As Bai Han walked away, Fang Jun, standing beside him, couldn't help but complain, "This Emperor of Grandpa's is truly detestable."
Fang Zheng glared, "Don't spout nonsense."
"Never again utter such disrespectful words, or you won't even know how your head got chopped off."
Seeing Fang Jun flustered, Fang Zheng softened his tone, "Alright, give the order to wake up at the fourth watch to pack. As soon as the fifth watch passes and the city gates open, we leave immediately."
While the Prime Minister's mansion was bustling, Xiao An also received news that Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun had secretly visited Fang Zheng.
Upon hearing this, Xiao An became furious. He slammed his fist on the table, "Why can't this scoundrel understand my good intentions?"
He then turned to Bai Han by his side and said, "Tomorrow morning, go and detain that Liu Rumei and Fang Jun."
"Is it right for Your Majesty to do this..." Bai Han hesitated.
Xiao An snorted coldly again, "For Jingyun to secure his position, I will play the villain."
Bai Han said no more, bowed, and retreated.
The next morning, as dawn broke and most people were still asleep, Fang Zheng's mansion was already in a frenzy. Dozens of large chests were piled onto more than a dozen carriages, with dozens more yet to be loaded in the courtyard.
Just then, a household servant rushed to Fang Zheng, saying with a hint of panic, "Master, the golden-armored guards are here again."
Hearing this, Fang Zheng's heart tightened.
Could something else have happened? He had already agreed to leave. What else did the Emperor want?
With a sense of unease, he hurried to the main gate.
Seeing Fang Zheng arrive, Bai Han quickly stepped forward and clasped his fists, "Old Prime Minister, I sincerely apologize. I am acting under imperial orders and must come."
Fang Zheng nodded, but a sense of foreboding had already settled in his heart.
Indeed, Bai Han continued in a low voice, "The Emperor sent me to convey a message, inviting Fang Jun and Miss Liu Rumei to come for questioning."
Fang Zheng understood perfectly what "going for questioning" meant.
It meant these two were to be detained.
In plain terms, detaining his grandson Fang Jun was a signal to him to keep quiet upon his return.
And detaining Liu Rumei as well, this was a move to capture the entire Liu family.
Upon hearing this news, Liu Kai, standing nearby, was also stunned.
"Guard Bai, this..."
Bai Han clasped his fists again, "Head Steward, I truly apologize. I have advised against this many times, but His Majesty..."
Fang Zheng waved his hand, "Steward Liu, please rest assured. Leave Rumei behind, and the Old Marquis's entire family will be safe."
Hearing this, Liu Kai finally breathed a slight sigh of relief, hoping the Old Prime Minister's judgment was correct.
Just then, the sound of hurried horse hooves echoed from a distance. Feng Xiaoyue rode at the forefront, followed by several subordinates from the Vermilion Bird Gang.
Yesterday, Larduo and Yang Zhi were too drunk to get up, and Feng Xiaoyue was anxious to find Fang Zheng, so she could only send a few subordinates for protection.
Feng Xiaoyue, looking at the white-haired Fang Zheng, appeared very emotional.
"Grandpa Fang, are you well!"
Hearing such an affectionate greeting, Fang Zheng was taken aback.
Fang Zheng had not seen Feng Xiaoyue for many years, so he seemed a little unfamiliar and couldn't help but pause.
"Who are you?"
At this moment, Liu Kai, standing beside him, spoke first, "Aren't you Feng Xiaoyue?"
Upon hearing the name, Fang Zheng's entire body stiffened, "Feng Xiaoyue, are you Xiaoyue?"
Feng Xiaoyue nodded vigorously, then knelt down, paying her respects to Fang Zheng.
"Xiaoyue pays her respects to Grandpa Fang."
After waiting for a long moment with no response, Feng Xiaoyue looked up and saw tears streaming down Fang Zheng's aged face.
"Child, you have come at the wrong time. If only you had come a day earlier."
Feng Xiaoyue looked at Fang Zheng blankly, then at Liu Kai and Bai Han. Bai Han also recognized Feng Xiaoyue.
"Uncle Bai, what is happening?"
Bai Han sighed, "Xiaoyue, the Emperor has already issued an order for the Old Prime Minister to leave Wanning City today."
Hearing this, Feng Xiaoyue was completely bewildered. Had all her hard work in coming here resulted in this outcome?
Just then, Fang Jun and Liu Rumei also walked out of the mansion.
Feng Xiaoyue quickly went forward to greet them. After all, they had seen each other often before. Although she hadn't seen Fang Jun for years, they were acquainted. Liu Rumei looked at Feng Xiaoyue, "Xiaoyue, why are you here?"
"I received a letter from my father telling me to find the Old Prime Minister and help him plead his case..."
Upon hearing this, Liu Rumei's face turned bitter. She had once vowed to help Feng Xiaoyue clear her name, but now she couldn't even protect herself. How ridiculous!
Before she could speak, Bai Han called out, "Rumei, I'm sorry." With a wave of his hand, the golden-armored guards stepped forward and immediately shackled Liu Rumei.
Seeing this, Feng Xiaoyue was even more astonished. She looked at Bai Han, "Uncle Bai, what is this?"
Bai Han let out a long sigh, "I am acting under imperial orders and must do this."
Liu Rumei, however, was quite composed, "Miss Xiaoyue, I originally wanted to help you, but now I can't even protect myself." She bowed slightly to Feng Xiaoyue and turned to leave, but was stopped by Feng Xiaoyue.
"Sister, what is happening to you!"
Fang Zheng, standing nearby, spoke, "Alright, Xiaoyue, I'll tell you. The Emperor wants to keep both of them here."
He then glanced at Bai Han.
Bai Han understood immediately, "Old Prime Minister, please rest assured, I will take good care of them."
Fang Zheng waved his hand, "They are not the main concern. But what about Xiaoyue? I personally promised Feng Pengju that I would help him clear his name, but look at the situation now..."
Bai Han understood instantly. Fang Zheng was entrusting Feng Xiaoyue to him. Thinking of this, he clasped his fists again, "Old Prime Minister, please rest assured, I will find an opportunity to prove this matter to the Emperor."
Saying this, he turned to Feng Xiaoyue, "Miss Xiaoyue, you should find a place to stay first..."
At this moment, Liu Kai, standing nearby, interjected, "You don't need to worry about this, Guard Bai. I will take care of Miss Xiaoyue."
Bai Han said no more, nodded slightly, clasped his fists again to everyone present, and then waved to the golden-armored guards to leave.
Seeing him leave, Feng Xiaoyue became anxious, "Grandpa Fang, please think of a way to save them."
Fang Zheng sighed, shook his head, and turned back into the mansion.
Liu Kai pulled Feng Xiaoyue a few steps aside, "Miss Xiaoyue, the Old Prime Minister has been banished from the capital by the Emperor. He can barely protect himself. We need to think this matter over carefully."
Just then, the few guards who had followed Feng Xiaoyue stepped forward and bid farewell to her, "Little girl, we will be heading back now."