After transmigrating into the book, I replaced the innocent-looking girl and became the Crown Prince

Seeing his master frown, Ru Feng took it upon himself to say, "Young Master, should I go forward and deal with this old woman...?"

However, Lu Hanting swept his sharp gaze over her, and Ru Feng was so frightened that she immediately shut her mouth with a forced laugh.

I thought the young master would be unable to bear seeing his cousin being wronged, but I never expected that he could calmly watch the show as she was bullied.

It seems that the young lady's act of faking her death has truly broken the prince's heart.

Lu Hanting looked at the frail woman opposite him, who seemed as if she could be blown away by a gust of wind.

She's such a good actress; she acted all innocent and charming in front of me, but then she married someone else and became someone else's wife in the blink of an eye.

This stark contrast in his attitude infuriated him.

In just two short months, she dared to...

Thinking of this now-fait accomplied truth, Lu Hanting's expression darkened.

Inside the pharmacy.

Hearing He Yuyan's words, Jiang was already furious.

She slammed her hand on the table and said, "You, Madam He!"

I thought you were as gentle and filial as you appeared, but I never imagined you were such a vicious woman.

"Do you know that my son is about to be sent to Chuzhou to suppress bandits? Only by giving me the money can I save him. I only ask you one question: will you save him or not?"

"what?"

My husband was sent to Chuzhou to suppress bandits.

Upon hearing Jiang's words, He Yuyan felt her mind go blank.

Impossible, no way, how could this be?

They had only been married for ten days, and Jiang Yang was merely a civil official; how could he have been sent by his superiors?

Just as her mind went blank, Jiang spoke again.

“Mrs. He, you and Yang’er are husband and wife. If my son suffers an accident because of this matter…”

I'm sure you, as the wife, won't get away with this either. I'll give you a day to think it over carefully!

Seeing He Yuyan's distraught appearance, Jiang Shi was still thinking as she walked out of the pharmacy that He Yuyan had to take the money, whether she wanted to or not.

After Jiang left, Dingxiang stepped forward with a pained expression.

"Girl, are you okay?"

"Dingxiang, how did things turn out like this? Do you think God is playing a cruel joke on me?"

Seeing her daughter like this, Dingxiang felt very guilty.

She hadn't expected Old Madam Jiang to be so formidable. If she had known that her son-in-law's mother was like that, she shouldn't have advised her daughter to elope with him in the first place.

"No, young lady, this must be a scheme by the old lady to get your money. Why don't you go back and ask your husband? Maybe there's no such thing?"

He Yuyan raised her eyes. Indeed, this might be another tactic employed by the Jiang family.

"Dingxiang, put up the 'Closed' sign. You're coming back with me!"

As He Yuyan's graceful figure emerged from the pharmacy, Lu Hanting calmly said, "Rufeng, have the Prefect of Tongzhou come to the inn to see me."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

She wanted to build a relationship, but he wouldn't let her have her way.

The backyard of the county government office.

When Jiang Yang returned, he knew that his mother had already told He Yuyan about his situation.

"Husband, Mother went to the clinic today and told me about you. She heard that you are going to be transferred to lead troops to attack the bandits in Chuzhou. Is this true or false?"

As soon as He Yuyan returned, she had Dingxiang call Jiang Yang back.

Hearing the doubt in his wife's tone, Jiang Yang felt a little uncomfortable.

However, he did not show any displeasure on his face, but said softly, "Yan'er, I heard this from my superior, and I'm afraid it's probably true."

Alas, it's all because I'm incompetent.

If I could wield a sword, I doubt I would be bothered by this matter.

Seeing this, He Yuyan felt a little better. It turned out that it wasn't an excuse her mother-in-law had made up to deceive her.

However, she couldn't understand why her husband, a perfectly good civil official and county magistrate, would be ordered by the higher authorities to lead troops to attack bandits. Wasn't this just sending him to his death for nothing?

He Yuyan asked in confusion, "Husband, have you offended someone?"

Hearing his wife say this, Jiang Yang frowned and thought for a while.

During this period, apart from his normal official duties, he did not do anything out of line.

However, he did punish the medicine merchant who came to the wedding banquet. Could it be...?

Baiyun Inn.

Prefect Liu stood tremblingly before Lu Hanting, his body bowed.

"Prefect Liu, tell me, what kind of person is Jiang Yang, the newly appointed magistrate under you?"

Prefect Liu wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart filled with unease.

He was working from home today, but unexpectedly he was invited here.

Everyone in the court knew the name of Commander Lu.

It is said that he is always decisive and ruthless in his actions.

The court officials both hated and cursed him, but he was highly regarded by the emperor and loved by the people, so no one dared to question him.

Prefect Liu thought for a moment. It seemed that the areas under his jurisdiction had not done anything excessive recently.

Why would such an important figure suddenly visit his small Tongzhou? Could it really be just for a minor county magistrate like Jiang Yang?

Looking at Lu Hanting's expressionless face, he cautiously said, "Reporting to Commander Lu, Lord Jiang is conscientious and meticulous in his work. Recently, he has even put forward several good suggestions for His Majesty's governance of disaster relief and poverty alleviation."

Prefect Liu couldn't fathom Lu Hanting's thoughts, so he offered a rather conventional assessment.

"He was conscientious, meticulous, and even offered good advice?"

Lu Hanting said in a cool tone.

Upon hearing this, Prefect Liu realized that he might have said something wrong.

However, since the words had already been spoken, he could not change them, so he could only bite the bullet and say, "Yes, yes."

Lu Hanting held a cup of tea and rhythmically tapped the table with one hand.

Listening to the rhythmic tapping, Prefect Liu felt extremely uneasy.

He wondered to himself, could it be that Magistrate Jiang had offended Commander Lu?

Thinking about the rumors he had heard recently, could it be that the order to transfer Jiangyang mentioned here was issued by Commander Lu?

But a mere seventh-rank county magistrate shouldn't have offended such a big shot from the capital.

But that's not something he should care about.

All he can do right now is try to distance himself from Magistrate Jiang.

Although he had given him some pointers and even considered forming a mutually beneficial relationship with him, now that he had offended Envoy Lu, he certainly couldn't let him drag him down with him.

“Commander Lu, I originally thought that Magistrate Jiang was an official who worked for the benefit of the people and did good deeds.”

But yesterday I overheard him saying that he seemed intent on using money to bribe his way into the position of Vice Prefect. I figured that since I met with Governor Lu today, I should report his actions to you directly!

Upon hearing this, a handsome smile appeared on Lu Hanting's lips.

Ru Feng, listening nearby, was secretly astonished.

It's important to understand that in the current situation, as long as the officials themselves have some ability, they will succeed.

It is normal practice to use money to bribe superiors in order to get promoted and develop one's career.

But listening to Prefect Liu's words, it was clear that he was trying to curry favor with his master by setting a trap for Jiang Yang to fall into.

A moment later, Lu Hanting instructed Ru Feng beside him, "Ru Feng, bring me paper and pen."