Cold case
The brightly lit room was filled with a tense and oppressive atmosphere.
Zhao Yi, who had been staring at Cen Yan, chuckled, easing the tension.
"Lord Cen, there's no need to be nervous. I won't disturb your plans; I just want to make a deal with you."
As he spoke, he took out a letter and handed it to Cen Yan.
"Please take a look, Lord Cen."
Cen Yan looked at the letter, his face calm, but his heart was in turmoil.
The answer I've been searching for for years has finally been confirmed at this moment.
"What does the Third Prince want to trade?"
Cen Yan packed the letter and returned it to him, but he refused to accept it.
"Although I do not know your relationship with the former Duke of Zhenguo, I have discovered that you are secretly investigating the events of that year. Does Lord Cen think this evidence is valuable?"
If I were to ascend to a high position in the future, I wonder if Lord Cen would be willing to assist me?
Cen Yan's dark eyes held a murderous intent as he stared intently at him. Finally, he returned the letter.
"The Third Prince has probably come to the wrong person. I will not get involved in the struggle for imperial power."
"etc."
Zhao Yi stopped Cen Yan, who was about to leave, and stepped forward to continue speaking:
"This letter is the only one in the world; all the others have been destroyed. Is Lord Cen still unwilling?"
Cen Yan glanced at him and replied, "I don't want to!"
Zhao Yi stared for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed.
"Very well, I will not make things difficult for Lord Cen. You may take this letter. Since you will not help me, I suppose you will not help the other princes in the future either?"
"nature."
"That's good. Let's go, don't keep them waiting."
The two, each with their own thoughts, left the house and returned to the garden where the banquet was being held.
Xu Lanxin watched Cen Yan return, and her heart finally settled down. It seemed that this banquet was probably just to wait for Cen Yan.
"What happened?"
"We'll talk about it when we get back."
He threw out a hook, which made her lose all interest in her food afterwards.
At the banquet, the Third Prince still greeted everyone warmly, but Lan Xin, who was next to him, could clearly feel that his aura was very low.
Since you're unhappy, there's no need to stay here.
Xu Lanxin immediately told the Third Prince that she wanted to leave, and the Third Prince did not try to stop her.
Upon returning to the Cen residence, the others, seeing the somewhat oppressive atmosphere, did not disturb the two women further and quietly returned to their respective residences.
Inside, only one or two lights were on, and the corners were dimly lit.
Cen Yan extinguished the tinderbox, turned around and walked over, gently embracing her.
There was no sound.
Xu Lanxin didn't rush to ask, but just let him hold her. She could feel his low spirits, as if a faint sadness filled the air.
Can I tell you?
His voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of caution.
Xu Lanxin hugged his waist tightly and simply replied with an "Mmm".
After a long while, Cen Yan seemed to have made up his mind, released her, and handed her the evidence he had obtained from the Third Prince.
"This is... evidence of Xiao Muhan's father, Xiao Ji's, treason. The Third Prince is using this to blackmail you? But I don't understand, what does this have to do with you?"
Cen Yan stared intently at her, and after a long pause, he finally spoke:
"Do you remember the time Xiao Muhan captured you before our marriage?"
He pulled Xu Lanxin close and hugged her tightly, his forehead resting lightly against her back.
"What did you hear at the teahouse that day?"
She recalled that the storyteller had told a story that day that attracted the Imperial Guards.
"The old stories of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?"
Lanxin turned her head to look at him uncertainly, her gaze falling on his hair bun.
"Duke Lu Yuan of Zhenguo committed treason. The late emperor, mindful of his merits, did not execute his entire clan, but only killed all 218 members of his household. Even the infant in swaddling clothes was given a bowl of poison to kill him."
It's laughable that, remembering his merits, they slaughtered his entire family, severing his bloodline.
After saying that, he chuckled softly. Xu Lanxin sensed something was wrong with him, turned around, hugged him, and comforted him.
