The news of Zhang Tianhe's imprisonment spread throughout the capital in less than half a day. Crowds of citizens flooded the streets, hoping to get in a few kicks or throw rotten eggs at him amidst the chaos. Surprisingly, the normally fearsome Jinyiwei allowed these furious townspeople to vent their anger, leading the prisoner cart slowly to the Ministry of Justice without interference.

  From a window seat in Juyi Tavern, Han Zhi looked down and could only see Zhang Tianhe desperately dodging left and right, his face smeared with egg so thickly that his features were nearly unrecognizable.

  Due to the situation with Song Chuyi, Han Zhi hadn't been close to his dear aunt for quite some time, refusing even those she sent to find him. But hearing of this incident, he couldn't stand by any longer. His father, Han Zhengqing, had governed Datong for many years, and it was impossible to cim his record was spotless. Especially after Zhang Tianhe became the Governor of the Northwest and started dabbling in ventures he wouldn't have dared before—half the underground banks in the Northwest were his father's assets.

  If all this were exposed, it would be disastrous for the Han family, and his aunt and Prince of Commandery would also be implicated. Everyone knew the Han family was a weapon in the hands of Fan Liangdi and the Prince of Commandery; if there was any misconduct in the Han family, it couldn't be disconnected from Fan Liangdi and her son.

  He couldn't let the Han family fall, nor could he watch his aunt and cousin suffer. At this moment, the best solution was to silence the heads of the Supreme Court and the Censorate, and Zhang Tianhe as well.

  As the prisoner cart rattled over the stone-paved streets, Han Zhi called over Guanshan and instructed him in a low voice, "Go smooth things over and find a way to get Lord Zhang's grandchildren out."

  Any man over the age of fifteen would be executed, but those under fifteen could be spared—exiled three thousand miles away or ensved. Money could always sway things, and some lives could still be saved. Sometimes, the simplest method proved most effective. When a man knows he's doomed, he's sure to think of his ancestors, especially in a case that threatens to wipe out his entire family. Saving a bit of bloodline might be the best medicine to shut Zhang Tianhe up.

  Guanshan dared not dey, bowed, and immediately turned to leave.

  Han Zhi then looked at Wei Yanxi, who was waiting silently nearby, and instructed him, "Take your Jinyiwei friend for a drink, and make sure he knows exactly what to say to Zhang Tianhe."

  The Northwest affairs were bound to be unearthed, even if the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court were bribed. Cui Shaoting and the Song family would not let go of this golden opportunity. Zhang Tianhe clearly intended to drag them down with him, so they would certainly pursue this matter publicly and privately. However, this was not entirely unmanageable. If there was a rge enough scapegoat to take the bme fully, even the powerful Cui cn and the Song family would find it difficult to press charges without evidence.

  Han Zhi gnced at the floating tea leaves in his cup, a faintly meaningful smile pying at his lips—no wonder the Song family was so challenging to deal with. With a treasure like Song Chuyi, they were truly invincible. The Chen family's strategy seemed fwless, yet Song Chuyi managed to find a crack, using it to survive and even turn the tables. Such skill...

  Perhaps his aunt and cousin were right in considering Song Chuyi for a greater role than just a daughter-in-w of the Marquis's estate. She could be far more useful beside the Prince of Commandery.

  Meanwhile, his cousin, the Prince of Commandery, who always maintained a gentle demeanor and had the dignified bearing of a prince, smiled as he lowered his head to ask his mother, "Has it begun?"

  Consort Fan, holding a fan embroidered with gold peonies, nodded gracefully, her forehead ornament swaying with her movement. "Old Lady Chen sent a message yesterday requesting a meeting. I saw her this morning."

  Zhou Weiqi instantly knew why Old Lady Chen came—to test the waters on behalf of Grand Secretary Chen. Although Lord Chen was astute and had long prepared an escape pn, his retreat wasn't entirely secure and needed their assistance.

  Meng Jiming and Feng Yinglong could handle it with their ties to Grand Secretary Chen—they had known him well and had more than a few secrets held by him. But the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, Tao Dinghu, who was in charge of oversight, wouldn't be so easily appeased. If Meng Jiming and Feng Yinglong made too many moves and Tao Dinghu stirred up trouble and reported it, it could lead to an unprecedented scandal.

  Consort Fan gnced at her son and asked softly, "Do you think we should intervene?"

  When she wasn't smiling, her refined features often took on an unintentional hint of severity and harshness. In the Crown Prince's presence, she always wore a smile, and while it cost her little, it was not her natural expression. Away from his sight, her face often remained cold and impassive. At this moment, she regarded her son with this usual indifferent expression.

  Zhou Weiqi was accustomed to it. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, looking at his mother through the steam. "Mother has already promised the Chen family, so why ask me now?"

  Did they have any choice? Grand Secretary Chen held numerous pieces of evidence regarding their dealings with Han Zhengqing and had helped them countless times. To say the least, the Yangzhou scandal had passed through his hands. If these matters came to light, what good would it do them? Emperor Jianzhang was not the Crown Prince, and he would not take their word as w.

  Unlike his mother, Zhou Weiqi was naturally gifted with a smiling countenance. Whether he was angry or sad, his lips always held a hint of a smile, making it hard for others to discern his true emotions and drawing them to him with a sense of goodwill.

  Consort Fan gnced at him lightly and nodded. "In that case, have your cousin invite Censor Tao for tea."

  Han Zhi's tantrum had gone on long enough. If not for her intervention in his childhood, he would be dead by now. A life saved by another had no right to throw a tantrum.

  Zhou Weiqi cpped his hands and stood up. "I'll go myself! My cousin may still be sulking. Once I've handled this, I'll talk to him. He's always respected you and cherished me; he'll understand."