Chapter 104: Go Recruit Where the Right People Listen

Cheng Ru'an heard and asked, "What is depicted on the blueprint?"

Xiao Er handed the blueprint to her, "It's a modification of the military bows and crossbows currently in use."

Upon hearing, Cheng Ru'an realized the blueprint was no trivial matter, quickly took it back, and would give it to Xiao Yuanhang when he returned to the mansion that evening.

While they spoke, a servant outside reported, "Princess Consort, the physician has arrived."

"Please let them in quickly."

The physician examined Feng Zhou and said, "This young master has a superficial skin injury, nothing serious; just apply some ointment and rest for a few days."

Cheng Ru'an nodded, "Young Master Feng, thank you for the gifted blueprint."

"You are injured and have no one to care for you back home; if you don't mind, would you stay in the mansion a few days to recover?"

Feng Zhou quickly bowed, "Thank you, Princess Consort."

Cheng Ru'an instructed Liu Grandma to see that Feng Zhou was taken away and settled comfortably.

"Mother! I'm going to the garden to play with Uncle Xiao Er!" Tuan Tuan tugged Xiao Er and ran, still thinking of gathering the pollen from the blooming wisteria in the garden!

When the wind blew, the pollen fell to the ground, fragrant and sweet, smelling very pleasant!

Cheng Ru'an sighed, "Fine, let her play; after all, Xiao Er is with her."

At the same time, in the Chenhui Hall.

The Princess glanced at Huo Wenxuan before her, "Back already? How is the household?"

Huo Wenxuan lowered her eyes, speaking softly, "All is well at home, thank Aunt for your concern."

She turned, took an item from the hand of a maid behind her, and respectfully presented it to the Princess.

"Autumn is approaching, the weather cooling; Mother thought of Aunt and had a hand‑heater case made of Shu brocade for her, ordering me to bring it back."

The Princess nodded slightly, "She is thoughtful. However, Shu brocade is expensive; using it for this is indeed a bit wasteful."

"Now the drought is severe, and everywhere needs silver to support the people; if we have these items, perhaps we should exchange them for silver, buy rice, distribute porridge, and do practical deeds."

Huo Wenxuan's complexion shifted slightly, "Aunt is absolutely right; Mother is overly concerned for Aunt and didn't consider this aspect."

The Princess looked at her, "You should also advise the household; as an imperial clan relative, you ought to keep the people's hardships in mind, never forget to share the ruler's worries, and act with propriety."

"Princess Jiayou has done excellently; I have heard she gave all her silver to Prince Ning to aid disaster victims, which is what royal offspring should do."

Hearing Princess Jiayou, Huo Wenxuan's face darkened.

She returned home this time because of Tuan Tuan, having received a severe scolding from Mother.

"Useless! That little girl doesn't even live in the Palace, she only met the Princess a few times, yet she bypasses you in everything!"

"The household, to help you, exhausted effort, found those who kidnapped children, bound her, sent her far away, never expecting it would backfire."

"You've been by Aunt's side since childhood; how could you not hold Aunt's heart!"

"If this continues, our Huo family will have nowhere to even stand before Aunt!"

"Soon comes the autumn hunt, and we must meet at the Palace; think carefully yourself!"

Huo Wenxuan clenched her teeth silently, suppressing her resentment, "Yes, Aunt is right."

The Princess looked at her and sighed, "Wenxuan, you've been by my side for years; you should have improved greatly."

"But you, merely because Princess Jiayou surpasses you, grew jealous, provoked at every turn; such narrow‑mindedness makes others think my guidance is inadequate."

"If you conduct yourself properly, my face would also shine."

Huo Wenxuan lowered her head further, "Thank you for Aunt's teaching; Wenxuan knows her mistake."

The Princess waved her hand, "Leave."

Huo Wenxuan made a bow and stepped out.

That evening, at Ning Prince's Mansion.

Xiao Yuanhang examined Feng Zhou's blueprint closely, his face brightening, "The Feng family youngster truly lives up to his reputation! If we improve the bow and crossbow to fire in succession according to this diagram, its power will increase greatly!"

"On future battlefields, it could reduce many soldiers' casualties!"

Cheng Ru'an, not understanding these details, felt relieved seeing her husband pleased, "Poor Feng Zhou, to deliver this blueprint he even took a beating from Murong Qi."

"Fortunately Tuan Tuan happened upon it, not only rescued him but also reported it to the main hall of Jingzhao Prefecture. You think how bold that child is!"

"She even called the Empress Dowager a 'Broken Empress Dowager', saying her family is unreasonable and should be struck."

Xiao Yuanhang laughed loudly, "Broken Empress Dowager? Hahaha…"

Cheng Ru'an, unable to laugh or cry, "Prince, please stop messing around with the child."

At that moment, a Guard outside requested an audience; Xiao Yuanhang curbed his laughter, "Come in."

The Guard entered, bowing, "Your Highness, those three have just escaped from the Prince's Mansion."

Cheng Ru'an was startled, "Which three? The ones who abducted Tuan Tuan?"

Xiao Yuanhang showed no surprise, "Track them closely; not a single trace may be let go."

"Where they settle, whom they meet, what they say, how many bites they eat, all must be reported back one by one."

"Yes!" the Guard obeyed and withdrew.

Cheng Ru'an began to understand, "Prince, you deliberately let them go?"

Xiao Yuanhang nodded, "Those three are common street folk; even under severe punishment they only claim to be directed by someone near the Princess, but cannot name anyone, showing they truly know nothing."

"I let them lower their guard, deliberately created a loophole, released those three, to see whom they would actually contact."

"They even dared to act in the bustling market, abduct my daughter; if I don't capture the mastermind behind it, I cannot rest."

Cheng Ru'an nodded.

More than ten days later, just after noon, the Guards not only recaptured those three villains but also brought back a young woman about twenty years old.

"Prince, this woman is the one who was in contact with those three villains."

"I, the junior officer, saw with my own eyes that she emerged from the Huo family's side gate and met those people together twice."

"I have investigated covertly and now know that this woman is a close attendant of the Huo matriarch."

Those few people demanded money from her, saying, "It's because you let us seize that girl that we suffered great punishment and great sin."

Upon hearing this, the low-ranking officer had them all brought back.

Xiao Yuanhang's face sank like water: "Well done!"

He lowered his gaze to the young woman kneeling before him: "Do you have anything to say?"

The woman's face was full of panic, yet she clenched her teeth and said not a word.

Xiao Yuanhang laughed: "You think that by staying silent you can save yourself?"

"Come here! Bring that young miss over. Prepare the carriage! This prince will enter the palace!"

Upon hearing about entering the palace, the woman suddenly lifted her head, her panic turning to terror.

"Put this woman alone in one carriage, and those three in another."

"Yes!" The guards then took them all away.

As the woman was being dragged out, she suddenly shouted: "Prince! Please hear me out! Prince!"

Hearing her voice fade away, Xiao Yuanhang let out a snort: "Since you refuse to confess before me, go confess to whoever you ought to."

Not long after, Tuan Tuan, who had been running wildly in the garden, was led in by Xiao Er.

"Father! Were you looking for me?" Tuan Tuan rushed in and flung herself into Xiao Yuanhang's arms.

Xiao Yuanhang stretched out his big hand, lifted his daughter, and walked out: "Come on, Tuan Tuan, let's go to the palace to see your Imperial Aunt!"

Tuan Tuan beamed: "All right! Let's go find Imperial Aunt to play!"