Bai Sheng disagreed, "Husband, opening the shop was my idea, and I'm the one who offended people. After the Dali Temple officials conduct their roll call, I will go to the prison to exchange for them. I know medicine and poisons, so it will be more beneficial for me to clarify what exactly happened. You should stay home to protect everyone."
"You two go together, so you can look out for each other if anything happens," Third Uncle said in a deep voice. "Don't worry about things at home. Qingfeng, Yang Ming, and I will protect the family."
Qingfeng, Yang Ming, and the others unanimously agreed.
Uncle Ding also said, "Master, Madam, I'm still here. You can go out and handle your business with peace of mind. I will protect this home even if it costs me my old life."
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye exchanged a look. "Alright, then it's settled."
"I wonder who is framing us. If I knew, this master of mine would never forgive them!" Lu Yun clenched his fists.
Third Uncle sneered, "Do you even need to ask? It must be those two ugly women causing trouble on the opening day! I'm all too familiar with the tricks those noble and wealthy family children play."
Bai Sheng nodded, "Third Uncle is right. I also think it's highly likely to be them. The Fifth Princess is just a tool they are using."
"The Fifth Princess isn't any better. You two must be careful," Third Uncle warned. When he was a vagrant, he often heard gossip about the Fifth Princess in the streets. That woman was definitely not a good person.
"Yes, Third Uncle, don't worry," Lu Ye said with a determined expression.
Lu Yun was already secretly making plans, intending to send disciples from the Street Gang to keep an eye on the two ugly women Third Uncle mentioned.
If they dared to do bad things, they would surely leave a trace. Brother and sister-in-law were going to prove their innocence, and he had to help.
"Madam, Hua Hua has already sent a letter to Concubine Mei in the palace, asking her to help delay time. I wonder if Concubine Mei has received the letter," Gā Mei said with a thick nasal tone.
"How could Xiao Hua send a letter to Concubine Mei?" Bai Sheng was slightly surprised. Even when she went to the palace, Concubine Mei would send Eunuch Zhu to pick her up personally.
"It's a young master Hua Hua unexpectedly met, named Yan Shuo. He seems to be the eldest son of the Grand Censor's family and knows palace guards," Gā Mei hesitated for a moment before telling the truth. At this critical juncture, nothing could be hidden.
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye exchanged a look, Lu Ye also looked surprised.
He frowned and asked, "After just meeting, would that Young Master Yan be willing to help Xiao Hua at the risk of offending the Fifth Princess?"
Gā Mei stammered, "Per... perhaps that Young Master Yan likes Hua Hua."
Everyone was astonished.
Third Uncle snorted, "Those young masters from wealthy families, there aren't many good ones among them. You all need to keep a close watch, don't let Xiao Hua be deceived."
Gā Mei said timidly, "It shouldn't be like that. That Young Master Yan seems quite good."
"You can't judge a book by its cover. Bad people aren't written on their faces," Third Uncle said earnestly.
Bai Sheng said, "Third Uncle, don't worry. Our Hua Hua may be honest, but she's not stupid. Don't worry, she has her own ideas. Third Uncle, Uncle Ding, and all of you, go back to your rooms and rest. Only by resting well can we fight this battle."
Uncle Ding immediately said, "Madam is right. Everyone, go back to your rooms and rest. We can't afford to fall sick at this crucial time."
Only then did everyone return to their rooms.
Bai Sheng said to Lu Ye, "Husband, I need to go find Concubine Mei tonight to ask for her help. Then, we will go to the prison to see Hua Hua and the others."
"Yes, alright," Lu Ye took Bai Sheng's hand. He was also planning to see his sister. If that blasted princess dared to harm his sister, he would make her pay.
The two changed into night clothes and, on the rooftops of the capital, like two agile black swallows, they swiftly glided over the undulating eaves and tiles.
Soon, they arrived at Concubine Mei's Yong'an Palace. Lu Ye waited in the shadows of the rooftop, while Bai Sheng slipped into the palace courtyard. She took out a stone from her spatial dimension and quietly placed it in a corner of the courtyard wall.
It would be much more convenient to find Concubine Mei in the future.
Concubine Mei hadn't slept much either, her mind constantly on the events at Bai Sheng's home. Therefore, when she saw Bai Sheng appearing in her palace chambers in the middle of the night, she wasn't surprised at all.
Concubine Mei chided, "Where have you been, you girl? Such a big incident happened at your home today! I was so worried!"
"My husband and I went out to handle an important matter. Thank you, Concubine Mei, for stepping forward today, otherwise my sister and the others might have suffered," Bai Sheng said gratefully.
Concubine Mei sighed, "I still arrived a step too late. Your sister and the others were whipped dozens of times. That wicked woman Xin Yao wanted to disfigure the young girls' faces. I arrived just as they were about to carry out the punishment. The girls' faces were saved."
Bai Sheng's heart tightened upon hearing this. Uncontrollable anger welled up within her. Princess Xin Yao was truly excessively overbearing. Before the case had even been heard, she had already resorted to private torture.
Was being a princess so great that she could trample on the lives of ordinary people with impunity?
Were the incompetent officials of Dali Temple all dead, allowing this wicked woman to run amok?!
Bai Sheng clenched her fingers in her sleeves. This time, she would definitely drag Zhou Yanran, Dong Xuerou, and Princess Xin Yao to the ground and teach them a lesson!
Damn it! How could she, a modern person with thousands of years of accumulated wisdom, be unable to deal with ancient people?
Just you wait and see!
If they truly pushed her to a dead end, she would slaughter the entire royal family!
Of course, Concubine Mei and Prince Yu were exceptions.
Bai Sheng said sincerely, "Thank you, Concubine Mei. Your great kindness will be remembered by this commoner for all my life!
I came to see you, Concubine Mei, merely to request that you appear and ensure that Dali Temple conducts a fair and just trial.
As long as they are fair and just, and do not show bottomless favoritism towards Princess Xin Yao, this commoner will surely drag her to the ground and teach her a good lesson!"
Concubine Mei patted her hand, "Xiao Sheng, don't worry. You don't need to say it, I will closely monitor this case for you."
"Thank you, Concubine Mei!" Bai Sheng stood up and kowtowed heavily to Concubine Mei.
"Oh, you child, get up quickly. These things are just a small effort for me, and I'm very bored in this deep palace. Having something to do makes me feel more energetic."
Bai Sheng expressed her gratitude again, touched. "After sunrise, once the Dali Temple officials have completed their roll call, my husband and I will go to the prison to exchange for my sister and the others. At that time, when Dali Temple brings them in for questioning, please remember to attend and preside, Concubine Mei."
"Alright, Xiao Sheng, don't worry," Concubine Mei nodded.
As Bai Sheng left Yong'an Palace, she released Bing Gǔnr, her little black snake. She told Bing Gǔnr to find some of its relatives to protect Concubine Mei.
Bing Gǔnr swayed its head in agreement. This was the first important task its master had given it, and it would surely not fail its master's trust.
Lu Ye, who was on the rooftop, had also thought of this. He summoned many mice to constantly protect Concubine Mei, preventing anyone from harming her during the trial.