The one conducting the interrogation was Xiao Shao.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard under Xiao Shao’s command usually carried out special missions and occasionally captured people who refused to speak. Under his interrogation, none of these people had ever held out to the end. The less people saw, the more fearsome the rumors became. The Great Jin Dynasty had this saying: there was no mouth Xiao Shao couldn’t pry open. Yet his temperament was cold and aloof – even those who knew him didn’t dare ask him directly, only speculating that his torture methods must be extremely cruel.

Upon hearing this, Xia Cheng felt his heart sink as he clenched his fists: “How did they end up in Xiao Shao’s hands? How is Xiao Shao connected to Jiang Xinzhi!”

“During the ambush, General Guan and Prince Xiao suddenly arrived. General Guan wanted to take those people back, but Prince Xiao said the matter was of great importance and should be personally interrogated by him.”

“This is bad.” Xia Cheng’s face turned pale: “If the Xia Manor is implicated, how can we have good days ahead?” He paced back and forth in the room twice: “No, I must go see the Eighth Prince. Quickly prepare a horse.”

At the same time, the Prime Minister’s residence in the capital was also in complete chaos. Li Dong angrily pointed at Li An and scolded: “Have you lost your mind? Now look what’s happened – all those people have fallen into Xiao Shao’s hands. No matter how tolerant His Majesty is, he won’t tolerate the matter of privately raising troops. You’ve caused such a huge mess for the Li Family – what do we do next?”

Li An had always been Li Dong’s pride, receiving nothing but praise from childhood. But with Li Yang’s recent troubles already causing distress, and now Li An creating such a major blunder, Li Dong began to find Li An increasingly displeasing.

Li An stood in place with a cold expression, saying nothing, though his demeanor was extremely gloomy. He had originally planned to use the Jiang Family matter to strike at Jiang Xinzhi, which would both win over the Jiang Family and let him watch Jiang Ruan suffer. Who would have thought Guan Lianghan and Xiao Shao would suddenly appear and ruin his plans! However, Li An’s eyes flashed with insight. He had heard that Zhao Yuanfeng and Zhao Yi were also present at the time. How could it be such a coincidence? Somehow, a face with a cold, slight smile appeared before Li An’s eyes.

He refused to believe this matter had nothing to do with Jiang Ruan.

Seeing Li An’s silent demeanor made Li Dong even more furious: “Think of a solution quickly! Your elder brother has already become a cripple because of the Jiang Family, and now you want to destroy the entire Prime Minister’s residence for the Jiang Family too?”

“What’s the rush?” Li An said disdainfully: “For something this minor, I’ll go speak with the Eighth Prince.” Xuan Li needed his intelligence, and he needed Xuan Li to help the Li Family resolve the current trouble.

Outside the dungeon, Guan Lianghan was waiting anxiously when Xiao Shao slowly emerged from inside. Upon seeing him, Guan Lianghan immediately asked urgently: “How did it go? Did they all confess?”

“They’re Xia Cheng and Li Dong’s people.” Xiao Shao said coolly. These people were actually divided into two groups. Xia Cheng’s involvement was understandable – according to those people, it was just to prevent Jiang Xinzhi from threatening Jiang Chao’s position after returning to the Jiang Manor. But Li Dong’s arrangement was strange – the people sent didn’t even know the reason, only that they had received this order.

Guan Lianghan pondered: “Really strange, how could there be two groups?” He patted Xiao Shao’s chest: “You’re really something. But,” Guan Lianghan peered inside: “What method did you use? It couldn’t be like that Jiang Family girl said – scalding brains with hot oil?”

“No.” Xiao Shao said. He naturally had his own methods.

Since he wouldn’t say, Guan Lianghan was too lazy to ask, only continuing their conversation while saying: “Hey, how does someone with a decent temperament like Jiang Xinzhi have such a sister? They’re completely unlike siblings. Third Brother, you couldn’t really like that girl, could you? I don’t think it’s good – she’s so young yet already so vicious-minded.”

Xiao Shao said helplessly: “She’s only eleven years old.” Toward an eleven-year-old little girl, he wouldn’t develop any other thoughts. It’s just that Jiang Ruan’s actions were too strange, as if she had many secrets. From what she had done, she seemed to have intricate connections with Xuan Li. Even helping Liu Min – if her goal was the entire court, that would require even more attention.

Guan Lianghan laughed heartily: “Just joking, just joking. Come on, I still have things to ask Seventh Brother. Come with me.”

