Feng Linyuan raised his head. His fingers gently caressed the hair by her ear, then slid across Bai Zheng's cheek, leaving a soft kiss on her lips.
"Zheng'er mustn't have any mishaps," Feng Linyuan stared deeply at Bai Zheng and slowly smiled. That smile seemed brighter and warmer than ever. "I'll never let Zheng'er leave me."
"Okay. I'll do as you say."
Bai Zheng replied, a faint smile on her lips. It held a bit of helplessness but was also filled with sweetness.
Since they were going to thoroughly investigate Feng Jingxuan's death, Feng Linche ordered the Third Prince's Mansion to be sealed off. He also dispatched five hundred imperial guards to guard and monitor all entrances and exits.
Those who attended the dinner that day were not allowed to leave the Third Prince's Mansion.
The entire Third Prince's Mansion was tightly guarded, like an impregnable fortress where not even a fly could get out.
The guests were trembling in fear, afraid that the fire of trouble would burn them. Even the servants who went to purchase daily necessities and kitchen ingredients had to go through strict inspections by the guards at the entrances and exits before they could pass.
Since they were already there, Bai Zheng and Feng Linyuan simply stayed in the guest courtyard. They were taken good care of by Uncle Zhu. Coupled with the new medicine prepared by Doctor Zhou that he brought, after a day and night of rest, Bai Zheng had recovered a great deal.
As Bai Zheng's body quickly recovered, Feng Linyuan's mood gradually calmed down.
Everyone in the mansion was busy taking care of themselves, and hardly anyone bothered them. The couple finally had a rare day of leisure.
It was only after Bai Zheng woke up that she learned about the death of the Third Prince, Feng Jingxuan, who was unfortunately killed in the fire. She couldn't help but feel a bit sad.
Although all the evidence now pointed directly at the Crown Prince, Feng Jingye, no one knew better than Bai Zheng that he was not the real arsonist.
The arsonists were clearly Bai Sheng and Zhuo Lingxiao!
Thinking that Feng Jingye had gotten into trouble just after they formed an alliance, Bai Zheng felt a headache coming on.
Nevertheless, she didn't rush to expose Bai Sheng and Zhuo Lingxiao. Firstly, Bai Sheng was one thing, but Zhuo Lingxiao was the heir of the Western Liang. His status was special, and to accuse him, she needed solid evidence.
But now the fire scene was in a complete mess, and those pieces of evidence were probably already burned to ashes.
Secondly, Feng Linche had issued the order to investigate the case out of helplessness. Based on her understanding of Feng Linche, this cold - blooded emperor didn't really want to help Feng Jingxuan out of father - son affection.
After all, to him, his sons were just pawns used to consolidate his throne. It didn't matter who killed Feng Jingxuan or how miserably he died. What was important was what benefits he could gain from this.
Thirdly, among Feng Linche's sons, only the Crown Prince, Feng Jingye, was now capable of being of great use. Just based on this, Feng Linche would definitely do everything he could to protect his son.
Since Feng Jingye's position as the Crown Prince was stable and unshakable, why should she get involved and bring trouble upon herself?
After thinking everything through, Bai Zheng let it go and continued to recuperate in peace.
"I haven't been back for a day. I'm afraid Zhuling and Moli must be worried," Bai Zheng sat by the window, propping her chin with her left hand. Her right hand casually tapped on the snow - in - summer on the windowsill.
"I've already sent someone to inform them," Feng Linyuan put down the intelligence from outside that the spies had just brought in. He replied softly, "It's just right for them to take a vacation."
Although the defense of the Third Prince's Mansion was strict, it was like a piece of cake for Feng Linyuan.
The spies he had previously placed in the Third Prince's Mansion were not in vain. They continuously sent in information. So although Feng Linyuan hadn't left the room all day, he knew everything that was going on outside better than anyone else.
Bai Zheng nodded. As if remembering something, she curved her eyebrows and smiled, "Now Zhuling can finally fulfill her wish and go out to play with Qingyao."
Just as she was speaking, she saw a eunuch - looking person walking towards the room.
"This servant pays respects to the Marquis of Dingyuan and the Marquise," the eunuch walked in and respectfully bowed to them.
Feng Linyuan narrowed his eyes slightly and recognized this person as the eunuch beside Feng Linche. "Please rise, Your Excellency."
"Thank you, Marquis. His Majesty has an order. Please go to the main hall, Marquis and Marquise."
Hearing this, Bai Zheng quickly exchanged a look with Feng Linyuan.
It seemed that even if they wanted to stay out of this, there were people who didn't want them to.
Feng Linyuan nodded slightly, stood up with Bai Zheng, and said loudly, "Please lead the way, Your Excellency."
When Feng Linyuan and Bai Zheng stepped into the main hall of the Third Prince's Mansion, almost all the relevant people were already there.
Feng Linche sat at the upper seat of the main hall, shrouded in shadow. His expression was hard to make out. The expressions of the others were a colorful display.
Princess Yunxi had changed into a white dress and wore a white flower on her head. She stood beside Consort Yi, who was also in white. Her face was still pale, and the tear - stains were half - dry.
She had been glaring at Feng Jingye with hatred and jealousy. When she saw Feng Linyuan and Bai Zheng come in, she shifted her gaze and stared fixedly at the two of them.
Consort Yi slumped in the chair. Obviously, she was exhausted from crying. She was opening her swollen eyes, looking dull.
The father - son pair of Zhuo Yi and Zhuo Lingxiao looked gloating. They sat at the lower left of Feng Linche. Feng Jingye and Queen Chu sat at the lower right, frowning as if they had something on their minds.
Feng Jingyi looked at Bai Zheng with a bit of worry but didn't say anything. Bai Sheng, on the other hand, stared at Bai Zheng with a fierce look in his eyes.
Feng Linyuan frowned. He keenly sensed that something was amiss.
He took Bai Zheng's hand, led her forward to pay their respects, and then asked, "I wonder what important matter His Majesty has summoned this official and his wife for?"
"You still have the nerve to ask!" It was Princess Yunxi's shrill voice.
"Yunxi, don't be rude," Zhuo Yi said calmly.
Princess Yunxi glared at Zhuo Yi aggrievedly and unwillingly. Finally, she turned her head, her chest heaving violently, looking extremely angry.
Feng Linche slightly raised his head, looking at Bai Zheng and Feng Linyuan with a sinister look in his eyes. He didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point with a gloomy face.
"Miss Bai has testified that it was your Marquise, Bai Zheng, who set fire to the side - courtyard storeroom, which caused the explosion in the fireworks room and led to the innocent death of the Third Prince. Bai Zheng, what do you have to say for yourself?"
What could she say? Wasn't this clearly the villain filing a complaint first!
Bai Zheng sneered in her heart.
Feng Linyuan's face instantly darkened. Then he gave a faint sneer, "This is really interesting. Zheng'er was framed and trapped in the fire. She almost lost her life, and her body still hasn't fully recovered. If this official hadn't risked his life to rescue her from the fire, she would have been a lonely soul by now.
Now, before this official has had the chance to seek justice for Zheng'er, there are some people who are already splashing dirty water on us?
Miss Bai, is that you?"
As Feng Linyuan said this, he turned around and looked meaningfully at Bai Sheng.