Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 144 Secret Affairs Under Investigation

She rented a horse in the suburbs.

Following the map's directions, we headed north towards that nameless place.

That place is through a dense forest.

The mountain path was rugged and the terrain treacherous. The snow had not yet melted, making the ground slippery and every step extremely difficult.

As the horse moved forward, its steps became increasingly unsteady, and it would even shake its head from time to time, pawing restlessly with its hooves.

Jiang Mian felt very uneasy sitting there, so she dismounted. She gently stroked the horse's neck and whispered soothingly, "We'll be there soon, don't move."

But the next moment, the horse suddenly reared up and neighed! It was like it had gone mad, completely out of control, and broke free.

A chill suddenly swept in, and withered leaves fell in a rustling sound.

Caught off guard, Jiang Mian lost control of the reins.

She watched the horse gallop away, rubbed her reddened palms, and her heart raced slightly: "What, what's going on...?"

The sound of horses' hooves faded away, and the forest soon became quiet except for the chirping of birds.

She felt a strange sense of fear, but the location marked on the map was not far ahead, and if she continued forward, she would arrive at it.

Having come this far, it would be a real shame to give up. But without a horse, she feared she would have to walk until dark.

As she hesitated, she suddenly turned her head and saw a lake through the gaps in the branches.

A boat was moored by the lake, as if someone was ferrying people across.

Wouldn't it be so convenient to travel by boat?

Overjoyed, she quickly grabbed the vine and went around to the side.

"Boatman!"

She called out loudly.

The boatman heard her voice and asked with a smile, "This... um, young master, would you like a ride?"

Jiang Mian nodded vigorously: "Yes, I would like to ask you to come from here to the other side." She pointed to a spot not far away and added, "The money is negotiable."

The boatman glanced at the spot she pointed to, rubbed his chin, and asked, "Of course, of course. Does the young master have a travel permit?"

"A navigation permit? What is that?"

"The place the young master is going to is extraordinary; a passage permit is required before crossing."

Jiang Mian then asked, "How can one obtain a sailing permit?"

“Anyone who can travel by boat will naturally know this order.”

The boatman walked toward the belly of the boat as he spoke, and said no more to her.

Jiang Mian was somewhat discouraged.

It seems that she has no choice but to cross the mountain.

But without horses, traveling at night is even more dangerous.

Besides, if Xiao Hengzhi went back and found that she wasn't in the Prince's Mansion, he would probably keep asking her questions.

If he finds out that she is looking for the antidote to the Spring Bitterness Powder, he might lock her up in the mansion again and not let her out.

Jiang Mian stood there looking at the place. It was a shady mountain, extremely dark, and it certainly didn't look like a good place. If something happened to her, she wouldn't even have a chance to escape.

Well, there's still some time until the fifteenth of next month. We shouldn't be rash and alert the enemy.

After a moment's hesitation, she gritted her teeth, turned around, and headed back.

By the time they returned to the Prince's residence, it was already late at night.

After changing into women's clothing back in her room, she heard a commotion coming from the gate of the mansion as soon as she came out. Then she saw Xiao Hengzhi, dressed in black, slowly enter the mansion through the gate.

His dark eyes narrowed slightly, his steps were steady, but his expression was not good, even somewhat...sad.

Jiang Wan's heart skipped a beat.

I wonder what happened in the palace that made him look like that.

She quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"I've met the prince."

Xiao Hengzhi didn't say anything, but just took her hand and led her into the house.

She asked quietly, "Your Highness seems to have something on your mind."

"Ah."

"Has something happened in the palace?"

Xiao Hengzhi led her to sit down, took the teacup, and his eyes flickered, as if he was deliberately avoiding her probing gaze.

The room fell silent for a moment.

The aroma of the tea was enigmatic, and Xiao Hengzhi remained silent. She didn't know whether she should press him for an answer, and simply kept drinking her tea.

“Jiang Man,” he suddenly said.

"Huh?" Jiang Mian suddenly came back to her senses.

Where did you go today?

"Cough! Cough!"

She choked on the tea and coughed twice.

"Drink slowly," Xiao Hengzhi patted her back.

After calming down, she took a deep breath and replied, "I had nothing to do today, so I went out for a stroll."

She spoke earnestly, believing her argument to be flawless.

Xiao Hengzhi lowered his eyes, did not ask any further questions, and then turned his head and said, "I have to go to the Empress Dowager's place tomorrow."

"it is good......"

Jiang Mian recalled the emperor's hurried return to the palace from Zhaoming Temple the day before yesterday, coupled with Xiao Hengzhi's reaction today.

Could it be that something happened to the Empress Dowager?

