Chapter 51 Enemies are destined to meet.
"Lord Yang, I think we should leave now!"
Xu Qingyi was the first to stand up and take her leave.
"Please wait, everyone!"
Yang Jingyan hurriedly got up to stop the crowd.
"Lord Yang, this matter..."
"Please rest assured, everyone. I have dismissed all the servants in this mansion and have kept only the trusted confidants of the Yang family."
They will absolutely keep this a secret. Also, I have already arranged inns for you all.
The innkeepers there are trustworthy people; I'll have the officials spread the word then.
I'm just bringing you to my residence to verify your identities. When the escorting officials arrive,
I also let them stay at that inn, but until then, you'll have to make do with resting there.
Yang Jingyan explained.
"Lord Yang's idea is very thoughtful!"
The group thanked Yang Jingyan and then sat back down.
Perhaps out of concern for causing him trouble, everyone unconsciously sped up their meal.
"Husband, have you received a reply to the letter you sent to Jiangnan a few days ago?"
While everyone was eating, Madam Yang brought it up, and everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and looked at Yang Jingyan.
"It won't be that fast. Many people have died or been injured in the dike breach in Jiangnan. It's probably still in chaos. It's faster for my mentor to send a message from the capital."
Originally, it would have been impossible for Yang Jingyan, a minor official, to have learned of the exile of the Prince of Jin's family so quickly.
This was because his mentor from when he was studying at the Imperial Academy, Luo Zicheng, wrote to him, informing him that the Yun family had been exiled and asking him to take good care of them on the way.
Otherwise, a mere county magistrate like him would probably only find out about this matter when the officials arrived with the official documents.
My mentor?
Could it be some official from the Imperial Academy?
The Prince of Jin had helped so many people that Xu Qingyi didn't know Yang Jingyan at all, let alone who his mentor was.
"My esteemed teacher is Luo Zicheng, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy."
Yang Jingyan offered an explanation.
"So it was Chief Minister Luo!"
Everyone then realized what was going on.
"Did Chancellor Luo say when the Grand Tutor will return?"
"Madam Yang asked with concern."
"The Grand Tutor never tells anyone his whereabouts when he leaves the capital. My mentor has already sent people to look for him."
It may take some more time, but there's something strange going on. My mentor said that the Marquis of Dingyuan has also run into trouble.
"Marquis Dingyuan?"
All eyes immediately fell on Yun Zhao.
Yang Jingyan was far away in Yangguan County and naturally knew nothing about the matter of the real and fake heiresses.
After all, they were her parents who had raised her for five years. Xu Qingyi was worried that Yun Zhao would be sad, so she carefully observed her emotions.
Seeing that Yun Zhao was still engrossed in working on the chicken leg, seemingly unaffected, Xu Qingyi finally felt relieved.
Yang Jingyan, oblivious to the situation, continued, "According to my mentor, the Marquis of Dingyuan has been imprisoned for embezzlement and bribery."
The family members were imprisoned in the mansion, but strangely, the mansion was almost completely ransacked, yet the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence claimed to know nothing about it.
My mentor said that the Marquis of Dingyuan would likely also be sentenced to exile, and instructed me to keep an eye on his every move in Yangguan County.
Um?
Is their whole family also to be exiled to Lingnan?
Alright, it seems like enemies are destined to meet!
Yun Zhao subconsciously slowed down his chicken leg-eating and listened quietly to Yang Jingyan's words.
At this moment, Wei Mingde couldn't help but feel puzzled.
Why should we pay attention to Marquis Dingyuan?
Yang Jingyan lowered his voice and said, "My mentor thinks that there's something strange about what happened to Marquis Dingyuan this time."
The Prince of Jin had just run into trouble, and now he too was caught embezzling. My mentor believed there might be a connection between the two.
Yun Zhao paused, then suddenly looked up at Yang Jingyan.
Was the Marquis of Dingyuan involved in her father's accident?!
If this matter is really related to Marquis Dingyuan, wouldn't I have been helping the murderer who killed my family in my past life?
