Chapter 222: Matters of Border State (Part 5)

Chapter 222: Matters of Border State (Part 5)

The Prefect of Border State and Huajian Fang were in cahoots, secretly embezzling government funds.

The madam of Huajian Fang, an old flame of the Prefect, colluded with him even more, using Huajian Fang as a cover to traffic people in secret.

Both incidents were corroborated by the testimonies of Huajian Fang's thugs.

Upon the revelation of these events, Huajian Fang was immediately sealed off, and the Prefect of Border State was apprehended by the Eagle Wings Army.

Regarding that ledger, there was no sign of it; Xiyan Chishao did not produce it.

He had come to Border State specifically for that ledger.

In front of Huajian Fang, two seals closed off the entrance. The madam and all the thugs and servants of Huajian Fang were arrested, and rotten vegetables and eggs were thrown at them.

The madam, who had been full of glory just two days ago, became a prisoner in a short while.

Like a rat in the street, everyone shouted to beat her down.

In front of the Prefect’s residence, the same scene unfolded. As soon as the Prefect of Border State was brought out by the Eagle Wings Army, countless rotten vegetables and eggs were hurled at him, and many cursed the corrupt official.

They also cheered for Prince Yi’s valor.

In this crowd, Su Rao’s gaze fell on Xiyan Chishao, who emerged from behind, and she suddenly realized something.

Why did Xiyan Chishao leave immediately after rescuing her at Yiyin?

Most likely, he feared that her brutish man would inform Huajian Fang to flee.

That’s why he acted so swiftly.

With such lightning speed, he captured Huajian Fang and the Prefect of Border State, catching them off guard.

Su Rao did not believe that it took only a few moments for Mo Ying to extract those confessions from those people.

It wasn’t that Su Rao doubted Mo Ying’s abilities or Prince Yi’s interrogation methods.

Rather, she knew how stubborn those killers were; it took her two whole days to get information out of them.

Even if Xiyan Chishao’s methods were exceptional, it should have taken him at least half an hour!

As Su Rao looked at Xiyan Chishao, his keen senses naturally detected her presence.

His cold eyes scanned the crowded area, and with one glance, he found Su Rao.

Not only because her gaze was unhidden, but also because she wore the red dress he had prepared for her, which stood out.

Raising her delicate hand, Su Rao waved at Xiyan Chishao.

A greeting.

Her face beamed with a mischievous smile.

Such an action from Su Rao would not have been met with silence in Yunlang; instead, it would have caused shock, followed by thoughts:

"This person is doomed again, being targeted by the ugly Su girl."

But in Zhu Xian, where Su Rao concealed her scar, no one knew who she was. Her greeting to Prince Yi stunned everyone.

Then...

All the rotten vegetables and eggs stopped flying, and everyone’s gaze turned to Su Rao, captivated by her appearance, before shifting back to Prince Yi in astonishment.

This scene had already occurred at Gobi Pass, and now it happened again in Border State. Prince Yi was already accustomed to it.

Looking at Su Rao for a moment.

He stepped forward.

Approaching Su Rao.

"Miss Su, why are you here?"

In the presence of the people of Border State, Xiyan Chishao did not call Su Rao "Princess Ronghua."

After all, the title of princess was too conspicuous.

Calling her Miss Su, a common surname in Zhu Xian, would not reveal her identity.

After all, Su Rao was ‘kidnapped’ to their country, so keeping her identity secret made her safer.

"I came to find you!"

Su Rao understood the implication and responded warmly.

She also stepped forward.

The bystanders had already hurriedly moved back when Prince Yi approached, so Su Rao faced no obstruction.

Reaching Prince Yi, she suddenly said,

"Ashao, we’ve been through life and death together. Why are you still so formal? Just call me Rong'er."

Her smile remained unchanged.

Her bright almond eyes stared directly at Xiyan Chishao, and indeed, she noticed that his expression froze momentarily, almost turning red.

Layers of mystery flickered in Su RAO's eyes as she took another step closer.

She whispered softly:

"Prince Yi, you promised to help this princess find Yun Ji, but he seems to have left. This princess doesn't care why he left; you must help me find him, or I will pester you every day and let you experience what it truly means to be the ugly daughter of the Su family."

The implication was that Yun Ji had left because he knew she was coming, effectively avoiding her.

Prince Yi had agreed to help this princess, yet now there is no sign of Yun Ji. Prince Yi must take responsibility and continue the search.

The hint of dark red on Xian Yi Chishao's face faded, but his heart skipped a beat. As Su RAO drew closer, the faint scent of a young woman lingered around him, causing the inexperienced Prince Yi to retreat for the first time.

Though only one step, it was unprecedented.

"Your Highness..."

Xian Yi Chishao's momentary disarray was something Mo Ying had never seen before.

He immediately reminded him with a low voice.

Xian Yi Chishao's heart steadied.

Looking at Su RAO, the woman before him was clearly defiant and unruly, yet she seemed even more captivating.

Beneath her rebellious facade lay a hidden brilliance, radiating light.

"Since this prince has promised Princess Ronghua, I will ensure she is safely delivered into the hands of Prince Jiyue. Princess Ronghua, rest assured."

What he intended to say was: "Prince Jiyue's guards mentioned that news came from the capital, so how could he possibly leave?"

But the words that came out were entirely different, surprising even Xian Yi Chishao himself.

Glancing at the Prefect of Border State who had been taken away, Xian Yi Chishao realized that Su RAO was not simple and likely had a purpose for being here. Yet, he still allowed her to stay, knowing it was unwise.

This was the first time he had acted against his own caution, indulging himself.

Xian Yi Chishao felt confused by his actions, but his easy acceptance of Su RAO only made her more certain that he was Han Mochen, just as Yun Da had suggested—he treated her differently.

Ripples of emotion stirred within her almond-shaped eyes, while her smile grew brighter, her eyes curving like crescent moons, her eyelids adorned with a rosy hue.

Su RAO staying by Xian Yi Chishao's side so easily was a result she had anticipated.

After all, in her understanding, Xian Yi Chishao was Han Mochen, and Yun Da's reminder confirmed her expectations.

Because of this belief, Su RAO was not surprised by Xian Yi Chishao's reactions, but Mo Ying, who knew him best, was.

It appeared that at the Three Kingdoms Exchange Conference, the prince had already begun to treat Princess Ronghua with a certain distinction, perhaps even before that, when she was rebellious on the pleasure boat, or when she was mischievous in front of the Yun Mansion, or perhaps it was just that single glance at Wanglu Temple.

That single glance at the red-robed woman with hidden brilliance had stirred something within the prince.

But these were merely Mo Ying's thoughts, as Prince Yi had only shown such differences a few times. He remained the same cold and distant prince he had always been, acting with swift and decisive measures.