Chapter 437

In the dark passage, outside the fence, the big brother in the uniform of a night watchman was standing there, squinting at him.

Xu Erlang's eyes suddenly brightened. He stood up from the straw mat, the shackles rattling as he walked.

"Why did you come in? Minister Sun let you in? "Xu Xinnian was surprised and pleasantly surprised.

Seeing this, Xu Qi 'an retracted his gaze and let out a breath. "Looks like it's just a superficial wound."

Then, he glanced at the jailer and said coldly, "Leave."

The jailer sensibly left.

Xu Xinnian spat and said, "This group of dogs, it hurts so much to be whipped."

"Is Erlang complaining to me …" Xu Qi 'an nodded, "Don't worry, I will find a way to get you out."

As soon as he finished, Xu Xinnian waved his hand and interrupted him, emphasizing, "Big brother, maybe you don't know, this matter is not a fraud in the imperial examination, but a conflict between the Imperial College and Yunlu Academy."

"No, I know it clearly …" Xu Qi 'an said in his heart.

But Xu Erlang didn't give him a chance to speak. He kept talking, and his voice was full of energy. It was indeed only a skin wound.

"In fact, I have a hunch that it will not be so easy for a student of Yunlu Academy to get into high school. But I am not afraid. If the Academy wants to return to the court and expand its power, it needs someone to take the lead and pave the way for the latecomers. "Xu Xinnian said in a low voice,

"As for me, I am the one who opened the tunnel."

"Erlang, people don't admire the first person who opened up the tunnel. What they really admire is the person who expanded the tunnel …" Xu Qi 'an said, "Yes.

"Go on."

"In fact, I have come up with a solution in prison. After all, I am the best at home when it comes to the intrigues in the court."

Xu Xinnian proudly raised his chin and continued, "The great scholar of the Academy can't step into the court as a white robe, but Wei Yuan can. You go and beg Wei Yuan. I don't ask him to help me get rid of the crime immediately. It is too difficult, and it will hurt me because it is equivalent to a war with the civil officials. "

"My request is to remove the official title, but retain the right to take the imperial examination. Or, after the court examinations, I can sit for the general examinations three years later.

"The civil officials from the Imperial College mainly want to suppress Yunlu Academy, not me."

Xu Erlang sighed and said, "Yes, for Big Brother, this is indeed a little difficult to understand. You just need to do as I say.

"Even though I'm in prison, I can still devise strategies."

"Erlang, you think you're on the 18th floor, but you're actually on the surface of the earth …" Xu Qi 'an coughed and said, "Big Brother has a different opinion here."

Xu Xinnian was stunned and nodded "modestly". "Go ahead."

Then, Xu Qi'an told Xu Erlang about Wei Yuan's analysis of "killing three birds with one stone". Then, the prison fell into a long silence.

"I see. There is such a complicated background behind this case. I, I am doomed?" Xu Erlang looked like he had suffered a great blow.

He didn't know if it was because he had no hope of getting out, or because his analysis was too shallow, but it was not in line with his king's rank.

"Don't worry, I will try my best to get you out." Xu Qi'an comforted him.

This was the dungeon of the Ministry of Justice, so it was not suitable to say too much.

Xu Xinnian smiled bitterly.

…

After saying goodbye to Xu Xinnian, Xu Qi'an left the Yamen of the Ministry of Justice and planned to go home to comfort his sister and aunt. He had been running around for most of the day, so the two women at home must have been worried until now.

From afar, he heard aunt crying in the hall, "Why hasn't Dalang come back yet? Erlang has been locked up in the Ministry of Justice. I don't know how much he will suffer. He should at least give me a definite message …"

Xu Lingyue comforted her, "Mother, my big brother must be running around to clear up his connections. Don't worry, he will tell you when dusk is over."

"How much longer do we have to wait? Every minute that passes is torture for me." Auntie started sobbing.

"Didn't you hear what your father said? Dalang went to the Ministry of Justice to ask for help, but not only did he not see Erlang, but he was also humiliated."

Then, Xu Pingzhi sighed.

