42 Chapter 042

◎The Crown Prince Kills His Father◎

After returning to Zhuangyuan Lane, Xie Mingzhuo stayed indoors to rest for two days.

Over the past two days, various news about the eastern suburbs have been circulating in Anlu County.

The tragic death of Sun Lian and her son sparked heated discussion. Everyone knew that she had given birth to a baby boy, and this baby boy was very likely the prince's only son in this life.

There are those who feel regretful, and there are also those who gloat over other people's misfortunes.

Amid the sensation caused by this case, the fact that Yao Sanniang was the daughter of a royal family was no longer so attractive. Apart from a few talks among the neighbors who were familiar with her, not many people cared about it.

Xie Mingzhuo sat by the window, slowly polishing her pocket pistol. After her mother and eldest brother had given it to her, she had never fired it again, except for a few times to test the feel of it.

The gate opened and closed.

Yang Yunkai came back with the information and was about to go to the main house to report, but was stopped by Li Jiuyue.

"Your Highness has not slept well these past two days. Please go later and let Your Highness rest a little longer."

Yang Yunkai was about to agree when he heard the owner of the house say, "Come in."

Sitting in the position of commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he has experienced countless sword fights and is quite sensitive to killing intent.

The princess appeared calm these past two days, but she had murderous intentions in her heart.

Yang Yunkai had witnessed too much cruelty and bloodshed, and was not much moved by the misery of Sun Lian and others.

He could understand the princess's anger, but he didn't want to see her hurt herself.

He pushed the door open and entered, greeting everyone.

"Your Highness, news has come from the eastern suburbs. After learning of the death of Sun Lian and her son, Xie Yu destroyed the entire house. He is currently staying indoors, seemingly in a state of extreme depression."

"Really?" Xie Mingzhuo had put away his pistol before he entered. "Do you remember what Sanniang did when she learned of her mother's death?"

"He vomited blood in great sorrow."

Xie Mingzhuo's mind was now extremely clear, and she caught something strange almost instantly.

"Xie Yu's feelings for Sun Lian and her son are certainly not as deep as Sanniang's for her mother, but his son is his lifelong obsession. His current behavior is more like a show for others than depression."

Yang Yunkai immediately understood: "Could it be that Sun Lian has nothing to do with him?"

"It's not just Sun Lian. Those women on Hulu Peak have nothing to do with him." Xie Mingzhuo placed his hands on the windowsill and clenched them tightly. "He deceived everyone."

"What is his purpose?"

"Let the enemy relax their guard," Xie Mingzhuo turned suddenly, his eyes stern and cold. "Wang Xin wants Sanniang. Datong Carriage and Horse Trading ran into a wall with him last time. Now Sanniang won't go again. This time, the transport mission has become a hot potato. He has a good excuse to shirk it."

Yang Yunkai's eyes lit up with admiration. "Your Highness is absolutely right. This time, the transportation mission will be handed over to Xie Yu."

"Then ask Lu Lian to help him."

Just yesterday, a secret letter came from Lu Lian, saying that he and Zong Zhen had worked together inside and outside to secretly control Wang Xin, and that they would have the final say in the Wang family mine from now on.

Xie Yi took the opportunity to throw the hot potato to Xie Yu, certainly with the mentality that Xie Yu could not do it.

I wonder what Xie Yu would feel after Xie Yu successfully "persuaded" Wang Xin.

"Your Highness, the bride escort captured in Yingshan has confessed. It was Prince Liang himself who ordered Xie Ni to be sent to Henan."

Few people could withstand the torture of the Jinyiwei, so it was expected that these people would confess.

These people were just guards of the palace and had never been involved in the affairs of the Bishan army. No matter how much they were interrogated, they knew nothing.

The Jinyiwei had no control over how the King of Liang married his daughter. Even if they were caught, they would not be able to obtain any evidence of the King of Liang's rebellion.

Liang Wang Mansion in the eastern suburbs.

Although her mother had been buried, Yao Sanniang still insisted on keeping vigil for seven days.

She set up a mourning hall in her own courtyard and planned to kneel in front of Yao's tablet for seven days and seven nights.

Xie Yu walked into the yard and was choked by the ashes in the brazier. He couldn't help but cover his nose and said, "Sanniang, you've burned enough. Aunt Yao can't use it all up down there."

Yao Sanniang stared at him, and that look gave him goosebumps.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything more. Don't look at me like that. It's creepy."

Yao Sanniang lowered her head and burned paper money again.

"I'm here to tell you that my father has entrusted the caravan to me for supervision. In a few days, I will personally go to Henan."

"oh."

"You didn't forget what you promised me, did you?"

Yao Sanniang said quietly, "You didn't do what you promised me."

"Isn't he doing it right now?" Xie Yu leaned closer to her and lowered his voice. "Sun Lian and her son died. He was devastated and is now staying indoors."

Yao Sanniang suddenly looked up: "Did you kill Sun Lian?"

"Of course not," Xie Yu denied, "Her death was an accident. Perhaps Xie Yu was destined to be childless."

"nausea."

