Upon hearing this, Cao Yi laughed, his eyes slightly curved, as thick as ink, and like a whirlpool brewing in the spring breeze. He was obviously a steady and mature man, but he still had the embarrassment and confusion of a young man.

.

"There's nothing to be thankful for. It's because I can't help you."

One apology and one thank you, is it endless? Xin Yi found it interesting, and her eye sockets were filled with traces of laughter.

"Master Cao came here in disguise, didn't he just want to apologize to me?"

Cao Yi's face was slightly dry, his lips moved, and he couldn't say anything.

"It's because... without Mrs. Zhang's permission, Mr. Cao made his own decisions and said some unseemly words. He was really ashamed. After thinking about it, Mr. Cao decided to come and apologize to Mrs. Zhang..."

After a pause, he smiled awkwardly, put down the food boxes in his arms, and placed them one by one in front of Xin Yi.

"Ms. Zhang is affected. This is Cao's wish. Don't dislike it."

Xin Yi looked at the food and wine brought by Cao Yi and couldn't help laughing.

"Cao Duzhi is really a strange man."

Cao Yi raised his head and smiled bitterly.

Xin Yi continued to smile and said: "You are a relative of the emperor and a superior. I am a commoner and a lower class. Even if you do something bad, what can I do to you? So, I am very curious.

What is the disgrace that makes Mr. Cao take this matter so seriously?"

Cao Yi smiled, his cheeks feeling hot.

"Cao was abrupt and said in front of the officials that he liked Mrs. Zhang."

This sentence was spoken so easily that Cao Yi himself was slightly surprised. Then before Xin Yi could react, he awkwardly explained, "Mrs. Zhang, don't blame me. Cao made this move out of necessity."

Xin Yi asked: "To save me?"

Cao Yi was somewhat fortunate that the light in the prison was dim and the young lady could not see the flush on his face.

"I'm ashamed to say that Cao didn't just want to save Lady Zhang, but he had no other excuse. If he didn't say so, the officials would be suspicious. It's okay to doubt Cao's motives. I'm afraid he'd only be worried about the palace.

My sister and even the entire Cao family will be jealous... Accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger. Cao doesn’t dare to gamble, and I really can’t live up to Madam Zhang.”

Xin Yi was very surprised that he could tell the truth.

"Master Cao can actually lie to me? Why not?"

"Mrs. Zhang is extremely smart, but Cao doesn't dare."

In fact, Cao Yi couldn't explain why he told the truth, why he trusted the woman in front of him so much, as if he had known her for many years and could freely admit his less than honorable intentions.

Xin Yi's eyebrows raised slightly, revealing a sly smile.

"Okay, I forgive you. Then how will Master Cao repay my help?"

Cao Yi bowed his hands and bowed deeply to her.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Zhang, Cao will not let you suffer the injustice in vain. Today I met my sister in Kunning Hall, and she promised me to mediate and clear the name of Mrs. Zhang..."

"No!" Xin Yi suppressed his expression and said seriously.

She understood the contradiction between the Zhang and Cao families very well.

Although Empress Cao was virtuous and deeply loved by the courtiers, even if Renzong did not like her, Empress Cao still had a certain say. However, the deeper the Cao family got involved in this matter, the easier it was to arouse the suspicion of the Zhang family and the emperor.

It is already a pool of muddy water, and if Empress Cao ends up personally involved, it will only become muddier.

Xin Yi looked at the hesitant Cao Yi, his black eyes narrowed slightly, and the corner of his mouth seemed to be smiling.

"Master Cao really wants to help me, just sit back and watch. Don't worry. Prince Guangling will definitely find a way to rescue me."

Cao Yi felt suffocated.

There was nothing wrong with what he said, and Xin Yi's tone was extremely tactful, but it felt strange to his ears, like being poured cold water on his head in the middle of winter.

The primitive competition between male creatures may have laid its seeds at this moment.

Many years later, Cao Yi still remembered the way Xin Yiyun said calmly, "The Prince of Guangling County will definitely find a way to save me" in the Kaifeng Mansion prison that night.

Cao Yi smiled bitterly, changed Qingyou's eyes, and changed the topic.

"There is one more thing that Cao wants to ask Mrs. Zhang."

"Master Cao, please speak."

"How did Chen Chusheng die? What did he say before he died?"

