Prevent (repair)
As dawn broke, Dou Yanxun lowered his eyes and felt that the usually pretty face before him appeared even more otherworldly. Only a pair of dark, bright eyes shone on his small face, gleaming with a cool, clear light.
Her eyes, filled with unbearable sorrow, made his heart tighten.
Upon reflection, he realized that it had become clear when it started, but it seemed that she could easily stir his heartstrings with just a single expression.
What happened to him? And when did he become like this?
Dou Yanxun was speechless. There was no point in saying anything more now, as this was a matter of life and death. He gave her one last deep look, then turned and left the mansion.
Fog rose in the early morning, and now a cold drizzle is falling. The streets are deserted, with only occasional peddlers carrying heavy loads on shoulder poles walking briskly through the alleys.
He alighted from his sedan chair and was about to enter the yamen when he saw that it was brightly lit and his colleagues had already gathered in the hall. Hearing his footsteps, they all looked up wearily from the piles of files.
Clearly, they hadn't rested all night.
Although the case was reported to the authorities by the villagers who discovered Liang Zhengyuan, and was first reported to the Prefect of Mujing, who was in charge of the official estates in the suburbs of the capital, it was still no small matter. It was heard that the Ministry of Justice was alarmed yesterday and specially sent someone to ask for the case file.
The person in charge of this matter was Niu Wenyuan, a middle-aged official known among the people as "Niu Yama" (King of Hell).
Seeing that he had arrived early, his superior, Zhang Heqi, the Vice Minister of Works, beckoned to him and said, "Yan Xun, come here."
Zhang Heqi, dressed in a scarlet robe, with two striking dark circles under his eyes, yawned deeply before patting Dou Yanxun's shoulder and leading him to a side hall.
"Yan Xun, I've heard that this case has some connection to you?"
Zhang Heqi had some acquaintance with Dou Yanzhou in his early years and they had been close for many years. Therefore, whether it was sending Dou Yanzhou's half-brother to the yamen as a minor official or the previous matter of being penalized for absenteeism, he had received Dou Yanzhou's help and secret favors to some extent.
Dou Yanxun nodded and said, "Lord Zhang, to be honest, the unconscious man in the farmland outside the city is actually my wife's cousin."
Vice Minister Zhang nodded, put his hands behind his back, paced a few steps, and then tentatively asked:
"I see. But I didn't know this person was also connected to the Princess's side...?"
Yesterday, Princess Kunrou arrived in haste upon receiving the news. Although she disguised herself, she will undoubtedly use the title of the Eldest Princess to smooth things over. Dou Yanxun had already anticipated this, and calmly replied:
"My lord, you may not know this, but I only heard my wife mention it yesterday. She said that Princess Kunrou, her cousin, and my wife are all close friends. Perhaps it is because of this that the Princess has some connection with this person."
Vice Minister Zhang breathed a sigh of relief and said slowly:
"Yes, no wonder they sent people from the Princess's residence to demand our people in the middle of the night last night. It really gave me a fright."
As he spoke, he picked up a glass of already cold tea from the table beside him, drank it all in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and said:
"Princess Duanhe has rarely interfered in politics over the years, so naturally we dare not be negligent and must listen carefully. However, the difficulty lies in the fact that Prince Mao has also sent someone..."
Dou Yanxun narrowed his eyes:
"Oh? Is that so?"
Vice Minister Zhang nodded and pondered for a moment before saying:
"...That's why I was so startled. General Duan, who serves Prince Mao, arrived this morning before dawn with a group of guards, saying that the case involves military fugitives, and the 14th Division are all former subordinates of Prince Mao. This matter has far-reaching implications and even involves the reputation of the Prince's troops, so it cannot be neglected. General Duan, with an air of impartiality, took the unconscious Liang Zhengyuan away without giving us a chance to argue. I'm afraid he's already in jail..."
.
The spring sunshine was warm and the daytime scenery was clear. Lin Xu was embroidering patterns in the pavilion next to the rockery. Occasionally, she heard the chirping of birds, but her thoughts had already wandered far away. Lost in thought, she was reminded by Zhu Ling, who was standing beside her, in a low voice: "Be careful!"
Suddenly realizing it, she discovered that she had accidentally pricked her finger with a needle. Her fingertip was delicate, and a bead of bright red blood oozed out moments later.
Zhu Ling quickly turned around and grabbed a clean handkerchief. While checking her injuries with concern, she gently comforted her:
"Madam, you are sitting at home. Although you are worried about the young master's safety, you should relax and not be too nervous. The young master is a lucky man and will surely be fine."
Lin Xu lowered his head, staring at the bright red that stood out against the brocade cloud pattern. After a moment of stunned silence, he looked up at Zhu Ling.
"...Any movement from Zhao Qi's side?"
Zhu Ling also lowered her voice, "Zhou Quan circled the gate of the mansion several times early this morning, but there was no news."
Yesterday's events were rushed, so Lin Xu went to Yuancao Residence on Mujing North Street again before returning to his residence.
The flowers and plants were thriving, and Zhiyuan's business was booming. But when she saw Lin Xu rushing over, looking anxious, she quickly understood the seriousness of the situation. When Liang Zhengyuan stayed at the Lin residence, he was always considerate and forgiving towards the servants, earning him the support of many in the household. Seeing that Liang Zhengyuan was in trouble, Zhiyuan was naturally extremely anxious as well.
Since Zhiyuan opened her shop after leaving the mansion, although it was ostensibly just a flower and plant business and a small trade, in reality, her help greatly facilitated Lin Xu's movement between the inner quarters and the outside world.
Since the opening of Yuancaoju, Zhao Qi has frequented the restaurant, and over time, he has become quite familiar with Yuancaoju.
