Chapter 318 Leaving her such a huge trouble
“It’s not that serious,” Xiao Yunheng chuckled gently. “It just requires Lord Shen to help me find a way to rescue someone from the imperial prison, just like last time. With enough help, the rescue of Princess Qinghe will go more smoothly.”
"Whom does the Crown Prince need me to save?"
"Yan Wenhong, the former heir of the Loyal and Diligent Earl."
Shen Ci'an frowned.
Yan Wenhong, Yan Wenkang's elder brother, insisted on taking all the blame for the case of hoarding troops. He was spared because he had a certificate of merit bestowed by the Holy Ancestor that prevented him from being severely tortured, and he was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison.
Shen Ci'an frowned. "Yan Wenhong hates Princess Qinghe to the bone. If we release him from the imperial prison, it may be detrimental to Princess Qinghe."
It was because of the young lady's scheme that Yan Wenhong's stockpiling of troops was exposed. If he hadn't been imprisoned by Lu Yuan and unable to communicate with the outside world, Yan Wenhong would have definitely caused trouble for the young lady long ago.
"Lord Shen need not worry about this. I have discussed with Prince Su that after rescuing him, we will send him to the northern border and never let him return to the capital. Princess Qinghe will be fine."
“Prince Su, Xiao Chengjin?” Shen Ci’an raised an eyebrow.
During the time the young lady left the capital, Xiao Chengjin was dealt with by the group of them and has been hiding in the Prince Su's mansion ever since.
Xiao Yunheng laughed, "Yes, Yan Wenhong is a confidant of Prince Su. Prince Su promised that as long as Yan Wenhong is rescued, all of Yan Wenhong's secret cronies can be used by me."
Xiao Xuanyou has eliminated all the secret guards and assassins that Xiao Yunheng has trained for many years, and now he can only try to recruit as many people as possible.
Shen Ci'an pondered, "Lu Yuan is not stupid, and Yan Wenhong's crimes are too serious. I can't use the emperor's edict to bring him out of the prison like last time."
"Lord Shen, please consider it," Xiao Yunheng said with his usual amiable expression. "You can give me your answer when you've made up your mind. There's no rush."
Shen Ci'an pursed her lips.
Xiao Yunheng was naturally not in a hurry; it was he who was anxious.
It's not impossible to rescue Yan Wenhong, but that would definitely anger Lu Yuan.
He thought for a moment and said, "Saving people is fine, but the Prince of Xiang must grant me one request."
Half a month later, Lu Yuan, dressed in a flying fish robe, stormed into the Shen residence with a fierce and sinister expression. Ignoring Steward Lin's obstruction, he rushed in, grabbed Shen Ci'an's collar, and held the embroidered spring knife directly to his neck.
"Shen Ci'an, how dare you kidnap my suspect?" His voice was cold and deep.
Shen Ci'an waved for Steward Lin to leave, and said calmly, "What is the meaning of this, Lord Lu?"
Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes. "You dared to abduct Yan Wenhong from the imperial prison while I was away on a case in Jing County. Who gave you the guts?"
"Lord Lu is joking. How could I dare to abduct someone from the imperial prison?" Shen Ci'an's face remained expressionless. "Moreover, Yan Wenhong was abducted on his way out of prison for medical treatment. The Embroidered Uniform Guard was not keeping a close watch on him and bears an unshirkable responsibility."
He smiled enigmatically, "Does Lord Lu intend to help his subordinate escape punishment and shift the blame onto me?"
Lu Yuan sneered and loosened his collar.
"You think I don't know that you conspired with the Crown Prince of Xiang to do this?"
First, Shen Ci'an came with the Emperor's decree to check on Yan Wenhong's injuries. It is unknown what he fed him, but after Shen Ci'an left, Yan Wenhong foamed at the mouth and bled from all seven orifices.
Since he was not in Kyoto, his subordinates were afraid that Yan Wenhong had died. They consulted several doctors, but none of them could find a solution. They had no choice but to take Yan Wenhong out to find Doctor Xue, who was known for his eccentric temperament.
The person was kidnapped halfway through the journey.
Lu Yuan received the message by carrier pigeon and rushed back without stopping.
