From the moment she fell in love with Qin Jian, her life became worthless. Qingyin Garden, which she had occupied for many years, was destroyed, and the forces behind it were also exposed. If it weren't for the merits she had made in previous years, her master would never have kept her by his side.
He thought that as long as he followed his master and pulled off one big heist, he could turn his life around completely. But he never expected that even his master would be arrested, and he suffered all kinds of hardships in prison.
During this period, assassins appeared one after another, and she realized that Dongting was not her final destination. Even her master was being assassinated by all sorts of means, let alone her.
Although she was right next to her master, she really didn't know when her master had been replaced. She just couldn't get a response when she spoke to her master, and she thought that her master was not feeling well and didn't want to talk, so she didn't say much. It wasn't until those assassins came in that life-or-death moment, when her sickly master easily dodged the attack and even managed to subdue the assassin, that she realized that it was not her master at all.
The master had been ill for so long and was under the control of He Jiu Niang's drugs, so he didn't have much strength to resist. So, where exactly did they take the master?
Xinran would ask the jailer questions whenever she had the chance, but he ignored her completely. The imposter next to her was even threatening her, saying that if she wanted her master to live, she should keep her mouth shut, otherwise the assassins would find out and the real Third Prince would only become more and more dangerous.
In order to protect her master, Xinran ultimately chose to compromise and even took the initiative to help cover for him.
Now that the dust has settled, the assassins have all been captured, and the forces behind them have been exposed. She asked the jailer about her master's whereabouts, but the jailer still wouldn't tell her. She started to get anxious, and since she happened to run into that fool Zhuo Jiayu, she decided to take advantage of the situation.
Looking at her like this, He Jiuniang said nonchalantly, "You should know that I am the least concerned about threats, especially since you've found an insignificant person to threaten. How much effect can it have?"
"Ha, the daughter of the Duke of Mu's mansion, do you think she's insignificant? If she dies by my hand, dies in this prison, do you think the people of the Duke of Mu's mansion will let it go?"
Although Xinran was somewhat wary of her, nothing was more important than her master right now. The reason she was still clinging to life was because she was locked up with her master and they could at least look after each other. Her master hadn't abandoned her during her most difficult time, and she couldn't abandon her master either.
"What does it matter to me whether you divorce her or not? He raised a daughter himself but didn't take good care of her. He insisted on putting her in the Heavenly Prison to die. It's one thing for her to come, but she even wanted to go in and talk to you. What, can't we talk through these pillars? She's so considerate of you, yet you've taken her hostage. Who knows if she's one of your accomplices? Even if you kill her, you can just spread the word that she colluded with the Eastern Court, and that'll be the end of it."
He Jiuniang rolled her eyes, unconcerned that they had exposed their little trick.
Zhuo Jiayu was terrified. She hadn't colluded with Xinran. The reason she let someone in was because Xinran had promised her that if she went in, she would tell her the secret to making Lu Baichuan like her. She had agreed in a moment of impulsiveness.
What if He Jiuniang really executes me on charges of collusion?
"No, I'm innocent! Please save me, I don't want to die, I'm your own sister!"
In her haste, Zhuo Jiayu disregarded everything else and blurted out the truth about their relationship.
Xinran couldn't help but frown. What was this idiot talking about?
The master already knew He Jiuniang's identity. Although she did have some connection with the Duke of Mu's mansion, she really had nothing to do with this fool. Moreover, the master had been trying to win He Jiuniang over in private, but this fool revealed it in front of so many people.
"Wow, so you're already spreading rumors?"
He Jiuniang sneered, turned her head away and ignored her, instead sitting down at the interrogation table. She wanted to see how this fool would get out of this mess.
"No, you really are my sister, I..."
Seeing that she didn't intend to get involved, and not daring to be too obvious to Lu Baichuan in front of so many people, Zhuo Jiayu thought she should explain the matter of their relationship clearly so that she could be more convincing.
"Shut up!"
Lu Baichuan frowned, then raised his hand behind him, and the unconscious Third Prince was carried in.
Xinran instantly forgot about that idiot Zhuo Jiayu and hurriedly went over to check on her: "Master!"
"I've brought the person to you. As for the young lady from the Duke's mansion, since you two are so close, let her stay here with you."
The soldiers carried the Third Prince into the adjacent cell. Lu Baichuan didn't intend to say anything more, so he ordered his men to leave and lock the cell door.
As for Zhuo Jiayu, let her go in if she wants; she brought this on herself anyway.
As long as the Third Prince's safety is ensured, Xinran won't be foolish enough to actually do anything to Zhuo Jiayu. Instead, she can use Zhuo Jiayu's matter to see how the Duke of Mu's mansion will react, and perhaps even expose the Dongting people behind it.
"General Lu! Sister! No, don't abandon me, waaaaah..."
Zhuo Jiayu was extremely anxious when she saw Lu Baichuan leading He Jiuniang away like that, and she stood at the door calling for help.
Xinran was extremely annoyed and warned through gritted teeth, "If you make another sound and disturb my master, I'll kill you right now!"
"You dare!"
Zhuo Jiayu was furious. She shouldn't have tried anything so desperately. If she hadn't been trying to get close to Lu Baichuan without success, she would have thought of another way. But she ended up getting tricked like this.
She had been well protected by her family since childhood, and never expected that Xinran would lie to her.
"You try and see if I dare."
Xinran snorted coldly, sat down not far away, and began to close her eyes to rest.
Zhuo Jiayu felt very wronged, but when she remembered that she had just cut herself with a piece of porcelain, she immediately stopped making a fuss and sat down on the other side, sobbing softly, waiting for her family to come and rescue her.
I only felt the pain after my body relaxed; my neck was burning. Those people didn't even help me treat my wound.
Especially He Jiuniang, who is clearly her older sister and even a doctor, yet she turns a blind eye to her injuries!
A sense of resentment arose in her heart. She had always thought that if she married into the Lu family in the future, she would definitely get along peacefully with He Jiuniang, so that she could also help her family. But seeing He Jiuniang's attitude towards her, it was another matter whether things would turn out well.
That evening, Lu Baichuan still accompanied He Jiuniang to the military camp outside the city, since their son was still there, but it wouldn't be appropriate to go there.
That very night, news of Zhuo Jiayu's abduction spread far and wide. The next morning, the court was abuzz with talk of it. The officials seized the opportunity to impeach Lu Baichuan, saying he was heartless for failing to rescue the hostage and was unworthy of his position, not deserving to be called the Assistant General.
With so many people impeaching him, Lu Baichuan, who hadn't been attending court recently, was summoned by the Crown Prince and asked to give everyone an explanation in person.
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