I just wrote a love poem, how did that make me so powerful?

Su Man was somewhat surprised.

However, Nian'an spoke first.

"Sister, today is a wonderful day, let's not worry about these things. We're in a good mood, let the local magistrate deal with them."

She waved her hand, and a man in black silently clasped his hands in a fist salute before disappearing from her side.

Nian'an turned to look at Su Man, her lively smile returning to her face.

"Where's Song Yao? Is she here too? Let me see her."

Su Man was slightly taken aback, her gaze lingering on Nian An's face, before she asked in confusion.

"Do you know Yao Yao?"

Nian'an nodded and started walking into the building.

"Yes, I know her. I met her a few days ago. I quite like her. Has she arrived yet?"

Suman answered while falling a step behind.

"She's in the backyard with Miss Xiao."

Upon hearing this, Nian An quickened her pace.

Su Man was even more confused...

He wondered to himself: How did these two meet? It's so strange…

……

……

That evening, Sun Decai had just left his home and hadn't even reached the street corner yet.

He was then grabbed by the arms by two men, one on his left and one on his right.

Before he could even utter a sound, a handkerchief was stuffed into his mouth.

Then he was lifted up and stuffed into a horse-drawn carriage.

When Sun Decai opened his eyes again, he was already in the county jail.

The county government office, the back hall.

County Magistrate Li Chungang sat in the main seat, with a newly recorded dossier spread out in front of him.

Zheng Youde sat at the lower end of the table, while Li Yan stood beside him.

Li Chungang tossed and turned the file, clearly distracted, before finally deciding to close it.

"Did you get anything out of Sun Decai?"

Zheng Youde shook his head.

"He is a student of Songlin Academy, which is comparable to a county school. According to the laws of our dynasty, torture should not be used lightly."

However, Zheng Youde clearly still had questions.

"My lord, I have another question. Although those shrewish women caused trouble in front of the Scholar's Pavilion, they were also injured. Why weren't those who injured them arrested?"

Li Chun thought about it for a while before making up his mind.

"Do you know the Crown Prince of Jin and the Crown Prince of Zhao Wen?"

Zheng Youde nodded. "Weren't they at Zhuangyuanlou a few days ago?"

Li Chun lowered his voice.

"Those two will have to bow their heads when they see the one who came today."

"What?"

The pen in Zheng Youde's hand fell to the ground with a clatter.

He didn't even bother to pick it up; he stared wide-eyed at Li Chungang, his voice already low and weak.

"Could that be someone from the royal family?"

Li Chungang nodded slowly.

"The current princess, Princess Ding'an."

"ah??!!"

Zheng Youde stood up abruptly.

Li Yan also stepped forward, almost dropping the dossier in her hand.

The two looked at each other, both seeing shock on each other's faces.

Zheng Youde's voice was somewhat stuttering.

"Princess Ding... Princess Ding'an..."

He sat down, took a few deep breaths, and then regained his composure.

"I have heard rumors about Princess Ding'an. She is said to be impulsive and decisive, never letting anyone escape. Today, I am somewhat surprised that she only had her men slash the prisoner once and did not pursue the matter further."

Li Chungang nodded, his tone carrying a hint of unspoken emotion.

"That's true. For some reason, Her Highness the Princess seems to have been quite restrained in Hengyang, not causing any big commotion, and she hasn't revealed her identity either."

As he was speaking, he waved his hand.

"This matter is not suitable for us to discuss too much. Let's get back to the matter of Sun Decai."

Zheng Youde stood up again.

"Since he instigated someone to assault the princess in the street, that is a serious crime. Regardless of whether he is a student of the academy or not, he can be dealt with according to the law, Your Excellency."

Zheng Youde's eyes lit up.

"I'm certain that Chen Shijin is behind Sun Decai. If we can get him to talk and get his testimony, this will be a great opportunity to bring down Chen Chengsong."

Li Chun picked up his teacup, took a sip, and put it down.

"That requires solid evidence. The matter of offending the princess can be a big deal or a small deal. Without real testimony and physical evidence, the accusations of a few shrewish women are not enough."

He looked at Zheng Youde.

"Sun Decai is locked up in jail. You must keep a close watch on him. The jailer on night duty must be someone you trust."

Zheng Youde cupped his hands and said, "Your Excellency, rest assured, the jailer on duty tonight is my old subordinate of many years, whom I trust. I doubt Chen Chengsong can cause any trouble."

Li Chungang nodded. "That's good. Now you should hurry up and interrogate them."

Zheng Youde accepted the order and left.

When only two people remained.

Li Yan moved next to Li Chungang and asked in a low voice.

"Uncle, if Nian An is indeed a princess, I have some doubts."

Li Chun frowned. "What are you thinking, kid? Don't you dare think anything out of the ordinary. Keep it to yourself. That princess is not someone you can covet."

Li Yan was stunned for a moment.

"Uncle, you misunderstand. What are you saying? I wouldn't dare to covet the princess. I meant that when my sister came back just now, she mentioned what she discovered today."

That Nian'an, oh yes, that's Princess Ding'an. She chatted very happily with Song Yao, and seemed even closer to her than with Su Man.

Li Chungang also frowned.

"Why would a princess of Ding'an be like this with a commoner? This is rather strange. You can have Wan'er observe more closely."

"Nephew understands."

After Li Yan finished speaking, he added another sentence.

"Since Princess Ding'an is so close to Song Yao, shouldn't I also get closer to Xu Qing?"

"Of course, it's unbelievable that they would have such a wonderful encounter. Fortunately, when Young Master Xiao approached you, he did so to befriend you, not to oppose you. Otherwise, perhaps the Chen family would have suffered the same fate as us."

Li Yan also pursed his lips.

"No, no, the Chen family, especially Chen Shijin, is used to being domineering. This time he brought it on himself and kicked a hornet's nest."

……

Meanwhile, in the county jail.

Just as Zheng Youde reached the door, someone chased after him.

"Sir, something has happened at home. You should go back and check on things immediately."

Zheng Youde frowned. "What is it? I have an important case to handle. We'll talk later."

The man said hurriedly.

"The lady sent word that your son is vomiting and has diarrhea, and is on the verge of death. She wants you to return home immediately."

"What? He was perfectly fine at noon." Zheng Youde was shocked. He only had this one precious son.

"Go tell the cell boss to keep a close eye on that wanted criminal. I'll be right back."

Zheng Youde hurried home, taking three steps at a time.

After he left, the man waved his hand into the shadows.

A man emerged from the shadows; it was none other than the Chen family's steward.

The steward took out a small bag of silver. "Take this and leave quickly, get out of Hengyang as soon as possible."

The man took the silver: "Thank you, steward."

Then, it ran away quickly.

The butler clapped his hands, and four more people emerged from the shadows.

"Grab your things, quick! Zheng Youde will be back soon."

The steward and his entourage arrived at the prison cell.

The guards of the prison were Zheng Youde's confidants.

He frowned when he saw the butler.

"What are you doing here so late?"