Luo Sheng lowered her eyes and made no sound.

Grand Marshal Luo feared his daughter’s lawless temper might flare up again, and couldn’t help feeling anxious: “Sheng’er, did you hear me?”

Luo Sheng raised her eyes and looked through the bars at the middle-aged man who seemed to have aged greatly overnight, asking softly: “What about the others? Elder Sister, Second Sister, Fourth Sister, as well as Little Brother and the concubines?”

Grand Marshal Luo’s eyes concealed pain, though his expression was calm: “If it truly comes to the fate of household confiscation and clan extermination, Prince Kaiyang cannot protect so many people. Sheng’er, remember not to put him in a difficult position.”

If he could, he naturally wanted to protect everyone, but where could such good fortune be found?

He could see that Prince Kaiyang felt differently toward Sheng’er. When true disaster struck, he should protect Sheng’er.

As for the others, he held no extravagant hopes.

“Alright, I’ll listen to Father.”

Grand Marshal Luo showed a smile and urged: “Then hurry back. The prison is no place for you to be.”

“I also have two matters to ask Father. I hope Father won’t hide anything.”

Grand Marshal Luo frowned slightly: “Speak.”

“It’s still that question—did you truly not deliberately release the guard who escaped with the young son of the Prince of Zhennan?”

Though she suspected Grand Marshal Luo wouldn’t do such a thing, she needed a definite answer to see whether this was pure false accusation, or whether someone with ulterior motives had witnessed Grand Marshal Luo releasing someone.

If it was false accusation, they would need to investigate why the Prince of Zhennan’s estate guard insisted on implicating Grand Marshal Luo, then prescribe the appropriate remedy.

But if Grand Marshal Luo had truly released the guard at that time, they would need to handle the problem of eyewitnesses.

The two situations required different approaches.

“Of course not. Back then, I was following imperial orders to suppress the traitor—how could I do something so suicidal?”

“Daughter understands.” Luo Sheng nodded slightly, her voice like a mosquito’s buzz: “What kind of person do you think His Majesty is?”

Grand Marshal Luo was startled by the question.

Luo Sheng’s face remained calm: “This is the second matter Daughter wishes to know.”

This time, Grand Marshal Luo was silent even longer before saying in a low voice: “His Majesty… is a suspicious person.”

Luo Sheng raised her brows.

Suspicious?

“Daughter understands.”

“Hurry back now. Don’t come running here again in the future. Remember what Father just said.”

Luo Sheng shook her head and said earnestly: “I’ll still come to bring Father meals.”

“No need. You were able to enter this time because Minister Zhao gave some face. Next time you come, I’m afraid there won’t be any.”

Goodwill would always be exhausted. Even though his relationship with Minister Zhao was fairly good, he wouldn’t naively believe the other would continue helping under such circumstances.

Luo Sheng said calmly: “If I cannot see Father, I’ll ask the jailers to deliver the meals to you.”

“You child—” Grand Marshal Luo opened his mouth but didn’t object further.

Meeting face-to-face wasn’t easy, but bribing the jailers to deliver meals wasn’t difficult. He might as well enjoy his daughter’s filial devotion.

“Father, then I’ll return now.”

“Go.”

Luo Sheng curtsied slightly, then turned and walked toward Lin Teng.

Seeing Luo Sheng approach, Lin Teng couldn’t help tensing: “Has Miss Luo finished speaking?”

“I’ve finished.”

“Then please follow me out, Miss Luo.”

Grand Marshal Luo gripped the bars with both hands, standing like a clay statue for a long while before silently sitting back down.

The light in the cell was dim, filled with unpleasant odors.

A rat scurried out from somewhere, stopping fearlessly before Grand Marshal Luo.

Grand Marshal Luo looked at the exceptionally plump rat with an indifferent expression.

Those locked in here were either anxious or despairing—who had the mind or energy to deal with a rat?

