"It's me."
Chu Ruoyan stood up and said, "Your storytelling is captivating, sir, but there is one thing I don’t quite understand and would like to ask for clarification."
Liu Chunrong, seeing it was a young woman, softened his stern expression slightly. "What is your question?"
"Is what you wrote in your book true?"
"Of course it's true!"
"Really?" Chu Ruoyan said softly. "Then did you witness it with your own eyes?"
"Well..."
"Then you must have heard it firsthand. May I ask what position you held in the army to know such details? You must have been very close to the general."
Her words were calm and measured, but the audience gradually sensed something amiss. How could a mere storyteller know the exact conversations between soldiers on the battlefield?
Liu Chunrong grew irritated. "Which tavern sent you here to cause trouble? If you’re not here to listen, leave at once and stop wasting everyone’s time!"
Chu Ruoyan raised an eyebrow. Su Tingyun stood up. "She is my honored guest, Master Liu. Mind your words."
Recognizing the young master of the establishment, Liu Chunrong hastily bowed in apology.
Just then, the manager rushed over, trying to pull Su Tingyun aside.
However, Su Tingyun refused. "There’s nothing that can’t be said openly. Speak here."
The manager, embarrassed, lowered his voice. "Young Master, this storyteller was hired at great expense by the Marquis. Today’s chapter, 'The Battle of Hangu Pass,' was personally selected by His Lordship..."
"What? My father?" Su Tingyun exclaimed in shock.
Chu Ruoyan slowly lowered her gaze.
Of course. If it was the Marquis of Pingjing, everything made sense now.
First, he orchestrated the disgrace of a lone maiden at Wangshuang Tower to provoke Yan Zheng into intervening.
Then, he used Ajiao’s beauty to get close to Yan Xun and steal the city defense plans, framing Yan Zheng for the crime.
Now, this storytelling performance was meant to incite public outrage and condemn Yan Zheng...
Such meticulous scheming—no wonder Yan Zheng annihilated his entire family in her dream!
"Lady of Anning Hou, there must be some misunderstanding. My father has always held General Yan in high regard. He would never harm Anning Hou! There must be someone else manipulating things behind the scenes!"
Su Tingyun spoke with conviction, but Chu Ruoyan’s gaze only grew more complicated.
Did he know?
Or was he ignorant?
Either way, the Su and Yan families were now sworn enemies...
"Young Master Su, thank you for today. I will repay this kindness another time."
Before Su Tingyun could respond, she turned and walked away resolutely.
Watching her slender figure disappear, an uneasy feeling settled in his heart—as though the next time they met, they would be adversaries, not allies.
Outside Wangshuang Tower, Meng Yang was already waiting by the carriage.
Seeing her, he hurried over. "We’ve confirmed it. The first person Ajiao met after escaping was—"
"Shh!" Chu Ruoyan interrupted. "Let me guess—the Marquis of Pingjing?"
Meng Yang was stunned. "How did you know?"
Her heart sank.
Su Nantian, the Marquis of Pingjing—a pillar among civil officials—why would he do such a thing?
"Do we have proof?"
"No. The Marquis was extremely careful. He met Ajiao only once before sending her to another person’s residence overnight..."
"Who?"
Meng Yang, usually quick to speak, hesitated before finally forcing out a name. "Grand Tutor Rong."
Grand Tutor Rong?!
Chu Ruoyan’s eyes widened in disbelief. Meng Yang continued angrily, "I don’t know what the Grand Tutor was thinking. After meeting Ajiao, he didn’t even bother to ask our young master for clarification. He took her straight to the Emperor! Minister Cao happened to be present, and His Majesty was furious. He ordered Yan Zheng’s arrest immediately—that’s why the city guards stormed the funeral!"
Chu Ruoyan nearly laughed in disbelief.
First Prince Yu, then the Marquis of Pingjing—fine, they were outsiders. But Grand Tutor Rong? Yan Xun was his own son-in-law! Their families were bound by marriage—how could he not trust Yan Zheng?
What heavenly crime had Yan Zheng committed to deserve this?
"My lady, what should we do next? Should we confront Grand Tutor Rong?"
"No."
Now that Ajiao had been presented to the Emperor, confronting him would be pointless.
After a moment of contemplation, Chu Ruoyan said, "We’re going to the Cao residence. I need to see Cao Yang."
"Minister Cao?"
"Exactly. Prince Yu is ruthless. With your young master alone in the Ministry of Justice, I fear he won’t last long."
She left unsaid the fact that with so many powerful figures conspiring against them, they stood little chance alone.
For now, they needed allies.
At the Cao residence, Old Madam Cao was overjoyed to hear of Chu Ruoyan’s visit. She even ate an extra bowl of rice at lunch.
When Chu Ruoyan asked to see Cao Yang, the old woman immediately sent for him, pulling him away from his duties at the Ministry of Revenue.
"Mother, I’m swamped with official business. Couldn’t this wait until—"
He stopped short upon seeing Chu Ruoyan seated beside his mother, smiling faintly. His face darkened, and he turned to leave.
"Stop right there!" Old Madam Cao snapped. "Am I some kind of monster that you flee at the sight of me?"
Cao Yang inwardly groaned. "Mother, I already bent the rules to help her last time. I can’t possibly—"
"I’m not asking you to help. This time, the girl is here to thank us. Look, she even embroidered this sachet herself—the craftsmanship, the stitching, it’s just like Jing’er’s work!"
Cao Yang stared at the sachet his mother was admiring but saw nothing remarkable about it.
Still, he couldn’t dampen her spirits. Reluctantly, he said, "Lady of Anning Hou, is there something you wish to discuss with me?"
Chu Ruoyan stood gracefully. "Old Madam Cao, may I speak with the Minister in private for a moment?"
"Of course, of course! The sooner you resolve your husband’s troubles, the sooner you can sit with me properly. Oh, and next time you visit, remember to bring some plum blossom cakes from Zhang’s Shop. Your aunt and I always loved their pastries."
Chu Ruoyan smiled in agreement, while Cao Yang felt a headache coming on.
There was going to be a next time?!
In Cao Yang’s study, Chu Ruoyan took a seat. He wasted no time. "Lady of Anning Hou, why do you keep coming here? What do you want?"
She smiled. "Minister Cao, there’s no need to be tense. I haven’t properly thanked you for your help last time."
He scoffed. Then she continued, "Cao Yi must have told you—Prince Yu is merciless. With my husband alone in the Ministry of Justice, I fear for his life..."
"You needn’t worry. After last night, I’ve assigned dedicated guards. If Prince Yu wishes to interrogate him again, he must first notify me, and I will be present."
Meaning he wouldn’t let Prince Yu act unchecked.
But Chu Ruoyan pressed further. "Minister Cao, Prince Yu is imperial kin and the chief judge in this case. If he insists on torture, can you really stop him?"
Cao Yang frowned. "Then what do you propose?"
She stood and bowed deeply, her hands pressed to her forehead in the highest form of respect. "I beg for your assistance in freeing my husband from prison."
Silence filled the study.
Cao Yang was stunned by her audacity. "Do you realize what you’re asking? The Emperor, the entire court, and the people are all watching. How do you expect to rescue him?"
Chu Ruoyan met his gaze steadily. "I have my ways. The question is—will you help me or not?"
Cao Yang laughed coldly. "Has the Marchioness of Pingjing mistaken something? This official shares neither friendship nor favors with your Yan family. Why should I take such a risk for you?"
Chu Ruoyan had anticipated his response. She lifted her gaze and spoke deliberately, "Because of Xiaoman, because of his grandmother—and because of those three hundred innocent lives, young and old, you once sought to claim!"
