Proud Feather

Chapter 71 Whistleblower
As night fell, Jiang Shijun got off the carriage at the entrance of the alley.

The driver asked, "Mr. Jiang, will you still drive at the same time tomorrow?"

Jiang Shijun smiled and said, "Try to get there early so as not to block the intersection and affect others."

The driver agreed and said with a smile, "Sir, just change your house. The princess values you so much that she will do anything you ask for."

Jiang Shijun smiled but did not answer, just bowed.

The driver understood the situation, said goodbye, whipped the whip and drove away.

Jiang Shijun walked back slowly. The alley was quiet. There were a few lights on in the houses on both sides, and only faint sounds could be heard.

This alley was mostly inhabited by retainers of the Eastern Palace. Normally, it would be bustling with people gathering and chatting. But after the Crown Prince left, it suddenly became deserted.

Firstly, people were in a state of panic, worried about their future. Secondly, the Three Courts and the Imperial City Court came repeatedly, and everyone was afraid to go out for fear of arousing suspicion.

Jiang Shijun was originally one of them, but he didn't feel at ease until the princess recruited him.

When he arrived at his door, before he could knock, someone heard footsteps and opened the door.

"Brother Jiang, you are finally back. We have been waiting for you for a long time!"

Jiang Shijun was surprised to see a long-faced man standing before him, his face covered in a warm smile. Looking inside, he saw several people sitting in the main hall. One of them was his good friend Lao Bi, and the person next to him was Fang Wu, the prince's confidant, with whom he had never been able to sit at the same table before.

Seeing him come back, everyone stood up.

"Brother Jiang, I'm so sorry to bother you." Lao Bi's face was full of embarrassment, and he apologized to him with his eyes.

Jiang Shijun understood. Ever since the princess asked him to recruit a team, he had already brought in several close friends to work with him. Seeing this, others were eager to join him, and they often came to visit him, hoping to get a job. Lao Bi probably couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to bring his people over.

However, he didn't expect that Fang Wu would also come. This man, who used to be a favorite of the prince, was so embarrassed as to lose face.

"Brother Bi, what are you talking about? It is an honor for our humble home to have you all here! Come, come, please have a seat." Jiang Shijun smiled and was polite, which made everyone who were nervous feel much more at ease.

Old Chiang has always been easy to talk to, and he didn't change his personality even after following the princess. Well, there is hope for what I asked for today.

After everyone sat down in order, Jiang Shijun asked the old servant to go outside to buy some wine and food.

The others hurriedly said, "Why would you be so helpful? We're sorry to have disturbed you without your permission. We'll naturally prepare the food and drinks."

As they spoke, they each took out their food boxes, and sure enough, there were all kinds of food and wine.

Jiang Shijun thanked them one by one and sat down to drink and chat with his old colleagues.

Everyone started by talking about trivial matters and gradually got to the point.

The long-faced man who welcomed him in was the first to speak out: "Brother Jiang, let me be honest. After the Crown Prince left, we really don't know what to do. Let's go. We were previously blessed by the Crown Prince, but now that the cause of His Highness's death is unknown, how can we leave so easily? Let's stay. We have no idea where to go every day, and I'm worried!"

"We've been thinking about it and have come to you for advice. I heard that you're working with the princess to investigate the cause of the prince's death, so we want to do our part, too. What do you think..."

Jiang Shijun didn't answer immediately, but smiled and asked Fang Wu, "Master Fang, I heard that the Crown Princess has summoned Master Zhu back to work. You have connections, so why are you here today?"

Fang Wu looked a little embarrassed and put down his wine glass. "Brother Jiang, since you asked, I'll tell you the truth. My relationship with Zhu Shan is just average, and now that the Crown Princess has entrusted all the affairs to him, I've been left aside... I can't ask the Crown Princess for help, so I have to find another way."

Jiang Shijun uttered an "oh" and asked directly, "Master Fang, do you also want to work with the princess?" Fang Wu rubbed his nose and said, "Isn't the princess investigating the Crown Prince's affairs? I also want to work for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was very kind to me. How can I feel at peace when he is gone in such an unclear way?"

Others echoed this sentiment, expressing their loyalty to their former master and their indignation to find the murderer.

Jiang Shijun was moved: "You all really value friendship and loyalty. I admire you."

"Brother Jiang agreed?" the long-faced man asked happily.

Jiang Shijun smiled and said, "My heart is the same as yours. I will help if I can. Next time the princess summons me, I will mention it."

Everyone was delighted and toasted him to express their gratitude.

After the banquet, everyone was satisfied and said goodbye and left.

Jiang Shijun had just asked the old servant to clear the table when Fang Wu came back from outside.

"Master Fang, why are you back?" he asked in surprise.

Fang Wu said nothing.

Jiang Shijun understood what he meant, gave the old servant some instructions, and took him to the study.

As soon as the door closed, Fang Wu said, "Brother Jiang, I used to be respectable in front of the prince, but now that I've surrendered to the princess, it's not right for me to come empty-handed. I have some news that may be related to the prince's death. Can you pass it on to the princess?"

Jiang Shijun looked surprised. "Since Lord Fang has such information, why didn't you mention it before? If you had reported it, the Crown Princess would certainly not have sat idly by."

Fang Wu smiled bitterly, "I was afraid Zhu Shan would stab me! There were so many people around, so I couldn't be too direct. I don't trust Zhu Shan."

Jiang Shijun was even more surprised: "What does Lord Fang mean by this? Lord Zhu..."

Fang Wu's eyes were heavy as he nodded. "I once saw Zhu Shan secretly meeting with someone, and I'm not sure if it was related to the Crown Prince. Since the Crown Prince passed away, have you guys been spreading rumors that I'm trying to escape?"

Jiang Shijun tactfully admitted: "I have indeed heard some rumors."

"It wasn't a rumor," Fang Wu said bluntly. "I really wanted to run away at the time because I was afraid Zhu Shan would silence me."

"Ah?" Jiang Shijun gasped. "Is it so serious? What's the news?"

He immediately said, "If Master Fang wants to speak to the princess in person, I will take you there tomorrow."

Fang Wu shook his head: "If I really go to see the princess, I might alert the enemy. I'll let Brother Jiang pass on this message!"

Jiang Shijun was moved: "Master Fang has such trust in me, I really don't know what to do."

Fang Wu sighed, "Actually, I can't make up my mind either. It's because Zhu Shan has regained the Crown Princess's trust and has taken over the management of the Eastern Palace. He's been investigating something these past two days, and all the people involved have been exposed. I'm afraid I can't keep it secret any longer."

Jiang Shijun knew about this because the princess had entrusted the Crown Princess with the matter. He had thought that he would learn about it through the Crown Princess, but he had not expected such a change to happen behind the scenes.

Fang Wu replied, "Of course, I also observed you for a long time and confirmed that you are trustworthy before I said this. As long as the prince's injustice is redressed, my personal situation is not important."

Jiang Shijun bowed deeply to him and said, "Master Fang is so righteous."

Fang Wu waved his hand and leaned forward: "Before his death, the prince was investigating the corruption case involving river repair funds. Several officials were involved..."