Feng Xiaoyue's eyes lit up as she saw the people. "Steward Liu, I have an idea. Let's go find Larduo from the Vermilion Bird Gang. He said his brother, Lamo, has some connections in the capital."
Hearing this, Liu Kai smiled helplessly. The dignified Protector of the State had to rely on the connections of a gang to resolve the issue?
At this moment, Zheng Ke leaned over and whispered to Liu Kai, "Old steward, we should find a way to quickly bring back Liu Ce and the others. We can all brainstorm together."
Liu Kai nodded, "Yes, that's a good idea. People from our own family are more reliable than those from the martial world."
Almost at the same time, Feng Xiaoyue rushed to Larduo's horse market.
Larduo was still asleep. He had been drinking with his brother until late last night and was roused from his daze.
When he arrived at the reception hall, Larduo was taken aback to see Feng Xiaoyue, her eyes teary.
"Miss Xiaoyue, weren't you going to find Fang Zheng? Why are you here..."
Feng Xiaoyue tearfully recounted the situation she had witnessed that morning.
After she finished speaking, Larduo was stunned.
"What should we do? Since we can't go to Fang Zheng, how about I send someone to escort you back to Hetou Village to find Chen Xiaobei." Su Dan Novel Network
Hearing him, Feng Xiaoyue repeatedly shook her head, "No, no. If I go back, what about my father? He'll carry the injustice his whole life."
Larduo scratched his head, then suddenly slapped his forehead and said to someone nearby, "Go and call Yang Zhi and Lamo. Let's all think of a solution together."
Soon, Lamo, Yang Zhi, Yang Chun, and others all arrived. After hearing Feng Xiaoyue's story, they looked at each other.
Finally, Yang Zhi cleared his throat and spoke first, "Back then, in Hetou Village, Miss Liu treated us well. And besides, even though we didn't complete what she asked, we still received the full reward."
Hearing this, Larduo nodded, "Yes, you're right. Now that they are in trouble, we can't just abandon them."
Yang Chun, however, looked worried, "Then what should we do? We can't see the Emperor, nor can we plead for him."
Everyone's gaze naturally turned to Lamo.
Lamo, with a troubled expression, said, "Brother, everyone, I won't hide it from you. Although I have some connections in Wannian City, I can't see the Emperor. This is beyond my ability."
Upon hearing this, Larduo looked utterly disappointed.
"Yes, we are just horse traders, of course, we can't reach such high connections."
Suddenly, Yang Zhi slapped his forehead, "Your Highness, although we can't see the Emperor, we can see the Crown Prince and the Princess."
Hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy.
Yang Zhi immediately volunteered, "I will go and meet His Highness the Crown Prince immediately and explain the matter to him. He won't refuse to help, will he?"
Everyone immediately responded enthusiastically.
Feng Xiaoyue and Yang Zhi arrived at the gate of the Crown Prince's palace.
Feng Xiaoyue stepped forward and bowed to the guards at the gate, explaining their purpose.
The guards, hearing that they were acquaintances of the Crown Prince, did not make things difficult. They politely said, "Please wait a moment, the two of you. I will go and inform them inside."
Before long, the Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, accompanied by two guards, came out to greet them.
Seeing the Crown Prince personally come out to welcome them, Feng Xiaoyue and Yang Zhi were overwhelmed with gratitude. They quickly adjusted their clothes, knelt down, and bowed to Xiao Jingyun.
Xiao Jingyun waved his hand, "There's no need for such formality. Please come in with me."
The guards beside them were bewildered as they watched Xiao Jingyun enter with the two, chatting and laughing. These two looked like ordinary commoners, yet the Crown Prince himself came out to greet them. They must have a significant background.
Xiao Jingyun accompanied the two into the reception hall, chatting and laughing, and ordered tea to be served.
"Little Miss Xiao, Yang Zhi, why have you two come to the capital?"
As soon as he asked, Feng Xiaoyue immediately knelt on the ground, "Your Highness, please save Sister Lu Mei! And Brother Fang Jun!"
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun's brow furrowed.
It was understandable that Xiaoyue had come to plead for Liu Rumei, as they had met in Hetou Village. However, hearing the name Fang Jun, Xiao Jingyun was very surprised.
"You know Fang Jun?"
With the situation as it was, Feng Xiaoyue no longer concealed her identity.
"Your Highness, to be frank, my father is Feng Pengju."
Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun shot up from his seat.
"What did you say? Who is your father?"
Feng Xiaoyue bowed again, "Replying to Your Highness, my father is the condemned official Feng Pengju, who is now exiled to the border."
"I received a letter from my father saying that the Old Prime Minister had crucial evidence to prove my father was framed. That is why I rushed to the capital."
"However, when I met Grandfather Fang, I discovered that he was to be expelled from the capital by the Emperor today, and the Emperor had also ordered Guard Bai Han to take away Miss Liu Rumei and Brother Fang Jun."
After hearing this, Xiao Jingyun was dumbfounded. "How is this possible? I saw them last night, and I didn't hear Lord Fang say that he was leaving the capital today."
At this moment, Yang Zhi couldn't help but interject, "Your Highness, if you don't believe us, please go and see for yourself."
Xiao Jingyun nodded and glanced at Zhou Quan behind him.
Zhou Quan, understanding his intention, bowed and said, "I will go and see what the situation is first."
Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, while walking out with Feng Xiaoyue, said, "The matter of Liu Rumei is rather complicated. Her father and brother have also been imprisoned by my father. I have pleaded with my father many times, but to no avail."
Hearing this, Feng Xiaoyue felt a chill run down her spine. Even the Crown Prince couldn't do anything, so who else could?
However, Yang Zhi next to them directly asked, "Your Highness, please forgive my rudeness, but may I ask, did Miss Liu Rumei commit any wrongdoing?"
Xiao Jingyun shook his head and sighed, "It's a long story. Everywhere in Wannian City, it's being spread that Liu Xiangnan is holding himself in power, and that Zhu Meng is rebelling, and he is also involved."
Hearing this, Feng Xiaoyue's heart sank.
This was the same pattern as her father's case. When her father was imprisoned unjustly, wasn't it also because he was falsely accused of participating in rebellion? Later, when the Emperor found no evidence, he exiled her father to the border.
Now, the same tactic was being used against Liu Xiangnan.
Thinking of this, Feng Xiaoyue said solemnly to the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, a few years ago, wasn't my father also brought down by such rumors and exiled to the border?"
Hearing Feng Xiaoyue's words, Xiao Jingyun sighed helplessly, "I understand what you're saying, but my father..."
Seeing his hesitant look, Yang Zhi suddenly understood that Xiao Jingyun must know something.