Let’s Squander A Billion First!

Chapter 530: Chapter 530 Difficult to be a Hostage (25)

Chapter 530: Chapter 530 Difficult to be a Hostage (25)

–

Marquis Yongan returned from eradicating bandits outside, and the moment he entered the city gates, he was surrounded by the Imperial Guards.

Marquis Yongan was bewildered as he was invited into the palace.

Lian Qiong happened to be coming out of the palace and saw Marquis Yongan being escorted, somewhat surprised.

“Go find out what happened.”

“Yes.”

Chen Fei immediately went to gather information.

The news spread quickly within the palace, and Chen Fei didn’t have to exert much effort to find out.

Lian Qiong sat by the lotus pond, his hands busy with a carving knife — his new hobby.

Wood shavings fell into the pond water, enticing the Jin Li fish to occasionally pop their heads out.

“Your Highness,” Chen Fei rushed in from outside.

“Did you find out?” the man asked nonchalantly.

“Marquis Yongan plotted rebellion and was denounced by someone. His Majesty found a completed Dragon Robe and numerous gold and silver treasures in Marquis Yongan’s Mansion… Not only that, but some letters were found in the mansion as well, proving Marquis Yongan’s collusion with Wei Country; those treasures were gifted to Marquis Yongan by Wei Country.”

Lian Qiong’s carving knife halted: “Is the news accurate?”

Chen Fei: “His Majesty is furious and has already imprisoned Marquis Yongan. Now, people are being sent to take others from Marquis Yongan’s Mansion.”

Lian Qiong continued his carving, the droop of his eyelashes shielding the cool disdain in his eyes, his thin lips slightly lifted: “That saves me some trouble.”

“Your Highness, don’t you find this matter very strange?” Chen Fei said: “Even if Marquis Yongan was dissatisfied with His Majesty’s recent reduction of his actual power, there was no need to join hands with Wei Country, right?”

Could Marquis Yongan not be aware of Wei Country’s jackal and wolf ambitions?

To work with Wei Country would be tantamount to inviting wolves into one’s home.

Surely Marquis Yongan had that much common sense.

“What does it have to do with us? I’m interested in the outcome,” Lian Qiong said with a smile: “No matter who did this, Marquis Yongan’s crime of rebellion has been fixed. We should thank the person who acted behind the scenes.”

“…I will make arrangements right away.” What His Highness meant was that Marquis Yongan absolutely must not have the chance to clear his name.

However… who exactly is targeting Marquis Yongan?!

Chen Fei left, and Lian Qiong paused his carving.

He looked towards the Jin Li fish swimming in the water.

Marquis Yongan.

The witchcraft case involving the Xiao Clan had its earliest stirrings instigated by Marquis Yongan’s sister.

He had been investigating the case for many years until the truth finally came to light.

Marquis Yongan was the true mastermind behind it all.

Of course…

The witchcraft case was far from simple, as it later involved many individuals.

The rise of the Xiao Clan blocked these people’s path.

And the Xiao Clan refused to be in league with them.

So they decided to eradicate the Xiao Clan, root and branch.

No matter, this account has finally been settled.

Lian Qiong shook the wood shavings into the water, and the Jin Li fish hurried to compete for them.

“Even you know to fight over it, let alone people.”

The man stood up, leaving the partially carved woodwork on the rocking chair, where the contours of a cold-faced nobleman could vaguely be seen.

–

With Marquis Yongan in prison, the whole Cui Family had to accompany him.

Princess Yun Lan distanced herself from Young Marquis Cui as soon as possible and returned to the palace.

Although the outside world might condemn Princess Yun Lan for lacking in humanity and righteousness, she was the favorite princess of the Emperor of Jin, and the men vying for her hand in marriage would still line up for her to choose from.

The case involving Marquis Yongan not only brought him down but also implicated Wei Country.

The Emperor of Jin was furious.

There were spies from Wei Country inside the Imperial City, bold enough to collaborate with his court officials of Jin. As a result, a purge against Wei operatives swept through the palace.

