After Marrying the Disabled, I Became the Prime Minister’s Wife Chapter 44

"It's ."

Chu Ruoyan stood up and said, "Your storytelling is captivating, sir, but there is one thing I don’t quite understand and would like to ask for clarification."

Liu Chunrong, seeing it was a young woman, softened his stern expression slightly. "What is your question?"

"Is what you wrote in your book true?"

"Of course it's true!"

"Really?" Chu Ruoyan said softly. "Then did you witness it with your own eyes?"

"Well..."

"Then you must have heard it firsthand. May I ask what position you held in the army to know such details? You must have been very close to the general."

Her words were calm and asured, but the audience gradually sensed sothing amiss. How could a re storyteller know the exact conversations between soldiers on the battlefield?

Liu Chunrong grew irritated. "Which tavern sent you here to cause trouble? If you’re not here to listen, leave at once and stop wasting everyone’s ti!"

Chu Ruoyan raised an eyebrow. Su Tingyun stood up. "She is my honored guest, Master Liu. Mind your words."

Recognizing the young master of the establishnt, Liu Chunrong hastily bowed in apology.

Just then, the manager rushed over, trying to pull Su Tingyun aside.

However, Su Tingyun refused. "There’s nothing that can’t be said openly. Speak here."

The manager, embarrassed, lowered his voice. "Young Master, this storyteller was hired at great expense by the Marquis. Today’s chapter, 'The Battle of Hangu Pass,' was personally selected by His Lordship..."

"What? My father?" Su Tingyun exclaid in shock.

Chu Ruoyan slowly lowered her gaze.

Of course. If it was the Marquis of Pingjing, everything made sense now.

First, he orchestrated the disgrace of a lone maiden at Wangshuang Tower to provoke Yan Zheng into intervening.

Then, he used Ajiao’s beauty to get close to Yan Xun and steal the city defense plans, framing Yan Zheng for the cri.

Now, this storytelling performance was ant to incite public outrage and condemn Yan Zheng...

Such ticulous scheming—no wonder Yan Zheng annihilated his entire family in her dream!

"Lady of Anning Hou, there must be so misunderstanding. My father has always held General Yan in high regard. He would never harm Anning Hou! There must be soone else manipulating things behind the scenes!"

Su Tingyun spoke with conviction, but Chu Ruoyan’s gaze only grew more complicated.

Did he know?

Or was he ignorant?

Either way, the Su and Yan families were now sworn enemies...

"Young Master Su, thank you for today. I will repay this kindness another ti."

Before Su Tingyun could respond, she turned and walked away resolutely.

Watching her slender figure disappear, an uneasy feeling settled in his heart—as though the next ti they t, they would be adversaries, not allies.

Outside Wangshuang Tower, ng Yang was already waiting by the carriage.

Seeing her, he hurried over. "We’ve confird it. The first person Ajiao t after escaping was—"

"Shh!" Chu Ruoyan interrupted. "Let guess—the Marquis of Pingjing?"

ng Yang was stunned. "How did you know?"

Her heart sank.

Su Nantian, the Marquis of Pingjing—a pillar among civil officials—why would he do such a thing?

"Do we have proof?"

"No. The Marquis was extrely careful. He t Ajiao only once before sending her to another person’s residence overnight..."

"Who?"

ng Yang, usually quick to speak, hesitated before finally forcing out a na. "Grand Tutor Rong."

Grand Tutor Rong?!

Chu Ruoyan’s eyes widened in disbelief. ng Yang continued angrily, "I don’t know what the Grand Tutor was thinking. After eting Ajiao, he didn’t even bother to ask our young master for clarification. He took her straight to the Emperor! Minister Cao happened to be present, and His Majesty was furious. He ordered Yan Zheng’s arrest imdiately—that’s why the city guards stord the funeral!"

Chu Ruoyan nearly laughed in disbelief.

