Chapter 20 Framed
Jiang Shiyao's lips curled up, "Why doesn't Your Highness ask me if I still remember what the villain looked like?"
Before he could respond, she continued, "Indeed, Your Highness, as the commander of the Yan Guard, should have caught such a villain long ago. There's no need for me to say anything more."
Zhou Congxian swallowed back what he was about to say.
"Judging from your quick wit, you probably weren't too frightened."
Jiang Shiyao put away her smile. "Although I was not frightened, Your Highness should remember to punish me severely."
"It's fortunate that I didn't bring Fu'er with me today; it was a close call. But if Fu'er is in the carriage next time, will they let the child go?"
Zhou Congxian's eyes turned slightly cold. "I will definitely investigate this matter to the end."
"I will leave Wei Xun at home and let him accompany me next time I go out."
Wei Xun was Zhou Congxian's bodyguard and right-hand man, almost always by his side.
Jiang Shiyao did not refuse. She remembered that Wei Xun was quite skilled in martial arts. Although it would be inconvenient for him to follow along, his life would be guaranteed.
"Perfect timing. I need to leave at noon tomorrow. If it weren't for that little beggar, I'm afraid I would be dead by now."
"What little beggar?"
“That day, the prince came to question me. I said that I took Fu’er to fly kites and eat wontons. I also gave two little beggars two bowls of wontons and some copper coins.”
Jiang Shiyao paused for a moment, "It was the kindness of that bowl of wontons, a dozen or so copper coins, that led to today's selfless rescue."
Zhou Congxian said, "Tomorrow I will have someone prepare some silver and clothing."
She was about to refuse when she changed her words, "If the young master prepares such fine clothes, he will only be bullied by a big beggar if he wears them."
Zhou Congxian nodded. "I'll have Wei Xun handle it."
The next day.
Jiang Shiyao went out with Shuangjiang.
Wei Xun was already waiting at the side gate. As soon as he saw Jiang Shiyao, he immediately jumped out of the car.
"My wife."
Jiang Shiyao nodded, not thinking much of his somewhat strange expression.
When she lifted the carriage curtain and saw that Wei Xun was resting with his eyes closed, she finally understood what Wei Xun's expression meant.
Zhou Congxian crossed his arms, his eyes still closed, and said, "Come on up again."
Jiang Shiyao hesitated for a moment, then climbed onto the carriage.
Who knows if that madman Song Jiyun will send a few more assassins? At least with Wei Xun and Zhou Congxian around, the chances of survival are greater.
The two people in the carriage remained silent, one with his eyes closed, the other looking out the window.
As soon as Shuangjiang sat down on the bicycle frame, a slightly heavy gray bundle fell into her arms.
She turned around and saw Wei Xun's smiling face. "Please carry me, Miss Shuangjiang, I need to catch my carriage."
Shuangjiang glanced at him while holding her bundle, but didn't say anything or greet him. She turned away expressionlessly.
Wei Xun was completely baffled; he couldn't remember ever offending her.
The place Jiang Shiyao and the little beggar had agreed to meet was a little far away.
When she arrived, the two little beggars were already squatting by the roadside.
The younger one sat on the ground, clutching something tightly in his arms.
He kept glancing around, as if afraid someone would steal it.
"Young man!" Jiang Shiyao waved to him.
The little beggar's face lit up with joy, and he picked up a bag from his brother's arms and walked over.
"Madam, this is what my brother found in the carriage. They wanted to split it, so I've kept it for you!"
He opened the tattered outer cloth, revealing the pearls she had bought at Yu Huai Lou the day before, along with her purse.
Jiang Shiyao, remembering that Zhou Congxian was still in the carriage, corrected him, "Just call me Sister Jiang."
"You saved me, so I recognize this young man. What's your name?"
The little beggar scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly. He was used to being disliked. Apart from Lord Liu, Madam, no, Sister Jiang was the second person who was willing to approach him.