Xin Yi looked at him, "Mr. Chen set fire to the tower himself, and then jumped into the fire. As for why he did this, whether it was to destroy the evidence, I'm not sure. Then, before he died, he was still worried about the massacre of the family.

But there was no useful news..."

After a pause, she asked Cao Yi, "Does Mr. Cao have any clues?"

Cao Yi shook his head, "I was wondering who sent the secret message that lured me and Zhang Yaozhuo to Yaowang Pagoda, and what was its purpose?"

Xin Yi smiled and said, "Instigating discord? Knowing that the Cao family and Zhang family have old grudges, they deliberately lead you to fight so that the fishermen can benefit?"

Cao Yi: "It sounds like this. But everyone knows about the conflict between the Zhang and Cao families, so why bother?"

"..."

Xin Yi felt that Cao Yi's words were reasonable.

In a fire, Chen Chusheng destroyed Yaowang Pagoda, but left many doubts.

"Then I can't guess."

Xin Yi shook his head, his tone was relaxed and smiling, but Cao Yi didn't smile at all, his expression was gloomy, as if he had something to say, but he hesitated.

Xin Yi's eyes moved: "Master Cao, just say what you want to say?"

Cao Yi frowned slowly, "The officials have given three days. After three days, if no strong evidence can be found to clear your suspicion, the officials will follow Zhang Yaozhuo's request and punish you."

Xin Yi snorted: "The official's mind has gone astray."

In the laws of later generations, there is a rule called "Whoever asserts is responsible for providing evidence." That is to say, evidence must be presented to accuse others of guilt, and it should not be up to the person being accused to prove his or her innocence.

Because it is difficult to prove innocence, but it is not too easy to find fault with others.

Cao Yi remained silent.

Is this not the only case of officials favoring the Zhang family?

"Mrs. Zhang, don't worry. Cao is not talented, but he will do his best and will not let you suffer injustice."

"Master Cao?" Xin Yi saw his determined look and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Cao Yi smiled slightly, "You have something to eat and have a good rest. I can't stay long, so I'm leaving now."

Perhaps because he felt really guilty about Xin Yi's imprisonment, before turning to leave, Cao Yi suddenly paused again and looked back at Xin Yi deeply.

This glance is very deep and long-lasting.

Even Xin Yi felt uncomfortable looking at him, so he strode away, his footsteps fast and powerful in the empty prison.

…

…

Lazy in the house on a snowy day, time seems to pass very slowly.

In Linu Village, far away from Bianjing, earth dragons are burned to keep out the cold.

A group of cat slaves gathered in Baihua Pavilion to watch the cats "playing shuttlecock". The shuttlecock was decorated with chicken feathers. The cats seemed to have natural enthusiasm. They were snatching and playing with each other. The cat slaves were all talking.

Very lively.

Fu Jiuqu enjoys peace and quiet. Apart from cats, there are not many people in Linu Village.

Since Luo Tan was killed by Sun Huai with a stick, the cat slaves in the village have become even more cautious. When Jinzhan was returned to Linu Village, Biyan, the current steward, took care of it personally and did not dare to let it out of sight. She was really the little ancestor.

common treatment.

"Master Jiu."

Biyan is a thin and tall girl, about seventeen or eighteen years old. She fell ill after Luo Tan was killed with a stick, and she has just recovered. She has a lotus face and a sickly look, but the master braved the snow to come to see her.

She didn't dare to take it lightly in Nuzhuang and waited on her side anxiously.

"The cat chef has prepared Jinzhan's meal. Will the servant bring it here now, or should we let it cool for a while?"

Fu Jiuqu didn't raise his head, looking at the golden cup hanging upside down on the cat climbing frame and playing happily, he lazily said: "Bring it here."

Biyan: "Yes."

Two kitten slaves brought the meal in a silver cat bowl. Biyan took it and was about to take the golden cup down to eat when Fu Jiuqu got up.

"I come."

Bi Yan was slightly startled, looked at him without saying anything, respectfully handed the cat bowl to Fu Jiuqu's hand, and then silently stepped aside.

"Jinzhan has had a great appetite these past two days, and likes fish, chicken, and duck..."

Fu Jiuqu put the food bowl away and waited for Jinzhan to come to eat. He patiently stroked its back hair with a calm and gentle expression.

Biyan observed the words and expressions, and just breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Fu Jiuqu say: "Go and prepare Jinzhan's cat cage."
To be continued...