Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

After leaving the court.

After returning to the prefectural government, Liu Yanzhi summoned Zhang Jingwei and asked him privately, "Where is Tian Cao?"

Zhang Jingwei's eyes dodged, and he mumbled in response: "How...how would I know this!"

Liu Yanzhi shook his head and asked again: "You can't fool me. You have never liked lying since you were a child. I ask you again, where is Tian Cao?"

Zhang Jingwei closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and said, "I don't know!"

Liu Yanzhi's tone softened a bit, and he said earnestly, "Jingwei, you are a scholar after all. How could you do such a dirty thing?"

Zhang Jingwei was still playing dumb: "Teacher, I really don't know what you are talking about!"

Liu Yanzhi's tone was filled with warning: "I've asked Captain Yang to warn the whole city that if this matter has anything to do with you, I really can't protect you."

Zhang Jingwei calmed himself down and said firmly, "Teacher... I really don't know where Tian Cao is!"

Liu Yanzhi waved his blue-patched long sleeves and roared, "Get lost! If this gets exposed, you will no longer be my student."

Zhang Jingwei bowed and said as he stepped back, "Student knows!"

In fact, as Zhang Jingwei's teacher, Liu Yanzhi naturally knew whether he was lying or not. As the Tongzhi of Yunzhou, Liu Yanzhi would certainly not cover up for him.

……

When he returned to Jiuer's house, Wang Ergou had been waiting for a long time. The first time he saw Zhang Jingwei, he stepped forward and reported: "Master, the scholar has already started working on the test! You are so worthy of the master. I didn't think of it, that a beating could solve the problem!"

Zhang Jingwei showed no joy, but asked with a worried look on his face: "Gouzi, are we breaking the law now?"

Wang Ergou said honestly: "Indeed, I did, but don't worry, Master, Aotian will never betray you!"

Aotian was the new name Zhang Jingwei had given him last night when he was teasing him, but he really took it seriously. Zhang Jingwei asked with a worried look on his face, "Aotian... I still don't understand how people in the past managed to survive?"

Wang Ergou explained carefully: "Master, life and death are determined by God's will. Just like when you committed suicide before, even if you took a deadly poison, if God wants you to live, you have to live."

Zhang Jingwei seemed lost in thought, recalling the poisonous mushroom he had eaten before crossing over. He slowly said, "Really? It seems that mushroom was a sign of destiny!"

Wang Ergou blinked his eyes. He didn't understand what Zhang Jingwei was talking about, but he still answered: "Young Master, what are you talking about? Aotian doesn't understand, but Young Master's fate is destiny!"

Zhang Jingwei complained angrily, "Well, I said I want to be the emperor. Can you let the emperor give up his throne so I can sit on the dragon throne?"

Wang Ergou was stunned for a moment, then he knelt on the ground and shouted, "Aotian, I will die..."

Zhang Jingwei really didn't want to continue chatting with him, so he quickly interrupted him and said, "Stop, stop, stop, you're just talking nonsense."

Seeing Jiuer coming back, Zhang Jingwei immediately stepped forward to ask.

"How is Sister Yang's injury?"

Jiu'er frowned and asked, "She's a married woman. How can you, a married man, always think about her? Ling'er is still being punished in the Marquis' Mansion. Why are you still caring about others?"

Zhang Jingwei was shocked, but immediately raised questions.

"Ling'er is being punished? That's impossible... Father-in-law dotes on Ling'er in every way."

Jiu'er downplayed the situation and told him about Huangfu Ling's punishment: "She was only punished by being put in solitary confinement and not allowed to eat. It's no big deal!"

Zhang Jingwei looked worried and said, "This is not a big deal! No, I have to go home." After that, he hurried out the door.

Jiuer asked provocatively, "Don't you want to hear about Yang Xier?"

Zhang Jingwei said righteously, "I am largely responsible for Lingmei's punishment. You should bear the responsibility!"

Jiuer shouted towards the door with a satisfied look on her face: "Sister, I heard it!"

Huangfu Ling appeared in front of him as if nothing had happened. Zhang Jingwei held her shoulders and asked, "Sister Ling, are you okay?"

Huangfu Ling comforted him, "What can happen to me? Brother Qi's matter is the most important thing!"

Zhang Jingwei held her in his arms, stroked her hair, and muttered: "I'm glad you're okay, I'm glad you're okay!"

Huangfu Ling looked satisfied, her face flushed, and she buried her head in Zhang Jingwei's chest.

Actually, Zhang Jingwei knew from the beginning that Huangfu Ling was hiding behind the door. He deliberately said worried words to coax Huangfu Ling, and now this affectionate hug was also designed by him. There was no such thing as perfume in this era, but Huangfu Ling's body smelled really good, and the fragrance was very pure, without any industrial smell.

Jiu'er raised her eyebrows and said coquettishly, "How dare you two hug each other like this in broad daylight? How disrespectful!"

Zhang Jingwei was filled with shame and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "I lost my composure, I lost my composure!"

Jiu'er snorted lightly, and said with a half-smile: "Huh, don't you want to know what Yang Xier said to me today?"

Zhang Jingwei bowed hurriedly and asked softly, "Miss Jiuer, could you tell me the whole story?"

Jiu'er raised the corner of her mouth slightly and said with a sweet smile: "Then I have to see your sincerity."

Zhang Jingwei scratched his head and said cunningly, "How about... I hug you too?"

Jiu'er's eyes widened as she angrily scolded, "Get lost! Who wants a stinky man like you to hold me? I need to go get some herbs. Money is tight!"

Zhang Jingwei suddenly realized and hurriedly took out a ten-liang silver ingot from his purse.

Jiu'er then smiled happily and said coquettishly, "That's more like it!" Then, she lowered her voice and said, "Yang Xier's father-in-law and mother-in-law treated her very badly. They made her work in the middle of winter last year, which resulted in heavy bleeding from her lower body. She still has the root cause of the disease and suffers from frequent abdominal pain!"

Zhang Jingwei frowned and asked in confusion, "What's going on with the heavy bleeding?"

Jiuer bit her red lips lightly and said thoughtfully, "I'm not too sure. Heavy bleeding is usually caused by miscarriage, but if you're pregnant, you won't have your period. I want to wait for mother to come back and ask her clearly, or ask her to help take a look."

Zhang Jingwei nodded repeatedly and agreed, "That's great!"

Jiuer said indignantly, "My mother once warned me that if I touched cold water during my period, the abdominal pain would be as unbearable as a thousand ants gnawing at my bones. Tian Cao's parents are simply vicious and cruel!"

Zhang Jingwei suddenly realized, "Oh, so it's that couple. Today, Governor Lu was furious and beat them up. Now they are being held in the detention center!"

Jiuer clapped her hands and said, "It's really satisfying!"

Huangfu Ling's face was filled with worry. She said to Zhang Jingwei anxiously, "Do the adults know about your kidnapping of Tian Cao?"

Zhang Jingwei said with a determined look: "This is a crime. When everything comes to light, I will definitely surrender myself to the authorities."

Huangfu Ling hurriedly comforted him, "If that happens, I will definitely ask Daddy to keep you safe!"