A little thought reveals that this was definitely a scheme set up by Shen Ci'an and Xiao Yunheng.
Shen Ci'an raised an eyebrow. "Lord Lu truly lives up to his reputation as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He doesn't need evidence to solve cases; he can arrest people based solely on his conjecture."
Lu Yuan's expression grew even uglier. "Don't you know the consequences of releasing Yan Wenhong from the imperial prison?"
"He's vindictive and would kill A-Zhi to vent his anger. How dare you leave such a huge threat to her in the capital?"
He wasn't particularly angry because the kidnapped suspect was due to his subordinates' incompetence, which gave Shen Ci'an the opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
However, Shen Ci'an, as Azhi's husband, disregarded her safety and acted recklessly in order to curry favor with Xiao Yunheng and climb to a high position.
How could he possibly tolerate this?
Shen Ci'an clenched his fist hidden in his sleeve, his voice calm, "I said, this matter has nothing to do with me. Lord Lu, if you have so much free time, you should hurry up and arrest the person."
“Shen Ci’an, you are not worthy of A-Zhi at all,” Lu Yuan sheathed his sword, his face cold. “I will never let her stay by your side again.”
A mocking glint appeared in Shen Ci'an's eyes. "She is my wife. It is truly inappropriate for Lord Lu to address her so intimately."
"If Azhi gets into trouble because of Yan Wenhong in the future, I will not let you off the hook." Lu Yuan said this and left.
Shen Ci sat calmly in his chair, reaching out to smooth his clothes.
"Yan Wenhong won't have that chance," he murmured to himself.
*
The factional strife outside did not bother Jiang Zhi, who was in the Eastern Palace.
These days she spends her days leisurely in Qingfang Palace, occasionally playing a few rounds of chess with Li Jinyan and listening to her talk about interesting things outside.
When Jiang Zhi heard Li Jinyan talk about how, after she left the capital, Xiao Yunheng wanted to expand his power through marriage, but Li Jinyan and Prime Minister Li repeatedly thwarted his plans, she couldn't help but laugh so hard she almost fell over.
“If only my sister were still here,” Li Jinyan sighed sadly. “She was so free-spirited, she would definitely get along with you very well.”
Jiang Zhi held her hand, "Your sister must be very pleased to see how much you care about her and how you're plotting revenge for her."
As the two were talking, footsteps came from the doorway.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"
As the palace maids announced her arrival, the Empress stepped in, surrounded by a crowd. Her pearl and jade hairpins swayed gently with her lotus-like steps, her movements graceful and dignified.
Li Jinyan and Jiang Zhi were startled, not expecting the Empress to come, and immediately bowed and paid their respects.
"Get up." The Empress's voice was unreadable as she sat down on the chair brought by the palace servants.
Just as Jiang Zhi was about to get up with Li Jinyan, she heard a majestic voice from above her head, "Did I tell you to get up?"
Jiang Zhi naturally knew that the Empress was referring to her, so she sighed and knelt back down properly.
"Mother..." Li Jinyan began to speak, but was stopped by a cold look from the Empress.
"What, can't I accept her kneeling?"
“That’s not what I meant,” Li Jinyan explained. “It’s just that Princess Qinghe was shot while saving His Highness the Crown Prince, and she hasn’t fully recovered yet. I’m afraid that kneeling for too long will harm her.”
The Empress glanced at Jiang Zhi.
She was aware of this matter and was grateful for Jiang Zhi's selfless act.
Furthermore, the Crown Prince had already informed Jiang Zhi about her entering the Eastern Palace beforehand.
But she always felt uneasy.
She didn't believe that the Crown Prince had trapped people here simply to deal with Xiao Yunheng.
Furthermore, Xie Qi turned against the Crown Prince because of her...
Even knowing the inside story, their feelings for this Princess Qinghe were genuine.
I came here today just to give her a warning.
“I know what I’m doing, no need to say more,” she waved her hand. “Your Highness, please take your leave. I have something to ask Princess Qinghe.”
"Mother, I'll stay with you..."
"Does this Empress intend to eat Princess Qinghe?" The Empress frowned, her anger rising.
Li Jinyan dared not say more.
There's no point in staying here; I'd better hurry and get reinforcements.
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