Even if Prince Xian achieved distinguished military service, in his imperial father’s eyes, he would always be a thorn!
However—
He didn’t speak of these things, only saying: “This time I was able to successfully capture the Shaanxi mountain bandits, it was thanks to those few pointers you gave. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have thought to have people disguise themselves as a merchant caravan transporting goods through the mountain valley to lure that gang of bandits to attack—only then could we catch the turtle in the jar.”
Jingrong: “You’re clever yourself. I only said a few sentences.” He took a sip of tea.
“No matter what, I must thank you.”
Prince Xian took out what he had brought—a square box.
He passed it over!
“I searched for this all along the road outside the capital. I thought you would definitely like it, and it’s also my expression of gratitude.”
He used the word “definitely”!
Hehe!
Aside from Ji Yunshu, not just anything could catch this brother’s eye.
Jingrong: “Why must you be so polite?”
Having said that, he didn’t even have the intention to open it. His fingertips pressed directly on the box, preparing to push it back—
But Prince Xian stopped him. “Look at it first before you speak.”
“…”
Having no choice, Jingrong opened it to look.
Inside the box was a jade pendant—a blue fish-shaped jade pendant!
Fish scales were carved on the jade pendant, lifelike, small and exquisite.
Huh?
Jingrong’s eyes trembled as memories immediately flooded his mind.
That was many years ago.
At that time, they were still at the Eighth Prince’s mansion.
He and Prince Xian played together by the pond feeding fish. The two little figures were very boisterous, throwing fish feed into the pond handful after handful.
Watching the fish swarming over, the two little figures laughed heartily with joy.
“Brother, look at that fish.” Three-year-old Jingrong pointed at a small blue fish.
Four-year-old Prince Xian looked where he pointed, then held up the fish-shaped jade pendant at his waist and said, “That fish looks very much like my jade pendant!”
Mm-hmm?
Jingrong tilted his head to look at the jade in his palm, the corners of his mouth spreading. “It’s really beautiful!”
“Mother gave this to me.”
“I want one too.”
“But there’s only one piece!”
Little Jingrong was somewhat disappointed.
Prince Xian then patted his head and said, “Brother will definitely find a jade pendant like this to give you in the future.”
“Really?”
“Of course it’s true.”
…
A child’s promise is always the most sincere.
Now Prince Xian had finally fulfilled his promise, finding a fish-shaped jade pendant to give him.
“I once promised you I would find a jade pendant like this for you. It’s just that over these years I’ve truly been powerless. I originally wanted to give you the jade piece Mother gave me, but unfortunately I broke it and couldn’t restore it to its original form. Fortunately, on this trip to Shaanxi, I finally found this piece.”
“It’s rare that you still remember!”
“Of course I remember. I still remember everything from back then at the Eighth Prince’s mansion.”
His tone carried a trace of melancholy.
Jingrong didn’t take out the jade pendant. He gently closed the box, accepted it, and carefully placed it on the shelf.
Prince Xian suddenly asked: “By the way, why don’t I see Great Official Ji?”
“She’s at Zhuxi Garden. Father Emperor originally wanted to establish a mansion for her, but she declined, saying she would just live directly at Zhuxi Garden—after all, she’s used to it—so it was directly designated as her mansion.”
“I see.” He asked again, “I heard the missing person from Duke Yuguo’s mansion has been identified!”
Jingrong replied: “All prefectures and provinces have been notified. I believe there should be news very soon.”
“That’s good. This case has dragged on for so many years and is finally about to be revealed. Back then, Imperial Uncle’s family of over seventy people perished in a sea of flames just like that. One can imagine how tragic that night was.” He sighed.
Jingrong didn’t pay attention to why he was so curious about this case. Instead, he discussed some matters related to the case with him. Prince Xian also asked about each one. After understanding clearly, he left.
Very soon—
The name Zhao Hao instantly became the target pursued by major government offices. County and prefecture officials all hoped to be the first to find this person, achieve great merit, and be able to take up posts in the capital!
Zhao Huai and Wen Xian also secretly notified the old retainers of Duke Yuguo’s mansion when the portrait came out.
Now, many parties were searching!
The Emperor’s people!
People from various government offices!
The old retainers of Duke Yuguo’s mansion!
Wanted notices were issued one after another, but after searching for a long time, there was still not the slightest clue. When various prefectures and provinces couldn’t find results, they began continuously sending messages upward. The documents submitted all stated “This person cannot be found”!
Logically speaking, a living person who escaped from Duke Yuguo’s mansion—with neither backing nor ability, who still had to secretly flee the capital and even hide for more than ten years without being discovered, and even now with wanted notices issued still couldn’t be found—this was too strange!
Was he dead? Alive? Had he been eaten by wolves?
There should at least be some tiny bit of news!
Could it be that person had heaven-reaching abilities?
As the last document stating “This person cannot be found” was delivered from outside the capital to the capital, this only lead finally sank like a stone into the sea.
The court also erupted, with everyone speculating various possibilities.
…
The Imperial Palace.
Zhang Quan hurriedly entered Fuyang Hall and dismissed the others.
He reported, “Your Majesty, news has come that they cannot find that person.”
Emperor Qizhen frowned tightly. “If this person truly escaped from Duke Yuguo’s mansion, there’s no way there would be no news at all.”
“Not finding him is also a good thing!”
“That’s right!” Emperor Qizhen laughed coldly and let out a breath. “It’s best if that person never appears. This case… should be closed forever!”
The next day at court.
All civil and military officials were present.
Regarding the results of this search for the person, the Ministry of Revenue, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Ministry of Justice all reported the situation truthfully.
“As soon as the wanted notices were issued, all prefectures and provinces urgently dispatched people to search without daring to slack off. Every place was searched, but there was no news.”
Emperor Qizhen looked around at everyone, his gaze solemn: “This case has been investigated back and forth for two or three years already. Now, with great difficulty, a thread of a clue was found, but now it’s broken again. I don’t know whether to say you’re incompetent in handling affairs, or whether to say this case is bizarre?”
“Your Majesty, we subjects have already done our utmost!”
“Done your utmost?” Emperor Qizhen flew into a rage, grabbed a document before him and threw it forcefully to the ground. “If you had done your utmost, how could you not even find a person?”
The three leaders of the Ministry of Revenue, Court of Judicial Review, and Ministry of Justice knelt on the ground.
Silent!
Seeing this, Jingrong bowed: “Father Emperor, perhaps something was overlooked. Please…”
“No need to say more!” Before the words were finished, Emperor Qizhen interrupted. His brows rose high. “I am the same as all of you—I hope to clarify the truth as soon as possible. But after giving so much time, in the end there’s still nothing. Instead, the departed souls have been disturbed. This case must not be investigated anymore.”
When Qin Shiyu heard this, how could that be acceptable?
He immediately stepped forward and said: “Your Majesty, this case has not yet been clarified. Whether Zhao Hao is dead or alive is still unknown. The case back then was full of suspicious points. It absolutely cannot be closed like this. I implore Your Majesty to give more time.”
“Qin Shiyu, has I not given you enough time?”
“But…”
“Bang!” Emperor Qizhen slammed the table. Burning with rage.