How could Zhang Zonghui be such a beast?!

The Zhang family is currently at the height of its power, with the Empress Dowager and the Empress as their backers, and they can practically do whatever they want in the capital.

Su Wanwan was at a loss.

Yan Rong's eyes flickered, and she suggested, "Why don't we try going to see that Steward Li?"

Su Wanwan frowned.

Something felt off.

Lu Xingjian seemed to have anticipated that she would definitely need his help.

Was he deliberately sabotaging things?

Once this idea took root, it immediately flourished and grew into a thriving force.

She was extremely frustrated.

He forced her to beg him on purpose!

Seeing her kneeling on the ground, weeping bitterly and regretting her actions, that was his real purpose!

Su Wanwan's blood was almost boiling.

But this involved her cousin's innocence and safety, so she couldn't afford to worry about her own reputation.

The root cause of Wan Ying's tragic fate lies with her.

Her heart felt as if it were being violently torn apart.

A decision was made quickly.

I'm just asking for a favor.

It was nothing but humiliation.

She admitted it.

Despite her illness, she quickly wrote a letter and had Heying personally deliver it to Chief Eunuch Li's private residence outside the palace.

Steward Li happened to be resting at his private residence when he heard it was a letter from Su Wanwan. Without even changing his clothes, he turned around and went to the palace.

It was already dark, and the palace was about to close its gates. Lu Xingjian was hosting a banquet to entertain several cabinet ministers who were on night duty.

Upon hearing that it was an urgent letter from Su Wanwan, he disregarded the probing gazes of the cabinet ministers and left his seat to open and read it.

The letter was very simple, only saying that he had an urgent request.

Lu Xingjian instructed Chief Steward Li to make the arrangements: "Leave the palace now."

Chief Steward Li hesitated, "Your Majesty, the palace gates are already locked, and besides, you are currently hosting a banquet for your cabinet ministers. Why don't we wait until tomorrow?"

Lu Xingjian gave him a cold look, said nothing, and strode out.

Manager Li immediately realized he had misspoke, lightly slapped his own mouth, and quickly went to make arrangements.

Mrs. Su was previously unyielding to both soft and hard approaches, but now she has finally humbled herself to ask for help.

If you miss this opportunity, you'll never have another chance.

That person certainly wouldn't dare to be in a hurry.

Su Wanwan was waiting not far from Cuiyun Tower.

It was the busiest time of night, but Cuiyun Tower was unusually closed. Zhou Shuyan went in and was never heard from again.

The building was brightly lit; I had no idea what had happened.

She had already instructed Zhou Shuyan to do everything in his power to stall Zhang Zonghui and prevent him from ruining her cousin, at least to buy him a day.

Therefore, she gave all of her 300,000 taels of dowry money to Zhou Shuyan, telling him to use money to prevent Zhang Zonghui from doing evil.

However, the Zhang family is currently in power, and Zhou Shuyan may not be able to withstand it.

Unfortunately, her trusted bodyguard Xiao was not by her side, leaving her severely short-handed. Otherwise, she could have considered forcibly taking her cousin away.

When He Ying replied that someone wanted to see her, Su Wanwan was taken aback.

It had been less than an hour since she finished writing the letter.

Lu Xingjian sat in the carriage, the dim light making his expression slightly cold.

"What's the urgent matter?"

Su Wanwan didn't know how to start the conversation.

"My cousin has been sold to Cuiyun Brothel. Zhang Zonghui wants her to work as a prostitute tonight... Can you help me get her out?"

She looked pale and a little nervous, her face showing signs of thinning from illness.

I never expected him to actually show up in person.

And they arrived so quickly.

The inverted side confirmed her guess—

He did it intentionally.

How will they humiliate her then?

Lu Xingjian's expression softened considerably. "Don't rush, tell me your name, age, and appearance."

Su Wanwan paused for a moment, described it in detail for a few sentences, and then added:

"Zhou Shuyan is helping out, but I don't know how things are going now."

No matter what, saving my cousin is the most important thing.

Lu Xingjian glanced at her briefly and instructed Steward Li, "Have Ma Yongcheng bring the person out."

That one glance sent Su Wanwan's heart leaping into the air.

What does he mean by that?

Steward Li responded and left.

Lu Xingjian simply said to her, "Why don't you go back and rest first? I'll let you know when the person comes out."

Su Wanwan clenched her fists and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Are you letting her off so easily?

She shook her head again.

She was afraid that something might happen after she left.

If she had known it would turn out this way, she should have tried to take her cousin away on the spot yesterday.

Lu Xingjian's tense expression eased slightly.

The two sat quietly in the carriage, waiting.

The air was quiet.

But unlike last time, he wasn't cold and distant.

However, Su Wanwan's tense body still betrayed her inner nervousness.

Lu Xingjian sat there quietly, without even looking at her.

His gaze fell on her discreetly from the corner of his eye.

The air was so tense it felt almost stagnant.

Half an hour later, Steward Li replied:

"Your Majesty, the person has been brought out, but he has been given medicine. I'm afraid we should ask the imperial physician to examine him. Perhaps we could arrange for him to stay at Xiaoyuan?"

Su Wanwan wasn't surprised, but her body tensed up even more.

Lu Xingjian frowned slightly: "Hmm."

Su Wanwan clenched her fists: "I want to go and see."

She needed to confirm her cousin's safety.

Lu Xingjian did not refuse: "I'll take you there."

Su Wanying was curled up in a ball, her body was bruised and bloody from being whipped, her face was flushed and her mind was confused.

When Su Wanwan saw her like this, she felt terrible.

His body trembled uncontrollably, his fingertips shook incessantly, and he touched her face with heartache.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, it's all my fault, I've made you suffer..."

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