Chapter 334 Pot

With everyone watching, Xin You shouted, "Everyone has done exceptionally well, way better than I expected!"

The quiet crowd started buzzing.

"Did you hear? Miss said we did better than she thought!"

"Tomorrow, we won’t complain anymore!"

"Shut it!" the Sixth Boss roared.

Xin You waved her hand with a smile, "Tonight, I’m treating everyone to stewed meat—eat all you want!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

A somewhat youthful voice shouted, "Miss, next time you’re here, we’ll do even better!"

"That’s right!" many echoed in agreement.

The Sixth Boss glanced in that direction and explained with a smile, "That kid’s name is Peanut. Don’t be fooled by his size, he’s actually not even fourteen yet."

"Let everyone get back to work."

After a shout from the Sixth Boss, the people gathered in the clearing quickly dispersed, though many couldn’t help looking back at Xin You.

"Miss, let’s head inside to talk—" the Sixth Boss paused, his gaze shifting from the Jinlin Guard held by Qian Feng to the one held by Ping An.

"What’s the deal here?"

Xin You finally had a chance and looked at the two captives.

As she looked, a new vision suddenly appeared.

In the vision, the two men were being punished, but what caught her eye was the person sitting expressionlessly, watching their punishment.

It was a familiar face—Feng Nian, the Jinlin Guard Commander.

As the vision faded, Xin You confirmed the two men, dressed as civilians, were Jinlin Guards.

"Bring them inside to talk."

After Xin You’s command, the Sixth Boss led the way, and the group headed to the meeting hall.

Xin You sat down, looking at the two men on the ground, "Who are you, and why were you tailing me?"

The two Jinlin Guards exchanged glances, their expressions shifting.

They’d been found out already?

"Miss is talking to you, answer!" Xiaoba kicked one of them.

Here, he had an edge over the quiet Qian Feng and Ping An.

The kicked Jinlin Guard’s eyes flared with anger, but he bowed his head and pleaded, "We were just curious about all the noise—"

"Just curious?" Xin You smiled, "Then who are you?"

"Just passing hunters."

"Just passing hunters? So, where’s your home?"

The two men hesitated.

They were experts at tailing people and had never been in such a predicament. No lie could hold up under such detailed questioning!

"It’s fine if you don’t say. I have a friend who is the Jinlin Guard Northern Commissioner. When we return to the city, I’ll send you to the Northern Pacification Office and ask him to help with the questioning."

Upon hearing they’d be sent to the Northern Commissioner, the two Jinlin Guard members were stunned.

Although they were not from the Northern Pacification Office, they knew how terrifying it was. If they were to enter, they wouldn’t withstand the interrogation, and the matter would escalate.

One of the Jinlin Guard members forced a smile: "This is a case of the flood washing over the Dragon King’s temple. We’re actually from the Jinlin Guard."

"Oh?" Xin You arched her eyebrows in surprise.

The Sixth Boss and the others were also surprised, but they were genuinely shocked.

"We were on a secret mission. Passing by, we saw the commotion and checked it out out of habit."

Admitting they were sent by Feng Nian to investigate was out of the question—that would mean certain death for them.

Xin You stared at them, expressionless, deep in thought.

Their story about just passing by and investigating was clearly a lie. She just didn’t know whether these two were acting on Feng Nian’s personal initiative or following someone else’s orders.

Regardless of which it was, since they’d been caught, it’d be a waste not to use this to her advantage.

"Sixth Boss, make sure the promised extra meal is ready for everyone tonight. I have something to attend to and will return to the city first."

The Sixth Boss quickly replied, "Miss, go ahead and handle your business. I’ll handle things at the estate."

On the way back, they added another carriage, with Qianfeng in charge of guarding the two Jinlin Guard members.

Once in the city, Xin You went straight to the palace.

Emperor Xingyuan was about to summon Feng Nian to inquire about his daughter’s latest activities when a eunuch announced that Miss Xin was requesting an audience.

"Bring her in right away."

Soon, Xin You was led in by the eunuch.

"Your Majesty."

"Rise." Emperor Xingyuan smiled and called for Xin You to rise. Seeing her furrowed brow, his smile faded. "Ayou, is something wrong?"

"Yes, I’ve run into something and I’m not sure how to handle it."

"What is it?"

"This morning, I went with Nanny Fang to pay respects to Miss Kou—oh, Nanny Fang is Miss Kou’s wet nurse. Afterward, thinking that the estate Your Majesty granted me was nearby, I decided to visit on a whim. Unexpectedly, I caught two people tailing me."

"Such a thing happened?" Emperor Xingyuan had a vague sense of foreboding.

Could it be that Feng Nian had arranged for people to spy on Ayou’s activities?

Xin You slightly raised her eyes, filled with confusion and grievance: "What’s even more surprising is that they were from the Jinlin Guard, claiming they were on a mission and just curious to take a look."

Emperor Xingyuan’s mouth twitched.

Such an excuse, Ayou would have to be an idiot to buy that.

Sure enough, Xin You said, "Your Majesty, I’m not buying it, but I’ve heard the Jinlin Guard is always up to some shady business. I couldn’t force them to reveal anything, so after much thought, I decided to come to you."

"Those good-for-nothings!" Emperor Xingyuan, with a dark expression, ordered the eunuch, "Get Feng Nian, the Jinlin Guard Commander, in here."

It didn’t take long for Feng Nian to arrive in haste. Seeing the Emperor’s stern face and Xin You’s presence, his stomach dropped.

"Today, Ayou went to the suburban farm and discovered two people following her, who admitted to being from the Jinlin Guard. Feng Nian, what the hell is this about?"

Feng Nian’s pupils shook.

His guys got caught? What a bunch of idiots!

And Your Majesty, you’re dumping all this on me?

These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, and Feng Nian quickly bowed his head in apology. "I took it upon myself to keep tabs on those reformed bandits, causing a misunderstanding for Miss Xin. I’m at Your Majesty’s mercy."

Emperor Xingyuan slammed the dragon table. "You’ve got some nerve!"

"I am guilty," Feng Nian admitted readily.

Seeing this, Xin You spoke up, "I get why Feng did what he did. However, they are now my people, and I hope Feng can stop treating them like criminals."

Seeing Feng Nian’s swift admission of guilt, Xin You realized this was the Emperor’s doing. If she pressed the matter, it would only benefit Feng Nian, who was taking the blame obediently.

She decided to play it cool, at least planting the seed of doubt in the Emperor’s head, which would serve as a small victory for Lord He and herself.

She hadn’t forgotten that Xiao Lengshi, the former commander of the Southern Pacification Office who had tortured her, was someone Feng Nian valued.

"Since they are Lord Feng’s men, I’ll send them back to the Jinlin Guard," Xin You said magnanimously. "Your Majesty, now that the matter is clarified, I shall take my leave."

"Very well, go and rest."

Xin You’s decision not to press the matter relieved Emperor Xingyuan. Once she left, he shot Feng Nian a dark look.