On her wedding night, she went into exile with her pharmacy arsenal

Chapter 2086 A Thought-Provoking Glimmer of Hope

"Really?" People nearby immediately gathered around, their voices filled with excitement, yet deliberately lowered as if afraid of being overheard. "Then is the Liu family really going to fall?"

"It must be!" The old woman clapped her hands. "Haven't you seen the commotion on the streets these past few days? It's all Su Cheng's men. There's been no movement from Prefect Ding's side, and the Liu family..."

Everyone chimed in with their own words, though no one explicitly said anything, but the joy on their faces was impossible to hide.

Among the crowd, brothers Yu Liang and Yu Fei walked slowly, carrying two large bamboo baskets.

The bamboo basket contained rice and vegetables, which were bought by Grandma Wang from next door on their behalf.

"Look over there." Yu Fei nudged Yu Liang with his elbow and pointed towards the street corner.

Yu Liang looked in the direction he pointed and saw three men in shorts standing on the street corner, seemingly chatting, but their eyes kept glancing at the people around them.

“They’re the prince’s men,” Yu Liang said in a low voice, continuing to walk forward without stopping. “They’re probably keeping an eye on the remnants of the Liu family.”

The two walked slowly down the street, their eyes seemingly casually sweeping over the surrounding shops, especially those with "Liu's" signs, which were now all closed, some even with seals on their doors.

"Do you think there might still be members of the Liu family who haven't been caught?" Yu Fei asked in a low voice, his eyes filled with doubt. "The city gates are open again today, why doesn't Your Highness just search out the entire Liu family?"

Yu Liang paused, looking at a tea stall not far away. Two soldiers were sitting next to the tea stall, talking to the stall owner in a gentle manner.

He withdrew his gaze: "The prince must have a plan. Let's not guess. As we said before, listen and observe more, and write down any news we have."

The passersby couldn't hide their joy.

Yu Liang and Yu Fei exchanged a glance, both seeing the same understanding in each other's eyes—the people here had been longing for the day when the Liu family would fall.

More and more people gathered on the streets, and the noise gradually increased. There were children's laughter, vendors' shouts, and people chatting and laughing. The whole city of Suzhou was filled with a relaxed atmosphere, as if the dark clouds that had been pressing down on us had finally dissipated.

In his study, Governor Ding's eyelids were so heavy they felt like lead, but the anxiety in his heart kept him wide awake.

Ever since I stepped down from the sacrificial altar yesterday, a sense of unease has been clinging to my heart like a vine, tightening ever more.

He raised his hand to rub his temples. The teacup in front of him had been changed three times, and the tea had gone from scalding hot to lukewarm, but he hadn't touched it.

"Where is the clerk? Tell him to come over!" Governor Ding's voice was a little hoarse. As soon as he finished speaking, light footsteps came from outside the door, and the clerk walked in with his head down.

"Sir, are you calling me?"

Governor Ding paced back and forth twice: "I sent you to scout out the gate of the prefecture. How did it go? Can you find a way to get out?"

The clerk sighed: "Sir, I went there before dawn this morning. There were Su Zhenhai's soldiers standing at both ends of the street outside the mansion gate, each with a knife at their waist."

The servant tried to hand over a piece of silver, but it was pushed back as soon as he took it out. The soldier said... that you had withheld their rations, and they wished... wished they didn't have a governor like you."

Governor Ding's face paled instantly. He gripped his teacup tightly, spilling a few drops of tea. "Are they really so unyielding? Even if I offered them fertile land and official titles?"

“I mentioned it, but the soldier said that General Su had already said that anyone who dares to release people from our residence will be treated as a traitor.”

The clerk looked up at Governor Ding, then quickly lowered his head again.

Prefect Ding took a step back, leaning against the edge of the desk, his chest heaving slightly: "Su Zhenhai is trying to trap me here to die... How dare he? I am a prefect appointed by the imperial court!"

"Sir, have you forgotten? We previously embezzled military rations together with the Liu family, and those soldiers have long harbored resentment."

Last month, several veterans came to your residence to ask for your help..."

The advisor lowered his voice: "Now that Su Zhenhai is using this matter against you, those soldiers naturally hate you to the core."

Governor Ding closed his eyes, feeling remorseful.

"Wait a little longer," Governor Ding opened his eyes, his tone tinged with a hint of hope. "If there's still no news by tonight, we'll have no choice but to take a risky approach."

The advisor nodded, turned around, and walked out.

Only Governor Ding remained in the study, and as he looked out the window, his unease grew heavier.

Meanwhile, Liu Balang's mansion was also deathly silent.

Liu Balang was still unable to open his eyes and wake up. He was so angry that his teeth itched when he remembered what Sun Qing had said to him yesterday.

"That ingrate Sun Qing! I fed and clothed him, and he dared to kidnap me!" Liu Balang cursed inwardly. "Once I get through this, I'll skin him alive!"

He thought of the stewards in his mansion; they were all useless!

Liu Balang cursed under his breath again. They usually act all high and mighty, but now that such a big thing has happened in the manor, there isn't even anyone who can hold things together.

It all depended on Sun Qing's decision.

He tried to hear what was happening outside, but apart from the occasional footsteps, he couldn't hear anything.

Just then, a commotion broke out outside, with shouts and the clanging of weapons.

Liu Balang was overjoyed. What was happening outside? Was it Jiulang? He must be the one who killed Su Zhenhai and came to rescue me!

The sounds of rioting grew closer and then gradually faded away.

Liu Balang's heart jumped and then fell, and he didn't dare to breathe.

After a while, footsteps approached from afar. Liu Balang was filled with anticipation, but when the door was pushed open and he recognized Sun Qingshi as the person who walked in, his heart sank again.

Sun Qing was dressed in a black short-sleeved shirt and held a knife in his hand, the blade still stained with blood.

He walked to the middle of the room, looked at Liu Balang, and said in a calm tone: "The guards in your courtyard have all been arrested. Neither of the two men in black cloaks escaped."

Liu Balang's heart sank, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

He roared inwardly, "They've all been arrested? Impossible!"

Sun Qing chuckled, found a chair and sat down, wiping the blood from his knife: "You don't still expect Liu Jiulang to save you, do you? Envoy Su has already sent people to keep an eye on him. He's in dire straits himself, unable to even leave the city gates. How can he come to save you?"

Sun Qing's eyes turned cold: "You withheld military rations, seized land from the people, and caused deaths. Every single one of these acts is enough to warrant the execution of your entire Liu family."

Sun Qing stood up and patted his face: "Don't even think about escaping, not even those wicked servants in your mansion!"

Liu Balang felt utterly hopeless, believing that the Liu family was truly doomed.

Suddenly, a glimmer of hope rose within him, a spark rekindling in the ashes.

No, no, the Liu family still has a get-out-of-jail-free card!

As long as he has this, he won't die!