Xie Yu: “…”

He was humiliated and said unhappily, "I know you have a way to suppress Wang Xin. Now it's time to tell me, right?"

"If I really had a way, I would have threatened him long ago. How could I end up in this situation today?"

"Don't try to lie to me," Xie Yu said, not believing it at all. "I know that Wang Xin was trying to get ahead of himself before, and I asked you to solve it. Father even praised you."

Yao Sanniang sneered, "Some methods can only be used once. If you use them more than once, they won't work."

"You can't not leave yourself a way out."

"Since it's my escape route, why should I tell you?"

"Xie Ni!" Xie Yu took a deep breath. "Don't be angry. We are now on the same boat. If I lose my position, you won't be much better off."

Yao Sanniang: "Then tell me, your so-called method of driving Xie Yin completely crazy is really just the death of Sun Lian and her son?"

"What else? Does Xie Yu have any other weaknesses?"

"I'll believe you for now," Yao Sanniang motioned him to put his ear close to hers and lowered her voice, "Wang Xin has a secret he's hiding from my father. In addition to those iron mines, he also secretly owns a small silver mine."

Xie Yu's eyes suddenly widened, his voice almost trembling: "Silver mine? Really?"

"If that weren't the case, why would he listen to me out of guilt and even insist on marrying me?" Yao Sanniang scoffed. "Only by marrying me can he completely control me and keep this secret."

This made sense, so Xie Yu believed it.

He said, his father has so many daughters, Sanniang is not the prettiest one, and her temperament is not gentle, so why does Wang Xin have to choose her?

It turns out that it was to keep his own secret.

"He threatened my father to marry you off. Isn't he afraid that you'd tell my father about it in anger?"

Yao Sanniang lowered her eyes. "He owns the silver mine, which gives him more leverage in front of my father. My father won't do anything to him for the time being, but I..."

"Sanniang, it's not easy for you either." Xie Yu feigned sympathy and patted her shoulder. "You continue to worship your mother. I'm leaving first."

As the footsteps faded away, Yao Sanniang suddenly uttered two words: "Beast."

Xie Yu walked out of the backyard and suddenly sneezed. He wondered who was scolding him, but he didn't care at all.

After walking through the corridor and reaching the corner, he saw Xie Yi's figure from afar, so he hid in a secluded place and watched Xie Yi enter his father's study.

He scoffed softly and turned back to his yard.

Just as I was crossing the corridor, a little kid suddenly bumped into me, sat down on the ground, tilted his head back with a confused look on his face.

Xie Yu's face darkened slightly.

"Second Young Master, please forgive me," a woman dressed as a maid came hurriedly and immediately knelt down to apologize, "Xiao Bao did not mean it. Please forgive me, Second Young Master."

Xie Yu looked down at the little boy, his eyes fixed on his face, and asked with a forced smile, "Xiaobao, is this silver collar new?"

"Yes." The woman lowered her head.

"Nice style." Xie Yu retracted his gaze, "Everyone, get up. Be more careful next time."

"I understand." The woman pulled Xiaobao up and left quickly.

Xie Yu brushed off the hem of his clothes that had been hit, his expression quite meaningful.

Did Xie Yi really think that he could be deceived by just those women from Hulu Peak?

That's ridiculous.

Prince Liang's study.

Compared to the kind-hearted look he had outside the palace that day, Prince Liang's face today was a little more gloomy.

The wedding procession encountered the Jinyiwei on the way and was discovered by Lin Fan. No matter how you look at it, this matter is too coincidental.

How could he be happy when his original plan was disrupted?

"Father, Lin Fan is just a small squad leader. He has no connection with the Jinyiwei and should have nothing to do with him."

Prince Liang leaned back in his chair, his eyes half closed as he asked, "Do you have any suspects?"

"The Jinyiwei showed up that day by chance, Lin Fan showed up by chance, and a few others showed up by chance as well." Xie Yu said, fanning himself. "Sanniang's friend might not be that simple."

From the information gathered, it seems that the six people went to Yingshan County to hide and expressed their gratitude to Lin Fan at Wuliting. It is understandable that Lin Fan kindly escorted them to Yingshan, but -

"Father, this is a critical moment. We cannot afford to take any chances."

"In that case, we'll do as you say." King Liang's eyes were deep and sharp. "Dalang, I can turn a blind eye to some things, but please don't lose your sense of proportion."

Xie Yi took his leave and walked out of the yard. He looked back at the study before heading towards his own residence.

After walking a few steps, a branch sticking out from the roadside poked his face.

He broke the branch hard and folded it in half again. Every time he folded it, his face twisted a little more.

Anlu County Government Office.

The person who was most happy about Lin Fan's reinstatement was Zhang Zhide.

He found time to rush over to the Third Class Yamen and punched Lin Fan: "I've been so worried these past few days. You're such a capable kid! You made such a big fuss as soon as you came back."

Lin Fan just shook his head and said nothing.

"Tell me quickly, how did you save the prince's daughter?" Zhang Zhide squeezed his arm. "I'll treat you to dinner tonight."

Lin Fan said, "I have a street patrol tonight, so I won't go. I'll treat you to dinner at my house another day when I'm free."

