Liu stepped onto the carriage and gritted her teeth and said, "Let's go now."

If it weren't for Lin Xiuxiu's instigation, how could Aunt Sun take the risk? If Aunt Sun hadn't tampered with Sheng Xiyan's incense, how could the incident of eight years ago be exposed.

It's been eight or nine years, and something that should have been completely forgotten has been brought up again!

If it weren't for Lin Xiuxiu, she would still be the lady of the Sheng family. How could she be separated from her son like this, with no home to return to and nowhere to go, even her mother's home is gone.

Amber hesitated to speak, and finally did not persuade her.

So the carriage went straight to the Yongning Marquis's Mansion. Liu was very angry and was thinking about how to beat Lin Xiuxiu.

The street in front of the Yongning Marquis's mansion was deserted, and the gate was tightly closed. Just as Liu was about to send a carriage over to knock on the door, the vermilion lacquered door opened from the inside, and several Dongchang men came out.

Liu was startled, and she was a little slow to notice that there were several prison vans parked in front of the mansion.

Prisoner van?!

"Quick, stop now."

She pulled the carriage over and drew down the curtains, her heart pounding with fear.

She was in the mansion all day yesterday, and so many things happened afterwards, she had no idea that the Yongning Marquis Mansion had been raided!

Amber was also trembling with fear and asked carefully, "Madam, are we leaving?"

Liu hesitated for a moment, opened the curtain a little and looked out, just in time to see the Yongning Marquis and his wife being escorted out of the mansion.

The wife of Marquis Yongning had her hair askew, and there were several footprints on her body. Her face was red and swollen, as if she had been beaten. Seeing her miserable appearance, Liu felt happy.

At this moment, she forgot her fear, pulled open the curtains, and laughed wildly at the wife of Yongning Marquis: "Lin Xiuxiu, you have come to this day!"

You deserve it!

She had harmed herself to this point, and she finally got her retribution.

It feels so good!

The wife of Marquis Yongning turned and looked at her silently.

Her lips were covered in blood, as if they had been bitten. In fact, three of her teeth had fallen out, and the blood stains at the corners of her mouth had dried.

When she was brought back to the Yongning Marquis's Mansion yesterday, everyone in the mansion had already been locked up in the main hall in the front yard. They knew that she was the one who had implicated the mansion, and when the Yongning Marquis saw her, he slapped her in the face. She was so angry that she fought back without giving in.

How could she, a woman from the inner court, beat the Yongning Marquis, who was born a military commander? Moreover, there were people from the second and third wives, who hated her so much that they rushed forward. The wife of the Yongning Marquis could not resist at all and was beaten horribly. If Dongchang had not wanted to keep her alive and had not come up to scold her, she would have been beaten to death.

Even so, it wasn't much better. Not only did she lose three teeth, half of her face was scratched, a lot of her hair was pulled out, and it seemed that one or two ribs were broken. Just walking a few steps would make her whole body hurt.

What made her even more desperate was that she became a prisoner. She completely lost her dignity and honor and became the kind of person she despised the most.

When she saw Liu, she couldn't help but cover her face with her sleeves, turned around and got into the prison van silently.

The prison van was crowded and dirty, and she accidentally bumped into the second lady of the mansion, who slapped her hard on the cheek.

She covered her cheeks and said nothing.

She still remembered that she had a dream last night when she was in a trance due to the pain. In the dream, she got the jade pendant, and Xiao Shuo just casually loosened his grip, and his son rose straight up the ladder and became a high-ranking official. He turned the Yongning Marquis' Mansion into the Yongning Duke's Mansion, and he became a Duke, and she was the Duke's wife.

Her son is the glory of her life.

She was laughing, and kept laughing, but not long after, the Yongning Mansion was breached by the rebels, and a bloody knife stabbed at her.

She woke up in shock, and was dragged out by the Eastern Factory guards in a panic.

It seemed as if the nightmare had no end, and she was not even given the glory that she should have in the dream, and she stepped into the abyss of despair.

"Looking for my son, looking for my son..."

She murmured her son's name, and the only thing she was thankful for was that her son was not at home.

Her son will definitely save her, will definitely...

She muttered to herself, earning hateful looks from the Second and Third Madams.

If it weren't for these two mother and son, how could they have ended up like this...

