"It's all my fault! I promised to take them away from the capital, and I also promised to let them go down into the mines to inspect. It's all my fault, all my fault!"

The old patriarch of the Jin family was filled with remorse.

They initially planned to avoid the political turmoil at court and have their eldest son bring his brothers.

However, he couldn't resist the boys' persistent pestering.

They even said that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles, and that being watched and bothered by people every day will not help you learn well, so it is better to come out and see the world.

He couldn't possibly win against those kids.

Fearing they would get carried away and no one could control them, I had no choice but to come along.

I can't believe it! I still couldn't control it!

The Jin family patriarchs seemed to wake from a dream, and escorted Jiang Jiaojiao to a safe and clean place.

He anxiously ordered the soldiers he had brought to quickly go and help dig open the tunnel.

At the same time, he also had to reassure the old man, "Father, don't worry, the boys are very cunning. There are plenty of paths at the bottom of the mine, and they will definitely protect themselves!"

"Yes! Let's dig quickly! Once we dig an opening, we can go down and rescue them!"

"My elder brother has already gone to the prefectural city to ask for help. As long as the prefect is willing to lend troops, let alone the mine entrance, it would only take half a day to dig out a new mine tunnel. We will definitely be able to rescue everyone at the bottom of the mine!"

"We've brought all the doctors! If we dig a tunnel and rescue them, we can definitely save their lives!"

The Jin family elders comforted their father, and in doing so, they also comforted themselves. There had to be some hope, otherwise they feared that their father wouldn't be able to hold on, and that they themselves wouldn't be able to either.

I'm even more afraid of scaring Jiao Jiao.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiaojiao's eyes widened, and her voice became sharp with astonishment: "Uncle went to the government office to ask for help?"

The Jin family patriarchs were startled by Jiang Jiaojiao's sudden reaction and stood frozen in place, at a loss for what to do.

The old man had just calmed down a bit when he heard Jiao Jiao's words. His heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition arose. His voice trembled, "Jiao Jiao, could it be... that something went wrong at the government office?"

Jiang Jiaojiao bit her lip and remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "This matter is a long story. My uncle went to the government office for help, but I'm afraid he's... like a lamb entering a tiger's den."

clatter--

Da da—

Da da da—

Before Jiang Jiaojiao could finish speaking, a series of increasingly loud hoofbeats suddenly came from afar, the sound growing louder as it approached, like a sudden storm sweeping in.

Before the men of the Jin family had even finished listening to Jiang Jiaojiao's words, when they saw the figure on horseback, their faces immediately showed a mixture of surprise and delight.

"Those are the government officials' men! That's wonderful! Our eldest brother is truly capable; he actually managed to borrow them!"

"There's hope! We can definitely dig a tunnel through the mine quickly!"

Jiang Jiaojiao narrowed her eyes slightly, "That's not necessarily true."

Qian Panpan noticed something was wrong and quickly stepped in front of Jiang Jiaojiao. Only then did the Jin family men see Qian Panpan's disheveled appearance and were taken aback.

"Oh, isn't this the maid from the Prefect's residence? What are you doing here? Do you know Jiaojiao?"

The second master of the Jin family exclaimed in surprise.

Old Master Jin stepped forward, shielding Jiang Jiaojiao and Qian Panpan behind him, and stared warily at the approaching troops.

The Jin family elders finally sensed the unusual behavior of Jiang Jiaojiao and the old master, and their expressions instantly turned serious.

Isn't this the reinforcements that my brother invited?

The visitor quickly answered his question.

The soldiers quickly surrounded them. The lead soldier, with an icy expression, coldly looked at the Jin family members and said in a chilling voice, "The Prefect has ordered! The Jin family has mismanaged the mine, resulting in a collapse and heavy casualties. All members of the Jin family are hereby brought back to the Prefectural Government to await further orders!"

boom--

These words were spoken.

The people who were digging hard at the mine entrance were so frightened that they dropped their tools all over the ground, their faces filled with terror and despair.

"No—they're still alive! They must still be alive!"

"Waaaaah, it's all gone! All gone! The government has abandoned us! They can't save us, they definitely can't save us!"

"Father! Brother!"

"Wow—I want my daddy! I want my daddy!"

"My poor son! My husband! How can I live with you all dead!"

In an instant, dark clouds loomed, and cries of despair rose and fell, like sharp swords piercing the heart.

The old patriarch of the Jin family, whose body was originally as straight as a pine tree, involuntarily bent down: "I am the father of the Marquis of Fuyu. The Jin family cannot shirk responsibility for the mine collapse."

"However, could you please allow us to excavate the mine and rescue the innocent people trapped at the bottom, for the sake of the Marquis of Fuyu? Once we have rescued them, we will definitely go to the government office to apologize to the Prefect!"

Upon hearing the old man's words, the Jin family patriarchs all echoed, "That's right! Saving people is the most important thing! As long as we can rescue them, we'll accept any punishment!"

"After we've rescued the people, we'll immediately go to the prefect to apologize!"

The ice-faced man ignored him and ordered without hesitation, "Take them all away!"

At a command, several soldiers quickly pulled out ropes and made to step forward to tie up the people.

Grandpa Jin looked shocked.

The men of the Jin family stared wide-eyed, their anger seemingly about to burst forth from their eyes.

"What do you mean by this! How can you treat us with ropes like those used to tie up prisoners!"

"Our Marquis's Mansion has always held the Prefect in high esteem, but that does not mean we are afraid of you!"

"The people haven't been rescued yet, and the true cause of the mine collapse hasn't been determined. How can you, Prefect, be so hasty in convicting us? Who gave you such authority and orders?"

Faced with the men of the Jin family's aggressive questioning and accusations, the man with the icy face remained unmoved, not even frowning.

He simply waved his right hand coldly again, and ordered in a chilling tone, "Take him down!"

With lightning speed, Qian Panpan grabbed Jiang Jiaojiao, who was about to rush out, and strode forward. Her eyebrows were raised, her beautiful eyes widened, and she stared at the icy face with an arrogant expression. She said in a delicate voice, "The Prefect has privately mobilized troops to kidnap people. Did you inform my father?"

The icy-faced man's gaze fell on the round-faced Qian Panpan, a hint of surprise on his face, but he quickly composed himself and said coldly, "We are acting in accordance with orders. Whether the Prefect knows or not is none of our business."

As he spoke.

He ordered the arrest of the man again.

Qian Panpan was furious; the prefect really didn't take her father seriously at all.

Jiang Jiaojiao reached out and pressed her arm, then... stepped out, looked at the icy-faced woman, and spoke in a voice that everyone could hear.

"Human life is of paramount importance, yet Your Excellency only thinks of punishing the guilty. Does His Majesty in the capital know that the Prefect of Shu is so disregarding human life?"

"Oh, or is it that the Prefect of Shu Commandery has declared himself king and no longer needs to report to the court?"

"Is the Prefect plotting... a rebellion?"

The word "treason" was uttered.

The man with the icy expression suddenly changed, his vicious gaze fixed on Jiang Jiaojiao. "Who are you?"

Jiang Jiaojiao shook the dirt off her skirt, raised her chin slightly, and revealed an innate nobility and pride on her round and jade-like face: "I am a first-rank princess personally appointed by the current emperor, and the future... Princess Consort of Prince Chen!"

The ice-cold face's eyes suddenly narrowed.

A hint of ruthlessness flashed across his face.

Just then, a loud "boom" resounded.

Then came a burst of excited screams, "It's open! It's open! The mine entrance has been opened!"