The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Chapter 245 The Three Sons of the Qian Family

Today is a rest day at the girls' school. Shen Hanyu whispered a few words of advice, which Pei Du noted down.

"I'll go back quickly."

Li Sheng won't stay there long, and Li Jiangui won't feel at ease either.

Shen Hanyu nodded and watched their carriage leave discreetly.

"The Qian family's third son." Shen Hanyu lowered her head in thought. He had never heard of him in Shen Yanzhi's letters, but he never expected that he would be involved in the grain draft.

Miao Cui looked at Shen Hanyu: "Miss, should we also send someone to follow them from a distance?"

"No, just keep a close eye on what's happening in Chang'an."

Getting involved with that side would only be a loss for them, and Shen Hanyu wouldn't go there.

Miao Cui noted it down and went back with Shen Hanyu.

Upon arriving in Yushan City, Pei Du was received by the Qian family. When they saw Li Sheng come out, they were clearly taken aback.

"My son has difficulty walking, I never expected Your Highness to come in person."

Li Sheng nodded: "The matter in Lizhou is related to me, and I must handle it personally. I came here to see Young Master Qian."

Qian Sunbao probably harbors resentment towards him, and Li Sheng will only know if he meets the person.

After hesitating for a moment, Mr. Qian still led them inside.

Even if the Qian family didn't hold official positions, they would still be very wealthy. Because they owed Qian Sunbao a debt, his house was the best in the Qian family.

Li Sheng looked up and heard the sound of wheels. Qian Sunbao was being pushed out in a wheelchair.

"A rare guest indeed," Qian Sunbao said in a deep voice, staring at Li Sheng.

Pei Du stood next to Li Sheng, observing Qian Sunbao's expression.

"Don't be rude." Master Qian tried to give Qian Sunbao a meaningful look, but Qian Sunbao seemed not to hear him.

Li Sheng waved his hand: "It's nothing. It's been a long time. I came here abruptly because I have something I want to ask you, Third Young Master."

"Those who deserved to die in Lizhou are all dead. What else is there to ask? Father, see the guests out."

Qian Sunbao looked unwilling to cooperate.

Before Li Sheng could say anything more, Pei Du stepped forward.

"The Dali Temple handles cases regardless of your wishes."

"What does this have to do with me?" Qian Sunbao had someone push him around and lead him inside. "If you can't stand it, just arrest me and torture me."

"Arrest them," Pei Du said decisively.

Immediately, someone stepped forward from behind. Qian Sunbao stared in disbelief, pointing at Pei Du and cursing, "You're simply unreasonable and domineering!"

Pei Du didn't want to argue with him; he just wanted to find out the truth as soon as possible.

The crowd surrounded Qian Sunbao. Qian Sunbao was only putting on a brave front. He thought that Li Sheng would feel guilty and wouldn't tolerate Pei Du's behavior, but he didn't expect that he would still acquiesce.

Master Qian was in a panic. He recognized Pei Du and immediately tried to plead for mercy, but Pei Du stopped him.

"Don't worry, as long as he is willing to confess honestly, we will naturally send him back safe and sound."

Qian Sunbao gritted his teeth, "Ask me whatever you want, I'll tell you, okay?"

He had never met someone like Pei Du before, and he had no other choice but to back down.

Pei Du told those people to make way, and they all went to the main hall so that Li Sheng could begin the interrogation.

Qian Sunbao had some difficulty recalling events from more than ten years ago, only remembering some of the most vivid memories.

“When I was in office, Qi Liansheng came to tell me that the grain was moldy. I was afraid of being punished, so I told him not to say it. We argued several times, but I didn’t expect him to still go to His Highness and tell him about it.”

"How could the grain and fodder have gotten moldy? The weather wasn't bad back then."

"how could I know."

After being glared at by Pei Du, Qian Sunbao changed his wording.

"How would I know? I just want to use this official position to get by, so I can have something to show when I go back. I don't care about what happens below. Only Qi Liansheng knows, but I'm the one who makes the decisions."

Li Sheng understood; no wonder Qi Liansheng hadn't died despite loving Qian Sunbao.

Qian Sunbao had no idea what was happening down there; the most important person had died.

Li Sheng remembers that the weather back then was always sunny, so the grain and fodder wouldn't get moldy for no reason.

Where are the provisions usually stored?

Qian Sunbao racked his brains, "Isn't it just about putting it where it's supposed to be?"

Li Sheng remained silent.

Qian Sunbao exclaimed, "I just remembered something. The place where the grain was stored was moved. When it was almost to His Highness's side, someone came to me and said that the place where the grain was stored was a bit damp. They asked if I could move it to another place, and I agreed at the time. Later, Qi Liansheng told me that the grain had become moldy."

"Who is that person?" Li Sheng narrowed his eyes, sensing something unusual.

"I don't remember. He was some nobody. He's probably long dead. I don't know anything about him."

This really put Qian Sunbao in a difficult position. The only people he could remember under his command, besides the one who always flattered him, were Qi Liansheng, who opposed him.

Li Sheng wasn't exactly disappointed; he had already guessed it.

"Anyway, thank you."

Qian Sunbao looked at Li Sheng. Lizhou not only caused him to lose his legs, but also turned Li Sheng into what he is now.

No one benefited.

"Is the reopening of this case to suggest that His Highness was framed?"

Li Sheng was taken aback and looked at Qian Sunbao.

"The matter has not been investigated yet, and I am still a suspect."

Qian Sunbao leaned back and chuckled, "They all agreed to let you come out to investigate the case, which means they don't doubt you."

Li Sheng lowered his eyes and remained silent, leaving the Qian family with Pei Du.

Qian Sunbao is right, but even if Li Jiangui believes him in his heart, it won't work if there's no evidence outside to support his claim.

"The worst outcome is that we can only catch Zhao Wanfu," Pei Du said, making the matter clear.

Li Sheng nodded, agreeing that it was true. They knew perfectly well that Li Jing was not innocent. If they continued to be led by the nose by the hidden clues Li Jing had planted, they would not be able to find out who Li Jing was, and at most they could only bring Zhao Wanfu to his death.

Zhao Wanfu dared to do it, so he must have been prepared to be abandoned at any time.

"If we move too fast, we'll overlook some things. Let's take it slow."

Li Sheng noticed Pei Du's anxiety, but this was not something that could be solved by speed.

Those people erased a lot of evidence, but there must have been some oversights. Li Sheng also needs to organize what he remembers.

The two returned to Chang'an after dark, and Li Huaijiang came over carrying a food box.

"Brother Royal."

Li Huaijiang couldn't stay at home, but Li Jiangui wouldn't let her get involved in the matter. She behaved herself for a few days, but still went to the Dali Temple.

When Yu Qi saw Li Huaijiang, he got up to greet her.

Li Huaijiang placed the food box in front of Li Sheng.

"Your mother is concerned about your health and sent me to deliver these things. Your father is also aware of this."

Li Sheng understood her unspoken meaning: "You just want to know how the case is progressing."

Li Huaijiang smiled sheepishly: "These past two days, the draft grain bill suddenly came up, and I was just curious, so I thought I'd come and take a look."

"Father doesn't want you involved, Huai Jiang. This matter has nothing to do with you, so don't come in and get implicated."

Li Huaijiang is not afraid of being implicated. "I have been investigating these matters for years, and I know as much as they do."