Xiao Shao nodded: “Ye Feng.”

Ye Feng appeared behind him as Xiao Shao ordered: “Send people to guard those few in the prison, prevent anyone from silencing them tonight.”

Ye Feng cupped his hands: “Yes, Master.”

At the Eighth Prince’s residence, Xuan Li looked at Xia Cheng and Li An before him with his usual gentle smile.

Xia Cheng wiped his sweat: “Please lend your assistance, Your Highness.”

“I’ve always been close with the Marquis and naturally wouldn’t stand by idly, but this matter is of great importance. Even if I have the will, I’m truly powerless.” Xuan Li said slowly.

Xia Cheng glanced at Li An, who maintained his composed demeanor, then steeled himself and said through gritted teeth: “I beg Your Highness to save the Xia Manor. If Your Highness can help with this matter, you would be the Xia Manor’s savior. If there’s anything the Xia Manor can be used for in the future, I, Xia, swear here that I will go through fire and water without hesitation.”

All along, the Xia Family and the Eighth Prince’s residence had maintained a mutually supportive relationship. Though the Eighth Prince was extremely capable, everything was done in secret. The Xia Family now had stable foundations – money, wealth, and power were all things Xuan Li needed. But precisely because of this, the Xia Family wasn’t easy to control. Xuan Li and the Xia Family had a relationship of mutual exploitation. Xia Cheng’s statement at this moment indicated his position – complete submission.

Xuan Li sighed gently: “Marquis, your words greatly comfort me, but I fear that in the future, if the Marquis develops grievances against me and has other thoughts, what would I do then?”

Seeing Xuan Li soften, Xia Cheng said: “This old man will certainly prove the Xia Family’s sincerity through actual actions. I only ask that Your Highness find a way to save the Xia Manor.”

Xuan Li said gently: “The Marquis worries too much. The Xia Manor and I share glory and loss together – how could I stand by and watch? Leave this matter to me. I will certainly give the Marquis a satisfactory answer, but I hope the Marquis won’t disappoint me either.”

Xia Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, nodding repeatedly: “Yes, yes.”

Xuan Li smiled with satisfaction: “In that case, if there’s nothing else, the Marquis may return first. I still have things to discuss with Second Young Master Li.”

Xia Cheng reluctantly glanced at Li An before taking his leave.

After Xia Cheng left, Li An cupped his hands toward Xuan Li: “Your Highness.”

“You needn’t speak. Since I’ve helped the Xia Family, I won’t ignore the Li Family either.” Xuan Li said gently: “Besides, you and I have deep friendship – I certainly won’t stand by and watch.”

Li An nodded, though he sneered inwardly. What friendship? It was merely about usefulness. The Li Family’s utility value was greater than the Xia Family’s, so Xuan Li maintained a lower posture. Everyone had a price – it just depended on whether the price offered was reasonable. The Xia Family’s price was just that much, but the Prime Minister’s residence was worth more than this.

Xuan Li took in all the disdain in Li An’s eyes, his smile unchanged though his eyes flashed with deeper meaning. The Prime Minister’s residence certainly had considerable wealth and power, but others could give him those things too. If speaking of what was most worth buying, it was undoubtedly the person before him. Li An was different from Li Yang. Li Yang was just an ignorant wastrel, but Li An had given him many ideas over the years. He regarded Li An as his right-hand man, needing his intelligence, so he could even tolerate Li An’s disrespect.

“But why did the Li Family want to ambush Jiang Xinzhi?” Xuan Li asked. Xia Cheng’s involvement was understandable due to Xia Yan and Jiang Chao’s relationship, but the Li and Jiang families were currently like fire and water. He knew about Jiang Susu injuring Li Yang’s manhood. Logically, if Li An intervened to kill Jiang Xinzhi, it would benefit Jiang Susu and her daughter – this made no sense at all.

Li An didn’t hide anything either: “Jiang Ruan injured my elder brother. She has irreconcilable hatred with the Prime Minister’s residence. I originally planned to kill Jiang Xinzhi, then slowly torture Jiang Ruan, but didn’t expect something to go wrong midway.” Torturing a person – physical torture was the lowest form. Mental torture could make someone feel endless pain. If Jiang Ruan knew Jiang Xinzhi died because of her, she would surely be devastated.

“Jiang Ruan?” Xuan Li was stunned: “How could it be Jiang Ruan?”

