How can you rule the world if I'm just a substitute for you?

The next morning, as soon as Wei Lingxi stepped out of the courtyard, she sensed that something was wrong in the mansion.

The number of private soldiers patrolling was twice as many as usual, and they were hurrying back and forth. Even the usually quiet backyard had been reinforced with sentries.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She didn't make a fuss about the men in black breaking into the mansion last night, but today the mansion is suddenly on high alert. Could it be that her father has really done something wrong?

Was my father really involved in the case of Shen Taifu's wrongful conviction?

Without hesitation, she walked straight towards the old military warehouse on the west side.

At this moment, outside the western military warehouse, Wei Hu stood with his hands behind his back on the steps, watching his men reinforce the warehouse door and set up additional sentries.

He had already received a secret letter from Qin Lie, reminding him that the Crown Prince's movements were unclear and urging him to be on high alert and keep a close watch on the granaries.

Wei Hu thought he had done a flawless job, that all the evidence had been destroyed, and that the Crown Prince would not be able to trace it back to the Wei family. But to be on the safe side, he still sent more people.

"Pick two more reliable guards to watch over the granary. If there is any disturbance, ring the bell immediately to warn others, and do not open the door without authorization."

"Yes, sir," the subordinate replied, accepting the order.

Just as he finished giving the order, Wei Hu saw Wei Lingxi walking over. He immediately put on a smile and took two steps forward to greet her: "Xi'er, what brings you here? This place is a mess."

Wei Lingxi glanced at the private soldiers standing around with their swords drawn, then looked up at Wei Hu: "Father, why do I feel like there are so many more soldiers in the manor today? Has something happened?"

"What could be wrong?" Wei Hu waved his hand dismissively. "This old military warehouse has been in disrepair for years. I'm worried that leaks will damage the stock inside, so I've sent more people over to oversee the repairs."

Wei Lingxi glanced around and saw that everyone present was a private soldier in armor with a sword. There wasn't even a carpenter or a bricklayer in sight. It didn't look like a repair shop at all.

She grew increasingly certain, but didn't voice it aloud. She simply said softly, "Since it's for renovation, I'll go in and see what it's like inside."

"Hey, no, no." Wei Hu grabbed her arm, his tone urgent. "It's dirty and messy inside, covered in dust. What would a young lady like you do there?"

Wei Lingxi looked up at him, her voice softening, "Father, are you hiding something from me? Could it be...?"

"What could it be?" Wei Hu interrupted her, his smile fading slightly. "You are the Third Prince's lawfully wedded fiancée, and you will become Empress. The Wei family will have to rely on you in the future. What would your father be hiding from you? Don't overthink it."

As he spoke, he turned to look at the two maids behind Wei Lingxi, his face darkening: "What are you standing there for? Quickly help Miss back to her courtyard! This place is a mess; what if she gets bumped into!"

The maid dared not disobey and quickly stepped forward to whisper to her mistress to return to her room.

Wei Lingxi did not argue further and allowed the maid to help her turn and leave.

After walking a few steps, she looked back at the tightly closed military warehouse gate, and her heart sank deeper and deeper.

No need to guess anymore.

This warehouse must contain the 300,000 dan of missing government grain.

Your Highness, we have indeed found this place.

Her mind was in complete turmoil.

Should we remind Father? But if we do, and Father moves the grain in a moment of panic, and the Crown Prince catches him red-handed, the crime will be even more serious.

But deep down she didn't want to believe it.

Shen Taifu was an upright official, known throughout the court. The Wei family was a family of generals for generations, and had always been known for their loyalty and bravery. How could his father have done something like framing a loyal official and embezzling government grain?

She gripped her sleeve, her fingertips slightly cold, and a terrible thought suddenly occurred to her.

Only in this way can the Wei family be saved!

Night fell completely.

Tonight, Lin Xuan did not come alone. He brought Shen Hu, Lin Mo, Zhang Shitou, and several elite fighters, making a total of ten people to explore the Wei residence again.

He had his reasons for bringing enough men. Firstly, the western military warehouse was heavily guarded, and it would be impossible for one person to break through silently.

Secondly, he had already obtained a complete map of the Wei residence's terrain and defenses, and was fully confident that the ten men could successfully infiltrate it.

