Prison conversation
Having decided to assist in the case, Sui Zhixu ran to the palace gate to find Cong Lan. Upon seeing him, all she could think about was, "You don't actually see him as a gigolo, do you?"
Xu Fufu tried to banish the words from his mind and searched for Cong Lan's figure among the throngs of court officials who were leaving.
"Father!"
Cong Lan and Chu Feixuan walked side by side at the back, their faces unfriendly, exchanging sarcastic remarks.
Hearing Sui Zhixu's call, Cong Lan smiled and said, "My lady is thinking of me and even came all the way to the palace gate. In that case, General Chu, I shall take my leave."
Chu Feixuan's smile gradually faded, and he turned away from Cong Lan's smug face.
Xu Xiao ran up to Cong Lan, pulled her aside, and explained his purpose.
Cong Lan pondered upon hearing this, “You do not hold any official position. Unless the Emperor agrees, this matter will be handled by A Hui. Everyone in the court knows that he is my man. The Emperor probably will not easily agree to let you assist him.”
Seeing that the young lady looked unwell, Cong Lan comforted her, "Don't worry, let me think. Madam Pei is a palace lady-in-waiting, and the position is usually held by the princess. Perhaps we can start with the princess."
"I only came to find Father because I didn't see him in the morning sun." Sui Zhixu's usually indifferent face showed a hint of sorrow.
She and Ning Yan sent a message to the palace, but the people in Chaoyang Palace refused to see them.
"This is a bit tricky. The princess is refusing visitors and seems unwilling to get involved in this matter. If you want to see the princess, there is another way."
Seeing that Cong Lan was hesitant, Xu urged him, "Father, please tell me. I should try, no matter what."
"Find the Imperial Tutor, but she has some shady dealings with your mother, so she probably won't agree to your request."
"The Imperial Tutor? I'll give it a try."
—
Chaoyang Palace
The palace was magnificent yet dignified and grand, with Chaoyang sitting in the head seat playing chess with the prince consort.
The chessboard is rife with undercurrents, and the two sides are locked in a fierce battle.
The palace maid walked quietly toward the rising sun, but before she reached it, the person at the head of the table said in a deep voice, "There's no need for Lady Sui and Lady Ning to come and report. Tell them I have business to attend to and am not receiving guests."
The palace maid knelt before the prince and bowed her head, replying, "Your Highness, it is the Imperial Tutor who requests an audience."
"Imperial Tutor?" Chaoyang put down a chess piece and tossed it into the basket, her upturned phoenix eyes smiling. "Why is she here? Hurry up and invite her in."
Seeing that the Imperial Son-in-Law Chu Shize was about to leave, Chaoyang raised her hand to gesture for him to sit down. "No need, sit properly. The Imperial Tutor never comes to the palace without a reason. At this juncture, let me see what the Imperial Tutor has to do?"
The Imperial Tutor was slender and extremely tall, with a striking androgynous beauty in his eyes and brows.
Chaoyang was nothing new to her, but she immediately noticed the maidservant beside the Imperial Tutor.
"Princess, Prince Consort."
"Imperial Tutor, is there something important you wish to discuss with me today?" Chaoyang leaned back in her chair, unceremoniously placing her feet on the prince consort's lap.
The Imperial Tutor frowned slightly, but ultimately did not reprimand Chaoyang. He spoke in a cold voice, "It was not this humble official who came to see you, but a young lady from Suihe."
"Oh, where is she? I only saw the Imperial Tutor and his maid, but I didn't see any Lady Sui. Is she in the palace?"
Chaoyang spread her hands in confusion, nudged Chu Shize's arm with her toe, and looked up at him, asking, "Has the Prince Consort seen Lady Sui?"
Chu Shize helplessly grasped Chaoyang's ankle, "Your Highness."
That "Your Highness" was both a helpless expression and a way of dissuading someone.
Chaoyang chuckled, removed her foot from his lap, and turned her gaze to Sui Zhixu, who was looking up at her. "Why did you come here disguised as the Imperial Tutor's maid? Nothing can stop you."
"I think so too." Sui Zhixu stood at the lower end, and even now, her face still wore a faint, nonchalant fake smile.
The dignified and proper demeanor feigned in order to appease the royal family was masked by audacious and outrageous words.
Chaoyang saw this and shifted her gaze to the Imperial Tutor. "I thought that given the Imperial Tutor's terrible relationship with the Sui family head, the young master would have a hard time, but I didn't expect you to agree so quickly."
Her smile was playful, and her tone was gentle as she teased the imperial tutor.
"Boring. I've brought the person here. Princess, you can deal with her as you see fit. I'll take my leave."
The Imperial Tutor bowed and turned to leave, his gaze sweeping over Sui Zhixu, who was standing in the center of the hall, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.
