"The evidence is here," Liang Yi Zhi presented the evidence.
Xue Zi Ning took it and said, "My husband still needs to review this matter. You may return now."
Liang Yi Zhi nodded, "Then I shall trouble the Imperial Envoy."
After Liang Yi Zhi left, Xue Zi Ning looked around. Seeing no one, she pocketed what Liang Yi Zhi had given her and went inside.
"I've got it," Xue Zi Ning said to Yan Zhao.
Yan Zhao nodded. Halfway through the meal, many people suddenly burst in from outside. Xue Zi Ning whispered, "I fear the visitors are not here with good intentions."
"Act according to the situation," Yan Zhao said slowly.
Soon, Feng Chang Shan walked over and cupped his hands, saying, "My apologies, esteemed lords and ladies. My wife has lost a piece of jewelry. She said she was here earlier and requests to search all your ladies."
Upon hearing this, everyone was displeased. "Prefect Feng, what is the meaning of this? It's just a mere trinket. Must you make such a fuss? Do you think it's an imperial gift?"
A public search – what would happen if this were to spread?
Feng Chang Shan replied with a troubled expression, "Esteemed ladies, my wife's lost item is indeed an imperial gift."
Everyone was shocked. An imperial gift?
Feng Chang Shan added, "This official is not here to spoil your enjoyment, but the situation is beyond my control."
The ladies exchanged glances, and no one raised further objections. After all, who would dare disrespect an imperial gift?
Feng Chang Shan walked over and cupped his hands towards Xue Zi Ning, "Madam Yan, may I trouble you to grace us?"
Yan Zhao stepped forward, shielding her, and said coldly, "Feng Chang Shan, you are being rather uncivil."
Feng Chang Shan smiled, "Your Excellency, are you refusing to allow me to search for an imperial gift?"
Yan Zhao's expression turned cold. Xue Zi Ning tugged at his sleeve and shook her head. "A Ning..."
"Don't worry..." Xue Zi Ning said.
"Lord Feng, since it is a search, should it not be conducted in private?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Feng Chang Shan replied, "Naturally, it cannot be done here. This official has already prepared a room for Madam. Please do me the honor of moving there."
Xue Zi Ning followed the maidservant to a room. The maidservant said, "Please remove your outer garment, Madam."
Xue Zi Ning complied without hesitation and took off her outer garment. After the maidservant inspected it, she said, "Please remove the rest of your clothes, Madam."
Xue Zi Ning glanced at the maidservant and said, "I am usually attended by maids at home. Come here and assist me."
The maidservant had no choice but to approach and help her remove her other clothes. After the inspection, Xue Zi Ning asked, "May I leave now?"
The maidservant said, "Please unpin your hair bun, Madam."
Xue Zi Ning paused slightly. The note was in her hair bun. If it were removed, it would surely be discovered.
Thinking of this, she took a step back. "Lord Feng only mentioned a search; he did not say anything about unpinning my hair bun. I can tolerate removing my clothes – at most, it's being disheveled. But if my hair bun is undone, won't that cause others to misunderstand?"
The maidservant stepped forward and said, "Madam, I'm afraid you have no choice."
Many servants emerged from behind the maidservant. It seemed she was trapped and could not escape today.
Xue Zi Ning frowned, wondering if she should act.
Just then, a maidservant behind her said, "Madam, this sister's technique might hurt. Why don't you let this servant assist you?"
Xue Zi Ning looked up at the approaching maidservant and stepped back. The maidservant walked closer and whispered, "Madam, I was sent by my young lady."
Xue Zi Ning looked at the maidservant. The maidservant nodded to her. Xue Zi Ning said, "Then it will be you."
The maidservant led her to a bronze mirror and said, "Madam, please tell me if anywhere hurts."
"My left side is the most sensitive. Please be careful," Xue Zi Ning said, knowing that with these words, the maidservant would understand.
As they walked out of the room, the maidservant in charge of the search approached Feng Chang Shan and whispered a few words.
Feng Chang Shan's expression showed a hint of surprise. Yan Zhao held her hand and asked softly, "Are you alright?"
Xue Zi Ning shook her head.
Yan Zhao said, "Prefect Feng, if there is nothing else, this official will take his leave."
Prefect Feng replied, "Your Excellency, I apologize for the offense today. If there was any discourtesy, please forgive me."
"At this time, this official will make a definitive conclusion. Farewell!" Yan Zhao flicked his sleeve and left.
Xue Zi Ning also departed.
In the carriage, Xue Zi Ning let down her hair, took out the note, and handed it to Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao opened it and his expression became considerably surprised.
Xue Zi Ning leaned closer, her brow furrowed. "This Feng Chang Shan has truly embezzled a substantial amount of money!"
Aside from the disaster relief funds and grain, the money intended for Liang Du Wei's subordinates was also pilfered.
"No wonder they wanted to get rid of Liang Du Wei. If Liang Du Wei had presented this to the imperial court, the extermination of his nine generations would have been a certainty."
Yan Zhao nodded. "Indeed. Ah Ning, what are your plans for this matter?"
"Yan Zhao, you know I don't want to harm the innocent. However, some matters in the court are beyond my control..."
"Ah Ning, there's a way to achieve the best of both worlds..." Yan Zhao leaned closer and said a few words.
Xue Zi Ning frowned. "This matter will require careful consideration. After all, Liang Du Wei is the father of Liang Yi Zhi and Liang Yi Han. Their consent is necessary for any action."
"Then let us consider it carefully!" Yan Zhao said.
In the middle of the night, Liang Yi Zhi arrived at the inn, impatient. He wanted to know if the evidence was sufficient to have Feng Chang Shan executed.
Xue Zi Ning had not yet notified Liang Yi Han. Instead, she and Yan Zhao met Liang Yi Zhi alone.
"Your Excellencies, is this evidence enough to execute Feng Chang Shan?" Liang Yi Zhi asked Yan Zhao nervously.
Yan Zhao nodded. "It is more than enough."
Liang Yi Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. Although he knew that embezzling disaster relief funds and grain was a capital offense, he still needed to hear it from their lips to be truly at ease.
He fell to his knees with a thud. "Heaven has eyes! My father can finally have his name cleared."
"Young Master Liang," Xue Zi Ning said softly.
Liang Yi Zhi paused and looked at her, asking, "Madam, is there something you need?"
"The evidence you submitted not only ensures Feng Chang Shan's execution but also warrants the extermination of his entire nine generations," Xue Zi Ning stated.
Liang Yi Zhi's initial excitement and happiness shifted to a degree of confusion, which deepened Xue Zi Ning's suspicions.
"Must his nine generations be exterminated?" Liang Yi Zhi suddenly looked up and asked.
Xue Zi Ning looked at Yan Zhao. Yan Zhao spoke, "Young Master Liang, you may not be aware, but with this evidence, the imperial decree of exterminating nine generations is already considered a leniency."
Liang Yi Zhi fell silent. Then, he knelt on the ground. "I implore your Excellencies not to disclose this evidence for now, is that permissible?"
"What is the meaning of this, Young Master Liang?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Liang Yi Zhi replied, "There are some matters I have not yet fully comprehended, and I do not wish for them to be made public."
"Young Master Liang, are you afraid of implicating Miss Feng and Madam Feng?"