Upon seeing the newcomer, Lu Baimei felt as if she had found her pillar of support and exclaimed urgently, "Master, you're finally back!"

Jiang Muyan frowned, pinched the bridge of his nose, and said in a low voice, "I told you a long time ago to give Yun Jiao more pointers, but you never took it to heart. Now that you've caused such a disaster, how are you going to clean up this mess?"

Lu Baimei felt wronged and whispered in defense, "Master, what's the use of saying all this now? The most urgent thing is to save Yun Jiao and not let her fall into Jiang Luoluo's hands!"

Jiang Muyan sighed softly, then turned to Jiang Luoluo, softening his tone as he tentatively said, "Luoluo, Yun Jiao is still young and acted rashly, making a big mistake."

"For your sake, Uncle, could we move to the study so that Luo Luo and I can discuss this matter properly?"

Jiang Luoluo's eyes flickered slightly as she glanced at Jiang Yunjiao, who was shivering in the water.

Judging by the time, she had been in the pool for more than 15 minutes, which could be considered a small punishment for her.

Jiang Luoluo happened to have other things to discuss with Jiang Muyan, so she nodded and said calmly, "Since Second Uncle has spoken, Luoluo naturally can't refuse."

Jiang Muyan led the way, while Mo Yang sheathed his long sword and followed steadily behind Jiang Luoluo.

After Jiang Luoluo left, Lu Baimei finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly had her maids and servants pull Jiang Yunjiao out of the icy water.

Jiang Yunjiao's lips turned purple from the cold, and she was shivering all over. Her soaked clothes clung to her body, making her look utterly disheveled.

She threw herself into Lu Baimei's arms and burst into tears, her voice filled with grievance and anger.

Lu Baimei felt both heartache and annoyance. She reached out and stroked her wet hair, gently patted her back, and softly comforted her, "Don't be afraid, Mother is here."

Inside the study of the Vice Minister of Revenue, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood and tea. A servant respectfully served tea and snacks before leaving.

Jiang Luoluo and Jiang Muyan sat on opposite sides of the desk. The atmosphere was calm, but undercurrents were brewing.

Mo Yang stood beside Jiang Luoluo, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword, his posture calm and dignified.

Jiang Muyan picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and spoke first, "Yun Jiao is naughty and almost caused a big mistake. Second Uncle apologizes to Luo Luo and hopes that you will forgive Yun Jiao this time for the sake of family ties."

Jiang Luoluo lowered her eyes and smiled, gently turning the teacup between her fingers. Her tone was gentle, but with a hint of coldness: "Second Uncle, Dingdang and I are like sisters. She has been seriously injured by villains and is unconscious. Her life is in danger. This matter cannot be let off lightly."

A hint of helplessness flashed in Jiang Muyan's eyes. He knew Jiang Luoluo's protective nature and that she was stubborn and wouldn't listen to reason.

He sighed, softening his tone, "Luo Luo is right. Why don't you suggest a solution? Your second uncle will do his best to cooperate and make sure you are satisfied."

Jiang Luoluo put down her teacup, straightened her sleeves, and calmly extended two slender fingers, one horizontal and one vertical, overlapping them. "My second uncle gave this amount, so everything is fine."

Jiang Muyan looked at Jiang Luoluo's gesture and said in disbelief, "One hundred thousand taels?"

Jiang Luoluo smiled faintly, "That's right. My cousin can easily take out five thousand taels to hire someone to pretend to be a bandit and take my life. It seems that my second uncle's mansion is not short of money."

Jiang Muyan felt as if a mouthful of blood was stuck in his chest, unable to go up or down.

Jiang Luoluo was really asking for an exorbitant amount, demanding 100,000 taels of silver right away, but he couldn't refuse to pay her.

If what Jiang Yunjiao did today were to become public knowledge, not only would Jiang Yunjiao not be able to find a good husband, but he himself would probably lose his position as Vice Minister of Revenue.

Jiang Muyan pondered for a moment, and finally said reluctantly, "I will send someone to deliver the silver to the General's Mansion another day."

“Okay, Second Uncle.” Jiang Luoluo’s voice was clear and bright, and her tone was crisp and decisive. “The 100,000 taels is a lesson for my cousin. If she does it again, I will not show any mercy.”

Jiang Muyan forced a smile and replied, "Don't worry, Luo Luo, this will never happen again."

Jiang Luoluo took a sip of tea and said casually, "There's one more thing I'd like to trouble you with, Second Uncle."

Although Jiang Muyan was unwilling, he naturally dared not offend Jiang Luoluo easily because Xie Yizhi was backing her up.

He asked, feigning politeness, "What difficulties does Luo Luo have that require your second uncle's help? Please tell me."

Jiang Luoluo smiled slightly, her eyes clear like ripples on water, gentle and harmless, as she asked about the matter Jiang Muyan had been planning recently, "Second Uncle, what is the matter that the Prince of Yan entrusted to you?"

Jiang Muyan's body trembled, and she almost dropped the teacup she was holding. Even Mo Yang beside her was surprised. Miss Jiang was really amazing. It turned out that she had come prepared today.

Jiang Muyan's face turned pale and then red. Only the two of them knew about the matter that Prince Yan Lu Tingyue had entrusted to him. Why would Jiang Luoluo know?

He tried to remain calm and dodged the question, saying, "I don't understand, what is Luo Luo saying?"

Jiang Luoluo smiled faintly, "Alright, I'll say something that Second Uncle can understand."

Her voice was soft, but to Jiang Muyan it was like a landmine: "Liu Ruyan, Plum Blossom Lane in the west of the city."

Jiang Luoluo smiled knowingly, "Second Uncle, what do you think we should do if Second Aunt finds out about this?"

This thunderclap exploded heavily in Jiang Muyan's ears. He only heard a loud bang, his mind went blank, and the teacup in his hand clattered to the ground.

Such a secret matter was unknown even to Lu Baimei, so how did Jiang Luoluo know it?

Jiang Muyan asked with trembling lips, "Who are you? You're not Luo Luo!"

Jiang Luoluo just smiled faintly, "Second Uncle, are you stupid? I'm not Jiang Luoluo, who else could I be?"

But don't worry, Uncle. We are blood relatives and family after all. I will always stand on your side.

"Just tell me the answer I want to know, Second Uncle."

After a long while, Jiang Muyan finally came to his senses, his expression changing slightly. "Why is Luo Luo asking these questions? You're a young lady; getting involved in these troubles might not leave you unscathed."

Jiang Luoluo's eyes were deep and cold, and she exuded a chilling aura. Her voice was low and icy. "Second Uncle thinks that my parents really died of a terrible disease?"

Jiang Muyan looked puzzled. "Isn't that right?"

Jiang Luoluo gritted her teeth and said, "Of course not! My parents were killed by spies sent by the Prince of Yan, so I was already caught up in this mess."

Jiang Muyan shook his head in disbelief, "The Prince of Yan?"

Jiang Luoluo sneered, "What does Second Uncle think the Prince of Yan is? You're working for him now because you think you can get some credit when he ascends the throne?"

She spoke each word with sharp insight, "But has Second Uncle ever considered that the Prince of Yan has already killed my parents, and you and my father are brothers?"

"Your second uncle knows so many of the Prince of Yan's secrets. Do you think he would leave you alive as a threat? Once he ascends the throne, you'll probably be the first person he kills."