Chapter 465: Chapter 434, Mess_1
Having received Xiao Yeyang’s promise that they would soon reap a substantial amount of gold, all three Yan siblings walked out of the mine with satisfied expressions on their faces.
Especially Yan Wenkai, who was practically beaming with joy. As someone who lived paycheck to paycheck, he had accumulated quite a bit of debt over the years. With this incoming profit, not only could he pay off his past debts, but he would also have a surplus to live comfortably for quite a while.
Looking at Daohua walking ahead, Yan Wenkai nudged Yan Wentao and chuckled quietly, “Our little sister is really a lucky star, a real money magnet.”
Asking for perks was something they would never dare to do, but their little sister could. After all, the gold mine was discovered under her leadership; even if she asked for a little something extra, no one would take issue with that.
Yan Wentao smiled and nodded, and as he lifted his gaze to Daohua, his smile faded when he saw the Little Prince holding his sister’s hand tightly. He glanced at the still elated Yan Wenkai and said in a low voice, “Everyone loves a money magnet, but we need to keep a close eye on her, lest someone else sweeps her away.”
Yan Wenkai’s eyes widened in shock, and he huffed, “If anyone dares to abduct my sister, I’ll make sure they regret it.” He even clenched his fist menacingly as he spoke.
The sound of his voice was far from quiet, immediately drawing Xiao Yeyang’s attention.
Xiao Yeyang glanced at the two brothers, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he said nothing, carefully continuing to lead Daohua further outside.
Yan Wenkai nudged Yan Wentao quietly, “The Little Prince’s look just now…it was somewhat off.”
Yan Wentao: “…The Little Prince narrowed his eyes.”
Yan Wenkai was puzzled for a moment: “What’s the issue with narrowing his eyes?”
Yan Wentao cast a glance at the blockhead: “After following the Little Prince for so many years, haven’t you noticed that he narrows his eyes every time he’s about to deal with someone?”
Yan Wenkai immediately asked, “Who annoyed him, and whom does he plan to deal with?”
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Yan Wentao said solemnly, “If nothing unexpected happens, it should be you and me.”
Yan Wenkai laughed, disbelievingly, “Third brother, you just worry too much. We haven’t provoked him, why would he want to deal with us?” Saying so, he shook his head and hurried to catch up with Daohua and Xiao Yeyang.
Yan Wentao silently watched from behind, and couldn’t help but rub his forehead. With such a brother, not to mention protecting his sister, he might even end up pushing her out.
Some time later, Daohua and the rest of the party arrived back at the intersection of the tunnels, and teams that explored the other mines gradually returned as well.
After hearing the reports from everyone, Xiao Yeyang learned that this was a major gold mine. Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he smiled at Daohua and whispered in her ear, “This time, your position as a county princess is definitely secured.”
Daohua immediately grinned.
Seeing her smiling eyes, Xiao Yeyang’s mood also soared.
“Cough cough~”
Just then, a rather abrupt cough sounded.
Xiao Yeyang knew it was Yan Wentao even without looking back, and couldn’t help but hum inwardly; this guy was becoming more and more of a nuisance.
Glancing at Yan Wenkai, who was still delighted that the others hadn’t found gold nuggets as rich as they had, he felt even more that of all the Yan brothers, this one suited his preferences best.
“Let’s go outside.”
Xiao Yeyang led Daohua outside, and some time later, everyone returned to the valley cave entrance.
Afterward, Xiao Yeyang left the Hidden Guards behind, while the others returned to Ningmen Pass.
On the way, they passed a river that hadn’t frozen over, and Daohua, with her sharp eyes, spotted the plump fish swimming inside and said, “I’m a little hungry, let’s grill some fish to eat.”
Yan Wenkai immediately agreed, “Yeah, yeah, I’m starving.”
Xiao Yeyang glanced at the sky, noting that it was still early and there was no rain today, so he nodded in agreement.
Lately, they had been leaving early in the morning and simply snacking on dry food for lunch, compounded with the poor quality of the military camp’s meals. Seeing that Daohua wasn’t eating much, grilling some fish would be a nice change.
Yan Wenkai and De Fu immediately rolled up their sleeves to spear some fish, while Yan Wentao and Wang Manman went to gather firewood.
Xiao Yeyang saw Daohua take several packets of seasoning out of her pouch and couldn’t help but laugh and cry, “Are you really carrying that around with you?”
Daohua: “Of course, what if I come across some delicious food?”
With everyone’s combined efforts, it wasn’t long before Daohua had stuck the fish on skewers and started grilling them.
During this time, a Hidden Guard suddenly appeared. Xiao Yeyang, seeing that the guard didn’t come forward, went over to ask, “What’s happened?”
The Hidden Guard spoke in a low voice, “Master, this morning Governor Wu received a letter from the Emperor, and then he withdrew all the lookouts that were arranged near the River Valley.”
Xiao Yeyang’s brow immediately furrowed.
