Chapter 178 When do you plan to get pregnant and have children?

Lu Yuan turned around and glanced at Xiang Lian, who was stunned by Jiang Zhi's words, and subconsciously curled his lips.

"This plan is excellent. I wonder how we can find an opportunity to poison the Crown Prince of Xiang?"

"Lord Lu, you may not know this, but I am acquainted with the Princess Consort of Xiang. If I take advantage of my visit to her, I can secretly slip poison into the Prince of Xiang's teacup..."

Jiang Zhi winked meaningfully.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan clapped his hands and laughed, "This plan will be completely undetectable. If the Prince of Xiang really dies because of this, no one else can be blamed; he deserves it!"

Xianglian turned pale with fright at the two men's loud, secret plot. "You... he is a member of the royal family, a descendant of a loyal martyr, how dare you do such a thing?!"

"What kind of descendant of a loyal martyr? Poisoning the future Crown Princess makes one a traitor and a villain, deserving of death by everyone," Lu Yuan sneered. "As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I have the authority to execute first and report later. Even if the Emperor finds out, he will not blame me."

“That would be wonderful. There’s no time like the present. Lord Lu, please give me the poison now, and I will certainly not fail in my mission.”

Xianglian panicked when she saw the two of them discussing poisoning as if no one else was around. She was afraid they would actually do it. "No! How can you treat human life so carelessly!"

The Crown Prince of Xiang had done her a great favor.

If it weren't for him, she would have died in that mud house long ago.

Her grandmother had no one to bury her, and she herself was forced to marry those scumbags.

It was the Crown Prince of Xiang who helped her and gave her a new life.

She knew about his frustration and the secrets he kept hidden from outsiders.

He had thought that if he could risk his life to help him get one step closer to his goal, then he would have died a worthwhile death.

But now, if the Crown Prince of Xiang dies from poisoning, how can he realize his ambitions?

"Treating human life like dirt? This poison wasn't made by my orders." Lu Yuan sneered and ordered someone to bring the poison.

Jiang Zhi's eyes were full of eager anticipation. "This is a deadly poison, isn't it? Miss Xianglian must be very familiar with its effects. I guarantee that the Prince of Xiang will die without any pain."

"No, no!" Xianglian rushed forward to snatch the poison from Jiang Zhi, but was kicked away by Lu Yuan.

"Go ahead," he said to Jiang Zhi.

Xianglian was going crazy.

"Please, please don't! I'll confess, I'll confess everything, please don't hurt him!" she cried, curled up on the ground in despair.

As long as the Crown Prince of Xiang is not harmed, I am willing to betray him and testify against him!

Jiang Zhi paused, exchanging a glance with Lu Yuan.

They both saw a sense of relief in each other's eyes.

This play is really difficult to act in.

Fortunately, Lu Yuan was quick-witted and knew how to continue the conversation after she uttered her first sentence, playing along with her act.

Otherwise, she really wouldn't know how to continue acting on her own.

The talk about poisoning Xiao Yunheng was just to scare Xianglian.

As the heir apparent of the Prince of Xiang, Xiao Yunheng was deeply favored and revered by the Emperor. Considering that he lost his father at a young age and had a broken leg, he received even more attention from the Emperor than Xiao Xuanyou and other real princes.

If they dare to poison Xiao Yunheng, even if Xiao Yunheng survives unharmed, they will surely incur the Emperor's wrath.

The men took Xianglian away for further interrogation.

"If Xianglian confesses, then we'll have witnesses, plus the broken Jian ware porcelain—"

Lu Yuan paused for a moment, then said, "I have already sent people to the Imperial Household Department to investigate. Only one set of this Jian kiln silver rabbit fur cup was presented as tribute a year ago, and it was bestowed upon the Prince of Xiang's residence by His Majesty. Xianglian entered the palace three years ago."

Jiang Zhi nodded. "This shows that Xianglian still had contact with the Prince of Xiang after entering the palace. Combined with her testimony, can this case be basically closed?"

Lu Yuan chuckled, "It's not that easy. The motive and the source of the poison still need to be investigated. But for now, we can report back to His Majesty."

"That's good," Jiang Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, "but I wonder what punishment the Prince of Xiang will receive if this case is settled?"

After all, poisoning the future crown princess at a palace banquet where the emperor was present would be an extremely serious crime if committed by anyone else.

However, Lu Yuan's gaze turned serious. "I advise you not to be too optimistic. If the murderer is indeed the Prince of Xiang, His Majesty is very likely to let him off lightly."

Having spent so long by the Emperor's side, Lu Yuan had long understood his personality.

The Emperor was very tolerant of this Prince Xiang's heir and never had the heart to criticize him too harshly.

Jiang Zhi's brows furrowed as well.

Even this couldn't bring Xiao Yunheng to justice?

She feigned lameness to gain the emperor's pity, poisoned the crown princess, and had previously tested him many times.

It was hard not to suspect that Xiao Yunheng was plotting something.

With her thoughts on her mind, she took her leave.

When he reached for the jailer's cloak, the jailer suddenly slipped, and the heavy garment fell to the ground, immediately staining the cell with mud and blood.

"I deserve to die! I didn't mean it! Please forgive me, Madam Shen!" The jailer immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness.

"It's alright." Jiang Zhi bent down to pick it up, but a pair of large hands lifted the cloak up before she could.

“It’s dirty.” Lu Yuan picked up the cloak with one knuckle, lazily turned it over from side to side, and then glanced at the jailer.

The jailer immediately understood, "It's all my fault. I'm afraid these clothes are no longer suitable. Will Madam Shen catch a cold on her way home?"

Just as Jiang Zhi was about to say that she wasn't that delicate, Lu Yuan spoke up, "Considering that you solved the case for me today, I'll reluctantly lend you my [illegible]."

The jailer immediately and respectfully went to the shelf to retrieve Lu Yuan's cloak and handed it to Jiang Zhi with both hands.

Jiang Zhi frowned and didn't take it.

If she goes back wearing Lu Yuan's clothes again, I'm afraid the teacher will get jealous again.

Lu Yuan wasn't angry that she refused to accept it, and left the cell first. "Then, as an apology, I will personally escort you back."

Jiang Zhi hesitated, looking at the cloak that belonged to Shen Ci'an in his hand.

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "After the servants have cleaned it up, I will personally escort it back to your residence."

He then threw it to the jailer.

Lu Yuan's ironwood carriage was airtight, with thick curtains and the unique insignia of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. No one dared to bump into it, as Jiang Zhi had already experienced when they arrived.

Now, however, there's Lu Yuan with me when I go back.

The originally spacious carriage felt cramped because of his tall stature.

He simply sat opposite her with his eyes closed, but the cold and aloof aura he exuded was enough to make people keep their distance and dare not approach him easily.

“Lord Lu, now that the case is nearing its end, does that mean I’ve fulfilled my promise to you?” Jiang Zhi asked tentatively.

After all, she is now married, and if she continues to have entanglements with Lu Yuan, it may affect Shen Ci'an's reputation.

Lu Yuan lifted his eyelids to look at her, his voice devoid of emotion, "Is Madam Shen in such a hurry to distance herself from me?"

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "After all, I'm already married."

"When does Madam Shen plan to get pregnant and give birth?"

Lu Yuan's unexpected words left Jiang Zhi stunned on the spot.