Chapter 157 Turning the Enemy Away

At this moment, two constables came over and respectfully bowed to them. "Sir, the brothers have inspected the rice stored in the soup kitchen, and it's all good rice. Can we start 'testing the soup with chopsticks' now?"

The Qing Dynasty had explicit regulations regarding disaster relief: when making porridge, it must be tested with chopsticks to ensure it stands upright. Only porridge that doesn't tip over when inserted with chopsticks is considered properly made.

Shen Yanzhou nodded and smiled, "Fourth Miss, shall we begin?"

Dou Wenyi nodded, thinking that he started by inspecting the Crown Prince's soup kitchen in the hope of setting a good example for the people, since those powerful families simply could not withstand the inspection.

The constables personally stuck chopsticks into the rice porridge, and the chopsticks naturally didn't fall over. They then scooped up another spoonful of porridge, ready to taste it.

"Give me."

The constable paused for a moment, then handed the spoon to Shen Yanzhou. After tasting it himself, he smiled gently, "Fourth Miss, this porridge is just the right consistency. You've put a lot of thought into it. Please convey to His Highness the Crown Prince that his well-being is a blessing to the nation."

Dou Wenyi paused for a moment, lowered her eyes, and replied, "It's just my duty, Lord Shen, you're being too serious."

Shen Yanzhou led the yamen runners toward another soup kitchen. Even from a distance, he could smell a strong musty odor. He couldn't help but frown, and suddenly remembered that earlier that day, Yin Congjian, the Vice Minister of Revenue, had argued heatedly with Minister Jiang of Revenue in the Ministry of Personnel over the issue of spoiled moldy rice!

He left the capital city, riding at breakneck speed without the slightest delay; Yin Congjian's pace could not possibly be faster than his.

She is not a casual person, and she would never laugh and chat with a man.

A dark fire ignited in Shen Yanzhou's eyes. He lowered his voice and instructed his trusted confidant, "Take my token and go to the palace immediately. Go to the Ministry of Revenue and carefully investigate what time Yin Congjian, the Vice Minister of Revenue, left the palace today."

Even if the attendants were completely confused, they still obeyed and did as they were told.

After all, the eldest son's words were never wrong. Even Emperor Muzong often adopted his opinions, let alone him.

——

Dou Wenyi looked at the sky where snow had started to fall again, got into the carriage, and the surrounding hutongs were slowly left behind.

"Miss, are you going back to the East Palace?" Cuizhi asked.

Dou Wenyi smiled and said, "No, let's go to Huanhua Villa."

How could she forget Amber? She was Dou Mingyan's personal maid. She must know something about the relationship between the Imperial Advisor and Dou Mingyan.

When Amber was beaten half to death, she was sent to Huanhua Manor. The manor was full of Madam Dou's people, so it wouldn't be easy for her to escape.

An hour later.

Urged by Steward Zhang, Amber entered the house. She was wearing a worn-out floral cotton-padded jacket, and her hands were red and swollen, indicating that she had just been washing clothes.

Amber recognized the person who had come and froze on the spot. "Fourth Miss, is there something you need from me?"

“Tian Cuicui,” Dou Wenyi coldly uttered a name.

When Amber suddenly heard this name that hadn't been mentioned for over a decade, it felt like a thunderclap had exploded in her ears.

“Your elder brother, Tian Jisheng, has committed a crime and fallen into the hands of the Crown Prince.”

Amber's mind went blank, filled with shock and fear. "No, you're lying to me, it's impossible... what did you do to my brother?"

"It's not us, it's you. You should ask your master about this." Dou Wenlian's voice turned cold.

Amber was utterly shocked. "Third Miss? Didn't Third Miss suffer from delusions and disappear?"

“They had your elder brother poison the disaster victims, and we caught them red-handed. This is attempted murder, and according to the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the minimum sentence would be exile for three thousand miles.”

Amber knelt down with a thud, looking up and pleading, "Fourth Miss, please, save my brother! There must be someone behind him, he's not a bad person at heart. It's always us servants who suffer for this!"

Dou Wenyi looked down at her, her voice low and menacing, as if from the underworld, “Amber, wasn’t this your choice? You and Dou Mingyan were mistress and servant, and you fulfilled your loyalty. Every time Dou Mingyan got into trouble, wasn’t it you who took the blame for her?”

"You are like this, and so is your brother. Of course, you can only become stepping stones for others, discarded like trash. This is all your own fault, and you can't blame others!"

No, no! My brother is an innocent man and cannot be exiled. He is still unmarried and childless, and has a bright future ahead of him.

It shouldn't have been destroyed like this.

Amber stared in horror with her large eyes, a chill running down her spine. Dou Mingyan's previously favorable situation had been shattered by the Fourth Miss.

She was no match for the Fourth Sister at all!

The fourth sister came today specifically to tell her that she must still have value, and no matter what, she must save her brother.

"Fourth Miss, I beg you, save my brother. I'll do anything you ask."

"amber!"

"Do you know that the people of Chaotian Temple are using you to threaten your brother?"

The taut string in Amber's heart snapped completely, and she was on the verge of collapse. "Fourth Miss, tell me, what do I have to do for you to save my brother?"

What connection does Dou Mingyan have with the people of Chaotian Temple?

Tears streamed down Amber's face. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke up decisively, "Every time the Third Miss goes there, she goes to see Master Xuanming alone. She doesn't allow us to follow. I really don't know the specifics. Only once did I overhear her mention 'godfather' and her biological father. I really don't know anything else."

Dou Wenyi squinted her eyes and smiled, it seemed that the Imperial Advisor and Dou Mingyan's biological father had a deep friendship.

“Amber, I have a way to help you atone for your sins and save your brother. After it’s done, I can give you a sum of money so you can go far away. Of course, you also have to do me a favor.”

Amber's eyes were somewhat vacant and wavering. "Fourth Miss, is what you say true?"

A brilliant idea popped into Dou Wenyi's mind: "I always keep my promises. You should know what kind of life the maids in Yilan Courtyard lead."

Amber recalled the days when she was by Dou Mingyan's side.

She was unpredictable, capricious, domineering, and ruthless. Her servants lived in constant fear, and were always forced to do dirty, unsavory tasks.

Even someone as loyal as Baochuan ended up taking the blame for her, being beaten half to death, and ultimately being sold off.

And now, she is the same.

Amber made up her mind, "Fourth Miss, just give the order, I'm willing to do anything!"

Dou Wenyi's thick eyelashes trembled slightly, and she nodded in satisfaction, "Okay."

Dou Mingyan, you have committed countless evils in your life, it's time for you to suffer the consequences!