First Prince Yu, then the Marquis of Pingjing—fine, they were outsiders. But Grand Tutor Rong? Yan Xun was his own son-in-law! Their families were bound by marriage—how could he not trust Yan Zheng?

What heavenly cri had Yan Zheng committed to deserve this?

"My lady, what should we do next? Should we confront Grand Tutor Rong?"

"No."

Now that Ajiao had been presented to the Emperor, confronting him would be pointless.

After a mont of contemplation, Chu Ruoyan said, "We’re going to the Cao residence. I need to see Cao Yang."

"Minister Cao?"

"Exactly. Prince Yu is ruthless. With your young master alone in the Ministry of Justice, I fear he won’t last long."

She left unsaid the fact that with so many powerful figures conspiring against them, they stood little chance alone.

For now, they needed allies.

At the Cao residence, Old Madam Cao was overjoyed to hear of Chu Ruoyan’s visit. She even ate an extra bowl of rice at lunch.

When Chu Ruoyan asked to see Cao Yang, the old woman imdiately sent for him, pulling him away from his duties at the Ministry of Revenue.

"Mother, I’m swamped with official business. Couldn’t this wait until—"

He stopped short upon seeing Chu Ruoyan seated beside his mother, smiling faintly. His face darkened, and he turned to leave.

"Stop right there!" Old Madam Cao snapped. "Am I so kind of monster that you flee at the sight of ?"

Cao Yang inwardly groaned. "Mother, I already bent the rules to help her last ti. I can’t possibly—"

"I’m not asking you to help. This ti, the girl is here to thank us. Look, she even embroidered this sachet herself—the craftsmanship, the stitching, it’s just like Jing’er’s work!"

Cao Yang stared at the sachet his mother was admiring but saw nothing remarkable about it.

Still, he couldn’t dampen her spirits. Reluctantly, he said, "Lady of Anning Hou, is there sothing you wish to discuss with ?"

Chu Ruoyan stood gracefully. "Old Madam Cao, may I speak with the Minister in private for a mont?"

"Of course, of course! The sooner you resolve your husband’s troubles, the sooner you can sit with properly. Oh, and next ti you visit, rember to bring so plum blossom cakes from Zhang’s Shop. Your aunt and I always loved their pastries."

Chu Ruoyan smiled in agreent, while Cao Yang felt a headache coming on.

There was going to be a next ti?!

In Cao Yang’s study, Chu Ruoyan took a seat. He wasted no ti. "Lady of Anning Hou, why do you keep coming here? What do you want?"

She smiled. "Minister Cao, there’s no need to be tense. I haven’t properly thanked you for your help last ti."

He scoffed. Then she continued, "Cao Yi must have told you—Prince Yu is rciless. With my husband alone in the Ministry of Justice, I fear for his life..."

"You needn’t worry. After last night, I’ve assigned dedicated guards. If Prince Yu wishes to interrogate him again, he must first notify , and I will be present."

aning he wouldn’t let Prince Yu act unchecked.

But Chu Ruoyan pressed further. "Minister Cao, Prince Yu is imperial kin and the chief judge in this case. If he insists on torture, can you really stop him?"

Cao Yang frowned. "Then what do you propose?"

She stood and bowed deeply, her hands pressed to her forehead in the highest form of respect. "I beg for your assistance in freeing my husband from prison."

Silence filled the study.

Cao Yang was stunned by her audacity. "Do you realize what you’re asking? The Emperor, the entire court, and the people are all watching. How do you expect to rescue him?"

Chu Ruoyan t his gaze steadily. "I have my ways. The question is—will you help or not?"

Cao Yang laughed coldly. "Has the Marchioness of Pingjing mistaken sothing? This official shares neither friendship nor favors with your Yan family. Why should I take such a risk for you?"

Chu Ruoyan had anticipated his response. She lifted her gaze and spoke deliberately, "Because of Xiaoman, because of his grandmother—and because of those three hundred innocent lives, young and old, you once sought to claim!"