294: Chapter 292 Rumors

Ning Yuanzhou looked at the young girl before him, dressed in night-traveling clothes and a bamboo hat. He remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"Miss Ah Yuan, this outfit... who taught you to wear this?"

Ah Yuan looked down at herself and then looked up, her expression suggesting it was only natural.

"Isn't this how it's written in novels? Night-traveling clothes, a black bamboo hat, infiltrating a prison—completely undetected."

Ning Yuanzhou’s mouth twitched.

"Novels are novels, and reality is reality. Dressed like that, swaggering out from behind a stone wall... if someone walked in, they’d see at a glance that you’re up to no good. Isn't it just telling everyone, 'I'm here to do something bad'?"

Ah Yuan was stunned. "But... that's how it's always written in novels. The protagonist wears night-traveling clothes to infiltrate the enemy camp, and no one ever notices."

Ning Yuanzhou sighed. "That's because the novels say, 'He wore a suit of night-traveling clothes and blended into the darkness.' The readers know he's the protagonist and a good person, so they find it natural. But in reality, the moment a jailer sees you dressed like that, their first reaction is to shout 'Assassin!' Do you think they'll think you're here to offer them some warmth?"

Ah Yuan’s face instantly flushed red. She opened her mouth to retort but realized she truly couldn't out-argue Ning Yuanzhou. She gritted her teeth and lowered her voice, adding a hint of a threat. "Lord Ning, if you keep talking nonsense, I won't help you anymore."

Ning Yuanzhou immediately shut his mouth. The cell fell silent. The flame of the oil lamp flickered gently in the breeze, casting their shadows onto the stone wall, stretching and shrinking.

After a moment, Ning Yuanzhou spoke again, his voice much lower than before. "What about Mr. Yun? Why didn't he come?"

Ah Yuan squatted down, took off her bamboo hat, and placed it on her knees. "Master is in seclusion. I don't know when he'll come out."

Ning Yuanzhou’s heart sank. Seclusion? He didn't know how long Yun Ming would be in seclusion, nor if he would make it in time. However, he didn't let it show; he simply nodded and didn't ask further.

Ah Yuan asked him for more details. Ning Yuanzhou answered them one by one, which was largely the same as what was written in the letter, but Ah Yuan feared she might have missed something, so she asked thoroughly. Left Vice Minister of Works, the forged ledgers, the warehouse where the stolen silver was buried, the bribed Couriers, and the forged treasonous letters. Ning Yuanzhou recounted everything he knew, down to the smallest detail. After Ah Yuan finished listening, she remained silent for a moment before looking up.

"Left Vice Minister of Works. The Breakthrough point must be at the Zhao Estate. Those pieces of false evidence, whether the ledgers or the letters, couldn't have appeared out of thin air. Someone must have made them for him. As long as we find the person who forged the evidence or find the true source of that stolen silver, we can clear your name."

Ning Yuanzhou nodded. "He gave me three days. After three days, regardless of whether I agree or not, he will take action. Miss Ah Yuan, you..." He paused, not finishing his sentence.

Ah Yuan stood up and put on her bamboo hat. "Three days is enough. Hold on here and don't let your guard down. No matter what they do to you, do not confess."

"Lord Ning, take care."

She vanished into the darkness. The cell became quiet once more. Ning Yuanzhou sat on the pile of hay, staring at the stone wall for a long time. Then he lowered his head, broke the dry ration in half, and chewed slowly. The food was very hard, so he chewed it very slowly.

The Zhao Estate was located in the East City of the Capital, covering several acres with grey brick high walls and vermilion gates. On the plaque above the entrance were the words 'Zhao Estate,' written by a Grand Secretary of the current dynasty in a vigorous hand. Usually, two servants in blue cloth vests with cloth belts around their waists guarded the door. Today, there were a few more unfamiliar faces in plain clothes, crouching at the corners and glancing around from time to time, looking like lookouts.

Left Vice Minister of Works sat in the armchair in his study. A pot of tea sat before him; it had already gone cold, but he didn't drink it. He held a list in his hand, which named several of the largest tea houses, wine shops, and bookstores in the Capital. He read the list from beginning to end, then placed it on the table, tapping his finger gently on it.

"Is everything arranged?" he asked, his voice not loud but very clear.

Another person stood in the study—his trusted Steward Liu. He was in his forties, lean, with eyes that darted around restlessly. Steward Liu bowed, his face full of flattery. "In response to Master, everything is arranged. We have people in fifteen tea houses, eight wine shops, and five bookstores across the Capital, as well as at the city gates, markets, and docks. By tomorrow morning, the news will have spread throughout the city."

Left Vice Minister of Works nodded. "What about the ledgers?"

Steward Liu took a thick ledger from his sleeve and presented it to Left Vice Minister of Works with both hands. "The loose ends at the Court of Imperial Stud warehouse have all been cleaned up. Those crates of stolen silver have been re-buried, and only I know the location. The Warehouse Clerk has also been settled; he took the money and his lips are sealed. Even if someone investigates, they will only find Ning Yuanzhou; it won't lead back to us."

Left Vice Minister of Works took the ledger, flipped through it casually, and placed it on the table. "And the letters?"

"The Courier at the border has been arranged. The letters in his possession are in Ning Yuanzhou's handwriting; they definitely won't be seen as fakes. Even if Ning Yuanzhou doesn't admit to it, they serve as physical evidence. Combined with his confession, the charge of Ning Yuanzhou conspiring with the enemy is unavoidable."

Left Vice Minister of Works stood up and walked to the window. Outside, the night was heavy, the moon obscured by clouds, and the courtyard was pitch black, making it impossible to see anything. He stood with his hands behind his back, silent for a moment.

"Ning Yuanzhou is far too ungrateful. I gave him a chance, and he did not cherish it." His tone was flat, as if he were discussing something trivial. "Since he wishes to die, I shall fulfill that wish. Not only will I have him killed, but I will also see his reputation ruined. Let everyone in the world know that the Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud, Ning Yuanzhou, embezzled military funds and conspired with the enemy."

Steward Liu nodded hastily. "Master is wise. Ning Yuanzhou is ungrateful and deserves to die."

Left Vice Minister of Works turned around and glanced at him. "Personally oversee the matter of the rumors. Do not let any mistakes occur. Tomorrow morning, I want to hear the entire city cursing Ning Yuanzhou." Steward Liu acknowledged the order and turned to leave.

The study became quiet. Left Vice Minister of Works sat back in his armchair, picked up the cup of tea that had gone completely cold, and took a sip. The tea was very bitter, but he did not frown. He took a letter from a drawer; there was no name on the envelope. He pulled out the letter, unfolding it. It wasn't long, just a single page, with neat and sharp handwriting. He read it once, folded it back up, tucked it into the envelope, and returned it to the drawer. Then he leaned back against the chair, closed his eyes, and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest.

The corners of his mouth curled slightly into a smile. That smile was neither cold nor warm; it was like a snake flicking its tongue, making one shiver. He was waiting. Waiting for three days later, when Ning Yuanzhou would confess and be brought to justice. Waiting for his reputation in the Capital to become foul, for his family to be escorted from Linan City to the Capital, and for his head to be hung at the Vegetable Market Entrance for public display. By then, the position of Right Vice Minister of Works would naturally become vacant. His confidant would then be able to take the seat as a matter of course.