused, took a deep breath and said,""I want you to divorce Zhu Xiaoxiao and marry me!”
"Impossible. If I wanted to marry you, I would have married you long ago. Why wait until today?”
This merciless rejection made Qingjiu's expression change." Why…Why? What was so good about that wild girl? Why would you rather have her than me? In terms of family background, I am Gege, and she is only the daughter of a small county magistrate. In terms of looks, I am confident that I am not much worse than her. In terms of virtue, they are worlds apart. That girl is notorious for fighting and causing trouble. She comes everywhere and is even named one of the three treasures of Shaoxing by the people of Shaoxing. And you actually…"
Yuyun smiled lightly." Three Treasures of Shaoxing? Ge Ge, do you know what the Three Treasures of Shaoxing are? You only know Hua Diao, Grand Master, and Zhu Xiaoxiao, but you never thought about why Shaoxing people would regard Xiaoxiao as the third treasure of Shaoxing. Think about it carefully, that Huadiao is the famous wine of Shaoxing, the treasure of the city that the people of Shaoxing are proud of. And the Grand Master is the representative of the eloquence of the people of Shaoxing. When it comes to wine, people think of Shaoxing; when it comes to Grand Master, people think of Shaoxing; and when it comes to Zhu Xiaoxiao, do you know what people in Shaoxing think of?”
Suddenly, a thought that she had never thought of before appeared in her mind." Is it…Zhu Zhen?”
"That's right, it's Zhu Zhen! Because Zhu Zhen was an honest official and always thought of the people, the people of Shaoxing were grateful and could not repay him, so they regarded Xiao Xiao as the third treasure of Shaoxing. In addition, that girl had always liked to poke her nose into other people's business. She was like a small police officer who patrolled around Shaoxing City for her father. When she met bad people, she would beat them up. When she saw someone being bullied, she would jump out to help. Outsiders didn't know and thought that she was causing trouble everywhere. In fact, how would you know that she was helping everyone to eliminate violence and stabilize the good with the tacit consent and help of the people of Shaoxing? That's why the people of Shaoxing loved her, loved her, and missed Zhu Zhen. That's why they treated her as a treasure of Shaoxing. Do you understand?”
"But someone in the imperial court said that Zhu Zhen connived at his daughter to commit murder. Even Ma…"
Yuyun interrupted her." These are all lies that the officials of the capital don't understand the people's feelings and speak against their conscience. If you don't believe me, you just need to check what the people of Shaoxing did when Zhu Zhen left Shaoxing.”
Qingjiu shook her head repeatedly." I don't believe it. Ama said that she was a wild girl. I saw her hit someone with my own eyes. I was almost hit by her too…"
"That's because those people deserve to be beaten up!"
"You…you like her so much that you can't even tell right from wrong. You don't even care about her shortcomings?”
"When you love someone, you can't differentiate between their strengths and weaknesses. If there's a difference, then what's the point of talking about love? Besides, Xiaoxiao did nothing wrong. If she was really wrong, it was that she should not have tortured and beaten people without permission. After all, the Qing Dynasty had its laws and could not allow the people to torture them without permission.”
"I don't care. I don't want to care about what you're saying! I only ask you, are you willing to divorce that wild girl and marry me?”
Yuyun shook her head." I can't!"
Qingjiu's body trembled." You, you refuse?”
"It's not that I'm refusing, but I can't do this. I can't let Xiaoxiao down.”
"Sorry to her? You only think about letting her down, why don't you think about letting me down? I liked you first, I met you first, but you…you abandoned me for her? I can't accept this, I can't accept this!"
Qingjiu threw herself into Yuyun's arms and shouted,""I like you, I like you. You know I've always liked you!”
Yuyun pushed her away." Ge Ge, love can't be forced. Besides, I'm just an insignificant official of Guanglu Temple. I'm not worthy of Ge Ge, who has a high social status…"
"I don't care. You know I don't care! I only want you to marry me. As long as you're willing to accept me, I'll be satisfied. I don't want to care about anything else!”Qingjiu stood on her tiptoes and suddenly blocked Yuyun's lips, eager to convey her love through the contact of lips and teeth.
Yuyun turned her face away and pushed her away forcefully." Gege, this is the Ministry of Justice's prison. Please have some self-respect!"”
Qingjiu took a few steps back and stared at Yuyun." Do you really like Zhu Xiaoxiao so much that you won't divorce her and marry me?"”
"I've already said that feelings can't be forced. Even without Xiaoxiao, I can't accept you!”
Qingjiu's chest was heaving up and down violently, her eyes were wide open, staring at Yuyun. She squeezed out the words from between her teeth,"Do you know that Zhu Zhen has been escorted to the capital?”
"Of course I know. It would only take a few days to travel from Zhejiang by sea, day and night.”
"Then do you know that the account book that Prince De investigated has been stolen?”
Yuyun was stunned." What did you say?"
"I know you're fearless because of Prince De. You think he'll help you and Zhu Zhen clear your name, right?" Qingjiu sneered. I'm telling you, you're wrong! Prince De may have the ability to clear your and Zhu Zhen's name, but that must be under the premise of evidence. Now that the evidence has been destroyed, Zhu Zhen has admitted that he condoned his daughter to commit murder. With me as a witness, think about it. When the Ministry of Justice holds a trial, who will these elders listen to and who will be convicted?”
"You!"
"I have to remind you of something. Zhu Xiaoxiao is currently in the Imperial Residence of King Cheng. Once Zhu Zhen is convicted, will she be able to live?”
Hearing this, Yuyun almost choked with anger." Qingjiu, you!”
Qing Jiu stared at Yuyun, looking at his handsome face." As long as you are willing to divorce that girl and marry me, I can promise you anything." This is the last concession I can make. Whether you're willing or not, it's up to you!”
Qingjiu stood up and tidied up Yuyun's untouched buns and breasts." I'm leaving. If you change your mind, please let me know. I'll wait for your news at home."”
After saying that, Qingjiu picked up the brocade box and walked out of the signing room. Just as she reached the door, she turned around as if she had thought of something and said,"You'd better act quickly, because the longer you delay, the more that wild girl will suffer. I don't know if she can last until you get out of the Ministry of Justice prison safely!”Qingjiu smiled and stepped out of the signing room.
At this moment, Yuyun's pleasant voice coldly came from the signing room.
"I promise you! As long as you let Xiaoxiao and her father go, I'll do anything you want!”#
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]