Thinking of her father's current situation, Yun Xi felt a heavy weight in her heart. She couldn't help taking a deep breath and patting her own cheeks to cheer herself up as soon as possible.
"Stop thinking about those useless things. For now, we'll just take one step at a time!"
Yun Xi waved the document given to her by the queen in her hand, lifted her lips, and said to Yu Zhu,
"Come on. Let's go to the death - row cell in the Capital Prefecture to see Yun Ni!"
As the saying goes, a fall into the pit, a gain in your wit. After the incident with the crown prince, Yun Ni must have suffered a lot and should have learned to be more obedient.
Although she didn't have any sisterly affection for this younger sister, since Yun Qi had pleaded with her like that, she couldn't really stand by and watch Yun Ni die!
After leaving Yonghe Palace, Yun Xi took a carriage straight to the Capital Prefecture.
Seeing the queen's personal document with the phoenix seal of the queen on the signature, a flicker of surprise flashed across Liang Sheng's eyes, and then he nodded.
He stared at Yun Xi intently and couldn't help asking curiously,
"How did the princess convince Her Majesty the Queen?"
You should know that the queen was the most furious person when the crown prince was poisoned and fell into a coma.
She had summoned him to the palace more than once to inquire about the details of the case. Moreover, she had hinted to him to use torture on Yun Ni. On the surface, it was to force Yun Ni to confess the truth, but in fact, it was to vent her anger!
Because the emperor had given instructions to Liang Sheng early on that before the case was investigated clearly, no torture should be used on the second young lady of the Prime Minister's Mansion to extract a confession.
So, Liang Sheng didn't take the queen's words to heart.
Moreover, there were many doubts in the case, and he needed to conduct further investigations. Using torture privately would be of no help to the case. On the contrary, the torture in the prison would be unbearable for a pampered young lady like Yun Ni!
Facing Liang Sheng's question, Yun Xi just gave a faint smile and replied vaguely,
"Her Majesty the Queen and I have the same goal. There's nothing strange about this."
However, with Liang Sheng's upright way of handling things, she couldn't tell him about the Taoist priest.
If Liang Sheng knew that the suspect they were looking for in the Capital Prefecture was currently staying in the Prime Minister's Mansion, he would surely send people to arrest the person. He might even not allow her to interfere in the case handled by the Capital Prefecture!
Hearing this, Liang Sheng's sharp eyes flashed slightly, and then he suddenly smiled and said,
"Since the princess is not convenient to say, I won't ask further."
After saying that, Liang Sheng immediately called a jailer, gave him a token, and said in a deep voice,
"Take the princess to the western dungeon to see the second young lady of the Prime Minister's Mansion. The time limit is one hour."
"Thank you, Lord Liang!"
Yun Xi curtsied to Liang Sheng and followed the jailer towards the western dungeon.
When there was no one around, Liang Sheng stood still on the spot, looking at Yun Xi's departing back and didn't leave for a long time.
Suddenly, a guard appeared silently behind Liang Sheng. Liang Sheng turned his head, stared at the guard fixedly, and said,
"Tell the prince that the princess has already grasped the clues. That Taoist priest is currently in the Prime Minister's Mansion, and the queen has also joined in. I'm afraid that it won't be long before the princess can find out the truth."
Then, Liang Sheng took out an envelope from his sleeve and handed it to the guard.
"The Li family has now reached into the imperial prison. This is the list of Jinyiwei secretly bought by the Li family. Yun Sheng's life is in danger. Ask the prince to give instructions as soon as possible."
"Yes!"
The guard took the letter, immediately left the mansion, mounted his horse, and rode straight in the direction of Lingchuan!
Lingchuan
Since Yun Xi left, Qi Rong had been in a low - pressure state. However, since the project of building dikes and bridges was at a crucial stage, he couldn't leave. So he could only vent his anger on those who were lazy and slippery.
Qi Rong had endless ways to punish people. Whether it was an official or a worker building the dike, anyone who was derelict in their duties or slacking off would be immediately dragged in front of everyone by Qi Rong for punishment.
Those who cared about their face would be publicly humiliated, losing all their dignity and sneaking around when they saw people; those who loved money would be fined until they were almost penniless, with only a pair of pants left!
In short, Qi Rong treated the symptoms. Whatever others were most afraid of, he would do it.
As a result, everyone didn't dare to slack off for a moment. Finally, the whole team worked together and shortened the one - year - long project by more than three months!
At night, Qi Rong sat in the study. Looking at the letter from Liang Sheng in his hand, his eyebrows frowned deeper and deeper.
"Master, this is the current situation in the capital. Qiu Daoji is no longer useful. What should we do next?"
Yang Cheng looked at Qi Rong's gloomy face timidly and carefully asked for instructions.
Since Qi Rong came to Lingchuan, too many things had happened in the capital, and Qiu Daoji's defection was beyond their expectation!
After all, before meeting Qi Rong, Qiu Daoji was just a wandering warlock. It was Qi Rong who had gradually promoted him to his current position.
Unexpectedly, the vicious dog they had raised with great effort would one day turn its sharp teeth against its master!
Qi Rong's black eyes narrowed slightly, exuding a cold and burning chill.
"Since he dares to do this, he must be prepared to bear the consequences. Let him enjoy his freedom for a few days. When I go back, I'll settle accounts with him myself!"
He hated being betrayed the most in his life!
Although Qiu Daoji was just a pawn in his hand, he knew quite a few of his secrets. If such a person turned against him, it would have a certain impact on his future plans.
Since Qiu Daoji dared to have contacts with the Li family behind his back, he must have had second thoughts!
Therefore, he must eliminate the root of the trouble before the other person was still wavering and had not yet posed a threat to his plan.
After Yang Cheng left, just as Qi Rong was about to leave the study, Nightingale walked over, saluted respectfully, and said with a troubled expression,
"Your Highness, Miss Yu has come again. She said that no matter what, she must see you today. Otherwise, she will wait outside and won't leave!"
Hearing this, a look of displeasure immediately appeared on Qi Rong's face, and he said coldly,
"Don't pay any attention to her. Let her stay there!"
Just as Qi Rong finished speaking, he suddenly noticed that one side of Nightingale's cheek seemed to be swollen.
"What's wrong with your face?"
Qi Rong's eyes were cold, and he vaguely guessed something in his heart. His handsome face couldn't help showing anger.
"It's okay. I accidentally angered Miss Yu."
Nightingale covered her cheek and didn't seem to care. She didn't tell Qi Rong about Yu Xueming's bad behavior just now.
People of her status were already used to the cold words and even various tortures from others. She didn't really care about that little humiliation.
Hearing Nightingale's words, Qi Rong didn't restrain his anger. His eyebrows were cold as he said,
"Come on. Go with me to see Yu Xueming."
Saying that, he took steps and walked out of the door with anger.
Since Yu Xueming had helped Yun Xi to escape from his side secretly, Qi Rong had always treated Yu Xueming coldly and even ignored her directly.
This attitude was even more crushing to Yu Xueming than his previous half - ignoring attitude!
Although she had repeatedly explained that she was coerced by Yun Xi, who was Qi Rong? He scoffed at Yu Xueming's words and even issued an order to expel the Yu siblings on the spot!