Counting the days, it was around this time in the previous life that the Empress Dowager passed away from a minor cold because she couldn't find her grandson.

But even though he found his grandson in this life, could it be that he still couldn't make it through?

Judging from Xiao Hengzhi's expression, Jiang Wan guessed that it was most likely about this matter.

Seeing that he didn't want to talk about it anymore, I didn't ask any more questions.

The next day, Xiao Hengzhi left the palace early as usual.

Jiang Wan went out just like yesterday.

It was just getting light, and there weren't many pedestrians on the street.

A clear sound of horses' hooves came from afar, mixed with the dull thud of clashing weapons.

She looked up and saw several groups of soldiers rushing past at the end of the street, all heading in the same direction, seemingly towards the Duke's mansion.

Jiang Mian felt a slight tightness in her chest. She followed the crowd and vaguely heard people whispering among themselves.

"Have you heard? The battle at Fengyu Pass was a disastrous defeat, and the border is in danger."

"Yes, the commander fled, and the deputy commander submitted a memorial impeaching the Wen family, saying that they privately forged weapons and sold them to enemy countries, secretly colluded with the enemy army, and pretended to fight! The constant fighting at Fengyu Pass is because the Wen family is deliberately maintaining the war so that they can profit from it!"

"Is that so?! No wonder Wen Ziyuan dared to go to the front lines of Fengyu Pass when he was young, so that's the reason..."

"If it was a feigned battle, why did we suffer such a crushing defeat this time? Could it be that the enemy has betrayed us?"

"I heard that the markings on the weapons used by the enemy to identify them were erased, otherwise..."

"Then...the Duke Wen's Mansion..."

"It seems they'll have to exterminate their entire family..."

"These traitors must be tortured!"

"..."

Privately manufacturing weapons, colluding with enemy countries...

Exterminate nine generations of relatives...

Upon hearing these three words, Jiang Mian abruptly stopped in her tracks, her fingertips clenching her sleeves.

She remembered that her father was originally supposed to lead the expedition to Fengyu Pass, but after exchanging conditions with Duan Zhian, the commander-in-chief was changed to Wen Ziyuan before the expedition.

Wen Ziyuan became famous at a young age and led several expeditions to Fengyu Pass, forcing the enemy to retreat fifty miles outside the pass.

They thought he was a genius sent from heaven, but it turns out he was colluding with the enemy.

Given the emperor's temperament, he would certainly be furious about this.

But she was puzzled, because such a major event had never happened in her previous life.

Could it be because she saved her father in this life, but harmed the Wen family?

"not good!"

Jiang Mian suddenly realized something, was startled, and turned around to rush towards the Prince's residence.

If the emperor truly implicates the Wen family this time, then Wen Qian…

She hurried along, a sudden sense of panic rising within her.

With the protection of the Marquis of Pingnan's mansion and Duan Zhi'an, and with Zhi Jing being deeply favored by the Emperor, Wen Qian should be safe.

But once an emperor is enraged, no one can predict his intentions.

......

Jiang Mian hurried over, feeling even more uneasy.

They soon arrived at the prince's residence. The residence was unusually quiet; the usual sounds of servants moving about were nowhere to be heard, and the air was thick with a sense of oppressive tension.

Just as she was about to instruct someone to announce her arrival, she heard heavy footsteps coming from the corridor.

It is Li Zhijing.

He must have just returned from the military camp and hadn't had time to change out of his uniform yet.

His expression was solemn. When he saw Jiang Mian, he stopped a distance away, his eyes flickered slightly, but he did not speak.

Jiang Wan stepped forward quickly, not bothering to say much, and asked directly, "Where is the Crown Princess? I heard about what happened at the Duke of Wen's mansion when I came... Is it true?"

Li Zhijing's voice was low and hoarse: "I heard about this a few days ago, and with the Duke's mansion being investigated today, it must be true."

Jiang Mian's heart sank, and she murmured softly, "...Given His Majesty's temperament, he'll probably make an example of the Wen family. Zhijing, what do you think?"

Li Zhijing lowered his eyes, his gaze darkening, and after a long while he spoke: "Wen Qian is the Crown Prince's consort, so this matter concerns the Marquis's mansion. I will not let anything happen to her."

Jiang Wan pursed her lips and nodded.

The Pingnan Marquis's Mansion has always valued its reputation. Even though Wen Qian is not pregnant, she is still the heir of the mansion and the future wife of the Marquis. Even if it is to protect the family's reputation, the Marquis's Mansion cannot ignore her.

But she still felt uneasy.

Suddenly, Jiang Wan's eyes lit up, and she asked, "Could you take me with you into the palace?"