"Although aunt is narrow-minded and thinks she is cute at her age, she didn't insult Second Uncle for being useless and unable to save her son. This is probably the reason why Second Uncle spoils aunt so much …" Xu Qi'an suddenly noticed this detail that he hadn't noticed before.

"Ahem!"

As Xu Qi'an entered the inner court, he coughed to attract the attention of his family.

Xu Lingyue, who was calm just now, suddenly had tears in her eyes. She looked at Xu Qi'an and was speechless.

Seeing this, Xu Qi'an had to comfort her first. He patted her shoulder and said, "Don't worry."

Xu Lingyue said softly, "Big brother …"

Then, she was covered by aunt's high-pitched voice. Her eyes suddenly lit up. She grabbed Xu Qi'an's sleeve and looked at him expectantly and nervously. She cried,

"Ningyan, Erlang, how is he? Think of a way to save him. Only you can save him in the family. "

Xu Pingzhi sighed, "The minister of the Ministry of Justice is determined to take revenge. What do you want Dalang to do? Be humiliated by him again?"

The light in aunt's eyes suddenly dimmed, and tears came out of her eyes. Xu Qi'an patted aunt's little hand, and then sister's little hand. He comforted, "I saw Erlang. He is fine. He is not injured."

Aunt didn't believe it. She stared at her nephew with her bright eyes and sniffled, "Dalang, don't lie to me."

Xu Lingyue looked at her brother with expectation and anxiety. That was the hope of a younger sister for the brother she admired.

Xu Qi'an glanced at the family and said, "I asked Duke Wei and the princess to put pressure on Minister Sun. He won't dare to torture Erlang. Don't worry. "

If it was Duke Wei and the princess who did it, Erlang wouldn't suffer great torture in prison … It was not surprising that Dalang was Duke Wei's confidant. But he could make the princess intervene in the case … He didn't expect Dalang to have such a deep friendship with Princess Royal. Xu Pingzhi sighed in his heart. Unknowingly, his nephew's network had become so huge that he could only look up to him.

It's so good to have Ning Yan here. He always makes people feel at ease … The big stone in aunt's heart was slowly lifted.

Xu Lingyue pursed her lips, and her eyes were shining. Her brother had never let her down.

In fact, I kidnapped Minister Sun's son, but he had no evidence. He couldn't do anything to me. I just asked him not to torture him. For Minister Sun, this was a small matter that could be done. Compared to a life-and-death struggle, he cared more about the life of his legitimate son.

Although he broke the rules, he could minimize the impact of the matter if he had a good grasp of the scale.

Moreover, Minister Sun really had no evidence, and he wasn't the one who kidnapped him, Xu Qi'an. He was not afraid of the Celestial Commissioner's Qi-watching technique.

In the case of Princess Pingyang, Prince Yu had no evidence. His daughter disappeared without reason, and he didn't even know who the enemy was.

Of course, after the incident, the price Liang Dang paid was the execution of his entire family.

As long as the effect was good, even if it was written in the laws of Daibun, some people would still take the risk, let alone the unspoken rules!

Thinking of this, Xu Qi'an looked at Lina and Xu Lingyin, who were sitting at the side eating pastries, and said, "Don't go out today. Lina, during the day, the safety of the women in the mansion depends on you."

"Okay!" Lina agreed readily.

Although this black-skinned girl wasn't very smart, she could fight … Xu Qi'an was quite confident in her.

As for being isolated by the officialdom, not to mention whether Minister Sun would spread the news, even if it did, he was not afraid. As a confidant of Wei Yuan, he had too many enemies.

Was he afraid of being isolated?

Xu Qi'an was not a scholar who wanted to pursue an official career. He was a night watchman, and the nature of the two were different. The former needed reputation and recognition from the officialdom.

But the night watchman didn't need it. If Wei Yuan was there, he would be there. If Wei Yuan was down, he would be down.

Xu Pingzhi opened his mouth, but didn't say anything. He was disappointed and gratified. He was gratified that his nephew had grown up, and was no longer the boy he could pat on the back of the head.

He was disappointed that he could no longer pat the back of the head.

