Qian Sidu couldn't figure out what he was thinking, so he asked tentatively, "Your Highness, do you want me to send someone to rescue you?"

Although breaking into the Ministry of Justice prison by force is a bit risky, it is not impossible to give it a try.

Pei Yu waved his hand. "No need. I believe Ah Qi won't confess. I've trained her for five years, invested so much effort in her, and let her enjoy the blessing of being the daughter of Shen Gu for several years. She should repay me."

"Yes, Ah Qi is the most loyal among these children and will never betray Your Highness." Qian Sidu quickly agreed.

He abandoned the person he had personally trained for several years just like that. He is really a cold-hearted person, Qian Sidu thought silently.

Pei Yu glanced at him with a half-smile, and his voice was vague, but it was like a dagger flashing with cold light that swept across his body, making all his hairs stand up.

"Brother Qian, Sister Man, and Li Qike have all been arrested, and those children are gone too."

The corners of his mouth curled slightly, "Zhou Jing'an and his fiancée are still sitting peacefully in your teahouse, being affectionate with each other."

"Brother Qian has failed in a few things recently, which makes me very disappointed."

Qian Sidu trembled all over, and with a plop, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed, begging for mercy: "Your Highness, please forgive me."

He knew that this would happen when Pei Yu came here today.

The two assassination attempts on Zhou Jing'an failed in succession, and he almost left behind evidence. Pei Yu will definitely come to hold him accountable.

Qian Sidu hadn't heard his voice for a long time, and he didn't dare to look up. His head was spinning rapidly, and he said in a trembling voice: "Your Highness, there has been some progress in the palace recently."

"Tell me about it." Pei Yu supported his head and looked at the candlelight on the wall with a lazy look.

Qian Sidu calmed himself down and said in a trembling voice, "A-Lian sent a message yesterday saying that she had tampered with Zhou Ning'an's pregnancy-maintaining medicine as instructed. Her pregnancy has been very unstable these past few days, so everything is proceeding as normal."

"Well, there's finally good news." Pei Yu smiled faintly and said, "Brother Qian, just go ahead and do it. I'll be your solid backing."

He moved closer to him and lifted his head.

Qian Sidu raised his head tremblingly, and met his dark and calm eyes.

"I will take good care of my sister-in-law and nephew. Please don't worry, Brother Qian."

"......Yes." Qian Sidu's whole body went limp, and his heart ached when he thought of his wife and children.

Pei Yu nodded, let go of him, and stood up.

"By the way, haven't we found our fifth prince yet?" He walked to the wall, watching the candlelight flickering and the shadows on the wall swaying.

Qian Sidu didn't dare to stand up. "No news yet. Our people found out that he used to be a dancer at Ruyifang, but he disappeared after being kicked out by the boss."

Naturally, it was Jiang Ling who had the traces erased.

"Our fifth prince really loves playing hide-and-seek. There's no antidote, and he's almost dying, but he still refuses to show up." Pei Yu raised his hand, and his skin, illuminated by the candlelight, appeared somewhat warm.

"I've already ordered people to continue tracking him. I don't think he can get far."

"Yes." Pei Yu nodded. "Send someone to search the counties and prefectures surrounding Beijing."

He stretched out his hand to the candlelight, the faint warmth warmed his fingertips, and he stared at the flame in a daze.

The room fell into silence. Qian Sidu responded without saying anything else. Just as he was about to look up at him, he suddenly heard him say.

"Send someone to keep an eye on Jiang Ling."

Pei Yu stared at the dim candlelight in a daze, thinking of the day in Fuzhou when Jiang Ling looked at him with a smile on her face, which was as dazzling as fire in the snow.

Even when it is stabbing people, it is still as bright as a flower.

Just like...the candlelight in front of me.

In the darkness, it still burns brightly.

"Aqi has failed to kill her several times, and she has messed up the affairs of the Meng Mansion. Now she often goes to the palace, and she might ruin our affairs again."

He chuckled softly, with a half-smile in his voice, and his fingertips unconsciously moved towards the candlelight.

His fingertips touched the flame, causing a slight pain, and he quickly pulled his fingers back. He lowered his head and rubbed his fingers, which were burning hot.

Pei Yu chuckled, his eyes unfathomable, and it was unclear whether he was talking about people or fire.

"It's really scorching."

-

Just after the beginning of the morning, Zhou Jing'an went out.

He wore a dark green round-collar official uniform embroidered with small floral patterns, a wide-brimmed black jade brocade belt with square ornaments serving as rhinoceros horn buckles, thick-soled leather boots, and a Jinxian crown on his head.

It makes him look tall and straight, with a handsome face, and he is unparalleled in the world.

It was rare that he didn't ride a horse today because Jiang Ling saw him riding a horse yesterday and asked him to ride in a carriage from now on.

"It's getting colder today. Unless it's something important, you're not allowed to ride a horse anymore. Be careful not to catch a cold."

Her words, which sounded like a tender yet scolding sound, seemed to still be ringing in his ears. Zhou Jing'an lowered his eyes and smiled faintly. He didn't know if it was his illusion or what, but the carriage was indeed much warmer.

He was a sixth-rank editor in the Hanlin Academy and was only allowed to attend court on the first and fifteenth days of each month. On weekdays, only officials of the fifth rank and above could attend court every day.

Today the emperor specially summoned him to the palace.

"I pay my respects to the emperor." He knelt down respectfully, and just as he bowed his head, he heard Feng Yu asking him to stand up.

Feng Yu was still wearing his court robes and hadn't had time to take them off. He waved at him and said, "Don't say anything. Come and sit down."

When he walked over, he saw a painting on the desk.

Zhou Jing'an glanced at the figures in the painting drinking heartily at the foot of the mountain and asked, "Have you made any progress?"

This painting is the important prop that Jiang Ling uses to expose Shen Qingru's true face - "Hanshan Night Moon Picture".

"Xiang Feng rushed back last night and reported to me everything he found out. He was able to basically rule out the Duke of Qi and the Earl of Anyuan." Feng Yu's face was solemn.

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