“I am also unable to help. I advise you to take care of yourself.”
Ling Muzhu spoke her piece and turned to leave, leaving Ling Yan alone to cry out.
Ling Yan collapsed onto the ground, her face streaked with tears. She had done exactly as her maternal grandmother and mother had taught her, so why was it so different? How could it be so different…
She was a daughter of the Ling family, her father’s daughter. Her father would never abandon her. Her mother was right; she must have done something wrong, she must have.
Ling Yan suddenly stood up, gripping the iron bars, and shouted, “Let me out! I am the young lady of the Ling family! My father will come to save me! My father will come to save me!”
Hearing the commotion, a jailer came to check. He glanced at Ling Yan and barked angrily, “Be quiet! Now that you are here, stop dreaming of your pampered life.”
“You shut up! I am a Ling family lady! My father will not let you off if you disrespect me!” Ling Yan was still living in her delusion of being a pampered lady. When she looked at the jailer, her eyes were filled with disdain. She was certain her father would not abandon her and would definitely come to rescue her.
The jailers here were all fierce and formidable figures, paying no mind to the fallen young lady Ling Yan.
He picked up a nearby stick and fiercely struck the iron bars. The deafening sound startled Ling Yan, and she quickly released her grip, stumbling back a few steps and cowering in the corner, trembling.
“Even princes and princesses have to obey when they are here. If you dare to act out again, don’t blame me for being harsh!”
Ling Yan gulped in fear, her whole body trembling. Her gaze fixed on the long stick in the jailer’s hand, her eyes filled with timidity.
“I thought you had some courage, but you’re so easily scared. Behave yourself from now on, or don’t blame me if this stick doesn’t recognize you!”
The jailer finished speaking with a heavy tone and was about to leave when Ling Yan called out from behind, “Brother, can you help me send a message?”
Hearing the voice, the jailer stopped and turned to look at Ling Yan, snorting, “You know the rules here. Asking for favors is fine, but this…”
Ling Yan immediately understood what he meant. She fumbled all over herself, found a jade pendant at her waist, and quickly handed it to the jailer. “Jailer brother, this jade pendant is worth a hundred taels. Please help me pass on a message. I will reward you handsomely as soon as I am let out.”
He examined the jade pendant in his hand. Having handled countless precious items, the jailer could tell the authenticity of the jade at a glance.
“Tell me, what message do you want to send?”
“Please, brother, go to the Zhao family in Anyang and deliver a message to my mother and maternal grandmother, asking them to find a way to save me.”
The jailer couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh, his tone laced with sarcasm. “Wasn’t that your father who just left? If he doesn’t save you, do you think your maternal family can?”
“My maternal grandmother and mother dote on me the most. They will definitely find a way to save me. Just deliver the message.”
Ling Yan firmly believed that her maternal grandmother and mother would save her.
The jailer looked at the jade pendant in his hand. He was being paid, after all, so he didn’t need to worry about anything else; he just needed to deliver the message.
…
Ling Mohan watched the memorial with a dark expression. He squeezed the memorial in his hand with sudden force, and it instantly crumpled into a ball.
“What’s wrong? Why are you so angry?” Feng Jin asked as soon as she entered and saw his extremely gloomy face.
“See for yourself.” Ling Mohan threw the memorial in front of Feng Jin, his expression terrifyingly grim.
Feng Jin unfolded the crumpled memorial and her eyes widened slightly. “This… is this true?”
From Ling Mohan’s expression, Feng Jin received an accurate answer.
This was a crime punishable by extermination of nine generations. In this era, iron ore was incredibly important.
Due to the importance of iron ore, it had always been under state control, and its management was extremely strict. Any private trading of iron ore was a serious offense. Yet, this time, the Zhao family not only incited Ling Yan to steal the token and forcibly occupy the iron ore mine but also dared to privately trade pure iron for immense profit.
If this memorial reached Emperor Xuanwen, the Zhao family would likely face death.
“What do you plan to do?” Feng Jin asked for Ling Mohan’s opinion. If this matter was only the Zhao family’s doing, there wouldn’t be much to worry about. However, the token was lost by Second Master Ling, and Ling Yan was the one who stole it.
Once a thorough investigation began, the Ling family would also be held accountable, especially Second Master Ling.
“Such a major offense as stealing from the iron mine cannot be concealed. His Majesty will eventually find out. Rather than letting others hold this against us, it’s better to make the first move.”
“But if this matter is exposed, what about your second uncle?”
“The law applies equally to princes and commoners.” Ling Mohan’s words already indicated his stance.
Sometimes, in unavoidable situations, sacrifices had to be made to preserve the greater good.
Since one sows what one reaps, one must bear the consequences, whether bitter or sweet.
Feng Jin sighed softly. “Then so be it.”
“The people I sent also investigated and found that the Zhao family has ties with the Third Prince. It is likely that the Third Prince is also implicated in the matter of selling iron ore.”
After learning of this, he had sent people to surround the Zhao family, and all individuals were under control.
Their search was timely, and they found many letters between the Zhao family and the Third Prince.
Trading iron ore for immense profit is a capital offense. Perhaps this matter is a good opportunity to bring down the Third Prince.
“Let Chu Chenyi investigate this matter. How can he become emperor if he doesn’t exert himself a little?”
They couldn’t do everything, and then Chu Chenyi would easily pick up the pieces and ascend the throne. That wouldn’t be so easy.
“Indeed, it’s time for him to contribute.”
Ling Mohan greatly agreed with Feng Jin’s suggestion. He had no time for rest in the past two days while investigating this matter. In contrast, Chu Chenyi was leisurely, feeding birds and admiring flowers every day. The contrast was quite stark.
After organizing all the related materials overnight, Ling Mohan sent Lu Shi to deliver everything to the Prince of Jing’s manor.
…
“Your Highness Prince of Jing, all matters concerning the Zhao family’s theft of iron ore are here.”
Chu Chenyi looked at the piled-up memorials and his expression darkened as he asked, “What is the meaning of this?”
“Your Highness, my Young General said he was worried that Your Highness has been too idle all day, fearing your brain might be degenerating. Therefore, he has handed this matter over to Your Highness Prince of Jing to handle, so you can exercise your mind.”
Lu Shi relayed Ling Mohan’s words to Chu Chenyi exactly as they were spoken.
“Did Ling Mohan really say that?” Chu Chenyi repeated uncertainly.
“Not a word is missing.”