All ten men changed into night clothes and, under the cover of darkness, headed straight for the Wei family manor.

The group reached the outer wall of the Wei residence. Lin Xuan glanced at the sky and climbed over the wall to enter.

Today, the Wei residence was heavily guarded, several times more so than last night. Fortunately, Lin Xuan knew the timing of the deployment and accurately avoided every wave of patrolling private soldiers, making his way to the vicinity of the western granary, where everyone hid in the shadows and observed.

Yesterday there were only a few guards here, but today there are more than ten.

This group of people huddled together in front of the warehouse door, showing no intention of spreading out or taking turns, making it impossible to take them all down quietly.

Lin Xuan glanced at the sky, realizing they couldn't afford to waste any more time, and turned to Zhang Shitou: "Shitou, go and lure some of the people away."

Zhang Shitou instantly understood the meaning: "Don't worry, Your Highness."

He quietly moved to the side, when suddenly a dark figure darted out and ran wildly into the distance.

The leader guarding the warehouse immediately became alert: "Who's there? You three go check it out, and be careful!"

The three private soldiers immediately chased after Zhang Shitou and ran away.

Lin Xuan then instructed Lin Mo: "Use the same method to lure away a few more people."

Lin Mo responded and darted off in the opposite direction from Zhang Shitou.

Upon seeing this, the leader felt a pang of anxiety and ordered two more private soldiers to search the area.

Only five guards remained at the warehouse gate.

Lin Xuan drew his dagger and whispered, "Attack! Kill them with one blow! Shen Hu, we'll take care of the guards. You break open the warehouse door and go inside to inspect the grain."

Shen Hu replied in a deep voice, "Brother-in-law, don't worry."

The group simultaneously drew their daggers and, under the cover of darkness, stealthily approached the remaining guards.

The leader vaguely sensed something was wrong and had just spoken to warn everyone to be on guard when Lin Xuan appeared behind him like a ghost and slit his neck with a dagger.

The remaining men didn't even have time to shout before they were all instantly taken down by the accompanying skilled fighters.

Shen Hu picked up the long knife from the ground and chopped at the warehouse door chain. With a clang, the chain broke, and he pushed open the warehouse door and quickly stepped inside to inspect it.

Shen Hu rushed into the warehouse with his knife, about to examine the mountain of grain and fodder, when suddenly a garrison soldier darted out from the shadows and slashed at him with his knife.

Shen Hu reacted extremely quickly, dodging to the side and delivering a powerful punch to the man's chest. The man crashed heavily into the grain stack and fell silent on the spot.

After dealing with the man, Shen Hu immediately began to inspect the mountain of grain. Seeing the official character clearly printed on the grain sacks, he knew without a doubt that these were the 300,000 dan of official grain.

At that moment, another person hiding behind the grain pile was terrified. He turned around and rushed to the bronze bell inside the warehouse, pulling the hammer with all his might.

A series of loud thuds suddenly echoed throughout the entire Wei family manor.

Lin Xuan, who was outside the warehouse, heard the bell and his heart sank.

A short while later, Shen Hu rushed out of the warehouse and said urgently, "Brother-in-law, the inspection is correct, the warehouse contains the missing 300,000 dan of official grain!"

As soon as he finished speaking, torches were lit all over the Wei residence, their flames shooting into the sky.

Shouts from the private soldiers rose and fell from all sides: "Thieves! Thieves at the military warehouse!"

The sounds of hurried footsteps and clashing armor grew louder as countless private soldiers, armed with weapons, surrounded the granary.

Lin Xuan immediately ordered in a deep voice: "Everyone retreat immediately! Do not linger!"

Just as everyone was about to turn around and break through the encirclement, a large number of Wei family private soldiers surged in from all directions, completely surrounding and killing them.

Wei Hu pushed through the crowd and stepped forward, coldly surveying Lin Xuan and his group before glancing at the wide-open granary gate.

The fact that 300,000 dan of official grain was hidden here has been exposed. Without a doubt, these people must have been sent by the Crown Prince to investigate the case. We must not let them leave alive today.

Wei Hu sternly ordered, "How dare you! A group of thieves trespass into my Wei residence! Kill them all on the spot, leave no one alive!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the private soldiers around him, armed with knives and spears, charged towards Lin Xuan and his group with a roar.