"Xiao Xueyi, do you really think you're infallible?" Ji Yeliu calmed down and went to find his father, the prefect of the city.
Not long after,
Rumors began to spread in the city of Suzhou that the Crown Princess had been spotted there. The imperial guards who had been searching for Song Jinyu, the Crown Princess, in the city got wind of this news...
Meanwhile, the illegal salt - trafficking business of the Tingran Pavilion was discovered, and the prefect of Yuzhou began an investigation. The Daxia Dynasty had very strict regulations on the salt and iron industries, and private salt - trafficking was strictly prohibited. In the past, with the protection of the former Crown Prince, the Tingran Pavilion had been privately trafficking salt and making huge profits.
"My lord, you have to make a decision! Now that the news of the Tingran Pavilion's illegal salt - trafficking has spread, I'm afraid the prefects of several states will take action!"
"I really underestimated him," Ji Yeliu thought. He knew he had forced Xiao Xueyi's hand, and now Xiao was on the horns of a dilemma. Maybe Ji Yeliu had seen through him completely.
Xiao Xueyi had sought the Crown Prince's protection to keep this business going.
"Bang!"
Xiao Xueyi usually never showed his emotions, but now he vaguely felt that things were not simple. If this problem couldn't be solved, it would only get worse.
Tapping his wheelchair with his hand, Ling Feng couldn't figure out what he was thinking.
He quietly closed the door and left. Just then, he ran into Ningyue, who was bringing medicine for Xiao Xueyi. "My lord is in a bad mood..."
"Got it," Ningyue raised her eyes. What had happened to make Xiao Xueyi unhappy? As soon as she pushed the door open and went in, Xiao Xueyi's eyes fell on her. "Drink it while it's hot! It's getting colder these days. I've added a lot of nourishing herbs to it." Ningyue deliberately didn't mention the engagement. Xiao Xueyi had saved her, and out of gratitude, she took good care of his health.
She was gradually beginning to understand Xiao Xueyi's feelings. Feeling a bit panicked, Ningyue served Xiao Xueyi the medicine. "Is there something bothering you?"
"Not really... The only difficult thing is the wedding date..." He looked at Ningyue inquiringly. As expected, she lowered her head and didn't say a word...
Xiao Xueyi felt disappointed. He reached out and helped Ningyue up. "What should I do?" You're so good. I don't want to let you go.
"Sir, it's all arranged!"
"Don't take the water route. The water route is Xiao Xueyi's territory. Remember to disguise yourselves as people visiting relatives in Yuzhou and then head to the capital... First, go to the Duke Rong's Mansion and deliver my letter!" Ji Yeliu turned around and was about to leave the riverside when he was stopped by the people from the Tingran Pavilion.
"Sir, please wait!"
The people from the Tingran Pavilion showed the intercepted letter to Xiao Xueyi. It was just an ordinary family letter. "Young Master Ji, you'd better stay in the city of Suzhou obediently. After you attend my wedding, we can discuss our plans!"
Ji Yeliu smiled slightly. "Sure!" But out of the corner of his eye, he sent someone away.
He hoped that the Crown Prince could get the news before the Chinese New Year's Eve so that that woman could be reunited with them.
As the New Year was approaching, one bad news after another kept Xiao Xueyi too busy to pay attention to Ningyue. At this time, Ningyue finally got a chance to meet Ji Yeliu.
"You know my identity, don't you?"
Ningyue got anxious, her eyes full of eagerness. Ji Yeliu thought that the fates in life were really strange. In the past, he and Song Jinyu had become acquainted because of Yan Fei. Now... they met in the city of Suzhou.
"I'm not sure... If I tell you, it will only add to your troubles."
Ji Yeliu sighed. "You really look a lot like an old acquaintance of mine... But for now, I think you shouldn't trust anyone. Just follow your true feelings."
He couldn't say it yet. If Xiao Xueyi found out, all their efforts might be in vain!
Song Jinyu, this is all I can do for you...
Ningyue was extremely annoyed. "You're all keeping things from me, as if you think I'm a fool."
The sound of Xiao Xueyi's wheelchair came from behind. "It's almost the New Year..."
"I have something to talk to Ningyue about... Young Master Ji, please go back!"
Ningyue had to push him away. "I've heard that the capital is the liveliest during the New Year. I wonder if Ningyue would like to go to the capital?"
Ningyue stared at him blankly. Go to the capital? Why did he suddenly change his mind!
Xiao Xueyi didn't look at her. His heart was filled with bitterness. In the end, he made his worst choice, which was also his initial thought. Ningyue was the biggest trump card of the Tingran Pavilion.
She was also... a tool for him to seek wealth. Xiao Xueyi, after all, was still a despicable person in his heart. How could such a person be worthy of Ningyue?
Ningyue didn't say a word. Instead, she smiled and said, "I've heard that the capital is very prosperous. But... spending the New Year there might be quite interesting."
Xiao Xueyi told Ningyue, "Then pack up quickly... We'll leave for the capital tomorrow."
"Okay!" Ningyue was a bit happy. As long as Xiao Xueyi didn't mention the wedding, she was always easy to please.
Maybe if she went to the capital, there might be a turning point in this situation. One never knew!
Meanwhile, in the Prince Yu's Mansion, Zhongli Mingye got the news that the Tingran Pavilion was suspected of illegal salt - trafficking!
The evidence was conclusive. The prefects of Yuzhou, Suzhou, and Qingzhou jointly submitted a memorial to the emperor.
"This is quite interesting... No wonder Xiao Xueyi, though in the Jianghu, still has his heart set on the imperial court and the country," Zhongli Mingye sneered. But then he remembered their past cooperation.
He had heard something about Xiao Xueyi's "business" to some extent. Of course, because of their cooperation, he had never bothered about it. But... now that the New Year was approaching... why did the prefects of these states suddenly take action?
Something was amiss. But... given the influence of the Tingran Pavilion in the south of the Yangtze River, the prefects of these states wouldn't be so disrespectful.
"Qingfeng, go to the city of Suzhou in person..."
Suzhou was where Ji Yeliu was. Was it related to him?
"Your Highness, news came from the city of Suzhou that... someone once saw a woman who looked like the Crown Princess..."
"What did you say!"
Zhongli Mingye's phoenix - like eyes widened in disbelief. He tightly grabbed Xing Jian's arm.
Xing Jian said, "It's just a resemblance... I've already sent people to investigate this matter."
Zhongli Mingye slumped into his chair. His phoenix - like eyes were filled with pain. "Is it you?" If it's really you, why don't you come back to the capital? Do you resent me for not looking for you?
The scar on his palm was hideous, just like the wound in his heart.
Every night when he couldn't sleep, he had to get drunk to fall asleep peacefully. If it weren't for Dayuanbao always looking for him, he might not be able to survive a single day.
He had visited a city every month. It would take him four years to visit all the forty - five cities along the river. He had sent so many people out,
but there was still no news of Song Jinyu.
Even now, Zhongli Mingye still couldn't believe that he had lost Song Jinyu. Such a wonderful person had once been by his side, warming him and bringing him joy.
Even though he had won the world, what was the use if he had lost her? There was no more crisis in the court, and the Song family was at the forefront of the noble families in the court.
So what?
That day, she had jumped into the river resolutely, leaving a chance for him and the entire palace.
How much pain must she have endured?
His beloved little fairy had given up her life, leaving Zhongli Mingye alone in this world.