It’s just that Liu Huanzhang – she didn’t know whether he was already firmly in Prince Liang’s grasp, or hiding in some corner of Nan Jiang… quietly waiting for the opportunity to return to the capital and falsely accuse Grandfather.

“Milk brother…” Bai Qingyan called out to Xiao Ruojiang.

“Miss, please command!” Xiao Ruojiang didn’t become presumptuous despite Bai Qingyan calling him milk brother, remaining very respectful.

“Milk brother’s lightness skills are excellent. Please go to the residence of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review for me. Tell him that Qin Lang will help him solve the trouble of the Nan Jiang military provisions case. Hope he will, for the sake of Qin Lang being innocent and also the Bai family’s son-in-law, speak some good words for Qin Lang before His Majesty. The Bai family is grateful for his kindness and will surely repay him in the future!”

In the past, when Grandfather worked to overturn the case for Imperial Censor Jian Congwen, the current Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Lu Jin, was only a seventh-rank Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Lu Jin distinguished himself in that case and then rose step by step to his current position as a third-rank Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

Bai Qingyan thought that Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Lu Jin would at least give face to the Bai family for Grandfather’s sake, for the sake of all the Bai family men being completely wiped out.

·

Sitting before the brazier, Prince Liang closed his eyes, listening to Gao Sheng report on Bai Qingyan’s visit to Qin Dezhao today.

Prince Liang’s hand, warmed by the fire, clenched into a fist, his brows tightly furrowed. He couldn’t help but cough violently several times. When he opened his eyes again, his gaze was filled with murderous intent: “So Qin Dezhao told Bai Qingyan everything?”

“Outside the prison of the Court of Judicial Review, this subordinate indeed saw that old nanny fail to hold steady the food box that fell to the ground. Inside were brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone! The names they mentioned on the silk also matched up…”

Just as Gao Sheng finished speaking, they heard the steward Old Weng knocking on the door: “Your Highness, Guard Gao’s men are outside urgently requesting to see Guard Gao.”

“Your Highness?” Gao Sheng seemed to be asking whether Prince Liang wanted him to go see what was happening first.

Prince Liang pulled his black cloak closer and nodded: “Go see what it is first.”

Gao Sheng acknowledged and went out, returning in just a moment.

He bowed to Prince Liang, then continued: “Your Highness, the person sent to watch the Duke’s mansion reported that not even an incense stick’s time after I left, Qin Lang departed from the Duke’s mansion through the back corner gate and returned to Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion! This subordinate’s men have already gone to inquire with our planted agents in Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion to see what Qin Lang did after returning to Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion. Also, the Duke’s mansion’s matriarch, Dong Shi, collapsed from exhaustion in the mourning hall. The Duke’s mansion is now in panic!”

Prince Liang suddenly looked up at Gao Sheng: “The Grand Princess can’t hold on anymore, and Dong Shi… also can’t hold on anymore?!”

“This subordinate thinks it’s not necessarily that she can’t hold on. Generally speaking, even if people can’t hold on… they still maintain their last breath until all affairs are settled, and only when that breath dissipates do they collapse. This matriarch has handled all matters of the Bai family, big and small, in perfect order, stable and unruffled. She’s probably just overly exhausted.” Gao Sheng greatly admired Dong Shi, his words carrying some respect.

Indeed, the Bai family had suddenly encountered a great disaster, leaving only women. Although Bai Qingyan was strong, Dong Shi was, after all, the Duke’s mansion’s matriarch. From the night of New Year’s Eve, when the news came back, Dong Shi, filled with grief and anger, probably couldn’t rest peacefully for even a moment. She also had to handle all affairs of the Duke’s mansion and deal with the Bai family clan members. It was normal for her to be exhausted.

But once this matriarch collapsed, the Duke’s mansion servants would inevitably become chaotic as well. A flash of inspiration struck Prince Liang’s mind: “The person watching the Duke’s mansion said the Duke’s mansion is in panic?”

Gao Sheng nodded.

Prince Liang clenched his fists tightly, staring at the brazier in thought. He hadn’t forgotten that it was this matriarch who had reorganized the Duke’s mansion before the New Year, making the Duke’s mansion like an iron barrel where no news could get out and no messages could get in.

