As they spoke, Liu Kai’s gaze fell upon the dozen or so captured remnants of the Cangying Mountain bandits imprisoned nearby.
“Tomorrow morning, we’ll go to the Law Department. First, we’ll settle their matters, and then we’ll go welcome the young lord out.”
Everyone still had to listen to Liu Kai’s words, and they dispersed to their respective tasks.
Liu Kai called Zheng Ke to his side again and said in a deep voice, “Tomorrow, we’ll take people to the Law Department. You take a few people to wait outside the imperial prison. I think the Marquis will also be out soon.”
The next morning, after breakfast, everyone split up and headed for Wannian City. Liu Kai led his men to the Law Department to settle matters concerning the Cangying Mountain bandits.
Zheng Ke, with a few others, rushed to the imperial prison.
Zheng Ke arrived outside the imperial prison and paced back and forth. Su Dan Xiaoshuo Wang.
The few constables guarding the entrance greeted him very courteously when they saw him.
Zheng Ke cupped his fists and said with a smile, “Gentlemen, please be so kind as to invite my Marquis out.”
The constables looked at each other, bewildered.
The one in charge looked at Zheng Ke with surprise and asked, “Brother Zheng, we’re all acquaintances. We’re all one family, so there’s no need for formalities. Don’t worry, the old Marquis is not suffering any injustice inside.”
Zheng Ke was also confused. “Didn’t you receive an order? My Marquis is to be released.”
The constables shook their heads.
Zheng Ke looked up at the sun in the sky and mused to himself that perhaps it was still too early, and the Emperor’s decree had not yet arrived. He decided to wait.
But he waited and waited, until the sun was high in the sky. After asking several times with no news, Zheng Ke grew impatient.
He quickly turned and rushed to the Protector Duke’s mansion to find Liu Kai.
However, when he returned to the Protector Duke’s mansion, the scene before him stunned him. The main gate was still sealed, and Liu Kai was nowhere to be found. After a moment of thought, Zheng Ke turned and rushed to the Law Department again.
Outside the Law Department, Liu Kai and his men were also pacing around. Seeing Zheng Ke’s arrival, he asked with joy, “Has the Marquis been released?”
Zheng Ke shook his head. “The people at the imperial prison said they haven’t received the Emperor’s decree.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Kai sighed deeply.
He pondered for a moment. “You go back to the imperial prison entrance and wait. I’ll go back now.”
After making arrangements, Liu Kai went straight to the residence of the old Prime Minister, Fang Zheng.
Upon hearing that Liu Kai had arrived, the old Prime Minister, Fang Zheng, received him with great ceremony in the reception hall.
“Your humble servant Liu Kai greets the old Prime Minister.” As soon as Liu Kai entered, he moved to kneel.
Fang Zheng quickly waved his hand. “Liu Kai, there’s no need to be so polite with me. Sit down and tell me what you have to say.”
How could Liu Kai have the heart to sit? He cupped his fists again and said in a deep voice, “Old Prime Minister, please save my Marquis. He…”
Before he could finish, Fang Zheng let out a long sigh.
“Alas, to be honest, I can no longer help.”
“This.” Liu Kai didn’t understand what he meant for a moment.
At this moment, Fang Jun, who was standing beside Fang Zheng, spoke.
“Grand Steward, my grandfather has repeatedly requested to see the Emperor, but the Emperor has always refused.”
Hearing this, Liu Kai was greatly shocked.
“This…”
Fang Zheng sighed again. “You should write a letter to Ru Mei and ask him to quickly invite the Crown Prince…”
Hearing this, Liu Kai gave a wry smile. “Yesterday, Miss replied that the Crown Prince had already sent a pigeon to the Emperor asking him to release my Marquis. That’s why I came into the city early. But I’ve waited until now with no news.”
Upon hearing his words, Fang Zheng’s expression became grave.
“Alas, this matter is truly strange. Suddenly, all sorts of rumors have spread, all concerning the Liu family.”
“I also secretly sent people to investigate, but could find no clues.”
“You say we’ve finally defeated the Great Tu Kingdom and the Great Lin Kingdom, and now we’re having trouble within ourselves.”
Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Liu Kai was on the verge of tears.
“Old Prime Minister, please think of a way to save my Marquis.”
Fang Zheng stood up and clasped his hands behind his back. “The only hope now is to have the Crown Prince return to court as soon as possible. Only the Crown Prince can persuade the Emperor.”
“Right, you should stay here with me for now. It will be more convenient.”
Liu Kai, however, stubbornly cupped his fists. “I won’t disturb the Prime Minister. I have my own place to stay!”
Leaving the Prime Minister’s mansion, Liu Kai’s heart sank to the bottom. He had thought he saw hope, but it was instantly dashed.
As he walked, Liu Kai pondered.
It would take at least three to five days for his pigeon to reach Liu Rumei in Jizhou and then return to Wannian City. He couldn’t just wait these few days; he had to do something.
He recalled Fang Zheng’s words. Rumors had suddenly spread, so he should investigate where these rumors were coming from.
At this moment, a thousand miles away.
Hetao Village.
Chen Xiaobei rushed to the county town in his carriage early in the morning.
The carriage was filled to the brim with charcoal. Chen Xiaobei had already decided to deliver the charcoal to Old Wu and then buy some vegetables on the way back.
It was better for a man to go into town to buy vegetables. Moreover, Chen Xiaobei had specifically called Chen Xiaowen along and had agreed with Chen Dayong that from now on, no one was allowed to act alone on any matter. At least two people should go together for mutual support.
As they drove the carriage for a while, Chen Xiaowen seemed hesitant to speak.
Chen Xiaobei looked at him and couldn’t help but ask, “Xiao Wen, what’s wrong? Just say whatever you have to say.”
Chen Xiaowen hesitated. “Brother, my mother said I need to get married too. She said Brother Xiaobo is getting married soon, and I’m still nowhere in sight.”
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei couldn’t help but laugh.
He thought about it. He had already married two wives, so why couldn’t he allow others to marry one?
“Alright, Xiao Wen, do you have anyone in mind? I’ll help you with the matchmaking.”
“That… that’s Jasmine from Cui Family Village.”
Jasmine!
Hearing the name, Chen Xiaobei couldn’t help but give him a thumbs-up.
“Xiao Wen, your taste is good. Who doesn’t know that Jasmine is a famous beauty in our ten-mile radius? People proposing to her must have worn out her doorstep.”
Hearing him say this, Chen Xiaowen’s face instantly turned red. “Brother Xiaobei, do you think I’m being unrealistic?”
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. “Not at all. As long as you like her, you should try. Maybe she likes you too.”
Hearing this, Chen Xiaowen also became excited. “Really? Brother Xiaobei, she’ll like me, right?”
Looking at Chen Xiaowen’s excited appearance, Chen Xiaobei naturally couldn’t bear to dampen his enthusiasm and quickly agreed, “Yes, yes, she will definitely like you.”
Looking at Chen Xiaowen grinning foolishly, Chen Xiaobei suddenly remembered his past life. In his past life, he was a sycophant. As long as the goddess said a few words to him, wouldn’t he also be excited for a long time?
No, this analogy of his wasn’t quite right. Chen Xiaowen wasn’t a sycophant; he was pursuing his own happiness.