Chapter 276 Zhou Zhining's Achilles' Heel

In the late afternoon, Zhou Zhining said she was going to Jinmantang to look at the account books and left the new mansion.

When she arrived at Jinmantang, Prince Xin was already inside.

After the punishment she received last time, Zhou Zhining no longer dared to place herself on the same level as Prince Xin.

She slightly bent her knees, about to kneel and perform a grand salute, when Prince Xin calmly raised his hand and said, "No need."

Zhou Zhining swallowed and explained, "Zhan Xingzhuo went to visit Yao Qingling in prison after court. I had to wait for him to return. Only after knowing the situation in prison did I find a chance to slip away and come here."

Prince Xin casually toyed with his fan: "What's the situation in the prison?"

"It is said that the Emperor has issued an edict that no one can be released before the case is closed. This case involves a wide range of people, and now it involves the Yao family, who are both officials and merchants, making it even more complicated. The Prince is meticulous in his actions, and Yao Ying is a muddle-headed but greedy person. He certainly does not know that the person behind this is related to the Prince."

"As long as those people find out about Yao Ying, and make people think that this Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery is a petty official who is extremely corrupt, then the matter will be more or less settled."

Prince Xin glanced at her and said, "I will trust you for now."

Lin Shiyuan needs time to investigate Yao Yingshang, while they have more time to clean up the mess and clear themselves of any wrongdoing. Once Lin Shiyuan has cleaned up the mess there, there won't be much left to investigate further.

"It's just a pity..." Prince Xin muttered to himself, then stopped talking, without revealing the name.

His gaze towards Zhou Zhining suddenly turned icy: "Are you sure you're not using this case to seek personal gain?"

If the Marquis of Zhongyong is investigated and proven guilty, the entire Marquis's mansion will be destroyed, along with all the others. For Zhou Zhining, since she failed to frame Yao Qingling last time, she can achieve her goal this time.

Zhou Zhining swallowed and lowered her eyes: "Zhining knows she was wrong. Now she only wants to make amends and dares not think about anything else."

"Yao Qingling was convicted because of the Marquis of Zhongyong. Perhaps she can rely on her favors with the people to provoke them and the refugees to plead for her."

Prince Xin snorted.

That small favor is nothing compared to the majesty of the royal family.

"Yao Qingling also did Lin Shiyuan a favor, yet she still treated her cruelly?" Prince Xin's voice was cold. He never believed in the idea that favors would be repaid.

Zhou Zhining thought for a moment, then raised her eyes and asked, "Does Your Highness want to save Yao Qingling?"

Prince Xin glanced at her indifferently: "Don't worry about my affairs. How about Zhan Xingzhuo?"

Zhou Zhining shook her head: "He couldn't even save his own son, and he's in his study feeling dejected... I heard that Yao Qingling's attitude is firm; she'd rather die with the child than give him the child."

Prince Xin frowned slightly.

Is Yao Qingling so resolute?

As a mother, she would normally do anything to ensure her child's survival, no matter what.

Zhan Xingzhuo wasn't her enemy; it was just that they had no affection for each other as husband and wife. It didn't make sense...

Seeing that he hadn't spoken for a while and was completely absorbed in his own thoughts, Zhou Zhining didn't dare to disturb him. She curtsied and tiptoed out.

After a few turns, an arm suddenly reached out from the side and grabbed her.

Tao Weixian hugged her tightly: "After you went back to Hengwu Villa last time, you never came to see me again. I have to come here to see you."

Zhou Zhining subtly stepped out of his embrace, a forced smile on her face: "Business is so busy at the end of the year, and Prince Xin doesn't care about the shop, how could I possibly leave?"

She walked to the tea table, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to the man.

As the man took the teacup, he casually touched her smooth hand before sitting down.

"Business from all directions has come to you. You must be making a lot of money."

Zhou Zhining smiled and said, "I only take what I'm entitled to; the rest belongs to the prince. However, if we earn more money, my father and the others in the northern border will be able to live a better life."

Tao Weixian slowly turned the jade thumb ring and nodded: "You have always been so filial."

