Meng Liang seemed to sense Guan Yan's strange gaze. He lowered his head and smiled bitterly, "Yes, you read that right. I have six toes on my left foot. This is a defect I've had since childhood, and it's a secret I've always wanted to hide."

His mocking gaze fell on Guanyan's left foot, and a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth, "You were still young at that time and didn't remember anything..." However, his words were interrupted by the sudden appearance of the police, who quickly stepped forward and subdued Meng Liang.

Looking at Meng Liang who was tied up and about to be taken away, Guan Yan couldn't help but walk forward and ask what would be the punishment for Meng Liang?

The leading officer replied coldly, "First, take him to the county government office and lock him up. However, since this boy dared to collude with the Western Rong people to rob military supplies, he will most likely be dragged to Caishikou and publicly beheaded as a punishment."

Guan Yan's heart trembled. He was well aware of the harsh laws of the Great Zhou. Collaborating with foreign enemies to rob military rations was a serious crime, and Meng Liang's public beheading was almost certain. However, his eyes unconsciously fell on Meng Liang's left foot again. Those six toes seemed to have become a special mark, which made him feel moved.

He remembered that the old lady had mentioned that she was looking for a person with six toes on his left foot, which seemed to be a very important matter.

Guan Yan couldn't help but fall into deep thought. If Meng Liang was the person the old lady was looking for, she should at least tell Xue Yuanchu and let them make the decision.

Guan Yan had made up his mind. He turned around and hurriedly left the woods and headed straight for the military camp. He knew that he had to tell Xue Yuanchu about this matter as soon as possible so that he could make the decision.

The military camp was located outside the city, some distance from the county seat. Guan Yan rode his horse, galloping along the road to the military camp, feeling anxious. He kept urging his horse to speed up, hoping to see Xue Yuanchu as soon as possible.

Finally, the outline of the military camp came into view. Guan Yan breathed a sigh of relief and rode his horse into the camp. He explained his purpose to the soldiers guarding the gate and was quickly brought to Xue Yuanchu's tent.

At this time, Xue Yuanchu was discussing military affairs with others in his tent. When he heard Guanyan asked for an audience, he immediately had Guanyan brought in.

"Guanyan, why are you so anxious?" Xue Yuanchu asked, looking at the breathless Guanyan.

Guan Yan took a deep breath to calm his excitement, then recounted Meng Liang's story in detail. He focused on describing the six toes on Meng Liang's left foot and the old lady's search.

Xue Yuanchu frowned upon hearing this and fell into deep thought. His mind flashed back to how Eunuch Chen Jin had once asked his mother to find his lost brother at the western border. Now, thinking carefully, Meng Liang was about the same age as his long-lost brother. More importantly, the six toes on his left foot matched Eunuch Chen Jin's description.

He was silent for a moment, then said solemnly, "This matter is indeed of great importance. If Meng Liang is truly the relative that Eunuch Chen Jin has been searching for for so many years, we absolutely cannot stand idly by."

"At least spare Meng Liang's life. Whether to punish him according to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty is up to Eunuch Chen Jin himself."

The reason why Xue Yuanchu considered this was actually out of careful consideration of the long-term interests of the Marquis' Mansion.

In his eyes, Meng Liang's life or death is not the key. It is enough to ensure that he no longer has the opportunity to stir up trouble or leak secrets.

However, he knew very well that Eunuch Chen Jin had deep feelings for his long-lost brother.

If this younger brother was beheaded without ever meeting Chen Jin, even if it was done according to the law, it would inevitably leave Chen Jin with a grudge.

In this seemingly prosperous but undercurrent-filled capital, Xue Yuanchu knew that having one more friend was far more profitable than having one more enemy.

He immediately stood up and said to Guan Yan, "You did a good job in telling me this matter in time. I will go to the county government office now to see if I can find a way to save Meng Liang."

Guan Yan nodded, secretly glad that he had made the right decision. He knew that the next matter would be handed over to Xue Yuanchu, and he only needed to wait for the results.

Xue Yuanchu rode his horse and headed straight for the county government office. He knew that to save Meng Liang, he had to act quickly, and he needed a reasonable reason to prevent the impending beheading.

Upon arriving at the county government office, Xue Yuanchu directly requested an audience with the county magistrate. Upon hearing that the eldest son of the Marquisate was present, the magistrate hurried out to greet him, smiling broadly and asking, "Master Xue, what brings you here? I wonder what brings you here?"

Xue Yuanchu said solemnly, "Your Excellency, County Magistrate, I'm here this time regarding the Meng Liang case. As far as I know, Meng Liang may be connected to a missing person case that occurred in the capital many years ago. This case involves important officials in the capital and requires careful investigation. Therefore, I request that the County Magistrate temporarily detain Meng Liang in the county government office and await further instructions from the capital before making a judgment."

The county magistrate was embarrassed when he heard this. "Master Xue, the evidence is irrefutable that Meng Liang committed a crime, and he should be executed according to the law. Now suddenly saying that he is related to the missing persons case in the capital, this..."

Xue Yuanchu interrupted him, "My Lord, I understand your concerns. However, this case is of great importance, and we must proceed with caution. I have already dispatched a team to the capital to verify the situation, and I believe we will receive a reply soon. In the meantime, I beg your Excellency to spare Meng Liang's life for the time being."

The county magistrate looked at Xue Yuanchu's determined eyes and knew that this matter was of no trivial importance.

He pondered for a moment, then finally nodded. "Since the Crown Prince says so, I will temporarily spare Meng Liang's life. However, if there is no definite news from the capital, I cannot delay any longer."

Xue Yuanchu breathed a sigh of relief and bowed his hands in thanks, "Thank you, sir, for your leniency. Please rest assured, as soon as there is any news from the capital, I will inform you immediately."

Guan Yan, who was waiting outside the county government office, heard what happened inside. The heavy stone in his heart finally fell to the ground. He breathed a sigh of relief and looked much more relaxed.

Xue Yuanchu walked out of the county government office, saw Guan Yan, and walked towards him. He knew that Guan Yan was a key figure in order to understand Meng Liang more fully.

So, he asked, "Guan Yan, could you tell me something about Meng Liang in detail? I'm preparing a letter to return to the capital and need more detailed information."

Guanyan nodded in agreement and began to reminisce about his past with Meng Liang. "When I was still a cradle, I was bought by the owner of the Cai Opera Troupe. At that time, Meng Liang was also just a toddler. We grew up together in the troupe, and for nearly ten years, we studied and lived together."

He described their daily life in the troupe in detail. Xue Yuanchu listened carefully, nodded from time to time, and gained a deeper understanding of Meng Liang.

Xue Yuanchu nodded in agreement, rode back to the military camp, and prepared to start writing this important letter.