For years, whether actively or passively, their Sun family had been implicated in the corruption cases. If these cases were truly exposed, the Sun family would face utter annihilation.
Feng Jin Yao couldn't guarantee anything else, but she wanted to protect the life of an innocent child, as a repayment for Sun Ban Xia's two lifetimes of reminders.
Thus, she replied with utmost seriousness, "Sister Ban Xia, rest assured, with me here, I will definitely protect your young brother! However, he probably cannot live on as a descendant of the Sun family anymore."
This was no exaggeration. Those involved in the corruption cases were by no means fools.
Once they dragged someone onto their pirate ship, they wouldn't easily let them off.
The life of this young Sun family child was a valuable pawn to control Sun Zong and Sun Ban Xia. If he were to remain "alive," he would likely struggle to escape the open and hidden attacks. Therefore, her meaning was self-evident.
"Where do you intend to send him?"
"Sister Ban Xia only needs to know that I will not harm him."
She didn't even disclose the specific location, fearing that any slight misstep during the process might reveal a clue.
Sun Ban Xia gritted her teeth and reluctantly agreed.
"As long as he can live a peaceful life, forgetting us wicked sinners is also a good thing! I entrust my young brother to Sister A Yao."
With that, she kowtowed heavily to Feng Jin Yao, expressing her gratitude.
After arranging everything for her young brother, Sun Ban Xia took out another important item.
"This is the evidence of the corruption case involving the inspectors of the thirteen prefectures under the Grand Canal Administration. I have been secretly collecting it since my mother's passing. Now that these items are revealed, even if they don't die, they will be stripped bare!"
When these incriminating documents were presented, not only Xu Ming Yue, but even Feng Jin Yao was astonished.
How could Sun Ban Xia's mind be so meticulous, yet remain completely unknown to outsiders? Feng Jin Yao even doubted if Sun Zong knew.
Sun Ban Xia quickly sensed Feng Jin Yao's thoughts and replied indifferently,
"My father is unaware that I am collecting these, and outsiders rarely know that I am the one handling the Sun family's involvement in the corruption. Therefore, they should not know that I possess these items."
After saying this, Feng Jin Yao and Xu Ming Yue exchanged a look. Such a person, it was fortunate she had abandoned the dark for the light. Otherwise, if she had truly persisted in her misguided path, it would have been as difficult as ascending to heaven for them to investigate!
After a moment of thought, she said to Sun Ban Xia,
"Sister, if you trust me, I can introduce you to someone?"
"Who?"
"Prince Ding."
Sun Ban Xia frowned. She had heard some news about Prince Ding's recovery, but this person had withdrawn from court for many years due to illness. Was it appropriate to entrust such an important matter to him at this time?
However, upon seeing Feng Jin Yao's determined gaze, she suddenly understood.
Feng Jin Yao was merely a woman from the inner quarters who had traveled to Jinling City with her second brother on his assignment. Ostensibly, she was there to seek a renowned physician and miraculous medicine for her father, but her true intentions were unknown.
Prince Ding also appeared in Jinling City so "coincidentally," and recovered from his illness at such a opportune moment. It would be strange if there were no connection!
Therefore, it was highly likely that the corruption in the Grand Canal Administration had already alerted some court officials, leading them to collaborate with Prince Ding to orchestrate this situation, aiming to target the entire thirteen prefectures of the Grand Canal.
The downfall of the Zhu family was their first move.
And she, or rather the Sun family, was the second move.
Thinking of this, Sun Ban Xia couldn't help but feel a chill down her spine.
She considered herself an exceptionally intelligent woman in the world, with a sharp mind. That was why she had tried every means to impress her father, and after gaining his trust, she derived a sense of satisfaction from interfering with, or even controlling, the embezzlement of official grain.
As women could not enter officialdom, nor hold positions, and her intelligence and talent could not be used for righteous purposes, she had developed crooked intentions.
But she never expected that her actions would be so clearly calculated by others.
To boast of being a female Zhuge Liang, yet in the end, she was merely a clown.
Thus, after understanding all the connections, she asked Feng Jin Yao,
"The Zhu family's affairs were orchestrated by you and Prince Ding together?"
"Yes."
Sun Ban Xia's intelligence far surpassed Feng Jin Yao's. Since she couldn't deceive her, she simply admitted it.
Her sincerity eased Sun Ban Xia's heart considerably. At least, she had not misjudged Feng Jin Yao.
Entrusting her young brother to her was also done with peace of mind.
Therefore, she continued, "Very well. Since Prince Ding is involved in stirring the waters, the Grand Canal Administration must be nearing its end. I will not defend myself or my father. I only hope that after the Grand Canal Administration is uprooted, Prince Ding can truly return the ill-gotten gains accumulated over the years to the people. This will also absolve me of a lifetime of sin!"
Feng Jin Yao nodded and assured her with full confidence, "He will."
Hearing this, Sun Ban Xia smiled, "Then take me to see Prince Ding. There are some things I need to discuss with him alone."
There were plans within plans. As expected of Sun Ban Xia.
However, Feng Jin Yao did not feel deceived. The matter involved too many parties, and it was not unreasonable for Sun Ban Xia to have some personal considerations.
Introduced by Feng Jin Yao, Sun Ban Xia met the legendary Prince Ding, Xiao Ting Yi.
He was as cold as a towering peak of white snow, inspiring awe yet also drawing one's gaze.
"What do you wish to tell this prince?"
He cut straight to the point, not even giving Sun Ban Xia an opportunity to beat around the bush. Instantly, she understood that some people could be approached, while others were destined to be admired from afar.
Suppressing her momentary surprise, she began to speak.
"The thirteen prefectures of the Grand Canal all obey the Duke of Wei. Most of the official grain obtained over the years has been converted into money and sent to the Wei family. However, while collecting evidence of the crimes of each prefecture, I discovered that two inspectors were secretly in contact with Qingzhou. But I could not ascertain their identities."
Qingzhou?
Prince Ding, Xiao Ting Yi, had never considered Qingzhou. A seemingly unremarkable place, possessing neither unique resources nor notable individuals. It, however, overlapped considerably with the person he had in mind.
It seemed he was likely on the right track.
After Sun Ban Xia finished speaking, she did not receive any further questions from Prince Ding. She curiously looked up at Xiao Ting Yi. He stood with his hands behind his back by the window, the sunlight evenly falling upon him, exuding a faint aura of transcendence, like an immortal from heaven.
If she hadn't known his methods and intentions, Sun Ban Xia might have been deceived by his outward appearance.
"Your Highness??"
"Speak."
His tone was so cold that the transcendent aura immediately changed its flavor.
At this moment, Sun Ban Xia couldn't help but wonder if there was anyone in this world who could receive his tenderness. If so, they would likely live in a world of pure bliss for a lifetime.