"Why are they patrolling the streets again?" Zhang Zhide muttered softly. "Miss Meng can't run. I don't know why she's so nervous."

Lin Fan: “…”

How could a girl who could mobilize the Jinyiwei be interested in him?

Although he was reinstated, County Magistrate Fan obviously ignored him. He ordered all the important cases to Huang Ding and others, and only gave him some trivial matters.

Lin Fan didn't mind, but his men were inevitably wronged by following him. Most of them had families to support, and the meager salary of the yamen runners was simply not enough.

Before, I could help him solve cases and earn some bonuses, but now I can't even get involved in theft cases. Although he doesn't show it on his face, he must be worried inside.

After the court was dismissed, he took Ren Dali to have a quick meal and began to patrol the streets.

"Boss, you really have a keen eye. You saw something was wrong right away. If it were me, I would have missed such a good opportunity."

Lin Fan smiled and said, "As long as you are careful, you can do it too."

In fact, it is because we first assume that there is a problem with the carriage and then work backwards to see that something is wrong.

And the one who assumed there was something wrong with the carriage was Miss Meng.

"Hehe, I'd better give up." Ren Dali knows his own limitations.

Lin Fan changed the subject: "Da Li, I have something to do tomorrow. If you're free, please help me order a table of food and drinks at Jun Zai Lai, and then invite the brothers over to relax tonight."

"no problem."

"Why don't we split up into two groups? You go to Wutong Lane, and I'll go to Zhuangyuan Lane, and then we'll meet up at Carp Lane. That way we can go back and rest earlier."

Ren Dali didn't think much about it: "Okay."

The night sky was dyed as black as ink, the clouds blocked the moonlight, and the alley was pitch black.

Lin Fan walked deep into Zhuangyuan Lane and stopped in front of a house. Before he could knock on the door, it opened from the inside.

He stepped in.

The neighbors had already turned off the lights and gone to sleep, so the whole process did not disturb anyone else.

As soon as I entered the main room, I saw a lamp lit on the eight-immortals table. A young woman was sitting at the table trimming the candle wick, her black hair half draped over her back, and her clothes loose and casual.

Lin Fan bowed, "Miss Meng."

"Sit down," Xie Mingzhuo put down the candle snips. "Team Leader Lin is always punctual."

Feng Caiyu picked up the candle snips, put them away properly, and then returned to stand behind her.

Lin Fan sat down as he was told, his eyes fixed on the table, and he got straight to the point: "Fan Zhao seems to have been interacting with the Crown Prince's men these past two days, but the Crown Prince's men are wary, so my spies didn't dare to follow too closely."

"You suppressed Lai Tou before, and Lai Tou resented you. Now you're at odds with Fan Biqing. Both the black and white factions dislike you," Xie Mingzhuo personally poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. "What are your plans?"

"Miss Meng, what do you think... What's wrong with your palm?" Lin Fan caught a glimpse of the fine scars on Xie Mingzhuo's palm and was stunned.

Judging from the healing condition of the wound, it should have been sustained two days ago, when they were returning from Yingshan.

Miss Meng had always appeared calm and composed. When she comforted him that day, he thought she might be a member of the Imperial Guards, accustomed to seeing life and death, and therefore could face the tragic situation of Sun Lian and others calmly.

Unexpectedly, she was just holding on.

A subtle sour feeling suddenly surged into his heart. Lin Fan couldn't help but look up and asked softly, "Miss, you advised me not to blame myself, so why did you hurt yourself?"

Xie Mingzhuo: “…”

She truly felt that this was nothing serious, not even a minor injury.

"Captain Lin, what was the confession of the suspect arrested in Bishan that day?" She withdrew her hand and changed the subject.

Lin Fan was stunned for a moment, and could only answer: "They were all handed over to the government for supervision. Lin did not participate in the interrogation. I don't know the details. I only know that they bit those women to death and they took them up the mountain on their own. It has nothing to do with Dongjiao."

"Where are those people now?"

"In the prison of the government office."

"Could you please give us a favor?"

Lin Fan was puzzled: "What does Miss Meng mean?"

"Old Yang." Xie Mingzhuo called.

Yang Yunkai immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I am somewhat familiar with the art of torture. I would like to ask Captain Lin to help me get into the government office and interrogate him."

"Why?" Lin Fan didn't agree immediately. "Inspector Shen's interrogation methods are no worse than those of a detective."

"It's not that I don't trust Judge Shen, I just want to verify the truth of those people's confessions." Xie Mingzhuo said bluntly, "I suspect that those women in Bishan were just deliberately used by Xie Yi to confuse outsiders. They have nothing to do with Xie Yi in the first place."

Those innocent women were both his shields against his opponents and his tools to comfort the guards of Bishan.

Lin Fan understood immediately: "You mean, we've all been deceived, and now everyone thinks he's depressed because of Sun Lian's death, so he's taking advantage of our laxity to plot something?"

"These are just my speculations, so I want Lao Yang to go and confirm that those women never had any sexual relations with Xie Yu."

