Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 719: Counter-Calculating Leads to Doom (4)_1

Chapter 719: Chapter 719: Counter-Calculating Leads to Doom (4)_1

Mo Yan understood her father. Although he was mild-mannered, he was exceptionally tenacious. Otherwise, having passed the scholar examination at a young age and repeatedly missing opportunities in the imperial examination, an ordinary person might have given up long ago. Yet he still taught while diligently continuing his studies, and it was precisely because of his perseverance that he became one of the leading figures at Changshan Academy within a mere year.

She speculated that her father, unwilling to give up on the exams and not wanting to fall into someone else’s trap, had to resort to a compromise by deliberately underperforming and achieving a low rank. This way, it wouldn’t draw attention, and no one would believe his score was obtained through cheating.

Yet even so, her father couldn’t escape the entrapment of the person who had set up this scheme!

If all these conjectures were true, clearing her father’s name would not be difficult. She feared, however, that the person behind the scheme had further moves to make, forcing her father to confess.

The plan now was to meet with her father as soon as possible to confirm these matters. Only then would she know what the schemer’s next move might be, allowing her to gain the upper hand and rescue her father.

But Mo Yan didn’t even know where her father was being held, or whether she could see him before the trial. She had to suppress the anxiety in her heart and decided to go into the city tomorrow to assess the situation. No matter the cost, she had to see her father.

...

Xiao Ruiyuan and Yan Junyu, along with Guard Chu Heng, did not return to Jingshan Villa. Instead, they went straight to the Prince’s Mansion and, without resting, went directly to the study to discuss matters.

"King Heng and the Lin Family are truly foolish, to have brought this matter before The Emperor. Aren’t they afraid the situation will get out of hand? Trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice," Yan Junyu said sarcastically, shaking his Jade Bone Fan.

Chu Heng shook his head, and it was unclear whether he disagreed with Yan Junyu’s statement or also thought King Heng and the Lin Family were foolish, "Hanzhang, what should we do next?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Junyu turned his gaze to Xiao Ruiyuan. Seeing his frosty face, he teasingly said, "Still worried about that girl? She’s calmer than you think. She might have already thought of a way to save her father by now!"

The statement was true, but when Yan Junyu spoke in such a familiar tone, as if no one understood Mo Yan better than he did, it seemed so irritating that one could hardly resist the urge to smack him.

Xiao Ruiyuan’s expression grew even colder, his glare sharp as arrows shot towards Yan Junyu, full of warning.

Yet Yan Junyu behaved as if oblivious to the icy demeanor, his excitement growing as he faced Xiao Ruiyuan’s cold face. "That girl hates evil; if she knew you agreed to Mr. Mo’s request to use him as bait to outsmart King Heng and the Lin Family, I wonder if she’ll ever trust you again! If that’s the case, at least I might still have a chance, right? Hey, why don’t I tell the girl about it right now?"

The moment his teasing words fell, a swift palm strike came his way. Yan Junyu narrowly dodged, wincing as he said, "You, valuing love over friendship, would actually strike at me with such malice!"

Xiao Ruiyuan remained silent, his movements growing increasingly fierce.

"Alright, enough, don’t make a fuss!" Seeing his two cousins about to lash out at each other, Chu Heng hurriedly interjected to mediate, his face full of helplessness.

They were all in their twenties, yet they acted like children, ready to fight at the slightest disagreement. Whoever got hurt, the distress would ultimately fall on him, their cousin.

Wary of accidentally harming Chu Heng, both men snorted coldly at each other and ceased their bickering, though neither was quite satisfied.

Chu Heng, holding his forehead, changed the subject, "Let’s focus on the important matters. We need to ensure Mr. Mo is safe and prevent King Heng and the Lin Family from resorting to extrajudicial torture!"

Without looking at Yan Junyu again, Xiao Ruiyuan spoke to Chu Heng, "We just received a report from the Hidden Guard: Mr. Mo is temporarily detained in the Ministry of Justice’s Prison, and An Jiu is keeping watch!"

An Jiu was a standout among the Hidden Guard. With him watching over the Ministry of Justice’s Prison, any disturbance inside would immediately be reported to Xiao Ruiyuan.

"That’s good to hear!" Chu Heng nodded in approval, having no objections to Xiao Ruiyuan’s arrangements.

After discussing the next steps in detail, and noticing it was getting late, Chu Heng went to his room to change into the proper attire for the Crown Prince and prepared to enter the Imperial Palace to discern Emperor Huian’s intentions for their upcoming plan.

Xiao Ruiyuan escorted Chu Heng to the Imperial Palace, where they coincidentally ran into Old Master Lin, who was also on his way to the palace.

When Old Master Lin saw Chu Heng, a shadow flickered in his eyes. He didn’t dare to show any disrespect to the Crown Prince of a Country; he quickly came forward to salute and, after rising, said insincerely with a smirk, "Your Highness, are you entering the palace at this hour for an audience with The Emperor on some important matter? I am here to report to The Emperor as well. Perhaps I could accompany Your Highness?"

"You—"

Approaching sixty years of age, Old Master Lin, born into distinction and father to a favored daughter, even though the Lin Family had been deliberately suppressed by Emperor Huian in recent years, was respected by many and had never faced such humiliation. He glared at Chu Heng, his eyes filling with rage, and a lump of anger stuck in his throat. Had it not been for a sliver of remaining sanity, he would have long since voiced his disrespect.

Looking at enraged Old Master Lin, his face changing colors like a palette, Chu Heng’s loathing and hatred deepened. With a cold snort, he turned and strode through the palace gates.

Xiao Ruiyuan watched Old Master Lin, his presence brimming with a chilling aura, until Old Master Lin, frightened, involuntarily looked down and dared not glare at Chu Heng’s retreating figure any longer. Only then did Xiao Ruiyuan enter the palace.

Chu Heng and Old Master Lin had not yet seen Emperor Huian when the emperor was already informed of the incident at the palace gates. He harbored extreme contempt for the foolish and malicious Old Master Lin but had to restrain himself because of his consideration for Master Lin.

The attending Liang Gonggong, sensing Emperor Huian’s fury, shook his head slightly. The repeatedly self-destructive Old Master Lin had probably truly doomed himself this time...