"The General's Mansion is innocent! Where's the so - called evidence!"
"Zheng would never dare to lie. I've brought the evidence specifically for you, Uncle," Bai Zheng said as she took out the letter that Nianming had copied in advance from her sleeve and presented it to Bai Yizhang with both hands.
Looking at this letter, Bai Yizhang's uneasiness grew stronger. He had a hunch that this was no good thing and was even a bit afraid to take it. He steadied his nerves, took the letter, and skimmed through it. The more he read, the more shocked he became.
On it, in Bai Yinan's handwriting, it said, "Though your younger brother doesn't dare not follow your wishes, yet there's a flood in the south town, and the common people are suffering. The 200,000 taels of silver concerns the lives of countless commoners. I hope you'll think twice."
Below it, clearly, was his own handwriting.
Just a single character, "Good".
Bai Yizhang held the letter. The silk was light and soft, but at this moment, it seemed as heavy as a thousand pounds, making it hard for him to breathe.
This single character "Good", even if it wasn't an exact match, was enough to cost him, and the entire General's Mansion, their lives.
An ordinary official who embezzles might at most be executed. But he was a great general, a general with military power who was already feared by the emperor. Wouldn't it be... Bai Yizhang felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, shivering from head to toe.
Bai Zheng watched coldly. Bai Nianjin had been taught to read and write by Bai Yinan since childhood, so her handwriting was already similar to his. It was easy for her to imitate. As for Bai Yizhang's handwriting...
"It would be difficult for other officials, but fortunately, we've kept some of your letters at home. A single character 'Good' can still be copied perfectly. What do you think, Uncle?"
"You wicked girl! You're seeking death!" Bai Yizhang's eyes were filled with killing intent. He turned around, picked up the sword on the stand, neatly cut the letter in half, then pointed the blade at Bai Zheng and struck at her ferociously.
Bai Zheng looked at Bai Yizhang with her cold eyes, showing no sign of retreat. When Bai Yizhang's sword blade came at her, she even curled the corner of her lips. Her calm and death - like appearance brought Bai Yizhang back to his senses. The sword blade grazed Bai Zheng's hair, hitting her hairpin and making a clear sound, and finally landed at her feet.
"Uncle is still rational. If I really die here today, it would be worth it to have the 73 people of the General's Mansion accompany me to the grave."
"You're not afraid of death!" Bai Yizhang slumped down. All his previous majesty had vanished.
"Zheng believes that Uncle has made great military achievements on the battlefield and is not an impulsive person. Since I dared to bring this letter to you today, Uncle should know that it would be no difficult task for me to make a copy for everyone in the family. If I don't send Zhuling back to report within an hour, the General's Mansion will be in great trouble, which I'm sure Uncle doesn't want to see."
Bai Yizhang slumped back into his chair and sat down, rubbing his temples. "What do you want?"
Bai Zheng smiled slightly. "I want my father to come back safely."
"The emperor attaches great importance to your father's case and has specifically ordered the Ministry of Justice to conduct a strict trial. I'm powerless. All I can do is create momentum and let the court officials plead for mercy. But as you said, everyone outside knows that your father is my younger brother. My plea won't have much effect."
"Zheng actually has a plan. As long as Uncle is willing to help, it shouldn't be difficult for the General's Mansion to provide a few highly skilled people."
Bai Yizhang looked up. "You want to rescue him from prison?"
"Uncle is joking. Zheng would never have such a bold and reckless idea. It's just that some things can only be done by highly skilled people. All the people in the Bai Mansion are gentle scholars, and the servants in the Bai Mansion can at most guard the house. So I need to borrow some people from the General's Mansion."
You don't have a bold and reckless idea? Bai Yizhang felt a tightness in his chest. He felt a rush of blood to his head, and his temples throbbed. After a long while, he called out, "Bai Heng."
Suddenly, a young man in black appeared in the room. He appeared so quickly that Bai Zheng didn't even see how he came in.
Bai Yizhang ordered, "You'll follow the Third Miss's orders tonight."
Bai Heng hesitated for a moment, then bowed and said, "Yes."
Bai Zheng glanced at Bai Heng and was quite satisfied with his skills. "Uncle, Zheng also wants to borrow some of your letters with the important court officials. You're a first - rank general, different from my father's third - rank official position. Your letters are more worth copying than my father's."
"You..."
Bai Zheng stepped out of the room. Zhuling quickly stepped forward to support her. "Miss, did the eldest master agree?"
Bai Zheng nodded. "The things have been sent by Uncle's people. Go back first and tell Nianming."
Zhuling said happily, "Then Master will be saved? This servant will go back right away!" After saying that, she curtsied and turned to leave in a hurry.
Bai Zheng watched Zhuling's back, which was in a hurry but also filled with joy. A warm feeling welled up in her heart. In this battle, she had many helpers, and there were also many loyal servants in the Bai Mansion.
It wasn't until Zhuling's figure disappeared around the corner that Bai Zheng turned around and walked into the courtyard. By now, the sky had turned a dark blue. The snow had stopped again, and a half - moon could be faintly seen on the horizon.
Bai Zheng's frozen red face was hidden in the white fur trim of her red fox fur hat. She gently brushed the snow that had fallen on the plum tree in the courtyard.
"How long has my father been arrested?" Bai Zheng suddenly asked.
"Almost two hours," Bai Heng, who had followed behind her at some point, replied.
Bai Zheng looked at the plum tree in front of her, lost in thought. "At this time of the year, the red plum blossoms on Longshan are the most gorgeous. Those people who go to search for plum blossoms in the snow should be back by now, right?"
Bai Heng suddenly looked up. "Miss means..."