If it were just ordinary merchants causing trouble, that would be one thing, but if it weren't... Lord Sun thought of Hu Mingmei's other identity—the grandson of Princess Yuru. Although Princess Yuru had been dead for a long time, the Empress Dowager still remembered the life-saving grace Princess Yuru had shown her, and would often mention it to the Emperor. At first, the Emperor didn't have any particular thoughts, only having someone look after Hu Mingmei to ensure his survival. Other than that, he did nothing, allowing the Hu family to be controlled by a man who had married into the family. However, ever since Hu Mingmei found the twenty guards and regained control of the Hu family, the Emperor's attitude had changed considerably, and the Empress Dowager even wanted him to take over the position of Imperial Merchant.
At this time, the struggle for the position of crown prince also began to surface. He had heard that the princes had many tricks up their sleeves, both overt and covert, especially the fourth prince and the sixth prince. One advocated governing the country with the military and vigorously developing the military, while the other advocated vigorously developing the economy to improve the living standards of the people.
The Hu family is one of the wealthiest families in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty. The fact that Hu Mingmei, the head of the Hu family, is in trouble at this time is bound to raise suspicions.
As a seasoned official who had been in office for many years, he had to become cautious. Although as the Prefect of the Capital, no matter who came to power in the end, it wouldn't threaten him, he had been in this position for ten years. Which official doesn't want to climb higher? Only by standing higher can one accomplish more.
Bai Nuo knew that Hu Mingmei's innocence was a foregone conclusion, and her smile became even more joyful. "Lord Sun, I request to go to the government office with you."
Lord Sun nodded, looking at Bai Nuo's joyful smile, and couldn't help but envy Hu Mingmei in his heart. Although this young man from the Hu family was not in particularly good health, with one foot already on the road to the underworld, he had a good wife. Although this kind of plan was common and not very clever, not every woman would be so calm when faced with a major event, and even be able to come up with a plan to rescue her husband.
Inside the Jingzhao Yin government office, the prison was dark and damp, filled with a musty smell. Hu Mingmei, dressed in a blue robe, leaned against the only clean corner that Xia Donglai had tidied up for him in the prison, his face somewhat pale.
Before them lay a pile of filthy straw, and a rat brazenly swaggered past them, showing no fear whatsoever.
All around him were the squeaking sounds of mice and various insects and ants foraging for food. Hu Mingmei frowned even more as he listened to these sounds.
Xia Donglai was also resting with his eyes closed. The two of them and the mouse were doing their own thing in the cell, without interfering with each other.
Xia Donglai, who had been keeping his eyes closed, suddenly opened them and looked down into the corridor. Hu Mingmei also turned his gaze to the corridor. They both heard footsteps echoing in the not-so-peaceful prison.
"Looks like we can hold court now!" Hu Mingmei sneered. It was a good thing that they could hold court now, at least they could see Lu Ying and there was hope of finding evidence. Unlike now, they were locked up here and couldn't see anyone. They were completely helpless.
Xia Donglai sneered, "I'd really like to know who attacked you; they're incredibly audacious."
As the two were talking, the jailer arrived, so Hu Mingmei shut his mouth and did not answer Xia Donglai's question.
To everyone's surprise, when the jailer arrived at their cell, he actually unlocked the door and said to Hu Mingmei and Xia Dong, "Second Master Hu, your wife has come to fetch you. You two can leave now."
Hu Mingmei was surprised by the jailer's words. He looked at the open cell door but did not move. Instead, he asked, "I am a convict. How can I get out?"
The jailer laughed, "Second Master, what are you saying? Lord Sun has already investigated and found out that the person died of illness, not from poisoning by the food from Duobao Pavilion. Your suspicion has been cleared, so you can't stay here!"
Hu Mingmei nodded after listening and said to Xia Dong, "Let's go, let's not keep Madam waiting!"
Xia Donglai nodded, walked over and helped Hu Mingmei up. The jailer escorted Hu Mingmei all the way to the outside of the government office. Hu Mingmei saw Bai Nuo standing in front of the carriage at the entrance of the government office, looking at him with a gentle smile, his eyes filled with emotion.
Upon seeing Hu Mingmei and Xia Donglai emerge, Bai Nuo went to greet them, saying, "Husband."
As Bai Nuo spoke, she draped the cloak over Hu Mingmei's shoulders. Looking at his pale face, she felt a pang of heartache. "Are you alright?"
Hu Mingmei nodded, reached out and took Bai Nuo's hand, and said softly, "I'm fine, just a little tired."
"Let's go back!" Bai Nuo said softly, helping Hu Mingmei walk towards the carriage.
With the help of Bai Nuo and Xia Donglai, Hu Mingmei got into the carriage, and Bai Nuo followed her in. After Bai Nuo and Hu Mingmei were seated, Lu Ying drove the carriage towards the Hu family's house.
Inside the carriage, Bai Nuo saw that Hu Mingmei looked extremely tired and felt heartbroken for him. She raised her hand and placed it on Hu Mingmei's forehead, finding a thin layer of cold sweat on it. Hu Mingmei's forehead was very cold, and Bai Nuo couldn't help but ask anxiously, "What's wrong with you?"
Hu Mingmei reached out and took Bai Nuo's hand away, saying softly, "I'm fine, just a little cold!" This cell was dark and damp, and if Hu Mingmei hadn't been thinking about his wife and children waiting at home, he would have been unable to bear it long ago.
Seeing Hu Mingmei like this, Bai Nuo felt extremely angry. "The person who framed us is already at home. I'll hand that person over to you for punishment when we get back!"
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