The Emperor of Jin adhered to the principle of rather wrongfully killing a thousand than letting one guilty party go free.

The populace was in a state of panic, fearing they might be pegged as spies for Wei Country.

Of course, Chuzheng, the Hostage from Wei Country, didn’t fare any better.

She was sent straight to the prison to keep Marquis Yongan company.

While Marquis Yongan’s family wailed endlessly next door, Chuzheng ate pastries, sipped tea, and was attended to by Xiao Shanzi in the adjacent cell.

Xiao Shanzi was actually in great agony inside.

Because the case of Marquis Yongan was handled by him personally.

“Master, why did we frame Marquis Yongan in the end?” It got you involved too.

“What did you say?”

“You…” Xiao Shanzi fell silent: “Nothing, your servant said nothing.”

“Was it you who placed the dragon robe in Marquis Yongan’s possession?”

“No… no, it wasn’t.” Xiao Shanzi shook his head.

Chuzheng asserted confidently, “Marquis Yongan was locked up because someone accused him of hoarding a dragon robe and plotting a rebellion. What does that have to do with us?”

She just had a few letters sent, with the small matter of sending some gold and jewels along.

Xiao Shanzi: “Yes, yes… Master is right, it’s got nothing to do with us.”

Chuzheng: “If you want your head to stay on smartly, don’t admit to anything rashly.”

Xiao Shanzi nodded wildly, indicating that he understood.

However, Xiao Shanzi soon started to worry again, “Master, might the Emperor in his anger implicate us too…”

“It won’t be long before the Emperor lets me out, so what’s there to fear?” Chuzheng was unconcerned.

Wei Country and Jin Country hadn’t yet completely fallen out, so the Emperor of Jin wouldn’t kill her.

So she couldn’t be bothered to resist.

After all, life in the cell was quite comfortable; it was merely a change of sleeping quarters.

Why?

Money.

“Your Highness, look…”

Xiao Shanzi suddenly motioned for Chuzheng to look outside.

Lian Qiong followed the jailer inside, but he did not linger before Chuzheng; he walked straight past her.

It was Marquis Yongan who was locked up over there.

He was there to see Marquis Yongan.

Chuzheng lowered her gaze and continued to eat her snacks and sip her tea.

Xiao Shanzi stood by the cell door, clinging to it, looking out.

Unfortunately, he could only glimpse a piece of Lian Qiong’s clothing, and nothing more.

It didn’t take long for Xiao Shanzi to see Lian Qiong coming back; the jailer with him promptly unlocked the door.

“You, come out.” The jailer pointed at Xiao Shanzi.

Xiao Shanzi glanced at Chuzheng, then at Lian Qiong standing outside, and walked out with his head lowered.

Lian Qiong stepped into the cell, and the jailer outside locked the door.

No one in the cell made a sound.

After a long time, Lian Qiong broke the silence: “Thirteenth Prince.”

“What is it?”

“You seem quite at ease.” Lian Qiong glanced at the food she was eating: “Your current situation isn’t too good, yet you still have the mood to eat?”

“Can starving help me get out?” No! So why not eat!

“…” Lian Qiong clenched his teeth: “Can’t you say something conciliatory for once?”

Conciliatory?

Are words also hard and soft?

Lian Qiong: “Just ask me, and I can take you out immediately.”

Chuzheng looked at him blankly.

The Good Person Card has gone mad, right?

Does she need to ask anyone for anything?

After thinking it through, Chuzheng asked seriously, “Third Prince, did you take your medicine when you left today?”

Lian Qiong laughed rather than getting angry: “Thirteenth Prince, Father is very angry. Even if Marquis Yongan’s affair has nothing to do with you, it could still affect you. Aren’t you really afraid?”

Chuzheng’s tone was coolly confident: “I won’t have any trouble.”

Lian Qiong’s eyes were complicated: “Why are you so confident?”

“Probably because I am formidable,” Chuzheng paused slightly: “No one can beat me.”

Even if the time came for a beheading, she could run away by herself without any fear!