Chapter 203

Xiao Yuanhang furrowed his brow: "Stand up and speak! What's going on?"

Tuan Tuan also jumped in fright, her eyes wide as she stared at Cai Guangteng.

The Ministry of War official from yesterday ran over with a few men from not far away, apparently having lost track of Cai Guangteng for a moment, which is why he appeared again at the Prince's Mansion.

Xiao Yuanhang was not in a gentle mood like a wife; he glared at the leading official, and the official immediately fell silent, lowered his head, and stood aside.

Xiao Er helped Cai Guangteng to his feet: "Early this morning, the Ministry of War, together with people from the Dali Temple, sealed off the Private Goods Workshop!"

"All blueprints and items are sealed, craftsmen and officials are all suspended pending investigation!"

"They said that everyone in the Private Goods Workshop must go to the Ministry of War tomorrow for interrogation! If they fail to appear, they will be treated as fleeing to avoid punishment!"

"Prince, Princess! Lord Feng is innocent, and everyone in the Private Goods Workshop has been diligent! Why is this happening?"

Tuan Tuan tugged at her father's sleeve: "Father! Is Feng Zhou unable to come out?"

Xiao Yuanhang glanced at Cai Guangteng, then at his daughter: "You get up first. Go back and tell everyone at the Private Goods Workshop that starting tomorrow they must fully cooperate with the Ministry of War; I will find a way for you."

Cai Guangteng bowed repeatedly: "Yes! I, on behalf of everyone at the Private Goods Workshop, thank the Prince!" He rose and left.

Prince Ning wants to intervene in this case?

The few Ministry of War men exchanged glances, dared not utter a word, and hurriedly followed.

Tuan Tuan looked at their backs: "Father, I want to see Feng Zhou."

The young lady wants to go to the Great Prison? That can't be allowed!

Xiao Er looked up at Xiao Yuanhang.

Xiao Yuanhang looked at his daughter's small face, sighed: "Xiao Er, accompany her; if you don't, she'll be uneasy."

Tuan Tuan hugged her father's thigh: "Father is so kind! Uncle! Let's go!"

Xiao Er carried Tuan Tuan and arrived at the Celestial Prison.

The cell was dim, damp, and smelled foul.

They followed the jailer to the innermost room.

Feng Zhou, dressed in prison garb, sat on a pile of dry straw, his expression despondent.

Tuan Tuan shouted: "Feng Zhou! Are you okay?"

Feng Zhou hurried to the railing: "Alliance Leader! Why have you come?"

Tuan Tuan extended her small hand to grasp the railing: "Has anyone been bullying you?"

Feng Zhou gave a wry smile: "The Nine-Star Repeating Crossbow has entered the jianghu; all blueprints and finished products of the Private Goods Workshop are under my control, yet now I have no defense."

He clenched his fist and said solemnly: "But I, Feng Zhou, swear to the heavens!"

"I've kept the blueprints locked in a secret chamber's iron cabinet; even the workshop's craftsmen only know the methods for their own parts, so there's no way a complete blueprint could leak!"

"And it's impossible for finished products to be stolen! This matter must have some hidden twist!"

Just as he spoke, a set of footsteps sounded.

A middle‑aged official wearing Ministry of War attire, his face cold and hard, walked over.

He wore an impatient expression: "Lord Feng, are you willing to confess? Did you sell the blueprints to anyone? If you remain obstinate, don't blame me for applying the law's punishment!"

"How dare you!" Tuan Tuan spread her little arms, blocking the railing, puffed up with anger, "I am Princess Jiayou, the nation‑stabilizing Princess Jiayou! My rank is higher than yours! If I say no, it's no!"

The official was startled, his expression softened slightly, he bowed respectfully, yet still spoke formally: "I, your subordinate, present myself before the Princess. There is something the Princess may not know: this is His Majesty's strict decree, sparing no expense, to uncover the truth."

"Today, in view of the Princess, he may be spared execution, but if the truth remains undiscovered, he will ultimately not escape legal punishment."

Tuan Tuan looked at him: "Where are you an official from?"

The official hesitated briefly: "I serve in the Ministry of War."

Tuan Tuan ignored him, turned to Feng Zhou: "Feng Zhou, don't be afraid! I believe you! I'm going to find someone to help you right now!"

"Uncle! Let's go find Third Elder Brother! He is now some kind of prince, he can definitely help me!"

The two hurried without pause to Prince Jing's Mansion.

Xiao Ze heard that Tuan Tuan had arrived and rushed out.

Tuan Tuan lunged forward, grabbing his sleeve, firing off like a rapid volley: "Third Elder Brother! The Ministry of War's villains want to beat Feng Zhou! Go tell them they can't! Feng Zhou is a good man, he's been wronged! I believe him!"

