“My brother and I discovered that Aunt was Zhou Jing’an’s spy. Her leaving the Prime Minister’s residence now is a good thing for us.”
Prime Minister Jian nodded and left the courtyard somewhat dejectedly.
In recent days, Jian Hong has been frequently going in and out of the palace to discuss with Zhou Jingzhi a plan to rescue Xiahou Riyue. For her own safety, Jian Yang has no choice but to stay at home and wait.
Sure enough, Jian Hong returned from the palace today, and Jian Yang hurriedly went over to ask, "Brother, is there a way?"
Jian Hong shook his head and said, "Not yet, A-Yang."
Jian Yang was somewhat disappointed. If things continued like this, she didn't know if Xiahou could hold out until they went to rescue him.
Seeing this, Jian Hong added, "However, His Majesty has already found a breakthrough, and it shouldn't be long before Lord Xiahou is rescued."
Jian Yang forced a smile. She knew Jian Hong was trying to comfort her. If she had known it would turn out this way, she would have preferred to use herself to exchange for Xiahou. She was suffering from inner torment every moment.
The next day, Jian Hong went to the palace again. Jian Yang was restless at home and after thinking for a long time, she decided to go out and see.
Staying at home and waiting all the time isn't a solution. At least we should go and find out about the Chen Prince's residence. It would be great to know Xiahou's current situation.
Thinking this, Jian Yang gathered a few guards, disguised themselves, and left the Prime Minister's residence through the back door.
Jian Yang was very careful along the way. She did not walk with the guards, but had them follow her at a distance. She pretended to wander around the streets, but was actually heading towards the Chen Prince's Mansion.
As they were walking, a little beggar suddenly bumped into them. The guards were about to lash out when Jian Yang stopped them with a look.
Seeing the little beggar in front of her, so thin and dirty, Jian Yang felt a pang of sympathy.
She crouched down and asked, "Little friend, are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?"
The little beggar shook his head without saying anything, and took Jian Yang's hand. Jian Yang felt something hard in her palm and was a little puzzled.
Before she could even ask, the little beggar stood up and ran away.
Jian Yang didn't chase after her. She opened her palm and found a crumpled piece of paper. She carefully unfolded it.
The sign read: “The Prime Minister’s wife is in my hands. If you wish to see her and Lord Xiahou, go to Baiyun Pavilion outside the city and find me alone—Zhou Jing’an.”
Jian Yang sneered and put the note into her sleeve.
Did Zhou Jing'an think she was stupid? How could Wang Shi have been kidnapped by him? In her opinion, Wang Shi was just eager to run away with him.
They even sent her to Baiyun Pavilion alone. Baiyun Pavilion is located on a mountain outside the city, in a remote place with no one around. If she went there, Zhou Jing'an would definitely capture her.
This little incident did not interrupt Jian Yang's plan. She continued walking towards the Chen Prince's Mansion, found a tea stall opposite the mansion, sat down, and watched the people coming and going inside.
After waiting for a long time, a maid-like person finally came out. Jian Yang hurriedly followed her. The maid seemed to have gone out to buy things. When she walked into an alley, Jian Yang drugged her.
After about half an incense stick's time, the maid gradually woke up and found herself weak and unable to speak, which frightened her so much that she burst into tears.
Seeing this, Jian Yang felt a little sorry for her and sighed, saying, "I'll only ask you a few questions. You just need to nod or shake your head. If you don't know the answer, you don't need to do anything. Do you understand?"
Seeing the maid nod, Jian Yang asked, "Is Lord Xiahou at the Chen Prince's residence?" The maid nodded.
Jian Yang asked again, "Is he locked up in the dungeon?" The maid nodded.
Just as she had guessed, Zhou Jing'an loved to lock people in dungeons and play these childish tricks.
"Was Lord Xiahou subjected to torture?" The maid neither nodded nor shook her head.
Well, it's already quite remarkable that a mere purchasing maid like her knows these things, Jian Yang thought to herself.
"Don't mention to anyone that you've seen me, or your master won't let you off easily." With that, Jian Yang stuffed a pill into her mouth and left.
In the palace dungeon, a man was hanging upside down with a bucket of water below him, while Zhou Jingzhi and Jian Hong stood beside him.
"Where are the letters containing Zhou Jing'an's collusion with court officials hidden? Speak," Zhou Jingzhi said with a cold look in his eyes.
The man gritted his teeth and refused to make a sound. Zhou Jingzhi raised his hand, and the man's head was submerged in the water. He continued to struggle in the water until the man was pulled back up.
"To tell or not to tell?" Zhou Jingzhi asked again.
"Even if you kill me, I will not betray His Highness Prince Chen," the man said viciously.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Jingzhi revealed a smile that appeared particularly sinister in the candlelight of the dungeon: "Is that so? Your mother now lives in Linjia Village. I wonder, between loyalty and filial piety, which do you choose?"
The man began to tremble. This man was a devil. He should have known he couldn't afford to offend him. Whether he spoke or not, he was doomed.
"I say, I beg Your Majesty to guarantee my mother a peaceful old age after my death," he said dejectedly.
Zhou Jingzhi smiled and nodded in agreement.
This man was none other than Lin An, a trusted confidant of Zhou Jing'an. All the correspondence between Zhou Jing'an and the court officials would eventually be secretly delivered to Ci'en Temple by Lin An.
The letters were hidden in the innermost incense room of Ci'en Temple, and Lin An hid the key under the Buddha statue in Ci'en Temple.
"General Jian, this matter is entrusted to you. Be quick," Zhou Jingzhi instructed.
"Yes, Your Majesty." After saying that, Jian Hong hurried off to Ci'en Temple.
After leaving the dungeon, Zhou Jingzhi hurriedly returned to his palace, changed his clothes, disguised himself, and left the palace to head towards the Prime Minister's residence.
Jian Yang was lying in the room, her mind filled with images of Xiahou Riyue being tortured beyond recognition.
Just as she was feeling annoyed, the window was suddenly opened and a man jumped in, startling Jian Yang.
She was about to call for help when she looked closely and realized it was Zhou Jingzhi. She quickly went over and locked the door.
"Why are you here at this hour? Has something progressed?" Jian Yang asked anxiously.
Zhou Jingzhi replied in a low voice: "I found evidence of his collusion with court officials through Zhou Jing'an's confidants. Your elder brother should have arrived there by now."
Upon hearing this, Jian Yang's eyes lit up: "That's great!"
With this evidence, we might be able to use it as leverage in negotiations with Zhou Jing'an. But would Zhou Jingzhi be willing to use something so important to save lives?
Jian Yang hesitated whether she should speak. She knew that Zhou Jingzhi had been lying low for a long time, and this was indeed a breakthrough.
As if sensing Jian Yang's worries, Zhou Jingzhi smiled helplessly: "A Yang, I'm looking for evidence to save him."
Jian Yang blushed slightly.
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