"Master, Master!"
A servant hurried into the study and said with surprise, "The young master is back, the young master is back!"
Wang Shiquan, who was sitting at the table with a frown on his face, stood up in surprise when he heard the news. He was ecstatic and asked, "You're back?"
"Where? Where is Qin'er?!"
"Take me there quickly!"
Wang Shiquan stood up and hurriedly followed the servant out of the room and into the inner courtyard.
Outside the room, many servants and maids had been waiting for a long time.
"grown ups!"
Zheng Chang had also learned the news of the young master's return. When he saw Wang Shiquan appear, he hurried forward to greet him.
"Where's Qin'er?"
"Sir, please calm down first. Don't worry. Young Master is a lucky man. Nothing serious will happen!"
Zheng Chang said, "The young master was frightened and weak, and he has passed out. The doctor is in his room..."
After hearing that Wang Qin was not seriously injured, Wang Shiquan breathed a sigh of relief and his originally excited emotions gradually calmed down.
As if thinking of something, his eyes narrowed: "What happened? How did Qin'er get saved?"
"Did you catch him?"
Zheng Chang hesitated and said, "Sir, the young master was found in a dilapidated house on the outskirts of the city."
"When our people found the young master, he was the only one unconscious in the house. No one else was there..."
Wang Shiquan's pupils suddenly shrank.
Didn't find anyone else?
Why is this?
Those people arrested Qin'er and then suddenly released him?
What is the purpose?
Is there some bigger conspiracy? !
Thinking of this, Wang Shiquan's face became more solemn. There must be something wrong when things are abnormal.
Zheng Chang noticed Wang Shiquan's gloomy expression and consoled him, "Sir, although we don't know what their purpose is, it's a good thing that the young master has returned."
Wang Shiquan's expression eased a little. He was relieved that Qin'er was safe and sound.
Just then, the door of the room opened and two doctors walked out of the room.
"Doctor, how is my son?" Wang Shiquan stepped forward quickly and asked.
The two doctors bowed to Wang Shiquan and said, "Don't worry, Your Excellency. Young Master Wang is fine. He's just a little weak from malnutrition these days. He just needs to rest for a while. I'll prescribe some medicine for him later, and he'll be fine soon!"
Wang Shiquan frowned: "Have you checked carefully? Are you sure Qin'er is okay?"
He suspected that someone might have drugged him or something.
"Don't worry, sir. I have been practicing medicine for decades and have never made a mistake." The doctor said confidently.
Zheng Chang, who was standing by, also reminded him, "Sir, these two doctors are the best doctors in Xunyang City, and their medical skills are extremely high..."
Wang Shiquan's expression eased slightly. "Come here, send the two doctors back to get the medicine."
"yes."
After the doctor left, Wang Shiquan couldn't wait to walk into the room.
In the room, on the bed.
Wang Shiquan's face was slightly gloomy. When he saw the skinny and extremely haggard Wang Qin lying on the bed, the anger that he had just suppressed surged again.
It's only been a few days and he's been tortured into this state?
It's horrible!
Who on earth did this?!
…
When Wang Qin opened his eyes, he saw a familiar environment.
Is this...his room?
At this moment, he felt like he was still dreaming.
It was not until he saw a familiar face in the room that his dazed expression gradually recovered.
No, not a dream!
Back, back?!
As his thoughts gradually returned to him, he remembered that he had been thrown out of the dark basement. He had thought that the other party was going to kill him to silence him, but instead of waiting for him, he waited for people from the prefectural government...
His last memory before he fell into a coma was people from the prefectural government breaking into the house.
So, he was really saved?
At this moment, Wang Qin was so excited that tears streamed down his face.
This dandy, second-generation rich man who used to be the richest man in Xunyang City, was now slumped on the bed, with a look of fear on his face, as if he had survived a disaster.
The gloom of these days was deeply imprinted in his mind.
It was not until hurried footsteps were heard outside the door that Wang Qin looked up and saw a familiar and serious face.
Every time he saw this face in the past, he felt extremely disgusted, even a little scared, but now it seemed so familiar.
"father……"
Wang Shiquan looked at Wang Qin who had just woken up on the bed. The words of blame that were on the tip of his tongue could no longer be uttered.
He sighed deeply and said in a deep voice, "How do you feel?"
Wang Qin shook his head: "No, it's okay..."
Wang Shiquan breathed a sigh of relief, and hesitated to speak. In the end, he didn't ask anything: "Rest well first, and we can talk about other things later."
“…”
"Your Highness, Wang Qin is back."
Lin Qingqing appeared in the courtyard and said with her head down, "She has been rescued by the people from the prefectural governor's mansion. She just woke up not long ago."
