Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

Tao'er knew that if she didn't leave now, it would be too late.

She suddenly noticed an injury on the back of the Prime Minister's hand and guessed that he must have been tortured by the jailers.

After all, even if you don't die in the imperial prison, you'll be severely injured.

She quickly took out a water bag and stuffed it into the Prime Minister's hand, "Prime Minister, are you injured?"

Drink some water quickly, remember to drink water.

This bag of spiritual spring water is the same one that Ayan drank from before. It's spiritual spring water without any added ordinary water, which is beneficial to the Prime Minister's injuries.

However, she couldn't say it outright.

Xiao Wen didn't know why the little girl wanted to give him a bag of water, but thinking of her kindness, he took the bag, his eyes red, and waved his hand, "Tao'er, quickly take Ayan away."

"Prime Minister, here are two hundred taels of silver notes and some loose silver. Hide them well, you can use them for bribes on the road."

Xiao Wen quickly declined, "Tao'er, you and Ayan keep the money, don't give it to me. We're going into exile, we don't need it."

"Your Excellency, if you need it, you must accept it. Those soldiers only care about money, not people."

Making some arrangements can save you a lot of losses. Even if you don't think about yourself, you can't ignore the Second Master, the Third Master, and their wives!

"I still have some silver here. Ayan won't suffer with me, so don't worry."

Tao'er forced the money onto the Prime Minister, and Xiao Wen, after hearing Tao'er's words, did not refuse.

Ayan was extremely reluctant to part with him, and tears kept welling up in her eyes, but she dared not make a sound.

She let Sister Tao lead her away.

Chen Pingan followed behind them, and the three of them successfully escaped through the back door.

The Prime Minister was relieved to see them leave.

When the soldiers arrived, Xiao Wen was already kneeling in the mourning hall, his eyes closed, silently reciting scriptures.

The two men who came in were relieved to see that the Prime Minister was still there. They looked around and, finding no other changes, left the mourning hall.

Hearing the Imperial Guards leave, he opened his eyes, praying that Ayan and the others could leave the Prime Minister's residence safely.

After kneeling for about half an hour, the Prime Minister stood up, supporting his aching knees.

We were so grateful to that little girl tonight, otherwise we would have implicated many people.

I touched my dry lips and suddenly felt thirsty.

What's infuriating is that those imperial guards didn't even provide him with water.

It's truly a case of a tiger fallen into the plains being bullied by dogs.

Suddenly remembering the bag of water Tao'er had given him, he unscrewed the cork, took two sips, and immediately felt a refreshing spring flow down his throat, which was very sweet.

The pain in my body seemed to have subsided considerably, the fatigue had disappeared, and I felt much more energetic.

Could this girl have added something good to the water? No wonder she told me to drink it before she left.

This is good stuff, we can't drink it all at once.

He quickly hid the water bag, making sure it wasn't discovered by the Third Prince or the other Imperial Guards.

He would save the water for his wife to drink later.

When King Cheng returned to his palace, the sight before him almost made him lose his balance.

The once grand Prince Cheng's residence was now engulfed in flames.

The night was torn apart by towering flames, thick smoke billowed like a black dragon swirling, and crackling explosions were mixed with the rumble of collapsing beams and pillars.

The servants in the mansion ran around in a panic, carrying buckets and basins, but it was like a drop in the ocean, and they were completely unable to stop the fire from spreading.

"waste!

They're all useless!

How could it catch fire when everything was fine?

Which damned thief dares to provoke me, Prince Cheng?

"Anyone who dares to steal from me hasn't been born yet!"

King Cheng, Xie Jingxing, had bloodshot eyes, and his black python robe looked even more sinister in the firelight.

He finally managed to get permission from his father, the emperor, to personally escort the prime minister to the prime minister's residence to handle the funeral arrangements for Madam Xiao.

This led to the appearance of Xiao Wen's loyalists and the Crown Prince's men. Unexpectedly, the guards in the mansion came to report that the warehouse had been robbed and was on fire.

Thinking of what was in the secret room, he rushed back as fast as he could.

Those gold and silver treasures are gone, so be it; we can always salvage them. The house burned down, so be it; we can always ask the Emperor to bestow upon us a better mansion.

But the armor and weapons inside—those things were made at great expense.

There are even more important things that must not fall into the hands of others.

He doesn't know whether those things were burned or stolen!

Did the thief discover the secret room? If he did, and took the items, he's doomed.

At this moment, Princess Zhou, her hair disheveled and her face covered in cigarette ash, stumbled and rushed over, supported by her nanny: "Your Highness..."

You're finally back!

I was terrified...

Her voice was hoarse, and her hand gripping Prince Cheng's sleeve trembled uncontrollably. "A thief has broken into the mansion!"

The warehouses, granaries, and kitchens were all emptied!

That damned thief even set them on fire!

Now, almost half of the Prince Cheng's mansion has been burned down.

Waaaaah………

Your Highness, what should I do? All my gold and jewels are inside…

And my mother gave me...