Now that this matriarch had collapsed and the Duke’s mansion was in panic, they could certainly take advantage of the chaos to contact Chun Yan.

Thinking of this, Prince Liang’s heart heated up, his eyes burning: “Where is Liu Huanzhang now?”

“Liu Huanzhang has been settled in a hidden cave outside the city,” Gao Sheng said.

After careful consideration, Prince Liang lowered his voice: “Immediately send someone to the Duke’s mansion to contact Chun Yan. Tell Chun Yan… this Prince holds great affection for Miss Bai and has feelings of pity for her. But now Miss Bai harbors resentment toward this Prince because of that maid called Hong Qiao in the Prince’s mansion, so he needs her help to somehow deliver several love letters this Prince wrote to Miss Bai to the Duke’s study…”

“When the time comes, this Prince will find a way to have someone discover these love letters and make a big fuss about it. This Prince will tell the heir’s wife Dong Shi… that the Duke had long discovered this Prince’s admiration for Miss Bai and withheld these letters this Prince wrote to Miss Bai, saying he would arrange the marriage between this Prince and Miss when he returned from Nan Jiang, forbidding this Prince and Miss from private correspondence to avoid damaging Miss Bai’s reputation. Unexpectedly, the Duke met with trouble in Nan Jiang. Since these letters have come to light, this Prince is also willing to take responsibility and marry Miss Bai as his primary consort! Once Miss Bai enters the household, this Prince will take her as a concubine.”

Gao Sheng looked at his master. When it came to manipulating people’s hearts… their master was truly first-rate. The reasons for why those letters needed to be placed in the Duke’s study were arranged crystal clear. If Chun Yan had feelings for their master, she would certainly comply.

Prince Liang stood up, walked to the bookshelf, took out letters he had already forged and sealed with wax, and handed them to Gao Sheng: “Instruct Chun Yan not to open these letters. With the Duke’s character, he would never privately open juniors’ letters. This matter needs to be handled carefully, otherwise all previous efforts will be wasted, and Miss Bai will probably detest this Prince even more!”

“Yes!” Gao Sheng received the letters with both hands.

Hearing the steward Old Weng knocking at the door, Gao Sheng quickly tucked the letters into his chest.

“What is it?” Prince Liang frowned and couldn’t help coughing several times.

“Your Highness, Guard Gao Sheng’s deputy Tian Weijun has returned and requests to see Guard Gao,” the steward Old Weng said.

Gao Sheng cupped his hands to Prince Liang: “Tian Weijun went to Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion to contact our planted agent.”

“Let him in…” Prince Liang wrapped himself in fox fur and walked to sit by the fire.

Soon, Tian Weijun, carrying the cold air on his body, strode quickly into the room, knelt on one knee with cupped hands: “Your Highness, Lord Gao, this humble one went to Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion to bribe the guards from the Court of Judicial Review, using the excuse of checking whether the old aunt in the mansion was safe to meet with our planted agent. I heard that after Qin Lang returned to the mansion, he summoned several capable advisors and stewards close to Marquis Zhongyong into the study for secret discussions, not allowing anyone to approach.”

“It seems Qin Dezhao, seeing Prince Xin demoted and exiled, thinking he could no longer gain merit from supporting the dragon, plans to reveal everything.” Prince Liang’s hawk-like eyes stared at the brazier. “This person Qin Dezhao… cannot be kept alive.”

“Your Highness can rest assured, this subordinate will personally handle it!” Gao Sheng immediately took on this matter.

As soon as he finished speaking, Tong Ji entered carrying a bowl of steaming bitter medicine: “Your Highness… It’s time for your medicine!”

“Go then!” Prince Liang said to Gao Sheng, then sat up straight, preparing to drink the medicine.

In the prison of the Court of Judicial Review, Qin Dezhao closed his eyes, not looking at the water and food placed at the cell door, just sitting cross-legged on the straw without moving.

Qin Dezhao was naturally cautious, fearing that Prince Liang wanted his life and had poisoned the water and food.