Chapter 50: Fortuitous Encounter

Xiao Qian's words seemed to have opened a pair of invisible hands that cleared the fog in Lin Yannan's heart, and she found the direction for investigating the Taos' case.

Previously, she felt that it was more likely that some envious and jealous individuals in the imperial medical hospital deliberately framed the case, or someone wanted to harm the empress. She had read the medical records left by her father regarding the empress's illness, and it was not a complex condition. The conclusions drawn from pulse examination and observation were completely accurate. However, it was strange that the empress's condition did not improve after taking her father's prescribed medicine. Instead, there were signs of deterioration. There is only one possibility: the medicine was tampered with, or the empress had consumed something else. Translation:

However, she had no idea about the political situation at that time and who would have the motive to dare commit such a grave crime against the world.

Now she knows, it's time to establish a crown prince.

Lin Yannan's mood became eager: "Tell me, where should we start?"

我们这个词，令萧潜有种莫名的振奋。

也许是长久以来，追查真相的这条路上只有他一个人，突然有了志同道合的伙伴的缘故吧！

If I could obtain evidence of Zheng Peixin colluding with the Northern Di or secret letters between Zheng Peixin and key officials in the court, that would be ideal. However, my people haven't been able to get close to Zheng Peixin so far. He is highly guarded, so if this approach doesn't work, we can only wait for his return. He is going back to the capital this year to report on his duties. You can have more interactions with Miss Zheng from the Zheng family. Miss Zheng, Zheng Zixuan, is of the same age as you and has connections with Yang Fu-jun.

Another way is the Imperial Medical Hospital. Of course, all information about Tao Weicheng and the Empress's medical records have been completely cleared out, but the staff at the hospital still remain. We can also try to find a solution through them.

“行，郑梓萱就交给我，太医院王院使的女儿王可儿我也可以接触到。”林晏晏欣然领下任务。

萧潜微哂，本来他让她参与进来，是创造机会与她多接触，查探她与陶思雨之间的关系，现在看来，这两个案子，她还真能帮上忙。

"Um..." Chen Li hesitated to speak.

Xiao Qian and Lin Yannan both looked at Chen Li.

"The comrade who saved me from Sanli Fort was named Jiang Li. The reason he told me to leave as soon as he saw me was because he personally witnessed Zheng Peixin killing a soldier responsible for returning from the battle at Qiushui River, and he was not the only one who saw it. Jiang Li has a colleague with a good relationship named Lu Zhong, who is a colonel under Zheng Peixin. If we want to find evidence of Zheng Peixin's crimes, perhaps Lu Zhong can help."

Xiao Qian was frustrated: "Why didn't you tell me about killing the messenger earlier? And this Lv Zhong, I just sent a letter to the north last night."

Chen Li felt awkward and bowed respectfully: "Your Highness, please calm down. I understand the importance of this matter. If I didn't fully trust the person, how could I reveal everything? Seeing Miss today, I am truly relieved."

萧潜：呃……

搞了半天，敢情陈立一直防着他。

“我初入军营便与你相识，连我你都不信？”

陈立嘟哝：“郑培鑫还是侯爷一手提携的。”

People's hearts are hard to predict!

"Uncle Chen, be careful," Lin Yannan interjected.

"Your Highness, is Uncle Chen safe here?"

"I have rented this house as a resting place. Normally, no one would come here. However, the city is crowded with people, and his severed arm is too conspicuous. After a while, I will find a way to send him out of the city and hide him in the outskirts."

Leaving the house, it's already time to eat.

"Let me treat you to a meal," Xiao Qian said.

Lin Yannan chuckled, "I thought you only knew how to let others treat you to a meal."

"It's the same if you treat me."

Lin Yannan: ... Can it be the same? One is you pay, the other is I pay.

Forget it, anyway, she has money now: "I'll treat, I'll decide where to go."

Xiao Qian thought for a moment: "How about ChangyiJu? It's the restaurant that Lu Zhaonan admires the most, and it's not far, just a few steps away."

So, the two went to Chanyiju.

Just as they reached the entrance of the restaurant, they bumped into Zhou Datong and Lu Zhaonan.

"Hey, Xiao Qian, I went to the yamen to look for you, didn't expect to meet you here. Perfect timing, let's have a meal together," Lu Zhaonan happily greeted, but his eyes kept sneakily glancing at Lin Yanyan.

When did such a handsome young man appear by Xiao Qian's side? He is indeed good-looking, but a bit delicate, lacking in masculinity. Oh my, this Xiao Qian fellow is not interested in women at all. Ever since I got to know Xiao Qian, I have never seen any women around him, not even a slight interest in looking at them. There are even rumors going around that he and Xiao Qian are involved romantically. Could it be that Xiao Qian actually has a preference for this?

Lan Zhuonan's twisted thoughts rushed out like a flood that had opened its gates.

Xiao Qian sighed, why choose Changyi Residence when he knew that Lan Zhuonan liked it? It seems that he really ran into him.

"Xiao Qian, how about introducing your friend?" Lu Zhaonan chuckled, giving off a flirtatious vibe. He even raised an eyebrow and looked mischievously with his small eyes: "Wow, you've kept it a secret quite well. If I hadn't bumped into you today, I wouldn't have known how long you were going to hide it." Please reply with the translated content.

Xiao Qian had no idea that Lu Zhaonan's thoughts had strayed so far, finding his gaze punchable.

Zhou Datong was still holding a chicken leg and chuckled, "Introduce me, too."

Xiao Qian glanced at Lin Yannan, then looked at Lu Zhaonan and Zhou Datong.

Lin Yannan, aren't you just dressed in men's clothing? Can't you recognize me? What a gaze.

A cunning smile flashed in Lin Yannan's eyes as she introduced herself before Xiao Qian could speak: "I am Zhen Rian, nice to meet you two, may I know how should I address both of you?"

"Zhen Rian? This name is quite interesting. Zhen brother, you can call me Lu Zhaonan."

"My name is Zhou Datong."

"Why bother with formal introductions when we can meet by chance? Today, I'll treat both Mr. Lu and Mr. Zhou. Will you honor me with your presence?"

Xiao Qian was surprised. He never expected Lin Yannan to have such a mischievous side. If Lin Yannan can't be recognized by Lu Zhaonan and Zhou Datong after a few drinks, it would be a big joke. He can laugh about this for a whole year.

四人要了间雅座，周大同自告奋勇去点菜，论吃的，没人比周大同更懂。

小二上了茶，萧潜问道：“你和周大同怎么凑到一起去了？”

Don't we always argue every time we meet?

"You said that since you went to Shuntian Mansion, I've been bored to death. Well, he is also bored, so two bored people can just hang out together, can't they?"

"He doesn't want to study? I remember that the Imperial Academy does not have a day off today."

"Sigh, can you see him as someone who would study? Skipping school is common for him. I told him, if he's going to do something bad, just don't involve Lin Jingyuan, otherwise, he can forget about entering the Mo Yuan Pavilion in the future."

Lin Yannan calmly drinks tea, thinking to herself: Fortunately, you are aware of your own limits. If anyone dares to harm Jingyuan, it won't be as easy as just staying away from the Ink Abyss Pavilion. She will track them down to the Chengguo Duke's residence.

After chatting briefly with Xiao Qian, Lu Zhaonan's thoughts once again turned to Zhen Rian. Xiao Qian's curious nature as a man cannot be overlooked.

"May I ask if Zhen Gongzi is at home...?"