Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

Ask her to rescue someone from the Leopard Guards?!

Yuan Zhi paced back and forth, "Am I the one who's gone mad, or are you?"

Wei looked up, a dark, ghostly flame burning in his eyes, which were like ruins, as if he wanted to burn everything in the world.

"The Marquis of Yingchuan's mansion has lost power, Ying'er has been imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court, and my master has turned a blind eye to me. I have no one to rely on, so I can only turn to you for help."

Yuan Zhi sneered: "Regardless of whether I can save them or not, just considering the evil deeds that Wei Shi and you and your daughter have committed, how dare you ask me to save them?"

The Marquis of Yingchuan's family and the Emperor's brother-in-law colluded and committed heinous crimes; their imprisonment is well-deserved. Yuan Ying, in particular, provoked them repeatedly, even attempting to kill her at the Prince of Wu's residence. She must have been out of her mind to save them!

You will save them!

Wei rushed forward and grabbed Yuan Zhi's hand, but her movement was too forceful, leaving a red mark on her fair wrist.

Yuan Zhi hissed and gasped.

Is this how you ask for help?

Yuan Zhi shook her off and turned to leave.

Wei laughed silently, his body shaking uncontrollably, looking like a madman.

"Go! Once you're gone, your mother's secret will return to dust with me!"

Yuan Zhi suddenly stopped in his tracks. Could her mother's secret be that jade pendant?

Her stepmother used this to keep her here, hoping she would rescue the Wei family father and son. But what kind of place is the Leopard Guard? Let alone breaking out of the prison, she would have a hard time even getting in!

For now, we can only feign compliance with the stepmother and try to extract information from her, then let the Yingchuan Marquis's mansion fend for itself!

"I think you're really crazy. What secrets could my mother possibly have?"

"Since you're so certain, then you may leave!"

"Mother, this is my territory. If anyone's leaving, it's you!"

"Thank you for reminding me. I'll take my leave now!"

As soon as Madam Wei stepped down the first step, Yuan Zhi, unable to contain her curiosity, called out to her.

"and many more!"

"Has Fifth Sister changed her mind?"

"You have to reveal something so I know you're not lying to me."

The advantage shifted in Wei's favor, and she adopted a composed demeanor, saying, "Believe it or not, it's up to you, young lady. I can only tell you your mother's secret after you rescue my father and brother!"

Yuan Zhi broke down, "It's true that my husband is the commander of the Leopard Guard, but to him, I'm just a dispensable woman. Do you think he would exonerate the Wei family for my sake?"

"That's something you need to consider! I'm at my wit's end; at worst, I'll just drink a cup of poison and die. But it's different for you. If I die, you'll never know what your mother's secret is!"

Enraged, Yuan Zhi rushed forward, grabbed her by the neck, and pinned her against the wall.

"What I, Yuan Zhi, fear least is blackmail. At worst, I'll arrest you and torture you severely. I refuse to believe I can't get the answers I want!"

Wei glanced at her sideways, "A person who isn't afraid of death, would be afraid of torture? If you don't believe me, girl, just try it!"

Seeing her resigned expression, Yuan Zhi gave up in defeat.

The clues that Madam Wei has may be the key to unlocking the secret of that jade pendant. The thing she has been searching for in vain now has a clear direction, so how could she easily give it up!

I will try my best.

"Then I will return to my residence first and await your good news, young lady."

After Madam Wei left, Luo Mei came up and asked, "What did Madam ask Miss to do?"

"She used my mother's secret as leverage to force me to rescue the Wei family."

"How is that possible? Once you're in the Leopard Guard, how many of you actually get out?"

Yuan Zhi smiled bitterly, "How could I not understand? But... I desperately want to know the truth."

Luo Mei: "Why don't you ask your son-in-law tonight and see if he can find a way to change things?"

"It can only be this way."

The moonlight was like a ribbon, with a few sparse stars.

After Yuan Zhi finished bathing, she changed into a plain satin dress with wide sleeves and lay down on the couch.

