Upon hearing this, Xie Jiaxun became anxious.
“Miss Luo, the fact that you're willing to call me Jiaxun shows that you don't consider me an outsider. When I brought you to the capital, I knew that if anything happened to you, I would protect you even at the cost of my life…”
"Quite the boast..."
A sharp voice seemed to come from the sky. Zhiwan and Xie Jiaxun turned their heads to look in the direction of the voice, and saw Leng Chuchen standing at the prison door with a serious expression, just like a cold-faced Buddha statue.
The jailer standing behind him trembled, looking terrified.
Seeing this, Zhiwan quickly whispered a reminder.
"Jiaxun, go back first. Remember, don't be impulsive. Our Luo family won't perish so easily."
Xie Jiaxun also knew that he had gone through a lot of trouble to get in, and now, with just one word from Leng Chuchen, the jailer would be punished. He was better off not causing trouble for the jailer.
He nodded, "Then I'll go back to the inn first and wait for your news."
As he spoke, he nodded to Luo Tianhe and the others, then turned and left the cell. As he passed Leng Chuchen, he clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, "Your Highness..."
Leng Chuchen then whispered a reminder,
“Go back to your Phoenix. There’s nothing you can do here.”
Xie Jiaxun paused, glanced down at his feet, and ultimately didn't dare to say what he wanted to say.
He was the crown prince, while he was just a minor city lord. He knew that in terms of status and position, he was far inferior to him.
"Get out of here immediately."
His voice was filled with dissatisfaction. Xie Jiaxun suppressed his anger, clenched his fists in his sleeves, and left.
He frowned slightly, waved to the jailer and Hu Ke and Li Ping behind him, and after they left, he walked solemnly to where Zhiwan was standing...
He stood there with his hands behind his back, looking at Zhiwan through the iron fence, his eyes filled with heartache and helplessness.
She looked up at him at that moment.
What brings Your Highness here?
Her way of addressing him made his heart sink, and he immediately spoke.
"Zhiwan, I'm sorry you've suffered during this time."
Before he could finish speaking, Luo Tianhe glanced at him, then stormed over to Zhiwan, pointed at him, and rebuked him:
"Your Highness, our whole family is imprisoned because of you. You say you are the Crown Prince, of noble status, with countless imperial physicians in the palace, so why did you insist on having Zhiwan treat your grandmother? If you hadn't taken the Empress Dowager to find Zhiwan, why would your people have killed Yiming's dog? If Yiming's dog hadn't died, why would he have bitten the Empress Dowager? Now our whole family is trapped here, and tomorrow the Emperor will conduct a trial. I, Luo Tianhe, am not stupid. Aren't you clearly trying to kill us? I just don't understand, we have no grudge against you, so why do you insist on harming us?"
Zhiruo also came over at this moment; her hair was messy and her face was dirty.
She pointed a finger at Leng Chuchen, gritting her teeth as she angrily asked,
“Our family was living a good life in Phoenix. Why did you come and disrupt our peaceful life? My eldest sister saved you when you were injured, and our family took you in. My mother cooked for you, and Jiawang brought you food. But what happened? You repaid kindness with enmity. You caused our whole family to be in jail here. You haven’t come to see us for more than ten days. You’re not just wronging my eldest sister, you’re letting her down.”
“Zhiruo…”
Zhiwan frowned slightly, and Zhiruo stopped talking, but still muttered to herself.
"The more powerful a person is, the more ruthless they become."
Zhiwan glanced back at Luo Tianhe, whose face was ashen, and softly comforted him:
"Father, in the end, it's still our fault. We can't blame anyone else."
Leng Chuchen listened quietly to the Luo family's accusations, feeling guilty and unsure how to refute them.
Looking at Zhiwan's exhausted appearance, he felt a mix of emotions.
"Uncle Luo, I bear responsibility for making your family stay here for more than ten days. I was also at fault in this matter..."
"Your Highness..."
Zhiwan interrupted him, "I've said it before, we were in the wrong first, you don't need to blame yourself. If there's nothing else, please go back!"
She knew his feelings for her; she sensed it from the day he kissed her in the street.
Therefore, she had to dispel his thoughts; she couldn't give him the wrong impression.
Leng Chuchen frowned slightly, watching her quietly, then took two steps closer to the iron fence.
"Zhiwan, can you please not be so cold to me?"
She slightly furrowed her brows, turned her face to the side, and said softly:
"You are the Crown Prince, of noble status, but you expect others to smile at you? You've come to the wrong place. After tomorrow, our fate is uncertain. How can you expect me not to be indifferent?"
"I did not mean that…"
Just then, Yiming broke free from his grandmother's embrace, ran over quickly, blinked, and looked up at him.
"Uncle Chen, I was the one who bit your grandmother this time. Please tell the Emperor that I admit my guilt, but could you please not imprison my family? They are innocent. I beg you."
Zhi Ruo angrily pulled him aside and scolded him:
“Yiming, don’t beg him. He’d love to kill our family. He’s our family’s nemesis.”
Zhi Ruo's words made Leng Chuchen's expression darken even more.
He let out a soft breath and looked again at Zhiwan, whose expression was aloof.
"I will keep you safe."
After saying that, he frowned, turned around, and walked away without looking back.
Only after exiting the prison gates did he stop and look at Hu Ke.
"Has it been found?"
Hu Ke hurriedly clasped his hands in greeting and replied:
"We're looking for it, it should be ready soon."
"You and Liping go find it yourselves, search through the night, and make sure it's delivered to me by tomorrow morning."
Li Ping and Hu Ke quickly clasped their hands in greeting, "Yes, your subordinates will go right away."
After saying this, the two of them mounted their horses and quickly rode away.
Leng Chuchen glanced back at the prison gate, her brows furrowed tightly.
Seeing Zhiwan's feigned composure, he was certain that he felt heartbroken. He wished he could take her away right now, but he couldn't do that.
He had to find a legitimate reason to rescue them overnight...
next day
Just as dawn was breaking, the jailer ordered someone to bring breakfast.
Looking at the sumptuous meal on the table, Luo Tianhe sighed, picked up his chopsticks, and then put them down heavily.
"Sigh! Such a lavish meal so early in the morning, it's probably a farewell dinner for us!"
These words caused Zhiruo and Jiawang, who were eating, to freeze in mid-air with their chopsticks, while Jiawang's mother put down her chopsticks and sighed heavily.
Yiming pouted, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Grandpa, Grandma, it's all my fault. I've dragged you into this. Today I'll go to the Emperor and tell him to cut off my head and spare your lives..."
Hearing Yiming's words, everyone present fell silent. Zhiwan raised her hand, ruffled his hair, and softly comforted him:
"Yiming, although you were wrong in this matter, they were wrong first. Don't worry, your mother will explain this to the Emperor..."
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