Chapter 47: Father Wants to Lure All the Villains Out

Zhou Dahai's whole body trembled like a sieve, yet he kept bowing repeatedly, saying nothing.

Xiao Yuanhang's composed face looked down at him, unhurried; his son had already been rescued, so getting him to speak was only a matter of time.

Tuan Tuan touched Xiao Ningyuan's hand: "Big brother, why aren't you awake yet?"

Cheng Ru'an said softly: "Tuan Tuan, no rush; big brother is tired, he'll wake after enough sleep."

"But," Tuan Tuan looked up at her: "The big pearl isn't shining, so when big brother wakes he won't see it."

Cheng Ru'an handed her the small copper lamp: "The big pearl… just rescued your big brother and is tired; shall we put it away? Let it rest a while."

"Okay." Tuan Tuan took the lamp and put the now completely dim night‑bright pearl inside: "Thank you, big pearl; big brother sleeps, you sleep too, and when you've rested enough, shine again for big brother."

Xiao Yuanhang looked at his daughter, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Suddenly, he thought of something, his gaze returning to Zhou Dahai: "I recall you still have a beloved wife and young son. Xiao Er, send two men to his house to see whether his family is still there."

"Yes!" Xiao Er's voice rang from outside.

"No! Don't go!" Zhou Dahai jerked his head up, his face panic‑stricken.

Xiao Yuanhang nodded slightly: "So indeed. Something happened at your home?"

Zhou Dahai's complexion was a wavering pale‑green, his eyes flickered, his lips trembled.

At last, he let out a long sigh: "Prince, I am by no means ungrateful; if my wife and son were not held by others, I would never betray the Eldest Young Master."

Xiao Yuanhang said gravely: "Who?"

Zhou Dahai closed his eyes, reaching a hand toward his boot shaft.

"Father!" Xiao Ningxun swiftly drew the dagger from the boot shaft and, in two strides, stood beside Zhou Dahai, the blade's tip pointing straight at him.

Xiao Yuanhang gave his son an approving glance: "Not bad, a bit of vigilance."

Zhou Dahai was startled, then shook his head: "Third Young Master need not do that." He then took a small roll of paper from the boot shaft and handed it to Xiao Yuanhang with both hands.

Xiao Ningxun only then sheathed the dagger and silently stepped aside.

Xiao Yuanhang took it, unfolded it, and asked: "Is this your family letter?"

Zhou Dahai nodded: "Yes. Prince, please read."

My young son was born premature, always frail and sickly. Half a year ago, I received a family letter saying the child suddenly fainted at home, limbs convulsing, foam spitting from his mouth.

The physician examined him and diagnosed "sheep‑horn wind"; medication saved him but attacks kept recurring. My wife was frantic, rushing daily to seek medicines for the child, exhausted, urging me to return home quickly.

The Eldest Young Master suffers a terrible illness; daily bookkeeping is all I do, truly indispensable.

I thought it over repeatedly, exchanged all usable silver taels for silver notes, wrote another family letter to their mother and son, and sent it to the region's largest Longchang Escort Agency, asking them to deliver it home.

Unexpectedly, shortly after, a Xu Master of the escort agency sent someone to invite me for tea, and handed me the Longevity Lock my child had worn since infancy, telling me not to tell anyone. I was terrified and went alone to the tea house he mentioned.

Xu Master told me my wife and child had been taken by them, that a good physician would treat them, with dedicated caretakers, and that as long as I obeyed him, he would regularly bring me the child's token.

I struggled repeatedly but reluctantly agreed. At first they only wanted some business accounts and the Eldest Young Master's whereabouts. Two months ago, Xu Master suddenly gave me this bottle, asking me to add a pinch of the powder inside to the Eldest Young Master's food each day.

The Eldest Young Master treated me with mountain‑like gratitude; I hesitated and did not comply. Yet soon Xu Master sent another letter from my wife, saying the physician who was checking the child's pulse had suddenly left, leaving the child untreated and on the brink of death.

Only if I honestly obey will they let the physician continue treating my son and properly care for mother and child.

Xu Master said the medicine is slow‑acting poison; ordinary physicians could never detect it. A small daily dose will gradually weaken the Eldest Young Master until he is exhausted, and no one will suspect me.

The Longchang Escort Agency has branches everywhere; I cannot escape them wherever I go. With no other way, for my wife and child's safety I must comply.

Xiao Yuanhang pondered briefly: "Does Xu Master know you have returned to Jingcheng?"

Zhou Dahai replied: "He should know; wherever I go, he can find me."

"Very well. I, the King, give you a chance to atone: bring that Xu Master out. If you can trace and capture the mastermind behind him, I will guarantee your wife and child's safety."

Zhou Dahai wept bitterly, thumped his head on the ground with a "thud": "I bow, Prince! If it is so, I would die a thousand deaths without complaint!"

"You must return home immediately, pretend you're eager to see your family; the other side, knowing you're back, will surely appear now, anxious for news of the young son."

Xiao Yuanhang shouted: "Xiao Er!"

"Here!" Xiao Er hurried in: "Prince, give your orders."

"Take men with you, follow him; when that Xu Master shows himself, seize him for me at once. If there are others with him, take them too; I want them alive."

"Yes!" Xiao Er's eagle‑like eyes fixed on Zhou Dahai: "I will not fail the Prince's trust!"

Xiao Yuanhang waved his hand: "You all may go down."

Zhou Dahai bowed again, wiping his tears, and withdrew.

Tuan Tuan listened for a while, understood few words, and, dazed, leaned against Cheng Ru'an's arms, her little head bobbing as she nearly fell asleep.

Cheng Ru'an said softly: "Prince, I'll take Tuan Tuan back to rest; the child is a bit tired today."

Xiao Yuanhang nodded: "Go quickly."

Cheng Ru'an gently lifted Tuan Tuan, tried to stand, but was tugged back and couldn't rise; upon closer look, Tuan Tuan was still holding Xiao Ningyuan's hand, not letting go.

With that commotion, Tuan Tuan snapped awake for a moment: "I won't go; I'll wait for big brother to wake up."

"Good girl, big brother may not wake for a while; mother will carry you back to Jingling Orchid Garden to sleep well."

"No, there's a bed here; I'll just sleep right here, and when big brother wakes he'll see me." