twenty one

Baili Chuan's eyes gradually darkened.

"There's one more thing, A-Chuan."

Mo Yanzhou said in a deep voice, "The nursery rhyme that Miss Jiang used when she got divorced seems very strange to me. There must be something more to this matter."

Baili Chuan nodded.

“I also find this strange; we can look into it.”

Mo Yanzhou stood up, holding a folding fan, and tapped his chest lightly. After a long while, his voice was low and deep: "I remember that Miss Jiang has a daughter."

“Her name is Shen Qingyao. Miss Jiang values ​​this daughter very much, so she is very wary of me.”

"Oh, she also found a female tutor for Ayao, but she probably doesn't know that the person is one of my former subordinates."

Mo Yanzhou turned to look at him with a smile: "Achuan has thought things through thoroughly."

Baili Chuan curled his lips into a smile but said nothing.

"To achieve great things, we still need the Jiang family's help. The previous nursery rhyme made Father Emperor wary of the Shen family, and he probably also remembers the Jiang family."

"This matter should be addressed sooner rather than later."

Baili Chuan nodded almost imperceptibly: "Chengzhi, are we going to start with Ayao?"

Mo Yanzhou stared meaningfully out the window with cold eyes, her voice drifting into the distance: "Such a loving mother, truly a good mother."

Being the only daughter of the Jiang family's richest merchant is such a wonderful identity, but unfortunately, Shen Xuhuai took that step first.

This means he'll have to go through some trouble, which is really inconvenient.

Then, recalling Jiang Jinhong whom she had seen during the day, she turned her gaze and said, "The Jiang family's restaurant looks quite elegant to me."

Baili Chuan glanced at him and smiled, "What you say is very true, I'm sure others are also longing for it."

The two smiled at each other, and Mo Yanzhou sat back down on the brocade stool, raising his hand to pour some tea for Baili Chuan.

"Prefect Xu's tea is quite good."

——

Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the Xu residence, while the Jiang family was in a state of extreme anxiety.

Jiang Yunshu, her lips deathly pale, struggled to look at the person in front of her, her hands barely touching the ground: "What did you say?!"

"Ayao...Ayao has been kidnapped by thieves at the Zhong residence. The county magistrate and his wife are currently discussing the matter with the master in the front hall."

"Miss!"

Jiang Yunshu was so enraged that she spat out a mouthful of blood.

It's an inkstone boat!

It must be him!

Her eyes were bloodshot, her hands gripping the blankets tightly, as if she wanted to devour his flesh and tear his bones apart.

She dragged her tired body to her feet and asked Bai Zhi to change her clothes.

“Miss, you’re not fully recovered yet. Let’s leave this to the master and madam. You can’t keep putting your health through this.”

Bai Zhi had grown up with Jiang Yunshu, and although her relationship with Qing Shuang wasn't as deep, she genuinely felt sorry for her at this moment.

"Ayao is my life. Even if I go back to bed now, I won't be able to rest properly."

Bai Zhi supported her and sighed softly, offering no further advice.

In the front hall, the county magistrate and his wife both had worried faces: "Menglan and Ayao were practicing calligraphy in the backyard today. In the blink of an eye, that thief kidnapped them both."

"We chased after them all the way and found Menglan and Ayao abandoned on the road..."

Seeing the gloomy atmosphere surrounding the Jiang family, the county magistrate's wife felt deeply guilty.

A perfectly healthy child was placed in the Zhong family, and now this has happened to him. What if something bad happens to him...?

Looking at Jiang Yunshu, who was teetering on the edge, Ayao was her only child. What if... how would she live?

Jiang Yunshu was helped to sit down by Bai Zhi, and her heart sank as she listened to their conversation.

"If it's just about finding some money, that's fine. The Jiang family has no shortage of money. What I'm afraid of is..."

Ruan Qingshang's voice deepened.

"Send more men out to search!"

Magistrate Zhong hurriedly replied, "It has already been reported to the prefect, and the constables are probably already searching for it."

"The family has also sent people, quite a few of them are quite skilled. We just hope to find Ayao as soon as possible..."

Jiang Yunshu knew in her heart that this matter had nothing to do with the Zhong family. Even if A Yao was by her side, the Third Prince might have other ways to torment her.

But she just couldn't bring herself to say "It's nothing".

A somber silence filled the hall.

Just then, the servant ran in, shouting anxiously, "Master, something terrible has happened!"

"Something's happened at the restaurant! Lots of people are causing trouble inside; they're going to smash it up!"

Jiang Jinhong rubbed his temples in annoyance as Ruan Qingshang, sitting in the superior seat, spoke.

"Tell me slowly, what exactly happened at the restaurant?"

The servant took a deep breath to catch his breath: "Master, Madam, it's like this."

"Several jars of rice wine were opened in the cellar today, and the guests came specifically for this. However, after drinking it, several tables of guests suffered from severe abdominal pain, and some even vomited blood."

"They say there's something wrong with our wine, and now the restaurant has been completely smashed up by those people, and they won't listen to us..."

Jiang Jinhong sighed deeply: "What about the wine?"

"They smashed it all, it's scattered all over the ground."

Jiang Yunshu felt a surge of anger; Mo Yanzhou was indeed ruthless.

She gritted her teeth and stood up, using the corner of the table as support.

"Miss?"

Bai Zhi stepped forward to help her up, but just as she was about to speak, a voice came from outside announcing something.

It was the Second Prince and Mo Yanzhou who arrived.

Everyone in the room hurriedly got up and went out to greet them, kneeling in a row.

Jiang Yunshu knelt beside Ruan Qingshang, watching the pair of brocade shoes embroidered with gold thread walk past her, the hatred in her heart almost overwhelming her.

"Get up."

