Xue Zi Ning saw the Liang siblings at the inn entrance the next day. She felt no shock at seeing them, as she had a premonition that they would seek her out. As expected, they did.
"Madam, my sister and I have a request," Liang Yi Zhi said, bowing with his hands clasped.
"Follow me," Xue Zi Ning replied.
The Liang siblings followed her into a room, where they both knelt. "We implore you, Madam, to fulfill our request."
"What is this? Get up quickly." Xue Zi Ning stepped forward to help them up.
Liang Yi Zhi shook his head. "Madam, if you do not help us, my sister and I will truly have nowhere to turn."
"I don't know how I can help you."
"Madam, I know your husband is an Imperial Envoy sent by His Majesty."
Upon hearing this, Xue Zi Ning's gaze turned cold. "And so?"
Liang Yi Zhi exchanged a look with his sister. He lowered his head and said slowly, "Madam, you may not know, but my sister and I are the children of Commander Liang of Dong Zhou."
Xue Zi Ning was slightly startled, realizing her guess was exactly right. "You are Commander Liang's family?"
Liang Yi Han looked up, tears streaming down her face. "To be frank, Madam, our father discovered that the disaster relief grain was maliciously withheld by the Prefect of Dong Zhou. Father intended to report the Prefect, but unexpectedly, he was framed by the Prefect himself, accused of embezzling the relief grain, and thrown into prison. The next day, they claimed he committed suicide out of guilt. But my brother and I know our father was silenced by the Prefect of Dong Zhou."
Xue Zi Ning was shocked. "How could such a thing happen?"
Seeing this, Liang Yi Han raised her hand. "This commoner is willing to swear. If there is any lie in what I have just said, may this commoner be struck by lightning and die a terrible death."
"Sister..." Liang Yi Zhi looked at his sister's solemn oath and felt a pang of pain.
"Brother, every word I've spoken is true, not a single lie. Therefore, I have no fear of this oath."
"Then what do you wish for me to do?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Liang Yi Zhi said, "We wish to ask Madam to let us sneak into the Prefect's mansion, find evidence of the Prefect's embezzlement of the disaster relief grain, and help our father regain his honor through the Imperial Envoy."
Xue Zi Ning nodded. "This request is reasonable. However, do you know how many people are in the Prefect's mansion? And do you know where the Prefect keeps the evidence?"
The Liang siblings exchanged glances and finally shook their heads.
"If you don't know, wouldn't going there be like throwing your lives away in vain?"
"But if we don't go, is there any other way?" Liang Yi Zhi asked.
"Coincidentally, I will be going to the Prefect's mansion today. You two siblings can pose as my coachman and maid. However, only your sister can enter the Prefect's mansion. Your presence is too conspicuous; I fear the Prefect might discover you."
Upon hearing that he wouldn't be allowed into the Prefect's mansion, Liang Yi Zhi was about to refuse, but he saw his sister had already agreed. "Let's do that."
"Sister..."
"Brother, if we both go in, our presence would indeed be too conspicuous. Madam is already helping us as much as she can, and we mustn't cause her any more trouble," Liang Yi Han said.
Liang Yi Zhi seemed to realize the logic in her words and nodded. "Alright, then it's settled."
After the Liang siblings left, Xue Yan said with concern, "Your Majesty, without a maid by your side to protect you, I am worried."
"Isn't there Yan Zhao? Are you not at ease with him?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Xue Yan replied, "But Young Master cannot always be by your side to protect you. Why don't you let me accompany you instead?"
"Xue Yan, you cannot always be by my side. One day you will leave, and by then I will have grown accustomed to your protection. What will I do then? Besides, my martial skills are quite good, and I can protect myself. Don't worry."
Xue Yan could only turn back. "Then... alright. You must be extra careful. In times of danger, preserving yourself is the most crucial thing."
"Don't worry!" Xue Zi Ning said.
In the evening, Xue Zi Ning, dressed in her finery, arrived at the Prefect's mansion. Tonight, the Prefect's mansion was hosting a banquet to welcome the Imperial Envoy. The servants at the entrance mistook her for the family member of some official and did not dare to stop her. She and Liang Yi Han walked in smoothly.
As a servant from the Prefect's mansion led the way, Liang Yi Han suddenly said, "Madam, I will be back shortly."
Xue Zi Ning nodded.
Upon arriving at the banquet, Yan Zhao was seated at the head table. His gaze brightened considerably when he saw her. Beside him sat a young woman whose cheeks were flushed. Xue Zi Ning felt a bit displeased. Even in disguise, she could still attract admiration from women. She should have asked Xue Song to make her even uglier.
Prefect Feng Chang Shan was very pleased. So many people had come, giving face to the Prefect of Dong Zhou, not the Imperial Envoy. He thought that since Chu Chu would soon be under the Imperial Envoy's wing, he could rely on the Imperial Envoy in the future, and it seemed all worth it.
Beside him, Feng Chu Chu's face was full of bloom. She had expected the Imperial Envoy to be as old as her father. She had never imagined he would be so young and so handsome, so different from any man she had met before. The moment she saw him, she had fallen.
"Lord Yan, have a drink." Feng Chu Chu poured a cup of wine and offered it to him.
Yan Zhao accepted it. When he met Xue Zi Ning's gaze, which could kill, the corners of his mouth curved. His Empress was jealous. He drank it down, and his expression changed slightly. He hadn't expected Prefect Feng to be so daring as to drug the wine he was given.
Feng Chu Chu personally watched as the Imperial Envoy, Lord Yan, drank the wine. Soon, she saw Lord Yan rubbing his forehead. She quickly pretended to ask with concern, "Sir, are you feeling unwell? Shall I help you back to your room to rest?"
Yan Zhao nodded, replying with a single word, "May."
Feng Chu Chu quickly called her personal maid, and together with her maid, they helped the Imperial Envoy, Lord Yan, up.
"What is wrong with Lord Yan?" Prefect Feng asked, feigning ignorance.
Feng Chu Chu replied, "Lord Yan is not feeling well. I will take him to rest."
"Go quickly!" Prefect Feng said.
Feng Chu Chu helped Yan Zhao away. Prefect Feng was overjoyed. He thought that if he found an excuse to see Lord Yan later, then this matter would be settled. As Prefect Feng pondered this, he suddenly spotted a woman sitting in a corner. Who else could it be but the Imperial Envoy's wife? Prefect Feng's gaze shifted, and he conceived a good plan. He walked directly towards Xue Zi Ning.
"Madam, are you waiting for the Imperial Envoy?" Prefect Feng's tone was unusually pleasant for the first time.
Xue Zi Ning remained silent, her expression less than pleased. Prefect Feng smiled and said, "I'm afraid Lord Yan is already in a gentle embrace by now."
"Prefect Feng, Lord Yan will not go near Miss Feng. You should abandon this idea!"
"If Madam doesn't believe me, you can come with me. Shall we go and see?"
"See, then see! Who is afraid of whom?" Xue Zi Ning retorted with equal spirit.