The rat had obviously developed such boldness because of this, picking up food scraps from the ground and eating them leisurely.

Soon other companions joined in.

Compared to other prisoners, Grand Marshal Luo’s provisions were still quite good, naturally making him popular with these little creatures.

One rat even forgot itself while eating and proudly rubbed its nose against Grand Marshal Luo’s trouser leg.

Grand Marshal Luo silently extended his hand and flicked the rat into a somersault.

The rat righted itself and squeaked twice at Grand Marshal Luo in protest, but didn’t run away, continuing to search for food.

Walking out of the dungeon, everything instantly became open and bright.

Luo Sheng squinted, momentarily unable to adapt to the sudden light.

Lin Teng quietly changed his position.

Luo Sheng looked at the young man walking beside her, unobtrusively blocking the light, and couldn’t help tugging at the corners of her lips.

Having an elder brother like Lin Teng was the great-nephew’s good fortune.

Lin Teng escorted Luo Sheng all the way to outside the government office.

“Young Master Lin.”

Lin Teng stopped: “Does Miss Luo have something to say?”

“I’ll come again tomorrow.”

Lin Teng nearly failed to maintain his serious expression.

Having one’s father arrested and imprisoned, and a daughter coming to visit out of worry wasn’t strange, but Miss Luo’s tone was truly so straightforward and direct, without any circumlocution…

However, it was precisely this straightforwardness that made her Miss Luo.

Lin Teng couldn’t help thinking of the time Luo Sheng had visited their home.

At that time, he had prepared himself mentally to sacrifice for his cousin, never expecting Miss Luo wouldn’t be at all as terrible as the rumors suggested.

“If Miss Luo comes again tomorrow, you may not be able to see the Grand Marshal.”

“I won’t put Minister Zhao in a difficult position. I’m only asking if Young Master Lin could speak with the jailers and help me deliver meals to Father?”

“That can naturally be arranged.”

Luo Sheng smiled sweetly: “Thank you, Young Master Lin. If Youjian Tavern can continue operating in the future, I’ll treat Young Master Lin to drinks.”

Looking at the lightly smiling young woman, Lin Teng nodded solemnly: “When I’m finished with this busy period, I will go.”

Grand Marshal Luo’s case was being investigated by the Three Judicial Offices. As someone working at the Ministry of Justice, to avoid suspicion it was naturally inconvenient to visit the tavern.

“Third Miss, why have you come here?” A voice interjected.

Luo Sheng turned her head and looked coldly at Pingli approaching, asking indifferently: “Why has Elder Brother come?”

“I came to inquire about Foster Father’s situation—” Seeing Lin Teng nearby, Pingli frowned. “Third Miss, things are chaotic right now. Don’t run around—stay peacefully at the estate.”

“I came to visit Father. How does it become ‘running around’ in Sworn Brother’s mouth?”

“Then were you able to see Foster Father?” Pingli asked in return.

In his heart, a young woman who understood nothing and only knew how to cause trouble naturally couldn’t have seen Grand Marshal Luo.

This sworn sister of his had previously lived lawlessly only by relying on her status as the Grand Marshal’s daughter, but now that status was no longer useful.

Luo Sheng looked at him expressionlessly and uttered two words: “You guess?”

Pingli was stunned. Before he could react, the young woman had already walked away with large strides.

Pingli’s gaze followed that retreating figure for a moment before turning to Lin Teng.

Lin Teng cupped his hands in greeting, then turned to walk into the government office.

“Young Master Lin, please wait.”

“Does Commander Ping have business?”

“Could Young Master Lin grant a convenience and let me see the Grand Marshal?”

Lin Teng frowned and said indifferently: “My apologies, but I’m afraid that’s not convenient.”

Pingli’s face showed disappointment.

Lin Teng lifted his foot and walked into the government office.

Pingli stood at the office entrance for a while, the disappointment on his face quietly withdrawing as he turned around.