This matter had been stuck in Shangguan Wanning's heart like a thorn. Unexpectedly, Mu Jingrui had already noticed it.
"Why would a master from the Imperial Palace... help a brothel?" Shangguan Wanning frowned, as if thinking about something.
"Because the real boss behind the brothel is the second prince Xiao Zhenting."
Mu Jingyan's words surprised Shangguan Wanning and Mu Jingrui. They looked at each other.
Especially Shangguan Wanning, she was very close to Xiao Zhenting in her previous life, but she was completely unaware of his brothel business.
What's more, as a prince, there seems to be no need for him to do such things.
"Xiaoyan, how do you know?" Mu Jingrui asked in surprise.
"Because..." Mu Jingyan's words had not yet been finished when his body began to shake.
Mu Jingrui hurriedly supported her and looked at his pale sister, with self-blame and concern between his brows.
"Jing Yan is still very weak. Help her back to her room to rest. I'll ask the servants to take care of this place."
Mu Jingrui looked at Shangguan Wanning, picked up Mu Jingyan and walked in.
Soon, Shangguan Wanning gave instructions for the aftermath and walked into the room carrying a bowl of bird's nest porridge.
"Eat something, and we'll talk about other things later."
While eating, Mu Jingyan quietly observed Mu Jingrui and Shangguan Wanning.
She could feel the unspeakable affection secretly surging between the two of them.
but……
"Thank you." Mu Jingyan smiled at Shangguan Wanning after finishing his meal.
Shangguan Wanning gently patted the back of Mu Jingyan's hand, just like when they were playing together as children.
"Brother, on the night you came to save me, while the auction was going on outside, a girl from Yingchunlou brought me some cakes. I ate them obediently in order to let them relax their guard. After they untied me, I took the opportunity to escape."
Mu Jingyan took the initiative to talk about what happened that night. If she had known that her brother would come to rescue her, she would not have bothered.
However, it was this trip that made her discover a major secret.
"In order to avoid the thugs in Yingchunlou, I accidentally entered the dry well in the backyard. It turned out that there was a secret room under the dry well, which led directly to the outside and the madam's room. Many girls who were robbed or trafficked were imprisoned in it."
"What?"
Shangguan Wanning and Mu Jingrui's expressions changed slightly.
This piece of news is of great importance. If it is confirmed, it will completely defeat Xiao Zhenting.
"Even if there is a girl imprisoned under the secret passage, how do you know that the boss behind it is Xiao Zhenting?" Mu Jingrui asked calmly.
Mu Jingyan took the hot water handed to him by Shangguan Wanning and held it in his palm to warm his hands.
"I heard from the guards. In addition to robbing and trafficking girls to make money, Yingchun Tower was also used by the second prince's mother, Concubine Liu's family, to collect intelligence. Since it's related to Concubine Liu, how could the second prince be unrelated?"
After listening to this, Shangguan Wanning couldn't help but sigh secretly.
In her previous life, she was so naive that she thought Xiao Zhenting was an elegant and modest gentleman.
This kind of person is so evil that he deserves death a hundred times.
"Jing Yan is right, the Second Prince definitely knows about it."
"So what are your plans?"
Mu Jingrui had already walked to the door, leaning against the door frame, with his arms clasped across his chest, looking at her with interest.
Shangguan Wanning immediately understood what this look meant.
She smiled and said, "You can report this to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and have him investigate secretly. When you are sure, you can catch them all in one fell swoop. By then, even if Concubine Liu has great power in the court, I am afraid she may not be able to protect Xiao Zhenting."
Mu Jingrui's expression gradually froze.
He always believed that Shangguan Wanning's heart was with Xiao Zhenting. However, now, her every word and action seemed to be deliberately drawing a line between her and Xiao Zhenting.
What is she thinking about?
Mu Jingrui stared at Shangguan Wanning, trying to find clues from her eyes.
However……
In Shangguan Wanning's clear eyes, there was only an elegant and warm smile, as if there was also... a trace of affection for him.
Is it an illusion?
Mu Jingrui's heart softened involuntarily, and his inquiring eyes were no longer cold. Even he didn't notice it, but slowly, they became more gentle.
"Brother?" Mu Jingyan saw the change in his brother's eyes and felt a little strange.
Her call brought Mu Jingrui back to his senses. He felt embarrassed for his own misbehavior, lowered his head, and said, "I will report this to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and we will discuss it in detail."
"Brother, you must find a way to save those girls. They are all... so pitiful..."
Mu Jingyan recalled the days when he was imprisoned in Yingchun Tower. It was a nightmare that he would never forget in his life.
"Don't worry, I'll find a way." Mu Jingrui walked up to his sister and patted her head lovingly. "Rest assured, everything will be fine."
"Miss, something bad has happened..." The old butler knocked on the door hurriedly outside, his voice trembling slightly.
Mu Jingrui walked over and opened the door. The old housekeeper bowed and reported: "Miss, a large group of soldiers came outside. They said they wanted to catch the fugitive and search every house."
"They are coming for me." Mu Jingyan stood up, the tears in his eyes gradually disappeared, replaced by a sharp murderous aura. "I'm going out to fight them."
Mu Jingyan was about to rush out when he suddenly felt his wrist tighten.
"Don't be impulsive. There's no need to fight with them." Shangguan Wan Ning soothed him, "You and your brother should go hide in the woods at the back. I'll take care of this."
Mu Jingyan hesitated and looked at Mu Jingrui hesitantly.
"After all, this is my father's property. Even if they are from Jingzhao Prefecture, we should give them some respect. Moreover, as long as you are not here, there is no harm in letting them search."
"Be careful. I will come back to find you after I send Xiaoyan to a safe place." After saying this, Mu Jingrui took his sister's hand and jumped out of the window.
Shangguan Wanning took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and walked out with the old butler.
When he walked into the yard, a captain of the police and a group of yamen runners came towards him.
Shangguan Wanning narrowed her eyes, quickly glanced around, and asked with a sneer, "Who are you? What are you doing in my villa?"
Upon hearing this, the head constable came forward with a big smile on his face, bowed and said, "Miss Shangguan, my brothers and I have been ordered to capture the fugitive. We have been instructed by our superiors to search every household. I have no choice. Please forgive me if I have offended you."
"You call me Miss Shangguan, which means you know whose place this is. I am the only one in the courtyard now. If you come in and search with such brazenness, and if the news gets out, my reputation will be damaged, will you bear the responsibility?"
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