She was reporting to Lin Jiangnian the information she had previously found out.
Lin Jiangnian said in surprise: "That's not right!"
Lin Qingqing was puzzled: "What's wrong?"
"Why did she let Wang Qin go?"
Lin Jiangnian was a little confused and was thinking about it.
Lin Qingqing became more and more confused: "Who?"
Then he realized something and looked surprised: "Your Highness, do you know who kidnapped Wang Qin?!"
Lin Jiangnian did not explain, as he was not quite sure about the purpose of Zhiyuan's move.
At this point, Lin Jiangnian was almost certain that Zhiyuan was the one who kidnapped Wang Qin. Her purpose in kidnapping Wang Qin was not difficult to guess, but what he didn't expect was why she suddenly let Wang Qin go.
Is this person no longer useful?
This doesn't seem right!
After all, Wang Qin is Wang Shiquan's only son. If he can be controlled, it will pose a huge threat to Wang Shiquan, making him dare not act rashly.
A reasonable explanation for Zhiyuan's action is that she already had a plan in mind?
Or is it that she disdains to use such despicable means?
Lin Jiangnian gradually withdrew his gaze and glanced at Lin Qingqing beside him: "By the way, how did you go about investigating the Jiang family's matter?"
Lin Qingqing nodded and returned to her room. After a while, she took out a file and handed it to Lin Jiangnian.
"Your Highness, these are some of the things you previously instructed your subordinates to investigate at the government office regarding the former Xunyang prefect..."
Lin Jiangnian casually glanced at the file, "What's the result?"
"Just as Your Highness guessed, there is indeed a problem with the file!"
Lin Qingqing frowned and said, "More than a decade ago, the Jiang family was found guilty of treason and collaborating with the enemy. The file stated that Jiang Cheng, as the governor of Xunyang, had exploited his position to secretly communicate with spies and betray military intelligence. However, after a thorough investigation, I have not been able to find any concrete evidence to prove that the Jiang family was collaborating with the enemy..."
"Without any concrete evidence, they were able to charge the Jiang family with treason. This is indeed unbelievable. Perhaps there are some things that my subordinates haven't found out..."
Lin Jiangnian looked indifferent. Even if there was no evidence for some things, the answers were still very obvious.
The post of Xunyang prefect was preceded by the post of Yanzhou governor, a position tantamount to a high-ranking official. As the prefect of Xunyang, Jiang Cheng was already a successful and successful man with a happy family. Unless he had the intention of rebelling and becoming emperor, or was unable to survive, he would never have committed treason under any circumstances.
It’s a very simple truth!
But not everyone believes it.
Maybe, no one cares.
No one cares how many bowls of noodles Jiang Cheng ate!
"I have also secretly inquired with some of the people and former officials in Xunyang County who had experienced this incident..."
"The Jiang family had a good reputation in Xunyang County back then. Governor Jiang was diligent and caring for the people, and Madam Jiang was also kind and compassionate to the people. So much so that when the Jiang family was exterminated, many people complained about their grievances..."
"Besides, I wanted to investigate the truth of what happened back then, but I found that things are not simple..."
Lin Qingqing looked a little solemn, as if she had thought of something.
Lin Jiangnian nodded calmly: "It's normal. The truth of what happened back then has long been erased... This Xunyang County is not simple."
"Then Your Highness..."
Lin Qingqing thought of something and hesitated to speak.
Lin Jiangnian saw her reaction and said, "Are you asking if I should intervene?"
Lin Qingqing was silent and nodded.
"Don't worry, I don't have that ability yet!"
Lin Jiangnian laughed a few times at himself, his eyes indifferent.
There are many aristocratic families in Xunyang County, and the forces are complicated. These forces have mutual interests and have woven a big network that is unbreakable.
How was the Jiang family wiped out back then?
Lin Jiangnian didn't know, but he guessed some of the reasons. The Jiang family, so large, was wiped out overnight; it wasn't something a single person could have accomplished. The forces and interests involved were inexplicable.
No matter how capable Lin Jiangnian is, he cannot change all this.
unless……
Hearing this, Lin Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief.
That's okay.
She almost thought that His Highness was going to take action against the aristocratic families in Xunyang County!
From the moment they left Linjiang City, Lin Jiangnian began to order her to secretly investigate all forces related to Xunyang County. The more she investigated, the more frightened she became.
Lin Qingqing also became increasingly uneasy.
Xunyang County is now extremely powerful. If Your Highness really wants to interfere, I'm afraid you won't get any benefits.
In Linzhou, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince might be able to cover up everything, but this is Yanzhou. Even if Prince Lin is extremely powerful, he cannot take action against these family forces in Yanzhou without sufficient evidence and reasons.
