Since Xie Jingchu had left Shuozhou in a hurry, Ruan Jiu naturally couldn't afford to idle around.
She had to find evidence of Liang Jingzhuo's guilt and rescue Murong Cheng before Xie Jingchu got the petition signed by ten thousand people. Otherwise, once the matter was exposed, Liang Jingzhuo might just lash out and kill them all to cover his tracks.
But where should she start?
Ruan Jiu sat on a chair, propping her head up with one hand while tapping the table with the other.
Why did Liang Jingzhuo choose to drug the land in Xiling Village?
Suddenly, she recalled what had happened in Taiping Village.
Could it be...
With that thought, Ruan Jiu abruptly stood up and rushed towards Xiao Wang's post - house.
In the post - house, Xiao Wang was calmly sipping his tea.
Ruan Jiu frowned. "Have you even been listening to what I've been saying?"
Xiao Wang put down his teacup and replied indifferently, "Yes, I have."
Ruan Jiu couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Yes, I have." That was all he had to say?
If it weren't for the fact that Xiao Wang was the crown prince, she wouldn't have bothered telling him any of this. But here he was, acting as if it were of no concern at all. This made her blood boil with anger.
Then, Ruan Jiu said seriously, "Your Highness, there must be some dirty secrets hidden in Xiling Village."
"This is all just your speculation," Xiao Wang replied in a deep voice.
Ruan Jiu pursed her lips. "Over the years, Liang Jingzhuo has amassed a fortune in Shuozhou under the guise of being a kind and virtuous official. But as we all know, he has always lived frugally. So where did all that money go?"
Xiao Wang's eyes darkened.
Ruan Jiu continued, "Your Highness, don't you want to find out the truth?"
Xiao Wang stroked his chin.
She had a point.
"Fine. Then I'll go with you to Xiling Village and take a look."
-
Xiling Village.
It was even more dilapidated than Ruan Jiu had imagined.
The ground was covered with dead leaves and twigs that creaked underfoot.
"Sister Shen, why are you here?"
Looking up, she saw A Niu, the boy she had met on the west side of the city that day. He ran towards her excitedly.
Ruan Jiu asked, "Where's Granny Zhou?"
A Niu pointed to a dilapidated house not far away. "I just went to pick some wild vegetables. Granny is going to dry them and store them."
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu felt a pang of sadness.
How hard - pressed could they be that they had to dry and store wild vegetables?
A Niu was such an unfortunate child. His father had died when he was very young, and his mother had run off with someone else, leaving him and Granny Zhou behind. Granny Zhou had raised him all by herself.
"A Niu, have you ever thought about joining the army after the west side of the city is rebuilt?" Ruan Jiu asked.
Although Liang Jingzhuo hadn't been punished that day, in order to maintain his good reputation, he had promised Xiao Wang that after the reconstruction of the west side of the city, he would resettle all the villagers from Xiling Village there. By then, A Niu and his grandmother would at least have a place to live.
Now that A Niu was old enough to join the army, serving in the military would at least bring in some income and ease their hardship.
A Niu pouted. "We don't believe a word Liang Jingzhuo says. Who knows if the west side of the city will ever be rebuilt after His Highness leaves."
After saying that, A Niu stole a nervous glance at Xiao Wang.
Yes, once Xiao Wang returned to the capital, Liang Jingzhuo would be able to do whatever he wanted in Shuozhou.
Xiao Wang didn't say a word. His face remained expressionless except for a slight darkening of his eyes.
Ruan Jiu couldn't figure out what Xiao Wang was thinking.
A Niu continued, "Besides, what's so good about joining the army? You can't go home for a whole year. You don't even know if you'll live or die. Granny is already old. I'd rather stay by her side."
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu was shocked.
Why would A Niu say that?
As far as she knew, soldiers in the army were given a few days off each month to visit their families.
At this moment, Xiao Wang also became suspicious. Frowning, he asked, "Do you know where the army in Shuozhou is stationed?"
A Niu shook his head. "That's a military secret. How would we ordinary people know?"
A secret?
Xiao Wang's frown deepened.
This shouldn't be a secret. The army in each city was supposed to protect the city.
Why did Liang Jingzhuo hide the army in Shuozhou?
Seeing Xiao Wang's worried expression, Ruan Jiu knew what he was worried about.
This could be a serious matter. If Liang Jingzhuo had traitorous intentions, things could be much worse than they thought.
Moreover, Liang Jingzhuo was backed by Gu Kexing.
With that in mind, Ruan Jiu immediately asked, "A Niu, do you know if there's any place in Shuozhou that ordinary people won't or dare not go to?"
A Niu thought carefully and replied, "The Cliff of Self - Sacrifice. I heard from Granny that there's a man - eating monster in there."
Just the name was enough to scare people away.
A man - eating monster?
It seemed to be the same trick as in Taiping Village.
Ruan Jiu continued to ask, "Do you know where the Cliff of Self - Sacrifice is?"
"It's on the mountain behind Xiling Village," A Niu said, pointing into the distance.
Ruan Jiu looked up.
A towering mountain with its peak covered in snow.
Could the army be hidden up there?
But why would Liang Jingzhuo do this?
No wonder Liang Jingzhuo had destroyed Xiling Village. He didn't want anyone to come here and uncover the secrets on the Cliff of Self - Sacrifice.
Just then, Liang Jingzhuo walked over slowly, interrupting Ruan Jiu's questions.
A Niu ran away like a frightened rabbit.
"I wonder why Your Highness and Miss Shen are here?"
Liang Jingzhuo still had that kind smile on his face, but it made Ruan Jiu feel sick to her stomach.
Xiao Wang snorted. "Do I need to report my whereabouts to you?"
Seeing Liang Jingzhuo's embarrassed expression, Ruan Jiu couldn't help but want to laugh.
Sure enough, a higher - ranking official could bully those below. Liang Jingzhuo didn't dare to say a word in front of Xiao Wang.
However, Liang Jingzhuo was a very cautious man. They couldn't let him know their purpose for coming here.
So Ruan Jiu immediately said, "Lord Liang, His Highness is concerned about the people. He specially asked me to accompany him to visit the villagers in Xiling Village."
Hearing this, Liang Jingzhuo's eyes widened as if he had discovered a great secret.
The crown prince was known for his aloofness, yet he was willing to let Miss Shen accompany him.
Well, Miss Shen was indeed a beauty. It wasn't so strange that she had caught the crown prince's eye.
If he had known about this relationship earlier, he would never have dared to act against Miss Shen.
With that thought, Liang Jingzhuo immediately flattered them. "I had a misunderstanding with Miss Shen before. Today, I've prepared some simple wine in my mansion. I hope Your Highness and Miss Shen will do me the honor of joining me."
Ruan Jiu didn't want to go to this dinner. She turned to look at Xiao Wang.
To her surprise, Xiao Wang simply replied, "Sure."