When Wei Shuwan gave a vague account of how she saved the young Prince Qiaochuan in court, Wei Zheng knew that things were not so simple.

Hearing the commotion, Madam Meng couldn't help but chime in, "Yes, Wanwan, since you had such connections, why didn't you say so sooner? You've kept us on edge all day, not knowing when our lives would be in danger! Why didn't you bring out that get-out-of-jail-free card sooner, instead of waiting until the last minute?!"

Wei Shuyao was about to agree with her mother when her grandmother grabbed her arm and stopped her. Wei Shuyao looked at her grandmother with great confusion, but her grandmother just shook her head, signaling her not to add fuel to the fire.

Although Lady Wei Wen still doesn't know the exact details of the relationship between San Ya Tou and the young Prince Qiao Chuan, she knows that their relationship is definitely not simple. If what San Ya Tou said is true, and she unintentionally saved the young Prince Qiao Chuan, then given his status, he could bestow upon her many gifts in gratitude.

Gold and silver, wealth, high official rank and generous salary.

But then he took out the one and only gold token that even the Prince of Qiaochuan's mansion possessed. What kind of affection is it to be willing to give away such a life-saving talisman?

Moreover, although Lady Weiwen had never met this young Prince Qiaochuan, she had heard of him. It was said that he was aloof and noble, handsome beyond compare, and at the age of coming of age, he was still unmarried.

Madam Wei sighed inwardly. If a descendant of the Wei family could truly marry into such a high-ranking family, it would be a blessing earned over several lifetimes. The only regret was that she had spoken those heartless words in her haste in the courtroom today, which must have chilled the hearts of the second branch of the family.

The most urgent task seems to be to ease tensions before the second wife's family can completely recover.

Therefore, Madam Wei was somewhat hoping that they could be released a few days later. As long as they weren't tortured, her old bones could still endure ten days to half a month in this prison.

Under intense questioning, Wei Shuwan steeled her resolve and was about to reveal that she and Li Qingchen had exchanged tokens of affection. After all, once they were released, the marriage proposal would be on the agenda, and she couldn't keep it a secret for long.

But just as she opened her mouth to speak, her grandmother interrupted her again: "Third girl."

Wei Shuwan looked over and saw her grandmother walking towards her. Reaching her side, the grandmother took her hand and said earnestly:

"The Wei family was nearly wiped out this time. Since it was Prince Xiaoqiaochuan who saved our whole family, if we can really get out, we must all come to his door to kowtow and express our gratitude!"

Her grandmother spoke sincerely, but the words she had spoken to her father in the hall earlier still echoed in her ears. Wei Shuwan looked down at her grandmother holding her hand and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

The old man's face changes faster than an actor on stage.

Wei Wenshi's words made Wei Zheng uncomfortable. He habitually addressed her as "Mother" as usual, but the word "Mother" was barely out of his mouth when he suddenly remembered the scene of severing ties in the hall earlier. He couldn't bring himself to say "Dear," and simply skipped the word.

"This young Prince Qiaochuan..."

Wei Zheng looked back to make sure no jailers were nearby before lowering his voice to continue: "He's a ruthless and heartless man!"

In the past, Wei Zheng only held a sinecure and was not involved in officialdom, so he did not know these things. However, after he went to Wu County as the Water Conservancy Commissioner, he was considered to have entered the officialdom and naturally heard about the deeds and reputation of some important figures. Among them, he heard about the Little Qiaochuan King.

It is said that this young Prince of Qiaochuan was proud and aloof from a young age and acted decisively. When he was thirteen years old, he was traveling from Qiaochuan to Shengjing when he passed through a desert. However, when he reached the deepest part of the desert, he was ambushed by sand bandits. Gold, silver, grain, horses and all his men were stolen. Most of his followers were also killed or injured.

But this young Prince Qiaochuan eventually made it out of that desert alive, and he was the only one to emerge.

People couldn't help but wonder what he ate during those dozens of days in the desert, and where his remaining followers had gone.

When the two are linked, a terrifying answer immediately comes to mind for many people.

When Wei Zheng, who had just entered officialdom in his forties, heard his colleagues chatting about this old story, he felt a chill run down his spine! The hairs on his clothes stood on end.

Therefore, the impression left in his mind by the four words "Little Qiaochuan King" was as terrifying as a fierce and evil god.

However, Wei Zheng didn't want to tell the elderly, women, and children of the family about this. But mentioning this person inevitably instilled fear in them, so he asked Wei Shuwan again with utmost seriousness:

"Wanwan, he's been so helpful to our Wei family, have you agreed to any additional requests from him?"

What he feared most was that his precious daughter, in her desperation, would seek any treatment and end up falling into a trap!

Wei Shuwan had initially intended to tell the truth, but now that she sensed her father's unusually deep prejudice against Li Qingchen, she hesitated.

Faced with her father's anxious and worried expression, Wei Shuwan ultimately decided not to frighten him and to discuss everything further after they left this place.

So he shook his head and said, "Father, don't worry. The young prince didn't make any extra requests. He was just being grateful."

Hearing this, Wei Zheng's expression softened slightly. "That's good..."

After a pause, he suddenly added, "Since we have received his kindness, we should naturally repay it. However, Father will handle this matter. Wanwan, it would be best if you didn't see him again in the future."

Wei Shuwan turned her face away guiltily. She really didn't understand why her father, who never talked about others behind their backs, would be so afraid of Li Qingchen.

*

Inside the main hall of the Qiaochuan Prince's Mansion, wisps of incense smoke rose and drifted, filling the room with a delicate fragrance.

Zhang Jian sat in his official's chair, holding a cup of tea. He took a small sip and exclaimed, "Excellent tea! Could this be the tender mulberry buds that Qiaochuan is so proud of?"

Li Qingchen smiled politely: "Since Lord Zhang likes it, I will have someone prepare some later."

"No need, no need, Your Highness, you don't need to be so polite." Zhang Jian placed the fragrant tea in his hand on the corner table beside him and prepared to get to the point: "Actually, I came here today because I have something important to ask Your Highness for confirmation."

"Please speak, Lord Zhang."

"Your Highness must have heard about the case of Wei Zheng's embezzlement long ago?" Zhang Jian asked tentatively.

Li Qingchen nodded to show that he understood.

Zhang Jian continued, "During today's court hearing, Wei Zheng's daughter, Wei Shuwan, pulled out a pardon from the death penalty in court, stating that it was a gift from the young prince."

"That is indeed true," Li Qingchen replied readily.

Zhang Jian was slightly taken aback and asked, "I wonder what kind of relationship the young prince has with her that would allow him to gift such a precious item?"

"What connection do you have? Didn't Lord Zhang ask Miss Wei about this in court?" Li Qingchen asked calmly.

"Of course I asked, and she said that Prince Yu had saved her life."

This time, Li Qingchen was slightly taken aback, but he quickly masked his emotions with a gentle smile. "Since Miss Wei says so, then she is right."

Seeing that Li Qingchen was truly going to cover for the Wei family, Zhang Jian had no choice but to compromise: "Since Your Highness says so, I will now go to the palace to meet the Emperor and report this matter to him."

"Of course."

As Li Qingchen spoke, he stood up and said calmly, "Since this matter concerns me, I will also accompany Lord Zhang to the palace."