Chapter 201: Night Talk

Chapter 201: Night Talk

"We left in such a hurry that I didn’t have time to inform you of the specifics, Mother."

"The person who hosted the banquet today is an old friend of mine from the capital. He just arrived in Changhe and, hearing I had returned home, invited me to meet him. There was no ill intent on his part."

Even if there were ill intent, she’d have to deny it to avoid causing unnecessary worry.

Yunniang patted Lu Mingchao’s arm, her mind involuntarily recalling the moment the driver had shouted and instinctively drew his sword.

Though inexperienced, she knew a true friend wouldn’t have forced the Xie family to come.

Since Chaochao didn’t elaborate, Yunniang didn’t push.

"A parent’s worry lasts a hundred years, even when the child is ninety-nine."

"If Chaochao is well, so am I."

Noticing Lu Yao’s absence, Lu Mingchao learned he’d gone to Magistrate Xu’s to gather information.

Magistrate Xu admired Lu Yao and wouldn’t trouble him.

In the dead of night, the flickering candlelight cast shadows.

Lu Mingchao, Xie Yan, and Shu Yuan gathered, exchanging information.

Shu Yuan rubbed his arm, unable to hide his disgust. "Luckily, we were prepared. That scoundrel Xiao Fei is truly vile. Suspicious, he had his servant 'accidentally' spill soup on me, then sent a servant boy to help me bathe."

"Without Xie Yan’s timely warning, Xiao Fei might have exposed me."

Since becoming a eunuch, Shu Yuan had never undressed in front of others.

Xiao Fei knew his boundaries but still used this method to test him.

"Xiao Fei is no longer Prince Kang’s cherished heir."

Shu Yuan’s voice carried indignation, nostalgia, and sorrow.

It was like a wild wind, overwhelming and stinging, bringing tears to the eyes.

The former Emperor Jingxiang respected Prince Kang and, in turn, favored Xiao Fei.

Shu Yuan was the former Emperor’s childhood friend, confidant, lover, and powerful Chief Eunuch.

He had always been kind and affectionate toward Xiao Fei.

Shu Yuan truly cared for Xiao Fei like a son, and Xiao Fei had once ridden on his shoulders.

Shu Yuan understood Xiao Fei’s doubts but couldn’t accept his methods.

Lu Mingchao poured Shu Yuan a cup of hot tea.

After all, tonight was bound to be restless.

"Now, as Prince Duan, he treads carefully, no longer the carefree heir of Prince Kang."

"Don’t worry, our Huaiqian has far more conscience than Prince Duan."

Lu Mingchao paused, then got back to the main point. "Prince Duan first explicitly expressed his desire for me to serve him. After I refused, he retreated to advance his true goal, demanding that I expand the Chaofu Trading Co. to the poisonous and miasmal lands of Lingnan by next spring." "He wants to protect the exiled Chu Clan in Lingnan, but he can’t let anyone suspect his connection to them."

"Prince Duan is terrified of the emperor's gaze, yet he can't help craving his attention despite the fear."

"The emperor's true feelings toward Prince Duan are questionable."

"To be blunt, Prince Duan's glory is just a façade; he has no maternal relatives or unshakable allies."

"The Chu Clan, of the same lineage as Prince Duan, was exiled, and the tightly-knit Xie family was wiped out."

"The courtiers' support for Prince Duan comes from the emperor's apparent favor—a favor that's dubious and can be revoked at any time."

"The emperor may grant Prince Duan favor, but he’ll never let him grow too powerful."

"So, Prince Duan needs help that stays hidden beneath the surface, unseen by anyone."

"Those meddling in the shadows are asking for trouble!" Lu Mingchao asserted.

Shu Yuan pursed his lips. "Like father, like son. Maybe Xiao Fei is also dreaming of taking his place someday."

Lu Mingchao didn’t respond but turned her gaze to Xie Yan.

"What about you, A Yan?"

The tension around Xie Yan felt almost tangible.

"Prince Duan's attendant nonchalantly laid out your history with Gu Huai, then hinted that I should know my place and not get any ideas."

"Why is Xiao Fei always sticking up for Gu Huai?" Shu Yuan muttered. "Could Gu Huai have secretly sworn loyalty to Xiao Fei?"

Under the table, Lu Mingchao gave Xie Yan’s hand a discreet squeeze.

Xie Yan took her hand in return, his icy demeanor softening.

Lu Mingchao relaxed. "Impossible."

"Even if Gu Huai dared to swear loyalty, Xiao Fei wouldn’t dare take him in."

"Gu Huai has the Duke's family—with their military power—behind him. His loyalty would be a death sentence for Xiao Fei, not a boon."

"So why did he tell his attendant to dredge up the past?" For a moment, Shu Yuan couldn't think of a more suitable reason.

Xie Yan said gravely, "To stir up trouble."

Shu Yuan asked, "What’s in it for Xiao Fei to keep stirring the pot?"

"Is he just bored?"

Lu Mingchao hesitated, then admitted, "Prince Duan asked if I’d marry him as a concubine."

"I turned him down on the spot!"

Shu Yuan was speechless.

Xie Yan’s face hardened again.

Shu Yuan gulped. "Xiao Fei never used to have a thing for stealing other men’s wives."

How that young boy has changed so much.

"Shu Yuan!" Xie Yan’s face hardened again.

Shu Yuan hunched his shoulders, "Xie Silang (a nickname or title), when encountering matters, one must analyze them calmly and rationally. Self-deception and covering up the truth are not the Xie family's way."

Lu Mingchao advised, "Prince Duan doesn't have a shred of romantic interest in me; it seems more like he is finding another way to use me."

Shu Yuan looked left and right, then suddenly stood up, "It's late at night, you two continue chatting, this old man is hitting the hay."

As the door swung open, the night breeze swept in.

Xie Yan's voice blended into the night wind, "Mingchao, I will definitely not let you regret the choice you made."

His words were resolute, each one a solemn vow.

...

The next day.

Word spread far and wide across Changhe County that His Highness Prince Duan, while traveling around, passed through Changhe and happened to hear about a long-standing unresolved case of a mother accusing her son of murder, which had seen slow progress and remained undecided.

His Highness Prince Duan deeply felt that this matter concerned the welfare and trust of the people, so he decided to personally intervene, determined to uncover the truth and deliver justice to the people. This move aimed to reaffirm the people's trust in the Daqian legal system and their faith in the court officials.

Magistrate Xu did not hesitate to hand over the case to Prince Duan.

No sooner had one issue been addressed than another emerged.

Neighboring Shunhe County was rocked by a major case.

Hong Biao, in a frenzy of fear and madness, admitted that local thugs had posed as bandits to rob and kill traveling merchants for profit.

Upon hearing the news, the magistrate of Shunhe County arrested him. During the trial, it was revealed that Hong Biao was a subordinate of the Jade String Gentleman from Changhe County.

The magistrate of Shunhe County didn't dare to decide on his own and drove to Changhe County to meet with His Highness Prince Duan.

His Highness Prince Duan merged the two cases into a single investigation and ordered further detailed investigation into the crimes committed by Sun Zhiye, leaving no stone unturned.

At this time, Sun Zhiye was waiting anxiously for backup in the county jail.

And Tiandong was utterly hopeless.

Hong Biao, who was supposed to go to the capital, became the last straw that broke the Eldest Young Master.

No one could help the Eldest Young Master escape his crimes.

Old Master Sun, sensing the shift in the tide, directly distanced himself from Sun Zhiye.

Gu Huai suffered.