"There's no need for that. My brother and I came here to see Miss Jiang, having heard that she is still recuperating."

Mo Yanzhou's voice was deep and resonant, and even though he was speaking such considerate words, it still made one feel a cold sweat run down their back.

"Yes, my daughter is still not fully recovered, and the two of you coming in person makes her feel truly apprehensive."

Jiang Jinhong beckoned her to come forward and kneel down: "Why don't you come up and thank the Second Prince and the Third Prince?"

She moved inching along the ground on her knees, and felt an icy chill that made her feel excruciating pain.

"My daughter is spoiled, I hope the two princes will not take offense."

The second prince glanced at Jiang Yunshu with his brows down, but said nothing.

Mo Yanzhou smiled, his voice softening.

"Speaking of which, Miss Jiang can be considered my and my brother's savior. My brother and I were right behind Miss Jiang at the time."

Why didn't you just stab him to death?

Jiang Yunshu thought bitterly to herself.

"Why do Mr. Jiang and Miss Jiang both look so worried? Has something happened?"

Jiang Yunshu quietly raised her eyes and glared fiercely at Mo Yanzhou.

Then he quietly lowered his head, preventing himself from rushing forward and tearing the inkstone boat to pieces.

“My grandson has been kidnapped by thieves and has not been found yet. My daughter is very worried and has to get up even when she is sick.”

Mo Yanzhou raised an eyebrow, seemingly quite surprised: "Is that so?"

After saying that, he looked at Jiang Yunshu with great sympathy: "Miss Jiang, your plight is truly worrying. You saved me and my brother before. Now that we are here today, we will help you find your daughter."

The people around him stepped forward and helped Jiang Yunshu up.

"Please sit down, there's no need to be so formal."

At this moment, the Second Prince Mo Tingyu also spoke up: "Is this Lord Zhong?"

"I remember you were still serving in the capital last year. When did you come to Jiangnan?"

County Magistrate Zhong was silent for a moment, and Mo Yanzhou also looked over, but he had no recollection of this person.

The Jiang family members also looked over, and for some reason, Jiang Yunshu suddenly felt a faint unease in her heart.

"Your Highness, I..." Magistrate Zhong stammered, "regarding last year's transport of oranges..."

He didn't say anything more, but everyone understood what he meant.

The emperor was furious when the oranges failed to ripen, because the oranges were Consort Yu's favorite things during her lifetime.

On the anniversary of Consort Yu's death, Lu Jushi was beheaded at the West Market, and all those implicated were demoted.

Mo Tingyu was speechless for a moment, not expecting that this person had been demoted because of his mother.

Silence fell over the room once again.

Only Jiang Yunshu's mind was in turmoil at that moment.

Magistrate Zhong, Lord Zhong!

He is Lord Zhong from the capital!

In her past life, A Yao was in love with Lord Zhong's son, Zhong Yichen.

The two were deeply in love, but Mo Yanzhou's interference and forced marriage forced them to separate.

Later, Zhong Yichen sacrificed the entire Zhong family to save Ayao.

Like Ling Jingchu in his previous life, he met a bad end.

Jiang Yunshu looked up at Magistrate Zhong and his wife, who appeared to be kind and gentle people.

Are you feeling comfortable here?

After a long silence, Mo Tingyu asked in a deep voice.

County Magistrate Zhong didn't dare to look up and replied in a low voice, "The water towns of Jiangnan have their own unique charm. Although they can't compare to the prosperity of Yujing, they are still very comfortable."

Mo Tingyu awkwardly took a sip of tea, and only then did Mo Yanzhou speak up: "The capital is bustling, but it's rare to find such relaxation here. Lord Zhong has actually benefited from this misfortune."

Lord Zhong nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Mo Yanzhou glanced at the Second Prince, then steered the conversation back to the main topic.

"Miss Jiang, would you be willing to paint a small portrait of your daughter? My men have never seen your daughter before."

Jiang Yunshu sneered inwardly, "Never seen it before?"

I've never seen a girl from the Zhong family thrown down while being tied up?

Her face was deathly pale, her lips were pale, but her eyes held an undisguised rage.

Mo Yanzhou couldn't help but laugh. What did it matter if she knew their scheme? She was just a lowly merchant's daughter. Even if she was the richest merchant in the world, she was still just a lowly merchant.

Want to shake the imperial power?

That's utterly delusional.

Such a look only made him feel happy.

Jiang Jinhong summoned someone to paint a portrait, only to say that Jiang Yunshu was still ill and unable to pick up a paintbrush.

He also asked Bai Zhi to take the person back to their room.

Jiang Yunshu was now completely certain of Mo Yanzhou's intentions: he wanted the Jiang family to become his ally.

But she didn't understand what made him abandon the Jiang family later.

——

Jiang Yunzheng looked at Ling Jingchu with a deep gaze: "What do you know, Ling Jingchu? What do you know? It's just because of this identity that my talents have nowhere to be displayed, and they all look down on me!"

“I passed the imperial examination before you, but three years later I am still a commoner. Some of the people who passed the examination at the same time as me have already entered the capital.”

Jiang Yunzheng angrily pointed at Ling Jingchu: "I won't talk to you. You are content to stay in Jiangnan and have no ambition. With your talent, you could have participated in the imperial examination three years ago, passed the exam, and served the country. But you are willing to spend your whole life wasting your time in that small school."

"Ling Jingchu, someone like you will never understand me!"

Ling Jingchu only looked at him, his cold eyes and deep voice saying, "Then Jiang Yunshu will pave the way for you?"

Do you know who kidnapped A-Yao?

"And who's causing trouble at your restaurant?"

Ling Jingchu chuckled and looked at Jiang Yunzheng mockingly: "Or did you originally intend to drag the entire Jiang family into this abyss?"