Back at the manor, Jian Yang listened to Jian Hong's report on the day's gains, lost in thought.
"So, Wang is indeed a spy in the mansion, but we still can't be sure whose side she's on."
"Who do you think is behind her, brother?" Jian Yang asked.
Jian Hong pondered for a moment, and at that moment, one name came to mind for both of them: "Zhou Jing'an".
Jian Yang nodded. Zhou Jing'an's purpose in planting spies in the Prime Minister's residence, especially since they were Prime Minister Jian's bedmate, could not possibly be as simple as just his own.
"We must tell Father about this as soon as possible. If this continues, the entire Prime Minister's residence will be in danger," Jian Yang said anxiously.
His cheapskate father was a cunning old fox on the outside, but in reality, he had been completely controlled by Wang Shi all these years. He didn't know what kind of bewitching potion Wang Shi had given him, as she could always coax him into submission.
"Ayang, don't worry, we'll go find Father right now and expose Wang's true colors to him." Jian Hong pulled Jian Yang and walked outside.
At this moment, Prime Minister Jian was in his study when he saw Jian Hong pulling Jian Yang over. He quickly got up and closed the door.
"Hong'er, why did you bring your sister here like this? What if someone in the manor with ulterior motives sees her?"
Seeing Prime Minister Jian say this, Jian Yang glanced at Jian Hong and then said, "Father, we have something very important to tell you. Everything I'm about to say is for the sake of the entire Prime Minister's residence."
Prime Minister Jian rarely saw his daughter so alarmed, so he couldn't help but take her seriously.
"Yang'er, just tell me, what is it?"
Jian Yang bit her lower lip and still spoke up, "My aunt... seems to be a spy in the manor. My elder brother saw her leaving the manor today..."
Before she could finish speaking, Jian Yang was interrupted.
Prime Minister Jian looked furious: "Nonsense! It's one thing for you to have opinions about her on ordinary days, but now you're actually spreading rumors that she's a spy in the mansion? How could she, a mere woman, have such power?!"
Prime Minister Jian had always known that his two children harbored resentment towards Madam Wang. He also blamed himself, as he had previously favored Madam Wang's children and neglected Yang'er and Hong'er, turning a blind eye to many things.
However, the thing that a family should avoid the most is suspicion. Wang Shi had also borne him children, and even if she hadn't done anything to deserve it, she had still put in a lot of effort. Yet now she was being labeled a spy. In the end, he had been too lenient with his children.
Jian Hong opened his mouth as if to refute something, but Jian Yang stopped him and shook her head at him.
Upon seeing this, Prime Minister Jian became even more convinced that this was an idea devised by the brother and sister to sow discord between him and Wang, and ideally, to drive Wang out.
"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Keep your thoughts to yourselves. Hong'er, keep an eye on your sister!" With that, Prime Minister Jian turned and left, seemingly heading towards Madam Wang's room.
Jian Yang helplessly shrugged at Jian Hong. She knew it; her cheap father had fallen into a trap of affection and couldn't get out. She shouldn't have had any hope, Jian Yang thought to herself.
On the other side, Prime Minister Jian grew angrier the more he thought about it, and when he walked into the Wang family's courtyard, his face was still frighteningly dark.
Seeing this, Madam Wang quickly helped him sit down and poured him a cup of tea, saying, "What's wrong, sir? Why are you so angry?" As she spoke, she gently patted Prime Minister Jian's back.
Prime Minister Jian let out a long sigh, looked at Wang Shi's docile appearance, and for a moment did not know how to speak.
"My lord, just say it. I'm willing to share your burdens. Even if I can't help much, just talking with you would be wonderful," Wang said with a smile.
"It's all because Hong'er is so immature. After all these years, he hasn't seen your efforts and still has a problem with you. He just made up some nonsense to cause trouble for me." Prime Minister Jian pinched his brow, looking annoyed.
“Hong’er lost his mother at a young age, so it’s perfectly normal for him to be hostile towards me. Please don’t blame him, sir. He was just confused for a moment,” Wang said with a sigh.
When Prime Minister Jian heard her say this, he felt even more uncomfortable. How could Wang Shi, who was so understanding and considerate of them, be the spy that Yang'er mentioned?
"You're always so understanding, it must be so hard on you." With that, he hugged Wang Shi in his arms, but when he looked down, he saw that her eyes were red.
All that could be heard was Wang Shi saying softly, "I am not suffering. As long as I stay by your side, I can endure any hardship." As she spoke, she gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Seeing Wang's aggrieved state, Prime Minister Jian's heart stirred. It seemed he still needed to give his two children a good talking-to. What did they want if they didn't want such a good mother?
If Jian Yang were there, she would definitely have grabbed Wang Shi and offered her a cup of green tea.
At this moment, Jian Yang had no time to care about how much pillow talk Prime Minister Jian had received. According to Jian Hong, he lost track of the person delivering the message, which meant that he must have been discovered.
If that person didn't know Jian Hong's identity, that would be fine. But if they did, the other party would definitely be prepared, and wouldn't they have alerted the enemy?
"It's all my fault, Ah Yang. It's all my fault. Not only did I lose track of them, but they also noticed me," Jian Hong said regretfully.
Now what are we going to do? After this incident, it will be even more difficult to make the other party slip up.
Jian Yang patted his shoulder and winked playfully, "Brother, don't worry, I have a way."
"What are you going to do?" Jian Hong looked at her with some confusion.
"Why don't we turn the tables on them and use me as bait to lure out the people behind Auntie and see what they're up to?" Jian Yang said seriously.
Since their target is her, she will be unsafe as long as she stays in the capital. Rather than hiding and passively waiting for them to reveal a weakness, she should take the initiative.
Hearing Jian Yang say this, Jian Hong frowned: "A Yang, this matter needs to be carefully considered. We can't let you take any more risks."
Before Jian Yang could speak, Jian Hong continued, "We'll go to the palace tomorrow. This matter still needs to be discussed with the Emperor. But A Yang, are you really going to use this method?"
Jian Yang nodded. There was no breakthrough at the moment, and if they continued to remain inactive, who knew what might happen next? At least for now, this was the best and fastest method.
"Brother, don't worry, I believe you will protect me!" Jian Yang said with a relaxed smile.
Despite saying that, Jian Yang was still a little uneasy. She really didn't want to be locked up again. Just thinking about Zhou Jing'an's lewd appearance made her feel nauseous.
Seeing this, Jian Hong sighed softly. How could he not see through Jian Yang's feigned ease? Well, he could only hope that the Emperor could persuade her to stop tomorrow, Jian Hong thought to himself.
Jian Yang was also considering this issue. She knew that Zhou Jingzhi would definitely object tomorrow, but she was determined to do it no matter what, for him and for herself.
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