Chapter 78 Setting fire to the Jiang residence

As Yan Wenhong spoke, he couldn't help but sigh, "Such insidious methods, your stepmother is truly extraordinary."

Jiang Zhi sneered, "It seems she really hates me to the bone."

She then asked, "Did Lord Yan come here today specifically to inform me of this matter?"

"Of course, we're practically partners now, so it wouldn't benefit me if something happened to you. But—"

Yan Wenhong's eyes narrowed slightly. "I've already revealed such important information to Miss Jiang, shouldn't you do something to help me?"

Jiang Zhi thought to herself that Yan Wenhong was indeed not so kind. "Lord Yan, please speak freely."

"The case of the Crown Princess's poisoning has caused quite a stir. Consort Chen and the Third Prince are very concerned about this matter and want to know the progress of the case."

Yan Wenhong's probing gaze fell on Jiang Zhi, like a cold, venomous snake. "Could you please ask Miss Jiang to find out something for us?"

Jiang Zhi pondered.

The prime suspects in this case are Consort Chen and the Third Prince, which explains why they are so concerned.

Moreover, after the last assassination attempt on the Crown Prince, the Emperor was already quite dissatisfied with the Third Prince.

If further investigation reveals any connection between them, the Emperor may not easily forgive them.

"This case is of great importance, and Lu Yuan would not easily tell me the details. Please forgive me for being powerless to help." She said, seemingly embarrassed.

Yan Wenhong poured her a cup of tea. "There's no need to inquire about anything. This case wasn't done by Consort Chen and the Third Prince. They were just afraid of being provoked by someone with ulterior motives, which could ruin their brotherly relationship with His Highness the Crown Prince."

Miss Jiang only needs to subtly inquire with Lu Yuan whether he possesses any other evidence concerning the Third Prince. If so, we can prepare accordingly to avoid being caught off guard.

Jiang Zhi frowned and pondered.

She knew that this matter did not originate from the Third Prince.

At this time in her previous life, she had already been taken into the Zhongqin Earl's mansion and was no longer qualified to attend the Crown Prince's engagement banquet.

However, the Crown Princess's poisoning caused the Third Prince a great deal of trouble, and Yan Wenkang was also scolded by Yan Wenhong every day, so he could only keep a low profile.

Although there was insufficient evidence to prove that the matter was orchestrated by the Third Prince, the feud between the Crown Prince and him was established, and their rivalry moved from the shadows to the open.

Thinking of this, Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Lord Yan, you can rest assured. Although Lu Yuan did not tell me the details of the case, he did tell me that the case should not be related to Consort Chen and the Third Prince, but rather that someone framed them."

"Are you telling the truth? Did Lu Yuan really tell you that?"

Yan Wenhong was secretly pleased, but he was still skeptical of Jiang Zhi's words.

The case is still under investigation, so how could Lu Yuan have drawn such a conclusion so arbitrarily?

"Lord Yan brought me such important news today, how could I lie to you?" Jiang Zhi said. "Lu Yuan said that if the Third Prince really wanted to poison the Crown Princess, he could easily bribe an unrelated person. Why use his trusted confidants and get himself into trouble?"

Yan Wenhong sighed, "That's what we thought too, but Yu Rong has been with Consort Chen for more than ten years, so it's really difficult to completely sever ties."

“Lord Yan, please calm down,” Jiang Zhi advised. “Lu Yuan will be setting up an ambush in the Imperial Prison to lure the enemy out. Please remind the Third Prince to remain still and not rush to investigate, lest he bring trouble upon himself.”

These words were naturally made up by Jiang Zhi.

Even if Lu Yuan wanted to set an ambush, he wouldn't reveal it to her.

However, Yan Wenhong and his team simply didn't have the opportunity to verify it.

As expected, Yan Wenhong's expression turned serious. "Thank you for the reminder, Miss Jiang. I will certainly pass on the message."

Having obtained the information he wanted, his expression warmed up considerably. He pushed the plate on the table towards her, saying, "This is a newly developed dish of abalone with ghee by Shuyulou. It's the only one of its kind in the entire capital. Please, Miss Jiang, try it."

Jiang Zhi picked up one of the pieces and tasted it. Sure enough, it was full of milky fragrance and melted in her mouth. She couldn't help but squint her eyes.

"What are your plans regarding Wang Yuru's matter, Miss Jiang?"

Jiang Zhi dabbed her lips with a handkerchief before saying, "Lord Yan, please let your mother go find someone. You can do as Wang Yuru requests. I have my own plans."

"Okay, I'll let Miss Jiang know later."

A few days after returning to the Jiang residence, Jiang Zhi received a message from Yan Wenhong.

The wife of the Earl of Zhongqin has already found a suitable candidate for Wang Yuru.

However, Wang Yuru was very cautious and did not tell Lady Zhongqin the specific time of implementation. She only said that she would discuss it privately with the two of them.

Jiang Zhi naturally had a way of finding out.

Now that she is in charge of the Jiang family, she has instructed the maids to keep a close eye on the main courtyard and report any unusual behavior by Wang Yuru, regardless of its size.

After keeping a close watch for more than ten days, news finally came from the main courtyard, which had remained silent.

Qingxing came in to report, "Miss, a maid came to report that the lady in the main courtyard had a lot of tung oil prepared today, saying that the cabinets in the room are damp and she wants the servants to carefully apply it to them."

Jiang Zhi was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, "Tung oil? Are there any others?"

"There are also some ordinary fabrics and cotton wadding, which they said are for making some thick chair cushions for the master."

Tung oil and cotton wadding are both flammable.

Is Wang Yuru planning to set fire to the Jiang residence?

She instructed Qingxing, "Make sure you keep a close eye on things for me these next two days; she should be making her move soon."

After thinking for a moment, she added, "Also, gather all the valuable and important things in my room into one place, just in case."

"Yes." Qingxing's expression turned solemn.

However, I didn't expect Wang Yuru to act so quickly.

That evening, Jiang Zhengting went to a banquet at a colleague's house and did not return home; the candles in the main courtyard were extinguished early.

Ru Ying, who had been secretly observing Wang Yuru's every move, soon brought news.

"Young Miss, Wang Yuru's trusted confidante, Granny Song, is currently guarding the side gate, as if she is waiting for someone."

Jiang Zhi nodded, "Let's go to Grandmother's place first and light some calming incense, so as not to disturb her."

Tonight she'll see who will have their reputation ruined.

The quiet side gate was deserted.

The two servants guarding the gate had been plied with wine by Granny Song and were now fast asleep against the wall.

A moment later, two very faint nightingale calls came from outside the door. Granny Song's heart pounded, and she cautiously pulled open the door bolt.

These days, the lady seems to be under a spell; no matter how much I try to persuade her, she won't give up.

If word gets out that someone allowed a man into the mansion in the dead of night, not only will the eldest young lady's reputation be affected, but the reputations of the madam and the second young lady will also be implicated.

She had barely opened the door when two muscular, burly men swaggered in.

One had a cold and sinister face, the other had a long scar running from his brow bone to behind his ear; their appearances alone suggested they were not to be trifled with.

"Wasn't it said that the madam would come to greet us personally? How come it's such an old geezer?" One of them spat on the ground.