"I am also powerless. Please take care of yourself."
Ling Muzhu dropped the words and turned to leave, leaving Ling Yan alone shouting.
Ling Yan slumped to the ground, her face streaked with tears. She had done exactly as her maternal grandmother and mother had taught her, so why was it different? Why was it so different...
She was a daughter of the Ling family, her father's daughter. Her father would never abandon her. Her mother was right, it must be that she had failed somewhere, it had to be.
Ling Yan suddenly stood up, grabbed the iron bars, and yelled, "Let me out! I am the young lady of the Ling family. My father will come to save me! My father will come to save me!"
The jailer heard the commotion and came to check. He glanced at Ling Yan and roared, "Be quiet! You're here now, so forget about your pampered life."
"You shut up! I am the Ling family's young lady. If you disrespect me, my father will not let you go!" Ling Yan was still living in her delusion of being a young lady. She looked at the jailer with disdain in her eyes. She was certain her father would not abandon her and would definitely come to save her.
The jailers here were all fierce and menacing figures. They did not give the fallen young lady Ling Yan any regard.
He grabbed a stick from the side and slammed it hard against the iron bars. The loud noise startled Ling Yan, and she quickly let go of the bars, stumbling back a few steps and curling up in a corner, trembling.
"Even if you were a prince or princess, you would have to obey here. If you dare to act up again, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Ling Yan swallowed hard, her whole body trembling. She gazed at the long stick in the jailer's hand, her eyes filled with fear.
"I thought you had some courage. You're so easily scared. From now on, you will be honest with me. If you dare to cause trouble again, my stick won't show mercy!"
The jailer dropped the words heavily and was about to leave when Ling Yan called out from behind, "Brother, can you help me send a message?"
Hearing the voice, the jailer stopped and turned to look at Ling Yan, snorting, "You know the rules here. Asking for favors is fine, but this..."
Ling Yan immediately understood what he meant. She fumbled all over herself, found a jade pendant at her waist, and hastily handed it to the jailer. "Brother jailer, this jade pendant is worth a hundred taels. Please help me send a message out. If I can get out, I will definitely reward you handsomely."
Sizing up the jade pendant in his hand, having handled no small amount of gold and silver jewelry, the jailer could tell the authenticity of the jade pendant with a single glance.
"Say it, what message do you want to send?"
"Please, brother, go to the Zhao family in Anyang and send a message to my mother and maternal grandmother, asking them to find a way to save me."
The jailer couldn't help but chuckle coldly, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm. "Wasn't that your father who left just now? He won't save you, do you think your maternal family can save you?"
"My maternal grandmother and mother love me the most. They will definitely find a way to save me. Just deliver the message."
Ling Yan firmly believed that her maternal grandmother and mother would save her.
The jailer glanced at the jade pendant in his hand. He was taking money anyway, so he didn't need to worry too much. He just needed to deliver the message.
...
Ling Mohan stared grimly at the memorial in his hand, his grip tightening. The memorial was crushed into a ball in an instant.
"What's wrong? You're so angry," Feng Jin said as soon as she entered and saw his extremely dark expression.
"Take a look yourself." Ling Mohan threw the memorial in front of Feng Jin, his expression terrifyingly grim.
Feng Jin unfolded the crumpled memorial and read it, her eyes widening slightly. "This... is this real?"
From Ling Mohan's expression, Feng Jin got the affirmative answer.
This charge was one of exterminating nine generations of relatives. In this era, iron ore was crucial.
Due to the importance of iron ore, it had always been controlled by the state, and the control over iron ore was extremely strict. Any private dealing of iron ore was a serious crime. Yet, this time, the Zhao family not only instigated Ling Yan to steal the token and forcibly occupy the iron mine but also dared to privately trade pure iron, profiting immensely.
If this memorial reached Emperor Xuanwen's hands, the Zhao family would likely face death.
"What do you plan to do?" Feng Jin asked for Ling Mohan's opinion. If this was solely the Zhao family's doing, there would be no need to worry. However, the token was lost by the Second Master Ling, and it was Ling Yan who stole it.
Once an investigation ensued, the Ling family would not be spared punishment, especially the Second Master Ling.
"Such a major crime as stealing iron ore cannot be concealed. His Majesty will find out sooner or later. Instead of letting others hold this against us, it's better to make the first move."
"But if this matter is exposed, what about your second uncle?"
"Princes and commoners are equal before the law," Ling Mohan's words already indicated his stance.
Sometimes, when there was no other choice, sacrifices had to be made to preserve the bigger picture.
Since one sowed such seeds, one had to bear the consequences, whether bitter or sweet.
Feng Jin sighed softly, "Then it can only be so."
"The people sent also found out that the Zhao family has ties with the Third Prince. It is likely that the matter of trading iron ore is also related to the Third Prince."
After learning about this, he sent people to surround the Zhao family, and all individuals have been apprehended.
Their raid was timely, and they found many letters exchanged between the Zhao family and the Third Prince.
The crime of trading iron ore for exorbitant profits is punishable by death. Perhaps this matter is a good opportunity to bring down the Third Prince.
"Let Chu Chenyi investigate this matter. How can one become emperor without making any effort?"
They couldn't do everything for him, and have Chu Chenyi reap the benefits and become emperor. That would be too easy.
"Indeed, he should put in some effort."
Ling Mohan fully agreed with Feng Jin's suggestion. He had been busy investigating this matter for the past two days, not even having time to rest. In contrast, Chu Chenyi was leisurely, bird-watching and enjoying flowers every day. The contrast was quite stark.
After organizing all the relevant materials overnight, Ling Mohan sent Lu Shi to deliver everything to the Jing Prince's mansion.
...
"Your Highness the Prince of Jing, all matters concerning the Zhao family's theft of iron ore are herewith."
Chu Chenyi looked at the pile of memorials, his expression sinking, and asked, "What does this mean?"
"Your Highness, my young general said that he was worried that Your Highness had been too idle all day and that your mind might be degenerating. Therefore, he has handed this matter over to Your Highness the Prince of Jing to handle, so that Your Highness can exercise your brain."
Lu Shi relayed Ling Mohan's words to Chu Chenyi verbatim.
"Did Ling Mohan really say that?" Chu Chenyi repeated uncertainly.
"Not a word is different."