The whole family died tragically? The eldest daughter is the most powerful in the capital after her

Qingxiang added in a low voice: "The young lady is indeed perceptive. During this period, Song Yuqing and Song Zhenhao have not only been cold to each other, but have also frequently visited businesses related to the Wu family. I think this is suspicious, so I will keep an eye on them for the time being."

Hearing this, Lin Ruoxuan's doubts deepened. After thinking for a moment, she slowly said, "Now it seems that Song Yuqing and Song Zhenhao are not only suspects, but they are also likely to be involved."

"Song Zhennan's imprisonment seems to be a good thing for them. Could it be that this disaster is aimed at Song Zhennan? Even Wan'er's disappearance is related to them?"

Gu Nanyuan's eyes darkened, then he nodded and said, "You are right. I will arrange more people to secretly follow and investigate them. Maybe we can find some clues."

Lin Ruoxuan raised her eyes and looked at Gu Nanyuan: "Thank you."

Gu Nanyuan gently held her hand and whispered, "Don't tell me these things."

In prison.

Song Zhennan and Lin Ruoqiao were imprisoned in two adjacent cells, and could vaguely see each other through the wooden fence.

The Jingzhao Yin stood outside the prison, glancing at them coldly, "I have submitted the evidence for this case. If there is no new evidence within five days, the Ministry of Justice will make a final judgment based on the existing evidence. You two, be mentally prepared."

Before he could finish his words, Jingzhao Yin walked away, leaving Lin Ruoqiao slumped on the ground, her eyes blank with unconcealable fear.

She clenched the sleeves of her coarse cloth in her hands, approached the fence, and whispered to Song Zhennan in the next cell: "If they really sentence me like this, what should I do? I... I have never done such a thing, but now I am convicted for it."

Song Zhennan moved closer to the fence and listened to her words, feeling a dull pain in his heart.

He looked at Lin Ruoqiao's pale face and said softly, "Ruoqiao, don't worry. I will protect you no matter what. Now you don't have to think about anything, just wait quietly. The Lin family and your sisters will definitely find a way."

Lin Ruoqiao forced a bitter smile, her voice weak and choked: "You don't understand, waiting like this... is so scary."

"I haven't seen Ruoxuan get married yet, haven't seen her live happily with her elder sister, and I also want to be able to join hands with the one I love, see the mountains and rivers, and do good deeds. But now, all this is getting farther and farther away from me."

Song Zhennan felt a pang in his heart when he heard her words.

He clenched his fists silently, his eyes revealing hidden pain.

He had always known that Lin Ruoqiao was an innocent girl who cherished a longing for freedom in her heart, but he did not expect that she would be trapped in jail because of this injustice.

He took a deep breath, his eyes became more determined, and he slowly said: "Ruoqiao, don't worry. I will help you realize those wishes you mentioned one by one."

Lin Ruoqiao looked up at him, with doubt and expectation in her eyes, and whispered: "Why do you always protect me like this? Now you and I are considered suspects. In their eyes, we can't escape the crime. How can you still protect me?"

Song Zhennan shook his head slightly and whispered, "Ruoqiao, the world is so unpredictable. As long as you can get out safely, I will protect you with my life."

But Lin Ruoqiao was immersed in her own sorrow and didn't pay much attention to what he said.

She was so tired that she fell asleep while talking.

At midnight, the prison was silent, with only the occasional "clicking" sound of faint torches in the corridor.

Song Zhennan sat on the cold prison bed, silently looking at Lin Ruoqiao next to him.

She fell asleep due to exhaustion. Her breathing was steady but her brows were still slightly furrowed, as if she was uneasy even in her sleep.

Song Zhennan looked at her tired face, his eyes full of pity and determination.

He stood up gently, motioned to the jailer at the door, and said in a low voice: "Go and inform Lord Jingzhao Yin, I have something important to tell you."

The jailer was a little surprised when he heard this, but seeing Song Zhennan's determined expression, he did not dare to neglect him and immediately turned around and left.

A moment later, Jingzhao Yin came hurriedly, with a hint of doubt between his brows, and looked straight at Song Zhennan: "Mr. Song, you called me in the middle of the night, are you going to confess something?"

Song Zhennan raised his head, his eyes firm, "Sir, I am willing to surrender. I was the one who killed Wu Qingfu. I didn't dare to admit it before because I was afraid. However, this was done by me alone, and it has nothing to do with the Seventh Miss."

Jingzhao Yin heard this and a trace of surprise flashed across his eyes. Then he asked calmly, "Oh? In that case, do you know how you will be sentenced if you plead guilty today?"

Song Zhennan nodded: "I understand what consequences I will bear, but I will never allow this crime to fall on others. Seventh Miss is innocent. She has never been involved in this. It was Wan'er who made up stories and involved her in this case."

Jingzhao Yin narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Song Zhennan silently for a moment, and he already understood something in his heart.

Song Zhennan surrendered himself this time obviously to protect the Seventh Miss from punishment.

However, in this way, the case can be settled, and he can also give an explanation to Gu Nanyuan and the Lin family.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief and smiled faintly: "Since Mr. Song has admitted his crime, I will handle it impartially. Mr. Song, you will bear the responsibility for this crime alone, and your confession will be submitted to the Ministry of Justice for record tomorrow."

Song Zhennan calmly bowed his head and saluted to show his acceptance, and was then arrested and taken back to the cell.

The next morning, Lord Jingzhao Yin came to Gu's house early, having carefully thought out various responses in his mind, with a bit of tentative intentions.

He waited in the front hall for a while, and then he saw Gu Nanyuan slowly coming down the corridor. He was dressed in simple and elegant robes, and his expression was calm as usual. He glanced at Jingzhao Yin, nodded slightly and said, "My lord, you came here so early this morning, but what's the important matter?"

Jingzhao Yin smiled slightly, then said seriously: "Your Highness is indeed a quick-witted person. Let me get straight to the point."

"I came here today to tell you a piece of good news. Song Zhennan confessed last night that he killed Wu Qingfu. As for Miss Lin Qi, as we expected, she has nothing to do with the case."

Gu Nanyuan listened to Jingzhao Yin's statement calmly without moving his brows. A hint of calm sharpness flashed in his eyes, and he instantly understood the deep meaning of it.

Song Zhennan pleaded guilty, obviously to protect Lin Ruoqiao, but the Jingzhao Yin was so anxious to inform him of the matter, just to test his attitude first. If the Gu family and the Lin family did not object, he could go with the flow and close the case.

Gu Nanyuan nodded calmly, and after a moment, he slowly spoke: "In this case, Your Excellency can deal with it according to the law. The Gu family has no objection, and the Lin family will also obey the judgment."

When Jingzhao Yin heard Gu Nanyuan's statement, he was immediately delighted and nodded in agreement, with a relaxed smile on his face: "Since the prince is so wise, the case is settled."

"I will submit Song Zhennan's confession to the Ministry of Justice as soon as possible and close the case completely." He was secretly proud of himself. Since Gu Nanyuan had no objection, he didn't have to take any risks or bother to deal with the matter. It could be said that he killed two birds with one stone.

Jingzhao Yin hurriedly bowed and said with a smile: "Then it is settled. If the prince needs anything in the future, I will do my best."

After saying this, Jingzhao Yin said goodbye and left contentedly. He walked out of Gu Mansion with brisk steps and an unconcealable pride on his face.