The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Chapter 206 Husband and wife are separated

"We will give you an answer after we have consulted with the Emperor."

After saying that, those people turned and left.

Xiao Ran slowly sat down. No matter what, she had to see Zhou Yurong first. If Zhou Yurong couldn't find a way to get her out, she would drag him down with her.

And her father, I wonder if he's received the news yet.

Xiao Chengzhi naturally received the news and immediately went to the palace to plead guilty, begging Li Jiangui to grant him a chance to see Xiao Ran.

"Even if Ran'er has a thousand faults, I hope Your Majesty can give me some face and allow me to see her again."

Li Jiangui put down his vermilion brush and said calmly, "Once she confesses, I will arrange for you and your daughter to see each other one last time. Prince Ding'an need not worry."

Xiao Chengzhi's face turned ashen; he knew there was no room for negotiation.

The eunuchs outside led the people from the Dali Temple in.

"Your Majesty, Princess Xiao wishes to see the Earl of Guangning, saying she will only give an explanation after meeting him."

Xiao Chengzhi pricked up his ears and rolled his eyes.

"Then let her see her."

Li Jiangui did not refuse; his original intention was to use Xiao Ran to lure out Zhou Yurong.

Upon receiving the order, the Dali Temple sent someone to summon Zhou Yurong. Xiao Chengzhi also found an excuse to leave, and he went to find Zhou Yurong before the Dali Temple people arrived.

When Zhou Yurong saw Xiao Chengzhi, her expression changed for a moment.

"What exactly happened?" Xiao Chengzhi didn't want to waste time and asked directly.

Zhou Yurong sighed: "Ran'er spends a lot every day, and I always put her first. I only recently found out that she had been involved in these things. I tried to persuade her, but it was no use."

He subconsciously shifted the blame onto Xiao Ran. The problem right now was getting Xiao Ran to confess, because only if she confessed could he get away with it.

"Are you trying to fool me?" Xiao Chengzhi was so angry that he wanted to hit her, but he held back. "Do you think Ran'er could have thought of selling smuggled salt and weapons all by herself? Zhou Yurong, everything you have now is thanks to Ran'er. If anything happens to Ran'er, you'll go with her."

After saying that, Xiao Chengzhi turned and left to try to see if he could meet with Xiao Ran.

Zhou Yurong was scolded, which made her even more resentful.

“Zhou Lang,” Lu Lingyue appeared out of nowhere, “this father and daughter are of the same personality. Since we’re going to make Xiao Ran take the blame, why don’t we just go all the way and get rid of her together.”

A glint flashed in Zhou Yurong's eyes.

At this moment, the people from the Dali Temple arrived, saying that Xiao Ran wanted to see him.

After thinking it over for a while, Zhou Yurong decided to go and check on Xiao Ran, as things couldn't go too wrong.

When Zhou Yurong arrived at the Dali Temple prison, he rarely saw Xiao Ran in such a disheveled state.

When Xiao Ran saw Zhou Yurong coming over, she got up and grabbed the bars of the cell.

"Zhou Yurong, why did you use my identity to deliver goods back then?"

Zhou Yurong handed over the food box in her hand: "I didn't think that much about it before, and I didn't expect the goods to be intercepted, but don't worry, the Prince of Ding'an and I will definitely find a way to save you."

Looking at the food box, Xiao Ran asked coldly, "This is a capital offense, and you have a way to deal with it?"

“Your father is the Prince of Ding’an, and you are a county princess, with a noble status. With me here, and so many years of friendship between us, the Emperor will at most strip you of your county princess title, but he won’t take your life.”

Upon hearing about Prince Ding'an, Xiao Ran began to believe Zhou Yurong's words to some extent.

"Have you seen my father?"

Zhou Yurong nodded. "I just saw him. He can't come to see you for the time being, but don't worry, we're all keeping an eye on him. Just don't admit it, stick to your story, and we'll save you."

Xiao Ran's expression softened considerably. She figured Zhou Yurong wouldn't dare lie to her; if she did, Xiao Chengzhi would definitely not let Zhou Yurong off the hook.

"You're smart enough to get me out of here right now. It's filthy, and I don't like living here."

Zhou Yurong readily agreed, his attitude unusually gentle. Xiao Ran, unsuspecting, watched Zhou Yurong leave before opening the food box.

The food box was filled with her favorite pastries; they had put thought into it.

Having appeased Xiao Ran, the remaining issue was with Xiao Chengzhi. Zhou Yurong made inquiries from various sources and learned that the Emperor forbade Xiao Chengzhi and his mother from meeting.

“That creates an information gap,” Zhou Yurong said with a smile.

Lu Lingyue, who was standing next to her, had been in a good mood lately. She was also happy to hear that Xiao Chengzhi couldn't see Xiao Ran.

"Zhou Lang, this opportunity has been presented to us, we absolutely cannot let it go."

"I know."

After confirming with Zhou Yurong, Lu Lingyue went outside and ran into Luo Sanniang.

"Luo San Niang," Lu Lingyue called out to her.

Just as Luo San Niang was worrying about how to leave the mansion properly, Lu Lingyue came over.

"Xiao Ran isn't in the manor, so there's no one to protect you right now."

Lu Lingyue still remembered Luo San Niang's previous attitude, and now she was determined to get her revenge.

Seeing Lu Lingyue's accusatory look, Luo San Niang remained calm.

"Have you forgotten how you invited me here? I still have that contract. If you want to settle accounts with me, I don't mind exposing this matter. Even if it doesn't affect your relationship, you'll still have a grudge."

Luo San Niang knew that this could only delay Lu Lingyue for a while. Her purpose today was to see Shen Hanyu and ask him for a way to leave the Guangning Marquis's mansion.

Lu Lingyue also remembered the contract. If Luo San Niang were to make a big deal out of it, it would indeed not do her any good.

Thinking this, her attitude towards Luo San Niang softened again.

"I was just joking, Luo San Niang, don't take it to heart."

She can rest easy once she gets the contract.

Luo San Niang didn't want to beat around the bush with Lu Lingyue here; she wanted to find Shen Hanyu.

After finally leaving the Guangning Marquis's mansion, Luo Sanniang arrived at Shen Hanyu's residence, but Shen Hanyu was still at the girls' school. Luo Sanniang waited for her until the afternoon.

Seeing Shen Hanyu return, Luo Sanniang felt as if she had seen a glimmer of hope.

"Please, young lady, save me!"

As she spoke, Luo San Niang knelt down with a thud.

Miao Cui went over and helped the person up.

"I know everything about what happened at the Guangning Marquis's residence. You want to leave, right?"

Once Zhou Yurong is arrested, Luo Sanniang, being a publicly acknowledged concubine, will also be implicated in the case.

"Yes, I want to leave."

Luo San Niang wiped away her tears. Shen Hanyu had indeed foreseen everything.

“You are a legitimate concubine. With Xiao Ran gone, Zhou Yurong will definitely not let you go. Now, the only way is to expose Zhou Yurong’s crimes and make amends for your crimes.”

Luo San Niang blinked, as if she understood.

Shen Hanyu's tone softened: "You've been doing things for me all along, so I won't stop helping you when the time comes. Don't worry."

Luo San Niang breathed a sigh of relief, as long as Shen Hanyu was willing to help her.

"There's a tense situation between me and Lu Lingyue right now. I wonder when this will end?"

She wanted to know a rough time, so she would have something to look forward to.

"It won't be long, just within this month."