Chapter 45: Instruments of Innocent Conviction
The fifth prince quickly changed into a cotton gown and thanked her again: "Thank you, old lady."
While the Fifth Prince was still being polite with Old Madam Fan, Qian Chuanzi was extremely anxious.
The probability of accidents happening to the team has been too high recently, and he doesn't want to get into danger again because of sleeping in the wild.
The key point is that it doesn’t matter if something happens to them. If something happens to the Fifth Prince who was rescued with great difficulty, their deaths will be too unjust.
But he didn't have the courage to urge the Fifth Prince. He just groaned and moaned, and those who didn't know him would think he was constipated. It was really an eyesore.
The fifth prince was used to being high and mighty, so how could he care about the feelings of a small official?
Chu Ci was really worried that Qian Chuanzi would do something bad. "Husband, are we going to wait here forever? What if wild wolves attack at night? I'm afraid that the old, weak, and sick like us will..."
Chu Ci's unspoken meaning was very clear, and the Fifth Prince's face froze when he heard it.
Accustomed to always having someone around to arrange everything perfectly, the Fifth Prince finally realized the dire situation. He faked a cough and said, "From now on, you can call me Cousin!"
Is he going to rely on them? Chu Ci was a little confused. He poked Fan Jingrui's arm and asked, "What's going on? The Fifth Prince wants to follow us south?"
Chu Ci's voice was low, but despite the Fifth Prince's skill, he could still hear his clearly discontented words. For the sake of the Fan family, he explained, "It should only be temporary."
Well, at least he didn't take it for granted. The Fifth Prince's character was passable. "I'll go notify the officials and try to get to the post station before dark."
Upon hearing the news, Qian Chuanzi's face was uglier than crying. Chu Ci said that she didn't see it, and if she didn't see it, it had nothing to do with her.
However, is this possible? The Fan family has long been accustomed to reporting everything before doing anything.
Especially when I arrived at the post station and saw Chu Ci ordering everyone except Mr. Fan and Mrs. Fan around in circles, how can I put it, that feeling was incredible?
Feeling embarrassed to disturb Mr. Fan, he quietly walked over to Fan Jingrui. "Is this how the Fan family dotes on their daughters-in-law?"
Upon hearing this, Fan Jingrui's body stiffened slightly, but he finally felt the need to explain: "Have you ever heard that some people are born unsuitable for cooking?"
The Fifth Prince shook his head, his meaning clear in two words—disbelief. Fan Jingrui felt suffocated and was about to stay away from the Fifth Prince. Just then, An Qi returned. "Fifth Prince, this is the reply from the capital."
"Bring it here."
Seeing the Fifth Prince so anxious, Fan Jingrui quickly stood up and wanted to say goodbye and leave. However, An Qi stopped him, "Master Fan, here is a letter of exoneration from the Fan family."
By this time, the Fifth Prince had already opened the letter, and what caught his eye was a dozen silver notes. Estimated to be at least three thousand taels. But the Fifth Prince didn't care about the money; he focused all his attention on the letter. However, the contents of the letter...
"Father actually wants me to stay in the Fan family?"
The Fifth Prince couldn't believe it. Was his father going to exile him as well? Stuck in a rut, the Fifth Prince wished he could fly back to the capital and confront his father face to face.
Fortunately, An Qi had already prepared and quickly reminded: "Fifth Prince, there is also a letter from the Empress."
The Fifth Prince then put away his aura and began to read at a glance. He then realized that Fan Jingrui's wife, Chu, had not only single-handedly found an iron mine, but had also assisted the Purple Envoy in eliminating two Tatar strongholds that had been lurking in the Great Zhou for years.
And the emperor actually ordered that if he had similar achievements in the future, he would be allowed to take all the credit for himself?
He, the Fifth Prince, actually wanted to take credit for a woman's work. The Fifth Prince thought this was really despicable.
The Fifth Prince glanced at Fan Jingrui stealthily. He wanted to say something, but after receiving An Qi's signal, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
Fan Jingrui, however, seemed oblivious and put away the exoneration document in his hand. He bowed and said, "Please keep this confidential."
The Fifth Prince was already feeling guilty, so naturally he had no choice but to agree. As a secret guard, An Qi had nothing to do with this matter, but the bad thing was that he would take Chu Ling'er away tonight.
Given how much Chu's mother protects Chu Ling'er, it is very likely that she will put the blame on Chu Ci.
Recalling all that had happened before, An Qi couldn't help but feel that the emperor was too despicable. For a moment, the atmosphere was slightly oppressive. Chu Ci walked over and saw the three of them standing opposite each other in silence. "Is this, my cousin is leaving?"
The Fifth Prince and Fan Jingrui were at a loss for words, but An Qi stood up and said, "Madam, this isn't about my cousin. It was the Purple Envoy who pried the Miao man open his mouth."
"Oh? Then what is his identity?" Chu Ci was eager to know whether it was related to Chu Ling'er after hearing this. He didn't care about the strangeness of the Fifth Prince and Fan Jingrui, and hurriedly asked.
An Qi's intention was to pique Chu Ci's interest, so he naturally didn't hide anything. "He is Chu Ling'er's biological father. According to him, he switched you with Chu Ling'er in order to obtain half of the treasure map in the Chu family ancestral hall."
An Qi's original intention was to find the treasure map, but when Chu Ci heard that the other party was Chu Ling'er's biological father, his thoughts immediately turned to the Gu worm, "So, is Chu Ling'er's abnormality because she has a Gu planted in her body?"
"What about me? I used to get a pain in my chest whenever I got close to Chu Ling'er. Could I have been infected with the Gu as well?"
Seeing Chu Ci so excited, An Qi was stunned. Could it be that he had missed some important information? "Madam Fan, is what you said true? This cannot be taken lightly."
"Of course it's true. Do I need to lie to you? I feel uncomfortable whenever I think that there is a bug in my body that may attack at any time." As he said this, he pinched himself hard, and Chu Ci's eyes were filled with tears in an instant.
Chu Ci thought his little action was very secretive, but in fact the three of them saw it clearly.
The Fifth Prince: I’m used to seeing all kinds of high-end intrigues played by women in the palace, but this is the first time I’ve seen something so blatant, and I even find it a little funny.
An Qi: He doesn’t need to feel sorry for her. Madam Fan is not someone who would suffer any loss.
He should be feeling sorry for himself, as he can now imagine his future situation!
Only Fan Jingrui, lovingly placing Chu Ci's hand in his palm, gently stroked it. "My lady, if you want anything, just tell me. The Emperor is a wise ruler, and your achievements are not in vain."
Chu Ci turned around, looking at her cheap husband with sparkling eyes. Hadn't he always been fair and selfless before? How did he suddenly come to his senses? "Is it really okay? Where's Grandpa? Do Grandma and the others agree?"
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