Xia Jianxi looked at Yi Zichuan’s dangerous expression but offered no explanation. Instead, she admitted frankly: “You’re right. At that time, my only way out of that meticulously planned death trap was to risk my life to save the Grand Imperial Concubine. I had to stake everything on that desperate move!”
Yi Zichuan stared at Xia Jianxi for a long time before finally raising his eyebrows in understanding. “If that’s the case, then your life-threatening charge isn’t surprising after all. Dying while saving someone is better than being driven to death over reputation—at least it wouldn’t be an unjust death!”
“Aren’t you angry that I used the Dowager Consort to save myself, Wang Ye?” Xia Jianxi asked, somewhat surprised by Yi Zichuan’s composed demeanor.
“Judge by actions, not intentions. If we judged by intentions, no one would be blameless!” Yi Zichuan raised his eyebrows. “Besides, what exists between us is merely a transaction, isn’t it?”
As if suddenly remembering something, Xia Jianxi said, “The assassin who attempted to kill the Dowager Consort that day and the bandits who kidnapped me are intricately connected. Surely Wang Ye didn’t come today merely to deliver the Imperial Decree!”
The smile vanished from Yi Zichuan’s face.
“Wang Ye has likely already deduced He Lan Ci’s scheme. You came here to confirm through me whether those bandits are connected to the Marquis Yongchang Estate, didn’t you? After all, the only lead we have connecting to the bandits points to the Marquis Yongchang Estate!” Xia Jianxi’s gaze remained fixed on Yi Zichuan.
Yi Zichuan narrowed his eyes at Xia Jianxi for a long moment before finally raising his eyebrows in acknowledgment. “Xia Jianxi, you’re clever. So clever it’s somewhat concerning…”
“Worried I might leak information?” Xia Jianxi laughed lightly. “Then set your mind at ease, Wang Ye. After all, I want to see the Marquis Yongchang Estate utterly destroyed even more than you do!”
Thus far, He Lan Ci of the Marquis Yongchang Estate—the true mastermind behind the kidnapping—had remained detached from the incident, keeping himself completely clean as if entirely unrelated. Meanwhile, she, the victim, remained trapped in the aftermath.
After he and Xia Yuruo had driven her to this point, how could she possibly let them off?
Her life, her child’s life—He Lan Ci would repay these debts in blood!
Just as Yi Zichuan fell silent, Shi Wei suddenly entered. “Miss, what are you doing here? The mistress is looking for you!”
Xia Jianxi didn’t respond, merely staring coldly at Yi Zichuan. “If Wang Ye wishes to investigate the Marquis Yongchang Estate, you might try the Si Pavilion Casino in the west city. Perhaps you’ll find what you’re looking for there!”
“Si Pavilion Casino?” Yi Zichuan stared at Xia Jianxi. “What are you planning?”
“To beat the drowning dog, of course!” Xia Jianxi raised her eyebrows. “Since Wang Ye wants to investigate the major case of the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Fujian being silenced after embezzling Taiping County’s disaster relief funds, we should let chaos reign. Only in chaos will those behind the scenes reveal themselves while scrambling to cover their tracks!”
“You’re trying to use me!” In a flash, Yi Zichuan lunged forward and seized Xia Jianxi by the throat before anyone could react.
The sudden suffocation made Xia Jianxi instinctively retreat, but Yi Zichuan’s grip on her throat held her firmly in place.
“Miss!” Shi Wei’s face instantly paled at this sudden turn of events. She instinctively tried to step forward but was restrained by Yao Zi, who had appeared out of nowhere.
“Wang Ye should know that regarding the Taiping County case, the only clue we have now is He Lan Ci’s connection to the bandits!” Xia Jianxi said with forced courage. “Surely Wang Ye understands better than I do that such a major case couldn’t have been carried out by the Marquis Yongchang Estate alone. There must be a more powerful backer behind them!”
Yi Zichuan remained silent, only staring intently at Xia Jianxi before him.
Looking directly at Yi Zichuan, Xia Jianxi spoke word by word: “Wang Ye, you should understand that if you want to continue investigating, you must force the Marquis Yongchang Estate into a corner. Only then will they, in order to survive, reveal the true mastermind behind them!”
“Xia Jianxi, you’re making a pact with the devil!” Yi Zichuan’s knuckles slowly tightened.
The intense pain in her neck made Xia Jianxi’s face turn pale, but even so, she didn’t yield an inch: “Does Wang Ye not wish to clear Lord Song Qinlin, the Governor-General of Zhejiang and Fujian, of his unjust reputation?”
When Yi Zichuan heard Song Qinlin’s name, his pupils constricted sharply. He clenched his teeth tightly: “Xia Jianxi, what exactly do you know!”
“I only know that Lord Song was wrongfully accused!” Xia Jianxi’s face flushed crimson as she desperately tried to pry Yi Zichuan’s hand away, but due to suffocation, her strength was fading rapidly.
“Wang Ye, General Xia and Xia Madam are coming!” Qin Cang suddenly spoke from somewhere.
Yet even so, Yi Zichuan showed no signs of loosening his grip. He pressed his lips tightly together, his eyes dark and profound, almost bottomless.
“Oh dear, you’re not taking good care of Wang Ye and Eunuch Cai! What if they get disturbed by someone!” Xia Madam’s voice came from afar.
Just as Xia Jianxi was about to lose consciousness, he released his hand.
Xia Jianxi, unable to steady herself, fell directly to the ground.
“Miss!” Shi Wei was so frightened she nearly cried, but still trembling, she broke free from Yao Zi’s grasp and embraced her mistress.
Once she had recovered somewhat, Xia Jianxi immediately patted Shi Wei’s hand to comfort her: “Don’t be afraid!”
“What do you plan to do next?” Yi Zichuan looked coldly at Xia Jianxi. “Or rather, what do you want to do?”
Xia Jianxi gently pressed her neck and coughed softly a few times before recovering: “Xia Yuruo tried to use the clan relatives to forcibly seize the marriage document today, but unexpectedly found herself outmaneuvered. Now, whether it’s her or He Lan Ci, they’re probably like ants on a hot pan, running around in panic. As long as someone pushes them further, they’ll inevitably take desperate measures, and then they’re bound to make mistakes!”
Yi Zichuan looked at Xia Jianxi, clearly aware that she had included him in her calculations, yet he couldn’t refuse!
Just as Xia Jianxi had said, he had investigated the Taiping County case for a long time without finding any clues, and the Marquis Yongchang Estate was indeed his only remaining path to continue the investigation.
Xia Jianxi knew very well that Yi Zichuan wouldn’t refuse her: “Wang Ye, Eunuch Cai has been waiting outside for quite some time!”
“Do you know the price of scheming against me, Xia Jianxi?” Yi Zichuan looked down at her, enunciating each word deliberately.
“I will help Wang Ye obtain what you desire. Should I fail, I shall pay with my life!” Xia Jianxi rose slowly with Shi Wei’s support. “Wang Ye should know how dearly I value my own life!”
Yi Zichuan remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on Xia Jianxi, filled with scrutiny.
“By the way, if Wang Ye finds yourself at an impasse, perhaps you should interrogate the one imprisoned in the Dali Temple dungeon!” Having composed herself, Xia Jianxi stood firm, meeting Yi Zichuan’s probing stare directly.
After a prolonged silence, Yi Zichuan finally closed his eyes briefly. “Remember your words!”
Just as he turned to leave, Xia Jianxi suddenly approached and pressed an object into his hand. Then, whispering words only the two could hear near his ear, she stepped back under his astonished gaze. “Wang Ye will likely have need of this.”