“Second Miss Jiang was merely a scapegoat. Jiang Ruan injured my elder brother and framed Jiang Susu – this is fact.”

Xuan Li never doubted Li An’s words, but he was surprised. Thinking of Jiang Ruan’s composed response during the ancestral hall incident at the Xia Manor, he couldn’t help but wonder. How could a secluded young lady have such deep scheming? If she wanted to frame Jiang Susu and implicate the Li Family, wouldn’t that be too risky?

“However, I’ve also discovered something interesting.” Li An suddenly smiled: “The Zhao Family’s involvement made me think – Jiang Ruan might have connected with the Zhao Family. With Jiang Xinzhi’s return, the situation on the Zhao Family’s side will also change. Forgive my presumption, but when that time comes, Your Highness might also have troubles.”

“You’re saying Jiang Ruan and the Zhao Family?” Xuan Li frowned: “What exactly is going on?”

“I’m not clear either, but this eldest daughter of the Jiang Family is not as simple as she appears.” Li An said. However, this was for the best – this way it would be interesting to play. She had given him a small surprise, deflecting his attack, but next time, he wondered if she would have such luck.

Xuan Li frowned deeply, and for some reason, an ominous premonition arose in his heart.

Jiang Xinzhi left the manor early in the morning to see Guan Lianghan. Yesterday’s events had many suspicious aspects, and there were still many details that needed discussion.

At the Capital Magistrate’s residence, Dong Ying’er picked up a golden silk honey date and put it in her mouth, smiling: “Sister Ruan, now you’re really impressive! Everyone in the capital knows you have a young and accomplished brother – tall and handsome too. Hey, he’s completely different from those crude soldiers – truly a refined scholarly general. I heard his bearing on the battlefield is even more heroic.”

“Look what you’re saying – people who don’t know would think he’s your brother,” Wen Feifei teased.

“Exactly, exactly! Could it be our Miss Dong is beginning to feel romantic stirrings?” Zhao Jin laughed.

Upon hearing this, Dong Ying’er’s face turned red as she pretended to hit her: “You dead hoof, talking nonsense! I’ll tear your mouth apart!”

Zhao Jin quickly dodged while laughing: “Spare me! I was wrong – I was just joking with you!”

Lin Zixiang looked at Jiang Ruan with relief: “Mm, though you yourself have no abilities, fortunately you have a capable brother. Your stepmother and sister probably won’t dare bully you casually anymore.”

“Right, right, right!” Zhao Jin clapped her hands: “Quickly get back at them for all the times they bullied you before. If anyone displeases you, just have your elder brother break their legs.”

“How can you be like that?” Dong Ying’er pouted disapprovingly: “I don’t think Elder Brother Jiang is someone who would casually hit people. Do you think everyone is as crude as you?”

Zhao Jin stuck out her tongue and stopped talking.

Jiang Ruan smiled: “In any case, he’s returned to the manor. In the future, when there’s a chance, I’ll let you all meet him. But today it’s getting late, so I should return home.”

Dong Ying’er had invited them to visit her residence. The young ladies chatted and drank tea, and before they knew it, most of the day had passed. Seeing the sky gradually darkening and the roads slippery from rain, Dong Ying’er didn’t want to detain them long, so she said: “Alright then, let’s gather again another day. Yu’er, go get the pastries I made and give each person a portion.” She smiled: “Be careful on the road!”

After everyone said their farewells, they returned to their respective manors. When passing through the city, Jiang Ruan had the coachman drive the carriage into a narrow alley. The carriage stopped at a doorway, and Jiang Ruan had Bai Zhi and Lu Zhu follow her as she walked to a household in the alley.

Lian Qiao stepped forward to knock on the door. Soon a young boy came to open it. Seeing it was Jiang Ruan, he was momentarily stunned, then respectfully welcomed the three of them inside. Just as they reached the main hall, they heard Hui Jue’s voice: “Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Ruan looked at Hui Jue sitting in the hall. Since last time helping Jiang Ruan clear her name of having inauspicious birth characters at the Jiang Manor, Hui Jue’s reputation had grown even more. During this time, many people must have come to find him. Hui Jue’s complexion looked good now – he must be living quite comfortably.

Seeing Jiang Ruan, Hui Jue wasn’t particularly happy. Toward Jiang Ruan, he felt a kind of fear and panic. He said: “Miss Jiang, this old monk already helped with the last matter. Why do you come to find me again?”

