Chapter 422: Chapter 398, Looking for Something_1
After Jiang Wanying left, Xiao Yeyang finally sat down, somewhat exhausted. He rubbed his swollen forehead and asked the butler to brew a pot of strong tea. After downing two cups, his spirit was somewhat rejuvenated.
He hadn’t rested for two nights and a day, and the more he thought about his findings over the past two days, the more his eyes narrowed.
After receiving a letter from Prince Uncle, he began deploying people to track the whereabouts of His Imperial Uncle.
Over the years, while in Zhongzhou, aside from his studies, he had also built up his own force.
There were those who joined him during the suppression of bandits in Fenxi, and others he had taken in during the Jiguang floods, from all walks of life. Though diverse, their ability to get things done wasn’t any less impressive than that of aristocratic family scions, especially in gathering information.
The very night he received the letter, his subordinates reported a possible sighting of His Imperial Uncle at the border of Zhongzhou, so he immediately set out with Defu, Zhao Zhong, and others in tow.
Because His Imperial Uncle’s identity had to be kept secret, he only gave a rough description of the situation. After arriving, he found that his men had made a mistake.
He had thought about returning, but then he noticed that the people mistakenly identified also seemed to be searching for something, so he instructed to look into it.
To his surprise, the investigation revealed a startling result.
The Jiang Family’s people!
The Jiang Family’s people were also searching for something!
Xiao Yeyang furrowed his brows. Could it be that the Jiang Family had also learned that His Imperial Uncle had left the capital?
But according to the behavior of Second Uncle Jiang, it didn’t seem likely.
If Second Uncle Jiang knew about His Imperial Uncle leaving the capital, he would not be so calm and leisurely, sending his cousin Wanying to Ningmen Prefecture and asking him to help find Jing Cao for her treatment.
If they weren’t looking for His Imperial Uncle, then what were they searching for?
Seeing Xiao Yeyang lost in thought, the butler Chen Chi pondered before speaking, “Master, why don’t you take a short rest in the back hall? As soon as Defu and Zhao Zhong return, I will immediately notify you.”
He used to be the teacher of a bandit stronghold near the Fenxi border. After the leader was executed, in order to secure a way out for the people of the stronghold, he willingly allied himself with this young but brave, strategic, and decisive Little Prince.
To survive, he had to obey his master’s every command, but as their interactions increased, his obedience began to include admiration.
Seeing that the people from the stronghold were living better than before, he gradually became completely loyal.
Now, naturally, he hoped for his master’s wellbeing. If the master was well, it meant that they, the servants, could also be well.
Xiao Yeyang shook his head, “No need, they should be back soon.”
He wondered what Defu and the others had discovered.
Before long, Defu and Zhao Zhong returned, covered in dust and dirt.
As their eyes were red with bloodshot veins, Chen Chi immediately poured tea for the two of them.
After they drank the tea, Xiao Yeyang asked, “Did you find out what the Jiang Family is searching for?”
Defu shook his head, “Master, although we didn’t discover exactly what the Jiang Family is searching for, we can be certain that they are definitely not looking for the Emperor.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s eyes suddenly became deep. He stood up, walked to the window, and watched the pedestrians coming and going on the street, his eyes flashing.
What exactly is the Jiang Family looking for?
Defu continued, “Master, whatever the Jiang Family is looking for must be very important. Our people have spotted members of the Jiang Family in many places.”
Xiao Yeyang fell silent for a moment before turning around and saying, “Continue to monitor the Jiang Family. You must find out what they are searching for. Remember, do not startle the snake in the grass.”
“By the way, have there been any news regarding His Imperial Uncle?”
Defu’s expression fell, and he shook his head, “Master, locating the Emperor’s whereabouts may be a bit difficult. The methods of the Imperial Guards… they’re undetectable by ordinary people.”
Xiao Yeyang nodded, “No matter what, we must continue to search. Zhao Zhong, you take charge of this. It’s a good opportunity to learn from the Hidden Guard.”
Zhao Zhong immediately said, “Rest assured, Master. I will not let you down.”
Xiao Yeyang waved his hand, “Go rest. Defu, come with me back to the residence,” and with that, he left the Glass Store with Defu.
…
At the entrance of the Yan Residence.
Daohua, looking under the weather, jumped down from the carriage and upon seeing Yan Wenxiu heading toward her with a lecturing tone, directly said, “Big brother, I have been out all day, I am tired and want to go back to rest.”
