TRBDM -Chapter 90 Attempted Release Ends in Capture

In Anhe Courtyard, Nanny Qi held two booklets in her hands and handed them to Wei Zhaorong.

One was a roster of students at the Imperial Academy, and the other was a list of Shen family members.

The students of the Imperial Academy were all sons of high-ranking officials, among whom were two princes of extraordinarily high status.

Wei Zhaorong’s fingers hovered lightly between the Ninth Prince, Zhao Jingtian, and the Tenth Prince, Zhao Jingheng.

One of them would eventually become emperor.

The Third Prince, Zhao Jingyan, whose power had once been at its peak, not only failed to ascend the throne but also met a tragic end.

The transfer of imperial power was like ripples beneath a calm lake—one moment seemingly serene, the next capable of sweeping every fish, shrimp, and insect in the water.

Wei Zhaorong’s fingers continued to glide down the list, until they suddenly stopped at a familiar name.

“How did Nangong Hai get into the Imperial Academy?” Wei Zhaorong asked.

Granny Li said:

“Given the Nangong family’s influence, Nangong Hai shouldn’t have been able to enter the Imperial Academy. But somehow the Nangong family arranged for him to become a companion-student to the young heir of Prince Jing, Zhao Ming. However, it’s said Nangong Hai’s talent is rather average—not as bright as the heir.”

Wei Zhaorong did not comment.

How could one describe a tanhua lang (top scorer in the imperial examination) as merely “average”?

Nangong Hai was clever and knew how to hide his true abilities.

Not only that, he also knew how to use a handsome face to attract women to pursue him voluntarily.

In his previous life, he already had a fiancée—a daughter from a slightly weaker official family than the Nangongs. He dismissed the engagement because he felt she could not help his career advancement.

During the imperial examinations, Nangong Hai happened to meet the legitimate daughter of the Cangzhou Prefect, and they quickly fell in love and married.

The year after marriage, he ranked third in the top tier of the examination.

Love, career, and academic success—all three achieved.

A year later, Xie Wanyi happened to see him and insisted on marrying him.

Since Nangong Hai already had a legitimate wife, Xie Wanyi willingly became his concubine.

Who said only women are “femme fatales”? Someone like Nangong Hai can be just as dangerous.

When he married the legitimate daughter of the Cangzhou Prefect, he had promised a lifelong devotion. Yet when Xie Wanyi, eager and persistent, came along, he quickly abandoned his vows, just as he had discarded his previous fiancée.

Men, all of them are the same kind.

“Bring me a pen. I want to write a letter to Lan’er.”

Wei Zhaorong wrote the letter swiftly, a few words only, clear and to the point.

Xie Lan was smart—he could understand the meaning at a glance.

Once the letter was sent, Wei Zhaorong picked up the other booklet.

The Shen family roster.

“The Second Madam’s younger brother has appeared in gambling houses multiple times over the past two years. On a few occasions, he even pawned his jade pendant to cover debts.”

Dissolute sons—indulging in drinking, women, and gambling—the Shen family young master had indulged in all three, dragging the entire family down.

“I heard the Shen family wanted to buy him an official post, but buying an office isn’t cheap.”

Buying an office wasn’t cheap—good positions cost thousands, even tens of thousands of taels of silver.

Nanny Qi didn’t speak explicitly, but it was clear: the Marquis of Mingde’s household accounts had issues, and after investigation, the Second Madam, Shen Zhizhi, appeared most suspicious.

First, she had managed the accounts for two years, making manipulation easy. Second, she had motive: her younger brother was useless, so she might help him out. Lacking silver, he would simply ask his sister.

He would call it a “loan,” but not repay a single coin.

Freeloading from the household—beyond doubt.

The Marquis of Mingde’s account books held piles of glittering silver—who wouldn’t be tempted?

All the more so for Shen Zhizhi, who wanted to patch her family’s deficits.

Wei Zhaorong closed the booklet, her mind already clear.

Everything was ready—only awaiting the crucial moment.

In the firewood storage room, Old Ding curled up in a corner, swatting at mosquitoes.

The weather was hot, and mosquitoes were active, especially in the dark, damp firewood room. The buzzing was maddening.

Locked in the storage room for several days, Old Ding had grown considerably haggard.

He wasn’t lacking food or drink, though the quality was terrible.

In short, his life was not immediately at risk—but being alive felt far from living.

Late at night, someone sneaked toward the firewood room and lightly knocked on the window.

Old Ding was startled awake. “Who’s there?”

“Shh.” The person outside signaled him to stay quiet.

Old Ding, anxious and frightened, hid in the corner without daring to make a sound.

Click! The door lock turned.

Someone pushed the door open.

“Come on, we’re getting you out of the residence.”

Old Ding didn’t know who it was and wouldn’t follow lightly.

“If you don’t go, the Old Madam will report you to the authorities. You’ll spend the rest of your life in prison. What about your grandson with tuberculosis?”

Mentioning his grandson brought tears to Old Ding’s eyes. Hesitant, he finally shakily stood and followed the person outside.

Late at night, when all the household servants were asleep, the two left the firewood room and carefully made their way toward the rear gate.

They encountered no one along the way. When the main gate appeared not far ahead, Old Ding finally relaxed a little.

Once he stepped out, he could take his whole family far away.

They quickened their pace. Just as the person leading reached out to touch the wooden latch, suddenly a blaze of light erupted—servants swarmed from all directions.

At the center of it all was Nanny Qi.

“Old Ding, it’s so late—where do you think you’re going?”

Old Ding’s soul seemed to leave his body; he collapsed to the ground, powerless.

The person attempting to escort him quickly tried to open the latch and escape.

But for some unknown reason, the latch wouldn’t budge—no matter how much force was applied.