Bai Chuxiao grew impatient. "Alright, Aunt Xie, I have no interest in knowing where that money went. I want you to produce the corresponding amount within ten days, or you can keep those words to yourself and tell the Prefect of the Capital."
Madam Xie wrung out her handkerchief. She knew she had to find a way to raise the money quickly, otherwise that wretched girl would likely not let her off the hook. "I will do my best..."
Seeing this, the old lady smiled again and asked kindly, "I wonder when His Highness Prince Yan wishes to set the wedding date?"
Chu Tianze calmly sipped his tea. "Madam, I will leave everything to Xiaoxiao's discretion."
Bai Chuxiao smiled faintly, "Grandmother, Father, let's not rush this matter. Let's wait until Aunt Xie returns my mother's dowry."
Bai Linan and the old lady could only nod helplessly, inwardly cursing Xie Shi to the core.
After seeing Chu Tianze off from the mansion, Bai Chuxiao turned and returned to her own Liuli Courtyard, only to find Zhang Yue sitting in the courtyard.
"Miss Zhang, what's going on?"
"Yue'er originally had something to say, but she didn't expect such a thing to happen to the Bai family. Will this bother Sister Bai?"
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "It's alright, Sister Yue'er, please speak freely."
Zhang Yue looked somewhat worried. "His Majesty entrusted my father with investigating the Crown Prince's assassination attempt. I'm sure Sister Bai knows about it."
"Sister Yue'er, do you want me to ask the Prince of Yan to help your father?"
"Nothing can be hidden from you, Sister Bai. I know this is a bit presumptuous of me, but I don't know if you'd be willing to help me. If you're not, that's fine too," Zhang Yue said excitedly.
"Excuse my frankness, but your father may not necessarily need His Highness the Prince of Yan's help in this matter."
Bai Chuxiao didn't believe Zhang Yu, who had risen to the position of Prefect of Jingzhao, was incompetent. Investigating the matter wasn't difficult; the challenge lay in the consequences of reporting it to His Majesty. This affair was clearly connected to several princes, and through his actions, he had offended these powerful figures in the capital. He would inevitably face repercussions in the future, and who knew how many years His Majesty had left to live?
Zhang Yue bit her lip, "But..."
Bai Chuxiao didn't dislike the cute, straightforward girl in front of her who seemed to have no ulterior motives.
So he smiled and said, "Sister Yue'er, there's no need to worry. I believe your father knows what's going on."
"Alright, I believe you, Sister Bai. If you're free, why don't you come with Yue'er to the Jingzhao Prefecture for a visit?" Zhang Yue started laughing carefree again.
Bai Chuxiao smiled and nodded. After all, she had just brought up the Jingzhao Prefecture in front of Madam Xie. If she went now, Madam Xie would also be on edge, which would mean getting the money sooner. So, she happily left with Lanxin and Qingzhu.
She was right. No sooner had she left than a maidservant reported this to Madam Xie, and sure enough, it startled Madam Xie.
This wretched girl has really gotten herself involved with the Jingzhao Prefecture. What if she suddenly changes her mind and doesn't give her ten days? What if I really go to see the officials? What will happen to Wan'er? What will happen to my son? If Bai Haoyun has a mother in jail, I'm afraid his career prospects are hopeless.
Thinking of this, Madam Xie couldn't care less about anything else. Her family was important, but her son was even more important. So she hurriedly led her people to the Marquis of Wenxin's residence.
Qing Shuang helped Bai Chuxiao down from the carriage, and Qing Zhu pointed to the person standing outside the government office, "Miss, isn't that Mo Yan?"
Zhang Yue smiled and said, "Yes, we should thank them a lot these past few days."
As they were speaking, Mo Yan had already seen them and quickly stepped forward to bow to Bai Chuxiao, saying, "This subordinate greets Miss. What brings you here, Miss?"
"You're the only one guarding this place with everyone? Nothing happened, right...?" Bai Chuxiao asked with a smile.
"One subordinate is enough; those scoundrels won't dare approach," Mo Yan said with a hint of pride.
