Chapter 89 Preparing the Betrothal Gifts

Faced with Xiao Xuanyou's probing question, Shen Ci'an remained expressionless. "Your Highness is joking."

The young lady comes from a respectable family, but as for being dignified and virtuous—

A helpless smile unconsciously appeared on Shen Ci'an's lips.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Xuanyou couldn't help but become even more curious.

Who could possibly make this upright and incorruptible top scholar willingly reject the advances of the powerful and wealthy, and wait for her with all his heart?

"I wonder which young lady is so devoted to Lord Shen?"

Shen Ci'an withdrew her reverie, "If Your Highness is truly curious, you should be able to find out in a couple of days."

"Oh? What do you mean?"

Shen Ci'an pursed his thin lips. "If she agrees, I can go to her door to propose marriage in the next two days, and we can get married soon."

Xiao Xuanyou immediately laughed, "Then I'd like to congratulate Lord Shen in advance on winning the heart of your beauty."

A rare smile appeared on Shen Ci'an's face. "Thank you, Your Highness."

To Shen Ci'an's surprise, as soon as he returned to the mansion that day, Jiang Zhi sent Qingxing to deliver a message saying that she had agreed to the matter he had proposed that day.

Even with his composure and self-control, Shen Ci'an couldn't help but feel a surge of indignation within him.

Although he had guessed that the young lady was very likely to agree, receiving her affirmative reply still made him feel like he was in a dream.

He immediately instructed the steward of the manor to begin preparing the betrothal gifts.

＊

Bai Rongcai's matter was quickly forgotten.

Jiang Zhi hadn't really taken it to heart, but now what concerned her was Yan Wenhong's matter.

The matter of illegally stockpiling troops has been investigated for a long time, but because the western suburbs of Kyoto are vast and densely forested, making them easy to hide, Xie Qi's men have not found any concrete clues so far.

She couldn't wait any longer.

If Lu Yuan were to find out that she had conspired with Yan Wenhong to sell the Embroidered Uniform Guard, no matter how useful she was, she would not escape death.

Since we can't find out, let them reveal it on their own.

Jiang Zhi summoned Qingxing and said, "Go to the Zhongqin Earl's mansion and send a message to Yan Wenhong. We'll meet at the usual place tomorrow. There's something to tell him."

Inside a private room at Shuyulou.

Yan Wenhong smiled when Jiang Zhi entered the room.

"Miss Jiang is indeed extraordinary. The matter of Bai Rongcai has made me look at you in a completely new light."

Jiang Zhi remained noncommittal, saying, "It's just a private matter within the household; I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Lord Yan."

"How can this be considered a private matter? Bai Rong was just discovered by Lu Yuan to have engaged in favoritism and malpractice, disrupting the entrance examination for Lanting Academy. She has already been imprisoned and will be convicted soon, which has also implicated several other people."

Lord Lu has really gone to great lengths to prevent you from marrying him!

Jiang Zhi lowered her head shyly.

She knew that Shen Ci'an was behind this, and Lu Yuan was merely acting on orders.

But of course she wouldn't expose him at this moment.

She then asked, "Did the Crown Princess's poisoning case implicate the Third Prince?"

Yan Wenhong became even more excited when this was mentioned.

"Doing what Miss Jiang said was definitely the right thing to do. If we remain inactive, Lu Yuan won't be able to get any evidence, so naturally he can't do anything to the Third Prince." He now completely trusts Jiang Zhi.

"By the way, what brings Miss Jiang here today?"

Yan Wenhong pushed a plate of delicate pastries in front of him toward her.

Having witnessed Jiang Zhi's methods, he no longer dared to try to fool her with ordinary things.

Every time I come to Shuyulou, they serve the most expensive and newest styles.

Jiang Zhi did not reach out to take it, but said in a solemn voice, "Lord Yan, as the Commander of the Imperial Guards, is in charge of the Imperial Guards and responsible for protecting the palace?"

“Yes,” Yan Wenhong raised an eyebrow, “Miss Jiang, please speak frankly.”

Jiang Zhi glanced around warily and lowered her voice, "I overheard Lu Yuan and his men mentioning something today, but I didn't hear it clearly and didn't dare to verify it."

Her eyes were dark and deep, and her expression was unusually cold. "Lu Yuan seems to be investigating the Imperial Guard."

"What did you say?" Yan Wenhong was startled, his voice rising several decibels, but he quickly regained his composure upon realizing his loss of composure. "Why does he want to investigate the Imperial Guard?"

Jiang Zhi shook her head. "I don't know about that, and I dare not inquire too much. I came here today only to remind Lord Yan that if there are any problems with your subordinates, please clean them up as soon as possible, lest Lu Yuan find a handle against them."

Yan Wenhong's forehead was already beaded with cold sweat.

Although he only commands the outer guards, they are crucial to future plans and absolutely cannot be allowed to go wrong.

He was already very careful in his work, and he would not use his imperial guards unless absolutely necessary. Why did Lu Yuan come to investigate for no reason?

Could it be, as Jiang Zhi said, that there was something wrong with his subordinates that he was unaware of?

However, before he could recover from the shock, Jiang Zhi leaned closer to him again and dropped another piece of news that sent chills down his spine.

"Lu Yuan seemed to have mentioned the western suburbs of the capital during that time, but I was too far away to hear clearly. I wonder if it was related to your Imperial Guard?"

While she was speaking, Jiang Zhi stared intently at his reaction.

As expected, Yan Wenhong was struck as if by lightning. He froze, and the teacup in his hand loosened its grip and shattered into pieces on the ground with a "bang".

His face was as if all the color had been drained from it, giving it a horrifying pale bluish-white hue.

Jiang Zhi also seemed startled by him, clutching her chest and complaining, "What's wrong with Lord Yan? Is there something wrong with my words?"

Yan Wenhong then came to his senses, realized his rudeness, and said with a pale face, "I was impolite."

He took a breath and asked, "Did Lord Lu mention anything else?"

“No, I was afraid he would suspect me of spying, so I didn’t dare to listen too much,” Jiang Zhi said apologetically. “I hope Lord Yan won’t blame me.”

"How could that be?" Yan Wenhong laughed, but the laugh was more like a grimace. "Miss Jiang, you didn't hear wrong, did you?"

“That’s possible,” Jiang Zhi said, naturally not giving a definitive answer. “I’m not sure either, but Lord Yan can be on guard so that Lu Yuan won’t be caught off guard if he finds out about the Imperial Guards.”

Yan Wenhong's heart was still pounding.

The news Jiang Zhi brought today truly terrified him.

He still has a chance to catch his breath if the Imperial Guards are investigated, but if something goes wrong in the matter in the western suburbs, the Loyal and Diligent Earl's Mansion will surely be overthrown and there will be no chance of recovery.

They kept their actions in the western suburbs extremely secret, so much so that even their bedmates were unaware of them.

Why would Lu Yuan pay attention to this?

Could it be that Jiang Zhi is lying to him?

Yan Wenhong's sinister and deep gaze swept over Jiang Zhi.

But she had clear and bright features, a calm expression, and a hint of concern in her eyes.

Impossible. Once the preparations for the western suburbs were finalized, all contact with the outside world was completely severed. Unless Jiang Zhi possessed the Heavenly Eye, how could she possibly know about such a secret matter?

He calmed himself down, cupped his hands in thanks to Jiang Zhi, and said, “Thank you for informing me of this, Miss Jiang. I will certainly reorganize the Imperial Guards properly when I return.”

It seems like it's time to take a trip to the western suburbs.