After the cannon fodder father and daughter married into the family, the whole family regretted it

Qin Yan narrowed his eyes. So that's how it is.

I wish you a good strategy. With just one letter, you have dragged the Ministry of Justice into this trouble. It is not entirely the fault of the Jingzhao Prefecture.

It seems he still has a lot to learn.

The Minister of Justice looked at Zhu Guanfeng for a while before taking the letter.

After opening the envelope and reading through it quickly, the Minister raised his eyebrows, moved his fingers slightly, and handed the letter to the little girl who was standing on tiptoe and trying to peek.

Fang Nanzhi was stunned, then answered the call without hesitation.

When she finished reading, her face was full of seriousness.

This was not a threatening letter, but a peace letter. Although it was sent to Fang Nanzhi, it was meant for Fang Tong and Fang Yin to see.

They thought that since their surname was Fang, it was not easy for them to live in the capital, and it was not easy for them to get their official positions, so why should they get involved in Chen's old case.

Qin Yan was also mentioned. It was not easy for students from poor families to enter the Imperial College, not to mention that he was extremely talented and had a bright future. It was a pity that he died so young.

The writer of the letter didn't say it explicitly, but the meaning was very clear. He wanted to shake up the Fang brothers. As long as they changed their attitude, Fang Nanzhi, a little girl, might not even be able to leave the mansion and nothing would change.

To be honest, according to common sense, the development of the family, the official position of the head of the family, and the future of the male members are definitely more important than a little girl's thoughts. Most people will choose the former.

Who is willing to give up fame, wealth and power?

Unfortunately, the Fang brothers really love Fang Nanzhi. In their hearts, being an official is important, but not more important than family.

This letter that pointed out the way forward is now wasted.

Qin Yan stood behind his sister and read the letter, but he was not moved at all.

The Minister of Justice, however, raised his eyebrows and said, "Miss Fang, would you like to send Chen's followers to the Ministry of Justice?"

"Sir, Ying Si is not a criminal, and he is in the general's mansion, so he can share the pressure for you." Fang Nanzhi blinked.

The Minister of Justice looked at her in surprise. This little girl was no ordinary person.

Indeed, if the person is sent to the Ministry of Justice, his Ministry of Justice will be in chaos.

Without continuing the topic, the Minister of Justice left first. He wanted to go to the palace to meet His Majesty.

As soon as he left, Zhu Guanfeng took the letter back from the little girl, put it away again, and looked serious.

"This is evidence, so it must be handed over to Jingzhao Prefecture."

Qin Yan and Fang Nanzhi looked at him in silence.

I wish you, sir, to be very smooth.

After entering the Ministry of Justice, Fang Nanzhi and the others had a simple task. They first went to see Master Chen Jiu.

This time, under Zhu Guanfeng's guidance, she specifically asked Chen Zijun many old stories.

From Chen Zijun’s diet and preferences to his close friends and confidants.

Master Chen Jiu was not always by Chen Zijun's side, so he only remembered some of his appearances, and some parts of his memory were vague.

But there is still Wansheng.

Zhu Guanfeng was right. Wansheng was living quite well in prison. In the cell, the bed was made of pearwood, covered with silk bedding, a gauze curtain, a screen with a landscape painting, a peach-colored desk, and even a bookshelf...

Really, Fang Nanzhi even felt that Uncle Wan came to the prison for vacation.

I don’t know how he did it, but thanks to him, a lot of things were added to the cells of Master Chen Jiu and his men.

He looked very energetic, and the green robe he wore gave him the air of an immortal banished to the mortal world.

Wansheng once admired Chen Zixi and was also a good friend of Chen Zijun, so he knew more.

"Yao Xin is Zijun's best friend."

Master Chen Jiu mentioned that he had met Yao Xin several times in the Chen Mansion, but after the new emperor ascended the throne, he came less often.

Wansheng knew more.

"Yao Xin and Zijun were classmates at the Imperial College and have been friends for over ten years."

"Shortly after Your Majesty ascended the throne, Yao Xin publicly severed his ties with Zijun, but it was all a show. Privately, their interactions did not diminish."

Yao Xin is also a good friend of Wansheng, but their friendship is shallow.

In other words, the three of them are good friends, but Yao Xin and Chen Zijun are the ones with more similar interests.

Wansheng only came later, and there was no trust between them.

"Why are you putting on a show and breaking off the friendship?" Fang Nanzhi was curious.

"Yao Xin was also forced into this. He was born into a branch of the Yingchuan Yao family. Although he was ostensibly a member of an aristocratic family, their branch had little connection with the main branch. He had a difficult childhood and didn't have the habits of a member of an aristocratic family."

"Yao Xin and Zijun share similar interests and lofty ambitions. Yao Xin has always wanted to focus on civil affairs and work for the poor people of the world. Once he entered the government, he was sent out to serve as a county magistrate."

"He has accumulated three years of experience, suppressing bandits and supervising farming, and has made many contributions. Your Majesty appreciates him, but is concerned about his relationship with Zijun and cannot use him with confidence."