All the members of the Yongning Marquis's mansion were taken to the prison van one after another. Then, Dongchang closed the vermilion lacquered door, and two snow-white seals were pasted on the door by a guard.

Marquis Yongning looked at the plaque on the vermilion lacquered gate with despair. Thinking of the many homes that had been confiscated in the capital over the past few years and the plaques that had been smashed to the ground by the Dongchang and could never be hung up again, his heart ached.

This is a title that our ancestors earned through fate.

He would rather die immediately than see the title destroyed in his hands.

The prison van drove away slowly.

A Dongchang man glanced coldly in Liu's direction, then mounted his horse.

This look made Liu tremble all over. She subconsciously shrank back. She didn't breathe a sigh of relief until the person left.

Liu patted her chest weakly, not daring to think of anything else. She quickly lowered the curtains and urged, "Hurry up and go back to my house!"

Ever since Dongchang entered the Yongning Marquis' Mansion yesterday, many people in the capital have been watching quietly. Only after seeing Dongchang leave did they dare to ask around and noticed the seal on the door.

Yongning Prefecture is a noble place that has been passed down for more than a hundred years, and it’s going to be gone in just one day and one night?

Even though there had not been an imperial decree to deprive them of their titles, over the years, no family that had been raided by the Dongchang Factory had ever been able to escape from the Dongchang prison.

It is only a matter of time before he seizes the title.

Having said that, the raid on the Yongning Marquis's mansion was too sudden. They had no idea what crime his family had committed. After asking around, they barely found out that it seemed to be because they had offended Miss Shengda?

This makes people shocked and at the same time feel a little overwhelmed.

After all, the Yongning Marquisate is a century-old noble family. If they just copy it, will they also end up with the family destroyed if they say something wrong in the future?

This incident made everyone in the capital feel insecure, and the court officials could not help but go to Lin Shoufu to ask him about it.

Lin Shoufu thought about it for several days, and finally plucked up the courage to go to the palace to ask for an audience with Xiao Shuo with the determination to never return.

He tremblingly told the whole story, and did not dare to ask directly whether it was because of Miss Shengda. He just vaguely expressed his worry, fearing that the panic among the people in the court would affect official business.

Xiao Shuo listened to him patiently until he finished speaking, then pushed a box on the desk toward him and said, "Mr. Lin, do you know what this is?"

Seeing that Xiao Shuo did not get angry immediately, Lin Shoufu suddenly realized that he had saved his life and asked, "What is this?"

"Ten Perfect Cream." Xiao Shuo smiled, gentle and elegant, making people feel like spring breeze. However, no one would really think that he was kind and could be deceived. Lin Shoufu did not even dare to raise his head in front of him and asked, "Master, what is the Ten Perfect Cream?"

When Xiao Shuo told what happened in Minzhou, when he heard that this little Shiquan ointment was actually addictive, and that Minzhou had been in chaos because of it, Lin Shoufu was simply shocked, his lips pursed, and he couldn't say a word.

Xiao Shuo said again: "This was discovered from the Yongning Marquis's Mansion. What do you think, Chief Assistant Lin, should the Yongning Marquis's Mansion be raided?"

This box of Shiquan ointment was found by Dongchang when they searched the Yongning Marquis' Mansion. It was in Zhou Jingxun's study. There was also a small jar of incense placed together with the Shiquan ointment. Xiao Shuo personally took it and compared it with the Shiquan ointment in Linlang Pavilion. Both the color and the smell were exactly the same, even the box was the same.

The Ten-Whole Cream of the Yongning Marquis Mansion comes from Linlang Pavilion.

Lin Shoufu was even more shocked and blurted out: "Isn't it because of Miss Shengda?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he regretted it and quickly covered his mouth.

Xiao Shuo raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at him with a half-smile. He didn't say a word, but his eyes seemed to be asking, "What do you think?"

Prime Minister Lin shuddered.

It turns out it wasn’t for Miss Shengda, but isn’t it said outside…

Lin Shoufu shook his head, dismissed these messy rumors, and asked: "Master, is this Ten-Perfect Cream really as it is said? Should we send someone to Minzhou to investigate first?"

Is there really such a terrible thing in the world?

If the whole of Darong becomes like Minzhou, wouldn't Darong be doomed to perish?