Qingzhu snorted, "Come on, are you really that good?"
Mo Yan chuckled and scratched his head. He wasn't bragging, okay? He and Mo Wen weren't ordinary guards; they had followed the prince through thick and thin for years. Although they didn't hold official positions, they were the prince's right and left assistants, and they were all-around capable...
Bai Chuxiao tapped Qingzhu on the head and laughed, "You, you're not allowed to laugh at others. You should learn from Mo Yan and stop being so loud and boisterous all the time."
Qingzhu pouted; she had no intention of learning from Mo Yan, that blockhead.
"Alright, Mo Yan, just do your own thing and don't worry about me. I'm just here to play with Yue'er today."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Seeing how respectful even the Prince of Yan's confidants were to Bai Chuxiao, Zhang Yue couldn't help but reassess Bai's importance in the Prince of Yan's heart. Inviting Bai today was indeed the right decision.
Upon entering the inner hall, Zhang Yu was also somewhat surprised, "Miss Bai?"
Zhang Yue shook Zhang Yu's arm and mumbled, "Dad, it was Yue'er who invited Sister Bai to come and play."
Zhang Yu glared at her, then smiled and said, "Yue'er is a bit mischievous, Miss Bai, please don't take offense. I am very happy to welcome Miss Bai today."
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "Lord Zhang, you're too kind."
A maidservant brought in a food box. "Master," she said, "this is food for the one in prison."
Zhang Yu summoned an elderly doctor to examine him. After a short while, the doctor nodded. Bai Chuxiao raised an eyebrow at this. Zhang Yu was indeed meticulous in his work.
Seeing that there were no problems, Zhang Yu felt relieved and smiled at Bai Chuxiao, saying, "It's alright, don't worry."
She then summoned a guard and ordered him to escort the maid to the prison.
"etc……"
Bai Chuxiao asked, puzzled, "Lanxin, is there a problem?"
Lanxin stepped forward, opened the food box again, took out the chopsticks, examined them for a moment, and said, "Miss, these chopsticks are poisoned."
The old doctor quickly stepped forward, and after a moment, said, "That's right, these chopsticks are highly poisonous. I was careless and almost caused a major disaster. Please forgive me, sir."
The maid was also startled, since the food had passed through her hands, so she quickly knelt down, "Please forgive me, sir..."
The chopsticks looked no different from usual, but their contents had been completely altered. This pair had clearly been infused with poison by someone with malicious intent. At first glance, they appeared normal, but if a prisoner were to use them, they would bleed from all seven orifices and die within moments.
Zhang Yu's face was ashen. He had taken every precaution, yet things still almost went wrong. He personally supervised and checked the food every day, but someone still managed to slip up. No wonder things had been so calm these past two days.
"We'll need more Miss Bai this time, otherwise..."
Bai Chuxiao smiled slightly, "It's alright, Lord Zhang, why don't you make a decision sooner rather than later? Dragging it out like this will only make things worse."
Zhang Yu's eyes darkened slightly. He was right; the person behind the scenes was relentless, so he wouldn't be polite either. The future was uncertain, but if he messed things up now, he wouldn't be able to talk about the future.
“Miss Bai is right. I have indeed made progress regarding Zi Yan’s matter, and now I am just waiting for a suitable opportunity to report to His Majesty. Thank you very much, Your Highness Prince Yan, for your help these past few days.”
"You're too kind, Lord Zhang. Please don't hesitate to ask if there's anything I can help you with."
If Chu Tianze were to tell this, His Majesty would inevitably become suspicious. It's different if Zhang Yu tells it; if he reports the truth and makes Chu Tianling suffer, then having Chu Tianze speak on his behalf isn't out of the question.
Zhang Yu understood what she meant, and said gratefully, "Thank you, Miss Bai."
"In that case, I won't disturb your investigation any longer, Lord Zhang. Sister Yue'er, let's reschedule for another day."
Zhang Yue'er smiled sweetly, "Okay, Sister Bai, Yue'er will give it to you..."
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