His voice suddenly changed, becoming somber: "But you've never been soft on your methods when dealing with enemies."

That Tian Zhu was sent to Lin Shiyuan's side by Zhou Zhining through Tao Weixian's request and the help of the Shenguo Duke's Mansion, so that he could keep an eye on Lin Shiyuan's handling of cases and prevent him from showing favoritism.

Even Prince Xin was unaware of this matter.

Unexpectedly, Lin Shiyuan didn't need anyone to keep an eye on him. He was willing to do any dirty work to climb the ranks, and he didn't even care about the life-saving grace.

Even those in the Censorate couldn't stand it and cursed him in the court, but Lin Shiyuan didn't care and continued to do as he pleased.

Therefore, Zhou Zhining stopped contacting Tao Weixian.

However, Tao Weixian had no intention of letting Zhou Zhining off the hook.

He held the woman's hand: "Zhi Ning, Zhan Xingzhuo has been back for so long. Back then, you were so determined to be with him, but did he ever mention marrying you?"

This is Zhou Zhining's Achilles' heel.

Everyone knows that she and Zhan Xingzhuo are not lovers, but they can never get married.

She comforted herself countless times, telling herself that it was because she was a slave and could not marry him.

As the daughter of the Grand Tutor, she naturally had no desire to stoop to be his concubine.

In the past, Zhan Xingzhuo would say he wanted to marry her, and even promised that he would treat Xiao'er as his own son, not even as good as Zhao'er. These words made Zhou Zhining happy and sweet, but... but now, he doesn't allow Xiao'er to call him father in front of outsiders.

He never mentioned marrying her again, nor did he even try to coax her.

Zhou Zhining forced a smile and said, "Given the current situation, he has no mind to think about those things."

Tao Weixian said, "Zhi Ning, I will plead with my father to let you become my concubine. Don't worry, although you are a concubine, the servants will treat you the same as the principal wife. When Grand Tutor Zhou returns to the capital and your status is changed to that of a commoner, I will make you my equal wife."

Tao Weixian is not stupid.

He could tell that Zhou Zhining and Zhan Xingzhuo shared feelings from their youth, feelings that had continued to this day, making it difficult for her to let go.

There are some things she doesn't want Zhan Xingzhuo to know, so she uses his hands, or the Prince of Xin's hands, to do them.

Tao Weixian also knew that Zhan Xingzhuo had feelings for Zhou Zhining, and also for Yao Qingling, after all, she had given birth to his son.

With the Yao family in trouble, Zhan Xingzhuo's mind was not on Zhou Zhining, which became the opportunity for Tao Weixian to seduce her.

Opportunities are rare, so seize them early.

He was willing to promise her the status of a concubine so that he could have her.

Zhou Zhining opened her lips.

If her father were still the Grand Tutor, Zhou Zhining dared to say that whoever married her would not even have a concubine by his side.

But times have changed. Now, even making her a concubine would be a great favor.

Being a concubine to the Duke's son at least gives me a home.

Zhou Zhining felt a flutter in her heart, but it was only for a moment.

Having come this far, how could she give up?

If she were to marry Tao Weixian, wouldn't Yao Qingling be overjoyed?

Zhou Zhining chuckled: "Tao Weixian, I will not be your concubine. If you think Tian Zhu shouldn't be next to Lin Shiyuan, then you can bring him back."

Seeing that she refused again, Tao Weixian sighed helplessly: "Zhining, you're doing this again. When have I ever made any conditions when I helped you?"

He was also hypocritical; he would say he didn't, but he would always try to take advantage of others, and he never suffered any loss.

Zhou Zhining smiled and said, "You are a gentleman and Father's student, so naturally you wouldn't say such nonsense, nor would you do anything to kick someone when they're down..."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Tao Weixian finally left Jin Mantang.

Zhou Zhining stood by the window, watching Tao Weixian's carriage drive away.

The sky was already dark, and as the sun set, the temperature plummeted. Could Yao Qingling and her wretched son survive the first night?

A cold smile curled at the corners of her lips.