The Hidden Beauty

Chapter 56: The Emperor's Urgent Summons
Jiang Shiwan was about to say: "I..."

Meng Tingzhou did not let her continue: "Did you gain anything from the case files you received today?"

Jiang Shiwan shook his head: "I have read the contents of the case file. At first glance, there is no problem. However, it says that my father did not send troops because he did not want the Governor's Office to monopolize power."

"If I remember correctly, during that period, the Minister of War Lu Chong said he was sick and was recuperating at home, and my father was basically in charge of the affairs of the Ministry of War."

"He was already wondering why the emperor had to delay for several days before issuing the decree to send reinforcements after submitting the memorial."

Jiang Shiwan said firmly: "So I believe that father is definitely not someone who would be afraid of the Governor's Office monopolizing power."

"Then what you suspect is..."

Jiang Shiwan's eyes were cold: "I have a bold idea..."

As if anticipating what he was going to say, Meng Tingzhou subconsciously looked around and signaled her to be careful with her words.

He took her in his arms and they walked away while mumbling, "Let's first deal with the people involved one by one, and we'll discuss it later."

"You... know what I want to say?"

Meng Tingzhou nodded: "Maybe I guessed what you wanted to say, but it doesn't matter now. Meimei, when your father's injustice is cleared, I will tell you everything I wanted to tell you before."

Seeing that she was unmoved, he added, "I will also tell you about Xiaonian's affairs."

The two of them remained silent as they returned to the study. Jiang Shiwan took out a few case files and said, "Before I left, I also took away the other two case files so that people wouldn't only suspect that my father's case files were lost."

Meng Tingzhou couldn't help but smile: "You are still calm in the face of danger."

"Actually, I am confused." Jiang Shiwan lowered his head and looked at the handwriting on several case files. "I don't know if this will cause you trouble. I am even worried that you and Pei Qing will encounter difficulties in the Dali Temple."

Meng Tingzhou moved closer to her side and said, "So you kept looking out the door just to wait for me?"

When the weather is cold, she often wears the scent of snow orchid. As the weather gradually warms up, she uses the scent of hibiscus, which penetrates into her heart in a light and unintentional way.

Just like now when she said that she was worried that he would encounter difficulties, he felt a little uneasy.

Jiang Shiwan felt his breath approaching, and although he still lowered his head, he could not read a single word in his eyes: "Although I need your help, I will not ignore your safety."

Before she finished speaking, Meng Tingzhou tightly blocked her lips and said, "What kind of cheese did you eat? It's so sweet."

Just as I was about to continue exploring, I heard some noise outside.

Jiang Shiwan quickly pushed him away: "It's Ah You."

Outside, Yunshang and others heard the noise of Ah You playing around. Seeing that the study door was closed, he knocked carefully, "Madam?"

Jiang Shiwan packed up the case files and said in a normal voice, "Come in."

Several maids came in holding Ah You and said, "After the governor and his wife left, the young master kept making a fuss and seemed to want to come over here too."

Jiang Shiwan reached out to hug him: "But do you miss mother?"

She looked up and was about to ask Ayou if he missed his father, when she saw Meng Tingzhou standing beside her with a gloomy face.

He was really impatient with his son and frowned, "You have enough to take care of all the big and small things in the mansion, and you still have to spend so much time on him. How can I bear it for a long time?"

He added, "I asked others and they said that most one-year-old children are very good at reading people's faces, but he is the only one who is spoiled. Everyone in the mansion reads his face."

His impatience was evident in his words.

Jiang Shiwan looked at Ah You and felt that he was exaggerating. He glared at him and said, "Why don't you let someone else be your son? I think our Ah You is cute in every way." Seeing that he was blaming him, Meng Tingzhou changed his expression and said, "How could I not like him? I just don't want you to suffer too much."

After saying this, he took the initiative to hold Ayou, played with him for a while before handing the child to the wet nurse to take him away to wash.

Seeing that Jiang Shiwan was frowning, he thought she was still angry: "Are you so angry?"

"No, I just discovered something by accident." Jiang Shiwan unfolded the case file again, "I suddenly realized that although Liu Huining's handwriting is unpredictable and he is also good at imitating, they have one thing in common."

She pointed to the word "曰" on each scroll. Although different fonts were used here, the hook on the word was consistent.

Meng Tingzhou took a closer look and said, "It is indeed so."

"She should be suspicious of her father's missing case file, and might even try every possible means to get it back."

Meng Tingzhou said: "This is actually why I didn't want you to get involved too early. Liu Huining is insignificant, but the people involved in the case behind her can add fuel to the flames and stir up a storm."

"Then why are you still willing to help me?"

Meng Tingzhou sighed: "When you were pregnant with Ah You, I promised you that I would help you find out the truth after you gave birth. If you don't find out the truth, you won't be able to live your life in peace."

So even though his current situation was not very good, he tried his best to arrange everything to help her find out the truth.

Only in this way will she be willing to follow me and leave this place of trouble!

It's just... he can't tell her now and disturb her thoughts.

Jiang Shiwan didn't expect that he understood his feelings.

She held his arm: "I'm even worried... Liu Huining will join the Governor's Office early."

Meng Tingzhou's arms stiffened slightly: "Why do you say that?"

"Only by marrying into the Governor's Mansion can she get close to me, inquire about me, and find the lost case files." Jiang Shiwan analyzed, "Besides, marrying you is what she has always wanted, she won't object."

"Will you stop it?"

Jiang Shiwan shook his head: "No risk, no gain. Only by letting her really fall into it can I have more evidence."

She looked at him: "I'm sorry you've been wronged. You may really need to have an extra wife."

Meng Tingzhou actually wanted to laugh. He had become her shield and tool.

But the fact that she could use me in this way showed her trust in me.

He shook his head: "Identity is just a symbol, it doesn't mean anything. Just like what we hear and see sometimes is just one side of the story, not the whole story."

"Since I promised you that I would do my best to help you, I have already made all kinds of plans. Just go ahead and investigate. I hope you can find out the truth as soon as possible and give justice to your father and the Jiang family."

Seeing him speaking so frankly, Jiang Shiwan was not unmoved.

"Thank you."

"You and I, as husband and wife, should not be estranged from each other." Meng Tingzhou kissed her forehead. "But there is one thing you must promise me. No matter what, you must not take risks and you must protect yourself. If you can't keep yourself safe, I will think you can't control the situation and interrupt your plan."

This is a commitment and also a warning.

"Commander-in-chief." Pei Qing's voice came from outside, "The emperor urgently summons you."

The two looked at each other. How could the bloody storm come so quickly?
(End of this chapter)