086
"The Prime Minister once spoke with me about this matter, saying that someone had come with a letter to plead their innocence," he said calmly, slowly walking towards Qin Sang. "So it was you."
Everyone shared Qin Sang's sentiment: what did this Prince Ning'an mean?
Before I knew it, Prince Ning'an was standing right in front of me, and he even reached out to hold my hand: "Why are your hands so cold?"
Qin Sang: "??" Your hands are definitely colder, aren't they?
Prince Ning'an had already begun to remove his cloak, coughing as he said, "Although it's summer, the nights are inevitably chilly, so you still need to... cough cough... take care of yourself... cough cough..."
Qin Sang took a half step back, ultimately not daring to disrespect Prince Ning'an, and let him drape the cloak over her. However, she felt somewhat uncomfortable; perhaps this man had tuberculosis? Was it contagious? *cough cough cough*
After draping Qin Sang with his clothes, he turned to the crowd and said, "Since there are clues, we should investigate. What are you all doing gathered in my fiancée's courtyard? Tsk, Lord Pei, don't take advantage of having your elder brother, the Crown Prince, to bully others and arbitrarily imprison people without any evidence."
Qin Sang was stunned. She wasn't interested in anything else, only focusing on the words "fiancée".
It's bizarre; I had no idea I was someone else's fiancée.
Was it arranged by Prime Minister Xie before his death? But didn't he say he wanted to arrange a marriage with Tan Bi?
Over there, Pei Ying placed his hands behind his forehead and bowed deeply, adopting a humble posture as if he were begging for forgiveness from Prince Ning'an.
“Enough,” Prince Ning’an gestured, “If my brother, the Crown Prince, finds out, he might say I’ve bullied someone, cough cough… Everyone knows your fairness, Lord Pei, and they certainly won’t make a hasty decision. They will definitely… cough cough… investigate thoroughly. This is a matter of national importance, with so many eyes watching. That’s why Father Emperor was worried about you all and had to call me over in the middle of the night to keep an eye on things.”
Qin Sang discerned something amiss. This person was sent by the Emperor, and that Lord Pei was a man of the Crown Prince. So, the Emperor was unwilling to allow the Crown Prince's faction to frame the Prime Minister's death at will.
That's good. It's a pity I've already taken such a risk, releasing a non-existent letter and bringing up the treason case from back then...
She sighed: "Fine, let's just drop the matter. Anyway, if we don't drop it now, we'll have to drop it later. Let's stir things up even more while they're still muddy. Maybe there'll still be a glimmer of hope."
Over there, Pei Ying's forehead was covered in sweat, and her back was instantly soaked.
He understood the Emperor's meaning: the Emperor was unwilling to allow the Crown Prince to become too powerful. Recently, there had been rumors that the Right Chancellor had suggested to the Emperor that the succession be reconsidered, but the Chancellor had unfortunately run into trouble at this crucial juncture, making it hard not to suspect the Crown Prince.
Therefore, the emperor still had doubts about the crown prince, which is why he summoned Prince Ning'an to oversee the matter.
He groaned inwardly. This case was difficult to handle. He couldn't openly defend the Crown Prince, nor could he afford to offend the group of upright officials behind the Right Chancellor... Besides, he had no idea what the truth was!
Originally intending to use the impeachment of the Right Chancellor in the court on a certain day, and the recent chaos of refugees from Suzhou entering the capital, to conclude that the case was a suicide out of fear of punishment, I did not expect that the case of Prince Su's treason would be brought up first, and then the newly promoted nobleman Prince Ning'an would be brought up.
Prince Ning'an has been visiting the palace quite frequently lately, which has already aroused the suspicion of the Crown Prince's faction.
What decisions can a mere junior official like him make?
Pei Ying nodded and lowered his head, his attitude sincere and upright: "I am naturally acting impartially and dare not rely on anyone's power."
"That's good." Prince Ning'an nodded, then reached out and naturally took Qin Sang's hand. "Since it's said to be a secret letter, and it involves a major event from back then, if the Right Chancellor really died because of this... tsk, gentlemen, this case is going to be difficult!"
Not only was Pei Ying sweating profusely, but the other officials also turned ashen-faced.
Who would dare to lightly touch the case from back then? Are they so worried that there aren't enough bones to pile up into a mountain, that they want to add more soil?
I thought this little girl was talking nonsense, but who would have thought that Prince Ning'an would say "fiancée" right off the bat? Heh, I dare not delve into the reasons behind this entanglement.
Meanwhile, Qin Sang calmly observed the fascinating expressions on the faces of the officials, momentarily forgetting that Prince Ning'an was still holding her hand.
Suddenly someone pushed through the crowd and walked in.
His lips were pale and his eyes were red from excessive grief, clearly indicating that he had been crying.
Qin Sang subconsciously pulled her hand back, but Prince Ning'an suddenly intertwined their fingers.
Xie Sui'an spoke up: "What does Your Highness mean by this? She is my..."
"Oh, this must be Second Young Master Xie." Prince Ning'an coughed lightly, covering his mouth. "It's been a long time. You've matured."
Xie Jingze also came along. He pulled Xie Sui'an and bowed to Prince Ning'an.
Xie Sui'an bowed in response, then said, "Qin Sang, she..."
“Oh, right, I forgot to mention,” Prince Ning’an interrupted him gently, “Before the Prime Minister’s accident, he was drinking with me and mentioned that he had a newly adopted granddaughter who was beautiful and kind. He asked me if I had any intention of taking her as a second wife.”
His smile was gentle as he gazed at Qin Sang as if she were a priceless treasure: "I think that since the Prime Minister deemed her suitable for me, he agreed at the time... cough cough... I just didn't expect that before we could even finalize the arrangements, the Prime Minister would pass away." He sighed softly, a hint of sadness in his voice, "But I will not break my promise to the Prime Minister just because he is gone. From now on, you will be my future queen consort, and no one will dare to bully you again."