"After Sun Lian and the others were rescued, most of them cried miserably, and a few had dull eyes and were slow to react. After questioning them, we got nothing out of it, so we had no choice but to let them go home. If I had asked them clearly at the time, it would have been much better." Lin Fan regretted again.

But now, there is no chance to even ask.

Xie Mingzhuo: "Can Captain Lin please grant me this convenience?"

"I need to ask Judge Shen about this," Lin Fan replied, "and I'll give you an answer tomorrow night at the latest."

"Wait for good news."

Considering that Ren Dali was quite fast, Lin Fan estimated that the time was almost up, so he stood up and said, "I still have to go patrol the streets, so I'll take my leave."

He turned around and walked a few steps, but then stopped and paused, then returned to the table, picked up the tea that Xie Mingzhuo had just poured himself, raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.

"Thank you for your hospitality. Miss Meng, please take care of yourself and don't hurt yourself."

After saying that, he didn't leave, but stood there, as if waiting for Xie Mingzhuo's answer.

Xie Mingzhuo laughed helplessly: "Okay."

Only then did Lin Fan turn around and leave.

With Lin Fan's help and Chen Shi being the one who didn't follow the rules, Yang Yunkai was able to enter the prison smoothly. He used extraordinary means to prove that what the guards of Hulu Peak said was true.

Those women really had nothing to do with Xie Yi.

Xie Mingzhuo recalled everything that happened after arriving in Anlu, sorted out everything carefully, and gathered everyone around the table.

"Everyone, we may be facing the biggest crisis since coming to Anlu."

Jiang Qing: "Your Highness, I will protect you!"

"Your Highness, please give your orders." Li Jiuyue and others also expressed their loyalty.

Xie Mingzhuo analyzed, "In my haste to save Sanniang, I wasn't thorough enough and mobilized the Jinyiwei of Yingshan County. Now that I think about it, I'm afraid I might have alerted the enemy. Given the cunning minds of Prince Liang and Xie Yi, it's impossible for them not to suspect such a coincidence."

Besides, saving Xie Ni disrupted King Liang's plan. How could King Liang not hate him?

"What does Your Highness plan to do?" Yang Yunkai asked.

"If you were King Liang, what would you do?"

Yang Yunkai: "It is better to kill someone by mistake than to let him go."

"That's right," Xie Mingzhuo nodded. "The best outcome would be to catch all the suspects in one fell swoop, quietly and without any evidence."

Feng Caiyu asked, "Your Highness, do you intend to take advantage of the situation and go to that tiger cave?"

King Liang was of noble status, and even the prefects did not dare to set foot in the eastern suburbs easily, so he was naturally not afraid of being investigated.

It is easy to take a few lives silently. As long as you disguise yourself well at the time, you can clear yourself of suspicion.

Xie Mingzhuo laughed and joked, "After Ah Yu came out, he became more like a counselor."

Feng Caiyu blushed immediately: "Your Highness, thank you for your compliment."

As expected, after Xie Ni finished her seven-day wake, Dongjiao solemnly sent an invitation. To express his gratitude, King Liang sincerely invited them to attend a banquet at the palace.

Besides them, Lin Fan was also present at the banquet.

Although it was Lin Fan who rescued the person, King Liang found out after investigation that Lin Fan had nothing to do with the Jinyiwei. Instead, the new friend Xie Ni made was more suspicious.

They are Xie Ni's friends and have been taking care of Xie Ni since they arrived in Yingshan County, so it is reasonable for them to be invited.

When the neighbors in Zhuangyuan Lane heard the news, they said they were lucky to have made friends with the daughter of a royal family, and that they would probably be very successful in the future.

Everyone congratulated and envied.

The six of them met Lin Fan outside the east gate of the county town.

"I said I was going to save you, but in the end I ended up dragging you down with me." Xie Mingzhuo said half seriously, half jokingly, "I beg for your forgiveness, Captain Lin."

Lin Fan said with a carefree smile, "Miss Meng, you're too kind. If you hadn't saved me, I would have died in some remote corner, never to see this clear blue sky again."

He has too many enemies. Once he loses power, those enemies will swarm around him like hyenas, and Dongjiao won't have to take action himself.

Xie Mingzhuo raised his head and said, "It is indeed a nice day today."

"Hongmen Feast, does Miss Meng have any solution for this?"

"Not really. We'll just have to wait and see." Xie Mingzhuo said, "But I believe you and I are still useful and won't die anytime soon."

"Haha," Lin Fanlang laughed, "Miss Meng sees things clearly. I admire you."

Their eyes met, then looked away at the same time.

At three quarters past four, seven people arrived at the palace in the eastern suburbs.

When they returned from Yingshan County before, they only glanced at the side door of the palace from a distance. Today, under the guidance of the palace's housekeeper, several people stepped over the high threshold of the side door and truly stepped into the territory of King Liang.

The palace courtyard is spacious and grand, with an extremely exquisite landscape layout. Every flower, grass, building and pavilion exudes elegance and luxury.

The butler led them to the banquet hall and ordered the servants to set out tea and snacks. He said gently and politely, "Dear guests, please wait here for some tea and snacks. The Crown Prince and the Third Miss will be here in a moment."

