After comforting Xu Yuehuai, the Duke of Zhenguo stayed at Tianxiang Tower. He sent a servant back to report to the Duchess that he was safe. When it was slightly light, he set off directly for the Prefectural Government of Jingzhao.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, the Duke of Zhenguo has arrived outside." Upon seeing the visitor, the servant ran to report to the Prefect of the Capital.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhaoyin's heart skipped a beat. He quickly tidied his clothes and went out to greet the Duke of Zhenguo. He had just met the Marquis of Ningyuan the night before, and now the Duke of Zhenguo had arrived. He was extremely apprehensive, fearing that this man had also come for Xu Yuehuai's sake.

"Let's go, everyone, get your spirits up and come with me to welcome the Duke of Zhenguo," Wu Zhaoyin instructed his servants as they walked.

"Your Excellency, it is an honor to have you here. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner." Wu Zhaoyin first offered a few polite words, then inquired about the reason for his visit, "I wonder what brings you here so early today?"

Without the slightest hesitation, the Duke of Zhenguo said, "I've come today for the matter of Zhenxiufang."

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhaoyin's hands trembled uncontrollably.

"The matter of Zhenxiufang is still unresolved, and I am still investigating some details. I wonder what the Duke would like to ask?" He wiped the sweat from his forehead and quickly asked.

"I want a piece of pastry from the Zhenxiufang incident as evidence," the Duke of Zhenguo said bluntly.

He was even more convinced that Xu Yuehuai absolutely did not do such a thing.

"Your Excellency, I cannot make a decision on this matter..." Wu Zhaoyin hesitated for a moment before refusing, "This is, after all, a major case involving powerful and influential people, and I absolutely cannot afford to be negligent."

He felt he had been tactful and clear enough.

Seeing Wu Zhaoyin's troubled expression, the Duke of Zhenguo was greatly displeased: "Lord Wu, I'm not asking you to bend the law for personal gain. What's wrong with that? There's more than just one piece of pastry in that box. You're clearly not giving me any face."

"Lord Duke, you have really misunderstood me. Of course I hope this case can be solved, but last night Marquis Ningyuan also came to see me..." Wu Zhaoyin dared not continue.

Last night, Marquis Ningyuan came openly and secretly, wanting him to convict Xu Yuehuai.

The Duke of Zhenguo snorted coldly. It seemed that the Marquis of Ningyuan was truly not prepared to give up any opportunity.

He rolled his eyes, then glared at him and said, "Your father has certainly raised a fine son. I'll have to show him what you're up to one of these days."

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhaoyin deflated like a punctured balloon. His father and the Duke of Zhenguo were classmates and close friends. Furthermore, the Duke's status had risen considerably over the years, to the point that even his father had to show him deference. Yet, he had just directly refused. If he had truly angered the Duke and then went to his father, then…

Thinking of this, Wu Zhaoyin immediately softened: "Uncle, what are you saying? I can't trust others and can't guarantee anything, but you, Uncle, are absolutely fine."

The Duke of Zhenguo snorted coldly and remained silent.

"I wonder what Uncle wants this pastry for?" Wu Zhaoyin's attitude changed immediately.

Seeing this, the Duke of Zhenguo naturally restrained himself and quickly said, "It's not that I want her, but that Manager Xu wants her. Lord Wu, A-Yue is my daughter. You're just confining her to her quarters so abruptly. Aren't you showing me a bit too little disrespect?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhaoyin couldn't help but swallow hard; he was surprised that Tianxiang Tower had such a powerful backer.

"Uncle, you've really misunderstood me. I only refrained from throwing her into jail because of Manager Xu's status. Don't worry, I'll clear her name once this is resolved." Seeing this, she could only smile and continue, "Then I'll send the pastries to Manager Xu at Zhenxiufang in a bit."

"That's more like it." Only then did the Duke of Zhenguo relent.

Wu Zhaoyin had just seen off the Duke of Zhenguo, and then brought pastries to Tianxianglou.

When the waiters at Tianxianglou saw the officials arrive, they assumed they were looking for Manager Xu, so they quickly went to inform her.

Xu Yuehuai's eyes flashed with doubt upon hearing this, and she immediately went downstairs to see Wu Zhaoyin.

"Manager Xu, I apologize for my previous offenses. These are the pastries that caused the problem. Please take a look and see if there's anything wrong with them?" Wu Zhaoyin actually apologized to her, leaving the shop assistants stunned.

"My lord, what are you saying? This matter requires your attention." Xu Yuehuai did not take it seriously, and had even anticipated it. As long as the Duke of Zhenguo intervened, they would naturally change their attitude towards her. "I'll trouble you to come with us to investigate, so that no one with ulterior motives will say that we have done something wrong."

"Ah Yue, now that we have this, we can start our investigation more easily," San Niang said to Xu Yuehuai, indicating that she shouldn't rush.

“Well, since the problem lies with these pastries, let’s take a good look at them.” Xu Yuehuai said, her eyes growing increasingly determined.

Everyone sat in a circle around the pastry, examining it closely.

"These are the pastries we made. They don't look anything special," Jiang Shichen muttered, looking at the pastries.

Jiang Qianqian reached out to touch it, but was stopped by Anan.

"Wait, don't move." Anan's words startled everyone, and Jiang Qianqian was so frightened that she immediately pulled her hand back.

"Manager Xu, look, there seems to be a layer of red powder on this pastry," he said firmly, then pointed it out to them.

Everyone looked in the direction Anan was looking and saw that there was indeed a layer of red powder.

"It must be about this red powder." Everyone immediately started discussing it.

Xu Yuehuai frowned as well: "Sir, we have a lead on our side."

After she finished speaking, Wu Zhaoyin put down what he was doing and came over to look.

“Look, there’s a layer of red powder on this pastry, which we don’t usually have. That’s what we suspect is the problem.” Xu Yuehuai finished speaking and pointed it out to Wu Zhaoyin. “Whether it’s poisoned or not, we can find out by testing it with a silver needle. What do you say, sir?”

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhaoyin frowned instantly, but he quickly summoned a doctor and a coroner.

The doctor, the coroner, and Xu Yuehuai all used silver needles to test for poison. The silver needles turned black instantly upon contact with the red powder.

Everyone was on edge watching.

“Manager Xu, since this powder is poisonous, it means the problem lies with your Zhenxiufang.” Wu Zhaoyin immediately spoke up. Now, he was even more worried. If he really locked up Xu Yuehuai, the Duke of Zhenguo would definitely not let him off the hook.

“Lord Wu, our Zhenxiufang pastries do not contain this kind of powder. If there is nothing wrong with the pastry itself, then it is due to this powder, and it has nothing to do with our Zhenxiufang.” Xu Yuehuai quickly suggested, “Let’s cut it open again and see if there is anything wrong inside?”