The Luo manor passed this difficult night in a state of anxiety and fear.

Luo Sheng went to the tavern again.

At such a time, countless eyes were watching the Grand Commander’s manor. Acting from outside was more convenient.

For instance, meeting with Prince Kaiyang.

Prince Kaiyang coming to the tavern was different from entering the Grand Commander’s manor gates.

“What did Your Highness discover?” Luo Sheng picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to the man sitting across from her.

The Jinlin Guard was now controlled by Pingli. Luo Sheng harbored suspicions about him and naturally wouldn’t place her hopes on the Jinlin Guard.

“The one who reported the Grand Commander was the Liuqing County Magistrate. He said a traveling merchant from Nanyang encountered a middle-aged man in a town under Liuqing County’s jurisdiction and recognized him as a guard from Prince Zhennan’s manor, then reported it to the Liuqing County Magistrate…”

Luo Sheng listened silently, thinking about the distribution of towns in the south.

Liuqing County and Jinsha County both fell under Jinling Prefecture’s jurisdiction—one south, one north. They weren’t close, but weren’t far either.

Jinsha County was where Miss Luo’s maternal family lived—Grand Commander Luo’s in-laws.

Whether there was any connection, she wasn’t clear, but it was worth noting.

Luo Chen had lived in Jinsha since childhood. The number of Jinlin Guards stationed in Jinling Prefecture was greater than in other places, so logically their control over the Jinling area should be stronger.

Yet it was precisely a county magistrate under Jinling Prefecture’s jurisdiction who accused Grand Commander Luo.

“Even so, at most they could charge my father with negligence in his duties. Why would they say my father released Prince Zhennan’s youngest son?”

Wei Han took a sip of tea, moistening his somewhat dry lips. “The guard personally admitted it.”

“Impossible!” Luo Sheng’s expression changed slightly.

Since Grand Commander Luo had rescued the real Bao’er, Luo Chen, back then, there was no need to risk releasing another child in front of everyone. Otherwise, the tragedy of an infant being smashed to death in the street wouldn’t have occurred.

That guard might have escaped by luck like Yang Zhun did with Xiao Qi, but to say Grand Commander Luo released the fake Bao’er openly out of soft-heartedness didn’t follow common sense.

Anyone who could sit in the position of Jinlin Guard Commander was definitely not a kind-hearted soul.

Of course, this didn’t affect the fact that he was a good father, and even at certain times, a good person.

“Does Miss Luo believe that guard is slandering the Grand Commander?”

Luo Sheng frowned slightly.

No one in this world knew better than her who the real Bao’er was. That guard was undoubtedly lying.

But his lying also had two possibilities: first, after his identity was exposed, knowing he had no way to survive, he was taking revenge on the one who led the massacre of Prince Zhennan’s manor that night—Grand Commander Luo. The other possibility was that he was being used, becoming a sharp knife for certain forces to attack Grand Commander Luo.

But regardless of the reason, one thing was clear: she had to rescue Grand Commander Luo and preserve the Grand Commander’s manor.

She raised her eyes, staring into the man’s deep black eyes, and said, “My father definitely wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Wei Han nodded slightly. “I think so too.”

Luo Sheng’s hand gripping the teacup tightened. She asked softly, “Has His Majesty… shown any indication?”

Inquiring about the Emperor’s pleasure or displeasure was a major taboo.

Fortunately, the person sitting across from her was Prince Kaiyang.

This man who had noticed she shot Prince Pingnan but remained silent, this man who had raised his bow to help when he saw she wanted to create trouble for the Crown Prince—at this very moment, she chose without question to trust him.

Wei Han glanced at Luo Sheng. Though his heart was reluctant, he still spoke what he knew. “His Majesty did not see the Grand Commander but ordered the Three Judicial Offices to jointly and strictly investigate this case.”

Luo Sheng’s expression grew increasingly grave. She unconsciously gripped the teacup tighter.

