Zhao Jiaqi agreed. After Su Ya withdrew, she returned to her room and cried bitterly.
The pent-up grievances poured out, crying for her fate and also for her unfulfilled love with Xiao Ce.
Seeing this, Madam Xiao said no more. The man had feelings, and the woman reciprocated, but a deep, unbridgeable chasm stood between them.
After the guests left, the people sent to investigate Yanluo's hometown returned, bringing a living person with them – Yanluo himself.
A glance was enough to shock her. Zhao Jiaqi's eyeballs almost fell to the ground. She instinctively asked, "Weren't you killed by Jinli? How..." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
He was dressed like a beggar, with a scruffy beard and clothes so tattered you could see his navel. He was on par with a beggar and, for a moment, looked like a fifty-something uncle.
Yanluo heard this and furrowed his brow, looking bewildered. "Who is Jinli?"
This question stunned everyone. What was going on? Could there be another story here?
Her gaze turned to Te Yi, who had returned to report.
Te Yi: "Reporting to the Princess Consort, Yanluo was kidnapped while asleep. The person directly threw Yanluo to his hometown and confined him in a residence, guarded daily. However, a few days ago, the guard mysteriously disappeared."
At this point, Te Yi glanced at the stunned Yanluo and continued, "When we went to investigate, we happened to encounter Yanluo chopping wood on the mountain. When he learned our purpose, he took us to the village chief's house and introduced us to the old clan elder of the village. It was then that Yanluo's identity was confirmed."
Zhao Jiaqi listened, dumbfounded. She had initially thought Yanluo had been killed, but she never imagined there was such a convoluted affair.
"Princess Consort, your subordinate also accidentally discovered something. The fire that killed Yanluo's entire family years ago was actually set by the elder Mr. Yan's first wife. Because Mr. Yan had taken a concubine who became pregnant and was favored by him, Madam Yan feared that the concubine's son would inherit Yanluo's fortune. So, while Yanluo was out, she drugged her family's food and then set the house ablaze at night, leaving only the pharmacy and the silver from the money changers for Yanluo."
With this, the matter concerning Yanluo's family was clarified.
When she had heard Yanluo's rambling, nonsensical stories a few days ago, she had suspected he was an enemy spy who had been lying in wait for years. However, the outcome was beyond expectation; it was nothing like that at all.
The strange twists and turns of this affair were enough to fill a book. It was a coincidence that couldn't be more coincidental.
"In that case, take Yanluo down to rest. We'll wait for the Prince to return to handle his affairs."
As soon as the Princess Consort finished speaking, Te Yi took Yanluo by the arm and led him out. Yanluo kept looking back, appearing somewhat reluctant.
As they neared the doorway, he stopped and asked, "Does Xueyao also think I'm dead? Then... how is she now?"
Another lovesick fool, Xueyao again.
These past few days, Xueyao was the name she heard most often.
Zhao Jiaqi raised an eyelid and said lazily, "Xueyao is an unmarried young lady. How can you publicly utter her name like that?"
Yanluo immediately cupped his hands and lowered his head, apologizing sincerely, "Yanluo was too presumptuous."
"Xueyao is well. You may go. The inner quarters are where women reside. Do not come to the inner quarters unless absolutely necessary, to avoid gossip."
However, despite what she said, she felt uneasy in her heart.
Yanluo might not come to the inner quarters, but who could stop a lovestruck woman from running to him?
During dinner, she hadn't forgotten Xueyao's earnest words. She didn't see any pretense in Xueyao's demeanor.
Yanluo hadn't gotten anything out of her and left dejectedly with Te Yi. Only then did she heave a sigh of relief.
As evening approached, the brothers Huangfu Xian and Huangfu Xu arrived, looking dispirited. They slumped into chairs as soon as they entered and grumbled, "My informant replied that the person in the portrait you gave me did not appear in Dingbeiliao."
Zhao Jiaqi found his dejected look amusing. "I recall someone confidently saying they would find out when they left. Now, after so many days, you only bring such news. Doesn't your face hurt?"
Huangfu Xian pursed his lips. "Although we didn't find out about Yanluo, it's rumored that the Crown Prince of Dingbeiliao hasn't been seen for several months. It's said he has come to our side, though it's unclear whether he went to the palace or came to our inner city. Regardless, his target is Yun Country."
After speaking, Huangfu Xian touched his face again. Not finding out was one thing, but discovering other news was still an achievement.
Therefore, his face didn't hurt; instead, he felt a sense of pride.
"How about it, Sister-in-law, shouldn't you reward me!" Huangfu Xian said, looking to her for a benefit.
Zhao Jiaqi really wanted to give him a cup of bitter melon water. She said, "Helian Jinli, the sole prince of Dingbeiliao, who was enfeoffed as Crown Prince at birth, am I correct?"
At this, Huangfu Xian's jaw nearly dropped. He asked incredulously, "How did you know?"
How did she know? That was a good question.
She pointed in the direction of the main hall. "At this very moment, Helian Jinli has already entered the residence. He's been here all afternoon."
Not only that, but after chatting for so long, this was what made Zhao Jiaqi suspicious.
Her husband detested socializing; he was practically a social recluse. Yet, after this person arrived, the two of them sat in the main hall for the entire afternoon. What could they possibly have been discussing?
Therefore, she was very curious.
Not only did it pique her curiosity, but it also filled the Huangfu brothers with astonishment. They had only heard about the Helian royal family before; they had never seen them in person. To think that the mysterious Crown Prince had actually come to the prince's residence.
Before their bottoms had even warmed the seats, the two of them impatiently rushed to the main hall to catch a glimpse of him.
They didn't even say goodbye to Zhao Jiaqi, but instead, they dashed towards the courtyard. Fortunately, Fan Zehao reacted quickly and caught them, otherwise, they would have face-planted for sure.
He frowned his rough, dark brows and looked at the bewildered face in his arms. "Prince Xian, it's not the New Year or any festival. Is it not appropriate to give me a New Year's greeting so early?"
Huangfu Xu behind him covered his mouth and snickered. Fortunately, he was a step slower, or he would have been the target of the jest.
Huangfu Xian: ...
He looked past his elder brother's shoulder to the empty space behind him, not even a single guard following. At this, he was somewhat disappointed and asked, "Did Helian Jinli leave?"
Fan Zehao nodded. "The matter has been discussed. Is he supposed to stay for dinner? Do you expect me to invite him?"
Was his family's food free? Did it not cost money to buy?
Besides, his mother's poisoning incident hadn't even concluded; how could he possibly keep someone for dinner?
After speaking, he released Huangfu Xian, leaving the brothers to their bewildered state in the wind. He was now in a hurry to find his wife to discuss matters.
He now realized that these two brothers were simply stumbling blocks in his path.