King Cheng's mind went blank for a moment, and he felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

"Shut up, stop crying. Those are just worldly things. We can get them later!"

When did the fire at the mansion occur?

He suppressed his anger, his voice chillingly cold.

Women are such a hassle, all they know is how to cry and whine!

"Just... just half an hour ago..."

The princess cried.

"I had already gone to bed when I suddenly heard Rong Mama shouting outside that there was a fire. When I went out to look, the storeroom was already on fire..."

When I sent someone to check, I discovered that not only the storeroom, but also the granary and kitchen were on fire. I don't know if the things inside were burned or stolen..."

"Fool, of course you stole it..."

King Cheng cursed through gritted teeth.

"Where are the guards in the manor?"

"Are all those guards in the manor just there to freeload?"

Steward Xu Fu scrambled over, his forehead bleeding profusely from kowtowing: "Your Highness, please forgive me!"

This old servant deserves to die!

For some reason, by the time the guards discovered it today, it was already too late…

King Cheng kicked the steward to the ground and turned to look at the sea of ​​fire.

It hurts so much it's bleeding!

He knew better than anyone what was in the warehouse.

The bribes he received over the years, the secret letters he exchanged with court officials, and even several imperial items that should not have been in the Prince's residence.

The granary was stockpiled with enough fine rice and flour to feed the entire Prince's household for half a year. He had secretly hoarded it to make a profit when grain prices fluctuated.

As for the kitchen...

Why is that thief stealing grain too? Something's not right. And how could he carry it all by himself?

He couldn't possibly have moved those things out; King Cheng didn't think that person was necessarily there to steal.

He walked up to the storeroom and looked at it carefully. The lock was still in good condition. How did the thief get in?

Then I realized I hadn't seen the person guarding the warehouse.

He shouted, "Xu Fu, where are the guards watching over here?"

Both of them were skilled in martial arts, making it impossible for ordinary thieves to get close.

Xu Fu struggled to his feet and said cautiously, "Your Highness, Wang Hu and Zhao Bao, who guard the storeroom, are missing..."

King Cheng's words seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth: "Find him!"

Even if you have to turn the entire palace upside down, find those two good-for-nothings!

He thought it impossible for two people to steal from each other, because doing so would only lead to their deaths!

Half an hour later, the fire finally began to subside.

The warehouses and granaries have been burned to charred skeletons, and only ruins remain of the kitchen.

The entire palace was filled with a pungent, burnt smell. The servants, some sitting and some kneeling, were all covered in soot and remained silent.

Steward Xu Fu, along with several servants, searched the entire palace and finally found the two people in the pavilion.

The two were completely drunk, snoring loudly, and reeking of alcohol. No matter how much they were shaken or kicked, they couldn't wake up.

King Cheng stared at the two useless, limp bodies, and his anger finally erupted.

"Bring me the whip!"

A guard nervously handed over the riding whip.

King Cheng gripped the whip in his hand, flicked his wrist, and the long whip whistled through the air before lashing hard across Wang Hu's back.

"Today I'm going to personally teach these two bastards who neglected their duties a lesson!"

"Smack!"

"Pat pat..."

The skin was torn open and the flesh was ripped open.

Wang Hu screamed in agony, but still bleary-eyed with drunkenness, he mumbled incoherently, "Which bastard dared to hit your grandpa!"

This reaction further enraged King Cheng.

His wrist flicked, the whip falling one after another, each strike imbued with all his strength. The whip tip tore through the air, ripped through flesh, and tore apart the chaotic night.

"Speak! Who gave you permission to drink this alcohol!"

King Cheng whipped the child while shouting angrily.

Zhao Bao was slightly awakened by the sound of pain. He barely opened his swollen eyes and saw that Prince Cheng's face was as ferocious as a demon. He was so frightened that he cried out, "Your...Your Highness, spare my life..."

The two finally came to their senses, then knelt on the ground and recounted what had happened in a trembling voice.

Seeing the desolate scene before them and hearing the whispers of the servants in the mansion, they realized what had happened.

I'm so annoyed!

Just then, another soldier came to report, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! A group of bandits has arrived at the Prime Minister's residence; they seem to be bandits from Jingmeng Mountain!"

King Cheng's vision went black, and he staggered a step before being supported by his guards.

Luring the tiger away from the mountain.

Feint to the east while attacking in the west.

What a meticulous calculation!

First, the Prince's mansion was robbed, which led him to leave the mansion.

Then, using roast chicken, wine, and drugs, they knocked out the guards in the warehouse.

Then, while most of the guards were drugged, they set fire to the warehouse, granary, and kitchen to destroy all evidence.

All of this is beyond the capabilities of ordinary people.

It's even less likely to be a coincidence.

If the bandits of Jingmeng Mountain colluded with that thief, then their target was the Prime Minister's residence...

not good………

"You all hurry back to the Prime Minister's residence with me..."

After saying that, Xie Jingxing ran out, followed by the guards...