“Master misunderstands. Today I’ve come to repay a favor to Master.” Jiang Ruan said coolly: “I don’t like owing people favors in my life. Since Master helped me once, I naturally must repay it.” Seeing Hui Jue’s puzzled gaze, she smiled slightly: “Didn’t I say that even if one must be a fraud, Master should be the most noble fraud in the world? Now Master has only gained small profits, and your son’s illness treats symptoms but not the root cause. Can Master truly be satisfied?”

His son was Hui Jue’s heartache, yet every time Jiang Ruan brought up his son. These days he had indeed earned considerable silver and bought many precious medicinal materials, but the child’s condition could only be stabilized, not improved. Hui Jue lowered his head: “This is his fate. This old monk is powerless.”

“Does Master not believe me?” Jiang Ruan said: “No matter. Someday you will believe my words. I’ve only come to say what I must say today.” She said: “The capital has been suffering from severe flooding recently. The Eighth Prince and Second Young Master Li have been ordered to control the floods. The reservoir’s water situation now seems under control, but in three days the rainfall will inevitably become fierce, the reservoir will collapse, and countless people living near the reservoir will lose their lives.”

She continued: “This is your opportunity. I’m giving you this chance to make a prophecy. You only need to say before everyone that the dragon energy is in chaos, the reservoir will collapse, and the Eighth Prince must relocate the flood control efforts. Of course, you must find a way to make the Eighth Prince insist on his own opinion. He will inevitably punish you, and the harsher his punishment, the more secure your position will be when the prophecy comes true in a few days.”

Hui Jue first didn’t understand what she was saying, looking at Jiang Ruan in confusion. Jiang Ruan wasn’t in a hurry, just patiently waiting for him. When Hui Jue realized the meaning behind Jiang Ruan’s words, his usually calm face couldn’t help showing a trace of surprise: “You… what exactly are you talking about? Why would the reservoir collapse? Why would the water become fierce? Absurd! Utter nonsense!”

“Why is Master panicking?” Jiang Ruan smiled: “Do you not believe what I’m saying? Master, didn’t I tell you that there’s a skill in this world of knowing the past and understanding the future?” She said word by word: “If Master thinks I don’t have this ability, then can you consider it from another angle? For instance, how to ensure a reservoir will definitely collapse?”

Hui Jue suddenly stood up, unable to maintain his compassionate mask, saying in panic: “You’re insane! If discovered, you’ll lose your head!”

Jiang Ruan smiled slightly at him without speaking.

She was deliberately guiding Hui Jue. To convince someone to believe in prophetic abilities and willingly work for her was too risky. But what if she let Hui Jue think she was just a front, with an expert guiding her from behind? Prophecies could be wrong, but human arrangements wouldn’t fail. If Hui Jue thought someone was planning to make the reservoir collapse, once he was certain of this, he would waver.

“This is too bold.” Hui Jue murmured. The reservoir was a matter of national importance, yet Jiang Ruan spoke so casually of such treasonous acts. If discovered, nine lives wouldn’t be enough to die. But at the same time, another voice in his heart was clamoring: agree to her, agree to her!

Jiang Ruan smiled as she watched the changes in Hui Jue’s expression, knowing he was tempted. She unhesitatingly added fuel to the fire: “Master must think clearly. This is a foolproof matter – you only need to move your lips. When that day truly comes, people in the world will worship you like a god. You’ll have endless glory and wealth. If His Majesty takes notice and brings you into the palace, you can secure a good future. The palace has countless imperial physicians, and your son’s illness would be saved.”

Hui Jue’s eyes lit up, and he heard Jiang Ruan continue: “However, this matter isn’t without benefits. After this incident, the Eighth Prince will inevitably hate you. But you needn’t worry – as long as you gain His Majesty’s favor, you’ll be His Majesty’s favored person, and no one will dare touch you. Though the Eighth Prince is powerful, the world’s master is not him after all. Master is nearly sixty years old. Speaking frankly, who knows what will happen in ten or twenty years? At least while you’re alive, your life will be secure. If Master insists on living peacefully, that’s not impossible either, but while Master can wait, I wonder if your son can wait.”

Hui Jue’s expression was uncertain, his heart struggling greatly. Jiang Ruan smiled: “I’ve said all I need to say and won’t say more. Master has one night to consider. In three days the reservoir will collapse – you only have three days. What your son’s future will look like depends on what Master does tomorrow.”