After being steamed by the heat, her delicate, alabaster-like face was rosy and tender, like that of a newborn baby. Most of her long, black hair fell loosely down her back, with only a few playful strands peeking out from her slightly open neckline, sparking the imagination.

Xiao Zong pushed open the door and entered. The first thing he saw was a painting of a beautiful woman sleeping. On a whim, he asked someone to prepare brushes, ink, and paints, and then picked up a brush to sketch on the paper.

A slender silhouette leaps onto the paper. He stares at it for a while, then feels that it has form but no spirit. He grabs the paper again, crumples it up, and throws it aside without a second thought.

Yuan Zhi waited for him until he fell asleep. As soon as the paper ball hit the ground, she woke up with a start.

Xiao Zong said apologetically, "Did I wake you up?"

She nodded, then shook her head, her bewildered expression making Xiao Zong laugh.

"Go to sleep if you're sleepy, I won't bother you this time."

Yuan Zhi squeezed her eyes shut twice, forcing herself to stay awake, "I'm not sleepy anymore."

The mission isn't finished yet, I absolutely can't sleep!

She glanced at the crumpled paper on the ground. "You're practicing calligraphy so late at night?"

Xiao Zong picked up the crumpled Xuan paper. "It's not calligraphy, it's a painting."

"You can draw?" Yuan Zhi stretched out her arms towards him. "Let me see!"

He placed the crumpled paper in her palm. "It's been a while since I've drawn anything, so I'm a bit rusty. Don't be angry when you see this."

"What did I give birth to..." Yuan Zhi unfolded the drawing paper, her face filled with shock, "You drew me?"

"Ah."

Yuan Zhiduan pondered for a while, and in order to pave the way for what was to come, he first flattered and fawned over him.

"With just a few strokes, it already captures seven or eight parts of the likeness. If you insist on finishing it, my husband, I will definitely frame it and hang it in the room to admire it every day!"

Xiao Zong crossed his arms and asked, "Do you need something from me?"

Yuan Zhi's fingers curled slightly as she gripped the drawing paper. Was her praise really that fake? How did she get caught so quickly!

She chuckled dryly, then dropped the pretense and asked directly, "What does Your Majesty intend to do with the Wei family?"

Xiao Zong walked over and took the drawing paper from her hand. "The Wei family is your stepmother's family, and they have nothing to do with you. Why are you so concerned?"

"My mother came to see me today. After all, we are family, and I couldn't refuse. My husband, could you please tell me clearly, is there any chance that Marquis Yingchuan and Wei Xiong are still alive?"

"No, once someone's entered my Leopard Guard, they think they can get out? Dream on!" His expression was stern. "Why wouldn't you meddle in other people's business for no reason? Did she threaten you?"

Fearing she would get herself into trouble, Yuan Zhi quickly waved her hands, "No, no."

"Not entirely!" Xiao Zong leaned in and pushed her onto the bed. "Yuan Ying almost killed you, yet you helped her mother gather information about the Wei family. As far as I know, you're not that magnanimous. Tell me, what did the Wei family threaten you with?"

Yuan Zhi turned her face away, "You're overthinking it."

Xiao Zong stroked the smooth brocade. "Dressed like this, you still think I'm overthinking things?"

Yuan Zhi closed her eyes resignedly and said, "Commander, your interrogation techniques are superb, I concede defeat! To tell you the truth, my mother has a keepsake of my mother that is of great importance to me, and I want to get it!"

“I advise you to give up. The Wei family case is decided by the Emperor. I can’t even get involved, let alone you.”

"That item means something to me. Husband, could you please help me? Even if it's just to save one of the two of us, I will always remember your kindness!"

She climbed onto his shoulder and kissed his Adam's apple lightly. "Please."

Xiao Zong pulled her hand away. "This matter is too dangerous to be used for a transaction."

He covered her with the blanket, rolled over and got out of bed. "Go to sleep!"