Grand Commander Luo was originally His Majesty’s trusted minister. Yet after being accused, His Majesty hadn’t even seen him. Did this indicate His Majesty held an attitude of “better to wrongly kill than let go” toward anyone involved with Prince Zhennan’s manor?

Or was it that His Majesty’s trust in Grand Commander Luo had already developed cracks long ago…

Wei Han silently watched her. Seeing her brows furrow tighter and tighter, he couldn’t help but raise his hand.

The young lady’s eyes, rippling with cold waves, suddenly looked over.

That raised hand quietly lowered.

Though he wanted to smooth away the worries between her brows, doing so now would seem like taking advantage of someone in distress.

He didn’t like this feeling, and presumably Miss Luo wouldn’t like it either.

Wei Han was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, “I have some people in the south. Yesterday I already sent word commanding them to investigate this matter. Within a few days, news about that guard should be sent back.”

He originally hadn’t wanted to mention matters not yet settled, but seeing her like this, he couldn’t help but change his mind.

“Many thanks for Your Highness’s assistance.”

Wei Han’s lips curved slightly. “No need to thank me. I want to watch Miss Luo’s tavern continue operating.”

He had grown accustomed to walking down Qingxing Street every day, passing the fluttering blue wine banner, seeing that familiar figure often seated at the tavern counter, drinking wine and eating meals.

Long ago, without realizing it, this had become part of his life—difficult to let go.

“Then I’ll take my leave first.”

It was only mid-morning, and You Jian Tavern didn’t open for the noon period.

“Your Highness, please wait a moment.”

“Does Miss Luo have something else?”

“Hong Dou—” Luo Sheng called out.

Hong Dou turned and went to the back. Before long, she came running out carrying a food container.

Wei Han’s gaze moved from the food container to Luo Sheng’s face, revealing some confusion.

“Xiu Gu made some food. Please take it back to eat, Your Highness.”

Those eyes that usually held calm composure suddenly brightened, as if moonlight had scattered across a lake, illuminating that body of water.

The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise slightly, containing a trace of a smile. “Is this takeout for me?”

“Mm.” Luo Sheng responded.

Prince Kaiyang had helped her with such a great favor. She had nothing to repay him with at the moment. Sending some food was nothing worth mentioning.

Why did the other party act as if he’d gained some enormous advantage?

Wei Han reached out and took the food container, using a serious expression to suppress his upturned lips. “Then I’ll accept it.”

Watching that crimson figure walk out the tavern’s main entrance, Luo Sheng stood up and went to the back kitchen.

In the back kitchen, Xiu Yue was staring blankly into space. Seeing Luo Sheng enter, she suddenly snapped back to attention.

“Miss—”

Luo Sheng walked over, her tone remaining calm. “Are you worried?”

Xiu Yue couldn’t help but nod, saying in a low voice, “When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. This servant fears that once something happens to Grand Commander Luo, both you and the young master will fall into trouble—”

Luo Sheng raised her hand and gently patted Xiu Yue’s shoulder. “Don’t think too much about matters that have no result yet. Pull yourself together and make a few specialty dishes. I need to visit someone.”

Near lunchtime, Luo Sheng left the tavern carrying a black lacquered food container and headed straight for the Ministry of Justice office.

“You want to see our Minister?” Hearing Luo Sheng state her purpose, the gate guard seemed to hear the biggest joke in the world. “Little girl, step aside. Keep causing trouble and don’t blame me for being impolite!”

A little girl suddenly running over wanting to see the Minister—did she think their Minister was cabbage sold on the street, worthless?

“I’ve come to deliver food to Minister Zhao.”

“Deliver food?” The guard glanced at the food container in Luo Sheng’s hand and became hesitant.

He had heard that the Minister loved food, but no one from the Minister’s residence had ever come to deliver food to the Minister.

“Are you from the Minister’s residence?”

At this moment, a young voice called out, “Miss Luo?”