"It was Zijun who came up with the idea and asked him to act out the scene of severing ties with his wife, so as not to hinder Yao Xin's future."

Fang Nanzhi listened with great interest: "Where is Mr. Yao now?"

If she has the chance, she would like to visit him. He sounds like a very powerful person.

Wansheng sighed and said nothing.

Qin Yan frowned and thought for a long time: "Chen Xiang is dead, and Yao Gong is blind?"

He had vaguely heard such discussions in the Imperial College.

"That's right. Not long after Zijun's accident, Yao Xin had an accident while in office and fell off a cliff. He luckily survived, but his eye was pierced by a branch." Wansheng felt very sorry.

Originally, many officials, even the emperor, thought that Yao Xin had great potential.

But he is blind and can no longer be an official, which is really a pity.

"After Yao Xin became blind, he left the capital and traveled around, and I never saw him again." Wansheng felt disappointed.

All his old friends left one by one, but he was left with nothing to do and was doing fine.

Wansheng felt bitter in his heart.

Fang Nanzhi felt that both her uncle and Mr. Yao were unlucky. They were a pair of good friends, one dead and the other blind.

Only Zhu Guanfeng had something flashing in his eyes, but he didn't say it out loud.

After confirming that Grandpa Jiu and the others were doing well, Fang Nanzhi went to get down to business.

There was nothing special about it, just visiting Chen Yong in prison.

Chen Yong had been held in solitary confinement and had not been tortured recently, so his cell was much simpler, made of thatch, wooden boards, and rats flashing by.

Fang Nanzhi came over with a lunch box.

"Nephew, I am young and my words are not taken seriously. I am also a woman, so I can't help you much. I can only bring you some food. Don't let it hurt your body."

Fang Nanzhi looked guilty, with his head hung low and unhappy.

Chen Yong understood that the case was not going well. Perhaps the Fang family hadn't found the assassin? It was normal that they couldn't find him.

Or maybe Fang Nanzhi was just a little girl, and the Fang family didn't want her to be involved too much in the case.

Chen Yong was also very filial: "I've caused you so much trouble, Aunt. This case involves the eldest princess, and you shouldn't have been involved. I will seek justice for the Chen family."

What this means is that Princess Mingzhu holds a high position of power, so it is understandable that it is difficult to investigate her.

Until now, he has not changed his words and still believes that it was Princess Mingzhu who framed Chen in person.

Fang Nanzhi's eyes widened, and he pretended to hesitate: "Nephew, did you make a mistake?"

Chen Yong's heart sank, his face became excited, he looked around deliberately and lowered his voice.

"How could that be? Did Auntie find out something?"

"There is no definite evidence, but now the adults all suspect the Jin family or the Wang family." Fang Nanzhi seemed to truly trust his nephew.

"Didn't you say that a son of the Wang family died and was mistakenly attributed to your uncle? Perhaps it was the Wang family's revenge."

"With so many assassins, Princess Mingzhu can't afford to train them. Only aristocratic families can..."

Fang Nanzhi's words were half true and half false.

Chen Yong was even more panicked. "But the Grand Princess is very favored. No one would investigate what she does behind my back, right?"

"The Crown Prince said that the Grand Princess has been in the capital. If she really wants to keep assassins, she can't do it under the emperor's nose. As for her fiefdom, she hasn't sent anyone there. Every year, it's the local officials who send taxes to the capital."

Fang Nanzhi mentioned the prince naturally and did not hide her good relationship with the Eastern Palace.

Chen Yong swallowed and lowered his voice: "Maybe Princess Mingzhu and Wang are colluding, working together from the inside and outside..."

Fang Nanzhi thought for a moment and finally nodded.

"Maybe. I'll have someone continue investigating. My dear nephew, you've suffered."

Chen Yong forced a wry smile and said, "Born as a member of the Chen family, I have no choice."

Fang Nanzhi let out a long sigh.

The two of them no longer gathered together to whisper to each other.

When he opened the lunch box, the aroma of food wafted out and Chen Yong's stomach couldn't help but growl.

After being exiled, he had been eating coarse food for many years. When he was escorted to Beijing, there were yamen runners in front of him, and he could even have a few good meals.

Later he was hunted down and had to live in the open air.

He was then sent to the Ministry of Justice, where the meals he ate every day were half-rotten.

Now when I see new food, my eyes light up.

"Clang clang clang!"

The jailer came over at some point, and in the dark firelight, he knocked on the cell door.

"It's almost time."

Fang Nanzhi, who was helping to arrange the dishes, could only stand up regretfully.

"Nephew, I'll come see you again in a few days."

Chen Yong's stomach growled at the aroma, and his mind wasn't as sharp as before. He didn't try to persuade her not to come again or to protect herself.

He nodded.

Fang Nanzhi just left.

When she left the cell, Zhu Guanfeng and Qin Yan were waiting for her not far away.