“Big sister…”
Yan Wenxiu was just about to speak when Yan Yunxi preempted him, “Wenxiu Brother, don’t blame Yiyi, it’s me, I couldn’t control my hands and lost face in front of others.”
Upon hearing this, Yan Wenxiu knew there must be a reason for the three of them to leave, and immediately smiled, “Look at you all, hanging your heads, what are you doing? I wasn’t going to say anything, just wanted to ask what you’d like to eat tonight, so I can tell the kitchen to make it.”
At these words, Yan Yunxi and Yan Yunyan’s expressions instantly relaxed.
If Daohua got scolded by Brother Wenxiu because of them, that would be awful.
Daohua glanced at her big brother, knowing he was trying to comfort Yan Yunxi and her sister, and also followed with, “Yunxi, Yunyan, today’s incident has nothing to do with you two, I just couldn’t stand that girl from the Jiang Family, don’t take it to heart.”
Yan Yunxi’s face still showed remorse, “Yiyi, I…”
Daohua quickly said, “Alright, alright, we’ve been out all day, aren’t you tired too? Come on, let’s go back to our rooms, and rest for a while.” Saying this, she pulled the two into the residence.
Yan Wenxiu, seeing his three siblings also looking worried, laughed and said, “It’s nothing, let’s also head inside.”
They first visited the old Lady Yan’s courtyard to pay their respects, and then each went down to rest.
As Daohua walked toward her own courtyard with Wang Manman, she discovered her big brother had followed them and muttered to herself, “Just as I thought, I couldn’t avoid it.”
After saying this, she stood still, waiting for Yan Wenxiu to catch up and looked ready to listen attentively.
“The Little Prince seemed a bit off today, he looked tired, yet still, he was hosting us with all the hospitality of a host; you really shouldn’t have left without a word.”
Daohua was stunned, “Xiao Yeyang… looked unwell?”
Yan Wenxiu nodded, “Didn’t you notice? The Little Prince had bloodshot eyes.”
Daohua was speechless, she had been preoccupied with her anger to notice anything, “Big brother, are you sure you weren’t seeing things? If Xiao Yeyang was really feeling unwell, how could he still have the mood to accompany Miss Jiang to go shopping?”
Yan Wenxiu said, “When I left the Glass Store, the butler told me that early this morning, Advisor Jiang took Miss Jiang to the Little Prince’s residence in the city, and probably Xiao Yeyang had no choice but to take Miss Jiang to the Glass Store in the afternoon.”
Daohua sneered, muttering, “No choice, those are just excuses, if he truly wanted to refuse, who could have stopped him?”
Yan Wenxiu didn’t catch it clearly, “What did you say?”
Daohua shook her head, “Nothing.”
Yan Wenxiu said, “Alright, go back and rest now.”
Daohua looked surprised, “Big brother, you’re not going to scold me?”
Yan Wenxiu expressed some helplessness and laughed, “Would you listen if I did?”
Daohua shook her head.
Yan Wenxiu laughed, “Well, there you have it.” Seeing that Daohua was drooping her head and not moving to leave, he thought for a moment and then said, “We all have to interact with people we may not like. Sometimes we inevitably get upset, just don’t take it too seriously.”
Daohua was truly surprised, “Big brother, I thought you were going to tell me that I should pay attention to my manners in front of others, that I cannot discredit the Yan Family, nor cause trouble for us.”
Yan Wenxiu asked, “And have you?”
Daohua considered, “Most of the time, I have.”
Yan Wenxiu, “Then why didn’t you today?”
Daohua fell silent.
Yan Wenxiu spoke slowly, “Big sister, you’ve always been insightful. You should know that the reason others can make you angry is that they hit upon what you care about. If you don’t want others to pry into your inner thoughts, you need to learn to control your temper.”
Hearing this, Daohua looked straight at Yan Wenxiu, somewhat sheepishly, “Inner thoughts, what inner thoughts could I possibly have?”
Yan Wenxiu laughed, “Your unwillingness to lose. The Jiang Family is related to royalty, and Miss Jiang, in her mannerisms, might subtly reveal a sense of superiority, which would certainly not sit well with you.”
Realizing Yan Wenxiu was talking about this, Daohua relievedly said sheepishly, “I just can’t stand her condescending attitude.”