The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Chapter 208 It’s a mess

The jailer glanced at Xiao Ran and said sarcastically, "What are you pretending for? If it weren't for Prince Ding'an helping you, could you have sold those things so smoothly?"

Xiao Ran gripped the railing and angrily retorted, "My father knew absolutely nothing about this! It was clearly—"

She swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue. What on earth was Zhou Yurong up to?

“Princess Xiao, instead of arguing with us here, you might as well confess sooner rather than later. In two days, we’ll be going to torture you. Not only torture, but who knows, the Prince of Ding’an might also come in to join you.”

The jailer waved his hand, his face full of contempt.

Xiao Ran didn't speak; she was in prison and couldn't see anyone.

She glanced down at the two steamed buns that had been delivered that morning, smashed the bowl, and held the shards of porcelain to her neck.

"I want to see my father!"

This time, she no longer said she wanted to see Zhou Yurong, but instead wanted to see Xiao Chengzhi.

The jailer looked at her and opened the cell door.

Xiao Ran took two steps back: "Let me see my father, or I'll die here!"

Two jailers, one on each side, grabbed Xiao Ran's arms and pulled her down forcefully, taking the broken porcelain shards from her palms.

Because of the vast difference in strength, Xiao Ran had no ability to resist and could only watch as they cleaned up all the broken porcelain shards.

"Don't leave anything sharp here, and keep a close eye on her."

Xiao Ran sat weakly on the ground. She should have met with Xiao Chengzhi back then. Zhou Yurong was not trustworthy at all.

She and Zhou Yurong were involved in the smuggling of salt and weapons. Now that Xiao Chengzhi is involved, Xiao Ran suddenly realized that Xiao Chengzhi is her last resort. So even if Zhou Yurong comes in, she cannot let Xiao Chengzhi be imprisoned in Dali Temple.

After thinking it through, Xiao Ran stopped trying to kill herself and instead confessed some things, including implicating Zhou Yurong.

After waiting for so many days, Xiao Ran finally admitted that Zhou Yurong was involved. Li Jiangui immediately ordered people to arrest Zhou Yurong.

Zhou Yurong was still thinking about how to create momentum to get Xiao Chengzhi imprisoned first, so that Xiao Chengzhi wouldn't ruin her plans, but she was soon tricked by Xiao Ran.

Knowing that it was Xiao Ran who had implicated her, Zhou Yurong reassured Lu Lingyue when she met her worried gaze.

"Arrange it as I say."

Lu Lingyue nodded, watching Zhou Yurong being taken away by the people from the Dali Temple.

Upon receiving the news, Luo Sanniang took a deep breath: "My chance has come too, let's go."

What she had to do was add fuel to the fire, to make up for her mistakes with good deeds, so that she wouldn't be implicated like Lu Lingyue.

Luo San Niang was also glad that Zhou Yurong didn't believe her and didn't tell her everything.

After glancing at Lu Lingyue's retreating figure, Luo San Niang left without looking back.

"Having gone this far, we're almost ready to close the net." Pei Du briefly explained the situation at the Dali Temple to Shen Hanyu.

Shen Hanyu looked up: "No rush, there's another big fish."

Lu Lingyue wasn't arrested, and she didn't know what Zhou Yurong had told her. Even after being taken to the Dali Temple, she still thought she could get out. Zhou Yurong was indeed sometimes too confident.

Pei Du thought for a moment: "There's been no movement from the people in Luofeng City who were supposed to be there. Could it be that they're not coming?"

"It's hard to say, but as long as they still care about their interests, they will definitely come."

They need salt and weapons; lacking either of these, they probably wouldn't give up so easily.

"Suppress the news of Zhou Yurong's arrest and wait for the big fish to take the bait. Also, keep an eye on Lu Lingyue."

She would not let any of the three people from the Guangning Marquis's mansion go.

"So, what arrangements did you make for Luo San Niang?" Pei Du asked casually.

"Let her redeem herself by exposing Zhou Yurong's evil deeds. Luo Sanniang wasn't lying; she did go to the Guangning Marquis's mansion at first as I instructed."

Pei Du understood. "I'm handling this matter right now, so leave it to me."

Luo Sanniang acted quickly, running to the Dali Temple to say that she had evidence against Zhou Yurong to present.

The Dali Temple took this matter seriously, so they allowed Luo Sanniang to enter.

Holding the evidence given to her by Shen Hanyu, Luo Sanniang clearly recounted what she had discovered, while also making sure to absolve herself of any responsibility.

"I never imagined that he had such things hidden in his secret stash; it's terrifying."

Luo San Niang's eyes revealed a look of terror.

After checking Luo San Niang's identity, the group learned that she was Zhou Yurong's newly acquired concubine.

Pei Du arrived, spoke to the people from the Dali Temple, and released Luo San Niang.

"Stay in the mansion and don't wander around. We will summon you at any time."

"This humble woman will certainly speak without reservation."

Luo San Niang felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders; everything was fine now.

She knew that Pei Du was Shen Hanyu's fiancé, and that Shen Hanyu must have mentioned it to him before he came over.

Luo San Niang returned with her maid, and Jin Chui chased after them.

"Please keep an eye on Lu Lingyue, Madam. If she makes any moves, please inform Miss Shen or my general immediately."

"Yes."

Luo San Niang remembered that Zhou Yurong seemed to have said something to Lu Lingyue before he was arrested. The two had a good relationship. Once Zhou Yurong went in, he would definitely leave everything to Lu Lingyue.

But now she has powerful backers, so she's not too afraid of Lu Lingyue, especially since Lu Lingyue herself is in dire straits.

Inside the prison, Xiao Ran and Zhou Yurong were separated by a fence and a corridor and kept in different cells.

Zhou Yurong sighed, "Why did you blurt out something about me in your haste?"

Xiao Ran retorted, "Why is this matter related to my father? You know perfectly well that my father wasn't involved in this."

"I didn't spread that message. They just wanted you to hear it and get anxious. Look, now you've fallen into their trap."

After Zhou Yurong said that, Xiao Ran began to waver.

"Is my father really alright?"

"Of course, if something had happened, my father-in-law would have been imprisoned in Dali Temple long ago. How could he be out there dealing with things for you?"

Zhou Yurong is also very annoyed. Her good plan has been disrupted, and she doesn't know if Lu Lingyue can make amends in time.

"So what other options do you have now?"

Zhou Yurong looked at Xiao Ran. Of course, he couldn't tell the truth. This matter could only be told to Xiao Chengzhi and Xiao Ran.

"I have my own plans, you don't need to worry."

Xiao Ran frowned. She didn't quite believe Zhou Yurong's words, but she had no other choice but to rely on him.

Both of them waited anxiously, while Lu Lingyue was on the other side.

As darkness fell, Lu Lingyue took out the things Zhou Yurong had prepared. She planned to gather them together the next day and then use them to shift the blame onto Xiao Chengzhi.

These are all handwritten, but the handwriting has now been changed to that of Xiao Chengzhi and Xiao Ran.

Outside the Guangning Marquis's residence, the group found the backyard and sneaked in, avoiding being seen.

Lu Lingyue packed her things away, and then she heard footsteps in the courtyard, followed by a knock on the door.

"Open the door."

A rough, hoarse male voice came from outside the door, and Lu Lingyue shivered.