Prince Liang was proud of his status and would not personally entertain the guests, so he asked the Crown Prince to do it for him, which was considered as giving him enough face.

All seven of them politely returned the greeting.

The butler ordered the servants to serve the distinguished guest carefully, and left the banquet hall on the pretext of having something to deal with.

Xie Mingzhuo and the other seven did not touch their tea or snacks, but observed the layout inside and outside of the banquet hall inconspicuously.

The house was built in the middle of a pond, with only a long corridor on the water connecting it to the shore. In summer, lotus leaves were everywhere around the banquet hall, and the pink and white lotus flowers stood tall and graceful, with a pleasant fragrance.

It is a great place to entertain guests.

In order to allow guests to appreciate the beauty of the lotus pond, the banquet hall has windows on all four sides, and the scenery outside the windows is the pond. The banks are planted with lush trees, blocking the view into the distance.

In other words, they were sitting in this room and could not see the rest of the palace at all, let alone observe the guarding situation of the palace.

Planning an escape route in advance is no longer feasible.

Li Jiuyue felt a little depressed. King Liang and his son were too cautious and blocked all their ways out.

She was not afraid of death, but she was worried about the safety of Her Royal Highness the Princess.

Thinking of this, a look of worry appeared on his face.

"Jiu Niang, the fragrance of this tea is refreshing. Can you tell what kind of tea it is?" Xie Mingzhuo asked, also as a reminder.

Li Jiuyue suddenly came back to his senses, smiled apologetically, restrained his expression, lowered his head to observe for a moment, and said carefully: "It should be Enshi Yulu."

Enshi belonged to Shizhouwei of Huguang Province, located in the southwest of Huguang. The area was full of chieftains. In order to suppress the chieftains from all sides, the imperial court established the Shizhouwei Military and Civilian Command in Shizhou.

Xie Mingzhuo was not very knowledgeable about tea and indeed did not notice it, but he was familiar with the place name Enshi.

"It turns out to be tea produced in Enshi. It has a nice name and tastes good, but this place is often turbulent. The Sanmao Tusi and Zhennan Tusi often rebel, so it is not easy to transport the tea."

Li Jiuyue nodded: "That's why it's expensive."

"Miss Meng is also interested in toast?" Lin Fan put down the teacup and seemed to be chatting casually.

Xie Mingzhuo: "I've only heard a little bit."

"I've also heard about the Tusi rebellion. It's really hard on the local people."

Li Jiuyue sighed, "Since you've already surrendered, why would you rebel?"

"The customs of the various chieftains are very different from those in the Central Plains. The imperial court sent officials to educate them, but the results were not obvious." Xie Mingzhuo read the relevant records in Wenhua Hall.

Lin Fan: "Miss Meng, do you think the lack of results is the fault of corrupt officials?"

Xie Mingzhuo's eyebrows twitched slightly: "Why do you say that, Captain Lin?"

Just as the words fell, before Lin Fan could reply, a sound came from the corridor outside the hall. Someone was jumping and playing on the corridor, accompanied by the voice of "Xiaobao, stop making trouble!"

A boy of five or six years old suddenly broke into the banquet hall. He looked ordinary, but was well-dressed and had an exquisite silver necklace around his neck.

He was not shy at all, and stared at the seven people with his eyes wide open.

"Xiaobao, there are distinguished guests here, don't disturb them." A woman dressed as a maid hurried over and reached out to pull the boy.

The boy dodged her hand like a loach and hid behind Li Jiuyue.

"The child is naughty, please forgive me, I will take him away now." The maid smiled apologetically, walked over quickly, and bent down to catch the boy.

As she bent down, the headdress on the bun behind her head caught Xie Mingzhuo's eye.

Xie Mingzhuo had no knowledge of jewelry, but coincidentally, the golden cicada and jade leaf hairpin in her hair looked like it was made by a hairpin lady in the palace.

She had seen this hairpin in her dressing box. According to Caiyu, this hairpin was made during the time of the previous emperor. There were six hairpins in total, one given to the previous empress, and the rest were given to members of the royal family.

It is not surprising that there is such a hairpin in Prince Liang's mansion. What is strange is that it is worn on the head of a maid.

Xie Mingzhuo was worried that he had seen it wrong, so he looked at Feng Caiyu and asked her, and Feng Caiyu nodded affirmatively.

This is very interesting.

She waved at the boy and asked with a smile, "Your name is Xiaobao?"

"Yes, my name is Xiaobao. What's your name?" Xiaobao slipped across the open space in the hall and ran to Xie Mingzhuo, looking up and asking.

Xie Mingzhuo didn't give in to his younger age and said seriously, "My name is Meng Zhuo. How old are you?"

"Five years and ten months old. You will be six in two months. How old are you?" Xiaobao spoke very clearly and answered questions fluently. It was obvious that he was well-educated.

Xie Mingzhuo handed him the tea and snacks, and kept it a secret: "Why not take a guess?"

"Hmm..." Xiaobao tilted his head in thought, and his hands couldn't help but reach out to the plate. Before he could grab the pastries, he was picked up by the maid who came over, and his two short legs kicked in the air.

