The mint was shut down, and all officials except for a few garrison soldiers guarding it were given a day off.
After arranging for someone to handle the deceased's funeral, the group immediately set off to return to the manor.
After a quick tidying up, Prince Rui took his youngest daughter with him.
Perhaps it was foresight, but none of his other descendants lived in Bailu Prefecture, leaving only his little darling by his side.
Oh, and the Fifth Prince has also been brought along.
It took about an hour for the entire procession to enter the prefectural government office.
The governor rushed over upon receiving the news, and upon seeing Prince Rui with his youngest daughter from afar, his heart skipped a beat.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, what's going on here...?"
"Let's talk inside."
Prince Rui's expression was unreadable, seemingly as calm and collected as ever, but judging from his demeanor, it was clear that nothing had happened.
Yan Wenyuan led the way with a heavy heart, passing through the ceremonial gate and entering the main hall.
Commander Tao, with the prince's youngest daughter, and Commander Meng, with the fifth prince, went straight to the inner courtyard to settle down.
Qin Zhaoqiong and her sister, along with Prince Rui, sat upright, with two Xuanji Guards standing on either side.
Yan Wenyuan stood below the hall, like a prisoner awaiting trial.
Qin Zhaoyue leaned back, looking down at people with her nose in the air, "Stop dazed and tell me."
The contempt in his tone, the arrogance in his manner...
Yan Wenyuan clenched his fists, his face remaining impassive. "I don't understand what Your Highness is saying..."
Bang! Before she could finish speaking, Qin Zhaoyue slammed her hand on the armrest.
"Hey! You still dare to resist even now? I think you don't want your head anymore."
We already know the principle of leniency for those who confess and severity for those who resist.
This is your last chance, explain yourself quickly!
Yan Wenyuan's temples throbbed with veins as he bowed deeply.
"This humble official truly does not know. Please, Your Highness, explain. I, Wen Yuan, will answer all your questions without reservation!"
Qin Zhaoyue pouted and reverted to her lazy demeanor.
"Fine, you're still being stubborn. Remember this: no matter who comes, say you don't know."
Yan Wenyuan: ?
With such clumsy interrogation techniques, what is he being stubborn about?
Qin Zhaoqiong coughed lightly, bringing the matter to light.
In short: The imperial court has you under its protection.
Yan Wenyuan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, his expression not particularly surprised. He had already roughly guessed it when he saw Prince Rui traveling with his youngest daughter.
I've imagined my fate many times.
I only hope that my years of hard work will be enough to protect my family; I dare not hope for anything for myself.
That is, after all, a stain on His Majesty's reputation. Even if I can keep it a secret for the rest of my life, it may still be used by others. Isn't that exactly what's happening now?
Yan Wenyuan didn't know whether the current appeasement was a temporary measure or genuine. His children were all in Fengjing, and he had no room to resist.
He bowed deeply and said, "Your humble servant obeys."
The imperial guards and clerks set off to the homes of important officials to fetch their relatives.
Two sorcerers are stirring up trouble outside; who knows what forces are behind them?
Qin Zhaoqiong took charge of the overall situation, and for the foreseeable future, the focus would be on the state government.
Bringing these relatives here serves two purposes: firstly, it protects them and prevents them from being held hostage by those with ulterior motives; secondly... everyone knows exactly what's going on.
But with the title of protection, who would dare to resist?
Seeing everyone busy at work, most people obeyed orders even though they didn't know what was going on, but some were anxious.
The Fifth Prince, Qin Jingzhan, rushed over anxiously, "Elder sister, what happened?"
Qin Zhaoqiong was slightly taken aback; she had already made her plans.
The commander of the Divine Martial Realm beside Prince Rui was stationed at the state government office, as his youngest daughter was there and he could not leave her for even a moment.
Hidden and fiery companions accompany them, ready to deal with any possible assassination attempts.
As for the fifth brother... if rumors spread, he might become the other side's target, but for now, he's dispensable...
Faced with his earnest gaze, Qin Zhaoqiong naturally couldn't say such a thing.
"There are rumors circulating that you'll be joining us soon."
"yes!"
Although his elder sister still didn't explain what had happened, Qin Jingzhan was overjoyed that she had taken him along this time.
Yan Wenyuan was writing furiously in the hall.
The target of the other party is unlikely to be a small county town; it will at least involve the surrounding counties.
He wrote a letter in the name of the governor to inform the entire prefecture and to prevent the influence of rumors.
He was a capable minister with profound knowledge and insight. In a short time, he wrote the document and handed it to the prince for inspection.
Unable to resist his curiosity, Qin Jingzhan went over to take a look. Seeing that his elder sister did not refuse, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
But after reading a few lines, I was completely dumbfounded.
Rumors of counterfeit currency... How dare someone be so audacious! Who is it?!
Qin Zhaoqiong ignored him, read through the document and found no problems, and immediately used her personal seal.
"Sixth Sister, come and use your seal too."
Upon hearing this, Qin Jingzhan's ears perked up.
But Qin Zhaoyue picked at her ear and said, "I didn't bring that thing with me."
Qin Zhaoqiong: ...
"How about we sign it?"
"I can't read."
Everyone: ...
That's such a lie, even a dog wouldn't believe it.
Qin Jingzhan waited for a while, but received no instructions.
He wanted to say that he had brought his personal seal, but before he could speak, he saw that his elder sister had already turned around...
Enough! In the end, he was just being delusional!
Soon, the grand procession set off from the prefectural government office, including Prince Rui, the three imperial heirs, the governor, and the deputy governor.
Even though the rain continued, many people still stopped to watch the huge procession.
The group first went to the nearby Shuyufang, where, in front of the onlookers, they announced the meeting between the ward master and the ward's military commander.
Fang Zheng was a small old man with white hair and beard, who was very well-groomed. He couldn't help but feel nervous when he saw such a large scene.
Yan Wenyuan stepped forward, looked around, and spoke loudly:
"Recently, thieves have broken into Bailu Prefecture and spread rumors that our county's mint is counterfeiting inferior currency, thus confusing the public."
His Highness, with keen insight, has determined that these rumors are completely baseless slanders.
I've come here to remind you that if you discover any rumors, you must report them immediately. Don't be misled by those wicked people. Do you understand?
The old man's legs began to tremble after listening for only half a minute, and the surrounding people fell into a deathly silence.
The issue of counterfeit money... it's not a rumor, everyone knows it...
He looked up shakily and found that the prince and the governor in front of him were both frowning and glaring, exuding righteousness. He was stunned and dared not speak.
At this moment, Qin Zhaoqiong stepped forward.
"I am an imperial envoy dispatched by the court to provide disaster relief. The water management strategy of Bailu Prefecture is timely and effective, serving as a model for all prefectures and counties."
Rumors of counterfeit money arose from nowhere, and some unscrupulous individuals even attempted to exploit the water situation to incite unrest among the people.
Prince Rui supervised the mint for thirteen years without any mishaps, so it is highly unlikely that he minted inferior coins.
I have discovered that this is a conspiracy by treacherous villains, whose intentions are utterly despicable!
You must strengthen your vigilance and not let that scoundrel get his way.
Anyone who discovers clues to rumors and reports them will be richly rewarded by the imperial court!
What else was there to say? The old man bowed respectfully and replied, "Yes!"
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