"This prince is not interested in other aristocratic families, nor do I bother to care about them."
Lin Jiangnian shook his head slightly, "But this Wang family might be a surprise."
There were many factors behind the Jiang family's extermination, but the most important factor that led to all this happening was the dominant factor.
It’s the Wang family!
In other words, the extermination of the Jiang family was most likely orchestrated by the Wang family behind the scenes.
So……
The problem is much simpler!
…
Wang Qin returned safely to the prefectural governor's mansion, and many people breathed a sigh of relief. However, some people were still unhappy.
For example, the prefect of Xunyang!
Wang Shiquan always felt that things were not that simple. The person behind the scenes never showed up, and the events in Xunyang City were still not over.
The news of Wang Qin's return to the prefectural government had spread out at some point. The people in the city, who were already criticizing Wang Qin and demanding severe punishment for the criminal, were suddenly filled with righteous indignation, demanding that Wang Qin be arrested and brought to justice for a thorough investigation.
If the son of a prefect commits a crime, he shall be punished the same as the common people!
The government was under tremendous pressure, and even though it tried its best to quell public anger, it was of no avail.
Prefectural Office.
"Qin'er, what's going on?"
In the room, Wang Qin, who had returned to the prefectural mansion two days ago, had visibly improved.
Wang Shiquan appeared in the room with a sullen expression.
Wang Qin's eyes were a little flustered: "I, I don't know either..."
"Oh, you don't know?!"
After confirming that Wang Qin was fine, Wang Shiquan breathed a sigh of relief, but the anger that had been suppressed for many days also surged up.
"Trafficking people, seizing people's land, and even smuggling salt... How do you explain these things?!"
Hearing this, Wang Qin's face turned pale and his eyes were panicked: "Dad, Dad, that's not me, I..."
"It's already this time, and you still want to lie to me?" Wang Shiquan shouted coldly.
Wang Qin was so frightened that he trembled all over and fell to his knees with a thud: "Dad, Dad, I was wrong..."
"I, I really don't want to...but it was my second uncle who asked me to do this."
"Dad, I won't dare to do it again next time..."
Wang Shiquan's face looked extremely ugly. How could he not be angry when his own son did such a thing?
"Do you know that you will be beheaded?" Wang Shiquan asked coldly.
Wang Qin's face was pale, and he lowered his head: "I, I..."
He couldn't utter a word and could only beg for mercy.
Seeing him like this, Wang Shiquan fell silent, as if remembering what Wang Changjin had said that day, and remained silent for a moment. After a long while, he spoke expressionlessly, "Get up."
Only then did Wang Qin get up tremblingly, his face still looking pitiful.
"Besides these, what else have you done?"
"No, no more..."
"Is it really gone?" Wang Shiquan asked coldly.
“No, no…”
Wang Qin lowered his head, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes.
Wang Shiquan fell silent again.
After a long while, he said in a cold voice, "From now on, you are confined to your home. You are not allowed to go out without my permission. Also, you are not allowed to do these things with your second uncle again. Do you understand?"
Wang Qin lowered his head and nodded obediently.
Wang Shiquan's expression softened slightly, and he immediately brought up another matter: "Also, where have you been these days? Who are the people who kidnapped you?!"
When Wang Qin mentioned this, his face turned pale, as if recalling some painful memories: "Yes, it was a woman..."
"A woman?"
Wang Shiquan's pupils shrank: "What woman?"
"No, I don't know..."
Wang Qin's voice trembled a little: "She, she kidnapped me... She locked me up and didn't give me any food..."
Wang Qin described the painful experiences during this period, completely unaware of Wang Shiquan's increasingly ugly expression.
"A woman?!"
Wang Shiquan stared at Wang Qin with gloomy eyes: "How old is she?!"
Wang Qin thought carefully: "About the same age as me..."
Wang Shiquan's breathing was low and rapid: "It's her!"
About the same size as Qin'er...
The mother and daughter from the Jiang family who escaped that year, the little girl is now about the same age as Qin'er!
“It’s her indeed!”
"Who?" Wang Qin asked in confusion.
But Wang Shiquan turned around with a sullen face and left in a hurry.
Wang Qin stood in the room and breathed a sigh of relief as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
Then, his eyes seemed to be filled with guilt and fear. After a while, they turned gloomy and ferocious.
Just then, a faint voice came from outside the window.
"Are you Wang Qin?"
Wang Qin shuddered as if he was guilty of a crime. He turned his head and saw a strange man of the same age as him appear outside the window, looking at him with interest.
“You, who are you?!”
“…”