Aunt was so happy that she cried. She pulled Xu Qi'an's hand and didn't let go. "Dalang, you are the most promising in the family. Aunt's hard work in raising you was not in vain."

No, Aunt, don't you have a conscience when you say this? Xu Qi'an was puzzled.

Aunt's mood suddenly brightened, and she had the leisure to vent her anger on Xu Lingyin. She poked her head with her slender fingers and said angrily, "You only know how to eat, eat, eat. What's the use of giving birth to you? It's better to give birth to a mouse."

"Mother, I'm hungry." Xu Lingyin raised her little face and said pitifully.

"When has your stomach ever been full?" Aunt was exasperated. "Your brother is in danger, and you're still eating here. You heartless thing. "

Xu Lingyin looked at Xu Qi'an. "Isn't the pot fine? Mother just doesn't want me to eat, and then you hide and eat secretly."

Aunt was so angry that her body swayed.

Xu Qi'an, Xu Lingyue, and Xu Pingzhi were a little embarrassed.

Lina poked her eating companion's waist and said in a low voice, "You still have a brother."

Xu Lingyin thought about it and realized that she did have a brother. She immediately cried, and the pastries in her mouth fell.

She picked up the pastries that had fallen on her clothes and legs and stuffed them back into her mouth. She cried, "Is second brother dead? I don't want second brother to die. Ow ow ow …"

At this time, the gatekeeper came in and said, "There's a girl outside who wants to see Miss Lingyue."

The family immediately looked at Xu Lingyue.

Xu Lingyue frowned. "Which family's girl? Why is she looking for me?"

The gatekeeper shook his head.

"Let her in," Xu Lingyue said.

After a while, the gatekeeper led a pretty girl in a pink dress in. She had a maid's bun, and the fabric of the clothes she wore was better than that of a normal rich girl.

"It's you?" Xu Lingyue recognized her and looked surprised.

"This servant is Lan 'er. Miss wants to visit Miss Lingyue today. I wonder if Miss Lingyue is free today?" The pretty maid who called herself Lan' er bowed.

"This is Wang Shoufu's daughter, Miss Simu Wang's maid." Xu Lingyue explained.

She believed that with her brother's intelligence, he would definitely be able to hear the hidden meaning.

Wang Zhenwen's daughter's maid? Why did she send someone to the house to mock and ridicule? Because of Erlang's influence, Xu Qi'an also felt that Simu Wang was gloating and adding insult to injury.

He was instantly annoyed.

A mere girl is so arrogant … I am a new generation human who firmly believes in equality between men and women. I won't be soft-hearted when it comes to tearing green tea … Xu Qi'an snorted in his heart.

"I have something to do today. I will pay a visit another day." Xu Lingyue said lightly, her gaze suddenly becoming sharp, "Please go back and tell Sister Wang that I like her. When the time comes, I will definitely communicate with her."

But in the next moment, the sharpness in her gaze disappeared, and she became a weak and powerless sister again. She said with tears in her eyes, "Big brother, if you still have something to do, go do it first. I will leave Second Brother's matter to you."

Xu Qi'an was about to nod when he heard Miss Lan 'er's anxious expression. She asked, "What happened to Xu Huiyuan?"

The brother and sister both ignored her. Their faces were cold. Aunt suddenly opened her mouth and said,

"Your family's Miss is Wang Shoufu's daughter? That's great. My family's Erlang has been slandered by some goddamn bastard for cheating in the imperial examinations. He has been locked up in the Ministry of Justice's prison.

"Miss, can you help me beg your family's Miss to help Erlang?"

Xu Qi'an and Xu Lingyue looked at Aunt with stiff expressions.

Did this woman (Aunt) really have no brains at all?

Even if she was in a desperate situation, she shouldn't be throwing herself in front of the enemy. Did she think she wasn't dying fast enough and wanted someone else to stab her?

Xu Qi'an's face darkened. He said coldly, "Miss Lan 'er, I won't see you out."

Miss Lan 'er was full of questions and anxiously said goodbye.

…

Simu Wang sat on the soft couch in the spacious carriage. Sometimes, she lifted the curtains to look outside. Sometimes, she looked at the teapot that was licking the bottom of the orange fire.