Xu Qingyi quickly noticed Yun Zhao's emotions and immediately hugged her.
"What's wrong? Zhao Zhao, don't be afraid, it's okay!"
Yang Jingyan was afraid of frightening the child, so he immediately fell silent.
"Lord Yang, I have a favor to ask."
Xu Yinan suddenly spoke up.
"Young Master Xu, you may speak frankly."
"If there is any conclusion to this matter, please be sure to send a letter to Lingnan to inform us."
Once we arrive in Lingnan, we will try to write to you and give you our address.
"Of course, this matter concerns Your Highness... Brother Yun, I, Yang, will certainly do my best!"
Yang Jingyan agreed without even thinking about it.
"I have sent people to Jiangnan to investigate the situation, and I have also asked people to help Brother Yun as much as possible. Madam Yun, please do not worry too much, as worry can harm your health."
Xu Qingyi was overjoyed and hurriedly cupped her hands in greeting to him.
"Thank you very much, Lord Yang!"
In less than fifteen minutes, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill and got up to say goodbye.
"Thank you, Lord Yang. It's time for us to leave."
Yang Jingyan understood their concerns and therefore did not dare to force them to stay.
When they left, Madam Yang stuffed a whole bundle into their hands.
"Please, Madam, don't refuse. This isn't anything expensive; it's just a token of our appreciation. Please don't take it to heart!"
Xu Qingyi didn't dare to tell Xia and the others that they had money, so she had no choice but to accept the bundle.
The Yang family did not dare to see them off; Yang Jingyan was already prepared.
Outside the door, the officials were already waiting.
Yang Jingyan, abandoning his previous humble demeanor, put his hands behind his back and said loudly, "I have verified their identities."
Take them to the Fulai Inn. Wait for the escorting officials to arrive before letting them leave. Keep a close eye on them in the meantime!
"Yes, sir!"
The officers clasped their hands in a fist salute and escorted the man away.
Yang Jingyan returned to the courtyard, and the Yang family members quickly came forward.
"They're gone?"
"Yes, I'm leaving."
Yang Jingyan pinched his brow, looking somewhat tired.
"Madam, are everything arranged at the inn?"
"Don't worry, I've had my second brother take care of it. They've replaced all the items in the lower-class rooms with new ones."
They also placed plenty of high-quality silver charcoal inside, and prepared hot water and clean prison clothes.
Madam Yang made thorough preparations, and when Yun Zhao and his party arrived at the inn, the innkeeper acted as if he didn't care at all.
"If you have silver, we'll arrange rooms for you; if not, you can stay in the woodshed!"
The officials guarding the city gate assigned two people to watch over it, while the others left.
Worried about causing trouble for Yang Jingyan, the group did not want to be too high-profile in Yangguan County.
"Do you know of any cleaner servants' rooms?"
The shopkeeper glanced at the constables standing guard outside, and seeing that they weren't paying attention to what was happening inside, he called out loudly, "Come with me!"
The group followed the shopkeeper inside, and only when they were inside did the shopkeeper lower his voice to explain.
"Gentlemen, Lord Yang has already made arrangements. These are several adjacent rooms for lower-ranking officials; the location is secluded and quiet."
It's near the back door. If you want to go out, you can change into ordinary clothes.
Go out through the back door, but be careful not to be too conspicuous outside. After buying the necessary items, quickly return and change into your prison clothes.
Everyone was taken aback.
I never expected Yang Jingyan to be so thoughtful, and I am very grateful.
"Thank you very much, shopkeeper. Please also convey our gratitude to Lord Yang!"
"Lord Yang is a good official, and His Highness Prince Jin is even better. It is my honor to be able to do something within my power for you!"
Yun Zhao slowly tightened her grip on Xu Yifei's arms.
Her biological father must be an extremely good person!
Otherwise, how could so many people admire him and offer him help in such a critical time?
Father, you must hold on, I'm coming to save you!
Yun Zhao made up his mind in secret.
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