The maidservant was too frail to be restrained. Her face flushed and sweat oozed from her forehead.

"Xiaobao, stop making trouble and go back with your mother."

"I'm not going back," Xiaobao pushed her hard and said stubbornly, "I want to play here!"

"Nonsense!" A voice suddenly shouted from the doorway, "Who told you to bring him here?! Get out now!"

Xie Yi strode into the banquet hall, wearing a golden crown on his head and a sandalwood-colored python gauze dress. His brows were straight, but he looked a little haggard and impatient.

Perhaps he was depressed because of Sun Lian's death and two lives, but he had to follow his father's orders to receive guests here.

He stopped in the hall, just in front of the mother and son, and said coldly, "The servants and children in the mansion are so rude and disturbed you all. I'm ashamed."

"Your Highness, you are too polite. Xiaobao is smart and cute, so why would you say he was disturbed?" Lin Fan stood up and returned the greeting.

Xie Mingzhuo and the other six stood up to greet him.

The maid turned around holding Xiaobao and seemed to look back at Xie Yi as she stepped out of the door.

Xie Mingzhuo only glanced at it briefly and couldn't see it clearly.

At that time, Xie Ni walked into the banquet hall, dressed in plain white, attracting everyone's attention.

"Sanniang, you have lost a lot of weight." Xie Mingzhuo felt sorry for Yao and felt even more reluctant to deal with Xie Ni.

Xie Ni pulled the corners of her mouth, revealing an ugly smile, and said, "My Lord, I have a lot to say to Second Lady and the others. I would like to invite them to my courtyard to talk."

"Sanniang, since this is a banquet, we naturally cannot neglect it. If this gets out, how will others view our Liang Palace?" Xie Yi frowned, lifted his robe and sat down at the main seat. "Everyone, please take a seat."

This "you all" only refers to Xie Mingzhuo, Li Jiuyue and Lin Fan.

Yang Da and his three companions were nominally servants and could only stand behind him and serve and wait.

Xie Ni sat down next to Xie Mingzhuo, and regardless of Xie Yi's dissatisfaction, lowered her head and chatted with her.

The sound was not loud, but it was close enough for Xie Yu to hear it clearly.

These are just girls' boudoir talk, meaningless.

He ordered his servants to serve wine and food. Although he seemed to be lacking in interest, he was very polite and could not be faulted.

"I invited you all here today to thank you for saving Sanniang. My father wanted to entertain you all personally, but he felt unwell, so he asked me to do it for him. Please don't mind." He raised his glass.

Lin Fan stood up and replied, "Your Highness, you really humble us. We are honored to be invited to the palace."

He raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.

"Captain Lin has a good alcohol tolerance," Xie Yi personally poured him another glass, seeming to be happier. "This is a fine wine that is treasured by our father. It has been there for quite some time. What do you think of the taste, Captain Lin?"

Lin Fan: "I don't know much about wine, so I can't explain why. I just think it tastes extraordinary."

"Hahahaha, since you think it's good, then drink more."

Halfway through the drink, Lin Fan's face was already flushed.

Xie Mingzhuo and Li Jiuyue were both female guests. All the wine Xie Yijing had given them went down their stomachs. Judging from his condition, he must be almost drunk.

Xie Ni suddenly stood up and took Xie Mingzhuo out without saying a word.

"Sanniang, where are you taking Miss Meng?" Xie Yi also drank some wine, and his tone was lazy.

Xie Ni said without even turning her head: "A girl needs to inform you before changing clothes?"

The word "changed clothes" here is an elegant way of saying going to the toilet. It would be inappropriate to mention the toilet at the dinner table.

Xie Yu had no choice but to wave goodbye and let them go.

In order to facilitate guests to change clothes, a thatched hut was built on the shore, and it took about half an incense stick of time to go back and forth.

Xie Ni walked slowly on purpose, holding Xie Mingzhuo's arm, and whispered, "It wasn't my idea to treat you to a banquet, but I can't stop you. I can't notify you in advance either."

"I know." Xie Mingzhuo replied calmly.

"Second Mother, I always feel that he has bad intentions. How about I find an excuse to send you away?"

"It's useless." Xie Mingzhuo said, "Who is the servant who brought the child to your house?"

"You mean Tao? She was close to the princess. After the princess passed away last year, she stayed in the prince's courtyard."

"She has been serving the princess all this time?"

"That's not the case," Xie Ni thought for a moment, "it seems like four years ago, the princess was in danger while traveling, and she saved her life. The princess was grateful to her, and felt sorry for her orphan and widow, so she brought her back to the palace. Why are you asking about her?"

Xie Mingzhuo smiled and said, "I saw that the hairpin in her hair was very expensive, not something an ordinary maid could afford to wear, so I was curious."

"That was given to her by the princess before she died. She said she was worried that Mrs. Tao would be bullied and neglected after her death. Seeing the hairpin is like seeing the person. When others see her wearing it, they naturally respect her a little bit."

The hairpin was an old item belonging to Princess Liang. Xie Ni had never seen anything from the palace and was not sure where it came from, so she never thought much about it.

