Lord Shen said dejectedly, "We've checked everything. The behind - the - scenes boss of Xuyang Winery is a local wealthy merchant, not a prince from Xiliang. And there's no connection with the Zhao family's tea house in Liaocheng."
"The Crown Prince claimed that there was a private residence of the Zhao family near the horse - training ground at Chongguan Ferry. He led people to search it today but found nothing. Uncle - in - law Lord Zhao shouted his grievances in front of the imperial hall and volunteered to have his mansion searched. He said that if he wasn't thoroughly investigated, he would resign and return to his hometown tomorrow."
Wei Dongling:......
Wei Dongling sighed and asked, "So, has the embezzlement case just fizzled out?"
Lord Shen shook his head. "The details presented by the Zhao family about the whereabouts of the disaster - relief funds are all well - documented. There's no sign of any problem."
Wei Dongling gritted her teeth and exclaimed angrily, "How could this happen?"
Uncle Li sighed silently. "I'm afraid someone leaked the news. Otherwise, the Zhao family couldn't have prepared such detailed documents in such a short time."
Lord Shen nodded and said, "His Majesty appointed the Prince Rui as the imperial inspector to go to Xingshan together with the Minister of War. If, as Lord Zhao said, the tea plantations in Xingshan have all collapsed due to the heavy rain, it may be impossible to verify the truth for the time being."
Wei Dongling was very anxious. Biting her lips, she asked, "What about the case of Prime Minister Su?"
Lord Shen said in a low voice, "The court was in such a mess today that His Majesty was extremely angry. I could only secretly submit a memorial stating that Lord Zhao had framed loyal officials and caused Prime Minister Su and his whole family to be wronged and executed. I'm afraid His Majesty didn't have time to read it carefully today. Let's wait and see what happens tomorrow."
Wei Dongling fell silent.
Uncle Li slapped the table beside him and said, "If all else fails, we'll break into the dungeon and try our best to rescue Prime Minister Su!"
Lord Shen was shocked and quickly dissuaded him, "Brother Li, don't be impulsive. We mustn't do such a thing! We have to plan this carefully."
At night, after seeing Lord Shen off, Uncle Li shut himself in his room and didn't come out.
Wei Dongling felt very uncomfortable. She only took a few mouthfuls of the tremella and snow pear soup stewed by Cuihuan.
Since she couldn't sleep anyway, Wei Dongling blew out the lamp and sneaked out with Cuihuan.
The two wandered aimlessly for a while. In a corner alley, they saw a beggar spreading out a mat to sleep.
Wei Dongling waved Cuihuan away, took out a few taels of silver from her sleeve, and went to chat with the beggar.
She talked for a long time, making the sleepy beggar full of energy. The two sat on the ground, chatting excitedly.
Cuihuan waited for a long time. Looking at the two people on the ground speechlessly, she finally couldn't help but walk over quietly. She heard the beggar exclaim in disbelief, "I never thought that Uncle - in - law Lord Zhao would be so shameless! Framing loyal officials and causing a generation of loyal ministers to end up like this! It's really disheartening!"
Wei Dongling sighed and said, "Alas, that's right! You mustn't tell this story to others, especially not say that it was me who told you! This is a capital crime!"
The beggar replied, "Don't worry, miss. I can keep my mouth shut. I won't spread it around."
Wei Dongling nodded. "Then I'm relieved. It's getting late. Brother, you'd better go to sleep early. I'll come to chat with you next time."
The beggar quickly nodded and felt the silver in his hand. "Thank you for the reward, miss. Come and chat with me when you're free."
"Okay, okay!" Wei Dongling left with a smile.
Just as she and Cuihuan were about to enter the back door of the Listening - to - the - Wind Tower, they suddenly heard the familiar call of a cuckoo. Wei Dongling looked up and saw a masked black - clothed man standing upright under the dark eaves across the street, looking at her sideways.
Wei Dongling waved Cuihuan to wait in place and walked towards the black - clothed man in the darkness.
In the moonlight, a dark centipede - like scar behind the masked man's ear was clearly visible. It was Jingzhe.
Wei Dongling walked up to him and gently sighed, "Long time no see!"
Jingzhe's voice was a bit gloomy. "I've been looking for you for a long time. How have you been recently? Is your injury better?"
Wei Dongling raised her eyebrows and smiled. "I'm fine! As for you, I heard that in the court today, the Crown Prince failed to accuse Lord Zhao. Has the Crown Prince's great opportunity to make achievements just gone like this?"
Jingzhe said with a wry smile, "Why do you seem to be gloating?"
Wei Dongling laughed. "If we really can't find anything in Xingshan, we can only wait for another opportunity. What else can we do?"
Jingzhe smiled bitterly. "Miss Wei, it's good to be optimistic. However, unfortunately, we won't find anything in Xingshan."
Wei Dongling was shocked. "Why do you say so? Didn't the Prince Rui go to Xingshan himself to verify the truth, accompanied by the Minister of War?"
Jingzhe was silent for a long time and then said softly, "I don't know who leaked the news to the Zhao family. Uncle - in - law Lord Zhao blew up the mountain with gunpowder before the heavy rain, destroying all the evidence. He pretended that the collapse was caused by the natural disaster of heavy rain and even pretended to give generous compensation to the casualties."
Wei Dongling asked in a trembling voice, "So, did the Zhao family kill all the miners?"
Jingzhe lowered his eyes. "I don't know about this."
Wei Dongling asked again, "Is there any evidence of the Zhao family blowing up the mountain?"
Jingzhe shook his head. "When I secretly checked before, I could barely see some traces. But after the heavy rain, I'm afraid nothing can be found."
Wei Dongling felt very depressed and sighed repeatedly.
Jingzhe said in a low voice, "Lord Zhao bit back and accused the Crown Prince of false accusation in the court. Now, the Crown Prince is in a very passive position and has no other evidence."
Wei Dongling said speechlessly, "I originally wanted to take this opportunity to accuse Uncle - in - law Lord Zhao of framing loyal officials back then. It seems that there's little hope now."
Jingzhe replied, "The case of Prime Minister Su involved many people. It may be difficult to reverse the verdict."
Wei Dongling nodded, feeling extremely bitter.
Jingzhe asked her, "Where can I find you in the future? Will you go back to General Qi's mansion?"
Wei Dongling shook her head. "Come to the Listening - to - the - Wind Tower to find me in the future. You must be careful yourself!"
"Okay." Jingzhe turned around and walked away.
Wei Dongling walked back slowly. Cuihuan joked, "I didn't expect Miss Wei to be so capable. You even have an informant around the Crown Prince!"
Wei Dongling smiled bitterly. "Don't talk nonsense. He's just an old acquaintance, not an informant."
When the two returned to their rooms, they met Luo Xunlong at the corner.
Wei Dongling was about to step forward to say hello when Luo Xunlong glanced at Cuihuan, blushed slightly, and ran away quickly.
Wei Dongling asked in surprise, "What's wrong with Brother Long? Why does he run away as soon as he sees you?"
Cuihuan shrugged, indicating that she didn't know.
Two days later, most of the people in the capital were angrily scolding Uncle - in - law Lord Zhao for framing loyal officials back then.
Some people talked about it with relish, while others were heart - broken.
Wei Dongling was sitting upstairs, concentrating on making tea and listening to Ruan Niang telling all kinds of rumors.
As expected, the Prince Rui and the Minister of War returned from Xingshan without finding any evidence of private iron - ore smelting.
Lord Shen also didn't bring back any other news from the court.