Chapter 167 Cracking

Chapter 167 Deciphering

"She kept repeating those things over and over again. Every time she did, my second brother and I grew more annoyed with her, thinking that this old lady really didn't know when to stop. Later..."

Ji Lingchuan took a deep breath.

"After we harshly reprimanded her a couple of times, she dared not say anything more. Eventually, she moved to the Bamboo Courtyard."

Ji Lingchuan remembered it clearly.

At that time, he let out a long sigh of relief and said to his second brother, "Finally, we don't have to listen to this old lady's nonsense anymore."

Yan Sanhe abruptly let go of his hand, followed by a long silence.

Due to the candlelight, a faint red glow surrounded her features, but her expression was unusually solemn and cold.

"Miss Yan, are you..."

"Shut up!"

Yan Sanhe interrupted him without any politeness.

"I'll ask you again, do you know the details of General Zheng's case, including some of the inside information?"

"This..."

Ji Lingchuan's palms began to sweat.

"Speak!"

Yan Sanhe slammed her hand against the bars in frustration, roaring, "Tell me the truth!"

Ji Lingchuan ran his hands through his hair, pulling at it a few times before suddenly looking up. "I heard about it at the Zhang family."

"Did you ever tell the old lady about it?"

Ji Lingchuan shook his head.

"But what if..."

Yan Sanhe looked at him. "What if, because of Wu Guanyue, the old lady wanted to find out about the Zheng family's case? What methods do you think she would use?"

Ji Lingchuan's eyes froze as he stared at Yan Sanhe for a moment before slapping his thigh.

"That's simple. Although I wouldn't tell the old lady, I would tell my wife."

"Did you discuss the Zheng family's case with your wife?"

Ji Lingchuan nodded. "With such a big case, who wouldn't be curious? I told her privately."

"Even about how none of the Zheng family's dogs survived?"

"How did you know?" Ji Lingchuan looked at Yan Sanhe in horror.

"Not only do I know, but I also know..."

Yan Sanhe suddenly changed the subject.

"Wu Guanyue's ancestor was saved by a dog. The Wu family has an ancestral rule never to kill dogs, and the old lady knows this too."

"What do you mean?"

After a brief moment of confusion, Ji Lingchuan suddenly shuddered violently, his eyes widening. "You, you, you mean..."

"Ji Lingchuan."

Yan Sanhe suppressed the anger in her voice, slowly standing up and looking down at him.

"I found the other half of the old lady's obsession."

"Found it, really found it."

Ji Lingchuan scrambled to his feet, grabbing the bars tightly with both hands.

"What is it? Tell me quickly. Does it mean the Ji family is saved? Does it mean my son is saved? Tell me!"

Yan Sanhe sneered and turned away without looking back.

"Yan Sanhe, Yan Sanhe... come back... come back!"

Ji Lingchuan reached out from behind the bars, jumping and bouncing like a madman.

"Come back, please come back. There's only half an hour left, only half an hour..."

Yan Sanhe paused, then immediately turned and walked back.

"What half an hour?"

"My twelfth son has only half an hour left. They're going to act now. I didn't betray the Zhang family; I didn't say anything. Please save him, I beg you to save him..."

Ji Lingchuan slowly knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

For some reason, Yan Sanhe felt no sympathy for this man. She only said coldly:

"Ji Lingchuan, you deserve this day!"

...

In another cell.

Prince Zhao Yishi sat in the armchair, his face dark as he looked at the faintly breathing twelfth master of the Ji family behind the bars.

Beside him, Xu Lai bowed deeply, showing utmost caution.

"Your Highness, the case has dragged on for too long. I had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure."

Prince Zhao Yishi suppressed his anger and spoke calmly, "What a desperate measure indeed, Lord Xu."

Xu Lai fell to his knees with a thud, trembling as he spoke.

"Your Highness, this man is Ji Lingchuan's beloved son. When he was thrown into prison, he was barely alive. Even with Physician Pei coming every ten days, it seems hopeless to me."

"A dying man should die with dignity. If we can use him to pressure Ji Lingchuan, perhaps we can resolve the case and please the Emperor."

Prince Zhao Yishi was filled with rage.

Mentioning Physician Pei was a way of saying that everyone turned a blind eye to the actions of the Imperial Grandson. Therefore, he hoped the Imperial Grandson would also turn a blind eye to his actions.

Who wins or loses depends on one's ability and fate.

Mentioning the Emperor was a way of saying that everything he did was justified and done for the Emperor!

Prince Zhao Yishi's hand trembled slightly within his sleeve.

"Lord Xu, your loyalty to the country is commendable."

"Your Highness, such praise makes me feel unworthy."

Xu Lai bowed lower, showing even more respect.

Prince Zhao Yishi watched him coldly for a moment before bending down to help him up, speaking gently, "I just felt pity for him being so young."

Xu Lai sighed with admiration, "Your Highness truly has a heart of benevolence!"

Prince Zhao Yishi smiled lightly, "Since you praise my benevolence, I must see Ji Shi'er off on his final journey. Will you accompany me, Lord Xu?"

"..."

Xu Lai almost bit his tongue in regret.

The Imperial Grandson planned to personally protect Ji Shi'er here!

What could he do now?

How could he make Ji Lingchuan talk?

Xu Lai gritted his teeth in frustration but maintained a respectful demeanor, "As you command, Your Highness."

...

Yan Sanhe pushed open the iron door, her heart slightly startled.

In the spacious courtyard, Shen Chong was talking quietly with a Jinyiwei guard, but there was no sign of Prince Zhao Yishi.

Seeing her emerge, Shen Chong nodded to the guard and walked over quickly.

"Miss Yan, how did it go?"

Yan Sanhe nodded, "Where is the Prince?"

Shen Chong replied, "The Prince had something urgent to attend to, but he left a message for you before leaving."

Yan Sanhe urged, "Tell me!"

Shen Chong said, "Do whatever you need to do; if anything happens, he will take responsibility."

Without hesitation, Yan Sanhe declared, "I need to get Ji Lingchuan out of prison, have him bathe and change clothes;

then find a secluded courtyard, prepare an altar, three platters of fruits, two candle stands, and one incense burner.

It needs to be quick; the twelfth master of Ji Mansion doesn't have much time left."

Shen Chong's expression was as pained as if struck by lightning.

Miss Yan, this is North Division's prison. Where could he possibly get these things? And how could he get Ji Lingchuan out?

Seeing his expression, Yan Sanhe knew something was wrong, "Call the Prince over."

Shen Chong gritted his teeth, "Miss Yan, the Prince cannot come right now; he is with Minister Xu Lai from the Ministry of Justice..."

He paused, covering his mouth halfway, "If Xu Lai is alerted, it will only make things harder."

What could they do?

Yan Sanhe anxiously ran her hands through her hair. She had finally found the other half of the old lady's demon, but now...

Suddenly, her expression changed.

"I thought of someone; he should be able to help!"