Seeing that the Imperial Tutor had left, Chaoyang turned to Sui Zhixu and said, "If she won't tell me, then you tell me."
"This humble woman only asked the Imperial Tutor to meet with Your Highness as well, and she readily agreed."
"How could that be? Given Fu Mingguang's vengeful nature, would she easily agree to your request? She had such a terrible falling out with your mother back then; it's already a sign of her magnanimity that she didn't tear you apart."
Chaoyang walked from the head of the table to Sui Zhixu's side, looking her up and down. "If you tell the truth, I might consider helping you."
“What I say is true.”
Sui Zhixu shook her head. It was indeed true. She stopped the Imperial Tutor on the palace road and begged to meet Chaoyang with him. He readily agreed. Sui Zhixu didn't even have time to launch into her long-winded speech.
"Hmph, fine, don't talk then. I won't help you. I don't understand why someone as stubborn as you insists on jumping into this mess that everyone avoids. Everyone in the court knows that the Pei family is in dire straits and is afraid of being implicated. Go to Chang'an and ask around. Which of Pei Qinglian's sisters' marriages can still be kept? Even in-laws are in such a state. You've only known her for a few months, why are you risking your life for her?"
Sui Zhixu was stunned for a moment. If Cong Lan was willing to help the Pei family and He Miao appeared in Yungang Village, then the Pei family was innocent and the mastermind behind the matter must be related to Prince Xuanping.
The system had seized great fortune for him, and everything was in his favor. If he continued like this, how could she take revenge? She had to test the system repeatedly and do her best to prevent Prince Xuanping from benefiting.
“Innocent people should not die because of this, nor should the guilty escape. I am unaware of the marriage arrangements of the Pei family ladies. It is only natural for the Pei family to seek advantage and avoid harm after being convicted, and I have no right to defend the Pei family. However, if the engagement is to be dissolved only before the Pei family has been tried, then it is better not to marry such a young man. It is not a disaster for the Pei family ladies, but rather a blessing.”
After their conversation, Chaoyang circled around Sui Zhixu, just like when they first met that night.
"...Ha! I'm right, you really are a stunner. Why don't you become my sister-in-law and marry my second son? He's been in love with you for a long time. That way, you'll be family with me, and I'll help you. What do you think?"
"Your Highness would not. Your Highness treats your subjects with a clear distinction between public and private matters. I heard that three years ago, a relative of the Chu family was cheating in the imperial examination and begged Your Highness for help. Not only did Your Highness not help, but you also put justice before family in court. You spoke of the distinction between public and private matters that day. As a princess, you should set an example even more."
Xu Yi was methodical, calm, and composed, without a trace of flattery or fawning.
Chaoyang waved his hand, "Alright, alright, I'm really impressed with you. Sometimes you're starting to sound more and more like Yueling. It's really tough for you to be her disciple. Yueling is a recluse, she doesn't interfere with anyone in the court, and she doesn't even care about her own disciple."
"Your Highness, I thank you for your great kindness and compassion." Sui Zhixu bowed in gratitude.
"Why are you saying that? Let me make it clear beforehand that this matter is of utmost importance and involves too many officials. Prime Minister Cong has already publicly brought in Cheng Zhijie to investigate the case. The people I've sent here to assist in investigating whether any of the palace ladies have embezzled disaster relief funds, in order to rectify the atmosphere in the palace."
Chaoyang emphasized, "Remember, don't give yourself away."
As soon as Xu successfully obtained the princess's decree from Chaoyang and stepped out of the palace gate, the scorching sun shone on her, and she couldn't help but squint.
The pure gold princess token was heavy. The emperor had no son and was very fond of Princess Chaoyang. The best proof of this was the princess token, which was comparable to the emperor's own token. Meeting her was like meeting the emperor.
"Ah Xu." Ning Yan stood at the palace gate and rushed forward when she saw the person come out.
Sui Zhixu raised the princess's command and said, "Go to the Dali Temple prison."
Ning Yan nodded and pulled Sui Zhixu into the carriage to head to the Dali Temple prison.
—
Dali Temple Prison
The prison was dark and gloomy, with shackles and chains clanging loudly.
"This way, madam."
Sui Zhi and Xu, both wearing black cloaks, followed the jailer into the prison.
The ladies and gentlemen of the Pei family huddled together in twos and threes. The Crown Prince's wife held her crying baby boy in her arms. The child in her arms finally understood what was happening and leaned on his mother's shoulder, biting his lip and shedding tears.
"The two ladies have arrived."
Sui Zhixu took out a silver ingot and placed it in his hand. The jailer smiled and instructed the two, "I'll be right at the door. Call me if you need anything. We don't know when the master will arrive, so we hope you two ladies will hurry."
