Mistakenly recognized as a cousin, thousands of pampered

"Everyone in the court is naturally aware of the doubts you mentioned. However, the letters we have seized are irrefutable evidence. As for Prince Shou's motives, it is said that he hates the emperor so much that he has gone mad, willing to sacrifice himself and set up a mystery to make everyone believe that he is simply training troops for rebellion, thereby covering up his treasonous collusion with foreign countries."

"A prince, just because he hates Your Majesty, can be so determined and willing to sacrifice himself? Besides, Prince Shou once kidnapped me and even wanted to kill me. Father would definitely not conspire with him." Tao Jiuxi was still full of doubts and shook his head repeatedly.

"Miss Tao, I know you are full of doubts, but the evidence is extremely unfavorable to the Tao family. Fortunately, His Majesty has not immediately charged your family with treason. He has only temporarily detained you pending a detailed investigation."

"How is my master now?" Zhong Yunxi couldn't help but interrupt and ask.

"Like you, he's been locked up. I haven't been to see him yet. Lord Tao's place is heavily guarded right now, so I may not be able to see him."

"Is there any torture?"

"I don't know."

Zhong Yunxi stopped talking after hearing this.

"Then, what about Shen Zhiyi?"

"Duke Shen argued vigorously in the court, but the evidence was before him and he had no way to defend himself. Miss Tao, because of the relationship between your two families, Duke Shen was also impeached in the court. Those people actually magnified the minor things he did in the past, maliciously misinterpreted them, and tried to make a big fuss out of them."

"So how is he now?"

"Duke Shen, in a moment of anxiety over your father's matter, offended His Majesty in court, committing a grave offense. His Majesty was furious and immediately made him kneel in front of the Imperial Study. He was still kneeling there just before I came to find you. Miss Tao, although His Majesty does have a lot of appreciation for Duke Shen, there is still a difference between the monarch and his subjects..."

Seeing the three people were silent, Fang Mingxiu continued, "The case is still unresolved. Duke Shen is worried that you may not understand the reason and be too worried, so he asked His Majesty to let me explain it to you."

Fang Mingxiu kept silent about the fact that he also knelt for a long time before the emperor to beg for mercy.

He also fell to the ground and confessed his feelings for Tao Qingwan to His Majesty. Every word he said was from the bottom of his heart. After going through a lot of trouble, he finally won His Majesty's permission to let him come here.

Seeing that the three of them had heavy expressions, Fang Mingxiu stepped forward and gently held Tao Qingwan's hand.

Tao Qingwan instinctively shrank back, but he held her hand even tighter, as if afraid that she would lose it if she let go. Tao Qingwan's eyes instantly turned red, and tears fell like rain, with two clear tears sliding down her cheeks.

"Qingwan, don't worry. I will work with Duke Shen to find a way to solve this problem." Fang Mingxiu's eyes were firm and his words were sonorous.

Tao Qingwan's face showed a look of despair. She whispered, "Master Fang, my Tao family has fallen into such a state now. I'm afraid it will be difficult for you and I to continue our past relationship. There's really no need..."

"Why do you say that?" Fang Mingxiu interrupted, his expression anxious. "Duke Shen is dedicated to the Princess of Anping, and I will do my utmost for you, too, without hesitation!"

Tao Qingwan thought to herself that Fang Mingxiu had just entered the court and his official rank was still low. He did not have the special favor of the emperor, and he did not have the strong family background of Duke Shen.

If I offend the emperor by protecting her, who will come forward to protect me?

Fang Mingxiu's current status is entirely due to his years of hard study. He has elderly grandparents at home who wish him well. How could she bear to see him in danger?

At this moment, seeing that he still took the risk to come and visit, Tao Qingwan felt grateful and content.

But Fang Mingxiu was adamant, leaving her helpless and forced to find a way to respond: "Master Fang, I know everything about you and Miss Song. So, why bother pretending to be affectionate? Don't come around me anymore. She comes from a prominent family. If you want a smooth career, being with her is far more compatible than being with me. It will be far more beneficial to you."