"There are two boxes here. I will have two death row prisoners brought out and let them try it out." Xiao Shuo interrupted him and said directly, "This matter will be handed over to the Royal Guard. The Royal Guard will record the daily conditions of the death row prisoners and send them to you. If you want to see the death row prisoners, you can do so at any time. Just don't publicize this matter for the time being."

There are many death row prisoners in the prison, so it is not difficult to find a few people to test the drugs.

I found a lot of Shiquan ointment in Linlang Pavilion, enough for use.

"As for Minzhou, I will send someone there."

He spoke calmly, but Prime Minister Lin was terrified and quickly agreed, completely forgetting his original purpose, and bowed to take his leave.

As soon as Lin Shoufu left, Chu Yuanchen came out from behind the screen, sat down opposite Xiao Shuo, casually unfolded the map of the imperial court that had just been rolled up on the desk, and suggested with a smile: "Brother, how about I go to Minzhou?"

Xiao Shuo raised his eyes and looked at him.

Minzhou is already in chaos. Even with ruthless measures, it will take at least a year or two to pacify the situation.

Chu Yuanchen pointed his slender finger at the location of the capital and said with a meaningful smile: "We have to give them a chance to take action, right?"

Xiao Shuo pondered for a moment. The two of them had a great understanding of each other. Even if Chu Yuanchen didn't say it explicitly, Xiao Shuo immediately understood what he meant.

He looked down at the map. Chu Yuanchen's finger was lightly drawing on it, following his finger, all the way from the capital to the northern border.

The two exchanged a meaningful look.

Xiao Shuo nodded and said, "After suffering a loss, Zheng Zhongming has become much more cautious. You are right. If you don't give him enough bait, he will not act easily."

Xiao Shuo smiled faintly, and his upturned eyes seemed to contain an unfathomable abyss.

Zheng Zhongming was trusted by the emperor and held a large number of imperial guards. His position in the court was stable. With him, it was not easy for Xiao Shuo to control the previous dynasty in a very short time. At that time, Chu Yuanchen was still in southern Xinjiang. The war was unclear and his life and death were unpredictable. Xiao Shuo did not want to waste this time. He had to take power as soon as possible so that he could secretly help Chu Yuanchen.

He simply had someone expose his life story to Zheng Chongming, and instigated a big quarrel between the emperor and Zheng Chongming, causing Zheng Chongming to leave the capital in anger in order to overthrow him. This bought him time and opportunity.

Zheng Zhongming must have realized the loss he had suffered when he came back this time. He has been much more cautious now. Even though he had evidence in his hand, he did not take any action.

Xiao Shuo gently stroked the teacup, thought for a long time, and finally nodded: "Achen, be careful."

Using yourself as bait is a huge risk. If you are not careful, your life may be in danger.

"Don't worry." Chu Yuanchen patted his chest in a nonchalant manner and said, "I'm going to get married soon." I've waited for so long!

As he spoke, he sat down again and solemnly reminded him again and again: "Brother, my wedding date cannot be postponed."

Xiao Shuo couldn't help but smile and promised, "Don't worry."

He paused and asked again: "Achen, how long will it take for the Northern Frontier Army to arrive?"

Chu Yuanchen calculated the time: "It will take at least one and a half months at the earliest."

Chu Yuanchen only mobilized the cavalry. In fact, the food and fodder had been prepared long ago and were all stationed at the border between Beijiang and Jingzhou, just waiting for the emperor to give his consent. As soon as the generals received Chu Yuanchen's pigeon message, they immediately led their troops south. This shortened the time to two months. With 30,000 troops on the march, this speed was already the limit.

Xiao Shuo nodded: "That's enough."

"As for this thing." Chu Yuanchen picked up the ointment on the table and tossed it in his hand, "We don't have to wait until the death row inmates come."

Linlang Pavilion has been selling for such a long time, and now it’s suddenly out of stock. I’m afraid some people can’t wait.

Chu Yuanchen leaned back in his chair without hesitation: "Let's see who can't stand it first and beg me to come to you."

Xiao Shuo couldn't help but chuckle. His hand slowly stroked the map on the table, following the route that Chu Yuanchen's fingers had just drawn.

After twenty years of enduring humiliation and planning step by step, I finally see a glimmer of hope.

There was a hint of trance in Xiao Shuo's usually gentle eyes and brows. His gaze followed his finger to Lingnan's position, and the finger on the map couldn't help but tremble slightly.

He seemed to see the distant Lingnan through the map, a place that was familiar yet unfamiliar to him.

