Who is it?

"It's her, Yang Cuie!"

The three of them said in unison.

The three of them looked at each other. Li Cuie's handwriting was very similar to Xiao Wanli's, but upon closer inspection, there were still significant differences.

When the results of the imperial examination were announced, the essays of the top three scholars (Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua) were posted.

The calligraphy of the top two scholars (状元 and 探花) is often compared by many people.

"I'm going to the palace right now; I'm going to save her."

Li Haihuai walked out of the room; he was going to find his maternal grandfather.

?

Inside the palace, in a grand hall.

Three things appeared in front of Ahri: a white silk ribbon, a dagger, and a bottle of poison. Several eunuchs were also standing nearby.

Ahri asked, "What are you doing?"

"Doesn't Scholar Xiao understand? His Highness the Crown Prince is in love with you, and His Majesty, by great favor, allows you to accompany him on his journey."

absurd.

Ah Li looked at the eunuch in front of her. She wanted to laugh, but she couldn't. "Your Highness the Crown Prince has fallen for me, so I have to be buried with him? What kind of logic is that?"

The eunuch narrowed his eyes unhappily and said, "Scholar Xiao, let's set off as soon as possible."

The eunuchs around her gathered around, some holding Ah Li's shoulders down, while the lead eunuch picked up poison and tried to force it down her throat.

At this critical moment, someone kicked the eunuch away and punched the two eunuchs who were holding Ah Li away.

Ahri looked at the person who suddenly appeared, who at this moment seemed like a great hero draped in colorful light and riding on auspicious clouds.

"Xiao Wanli!"

Seeing that Ah Li's eyes seemed vacant, Li Haihuai quickly went over and picked her up.

The emperor followed behind his elder brother Wu Zhongyan, watching Li Haihuai rescue Xiao Wanli, while the eunuchs fainted.

Wu Zhongyan said, "That woman is my granddaughter-in-law. What are you trying to do?"

The emperor said with a forced smile, "I have never heard that the young marquis of the Li family has gotten married?"

“A minor marquis in name only, he has been away from the capital for many years. There are many things you don’t know.”

Even though Wu Zhongyan's hair was white, he was still full of energy and spirit, as if the years had only gently swept over him without leaving too many traces.

His eyes gleamed with a sharpness born of experience and insight into human nature. He noticed Li Haihuai carrying the little girl as they approached, the girl nestled close to him with obvious dependence. He said, "Take her back first, let people take a good look at her."

Li Haihuai looked at the emperor, who did not stop him. He stood silently next to Wu Zhongyan.

Li Haihuai carried Ah Li towards the palace gates. Ah Li then reached out and hugged the man's neck, saying, "It's good that you came."

Li Haihuai lowered his head and kissed her forehead, saying, "I went to ask my grandfather for help. I told him that you are my... wife, and we have already pledged our lives to each other."

Only in this way could he successfully bring her out.

Ah Li looked at him in surprise, and heard him continue, "So, you mustn't give yourself away in front of my grandfather."

Later, Ahri received a transfer order.

She was transferred to a small county town and became a seventh-rank female county magistrate.

The people in this small county are known for their fierce and unruly nature, and petty theft and other minor offenses are common.

However, the magistrate's husband was incredibly skilled in martial arts, leading a group of yamen runners in training and patrolling the streets every day.

Liu Xu would sometimes come over, and Nan Sheng would keep her company.

?

Three years later...

That day, Liu Xu went out to buy groceries with Li Haihuai.

Nan Sheng asked Ali, "Magistrate Xiao, you wrote that letter back then, didn't you?"

Ahri looked puzzled. "A letter? Which letter are you talking about?"

"A letter telling me and Ah-Xu not to attend the banquet."

“That letter? I heard Li Haihuai mention it. He said it was written by Yang Cuie.”

At that time, the assassination plot was uncovered. One of the assassins fainted in the Imperial Garden and was captured. After being severely tortured, he said that Yang Cuie and her father had arranged it.

Nan Sheng looked at Ah Li, who had a calm expression. The evidence that appeared later was too suspicious, as were the witnesses. Yang Cuie was dead, but her maid said that she was acting strangely every day and that she was the Crown Princess.

The emperor was furious, and the Yang family was sentenced to be executed along with their entire clan.

Ali poured tea into Nan Sheng's teacup and said, "Have some tea. Liu Xu and Li Haihuai should be back soon."

The two of them were sitting in the courtyard drinking tea, with the gate wide open.

If anyone comes back, they'll see them right away.

Nan Sheng stood up, shook her sleeves, and said, "A Xu really considers you a friend, and I don't want her to be sad."

Ahri said, "Don't worry, I'm not a bad person."

Nan Sheng picked up her teacup, drank the tea, and then turned and went into the kitchen.

Liu Xu wanted to eat the dumpling filling made by Xiao Wanli, saying that her dumpling filling was different from others'.

Nan Sheng came here to learn.

Ahri drank the last of her tea; she had indeed carried out the assassination attempt.

But she only moved a tiny bit.

Because Yang Cuie told her father about her dream, saying that she would be the Crown Princess and that if the Crown Prince ascended the throne, she would be the Empress.

However, the emperor was still vigorous despite his old age, and the crown prince would have to wait a long time.

So they paid to hire a group of assassins.

If the assassination of the emperor succeeds, the crown prince will ascend the throne.

If the assassination attempt fails, Yang Cuie will find the right opportunity to let the Crown Prince know her feelings for him and that she is the one who would risk her life for him.

Whether it succeeds or fails, there are risks involved.

But they all wanted to take a gamble, simply because the titles of future empress and future father-in-law were too tempting.

With these two identities, the Yang family could do whatever they wanted in the capital.

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