It fully reflected the anxiety in Miss Wang's heart.

An hour had passed, and Lan 'er still hadn't returned. She was the one who felt the most uncomfortable.

If Miss Xu rejected her visit, it most likely represented the Xu Family's intentions, as well as Xu Xinnian's intentions.

Should I continue to visit? Or should I retreat?

She wasn't willing to do the latter. If it was the former … she was, after all, an unmarried woman and the Grand Secretary's daughter. No matter what, she needed face and reputation. She wouldn't be able to continue visiting.

As these thoughts flashed through her mind, she lifted the curtains and was surprised to see Lan 'er's small carriage.

The small carriage slowly stopped. Maid Lan 'er jumped off the carriage nimbly and ran over. She climbed onto the large carriage and opened the door.

"Stupid girl, why are you back so late? What time is it?" Simu Wang, who was upset, vented her anger.

She took a deep breath and asked, "What did Miss Xu say?"

Lan 'er shook her head.

Simu Wang's expression instantly collapsed. The light in her eyes dimmed.

At this time, she saw Lan 'er gulp. She panted and said, "Miss, bad news. Xu Huiyuan has been arrested by the Ministry of Justice for cheating in the imperial examinations."

"What?"

Hearing this news, Simu Wang's heart was filled with complicated emotions. First, she was shocked and worried. She was worried about Xu Xinnian's future and safety.

Then, she felt a trace of joy.

So he didn't show up not because he didn't like me, but because he was arrested by the Ministry of Justice and couldn't escape.

I blamed him wrongly.

At that moment, Lan 'er told Miss Wang everything she had seen and heard in the Xu Mansion, including Xu Qi' an's cold attitude and Xu Lingyue's distant attitude.

Minister Sun is my father's accomplice. Do they think my father is the mastermind behind this? If my father really did it, then … then wouldn't I be … Simu Wang felt bitter.

Lan 'er said angrily, "Hmph, their attitude is so bad and they still want you to save Xu Huiyuan. The Xu Family is really shameless."

Simu Wang frowned. "Speak properly." After a pause, her expression turned serious. "Was it Xu Qi 'an's request?"

That can't be right. I've only met Xu Huiyuan once. We only spoke a few words. Xu Qi 'an is a smart man. Why would he ask me, the daughter of Wang Shoufu, to help him?

He can't know what I'm thinking. Even my father doesn't know.

The intelligent Miss Wang immediately figured out what was going on.

Lan 'er shook her head. "The matriarch of the Xu Family said it. She was the beautiful woman we saw that day."

The matriarch of the Xu Family's request …

Wang Simu's expression became serious again. She actively racked her brain, muttered, and analyzed …

She is Xu Huiyuan's mother. She must have a bad impression of me and the Wang Family. Why would she ask for my help?

To be able to raise a daughter with deep schemes, a nephew with unparalleled spirit, and a son brimming with talent, such a woman was definitely not an ordinary person.

I need to think about it carefully. I can't be careless …

"Lan 'er, did that matriarch scold me or my father? What was her attitude? "Simu Wang asked.

"She has the best attitude in the entire family. When she asked for help, she was especially sincere," Lan 'er said.

This … Simu Wang's eyes widened. She had a guess in her heart.

It was the first time I used my father's name to invite Xu Huiyuan to the Wen Conference. There's nothing wrong with that. However, I also invited Xu Huiyuan to the lake in such a short time … A careless man might not think too much about it. However, as a woman, and an intelligent one at that, it's impossible that she didn't notice it.

Even if she didn't know what I was thinking, she could guess … so, this is a test and an opportunity?

She doesn't dislike me. She doesn't hate me because I'm the daughter of the Wang Family.

She's making a point, showing me.

Then, matriarch of the Xu Family made this request through Lan 'er.

She's hinting to me.

As expected, this matriarch of the Xu Family is a very intelligent person … only she can see through my intentions … Simu Wang clenched her fists. Her body trembled.

At the same time, she was excited because she met her match.

"Lan 'er, go to the Imperial City. I want to go to the yamen to find my father," Simu Wang said.