"What's that sound?" Xiao Jinheng glanced out the window.
Xiao Xitian couldn't hold back her laughter. Pushing open the door, she saw Chu Jiangtun running back and forth around the courtyard. Due to his excess weight, his chest and back were both drenched in sweat...
He was really trying his best to win Miss Shuang'er's favor.
"Brother Jiangtun, remember to stretch after your run, or your arms and legs will ache!~" Xiao Xitian reminded him with a smile.
Chu Jiangtun, panting, said, "Sis... Sister, does this method of yours actually work? I feel like I'm about to collapse!"
Ever since returning from the Marquis's manor, Xiao Xitian had devised a comprehensive weight-loss plan for him.
Sit-ups, push-ups, regular running, small frequent meals, and so on...
No more fatty meats or delicacies, and high-calorie, high-fat foods were completely out of the question.
"Brother Jiangtun, to lose weight, you must control your mouth and move your legs. Absolutely no binge eating or drinking!~" Xiao Xitian blinked her big eyes.
Actually, Brother Jiangtun had fine features and a fair complexion. If he could really slim down, he would be a handsome young man...
Then, not to mention Hugge Shuang'er, even other girls would flock to such a catch.
Therefore, to gain a girl's favor and affection, one must first change one's image!~
Xiao Jinheng watched from the doorway for a while, then couldn't help but rub his own little belly...
Every year after the New Year, he would definitely gain several pounds.
He made up his mind: tomorrow, he would go running with Brother Jiangtun.
After "supervising" for a while, Xiao Xitian returned to her room to eat dried meat...
"Your Highness, Prefect Gao might make a move against Shen Ducai. Should we prepare for it in advance?" Kong Xingzhuo asked.
Xiao Jinheng narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, "The Ministry of Justice's imperial prison is heavily guarded. How could he possibly make a move?"
Unless he had extraordinary abilities and forced his way in, that place was so secure not even a fly could get in, let alone Prefect Gao...
Xiao Xitian sat on a high stool, swinging her little feet, "It's better to be safe than sorry. We should still be careful before the Emperor publicly tries Concubine Xian!~"
"Oh?" Xiao Jinheng turned to look at Xiao Xitian, his lips curving up, "What good idea does the little village girl have?"
Xiao Xitian wrapped the remaining dried meat in a cloth, put it into her small satchel, and then jumped down from the stool. "Of course, there's a way..."
After speaking, she leaned close to Xiao Jinheng's ear and whispered a few words.
Xiao Jinheng's mouth twitched violently, "Little village girl, were you always this mischievous?"
"Hehe, that depends on the person and the situation. You can't be soft-hearted when dealing with a scoundrel like Prefect Gao..." Xiao Xitian said with a sly smile.
Xiao Jinheng patted Xiao Xitian's head, "You really are a child with an old soul. Alright, we'll use your plan!~"
With that, he beckoned Kong Xingzhuo over and relayed Xiao Xitian's plan to him. Finally, Xiao Jinheng carefully instructed, "Make sure not to alert the enemy. Do it cleanly and efficiently!"
"Understood, Your Highness!"
In fact, if Prefect Gao wanted to kill Shen Ducai, he would have to bribe the Ministry of Justice officials. Once these people betrayed their duties and neglected their responsibilities, how could a prisoner survive?
That night, Prefect Gao spent a large sum of money to bribe the prison warden and swaggered into the prison...
But as soon as he entered, he felt that the guards were acting strangely, especially their gazes, which seemed to hold a hint of pity.
"Which cell is Shen Ducai in?" Prefect Gao asked in a deep voice.
The prison warden, bowing, pointed ahead, "It's in the innermost cell..."
"Good, take this official there!~" Prefect Gao said, reaching into his sleeve and touching a medicine bottle.
He planned to poison Shen Ducai without anyone noticing. The poison was also bought at a high price, and after ingestion, it would mimic food poisoning, undetectable even by imperial physicians...
The cell was pitch black. Shen Ducai approached the iron bars, about to order the warden to open the cell door, when he suddenly heard crying.
"Wuwuwu, who did I offend? Why was I arrested in the middle of the night?"
"Mother, don't cry. Father will definitely save us..."
"Why are you crying? My son is the Prefect of Jingzhao. Besides the Emperor, who dares to lay a hand on us?"
"Alas, I don't know who my son offended outside that we've been implicated too!~"
Prefect Gao, standing outside the cell door: "......"
What was going on?
Who had arrested his family?
"Open the door, quickly open the door!~" Prefect Gao stamped his feet in anxiety.
Unexpectedly, the prison warden's attitude changed. With two swift slaps, he stunned Prefect Gao, sneering, "Prefect, do you think that little bit of money can buy me? You're overestimating yourself..."
"Let me tell you the truth: His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered me to temporarily detain the Prefect. During this period, your family must also stay put. Once Concubine Xian is apprehended, I will bring you to the Emperor! Please, Prefect!~"
Kong Xingzhuo had done three things that night.
First, he arrested Prefect Gao's entire family and threw them into the imperial prison...
Second, he safely transferred Shen Ducai, who was the key witness in bringing down Concubine Xian and could not die yet.
Third, he obtained an imperial decree from Emperor Cheng to control the Ministry of Justice officials, strictly forbidding them from accepting bribes or working for Prefect Gao...
This was also Xiao Xitian's idea for Xiao Jinheng. It not only made Prefect Gao obediently walk into the prison but also avoided a major conflict, killing two birds with one stone.
"What—what a joke?" Prefect Gao was furious, roaring, "Release my family immediately, or else..."
"Or else what? In the Ministry of Justice prison, Lord Gao still dares to act tough?" The prison warden frowned and ordered his subordinates, "Guards, tie up this corrupt official and give him a few lashes first!~"
"Yes!"
Two guards approached and, with two swift blows, turned Prefect Gao into a bruised mess...
"You, you are outrageous! How dare you beat a court official? I, I will report you to the Minister of Justice!" Prefect Gao, tied to a stake, yelled.
The prison warden sneered, "You think you're a court official? Committing evil, cuckolding the Emperor, oppressing the people, and being wicked in every way. It's a misfortune for the country to have an official like you! Guards, gag him and beat him hard!~"
Prefect Gao: "......"
It was over, it was completely over. He had fallen this time.