Proud Feather

Chapter 84 Doubts
Zhang Qianyi and Zhu Fan's expressions changed drastically.

Chu Ling didn't say much, letting them struggle fiercely inside.

Zhu Fan glanced at Zhang Qianyi with resentment, then knelt down with a thud, prostrating herself and saying, "Your Highness, please understand! I have long suspected that the Zhang family conspired with the judge to make my father take the blame while they themselves remained uninvolved!"

Zhang Qianyi was extremely anxious and shouted, "A-Fan! That's not true! My family didn't offer any help, but by the time we heard the news, your father had already been pushed out."

Zhu Fan snorted coldly and continued, "Princess, he is making excuses. My father had a premonition beforehand, saying that the situation looked bad and that he wanted to discuss it with the Zhang family. My mother told me this in prison, but the Zhang family pretended not to know."

"That's not how it is!" Zhang Qianyi was sweating profusely. "Uncle Zhu did come to see my father, but before he could come up with a solution, he was pushed out to take the blame. My father dared not speak up, fearing that he would be completely wiped out. Who knew that His Majesty would not calm down and would also remove the judge. As a result, the Water Conservancy Bureau needed someone to take charge, and my father was temporarily promoted, which led to the completely different outcome."

Zhu Fan didn't believe it: "You mean, the former judge pushed my father out, but before he could even do anything to your father, he fell from power himself?"

“That’s how it is.” Zhang Qianyi’s eyes were earnest. “If His Majesty hadn’t swept all the ranks, my father would have been the next one to be pushed out. It was an accident, A-Fan, I’m absolutely not lying to you.”

Zhu Fan's expression was indifferent, clearly indicating that he did not believe it.

When Chu Ling heard them say this, she nodded slightly: "So that's what Miss Zhu thinks. I suppose you've said these words to my elder brother, right? That's why the Zhang family was knocked down before they could even gain a foothold."

Zhang Qianyi's expression changed again, and Zhu Fan also seemed a little uncomfortable.

They had discussed this topic in the abandoned house, but the circumstances at the time made it easy to assume that Zhu Fan didn't want to leave with Zhang Qianyi and was deliberately saying that. But now, Chu Ling has brought up the different circumstances of the Zhu and Zhang families, making Zhu Fan's complaint seem perfectly reasonable.

"A-Fan, what did you say to His Highness the Crown Prince?" Zhang Qianyi asked softly.

Seeing his reaction, Zhu Fan mocked, "Didn't I tell you? I was the one who informed the Crown Prince. You didn't care just now, so it was all a lie?"

Zhang Qianyi blurted out, "If you're just saying my father also took the money, that's undeniable, but..."

But if she were to report to the Crown Prince that the Zhang family had conspired with the former judge, that would be a false accusation. The Zhang family was destroyed because of this, and now he was the only one left. He could not possibly face this with equanimity.

The disappointment in his eyes was so obvious that it fueled Zhu Fan's anger: "But what but? What right do you have to demand anything of me? Our Zhu family is finished. My father died during exile, my mother committed suicide in prison, my grandmother died of shock, and I am left..." Tears welled up in her eyes, "Why are we so miserable while you are doing so well? The Zhang family's fate was their own fault. Are you going to blame me?"

After speaking, Zhu Fan turned back and continued, "Princess, my father originally intended to stand with the Zhang family through thick and thin, but unexpectedly, he was the only one thrown out. Therefore, I reported this matter to the Crown Prince, requesting that he retry the case and clear my father's name. The Crown Prince said he would thoroughly investigate the Water Conservancy Bureau from top to bottom, but it would take time. I waited patiently, but unexpectedly the Crown Prince... Everything I said is true, please investigate thoroughly, Princess."

Zhang Qianyi then knelt down, his expression pained, and said earnestly, "Princess, this is a misunderstanding. I can swear that my father never framed his colleagues. When the Crown Prince questioned us, he only admitted to embezzlement. There should be files on this case; you can check them to find out."

Zhu Fan was furious: "The case isn't completely closed yet, how could it be on the case file? If it weren't for the Crown Prince's accident, you wouldn't even be the head of the river works!"

"I……"

"Enough!" Gao Mian spoke up in time to stop their pointless argument. "The princess already understands what you mean, there's no need to say more."

Both of them fell silent at the same time: "Yes."

Gao Mian turned around and reported, "Princess, this matter is not difficult to investigate. As long as we invite Lord Zhu Shan from the Crown Prince's Palace over, the details of their lawsuit will be clear." His suggestion was correct, but Chu Ling had other ideas and turned to ask, "Mr. Jiang, what do you think?"

Jiang Shijun did not get involved in this case and replied, "In my opinion, although the case of the Water Conservancy Bureau is of great importance, it is not the focus for us, and it is irrelevant whether we ask about it or not."

Chu Ling nodded: "You're right. What I need to investigate is the cause of my elder brother's death. The Imperial Water Conservancy Bureau will handle that."

Zhang Qianyi had finally encountered a benefactor and was seeing hope of overturning the case, but upon hearing their words, he became extremely anxious: "Princess..."

Chu Ling ignored him and said to herself, "Speaking of which, there's something I still don't understand."

Gao Mian respectfully said, "Please give your orders, Princess."

Chu Ling looked at Zhang Qianyi and asked softly, "Since Young Master Zhang believes his family is innocent, why did you run away when the Dali Temple came to find you?"

That's right! The Dali Temple has investigated many people these days. How could Zhang Qianyi know that the consequences would be serious this time? Besides, the Dali Temple is only in the stage of suspicion. How could he be so sure that he was going to be in trouble and would rather flee than be questioned?

Gao Mian's gaze sharpened as he looked at Zhang Qianyi: "Young Master Zhang, how do you explain this?"

Zhang Qianyi's hands trembled slightly: "I...I'm just scared. I'm the only one left in the Zhang family now. If I die in prison, then my father's innocence will be over..."

“Then you shouldn’t run away. If you run away, you’ll be a wanted criminal, and you’ll never be able to clear your name for the rest of your life. Your father will also die with a grievance forever.”

Zhang Qianyi was speechless: "I...I..."

Seeing his reaction, Gao Mian's expression changed, and he coldly shouted, "Why don't you confess honestly! If it weren't for the princess tonight, do you think you'd be standing here answering questions? If I were the one who brought you back, I'd give you twenty lashes first!"

Zhang Qianyi was drenched in cold sweat and lowered his head deeply.

The atmosphere inside the room was heavy, and no one uttered a sound.

After a moment, Zhang Qianyi finally spoke, his voice trembling with anxiety: "Your Highness, please understand, this sinful subject...this sinful subject believes that the matter has been exposed..."

"What did you do?" Gao Mian stared intently at him. "You were with the Crown Prince when he was inspecting the river. Did something happen then?"

“Yes…” Zhang Qianyi’s voice was filled with despair. “When the Crown Prince arrived at the river embankment, he summoned me and asked me about the river repair strategy. After that, I stayed with him.”

"And then?" Gao Mian couldn't help but soften his breathing when asked such a crucial detail for the first time.

Zhang Qianyi's eyes were filled with fear as he recalled the situation: "At the time, on the ship, I felt that something was wrong with the Crown Prince. His hands were trembling, and he kept rubbing his forehead, as if he was not feeling well. I should have asked him to turn back, but the news of my father's death had me so distraught that I didn't say anything."

Zhang Qianyi closed his eyes, a look of pain on his face: "I never expected something like this to happen this afternoon. The Crown Prince was standing on the ship's railing when a huge wave crashed over him..."