Su Mingyu quickly let out an "um". In fact, she didn't think it was a big deal herself.
After all, back in the 21st century, any mission she carried out was more dangerous than this, and she never thought much of it. This Gu Ruobai was really making a mountain out of a molehill.
The two soon arrived at the Su Mansion. Su Mingyu left Gu Ruobai at the door. "Then I'll go back first... You... be careful."
Gu Ruobai nodded. "Mu Yiying will come right away."
Hearing this, Su Mingyu was relieved. She turned around and entered the Su Mansion. At the moment the gate closed, she couldn't help but look back at Gu Ruobai. The sight of that man in his fluttering white robe made Su Mingyu unconsciously recall the scene in the alley.
Her face flushed. Su Mingyu quickened her steps until she returned to her own courtyard. Only then did her mood gradually calm down.
Zhi Zhu looked at her and grinned. "Miss, I heard it was the Prince Ruixian who sent you back?"
Su Mingyu let out an "um". "The news spreads really fast."
"Someone saw you on the way back to the mansion." Zhi Zhu smiled and poured a cup of hot tea for Su Mingyu. "Miss... It seems that you and the Prince Ruixian are getting closer. Good news might be imminent."
Su Mingyu almost choked on the tea. "Do you mean you spend your idle days in the mansion gossiping about me?"
"I'm thinking about your lifelong event, miss. Look, the relationship between the second miss and the Prince Yu is about to be revealed. Since the madam and the master dote on the second miss so much, who knows how much dowry they'll give her."
Zhi Zhu pouted as she spoke. "If you get married later than her, who knows how shabby your dowry will be. We can't let you lose face."
Seeing her so serious, Su Mingyu found it funny. "If I get married earlier, do you think Wang Manwen will give me more dowry?"
"Sure she will." Zhi Zhu's eyes sparkled. "After all, you're the legitimate daughter. No matter what, you should get what you deserve."
Seeing her so eager for her to get together with Gu Ruobai, Su Mingyu felt helpless. "All right, stop talking nonsense. How was Su Yueyue today?"
"I've been watching her all day. She's been in the mansion without any movement." However, Zhi Zhu looked a bit solemn. "I heard from the maid in the madam's courtyard that they seem to have found some clues about that fake Sinan."
"Where did she get the clues?" She was sure she had been very careful. How did Wang Manwen find out?
Zhi Zhu frowned. "I don't know either. It seems they found the silver - filled box. Actually, I think 200 taels of silver is just a drop in the bucket for the madam and the second miss. Why are they in such a hurry?"
Did Su Yueyue tell others that she was only cheated out of 200 taels?
A sneer curled up on Su Mingyu's lips. "I see. Fetch me some hot water. I'm going to take a bath and rest."
Soaking in the warm water, Su Mingyu took a deep breath.
Su Yueyue was acting fast. She was really in the way. If it were in the past, she would have dealt with Su Yueyue and Wang Manwen easily.
But now she couldn't do that. She couldn't let these two die so easily, so she had to be patient.
Early the next morning, Su Mingyu received a message from Qin Chu, saying that the location for the pawnshop had been selected and asking her to go and have a look.
After winding through the streets, Su Mingyu arrived at the location selected by Qin Chu. It was actually quite good.
It was adjacent to the bustling market but not too conspicuous. It was a good place.
She also asked about the price. Since it was in a backstreet, the price was reasonable. Su Mingyu replied to Qin Chu with satisfaction, asking him to buy the whole street, but not to touch any of the shops except the one she wanted to use as the pawnshop.
Although Qin Chu was very puzzled, he also knew that this seemingly delicate young lady actually had her own way of doing things, so he readily accepted the task.
After finishing everything, when Su Mingyu returned to the Su Mansion, she saw a line of people standing in front of her door.
Su Mingyu lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, then immediately understood.
Curving her lips, Su Mingyu walked in very calmly. As soon as she entered the gate, a shiny knife was placed on her neck.
Su Mingyu pretended to be panicked and looked at Su Zhengyi, who was also being held at knifepoint. "Father, what's going on?"
Su Zhengyi didn't even look at her. He just looked pale.
"We're from the Ministry of Punishment. Come with us."
Su Mingyu looked at Su Zhengyi and the panicked Su Yueyue in surprise. Just as she was about to ask what was going on, she was pushed away.
The group was locked in the prison. Su Yueyue curled up in fear. "Mother, what's going on?"
Wang Manwen glanced at Su Zhengyi opposite. "I don't know either, sir... What exactly happened?"
Su Zhengyi's face was gloomy. He just glared at them and then said nothing.
After a while, a tall man walked in. He glanced at Su Zhengyi and asked, "Minister Su, do you know why I've invited you?"
Su Zhengyi's face turned ashen. "Zhang Qiao, the vice - minister of the Ministry of Punishment?"
Zhang Qiao raised his eyebrows. "Since Minister Su knows me, you should also understand that once you're in my hands, you won't be able to leave without making some confessions."
Su Zhengyi looked at him, his shrewd eyes full of scrutiny. "I've always behaved myself. There's nothing to say."
Seeing that he was unyielding, Zhang Qiao shook his head. "All of you are the same when you first come in, but in the end, don't you all confess?"
"I've done nothing wrong. What do you want me to say?" Su Zhengyi snorted and turned his head.
"All right, since that's the case, I'll give you a hint, Minister Su." Zhang Qiao lowered his eyelids and glanced at Su Zhengyi. "Do you remember that during the last imperial examination, as one of the deputy examiners, soon after, the news of the leakage of the exam questions spread. But within a few days, those scholars who jointly reported it suddenly stopped reporting."
"In their words, they were just angry because they failed the exam and spoke out of impulse. They had no real evidence."
As he said this, Zhang Qiao turned sideways and looked at Su Mingyu. That look made Su Mingyu shiver.
This was the feeling of a fellow professional. Su Mingyu lowered her eyes and glanced at Zhang Qiao's hand. Those well - defined fingers must have been stained with countless lives to have such an imposing manner.
Seemingly satisfied with Su Mingyu's fear, Zhang Qiao raised his eyebrows and smiled. "I presume this is Miss Su. Just as the rumors say, she's really cold."
Su Mingyu took a step back and curtsied. "I'm Su Mingyu. I've long heard of Deputy Minister Zhang's reputation for being impartial. I didn't expect you to be so young in person. It's just... I have a question..."
Zhang Qiao seemed very satisfied with Su Mingyu's attitude towards him, and his tone softened a bit. "Do you want to ask why your whole Su family has been arrested?"