Xiao Ze looked at her flushed, anxious little face, tears glimmering in his eyes, and felt his heart soften.

He crouched down, gazing at her: "Tuan Tuan, don't be anxious. Third Elder Brother can buy you time, ensuring he isn't subjected to execution."

"But Tuan Tuan, you must understand, this matter is huge. The nation's vital assets have fallen abroad, affecting border stability and the lives of countless soldiers."

He gently pinched her little cheek, wiping away the tear at her eye: "This is the law; even the Father Emperor cannot defy it. Otherwise, no one in the world would obey the rules."

"Third Elder Brother can only buy you time. If in the end the true culprit isn't found, Feng Zhou, even if spared execution, will still face charges of dereliction; the state law tolerates no personal feelings."

Tuan Tuan nodded vigorously: "I understand, Third Elder Brother, thank you. I will definitely find the villain and let Imperial Uncle know that Feng Zhou didn't do anything wrong!"

"Uncle, let's go!"

Xiao Er carried her out of Prince Jing's Mansion and came to the carriage.

"Miss, where to now?"

Tuan Tuan clutched Xiao Er's neck, her little mouth pouted high: "How would I know!"

Xiao Er was stunned, both laughing and crying; his own miss was determined to clear Feng Zhou's innocence but had no clue.

He thought for a moment: "Miss, how about we go find Second Young Master? When the gorge was ambushed, he stored the special crossbow bolts for the Nine-Star Repeating Crossbow; perhaps we can discover something from them."

Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up: "Uncle, you're so clever! Let's go! We'll find Second Brother at the military camp!"

The carriage sped again, heading straight to the Main Camp on the outskirts of the capital.

Xiao Er had just lifted Tuan Tuan out of the carriage when a sentinel saw them.

"Miss has arrived!" A delighted shout instantly echoed throughout the camp.

Xiao Ningchen received a report and hurried over: "Tuan Tuan, why are you here?"

Before Tuan Tuan could answer, Zhang Wu'an, Li Lao San, Fang Qing, and a host of veteran soldiers all gathered around.

Miss, why do you look as if you've been wronged?

You're a bit thinner than last time; I'll have the cook stew an old hen for you to nourish yourself.

Tuan Tuan looked at Second Brother and these uncles; the grievance in her heart could no longer be hidden, she pursed her lips and her eyes instantly reddened.

Second Brother! Uncles! I just went to see Feng Zhou—he's been locked up, and they want to beat him! Wah wah wah...

Tears fell with a pattering sound.

Xiao Ningchen quickly pulled her into his arms: "Good Tuan Tuan, don't cry—when you cry, Second Brother's heart aches."

The Private Arms Workshop specializes in weapon production and frequently deals with the suburban Main Camp; although the soldiers aren't familiar with Feng Zhou, they have all seen him.

What? How could someone like Steward Feng be like that!

Which bastard is smearing a good person!

Miss, don't cry! Tell me who it is, and I, Old Zhang, will be the first to object!

These men, who wouldn't even frown when blades and axes struck them on the battlefield, were now flustered by a few tears from Xiao Tuanzi, their hearts twisted into a knot.

Xiao Ningchen scanned the surrounding faces, all filled with righteous indignation.

Just shouting won't help. To clear Feng Zhou's name, we need evidence.

Xiao Erdao said: "Second Young Master, perhaps we can see something from that crossbow bolt."

Xiao Ningchen nodded, holding Tuan Tuan, turned and walked toward his tent: "Come on, those with experience in bows and arrows, come in and take a look."

Soon after, the crossbow bolt—entirely black with a three‑pointed tip flashing a faint light—was placed on the table.

The tent was packed with people.

"Is this the thing?" Li Lao San stepped forward, examined it closely, "It's really exquisite!"

Zhang Wu'an stared intently: "The blood groove is opened in such a cunning way!"

Fang Qing picked up the crossbow bolt, examined the tip carefully against the light filtering in from outside the tent, then flicked the shaft lightly with his finger, listening to the faint vibration.

Not only that. Look at the cold-forged pattern on the arrowhead—fine as cloud brocade, like a southern school's craftsmanship, emphasizing 'softness hiding a needle'.

He paused, then brought the shaft to his nose to smell: "This shaft is definitely not southern wood. The wood is harder than fine iron, yet the grain is chaotic like hemp; this is the 'iron-thread wood' from the deep mountains of the northwest, smelling of earthy odor, no mistake."

"Let me see." Zhang Wu'an took it from his hand and examined the cut of the feather shaft:

These eagle feathers have been soaked in something; that's a method commonly used on the plains to prevent moisture and corrosion—our kingdom's artisans rarely use such means.

Inside the tent fell silent for a moment—how could such a tiny crossbow bolt contain things from all over the south and north?