"Let's go." Zhu Guanfeng looked at the empty-handed little girl and nodded with satisfaction.

Fang Nanzhi quickened his pace to catch up, looking up and asking, "Master Zhu, why did you tell him about Wang Shi?"

As for the Jin family, she is also quite suspicious now.

But Wang's is a bit abrupt.

"What was his reaction after you said that?" Zhu Guanfeng asked instead of answering.

"Chen Yong believes that Princess Mingzhu and the Wang family are in collusion."

Zhu Guanfeng nodded, seemingly not surprised at all by this statement.

Fang Nanzhi followed closely, glanced at the jailers on both sides, and asked in a low voice, "Master Zhu, do you suspect Wang?"

Zhu Guanfeng smiled but said nothing.

"True or false, who can tell until the matter is thoroughly investigated?"

This sounds like a mystery, but I actually don't want to tell her.

Fang Nanzhi got angry and walked faster, thinking angrily that next time Master Zhu asked her to do something, she would not agree.

How could that be? Once she got the news, she never hid it from anyone.

I hope you will be more honest.

Zhu Guanfeng sent the brother and sister onto the carriage and even assigned someone to escort them for a while, fearing that they might get into another accident.

Fang Nanzhi lifted the carriage curtain and said, "Master Zhu, do you really have nothing to say to me?"

Zhu Guanfeng laughed: "It really is."

Oh? Fang Nanzhi sat upright.

"You'd better go out less recently. You are brave and not afraid of anything, but we in Jingzhao Prefecture are afraid." Zhu Guanfeng was very serious.

Fang Nanzhi was unhappy: "Master Zhu, if a commoner like me cannot even leave the house freely under the feet of the emperor, then the Jingzhao Prefecture must reflect on this."

After saying that, he pulled the curtain, cracked the whip, and the carriage started moving.

Zhu Guanfeng was so angry that he laughed and became quite eloquent.

In the car, Qin Yan glanced at his angry sister and poured her some flower tea.

"Why are you so angry? Master Zhu is afraid that there are ears on the other side of the wall."

Fang Nanzhi looked at his brother.

"If things go as expected, Lord Zhu really suspects the Yao family, or to be more precise, Yao Xin." Qin Yan took a sip of tea.

He had noticed it earlier when he went to meet Chen Jiuye and Wansheng.

When asked about Chen Zijun's diet, hobbies, etc., Mr. Zhu remained expressionless.

Only when Chen Zijun's old friend was mentioned, especially when he heard the name Yao Xin, did his expression change.

Having my sister ask so many questions was probably to bring this person out in a natural way.

Fang Nanzhi didn't have time to drink her tea and couldn't help but put her little head close to her brother.

The voice was very low: "Brother, are you saying that Yao Xin is a bad person?"

The little girl's eyes were full of surprise and disbelief. She had just heard the story of the friendship between the two brothers in distress, and how could it change so quickly?

"Whether Yao Xin is good or evil is still uncertain. Lord Zhu doesn't suspect he's related to the assassin, but rather to Chen Yong."

Qin Yan's guess on this point is pure speculation.

Now that things have come to this, everything is becoming clear.

We have a clue about the person who hunted Chen Zixi back then.

Chen's followers showed up, and we also got clues about the masters behind the assassins.

There is only one thing that is unclear. Why did Chen Yong, who originally cooperated with Princess Mingzhu, change his words and get so much evidence that was almost indistinguishable from the real thing?

Who made him do this?

In other words, in addition to Chen's followers and the assassins, there is another force interfering with the direction of the case.

This person's status cannot be low.

The fact that he was able to provide clues about the previous dynasty's treasury shows that he is no ordinary person.

Fang Nanzhi understood, but was a little puzzled: "Why did Yao Xin want to control Chen Yong? To use him to overturn the Chen family's case and avenge his friend? But he pointed the finger at Princess Mingzhu."

If you truly want revenge for your friend, can you fabricate false evidence to frame your friend's ex-wife?

Or, in Yao Xin's eyes, his good friend died at the hands of the imperial family.

Therefore, he resented Princess Mingzhu, who was born in the royal family, and resented His Majesty, so he would do anything to achieve his goal?

Fang Nanzhi shook his head: "But he's blind, and he's from a side branch. How can he be so capable?"

Fang Nanzhi has also met the son of aristocratic family.

Take Wang Gong for example, the young master of the Wang family, who was abandoned just like that.

Just because he was not liked by the clan leader, he was abandoned even though he was so smart and healthy.

It can be seen that among the aristocratic families, people are ruthless even to their own family members.

Yao Xin is an unappreciated branch of the family and he is also blind, so he has lost his voice in the family.

"You forgot, Uncle Wan said that his talent is no less than Uncle Chen." Qin Yan glanced at him.

Uncle Chen can even be a treacherous prime minister.

Friends have similar intelligence and abilities, so can't Yao Xin resort to some covert tactics?

Fang Nanzhi said "oh oh" twice, still finding it unbelievable.