The rear residence of the county magistrate of Heshun Prefecture.

Zhu Datou was passionately kissing Aunt Lu when suddenly a squad of soldiers carrying knives burst into the room.

Aunt Lu was startled by the sudden scene and quickly buried her head in Zhu Datou's chest, revealing her fair neck.

The soldiers who burst into the house saw the red mark on Aunt Lu's neck and all turned their attention to Zhu Datou.

"What's going on? What's wrong with you all?!"

Zhu Datou was already furious when his good deed was suddenly interrupted. Looking at the serious-looking soldiers in front of him, he was even more enraged.

His face turned red with anger, and he cursed, "Do you know who I am?"

Who gave you the audacity to break into the residence of an official of the imperial court!

"Don't you guys want to live?!"

Seeing that the soldiers remained unmoved, Zhu Datou felt a sense of foreboding.

He shoved Aunt Lu off his lap and shouted, "Someone! Someone come quick!"

The only response he received was the chirping of birds outside the courtyard, which completely panicked Zhu Datou.

Just as he was about to abandon Aunt Lu and run out of the house alone.

But as soon as he took a step, the soldiers with knives drew their swords and attacked him, so frightened that he dared not move an inch.

Aunt Lu was pushed to the ground by Zhu Datou and accidentally twisted her waist.

She could only curl up on the ground, beads of sweat appearing on her forehead, unable to utter a single word.

"ah!"

A huge figure was thrown into the house like a rag.

Ouch!

Madam Zhu was thrown heavily to the ground. Although she was rather plump and didn't feel much pain from the fall, it didn't stop her from having a loud voice.

"Master, who are these people?! Oh dear, they're going to kill me!"

When Zhu Datou heard her voice, he was even more at his wit's end.

He himself didn't know what the situation was, so how could he possibly answer her question?

At that moment, a tall man dressed in black strode into the house.

The man threw Madam Zhu into the house, so when Madam Zhu saw his face, it was as terrifying as seeing a demon.

It wriggled its body toward Zhu Datou, seeking protection.

An Jiu looked at Zhu Datou and said, "Zhu Datou, you disregard human life, embezzle the relief funds allocated by the court, and plunder the people's money on a large scale for the Second Prince."

"By the Emperor's boundless grace, you are hereby dismissed from your post. The Zhu family's property is confiscated, and all members of the Zhu family are exiled to the border. Anyone who disobeys will be executed immediately!"

Faced with a barrage of charges, Zhu Datou's legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground, his face filled with a look of utter dejection.

After hearing An Jiu's words, Madam Zhu immediately crawled to Zhu Datou's side, wanting to verify what An Jiu had just said.

Aunt Lu was in tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

At this moment, she was filled with remorse, hating herself for being too greedy, which had led her to this predicament.

An Jiu didn't have time to watch them cry and shed tears. There were many officials involved in embezzling money for the princes, and he had to rush off to other places.

So he called out, "Take him away!"

Outside the city gate of Heshun Prefecture.

Zhu Datou and everyone in his household were dressed as prisoners and driven by the yamen runners to mine in the harsh, cold border region.

When the people of Heshun Prefecture heard that Zhu Datou was a corrupt official, the entire prefecture was to be exiled.

They waited outside the city gate early in the morning, ready to beat a dog when it was down.

Zhu Datou, dressed in prison clothes, walked at the front of the prisoners.

The first thing the people of Heshun Prefecture noticed was his large belly.

"They're out!"

"The corrupt official is coming."

"It's this corrupt official who's made our lives miserable. Everyone, if you have anything, quickly give it to him!"

Upon hearing this, the people of Heshun Prefecture, who had made plans in advance, began to throw vegetable leaves, rotten eggs, twigs, and pebbles from their baskets at Zhu Datou.

Before long, Zhu Datou was covered in things, and blood was flowing down his forehead.

When the escorting officials realized something was wrong, they quickly ordered their men to stop the people from littering.

Otherwise, if Zhu Datou and his men lost their lives as soon as they left the city, the yamen runners would have no way to report back to their superiors.

......

The new capital city, the Marquis of Lin'an's residence.

In recent days, Lu Qiqi has begun arranging rehabilitation for Song Binyu.

Perhaps because the Second Prince was imprisoned, Song Binyu was finally able to let go of the burden on his heart, and the sensation in his legs also improved a lot.

That day, Lu Qiqi came to Song Binyu's courtyard to check on his rehabilitation progress.

As soon as she walked through the flower gate, she saw Lu Yao sitting under the pavilion, laughing heartily.

Song Binyu, with his arms resting on the railing, was panting heavily and looked at Lu Yao with a helpless expression.

There was no sign of anger on his face; in fact, the corners of his mouth even seemed to be turning up.

Song Binyu took the handkerchief handed to him by the servant, held onto the railing with one hand, and wiped his sweat with the other.

"Greetings, County Princess."

The servant was the first to see Lu Qiqi and immediately bowed respectfully.

Because Lu Qiqi helped Song Binyu stand up again, the Empress Dowager also bestowed many good things upon Lu Qiqi and Lu Yao when she sent tonics to the Crown Prince a couple of days ago.

The servants attending to Song Binyu needed to be perceptive, and they were even more respectful to Lu Qiqi than before.

Lu Yao turned around and saw Lu Qiqi. She quickly put down the pastries in her hand, stood up, and jogged over to her.

"Sister, I have been keeping a close eye on the Crown Prince. He has been able to walk a few steps while holding onto the wall these past two days."

Lu Yao smiled broadly, looking like she wanted praise.

Seeing that she had become more lively, Lu Qiqi was also very pleased. "Ayao, you did a great job."

She put her arm around Lu Yao and walked toward Song Binyu.

When she saw that his legs were trembling slightly, his brows were furrowed, and his expression had become somewhat serious.

Ever since Lu Qiqi asked Song Binyu to draw the birthmark on the assassin's wrist, she has completely won over Song Binyu's trust.

For some reason, he suddenly felt like a child and wanted Lu Qiqi to praise him.

But now, I'm afraid that's no longer possible.

For a moment, he actually felt frustrated.

Lu Qiqi said, "Someone, bring the wheelchair over."

The attendant helped Song Binyu into a wheelchair, and Lu Qiqi knelt down to examine his legs.

Only then did she look up at him and say, "It's great that you're so eager to get treatment, but you have to know that you can't rush things."

Especially since you've just started rehabilitation, you absolutely mustn't be impatient.

Otherwise, it might backfire.

Song Binyu looked at her and said seriously, "I've got it."

Since Song Binyu moved into the Marquis of Lin'an's residence, Lu Qiqi has roughly figured out his personality.

He always takes seriously what he promises, whether he is happy or not, and never does it half-heartedly.

Promising to treat the leg ailment is one thing, but actively engaging in rehabilitation is another.

Therefore, when Lu Qiqi heard him agree, she stood up and patted his head.

"Great!"

She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but when she tried to pull her hand back, she felt Song Binyu rub his head against her palm.

So she lingered on his head for a moment before having someone take him back to his house.