"No, that's impossible!" Cuiqing collapsed to the ground. She had to think of a way. "Even if you didn't kill him yourself, you must have hired someone to do it!"

She was nearly driven mad, pointing at Xu Nian's nose as she stood up from the ground, "In the entire capital, who else besides you has a grudge against them? It must be you who sent people from your household to hire someone to kill them!"

They won't shed a tear until they see the coffin!

With a long sigh, Xu Nian nestled in her chair, took a sip of tea, and said nothing.

Jiang Yuanqing understood her meaning, his eyes flickered and his face turned cold. "As far as I know, the county princess does indeed have a grudge against these two. I wonder if the county princess can produce evidence that she did not hire someone to commit murder?"

What evidence did she get?

The person who had given up straightened his sleeves and shook his head. Zhao Jinfeng, sitting below, was the most opportunistic; she had initially thought that if Xu Nian could turn the tide, she would change her tune.

After all, a county magistrate's niece is worth far more than the silver notes those people gave her.

Unexpectedly, Cuiqing turned the tide and with just one sentence, she choked Xu Nian. The prince on the stage, who was on good terms with her, showed no intention of helping her.

Zhao Jinfeng's eyes darted around, and in no time she nudged Yang Chunhua. "Sir, sir! My niece must have been confused for a moment. She's just young and doesn't know any better! I've worked so hard to feed and clothe her, and I never expected to be treated like this!"

"Sister-in-law, please stop crying!" Yang Chunhua supported the person beside her. "Nian'er is still young, she must have been confused for a moment. She might have been deceived into killing and stealing grain."

Her words were quite meaningful. Xu Nian was only seventeen or eighteen years old; who could she possibly be fooled by?

Chen Weisheng's eyes lit up as he glanced over. He had initially thought the two who had suddenly appeared were just there to cause trouble. Unexpectedly, they had actually done him a great favor!

"Xu Nian, do you agree with everything they say? Do you have any evidence to prove you didn't do it?" Jiang Yuanqing asked calmly.

Xu Nian spread her hands, looking quite helpless. "I have no evidence. Arrest me."

[Hahaha, sexy streamer, just lazing around online.]

[I think you can still be saved, streamer! Don't give up!]

[Does the host have any other ideas?]

"You're quite clever, family member." Having never seen an ancient prison before, Xu Nian, who was in a solitary cell, asked the jailer for some paper and a pair of scissors and started idly cutting paper.

No matter how many questions were asked in the live chat, he refused to reveal his purpose in doing so.

The next day, with her already imprisoned and unable to escape, the Third Prince's faction became even more arrogant in the court. Everyone was fixated on Xu Nian, insisting on her execution.

Jiang Mingyun's face was terribly gloomy as he looked down at Jiang Yuanlang, who remained unmoved by his warning gaze. Jiang Yuanlang stood silently to the side, watching the show Jiang Mingyun was orchestrating.

“Your Majesty,” Scholar Du stepped forward, “I believe that although the Princess of Fu’an has done many wrong things, her crimes do not warrant death.”

Finally, a different voice emerged, and the emperor's expression softened slightly. "Please speak, my dear minister."

"The Lady of Fu'an County is a woman, and she is so young that she may have been deceived into doing this. Otherwise, how could a woman do something like stealing grain and disregarding human life?"

Jiang Mingyun's face turned red, then blue, then purple, and finally showed signs of turning black!

Deceived?! Who could Xu Nian possibly be deceived by?! This is a roundabout way of trying to shift the blame onto Gu Zhan; can't she see through him?!

"Scholar Du, you are mistaken. There is currently a lack of evidence in the case of the Princess of Fu'an, and it is only out of necessity to imprison her. However, this does not mean that she is truly guilty. Your Majesty, I believe that this matter needs to be considered more carefully."

The Crown Prince calmly rose to his feet. He could tell that his father wanted to protect Xu Nian. Only a madman like Jiang Yuanlang would be so determined to kill Xu Nian.

The court was in an uproar, but Gu Zhan stood there silently. His cold demeanor said it all.

In the past few days, countless court officials have approached him, subtly or overtly suggesting that as long as he annuls the engagement, this matter will absolutely not involve him.

He was very annoyed, and he also had to keep it a secret, lest someone discover that he was secretly investigating the villagers' locations.

I simply don't have the energy to argue with them right now.

The emperor, annoyed by the noise, frowned and glanced at Jiang Yuanqing, who had been standing silently. "Yuanqing, you're the one handling this case. What do you think?"

“Father, I agree with the Crown Prince. This case is far from being resolved, and we must not convict the Princess of Fu’an so easily.”

Jiang Mingyun nodded in satisfaction. "In that case, you shall continue to oversee this matter. Your Highness, you shall assist me. Court adjourned."

In the dark and damp prison, Xu Nian stayed for several days. Without even needing to open his Heavenly Eye to see clearly, he could sense that there were many wronged souls around him.

They dared not approach him, and all huddled in a corner.

When she felt a mischievous urge and was really bored, she would get up and go to that corner to tease him. Gu Zhan still didn't know when he would hear from her.

These past few days, first the Crown Prince, then the Second Prince. My treatment in prison has improved considerably, but I have no idea when this case will end.

"Princess of Fu'an County, someone has come to see you." The jailer called out loudly, then lowered his voice obsequiously, "Princess, please be careful on the steps."

Princess?

Just as I was wondering, the familiar fiery red tore open a hole in this dark and oppressive environment.

Xu Nian looked at Fu Kang, who stood in front of her with his arms crossed and a smile in his eyes, with surprise. "Princess, what brings you here?"

The man waved for the jailers to leave, then pulled out a letter and handed it to her. “Su Wanting, the future Crown Princess, cannot appear in person. I was asked to come and see you.”

The letter was written by Gu Zhan, who said that the matter of evidence had been made progress and that the truth would soon be revealed.

But this is not what Xu Nian hoped for.

In the past few days, she has seen many villagers brought up to give false testimony with trepidation.

I wonder what happened to those children and elderly people who were kidnapped...

“I can help you.” Just as he was racking his brains about how to tell Gu Zhan this, Fu Kang suddenly spoke up.

Xu Nian looked up and saw that the expression on her face did not seem like a joke. "Does the princess really mean it?" If Fu Kang had help, things could proceed on two fronts at the same time, which would at least be faster than it is now.

The proud girl couldn't tolerate being questioned, and nodded with her chin held high. "Just tell me what's on your mind."

After recounting the whole story, Xu Nian noticed the grave-like mark on Fu Kang's face and suddenly remembered something. "Take this paper effigy with you; it might come in handy in a pinch. And take this thunder and fire talisman for self-defense too."