"The princess is truly grateful." Xie Mingzhuo praised indifferently.

Xie Ni curled her lips and said nothing.

Although she did not agree with Xie Mingzhuo, she would not go so far as to speak ill of a dead person.

"After the princess passed away, how did the prince treat her?"

Xie Ni: "I've been doing business for years, so I don't know much, but I've heard a few things. They say Xie Ni only showed some care towards them because of his mother, but in reality he was quite cold. You saw it just now."

The toilet was nearby and there was no one around.

Xie Mingzhuo looked into her eyes and said slowly, "Sanniang, Lin Fan saving you was a coincidence. Is it really a coincidence?"

A word can wake a person up from his dream.

Xie Ni's mind buzzed, and she was almost speechless. Why hadn't she thought of this?!

Xie Yu played this trick of "hiding the truth under the lamp" really brilliantly.

"That's not right," Xie Ni said in confusion, her rationality returning. "Although I'm not familiar with her, I've seen her many times and I don't see anything wrong with her. Why do you think of this?"

Xie Mingzhuo opened his mouth to answer, but his ears suddenly moved and he heard footsteps not far away.

"Madam San, has your friend changed his clothes? The kitchen has served new dishes. The prince asked me to come and ask about it, lest I return too late and the food gets cold and inedible."

Changing clothes was just an excuse, but Xie Mingzhuo put on a good show. He slipped into the toilet and came out after a while. Under the supervision of the maid, he returned to the banquet hall with Xie Ni.

As soon as I entered the house, I found that one person was missing.

"Miss Meng, are you looking for Lin Bantou?" Xie Yu examined her for a few times and teased with interest, "I heard someone was trying to match you two up. After a closer look, they're indeed a perfect match. What a pity."

Xie Ni stood in front of Xie Mingzhuo and asked, "What's a pity?"

"Sanniang, don't blame me for being harsh," Xie Yi said arrogantly and disdainfully, seemingly shedding his old disguise. "You were abducted before, and while your innocence wasn't truly lost, your reputation was damaged. Who would dare to marry you in the future? Lin Fan may be of humble status, but he saved you. Isn't this a match made in heaven?"

"Impossible," Xie Ni was not fooled by him, "You are trying to sow discord."

"Just now, my father specifically asked someone to invite him to the study to have a chat. Miss Meng's companions saw and heard it with their own eyes. Sanniang, think about it, if it wasn't for you, why would my father personally meet with a small-time squad leader?"

Xie Mingzhuo looked at Li Jiuyue, who looked choked and nodded.

This plot to sow discord is too crude. Does Xie Yi really intend to use a man to sow discord between Sanniang and Her Royal Highness the Princess?

Xie Mingzhuo intuitively felt that Xie Yi's real purpose was far more than that.

He must have a deeper intention.

"My Lord!" The butler came running over, his face filled with obvious panic. "Oh no, my Lord! Your Highness, Your Highness..."

Xie Yi stood up quickly: "What happened to my father?"

"The prince was assassinated and has passed away!"

The banquet hall fell silent in an instant, and even the most alert servant was unable to react.

It was too sudden, it was really too sudden.

Xie Yu was stunned for a few breaths, and couldn't help but shout angrily: "Who did it?!"

"It's Lin Fan!" The housekeeper burst into tears. "Just now, the prince asked him to go to the study to chat, and somehow an argument broke out inside. Then, then, Lin Fan fled in a panic, his body covered in blood. The guards didn't stop him, so he ran away!"

Xie Yu's face twisted. "It must be because he didn't want to marry Sanniang because of his sweetheart that he clashed with my father! Someone, report this to the prefect immediately and have them issue an arrest warrant for Lin Fan! I want him to pay for my father's life!"

Xie Mingzhuo suddenly understood and applauded heartily, saying, "What a brilliant play to frame an innocent person as a thief."

"You are all accomplices of the assassin. Come, tie them up and send them to the authorities!"

Xie Mingzhuo chuckled softly, "Sanniang, Xie Yu is right. He is indeed a lunatic."

"Madman..." Xie Ni also figured out the key point. She seemed to be shattered. She pointed at Xie Yi and shouted at the top of her lungs, "You killed your father! You actually killed your father!"

"Hush." ​​Xie Yu raised his index finger. "Sanniang, you miss your mother so much that you've become foolish. Why would you help the murderer frame your own brother? Your father won't rest in peace in his grave."

All the guards in the mansion rushed into the banquet hall.

The banquet hall was surrounded by water, with only a long corridor connecting it to the shore, which was already crowded with security guards.

They simply couldn't break out of the encirclement.

There was murderous intent in Yang Yunkai's eyes. He was planning to rush out of the palace with the princess even at the cost of his life, but he saw the princess shaking her head slightly.

This means keeping troops on hold.

The guards tied up seven people including Xie Ni tightly with strong ropes. Even with a dagger, it would take a while to cut them.

They no longer pose any threat.

Xie Yu leaned back, narrowing his eyes slightly, admiring the scene before him, and said, "I don't care who you are, whether you are Jinyiwei or grocery store owners, it doesn't matter. Anyway, this day next year will be the anniversary of your death."