There is a gold mine in the River Valley, it should be well guarded, why were the covert scouts withdrawn?
The Hidden Guard spoke again, “A little over an hour ago, our men spotted people from the Jiang Family approaching the River Valley.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s expression changed dramatically, his gaze fixed sharply on the Hidden Guard, “You’re sure they were people from the Jiang Family?”
The Hidden Guard nodded, withstanding the pressure from Xiao Yeyang’s stare, he said, “Today, Governor Wu has sought you out several times.”
After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Yeyang waved his hand at the Hidden Guard, “You may leave, I’m informed about the situation.”
After the Hidden Guard left, Xiao Yeyang stood alone for a while before heading over to Daohua and the others.
When he reached them, Daohua, noticing something off about his expression, asked, “What’s wrong?”
Xiao Yeyang smiled and shook his head, “Nothing.”
Daohua looked at Xiao Yeyang skeptically, but seeing him squatting by the fire and still in the mood to stoke it, she didn’t probe further. Just as she handed over the fish she had grilled.
Xiao Yeyang had intended to let Daohua eat it herself, but seeing Yan Wenkai and Yan Wentao eagerly watching, the corner of his mouth lifted in a smile as he took the fish, and with an eyebrow raised towards the two, his eyes conveyed, ‘Although you are her older brothers, in Daohua’s heart, he was the most important. Look, the first grilled fish was given to him.’
Xiao Yeyang’s implied message was lost on Yan Wenkai, but feeling the provocation, he pursed his lips, “Little Prince, you should eat more, after all, you can only enjoy our big sister’s cooking occasionally, whereas we can have it whenever we want.”
It looked as if Daohua was giving the fish to him merely out of consideration.
Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s face fell, while Yan Wentao bowed his head to suppress his laughter—this fool had not spoken incorrectly this time.
Xiao Yeyang’s eyes turned melancholic as he regarded them, “What you speak of is only for now, as for the future… let’s wait and see.”
Yan Wentao’s eyes flickered at these words, and as he looked up at Xiao Yeyang, seeing his serious face, he felt a tremor in his heart. Just as he was about to say something, he noticed a bodyguard approaching.
“My lord, Governor Wu is here.”
No sooner had these words been spoken than Wu Jingyi appeared within their sight.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang and the Yan siblings by the fire grilling fish, Wu Jingyi said with a laugh, “You seem to be in good spirits.”
Yan Wenkai was quick to offer the grilled fish he was holding to Wu Jingyi, “Governor Wu, you must be tired. Please, try our grilled fish. It’s quite good.”
Wu Jingyi was pleased with Yan Wenkai’s attentiveness and gladly took the grilled fish, “I agree, it smells delicious from afar.”
Yan Wentao, understanding that Wu Jingyi had brought only one person and he must be a trusted aide, also got up and gave his own grilled fish to the man.
The trusted aide glanced at Wu Jingyi, and seeing no objection, he smiled and accepted.
Daohua, seeing that she was not needed, remained still, continuing to turn the fish over the fire with Wang Manman.
Wu Jingyi did not initiate conversation, and Xiao Yeyang was not in a hurry, simply standing by and watching him eat.
This made Wu Jingyi feel slightly uneasy to himself, thinking that this young man really knew how to keep his composure, a trait very much like the Emperor’s.
After finishing the fish, Wu Jingyi felt a lingering desire. He glanced at the freshly grilled fish in Daohua’s hands, clearly tempted, but alas, the young lady didn’t even spare him a glance as she passed the fish directly to De Fu standing behind her.
De Fu wasted no time in biting into the fish, embodying a starving ghost reincarnate, an image so striking that Wu Jingyi could hardly bear to watch.
Seeing Xiao Yeyang watching him intently, Wu Jingyi shifted his gaze awkwardly and murmured, “Little Prince, may I have a word with you in private?”
Xiao Yeyang glanced at Wu Jingyi without a word and walked aside.
Wu Jingyi followed and revealed to Xiao Yeyang the matter of the Emperor planning to disclose the location of the gold mine to the Jiang Family.
After hearing this, Xiao Yeyang’s gaze instantly turned towards Daohua.
Wu Jingyi also looked over, silent for a moment before saying, “The credit for discovering the gold mine is definitely in the Emperor’s mind, it’s just that the current situation forced him to this course of action.”
Xiao Yeyang quickly understood the Emperor’s intention, but disliked the thought of putting Daohua at a disadvantage, which made him somewhat uncomfortable.
He knew that the fellow really aspired to become a female county head.
Thinking of the recently located gold mine, Xiao Yeyang took a moment before telling Wu Jingyi, “I understand.”
Wu Jingyi glanced at Daohua, “You’ll have to explain things properly to Miss Yan, Little Prince. The Emperor had no choice but to do this.”
If it were any ordinary official’s daughter, he wouldn’t have bothered so much, but that girl had the backing of two powerful ancestors—people one simply couldn’t afford to offend.