"It's alright, Zijin, it's alright."
“I am the one who deserved to die more than 20 years ago. I was the one who was poisoned in my swaddling clothes.”
Xu Lanxin was somewhat shocked, but she suppressed it and hugged him tightly.
"Zijin, calm down."
Sensing that he was trying to break free, Xu Lanxin ignored his pulling and dared not let go.
"Go and take revenge, Cen Yan. Bring all those who harmed your family to justice."
The person on top of her stiffened and stopped moving. Xu Lanxin tried to loosen her grip a little, but he still didn't move.
Then she released him, looked into his eyes, her eyes were moist, filled with sorrow, but her expression was wooden.
"Go and take revenge!"
Xu Lanxin cupped his face and affirmed again.
Those people deserved to be punished!
Cen Yan hugged her again.
"good!"
"Tell me about the Duke's Mansion!"
Cen Yan's current father is actually his maternal uncle. Back then, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was framed for treason and collusion with the enemy. In addition, the late emperor was suspicious and felt that the Duke of Zhenguo's reputation was too great.
Due to the flattery of treacherous officials, the entire Zhenguo Duke's mansion was sentenced to be executed, with the execution to be carried out immediately and no further investigation to be conducted.
On that day, the execution ground was awash in blood, and it took a whole day to wash away the bloodstains.
Cen Yan's uncle bribed the poisoner to substitute a stillborn infant for him. Afterwards, his aunt was sent back to her hometown to rest during her pregnancy. Three years later, they announced to the public that Cen Yan was their eldest son and then brought them back to the capital.
Cen Yan only learned about his background when he overheard his uncle and aunt's conversation at the age of sixteen. He then abandoned martial arts for literature and entered the Dali Temple.
It was also to investigate the wrongful conviction from back then.
"So the Lu Family Army that your father left you still exists?"
Xu Lanxin was somewhat excited and continued:
"Where are they? Aren't you afraid the emperor will execute you?"
"They are now scattered in various places, but perhaps one day they will return and fight openly on the battlefield."
"The Third Prince gave you such important evidence today. What does he want? Does he know your identity?"
Seeing that she was a little worried, Cen Yan tightened his grip on her.
"Don't worry, he only knows that I'm investigating what happened back then, and he doesn't know my identity yet."
"So, is the evidence you have now enough to bring him down?"
Cen Yan smiled gently and lightly touched her cheek.
"No rush. The evidence we have now is not enough to shake his foundation, especially since this case has been sealed for so long. The late emperor ordered that no one should reopen the case. We need the right opportunity."
"It would be very dangerous, wouldn't it?"
If in the end... fate makes it impossible for him to escape.
I will protect you.
"Don't you dare leave me behind. You have to take good care of yourself, or I'll plant a whole bunch of green grass on your head."
When Cen Yan learned what Qingcao meant, his face immediately turned ugly, and he finally subjected the person to 'family discipline' on the bed.
Meanwhile, Ruyue, now known as Hongfu, quietly arrived at the guest house.
"Take a look, is this the jade pendant you're looking for?"
Ruyue took out a jade pendant, but it was only half a piece.
If Xu Lanxin were here, she would find it familiar. Why would these two steal her jade pendant? If they wanted money, it's not like they couldn't afford it.
Ye Lan excitedly grabbed it, examined it over and over several times, and then reluctantly returned it.
"Put it back, and don't let anyone notice anything amiss."
After saying that, he handed a small note to Ruyue.
"This is where your brother is."
After seeing this, Ruyue looked up at him in shock.
"You read that right. In fact, you should thank him. If he hadn't arranged for timely medical treatment, you might only be meeting again in the underworld."
Thank you.
Ruyue turned and went out the door.
Ye Lan took out a half-jade from his bosom and stroked it; it was the other half of the half-jade from before.
"Aunt, I've found my little aunt."
However, she has passed away, and it is a pity that we cannot meet again in this life.
"I will take good care of my cousin."
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