"Okay, go down."
"Lord Pei." Sui Zhixu lifted his cloak, revealing a serene and quiet face.
"You're not a lady from the Conglan family, what brings you here?" Duke Pei asked in surprise, and even more so when he saw Ning Yan. "Ayan is here too."
He frowned deeply. "This is a cold and desolate place for you to come here. Go back now. Adults should handle their own affairs. What are you children doing getting involved?"
"I was ordered by the princess to investigate the case of Lady Pei embezzling disaster relief funds in order to rectify the atmosphere in the palace."
"Nonsense!"
Before Duke Pei could finish speaking, Ning Yan exclaimed in surprise, "Sanlang? Sanlang, how did you get injured? The officials escorting you from Luoyang haven't even arrived in the capital yet, and the trial hasn't even started. How could they torture you?"
Upon hearing this, Sui Zhixu's gaze fell upon Pei Qingzhuo, who lay pale-faced in Pei Qinglian's arms, his back stained with blood, clearly the marks of caning.
"The Court of Judicial Review is working with the Ministry of Revenue to audit the accounts. It's not appropriate to use torture at this time." Although Xu was not as knowledgeable about the laws of the Great Qi as Ning Yan, she still understood common sense. This was clearly torture to extract a confession.
"It's all my fault."
A soft, sorrowful apology came from Pei Qinglian's mouth.
Sui Zhixu looked puzzled, but Ning Yan beside him had a strange expression, her five fingers gripping the railing tightly, her fingertips turning white from the force.
"When did Minister Lu become so unable to distinguish between primary and secondary matters? Or have people from the Lu family come?" Ning Yan asked with difficulty, looking at the two siblings.
"Ayan—" Pei Qingzhuo climbed out of Pei Qinglian's arms, struggling to support his swaying body as he walked to the door and took Ning Yan's hand.
"Listen to me, listen to your father, don't get involved with me." His lips were pale, and he spoke slowly. The familiar scene made Sui Zhixu feel a little dazed.
Everyone turned their backs at that moment, leaving the time to them.
What nonsense are you spouting?
“I’m glad you’ve been avoiding marriage with me all these years. It’s good that you didn’t marry me.” Pei Qingzhuo’s hand stroked Ning Yan’s cheek. “Regardless of whether the Pei family is innocent or not, I probably won’t be able to leave here alive.”
"Pei Qingzhuo, you blockhead! You're not allowed to say anything more! You're not allowed to say anything more! The laws of Daqi are still in effect. I can find out the truth!" Tears streamed down Ning Yan's face like broken beads, falling onto Pei Qingzhuo's hand.
"Ah Lian, tell me, how many times did you hit her?"
Pei Qinglian: "From yesterday to today, twice, thirty strokes each time."
“I saw that the ‘Interrogation Record’ did not record this. According to the laws of the Great Qi, the interval between each torture session must not be less than twenty days. Two canings in just one day. Does Minister Lu still respect the laws of the Great Qi?”
Ning Yan took a deep breath and whispered in Pei Qingzhuo's ear, "I won't let you die. If you dare to die, I will marry someone else in front of your grave and specifically choose the seventh day after your death to consummate the marriage with another man."
Pei Qingzhuo was weak and angry, his chest tingling. "This is unbecoming of you."
"You're dead and you still want to bother with me? If you're dead, I'll not only look for me, but I'll look for seven or eight more."
Pei Qinglian pulled the Duchess, who was nearly overwhelmed with anger, to cover her ears and prevent her from continuing to listen to Ning Yan's boastful words.
"You'd better stay alive! Otherwise, I'll go to Nanfeng Tower and Chunfeng Tower too."
Ning Yan gripped Pei Qingzhuo's hand tightly, "I'll try to find a doctor to treat your illness."
At this moment, Xu spoke up, "Tomorrow night, Cheng Zhijie will represent the Censorate and the Court of Judicial Review to jointly try this case. I will inform him to bring the doctor in."
Seeing the grateful looks from Ning Yan and the Pei family, Sui Zhixu nodded slightly and said to Duke Pei, "This case involves Jiangnan, Luoyang and Hedong, and it is quite troublesome, but we are trying to find a solution. We hope that everyone in the Pei family will wait patiently."
She then asked, "Is the Lu family the same Lu family from Fanyang?"
"Yes, it was my late husband's family. The Lu family held a grudge against me for what happened back then, which is why they were so ruthless to Sanlang."
"How many years of old grudges have you held onto to this extent?" Although Xu had some doubts, she had no evidence and could not reveal them.
Fanyang and Hedong are not far apart.
"Ladies, hurry! The adults are coming!"
Xu then grabbed Ning Yan and walked away, putting on a cloak to cover half of her face as they passed by.
"etc--"
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