“Sister Jiang…” his voice was very soft, “My name is Xiaoman.”
"Yes!" Jiang Shiyao responded with a smile, then had Shuangjiang bring over the bundle.
"Xiaoman, here is some loose silver, a few sets of clothes, some food, and some medicine for your injuries."
Xiaoman was surprised that Sister Jiang had even prepared medicine for her injuries.
He and his brother are used to it; they get better naturally when they're sick or injured.
Xiaoman wiped away her tears while clutching her bundle. "Thank you, Sister Jiang."
Xiaoman was feeling sad when suddenly a hand reached out from the side to snatch his bundle.
His long experience as a beggar made him wary, so he hid with his bundle.
Wei Xun missed his target. "Hey, this kid's reaction is pretty good."
Zhou Congxian: "How old are you?"
Xiaoman stared blankly at the suddenly appearing benefactor.
Wei Xun said, "I'm asking you a question. Are you going to join the Yanwei Camp as a lowly soldier? You'll get two taels of silver a month, enough to support your younger brother."
Jiang Shiyao immediately nudged Xiaoman, "Hurry up and agree!"
The soldiers of the Yanwei Camp don't have to go to the battlefield, and they receive a monthly stipend. No matter how many people try to squeeze in, they can't!
Xiaoman never expected to have such an opportunity.
He immediately put down his bundle and kowtowed, "Reporting to Your Excellency! My name is Ji Xiaoman, and I am sixteen years old! I am willing to follow Your Excellency!"
As he spoke, he looked up at the adult's face and said, "Sir, I'm very strong! I can move stones and carry heavy sacks!"
Wei Xun chuckled, "This little gadget is quite interesting."
"Your Highness, this lad is highly vigilant and agile, much better than those good-for-nothings in the camp."
Now that the world is at peace, the Yanwei Camp is full of people with connections. They come from wealthy families, are not academically inclined, and all want to use the Yanwei Camp as a stepping stone.
Zhou Congxian grunted in acknowledgment, left a message, and then turned and boarded the carriage.
"Find Wei Xun at 5:00 AM tomorrow."
Wei Xun patted Ji Xiaoman on the shoulder with a smile, "Come to the camp to find me at dawn, don't be late."
Ji Xiaoman nodded hurriedly like a chick pecking at rice, "I definitely won't be late!"
Jiang Shiyao turned around and looked at Zhou Congxian's back as he got into the car. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her heart felt as if a small stone had been thrown into a lake, causing ripples to spread.
Ji Xiaoman's eyes were full of excitement, "Thank you, Sister Jiang!"
Jiang Shiyao's eyes were also full of smiles, "You should thank the master properly tomorrow."
"Take your younger brother back home, give him a good bath and dress him properly."
"good!"
Back in the carriage, Jiang Shiyao was about to say something when Zhou Congxian glanced at her and then closed his eyes to rest.
Jiang Shiyao almost crushed her teeth.
She turned her head and faced the car window.
It was the same as when we arrived.
Zhou Congxian opened his eyes, and without even looking, he knew what her expression was.
He said slowly, "The two men who committed the evil deeds yesterday have been caught."
Jiang Shiyao turned around, "Then who's behind it all?"
Zhou Congxian gazed into her dark eyes, his lips twitched, and he uttered three words.
"Not found."
Jiang Shiyao's fingers curled up slightly.
Ah, the answer was exactly what I expected.
After a moment, she nodded slightly. "I understand."
Everything is unchangeable, so what is she still hoping for?
Jiang Shiyao lowered her eyes and stroked the expensive and heavy bracelet on her wrist.
She should be making money now.
From now on, she and Fu'er will have to walk their own paths.
For a moment, a silent atmosphere filled the car.
The carriage stopped in front of the British House.
At this moment, there was a carriage from the villa at the gate. Jiang Shiyao glanced at the front of the carriage, where a lantern with the character "Song" on it was swaying slightly.