Chu Yuanchen lowered his eyelids slightly, then interrupted his thoughts with a smile: "Brother, on my wedding day, please accompany me to pick up the bride."

Xiao Shuo was stunned for a moment, then smiled and asked, "How are your wedding preparations going?"

"My mother and the lady are busy."

He actually wanted to help, but they both thought he was clumsy and refused to take him with them!

Chu Yuanchen said, "Madam Tai has been feeling much better recently."

After returning from the Lantern Festival, the old lady was in low spirits. Although she didn't have a fever or anything, she still scared people. They were afraid that she was just dying and now she has reached the end of her life. After much effort, she gradually got better. Now, except for being a little weak, she is no different from an ordinary old person.

Xiao Shuo said nonchalantly, "Achen, please take good care of her for me."

"Okay." Chu Yuanchen agreed readily and brought up the old topic again, "Then, big brother, do you want to go with me to pick up the bride?"

He leaned his arms on the desk, his body slightly leaning forward, as if to say, "I've promised you, so you have to promise me too."

Xiao Shuo: “…”

I thought to myself: Ah Chen really doesn't care what others will say about him, saying that he doesn't care about the glory of his ancestors and is clinging to a treacherous person like me.

Xiao Shuo smiled gently: "Speaking of which, I should be a member of the girl's family. Your wife calls me brother."

Chu Yuanchen pretended not to hear and made up his mind: "It's settled!"

He casually picked up the scroll and put it on the desk, saying, "Come on, have you missed lunch yet? Come and have lunch with me. I have reserved a private room. It's a good opportunity for me to go out for a walk. Tell me, how long has it been since you went out..."

He talked in a long-winded way, and Xiao Shuo did not get annoyed. He stood up and stroked his robe gently.

Wu Ning quickly brought a black cloak and helped him put it on. He breathed a sigh of relief and thought, "Let alone lunch, the governor didn't even have breakfast. This Zhenbei King is sometimes so familiar that it's a bit annoying, but fortunately he was able to persuade the governor.

Chu Yuanchen took him to Zhaowen Street.

The gate of Linlang Pavilion was still locked, but Zhaowen Street was apparently not affected and was still bustling with people coming and going.

The restaurant Chu Yuanchen booked was just across from Linlang Pavilion. It was already past noon and there were not many guests in the restaurant. The private rooms were on the second floor. Sheng Xiyan and Jiuyang had already arrived. Jiuyang was half-lying on the window, and when he saw them come in, he waved at them, then stood up and greeted them obediently.

Jiuyang was full of energy, thinking about her mother and family wholeheartedly. She gradually became lively as a girl of her age should be. However, this liveliness was only shown towards familiar people.

"Are you ready?"

As soon as he entered the private room, Chu Yuanchen asked a question.

Sheng Xiyan said with a smile: "A bit arrogant. ...Brother, sit down."

She poured them tea.

Xiao Shuo did not refuse. After drinking tea, he said, "The person I sent to Liangzhou came back yesterday."

Sheng Xiyan blinked her eyes. She realized that Xiao Shuo was talking about the jade pendant, and she sat up straight.

In fact, to her, it didn't matter whether her grandfather had saved Xiao Shuo or not. Her brother had acknowledged it and had served him tea in a formal manner. Moreover, based on the relationship between Chu Yuanchen and Xiao Shuo, it didn't matter whether it was true or not. At least it was good that the jade pendant didn't fall into the hands of the wife of Marquis Yongning.

Xiao Shuo smiled faintly and said, "Your grandfather was the one who saved me back then. This jade pendant was indeed left by me for him."

Xiao Shuo said calmly: "In fact, when you took out the packet of insect attractant powder, I had doubts."

He was talking about the locusts that were attracted on the day Chu Yuanchen's coffin was carried back to the capital. The insect-attracting powder was prepared by Sheng Xiyan.

Sheng Xiyan's mind moved, and he continued, "The locusts covering the sky outside Zhan Ancient City were not accidental, they were also attracted here. It was your grandfather who used this medicine to attract the locusts, forcing the imperial guards to retreat temporarily, and then dug me out from the pile of dead bodies."

"At that time, the imperial guards surrounded the ancient city of Zhan. No animals or birds were allowed to enter or leave. Although I hid in the tunnel, the fire was too big and the smoke was thick. I couldn't live to see the imperial guards leave."

