Wei Cong could only accept Zhou Jing'an's decision, but he still felt uneasy.
Although Zhou Jing'an's maternal family was loyal to him, who could guarantee that they wouldn't be turned against him by the emperor?
Although Wei Cong was anxious, his master wasn't worried, so as a strategist, he could only worry helplessly.
Finally, he sighed and decided to leave his fate to heaven.
Meanwhile, the guards at the Second Prince's residence changed out of their uniforms and prepared to go to a brothel to listen to some music and relax.
The group changed into casual clothes and left the prince's residence, walking arm in arm towards their usual brothel.
As they were walking, the leader said to one of the men, who was of medium build and had an ordinary appearance, "Zhang San, how is your mother's health lately?"
No one responded to him.
The head guard frowned and nudged the man named Zhang San with his elbow. "I'm asking you, are you mute?"
Zhang San was taken aback for a moment, then quickly smiled and said, "I was distracted just now. My mother has recovered. Thank you, Brother Li."
The head guard nodded and said, "Ever since you came back last time, you've been constantly distracted and won't answer when I call you. I thought your mother's condition had worsened."
"Yes, we thought you'd lost your soul while delivering goods."
Others echoed his sentiments.
The delivery was simply the delivery of account books, but the guards themselves had no idea what they were delivering.
Zhang San said with a wry smile, "I have indeed had some troubles at home recently, and I am really sorry for neglecting you all. How about this, the cost of drinking and listening to songs with courtesans today will be on me, as an apology to you all."
Upon hearing this, everyone cheered immediately.
After several rounds of drinks and enough music, the group, all quite drunk, each took their woman back to their room.
Zhang San was no exception.
However, as soon as he entered the room, he immediately used a sleeping potion to knock out the woman next to him, then jumped out the window and disappeared into the night.
A moment later, he entered a courtyard with practiced ease, where someone was already waiting for him.
"Greetings, Eunuch Zhang." As soon as Zhang San saw the middle-aged eunuch sitting in the main room drinking tea, he immediately stepped forward and bowed.
Eunuch Zhang nodded and said, "Alright, this is outside the palace, there's no need for such formalities. Did the people at the Second Prince's residence discover your identity?"
Zhang San shook his head and said, "Don't worry, Father-in-law, no one has noticed."
Eunuch Zhang nodded in satisfaction and said, "That's good. The Emperor said you must be careful. By the way, this is a new mask that the Emperor had made. It's more realistic than the one on your face. Keep it safe."
Zhang San accepted it with both hands and said respectfully, "Thank you, Eunuch Zhang."
"Alright, let's go back now, lest they become suspicious."
After bowing to Eunuch Zhang, Zhang San quickly left the courtyard.
After sending the account books away, Zhou Jing'an was in a good mood these past few days, his gloom from the punishment he had suffered at the hands of the emperor a few days earlier completely gone.
After lunch, a maid brought out several plates of exquisite pastries. He picked up a piece, tasted it, and said with a smile, "These pastries are quite good. Send them to the dungeon."
The maid bowed her head and agreed. Just as she was about to remove the snacks, Zhou Jing'an said again, "Never mind, I'll deliver them myself."
He originally thought that Jian Yang had been locked up in the dungeon for days, suffering from poor food and sleep, and that after a few days of hardship, she would be able to submit to him.
Then he'll go along with it and give her a way out, and the matter will be over.
But when he got to the dungeon, he realized he was wrong.
Jian Yang was not discouraged by the harsh dungeon environment at all; on the contrary, she was refreshed and looked radiant.
Zhou Jing'an had a feeling something was wrong, but he had no proof.
Jian Yang had just woken up from her afternoon nap. When she opened her eyes and saw someone standing outside the cell, she immediately patted her chest and said, "I was so scared. I thought some wandering ghost had drifted in from somewhere."
Zhou Jing'an's face darkened.
Jian Yang then pretended to see his face clearly and sneered, "Oh, what wind blew the Second Prince here? This place is dirty and messy. Your noble body should not come to such a place. You should leave quickly."
He was told to leave as soon as he arrived, which made Zhou Jing'an feel a little embarrassed. He gripped the handle of the food box but didn't say anything.
Jian Yang's gaze fell on the food box in his hand, and she said sarcastically, "You didn't come here to bring me food, did you? I dare not eat it, what if you poison me to death?"
Zhou Jing'an's brows furrowed deeply, and his face was so gloomy it seemed to freeze over.
He had expected to see a woman crying and begging for mercy, but instead he found himself being humiliated by her.
Through the cell door, Jian Yang was not afraid of what he might do to her, and continued to mock, "Stop your fake kindness. Don't think that I will forgive you just because you give me some small favors. Hurry up and leave, don't ruin my good mood."
Despite her sharp tongue, she wasn't afraid at all; she had plenty of confidence!
This confidence was hidden in her sleeve.
Zhou Jing'an did not respond, and the two fell silent.
After a long pause, Zhou Jing'an suddenly curled his lips and asked, "Are you really in a good mood?"
Jian Yang was taken aback by his question and then smiled brightly, saying, "That's right, I'm in an excellent mood. I'd be even happier if you didn't show up."
Zhou Jing'an sneered, "Then I hope your mood will remain this good from now on."
Upon hearing this, Jian Yang looked at him warily, while subtly touching the poison powder in her sleeve.
To everyone's surprise, Zhou Jing'an only glanced at her before turning around and leaving the dungeon.
Jian Yang breathed a long sigh of relief.
After Zhou Jing'an left, the kitchen maid came to bring her food.
Logically speaking, she is now a prisoner, so while she shouldn't be eating leftovers and swill, she should at most be eating tofu and vegetables without any oil or fat.
However, the meal that her nanny brought her now consisted of two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, a bowl of pork rib soup, and a bowl of white rice.
Upon seeing her, the old woman greeted her with a beaming smile, "Miss, dinner is ready."
Jian Yang smiled and took it, asking, "Auntie, has anything been happening outside lately?"
The old woman shook her head and said, "Nothing happened, young lady. Please eat in peace. If you need anything, just tell me and I'll secretly bring it in for you."
Jian Yang smiled and agreed while munching on a chicken leg.
In fact, on the first day Jian Yang was locked up, she was indeed given only bland and watery food.
However, she was resourceful. That day, she noticed that the old woman who brought her food had a hunched back and casually told her a recipe.
The old woman's back pain was a result of her postpartum confinement, and her long-term work in the kitchen only exacerbated the problem.
Now in my forties, my back hurts so much that I can't straighten up. I've seen many doctors and spent a lot of money, but there's been no improvement.
She had only tried the prescription Jian Yang gave her on a whim, but to her surprise, her back pain had miraculously disappeared the next morning.
The nanny was extremely grateful and, in order to repay Jian Yang, she never skimped on her food again.
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