295: Chapter 293 Evidence

Left Vice Minister of Works did not know that when he spoke those words, Ah Yuan was standing less than ten feet away from him.

She wasn't hiding on the roof beams or behind a screen; she stood openly in the center of the study, only a few steps away from him. The Obscuration Techniques of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator were more than enough to deal with a few Mortals.

Ah Yuan heard everything clearly, without missing a single word. From the "fifteen teahouses in the capital" to "making sure he dies in disgrace," every word fell into her ears. She could even see the faint smile at the corner of Left Vice Minister of Works's mouth, like a snake flicking its tongue, cold and smug. She did not rush to follow him but stood where she was, waiting for Left Vice Minister of Works to leave the study, for Steward Liu to depart, and for everyone to disperse before she vanished silently into the night.

Over the next two days, Ah Yuan collected all the evidence she needed. As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, she didn't need any fancy tricks to deal with a few Mortals. By concealing her form, passing through walls, and sweeping with her Divine Sense, hidden compartments, false layers, and secret rooms had nowhere to hide. Those hidden ledgers, letters, and stolen goods were as clear to her as if they were laid out on a table. She didn't alert anyone; she simply took what she needed. Those Mortals couldn't even perceive what had happened.

Within two days, all the evidence was gathered.

Ah Yuan categorized and organized them clearly, then slipped into the Dali Temple's Imperial Prison once again. This time, she didn't wear night-traveling clothes or a bamboo hat. She wore simple green robes and a common bun, looking like a maid delivering food. A jailer walked past her, glanced at her, and then looked away. With her Obscuration Technique active, she was merely a blur of light and shadow in his eyes.

Ning Yuanzhou's cell had changed.

After two days, it no longer looked like a prison cell. A clean new straw mat was spread on the floor, and a wooden table and chair were placed in the corner. On the table sat a teapot, teacups, and even a few books. The smell of mold was gone, replaced by a faint scent of sandalwood. Ning Yuanzhou sat in the chair, not reading. His fingers tapped unconsciously on the tabletop, his brow furrowed in anxiety. He hadn't touched the tea on the table, nor had he flipped through any of the books. He knew what Left Vice Minister of Works was up to. Providing good food, drink, and lodging wasn't out of kindness; it was to silence him and ruin his reputation. He didn't dare touch any of these things.

He heard a slight noise, looked up, and saw Ah Yuan standing outside the iron bars. His eyes brightened instantly, and he stood up, walking quickly to the bars while lowering his voice. "Miss Ah Yuan! You're finally here. Tomorrow is the deadline—"

Ah Yuan began taking things out of her Storage Pouch. Original letters, original ledgers, more original correspondence, and location maps. Piece by piece, they covered the entire wooden table.

He looked up at Ah Yuan. "This evidence is enough to give Left Vice Minister of Works a hard time. At least half of the charges against me can be cleared." He didn't ask if it was "enough"; he wasn't some green youth. He could weigh the significance of this evidence at a glance. The confessions of Clerk Qian and Courier Ma. The original warehouse ledgers. Coupled with the correspondence between Left Vice Minister of Works and the witnesses, plus that forged letter—if these were presented before the throne, Left Vice Minister of Works would suffer greatly, even if he didn't die. As for whether he could be completely toppled, that depended on whether Your Majesty wanted to move against him. That wasn't something Ah Yuan could decide, nor was it something he should worry about now.

"There's also some bad news," Ah Yuan's voice dropped. "Your reputation outside is completely ruined."

Ning Yuanzhou's fingers curled slightly.

"Left Vice Minister of Works sent people to spread rumors everywhere, saying you embezzled military funds and conspired with the enemy. The whole city is cursing you." Ah Yuan paused. "Also, prisoners released in the last two days and the jailers here have spread word about the food you've been eating and the treatment you've received while detained. They say 'prison is like a vacation' for you, that you have a powerful backer, and that you're not an honest official at all, but someone being protected by the court."

Ning Yuanzhou closed his eyes. He had actually guessed as much over the last two days. It wasn't that Left Vice Minister of Works was being polite; it was that Left Vice Minister of Works never intended to use torture from the start. He didn't need torture; he only needed the whole city to know that Ning Yuanzhou was being provided with good food and drink in the imperial prison. The common people wouldn't wonder why; they would only feel the injustice. Why should an official accused of embezzling military funds and conspiring with the enemy live more comfortably in prison than they did? They would be furious, they would curse him, and they would demand severe punishment. By then, even if Your Majesty wanted to protect him, the opinions of the people would have to be considered.

Ning Yuanzhou opened his eyes and sighed. "I should have realized sooner that being treated so well was for this reason." He took a deep breath. "Since things have come to this, I'll focus on saving my life first. As for my reputation, I'll slowly restore it later."

He divided the evidence on the table into two portions. One consisted of the confessions from Clerk Qian and Courier Ma, along with the original forged letter. These were enough to confront Left Vice Minister of Works in court. The other portion included the original warehouse ledgers, the correspondence between Left Vice Minister of Works and the witnesses, and the map of the stolen silver's location. These couldn't all be revealed; they had to be saved for later. He put the first portion into a kraft paper bag and pushed it toward Ah Yuan. The second portion he wrapped in oilpaper and tucked into his robe.

"Miss Ah Yuan, please take this portion out and give it to one of my trusted subordinates." He mentioned an address and a name. "Tell him to keep it safe and not to move it. If anything happens to me in court, these will be my final chips to turn the tables."

Ah Yuan nodded and put the kraft paper bag into her Storage Pouch. "Lord Ning, take care." She turned and walked toward the end of the corridor. A jailer walked past her, completely unaware.

Ning Yuanzhou watched the direction where she disappeared, remaining silent for a moment before sitting back down. He didn't touch the tea on the table, nor did he flip through the books. He leaned against the back of the chair, eyes closed, fingers lightly tapping the armrest. His mind was in a mess, and he felt very anxious. But he knew he couldn't panic. Having spent so many years in officialdom, he had seen all kinds of storms. This time, he was betting that the evidence Ah Yuan brought was solid enough. He was betting that Your Majesty was still willing to give him a chance. And he was betting that Left Vice Minister of Works wouldn't be more patient than him.

Footsteps came from the end of the corridor. It wasn't Ah Yuan, but the dull thud of leather boots on stone slabs. More than one person. The footsteps were hurried, heavy, and filled with anger. Ning Yuanzhou opened his eyes and sat up straight.

The iron bars were shoved open violently, hitting the stone wall with a piercing clang. Left Vice Minister of Works stood at the door, his face ashen, chest heaving, eyes fixed on Ning Yuanzhou. Behind him were two guards in bright armor, hands resting on their sword hilts.

Left Vice Minister of Works entered the cell, approaching Ning Yuanzhou step by step. His lips trembled, and his pupils were filled with rage. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then swallowed it back.

Ning Yuanzhou looked at him without speaking. The cell was terrifyingly quiet. The flame of the oil lamp flickered in the draft, casting their shadows on the stone wall, overlapping and then separating. Left Vice Minister of Works clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. He took a deep breath and finally spoke.

"Ning Yuanzhou, you truly have hidden things well."