Soon after returning to the capital, Yun Qingran went straight to the Zhen'an Marquis's residence. When she arrived at the gate, it was already sealed off.
"What's going on?" Jun Molin asked the soldiers guarding the area directly.
"Your Highness, the Zhen'an Marquis's residence has been sealed off," the soldiers reported respectfully.
"Why was it shut down?" Yun Qingran asked.
The officers and soldiers looked at Jun Molin, who said, "Speak."
"Reporting to Princess Rongchang, Marquis Yunxiao of Zhen'an has embezzled and accepted bribes totaling over 800,000 taels of silver. The heir of the Marquis of Zhen'an, Yun Qingbi, spent the night at a brothel, resulting in the death of a courtesan," the soldier replied.
"Has the decision been finalized?" Jun Molin asked.
"Both cases have solid evidence, and the verdicts can basically be reached."
"Can we go in and take a look?" Yun Qingran asked.
The officers hesitated for a moment before saying, "According to the law, you are a relative of the Marquis of Zhen'an and are not allowed to enter. However, since His Highness the Prince of Beihan is accompanying you, you may go in and take a look, but you need to be quick."
"Thank you." Yun Qingran said thank you, then lifted her skirt and rushed into the Zhen'an Marquis's residence.
The Marquis of Zhen'an's mansion used to be very poor because it only had three servants—Bi Cao, her family of three—and the courtyard was overgrown with weeds due to lack of care. Later, she earned money, hired people to renovate the entire mansion, and also hired some servants.
The house, which went from desolate to bustling, is now desolate again! ≥﹏≤
Yun Qingran suppressed all her emotions and forced herself to calm down. The more anxious she was, the more likely she was to overlook important things and make mistakes.
In the middle of the courtyard was a large, deep pit, which looked like the place where the 800,000 taels of silver were hidden.
Jun Molin squatted down beside the pit, his slender, fair fingers with distinct knuckles picking up a bit of soil and rubbing it between his fingertips. He said, "It's old soil, at least ten years old."
"They buried 800,000 taels of silver here more than ten years ago. They really knew how to bury a mine." Yun Qingran looked at the pit with icy eyes and snorted coldly.
She didn't believe that the 800,000 taels of silver were really obtained by Yunxiao through embezzlement and bribery. When she first transmigrated to this world, Yunxiao was weak and couldn't even afford the medicinal herbs and food needed to treat his illness. He certainly didn't know that so much money was buried in the courtyard.
"Let's go," Jun Molin said.
"Mm." Yun Qingran nodded.
As Yun Qingran left the Zhen'an Marquis's residence, she stopped, and Jun Molin stopped as well.
"Jun Molin, could you take me to see my father and elder brother?" This was the first time Yun Qingran had made a request to Jun Molin.
"Of course." Jun Molin looked at her with gentle eyes. "Ranran, I am your man. If you need anything, just give me your orders. I will definitely do it for you if I can, and I will do my best to do it for you if I can't."
Yun Qingran's eyes welled up with tears, and she leaned forward to hug Jun Molin. "Thank you."
Jun Molin also raised his hand and hugged her tightly, "Don't worry, your father and older brother will be fine."
Even if the evidence is conclusive, so what? No one dares to stop him from protecting the people he wants to protect, and no one can stop him.
"Mmm." Yun Qingran nodded with tears in her eyes.
Yun Qingran couldn't show herself to avoid alerting the enemy, so she disguised herself as Jun Molin's servant and followed him to the prison.
"Your Highness, the Marquis of Zhen'an is a serious criminal. He cannot be seen except by the official in charge of the trial." Upon arriving at the prison, Jun Molin was stopped by the prison guards.
The soldiers in the prison felt their scalps tingle. That was the rule, but the other party was His Highness the Northern Cold King. Refusing His Highness the Northern Cold King was terrifying to even think about.
"I am a prince of the highest rank. Don't I have the right to look after a serious criminal?" Jun Molin looked down at the soldier who blocked his way.
He stood on the steps, and a terrifying aura gradually spread, making everyone in the prison feel as if they couldn't breathe.
"Yes, yes, Your Highness, the King of Northern Cold, please." The soldier immediately gestured for them to proceed and led the way.
"When did His Highness the Northern Cold King return?" the remaining soldiers whispered among themselves.
"I haven't heard about it. They must have just returned."
"Why did he come to see the Marquis of Zhen'an so soon after returning?"
"Are you stupid? Princess Rongchang is the legitimate daughter of Marquis Zhen'an, and everyone knows about His Highness the Prince of Beihan and Princess Rongchang. Isn't it normal for him to come and visit his father-in-law?"
"I think it's not just about coming to see the Marquis of Zhen'an; I suspect they want to get him out of trouble."
"Don't you guys think that the servant behind His Highness the Northern Cold King looks a bit strange? I think he looks a bit like Princess Rongchang."
"Shh, if you see through something, don't say it. Are you out of your mind?"
...
The soldiers led Jun Molin and Yun Qingran to the innermost cell of the prison. Looking through the bars, they saw Yunxiao lying on the bed reading a book by the light coming from the small window.
Although the cell was cold and damp, it was clean and tidy, and there were thick cotton wadding and blankets on the bed. Yun Qingran's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, eased a little; it seemed that her father had not suffered torture or abuse.
"Go down." Jun Molin waved his hand, dismissing the soldier who had led the way.
"yes."
After the soldiers left, Yun Qingran immediately went forward, leaned on the railing, and called out, "Father, Father~"
Hearing the voice, Yunxiao looked up and saw her daughter. A loving and tender smile immediately bloomed on her face. "Ranran, you're back?"
"Yes, Father, how are you?" Yun Qingran looked at Yun Xiao with tears in her eyes.
"Father is fine. The Emperor forbade them to torture me and told them to treat me well. Although I'm in prison, I eat well, sleep well, and have a peaceful life. Hahahaha..." Yunxiao laughed heartily, trying to reassure his daughter.
"Father, I'm so glad you're alright." Yun Qingran nodded, then asked, "Father, what's the story behind the silver buried in the courtyard?"
"In winter, several trees in the courtyard froze to death. Officials of the third rank and above could have the Ministry of Works handle the transplantation of trees and the construction of pavilions and waterside terraces in their homes free of charge. I wanted to save money, so I asked the Ministry of Works to help move those dead trees. Unexpectedly, when they dug, they unearthed more than 800,000 taels of silver, as well as an account book of embezzlement and bribery." Yunxiao recounted the whole story with a wronged expression.
He tried to save money, but ended up in jail.
"So much silver, don't you know when it was buried?" Yun Qingran was also speechless; this was too strange.
"I don't know," Yunxiao said.
"By the way, how is your brother?" Yunxiao asked.
Yun Qingbi and he had their accidents one after the other, and he still doesn't know how his son is doing.
“My brother spent the night in a brothel, which resulted in the death of a courtesan. He is now imprisoned in Dali Temple,” Yun Qingran replied.
“Impossible. Your brother is extremely virtuous and doesn’t even have a maidservant. How could he have spent the night in a brothel and caused the death of a courtesan?” Yunxiao believed her son.
“I don’t believe my brother would do this either.” Yun Qingran also believed in her brother. She continued, “Father, I will definitely save you and my brother.”
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