I just stepped through the second gate.
Madam Gao approached quickly with an unfriendly expression. She was taken aback when she saw Zhou Congxian, and then gave a slightly stiff bow.
"Young Master, the Old Madam requests that Your Highness come over."
Jiang Shiyao noticed the anger in Gao's mother's eyes and her heart stirred slightly. Had Song Jiyun pushed the fake bead back again?
"May I ask, Mother, what brings the old lady here?"
Madam Gao shouldn't be too harsh on the Crown Prince in front of him.
He could only say coldly, "Yesterday, the old lady had someone send the lady's embroidery to the White Horse Temple to receive incense offerings, and today it caught fire!"
"on fire?"
Zhou Congxian glanced at Jiang Shiyao, "I'll go with you."
Madam Gao blocked his way, saying, "The old lady instructed that the young master should not be involved in this matter."
Zhou Congxian pursed his lips. "The embroidery was not done by Jiang alone. The fire at Baima Temple involves both the Zhou and Song families. As the commander of the Yanwei Camp, I should be present!"
Seeing the prince's appearance, Madam Gao was so frightened that she took a step back.
"Let's go take a look." Zhou Congxian led Jiang Shiyao ahead.
Jiang Shiyao pursed her lips. In her previous life, after she embroidered two pieces, Song Jiyun took out the auspicious beast offering peaches and asked her to embroider them again.
She barely finished the painting of a mythical beast offering peaches just before entering the palace.
This time, she brought out the auspicious beast offering peaches ahead of time and even provoked Song Jiyun to embroider with her.
They were certain she wouldn't object and would try to sabotage things.
If any problems arise with the embroidery pieces she participated in, the blame cannot be placed solely on her.
I never expected that Song Jiyun would use fire!
Besides Song Jiyun, Song's mother also came to the old lady's courtyard this time, and Zhao Shi was also present, which was rare for her.
Jiang Shiyao followed Zhou Congxian into the front hall.
Old Madam Zhou looked very unwell. On the table next to her was the burnt auspicious beast offering peaches.
Only the general outline of the beast's body can be seen.
Jiang Shiyao felt it was a pity, as she had truly put her heart and soul into the embroidery.
"Greetings to Grandmother and Mother."
Zhou Congxian then bowed slightly towards Song's mother, saying, "Aunt Song, are you well?"
Jiang Shiyao followed behind and greeted them one by one.
Mother Song preemptively said, "I can't accept this gift from Madam Jiang. A perfectly good birthday present will just be burned at Baima Temple after it leaves Yun'er's hands."
"Madam Jiang's methods are truly remarkable!"
Jiang Shiyao, being pragmatic, quickly knelt down.
"If someone wants to find fault, they will always find a reason. Madam Song wants to pin this on me, and I have nothing to say."
With a wave of her hand, Song's mother sent the teacup flying precisely to Jiang Shiyao.
She raised her voice and coldly retorted, "The evidence and witnesses are all there! You're saying I'm framing you?!"
Jiang Shiyao shuddered from the burn and gritted her teeth, saying, "I gave the embroidery to Miss Song long ago, and I have had no chance to touch it since then. I don't even know when it was enshrined at Baima Temple."
Zhou Congxian frowned slightly. "The Jiang family has always lived a secluded life, and Baima Temple is far away. There may be a misunderstanding here."
When Song Jiyun saw that Zhou Congxian was actually protecting this lowly concubine, he was immediately filled with rage.
"Brother Xian, don't be fooled by this slut... don't let her deceive you!"
"The monks of Baima Temple have caught the arsonist, and she claims she was instructed by Madam Jiang from the Duke of Ying's mansion!"
"Bring in the witnesses."
Two figures were brought in.
"I was acting under Jiang Shiyao's orders!"
Jiang Shiyao frowned.
Mingyu, who started yelling as soon as she entered, can be ignored.
However, there's He Dayou behind him.
How did they find him?
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