Qin Sang: "..."
Xie Sui'an swayed slightly, but Xie Jingze caught him.
Qin Sang: "..." Don't get excited, this matter needs to be discussed...
“Prince Ning’an,” she gently tugged at him, “let’s talk in private.”
Prince Ning'an obediently let her pull him aside.
Qin Sang cleared her throat: "Your Highness, is it really what the Prime Minister said? He said... he wants me to be your princess?"
Prince Ning'an's eyes crinkled into a smile: "Otherwise what?"
"It's like this, as I just said, I am the daughter of a disgraced official, my status is awkward, and I am certainly not worthy of Your Highness... If I bring you trouble or disaster in the future, then..."
“There’s no need to worry about that,” Prince Ning’an patted her head. “The Prime Minister has said that your father’s crime was merely one of ignorance, and his wife and children were not implicated. You are now a free person, a law-abiding citizen, and with the Prime Minister’s protection, you deserve nothing.”
Qin Sang stared into his dark, bright eyes, speechless for a moment.
Thinking about it carefully, this deal is actually worthwhile.
It was indeed said earlier that Prince Ning'an was powerless, tyrannical, and a jinx to his wives, making him an unsuitable marriage prospect.
But things are different now. The Emperor has started to pay attention to him, and he... is a man of few words, secretly plotting, and has an unusual relationship with the Prime Minister... Hmm, he's a reliable ship, worth a try.
only……
She glanced at Xie Sui'an out of the corner of her eye.
Hey kid, what are you looking at? You're about to become the Princess of Ning'an, stop dreaming!
She resisted the urge to turn around, then suddenly laughed: "Hehehe... That's good. Since Prince Ning'an doesn't mind, I have nothing to say."
Prince Ning'an nodded: "That's right."
Then he pulled Qin Sang outside and said, "Since I have been ordered to assist you gentlemen in investigating this major case, let's go and take a look at the scene first."
After taking only two steps, Xie Sui'an suddenly lifted his robe and knelt on one knee: "Prince Ning'an, my grandfather's death was caused by poisoning. He did not commit suicide. Please do not be deceived by villains, find the real culprit behind this, and clear the name of this loyal minister."
The officials who were implied to be "petty people" stood aside, their faces dark with fear.
"Get up. You don't need to tell me this. I didn't come here to investigate blindly. Thank you, Prime Minister... cough cough... Please lay him in his coffin..."
“Your Highness,” Pei Ying spoke up to stop him, “there are still some details to consider at the scene. Would placing the coffin in now cause damage…”
"What are you doing here if you haven't thoroughly investigated the scene?" Prince Ning'an slowly looked over, his voice calm but his tone slightly cold. "Trying to find a scapegoat to hastily close the case?"
This is a terrible injustice! Finding a scapegoat was not his intention. He was led by the nose and brought here for no reason. Now, Prince Ning'an is putting a pot on his head. He is truly wronged!
He held his breath: "No, it's just that this gentleman said..."
“Enough,” Prince Ning’an interrupted him with a sigh, “Don’t waste any more time here. If the officials of the court find out that the dignified Right Chancellor could not be properly settled after his death, you, me, and the heads of the Three Departments will all be impeached and dismissed from office.”
Pei Ying had no choice but to bow and say "Yes," then left, panting, leading his officers away.
Also leaving were the Prime Minister's personal guards.
Before leaving, Xie Ying glanced at the white-bearded old man, and the two of them breathed a sigh of relief.
Xie Sui'an got up from the ground and followed, without glancing at Qin Sang again.
The crowd quickly dispersed, and Qin Sang followed behind Prince Ning'an. Her hand was finally released.
The two walked side by side, and Prince Ning'an smiled faintly: "You've got some nerve, daring to tell any kind of lie."
Qin Sang was taken aback, then realized that he was probably referring to the fact that he had lied about the truth, but he had agreed with him, hadn't he?
Not knowing how to respond, she simply hummed in response.
A soft chuckle came from beside me: "So, which family are you from? And what...what did the letter say?"
? ?
Qin Sang looked at him strangely, unsure of what he meant.
"How can you say such things so casually? This is my daughter's life-saving charm." Qin Sang continued to ramble, "Let's talk about it when we can truly clear her name one day."
This time it was Prince Ning'an's turn to be stunned. Facing the cool night breeze, he coughed twice, and his soft voice carried on the wind: "Looking for death."
Qin Sang didn't want to argue about it anymore, so she turned to the matter she was concerned about: "How will the Emperor handle the matter of the Prime Minister's murder?"
Prince Ning'an was quite surprised and raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"
Qin Sang was too lazy to play riddles with him: "The Right Chancellor is of high status, and his death is of great importance, concerning the court. As for the truth, it is both important and unimportant. What kind of truth it is depends on how the Emperor decides. Since the Prince of Ning'an was personally sent by the Emperor, he should understand the Emperor's thoughts. Do you know whether this Prince's mansion will be blessed or cursed after dawn tomorrow?"
Prince Ning'an paused for a moment, then smiled: "You guessed right, but I couldn't have guessed that the sun wouldn't rise as usual tomorrow. As for this Prime Minister's residence," he looked up at the double-eaved roof hidden in the dark forest, "it will probably change hands."
Her heart sank, and she felt a tightness in her chest: "The Prime Minister has worked so hard and devoted himself to the cause. Can't the Emperor grant him a marquisate to protect his descendants?"
"To provide for future generations," Prince Ning'an laughed, "Are you referring to Second Young Master Xie?"
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