"I'm afraid even Prince Liang himself couldn't have imagined that he would die in such a ridiculous way." Xie Mingzhuo said, "You framed Lin Fan, forcing him to flee the palace and become a wanted criminal. You also planned to hand us over to the authorities. I guess this was to make yourself completely invisible."

Xie Yi's plans had all been realized, and he was very excited. It was rare for someone to understand his perfect plan, so he was naturally willing to let her continue.

"Lin Fan has many enemies. Fan Biqing won't let him go easily, and neither will the gangs he's suppressed. He has nowhere to hide. As for us, if we encounter any bandits on the way to the authorities, we can just ask them to kill them and there will be no evidence against us."

"Excellent," Xie Yi nodded. "It's a shame that Miss Meng doesn't write a play."

Xie Ni was furious: "Xie Ni, you are absolutely crazy!"

"My dear sister, you have become mad. You should stay in the mansion to recuperate. When you recover, I will find a good husband for you."

The husband's family he was referring to was naturally Wang Xin, and he also wanted to control the Wang family mine.

"Don't forget, Xie Yu won't let you succeed easily."

"Him?" Xie Yu spread his hands. "He left for Henan yesterday. Whether he can come back depends on his luck."

"you--"

"Young Master!" There was a sudden commotion across the corridor, and a woman dressed as a maid ran over in a panic. "Xiaobao suddenly disappeared. I searched the entire palace but couldn't find him. Young Master..."

The expression on Xie Yu's face suddenly froze, and his mind went blank for a moment. After a moment, he gasped and shouted, "Search! Go find them all!"

The housekeeper quickly ordered half of the guards to go find someone.

"So this is what Xie Yu meant by utter madness," Xie Ni muttered, then suddenly laughed out loud. "Xie Ni, ah Xie Ni, you really are... making wedding dresses for others."

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it.

After all, Xie Yu was the smarter one.

She had thought that she was the most ridiculous person in the entire palace, but she had never expected that in the end, not only did her father die in a ridiculous way, but even Xie Yi, who thought he had planned everything, was fooled by a person he looked down upon.

"Young Master!" Another confidant rushed into the banquet hall and said in a trembling voice, "I found this in the Second Young Master's room."

He had two things in his hands.

A note and a silver collar.

The note read: Thank you brother for hosting the dinner. I will take my nephew out to see the world. Don't worry.

Xie Yu stared at it for a long while, then fiercely tore up the note, his chest heaving, and then he shouted, "Go after him—"

The subordinate trembled in fear: "...Where to chase?"

"Idiot!" Xie Yu kicked him, "Go to the river—"

"Xie Yu, let me remind you," Xie Ni sneered, "If Xie Yu finds out that you sent people after him, your precious son will probably be in big trouble."

A basin of cold water poured over his head, Xie Yu immediately calmed down and ordered: "Don't, don't chase them. And call back all the people I ordered before, go quickly!"

The previous order was to ambush Xie Yu on his way to Henan, creating the illusion that Xie Yu was accidentally killed by bandits.

In this way, the entire Prince Liang's Mansion was completely under his control.

But now, everything has been ruined by Xie Yu!

Xie Yi was filled with hatred, but he was powerless to do anything to Xie Yu for the time being, so he could only vent his anger on the person in front of him.

These people deserve to die.

"I've changed my mind," he said with a twisted face. "Originally, I was just going to kill you and leave you with an intact body as compensation, but now, I want your bodies to be torn apart and die in agony. Don't blame me, blame Xie Yu. He's the one who angered me."

He waved his hand, and his men immediately took the six people out.

"Second Mother! Ninth Mother!" Xie Ni struggled desperately.

Xie Yu grabbed her neck and tightened his grip: "You want to accompany them too? Don't worry, when you are no longer useful, you will go down and reunite with them."

At the beginning of the Wei hour, two carriages returned to the county town from the palace.

The driver was two palace guards.

Xie Mingzhuo was stuffed into the carriage, along with Li Jiuyue and Jiang Qing.

When they entered the palace, they were searched all over and inside and outside the carriage, and there were no tools to cut the ropes.

Even his mouth was gagged.

Once they were on the main road and the time was right, the two security guards driving the car would torture and kill them, and then disguise the scene as a robbery and murder by bandits.

Xie Yu suspected that they were Jinyiwei and deliberately created this accident to prevent them from dying in the palace and being targeted by Jinyiwei. If they died on the way to the official, even Jinyiwei would have no reason to enter the palace to search.

Li Jiuyue and Jiang Qing were impatient and kept struggling with their hands and feet, not caring even if their skin was rubbed and bleeding.

It’s not a pity for them to die, but Her Royal Highness the Princess must not be in any harm!

Just when the two were extremely anxious, Xie Mingzhuo slightly tensed his arms and all the ropes on his body broke.

Under the astonished gazes of the two men, she pulled the cloth out of her mouth and raised her index finger.

【Author’s words】

What a fat chapter! I'm shocked!

PS: Highlight reminder, the cheat code is "natural power" (*￣︶￣)