That very night, Zhiyuan received Lin Xu's instructions to secretly contact Zhao Qi, solely to closely observe the movements of the Princess's residence in Yong'an Ward. If any movement occurred, she would immediately come to the Dou residence to deliver a message.
Zhiyuan was always cautious in her work. If there was any unusual activity, she would not make a fuss. Instead, she would send a servant from the flower shop to the Dou residence to deliver some fresh flowers and plants from the shop. This way, she could avoid being noticed by Dou Huaisheng and Bai Shi.
Half a day has passed, but there is still no news. Lin Xu's heart sank deeper and deeper.
This matter is unlikely to be easily resolved, and even someone as noble as Princess Kunrou would probably be at a loss for what to do.
She hesitated for a moment, then heard Zhou Quan striding towards her from afar. He cupped his hands in greeting, and this usually composed, rough-looking man rarely showed any anxiety. Zhou Quan's brows were furrowed as he whispered:
"Miss, something has happened."
.
The Ministry of Justice was located in the southwest of Mujing City, just two streets away from the Ministry of Works. Together with the Court of Judicial Review and the Censorate, it formed the three prisons of the Great Yu Dynasty. It had its own prison, which, since the beginning of the dynasty, had mostly held serious criminals and other notorious villains. The Ministry of Justice's sudden intervention in this matter should have had nothing to do with Prince Mao. However, it was Duan Jinru who came to demand the person in the middle of the night, which was rather suspicious.
Liao Yan, dressed in magnificent robes and adorned with three jade pendants at her waist, hurried out of the Princess's residence. Just as she was about to step into the sedan chair that was already waiting in front of the gate, an extremely sharp female voice came from behind her.
"stop--"
Liao Yan paused for a moment, hesitated for a second, and then slowly turned around.
But then he saw a person in a flowing purple robe standing on the jade steps behind the gate, covered with a thick carpet of red brocade with intertwined branches, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
A golden hibiscus hairpin tucked diagonally into her hair swayed gently as she spoke, gleaming with dazzling light. Her full, bright red lips parted slightly, and her voice carried an imposing, authoritative air:
"Ye'er, are you in such a hurry because of that army fugitive who is being held in the Ministry of Justice prison?"
Liao Yan's expression hardened. She didn't have time to think about how her mother had found out about this so suddenly. She could only lower her head and walk quickly forward, bowing respectfully before the Princess.
"Your Majesty, there must be more to this than meets the eye. I have some acquaintance with Yingzhi and know his character. He would never betray us!"
The eldest princess slowly glanced at Liao Yan, and even though she bowed her head respectfully, the anxiety in her eyes could not be hidden.
They're still too young.
A strange light flashed in the princess's eyes. Ignoring her daughter's hasty use of the prisoner's courtesy name, she simply asked in a cold voice:
How can you be so sure?
Upon hearing this, Liao Yan froze, his large face half-hidden in the shadows, but his voice showed no hesitation.
"...Although I haven't found any evidence yet, I am certain that I trust Yingzhi's character. He is brave and loyal, and would never do anything as shameful as disobeying military orders and deserting thousands of miles. This matter is most likely a frame-up, or there are other hidden reasons that we are unaware of."
Upon hearing this, the eldest princess slowly raised the corners of her lips, but the smile was quite mocking.
She glanced at the eunuch beside her, who immediately nodded in understanding, stepped forward, and handed something to Liao Yan with both hands.
Liao Yan was puzzled and could only take a look blankly. He saw a few lines of writing on a folded piece of paper.
She opened it and glanced at it, but after only a quick look, her face turned pale.
Suppressing her fear, Liao Yan looked up at the Princess again, her usually cold and arrogant eyes now brimming with sorrowful tears. She opened her mouth, but ultimately couldn't help but utter a hoarse voice:
"Mother......"
Princess Duanhe remained unmoved, her expression as stern as autumn frost. It was as if the one weeping before her was not her own daughter. The princess merely gave a glance to her left and right, and the guards standing on either side of the gate strode forward.
The leading guard, with a sword at his waist, bowed to Liao Yan and said, "Princess, please forgive my rudeness."
Before he could finish speaking, Liao Yan felt a gust of wind flash past his eyes.
It happened so fast that she didn't even have time to see clearly before she felt her neck go limp, and then Liao Yan's vision went black as she was plunged into boundless darkness.
The eunuch standing beside her glanced expressionlessly at Liao Yan being carefully carried away, then cautiously looked at the Princess and hesitated:
"Your Highness... I'm afraid the princess will misunderstand your good intentions once she wakes up."
Princess Duanhe flicked her sleeves, revealing her striking eyebrows that seemed to fly into her hair. Compared to the early spring cherry blossoms that were already in full bloom in the princess's mansion behind her, she exuded an even more domineering aura.
"If I don't stop her, she'll be walking straight into the line of fire! Prince Mao is currently very powerful, and getting involved in this matter will give him a lot of headaches. Ye'er is young and inexperienced, and she's been manipulated and used by someone with ulterior motives. She's even arrogantly offering herself up. How can I just sit idly by?"
The princess paused, her gaze drifting towards the outside of the mansion. The bare branches were covered with plump little sparrows, and the newly sprouted willow branches swayed in the wind. Everything was silent, and the attendants around her were so frightened that they didn't dare to breathe.
She lowered her eyes and said coldly:
"Send more people to keep a close eye on Ye'er these next few days. Tell everyone that the princess has caught a cold and needs to rest for a while. No one is allowed to let her leave the manor without my order."
Although Princess Duanhe was always domineering, she rarely showed such anger towards her only daughter, Princess Kunrou. The eunuchs knew that this matter was of great importance, so they dared not disobey and could only lower their heads and agree.
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