A trace of pain flashed across Fang Mingxiu's eyes, and his voice trembled slightly: "Do you really have to cut off ties with me now?"

"Now that things have come to this, there is no need for you, Lord Fang, to come again."

After saying that, Tao Qingwan nodded and lowered her brows, avoiding his gaze.

Fang Mingxiu looked at her like this and sighed. How could he not see that Tao Qingwan was not being sincere?

"I'm leaving now. The jailer has already made all the arrangements. Please wait patiently. Don't be anxious or lose your composure."

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Fang. I hope you will take good care of yourself. If you encounter any difficulties or are unable to do so, please withdraw in time to protect yourself."

Tao Jiuxi spoke sincerely, and after that, he respectfully bowed to Fang Mingxiu to express his sincere gratitude.

Seeing this, Zhong Yunxi also hurriedly followed suit and saluted.

Fang Mingxiu looked at Tao Qingwan deeply, his eyes seemed to contain thousands of words, and finally he turned around and strode away.

Time passed slowly, and the three men stayed in prison for ten days.

When the prison door opened again, the person who came was unexpectedly Xie Ningqiu.

When Tao Jiuxi saw her, his eyes were filled with astonishment, and he blurted out, "Mrs. Shen, why are you here?"

He thought to himself that this cell was strictly guarded. If anyone could enter easily, a man as loyal and righteous as Ji Qingyi would definitely try his best to come and visit him.

When Xie Ningqiu saw the ragged clothes and unkempt appearance of these people, a trace of pity flashed across his eyebrows and eyes.

"Jiuxi, you have really suffered."

Although Tao Jiuxi is not his biological son, Tao Jiuxi had helped him at the engagement party regardless of past grudges, and he is also the apple of his son's eye. It is really heartbreaking to see him like this now.

"Mrs. Shen, how is Ayi now?" Tao Jiuxi was anxious and asked hurriedly.

Upon hearing this, Xie Ningqiu shook his head and was about to say something, but then slowly lowered his head.

Tao Jiuxi's heart suddenly seemed to fall into an ice cellar and sank: "Madam Xie, please speak frankly if you have anything to say."

"Jiuxi, you know that Yi'er loves you deeply and his heart is filled with you. He truly treats you as his treasure. As for me, I have long regarded you as my own daughter."

"Madam, please don't beat around the bush. Please speak directly."

"However, your father's case is extremely difficult. The issues involved are widespread and of great importance. The evidence is now out there, solid and irrefutable."

"And Yi'er... has lost his composure and sense of propriety because of you. In the court, he sees all those who impeached your family as enemies, and responds pointedly. In front of the emperor, he loses his usual cautious demeanor, speaking without restraint, his words and actions revealing his partiality. He is completely focused on protecting you, but with such stubbornness, even the emperor, despite his usual favor towards him, cannot tolerate his unbridled partiality and indulgence..."

As Xie Ningqiu spoke, her eyes welled up and her voice choked with sobs. "Jiuxi, Yier's achievements today were all achieved at the risk of his life. On the battlefield, he was always at the forefront. Later, when he served His Majesty, he was even more deeply trapped in danger. He was repeatedly assassinated and narrowly escaped death several times. As his mother, I can only worry and worry, unable to help at all..."

After saying this, tears started streaming down his face.

As a mother, Xie Ningqiu was well aware of her son's difficult past, and seeing him now disregarding love for others, she was filled with anxiety and at a loss.

When Tao Jiuxi heard this, he knew that his family's situation was probably in danger. More than half a month had passed, but there was still no sign of improvement.

The reason why Xie Ningqiu was able to go to the cell today was probably because of His Majesty's instructions, asking him to persuade Shen Zhiyi to let go.

Zhong Yunxi and Tao Qingwan, who were standing by, heard these words and understood their deep meaning. They looked at each other silently, then quietly retreated to the bedside, leaving the conversation space to Tao Jiuxi and Xie Ningqiu.