The Empress Dowager Xiao laughed upon hearing this, "Ferocious? What’s ferocious? I am the Empress Dowager, and though the Emperor’s wrath may cause a million corpses to fall, I am the mother of the Emperor! One mere girl’s life is nothing to me, where is the ferociousness in that?"

Nanny Xiao, unwilling to expose her, replied, "Yes, yes, yes! You are kind at heart, to only take Miss Ning’Er’s life, and not implicate the entire Duke’s Mansion. This is already being merciful."

Flattery like this, the Empress Dowager is very receptive to!

"I only hope that while that girl is in prison, she realizes that the imperial court is a place where a single misstep can cost her life!"

Nanny Xiao nodded, "You still care for her! Knowing not to push her into the fire pit!"

"But... Your Majesty, have you considered if the Duke’s Mansion comes forward..."

"I am angry now! I will not meet them!"

His Majesty the Emperor was poisoned and assassinated, and Divine Hunter Ji traced the matter to the Duke’s Mansion, causing a stir across the court and the public.

The chancellors, Zhongshu Province, Marquis Ting Sheng, Master Duke Dugu... many ministers in the court have submitted requests for a thorough investigation.

Among these people, some were adding insult to injury, while others asked to find the true culprit. The Duke’s Mansion is the maternal family of His Majesty the Emperor; it would not make sense, nor would they be so foolish as to harm the Emperor!

The Duke instantly aged by ten years, kneeling at the door of the Yangxin Palace, refusing to leave even when the Emperor did not see him and ordered Eunuch Ling to send him back. The Duke was stubborn, kneeling on the cold, snowy ground until his cotton trousers were soaked, yet still unwilling to leave!

Xie Pan’Er could not bear to watch this, seizing a moment when there was no one around to whisper a few words of advice!

"Duke, instead of kneeling here, it would be better to go back and think of ways to provide useful clues to Divine Hunter Ji!"

Hearing Xie Pan’Er’s words, the Duke was puzzled, turning to look at her. He did not recognize this girl, but judging by her lack of appearance of a Palace Maid, he could guess her identity.

"Miss Xie! Thank you for pleading for my daughter, but Divine Hunter Ji... forgive this old man for being dull-witted, I do not understand your meaning!"

"Duke, think about it. If Miss Xiao Ning’Er did not truly poison anyone, then who would frame her, and what benefits would they gain from framing her? What would you lose?

This case is fully in the hands of Divine Hunter Ji. If you have clues to offer him so he can solve the case, Miss Xiao Ning’Er can return home sooner. Instead of ruining your health by kneeling here, wouldn’t it be better to do something more useful!"

Upon hearing these words, the Duke’s body trembled, hurriedly attempting to stand, but could not after kneeling for too long. Xie Pan’Er quickly stepped forward to support him, helping to massage the Duke’s leg, and called over a young eunuch, "Quick, find the Duke a change of cotton trousers. The Duke is old, let’s not let the cold freeze his leg." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

The Duke heard Xie Pan’Er’s emphasis on "cold leg," and immediately had an idea.

"Thank you for your guidance, young lady!"

The young eunuch not only found a pair of cotton trousers for the Duke but also carried him back to the Duke’s Mansion using a soft sedan chair!

Subsequently, news spread that for the sake of pleading for his daughter, the Duke had knelt in the bitter cold, freezing his legs in the snow. This news just happened to reach the Celestial Prison, causing Xiao Ning’Er to cry fervently upon hearing it.

Xie Si was writing essays; he had already become fast friends with Tutor Wei, living comfortably these days. Their cell’s environment was not bad, thanks to their family’s generous bribes, they could even smuggle items inside. Their cell had practically become a scholar’s little study room, with meals being sent from the Tutor’s Mansion.

The two were quite content doing academic work here!

But at this moment, Xie Si could no longer continue with his writing. Even Tutor Wei was holding his head and blocking his ears, burying himself under the covers.

"Food is here!"

A jailer led a noble young lady over; the noble lady was leading a maid, who carried a food box in her hand.

"Father! Brother Xie, food is here!"

"Wei’Er, you’re here! Oh dear, I’ve told you countless times, a lady of your standing shouldn’t come to such a filthy place as this prison; why won’t you listen?"

Wei Wei’Er puffed her cheeks upon hearing this, sneaking a glance at Xie Si, who had already set aside his books and was helping the little maid Cuicui serve the meal!

Her cheeks turned slightly pink.