"In fact, I am dying."

Sheng Xiyan moved her lips and asked, "Then why..." Was it a coincidence, or...

Xiao Shuo said frankly: "Old Master Xu once worked as a good doctor in the Prince of Pingliang's palace. He has seen me."

"He said that he had received favor from King Pingliang, who repeatedly found hard-to-find herbs for him, which helped extend your grandmother's life by more than ten years." Some of the herbs were found by King Pingliang at his request.

"Later, I took advantage of the time when he went out to collect herbs for me and quietly ran away." He had nothing but this jade pendant, which he kept.

Sheng Xiyan lowered her eyes slightly. So that's how it is.

My grandfather didn't save Xiao Shuo by accident, but took great pains to bring him out of the ancient city of Zhan.

It’s just… Xiao Shuo was able to investigate what happened so clearly. In the previous life, this jade pendant fell into the hands of the wife of Marquis Yongning. She shouldn’t have been able to deceive him, right?

Xiao Shuo's expression remained unchanged.

When he got the jade pendant and knew it belonged to Sheng Xiyan, he was already 80% sure. However, he still had some doubts in his mind, so he asked someone to check.

He will never forget the person who carried him out from the pile of dead bodies.

He once said that he wanted me to go back with him first, and then he would send me to Liangzhou or Beijiang later. I could slowly settle my family feud, and surviving was the most important thing...

Unfortunately, he let down his good intentions.

He doesn't deserve comfort and peace in his life.

There was not a single day when he could close his eyes and sleep till dawn. Every night he seemed to hear countless wailing and crying, just like that day.

He survived by carrying the lives of so many people.

He lowered his eyes slightly, trying to calm his fluctuating emotions.

"Brother Xiao." At this moment, Jiaoyang handed over a braided string, "This is for you, a lucky charm."

There was a small purse under the silk thread, and the amulet that Jiaoyang mentioned was placed in the purse.

Xiao Shuo looked up and Jiao Yang smiled and said, "I went to ask for it with my mother and the lady a few days ago. Mother, the lady, my elder brother and my elder sister all have it. This belongs to elder brother Xiao." She said a little embarrassedly, "I tied the knot and bought the purse."

Sheng Xiyan taught her how to tie the brocade silk. She was busy learning martial arts and had no time to learn needlework, so she only knew how to tie the brocade silk.

Jiuyang said seriously: "The madam said that we will all be fine." So, don't be sad.

"We all have them." Sheng Xiyan pointed to her waist, where her amulet was already hung on the same side as the jade pendant.

Xiao Shuo reached out and took the rope. He squeezed it gently in his palm and then tied it around his waist.

"This girl," Chu Yuanchen pointed at Jiaoyang and said, "When mother praised her, she became even more complacent."

At first, Jiaoyang only tied one knot for Jingle, which moved Jingle so much that she hugged him and called him her darling. Then she tied several knots in a row and put all the amulets that she and Jingle had asked for in the knots.

Jiuyang made a face at him and said, "Mom said I'm the little sun!" She held Sheng Xiyan's arm and suddenly changed from being full of energy to being delicate and soft, "Jiuyang likes sister the most."

Sheng Xiyan's heart melted at once. Facing her expectant gaze, he hugged her in his arms and rubbed her without thinking.

Chu Yuanchen: “…”

He thought that his mother's eyesight was probably not very good. It was clearly a little wolf cub, and a little wolf cub who changed his expression faster than turning the pages of a book.

The atmosphere in the private room suddenly became much more relaxed, and Xiao Shuo's expression gradually softened.

God was not kind to him, but it wasn't too bad. At least he wasn't pushed into the bottomless abyss.

Sheng Xiyan filled his tea cup, and after they talked and laughed for a while, the waiter knocked on the door and came in with the dishes.

"Sir, this is the sign of our store..."

"Open the door! Open the door quickly!"

The noise outside interrupted the waiter, who frowned unhappily. Sheng Xiyan pretended to be puzzled and asked, "What's going on?"

The waiter said, "It's the Linlang Pavilion across the street. It was closed down by the government a few days ago for selling fake goods. These past two days, people have been knocking on the door every day, insisting on buying the Shiquan ointment. They all look like consumptive patients."

Chu Yuanchen smiled and pointed down: "Isn't it faster than the death row prisoner?"