The Old Master understood the meaning behind Wen Cong’s words and said, “If that’s the case, then let it be.”

Then he instructed the servant to invite Uncle Liang inside. Shortly after, Uncle Liang entered the warm chamber and faithfully conveyed Lord Li’s message. “Master, my lord didn’t want to disturb you, but such a major incident has occurred, and it happened right here at Ning’an Manor. However, my lord cannot intervene due to various circumstances, so he has no choice but to come and ask for your small favor.”

“What small favor?”

“Minister Wang is eager to seek justice for his nephew. Plus, with both witness and physical evidence present, Minister Wang wants the Court of Judicial Review to take the heir apparent to their prison. However, under General Su’s arguments, he finally agreed to give two days to find evidence proving the heir apparent’s innocence. But I’m afraid the time won’t be enough. If Minister Wang brings this matter before His Majesty, I fear it will become… rather difficult. Moreover, since this happened at the manor, it should be investigated here. But if the heir apparent was wrongly accused and is then locked in the Court of Judicial Review’s prison, it would give the real culprit a chance to escape. Trying to investigate then… would truly be difficult.”

He said “difficult” twice.

After hearing these words, the Old Master looked as if he understood completely and had anticipated this all along. After a brief silence, his expression calm, he nodded slightly and lightly tapped his fingers on the chess bowl beside him a few times, saying, “In that case, go tell Minister Huang that the case must be thoroughly investigated here at my Ning’an Manor. Remember to tell him these are my words and have nothing to do with Lord Li! I believe Minister Huang and Minister Wang will give me this face.”

Lord Li was Li Shiyan’s uncle and couldn’t properly speak such words, but the Old Master was different—he was the head of Ning’an Manor, the one with the most authority to speak. With his prestige and status before others, no one dared contradict him. Even if Minister Wang truly brought this before His Majesty, His Majesty would surely give him and Lord Li some face and would certainly order that the case be investigated and clarified at the manor before reaching a verdict.

With the Old Master’s words, Uncle Liang felt relieved and bowed with clasped hands, “Thank you, Master. I’ll convey this message right away.”

Just as he was about to leave, Wen Cong, who hadn’t spoken until now, said, “Why don’t I go instead?”

Uncle Liang was stunned!

After Wen Cong had arrived at the manor and exchanged a few words with Lord Li, he went directly to the Falling Grass Pavilion to seclude himself with the Old Master. He had shown no concern about the major incident outside, but now he was finally going out! Wen Cong was the younger brother of General Huaihua and the uncle of Wen Che and Wen Yu. If he delivered the Old Master’s message, people would be even less likely to object, because whoever dared to contradict him would be offending several people at once.

One was the Li family, one was the Old Master, one was the Wen family, and of course, there was also the Su family. So no matter how angry Minister Wang was, he couldn’t afford to offend so many people at once.

He would certainly nod and agree!

Uncle Liang said, “Then I’ll trouble Divine Physician Wen.”

“It’s no trouble at all!” Wen Cong slowly rose and said to the Old Master who was drinking tea, “I haven’t been out for several days. It’s time to have a look around. I’ll come play chess with you again when there’s another opportunity, Master.”

The Old Master stroked his beard and said nothing…

After Wen Cong left the Falling Grass Pavilion, he went to see Minister Huang of the Court of Judicial Review and conveyed the Old Master’s message. As expected, Minister Wang didn’t dare even make a peep and could only fume privately in anger, grinding his teeth. But what could he do—he simply didn’t have enough influence!

Lord Li and the Marquis finally felt somewhat at ease. Now they just had to wait for Minister Huang to find clues as quickly as possible!

…

As soon as the news spread, Shu Tian immediately ran to notify his young master.

“Young Master, Second Uncle has come out of the Falling Grass Pavilion and brought the Old Master’s message, saying that until the case is investigated clearly, the heir apparent cannot be taken to the Court of Judicial Review’s prison, so the previous two-day deadline has been extended.”

Wen Che had been hoping Li Shiyan would be convicted, as that would indirectly strike a blow to the Su family. He hadn’t expected his own uncle to intervene—family fighting against family, how interesting indeed.

“Where is Uncle now?”

