Chapter 156 We've Grown Apart
Dou Wenyi's expression darkened slightly. "Who is conducting the inspections at the Censorate?"
The Crown Prince's Chief Secretary sighed and whispered, "This time, Prince Rui is leading the disaster relief efforts, and officials are protecting each other. Crown Princess... you shouldn't get involved in this matter."
These are things that powerful families tacitly agree to, but eating moldy and spoiled rice porridge can cause poisoning, no wonder so many people died in the previous life.
They pretend to provide disaster relief, but in reality they are treating human lives like dirt!
Dou Wenyi stared at the rows of imposing officials in the distance and felt a strange irony. What a perfect example of officials protecting each other! How many lives have they disregarded for their own selfish desires?
As it approached the time to serve the porridge, more and more people lined up at the porridge stall.
At this moment, several burly men dressed in coarse cloth cut in line from the back without saying a word. One of the men who was cut in line was not satisfied and started pushing and shoving and hurling insults at each other.
How did you cut in line?
"You bastard, what are you fighting over for a bowl of moldy porridge? Are you trying to eat your fill so you can reincarnate?"
"How can you be so unreasonable? Not only did you cut in line, but you also swore at me!"
"What are you yelling about? If you yell again, I'll beat you up!"
As they were talking, the two sides started fighting.
The people from the Eastern Palace rushed forward to stop them, but Dou Wenyi immediately ordered someone to find the patrolling constables.
Taking advantage of the chaos, a man sneaked to the stove behind the porridge stall and took out a packet of powder from his pocket, intending to sprinkle it into the pot.
Dou Wenyi chased after him, shouting, "Stop! What do you think you're doing?"
The thug looked up, startled, his facial muscles twitched, revealing a ferocious expression, and his fierce fist came straight at her face.
Dou Wenyi instinctively turned her head to the side and dodged. In that split second, a tall figure flashed in front of her and pulled her into his arms. He accurately grabbed her wrist, his veins bulging, and then pinned her arm behind her back.
Almost instantly, the villain was firmly restrained and unable to move at all.
"Guards! Take him away and interrogate him thoroughly."
Immediately, guards stepped forward, seized the villain, and searched his body, finding a packet of medicine.
Dou Wenyi's face was deathly pale, her heart pounding wildly. A stray strand of hair brushed against her face, and a hand with distinct knuckles gently smoothed it down. A deep voice sounded in her ear, "Are you alright?"
The newcomer was Pei Siyan, dressed in a crimson official robe, with a wide waist and narrow hips, but with a face that resembled that of Yin Congjian!
Her pupils contracted sharply, and she hurriedly took a step back, creating some distance. "Pei... why are you here?"
What kind of behavior is this in front of so many people?
She is now the Crown Princess, and he is an 'unrelated man'!
Pei Siyan was quite embarrassed, feeling as if he had been cuckolded.
A smile played on his lips, his gaze deep as he looked down at her fair neck. "Don't be afraid, no one's watching us."
Dou Wenyi came to her senses and turned to glare angrily at the villain. "He was trying to poison the porridge."
The villain, his eyes filled with terror, kept begging for mercy, "Sir, it's just ordinary croton seeds, not poison... Young lady, please have mercy on me."
"I confess everything. My sister made a mistake at a wealthy family's house and was almost beaten to death. They said they would return my sister's indenture after I did this, and I had no other choice but to take this risk..."
The man did give him a packet of poison, but thinking about how many people would die, he took it upon himself to replace the poison with croton seeds.
"Wait, let him speak!" Dou Wenyi said.
Pei Siyan narrowed his long eyes dangerously. Even if powerful families resented that they used legitimate rice and grain, they wouldn't be so audacious as to poison him. He couldn't think of anyone else who resented him so much except Prince Rui.
If someone dies while eating at his soup kitchen, such a major blunder would cause Emperor Muzong to despise him, no matter how much he cares about Empress Wen.
Prince Rui is truly cunning; as long as this malignant tumor remains, it will be difficult to quell the hatred in his heart.
Upon hearing this, Dou Wenyi's expression changed slightly. "Who is your sister? Which wealthy family does she live in?"
"Her real name is Tian Cuicui. She followed a noblewoman from a young age and later became her personal maid, who was given the name Amber. We are originally from Youyang, but she took the surname Dou from that family. Later, she rose through the ranks and reached Tianning City. A while ago, she wrote to me saying that her mistress was the Crown Princess and that she would enjoy endless wealth and honor. But recently, she hasn't written home for a long time..."
"What's her young lady's name?"
"Call her, call her Dou Mingyan!"
Dou Wenyi's expression changed slightly. "Who asked you to poison me?"
“I’ve been in Tianning City with my sister for quite a few years now. In order to make a living here, my sister found me a job at Chaotian Temple. The abbot there asked me to sign a contract of life, saying that the wages would be higher, so I signed it.”
"It was the people from Chaotian Temple who told me to drug them..."
Dou Wenyi and Pei Siyan exchanged a glance, and both of them thought of the Imperial Preceptor.
Pei Siyan's expression turned slightly cold. "I'll handle the rest. The Crown Prince's guards will be watching you in secret, so be careful yourself."
Dou Wenyi then said, "Our prepared food is far from enough. What should we do next?"
Pei Siyan curled his lips coldly, "Don't worry, it will be resolved soon, trust me!"
After saying that, Pei Siyan turned and left with his men.
Not far away, a group of yamen runners had already subdued the troublemakers and ended the chaos. Shen Yanzhou was dressed in a crimson official robe, the sleeves fluttering in the wind.
He stood to one side, calmly gazing at Dou Wenyi.
When did she become so familiar with Yin Congjian?
They can chat and laugh all the time now?
Shen Yanzhou glanced at Yin Congjian, who was leaving in a hurry, before turning his gaze away and slowly walking up to her.
A smile appeared on his face. "Were you alright just now?"
Dou Wenyi was utterly astonished, never expecting to meet him here. "Lord Shen, what are you doing here?"
Shen Yanzhou stared at her face and said gently, "Fourth Miss, are you planning to distance yourself from me? Why not call me Yunzhi? Today I am in charge of inspecting the porridge stalls."
It turned out he was the imperial censor on patrol.
He must know perfectly well about the fact that they used moldy rice to cook porridge.
Given his character, he would certainly not tolerate it. But if he reported it truthfully, wouldn't he offend numerous noble families and even Prince Rui...?
Dou Wenyi's breath hitched, and a sudden wave of sadness washed over her.
No wonder he chose a desperate and reckless path in his previous life, becoming the infamous ruthless official 'Jade-Faced Yama'. But she knew that his ruthless methods were only aimed at corrupt officials; he always maintained his integrity and beliefs.
In his previous life, at least he had Prince Rui backing him up.
In this life, he is isolated and helpless. How can he protect himself?
Dou Wenyi's smile was somewhat forced. "I hope this snow will stop soon."
"Fourth Miss, are you worried about me? I'll be fine."
Shen Yanzhou didn't miss a single change in her expression, and felt inexplicably choked up.
She clearly cares about him!
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