When Jiang Fang and Jiang Lin arrived at the Ninth Prince's Mansion, they found it bustling with activity. Many officials were blocking the entrance, holding gifts of all sizes and clamoring to see Su Qingcai, completely blocking the road.
Hearing them shouting "Please, Ninth Prince, provide the detailed list," Jiang Fang knew that these people were officials who had patronized Xiuyifang. Now, fearing that the fire would spread to them, they had come up with a crooked idea from Su Qingcai!
Enraged, he shoved the official blocking his way to the ground and roared:
"Making such a racket in front of the Prince's mansion! What kind of behavior is this! You bunch of good-for-nothings who only know how to eat, drink, and be merry, I'll report you to the Emperor and you'll be in deep trouble!"
The authoritative and resonant voice made the officials present tremble. When they turned around and saw that it was the General of the Cavalry, they dared not be disrespectful and scattered like birds and beasts. The official who had been pushed down didn't dare to breathe, scrambled to his feet, and ran away in a flash.
In an instant, the Ninth Prince's Mansion, which had been bustling with activity just moments before, became deserted.
Jiang Fang snorted disdainfully, walked to the tightly closed door, and started banging on it.
Through the door, Su Qingcai looked at the entrance in surprise. He was having a headache over the group of officials who kept trying to curry favor with him, but now someone had solved the problem for him. Upon hearing Jiang Fang's voice, he quickly opened the door, cupped his hands in thanks, and said thank you.
"Thank you for helping me out of this predicament, General Jiang. May I ask what brings you here?"
"Stop with the formalities. If Ninth Prince wants to thank me, just call Su Xiaoning out!" Jiang Fang's voice boomed like a bell, his eyes blazing like torches. He immediately demanded to see Su Xiaoning.
"This..." Su Qingcai frowned slightly, looking somewhat troubled. He knew that Jiang Fangsu disliked Su Xiaoning, and he didn't know whether his visit would bring good fortune or misfortune.
Jiang Fang disdained to explain, and seeing Su Qingcai hesitate, he simply strode towards the courtyard. Upon seeing this, Su Qingcai quickly flew over to stop him.
"She is not in the manor now, General Jiang, please return."
"Not here? Since when did the Ninth Prince start lying through his teeth?" Jiang Fang snorted coldly, refusing to believe him, and insisted on barging in.
Seeing the two about to clash, Su Xiaoning, who was in the courtyard, heard the commotion outside and saw Su Qingcai about to fight Jiang Fang. She quickly ran out of the courtyard.
"I'm here! What do you want?"
"Come with me!" As soon as Su Xiaoning appeared, Jiang Fang grabbed her wrist and dragged her outside.
Su Xiaoning was startled and struggled desperately, her wrists turning red.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Lin felt extremely distressed and immediately snatched Su Xiaoning from Jiang Fang's hands, explaining awkwardly, "My father just has this temper, please bear with him. We've come to ask Miss Su for help..."
He recounted the entire story of the massacre in Yunjiang Village, and at the end, he earnestly asked Su Xiaoning to go to the prison to persuade the beggar. Su Xiaoning and Su Qingcai, who had originally looked grim, relaxed a little.
After listening, Su Qingcai pondered, resting his chin on his hand, and said, "This case is probably a copycat crime. There were suspicious points in the Yunjiang Village case back then, and the person in prison may not be the real culprit. I'm afraid he doesn't know much about this case either."
"Your Highness, the Ninth Prince, are unaware of the full details of this case. How can you assert that it was a copycat crime? That beggar has been locked up in jail. If he knows nothing, why doesn't he defend himself? Your Highness, please refrain from speaking nonsense!"
Jiang Fang wore a mocking expression. He disliked the "femme fatale" Su Xiaoning, and by extension, he also disliked Su Qingcai, who treated Su Xiaoning like a treasure.
Su Qingcai was mocked for no reason, and his face darkened. He was still thinking about how to speak because of Jiang Fang's sake, when Su Xiaoning stood in front of him with an unhappy expression.
"I don't know if he knows anything about this, but I think it was definitely a copycat crime. Did General Jiang investigate? Why was he so rude to the Prince right off the bat? You want to ask me to do something, but this is your attitude?"
"You little brat, you're getting tough now?"
Jiang Fang remained unyielding, his attitude unchanged. He was already frustrated by being forced to beg Su Xiaoning, and now seeing her so uncooperative only fueled his anger.
Su Xiaoning didn't care what he thought, crossed her arms, and pouted, "I'm not going!"
"Miss Su, you must not act rashly!" Jiang Lin exclaimed in alarm, tugging at Su Xiaoning's sleeve in his haste.
Su Xiaoning remained unmoved, watching Jiang Fang's expression change several times before raising her chin arrogantly and saying, "I can go, but please, General Jiang, apologize to me and the Ninth Prince."
"You don't know what's good for you!" Jiang Fang's face flushed red, and he almost stepped in to deflate her momentum.
Jiang Lin was both amused and exasperated, feeling helpless. He quickly stopped Jiang Fang and gently explained the importance of the matter to him, urging him to humble himself first.
After Jiang Lin's earnest persuasion, Jiang Fang finally calmed down. He realized the pros and cons of the matter and had no choice but to grit his teeth and apologize.
"It's...it's my fault!"
Just like the apology he gave when training the horse, it was forced out and sounded utterly insincere. But for Su Xiaoning, being able to suppress Jiang Fang's bad temper was enough.
She nodded haughtily and followed Jiang Lin outside, but secretly whispered in Su Qingcai's ear, "Don't be angry, I have plenty of ways to make him apologize to you."
"What do I have to be angry about? You..." Su Qingcai couldn't help but chuckle and affectionately pinched Su Xiaoning's nose.
The intimate posture of the two caught Jiang Lin's eye, and a bitter feeling welled up in his heart, but he could say nothing and could only lower his head and hurry to the Ministry of Justice.
Fifteen minutes later, the four arrived at the Ministry of Justice prison.
The beggar remained the same, wrapped in tattered clothes and leaning against the corner. A circle of rats surrounded him, and two more were perched on his shoulder, squeaking softly in his ear like lovers whispering secrets.
Seeing the humans and rats interacting like this, the others frowned, but Su Xiaoning seemed completely used to it.
Undeterred, she walked over, squatted down in front of the beggar, and said with a smile, "Long time no see."
The beggar raised his eyelids and glanced at Su Xiaoning, then lowered his gaze again, remaining silent.
Su Xiaoning tilted her head slightly and tried to persuade her, "I came to see you today because I need your help with something. General Jiang should have already told you that if you know anything about this case, you can tell us so we can clear your name..."
She told the beggar what she wanted, but the beggar just stayed quietly in the corner, without giving any response, as if he hadn't heard anything.
He fiddled with the rats on his body, completely ignoring the people around him.
The atmosphere in the cell was extremely awkward. Su Xiaoning's expression changed, and none of them spoke; only the squeaking of mice could be heard. Gradually, everyone became restless.
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