“With Lord Li. He should have returned to his room by now.”

“I’ll go find Uncle. You go find Miss Ji and bring her over. Tell her I’m inviting Uncle to examine her condition.”

“Yes!”

Shu Tian immediately went to carry out his task.

Meanwhile, Wen Che took Wen Yu along to find Wen Cong.

Wen Cong had just come from Lord Li’s quarters and was now in his room reading medical texts. As if he knew the Wen brothers would come looking for him, he had prepared a pot of tea in advance. Sure enough, they really came.

The two Wen brothers entered and performed a courtesy bow: “Uncle.”

“Please sit.”

After they sat down, they asked with concern, “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you, Uncle. How is your health?”

Wen Cong laughed, “I’m doing very well. I won’t die for another forty or fifty years.” Although he was already in his forties, he had maintained himself quite well, carrying the charm of a middle-aged man. Spirited and vigorous, still possessing considerable grace—one could tell that in his youth he must have been a handsome man, which also explained his carefree personality.

In this regard, he had somewhat the flavor of middle-aged Muruo.

Perhaps all divine physicians shared this kind of temperament?

After some simple pleasantries—

Wen Yu jumped straight to the main topic, saying earnestly, “Uncle, we actually have a favor to ask of you.”

“For a young lady?” Wen Cong said.

Eh!

Wen Che and Wen Yu exchanged glances, surprised that their uncle already knew their purpose for coming concerned a young lady.

“Uncle, how did you know?”

“Though I was in seclusion with the Old Master, my ears aren’t deaf! I heard you brought a young lady here, but neither of you is married yet, and your father hasn’t told me about any marriage arrangements for you. Now as soon as I come out, you rush to see me—it must be about this matter.”

“Since we can’t hide it from you, I’ll just be direct.” Eager for Wen Cong to help, Wen Yu said, “That young lady has shown us great kindness and has saved my life multiple times. Unfortunately, she suffers from cold syndrome. So I took it upon myself to bring her here, hoping Uncle, you could help and cure her cold syndrome.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Cong furrowed his brow and stared at Wen Yu, asking, “Your lifesaver? What do you mean?”

“It’s a long story…”

“Then give me the short version!”

Wen Yu opened his mouth and had to explain the situation to him clearly.

…

On the other side, Shu Tian went to the courtyard where Ji Yunshu was staying.

Ji Yunshu had been studying the three suspicious items she had collected.

She had drawn the bloodstain pattern on paper, but the pattern’s distinguishing features still weren’t very clear. It vaguely resembled auspicious clouds, or perhaps a crane with spread wings. The scope was too broad, because many people’s clothes had such embroidered patterns.

During this time, she had used the excuse of feeling unwell to summon a physician from the manor to examine her, showing him those small black particles.

But the physician didn’t know what they were.

As she pondered these vague clues—

Shu Tian knocked on her door and delivered his young master’s message.

The Divine Physician!

Perhaps… Wen Che’s uncle would know what those black particles were!

So she discreetly brought along those tiny black granules, hoping for a chance to show them to the divine physician.

At this moment, Wen Yu was telling Wen Cong everything that had happened during his journey transporting Prince Jing’an’s body.

Wen Cong nodded solemnly, “So that young lady is indeed your lifesaver, which means she’s the benefactor of our entire Wen family. This favor should definitely be granted.”

Wen Che said, “Thank you for agreeing to help, Uncle. I’ve already sent someone to fetch Miss Ji. She should arrive soon.”

Speak of the devil and he appears! Ji Yunshu wore a veil all the way over, truly worried about running into Su Ziluo on the road, so she had no choice but to do this. But when she reached the courtyard entrance, she removed the veil. Following Shu Tian to the doorway, she saw three pairs of eyes all looking at her simultaneously.

“Uncle, this is Miss Ji.” Wen Che introduced her.

Wen Cong said nothing, only fixing his gaze on Ji Yunshu, as if examining her!

Just from visual observation alone, that young lady indeed suffered from cold syndrome.

Ji Yunshu entered and politely bowed slightly to Wen Cong, “This humble woman is Ji Yunshu. I’ve constantly heard the two Young Masters Wen mention you, saying you are a divine physician who can cure all rare diseases in the world.”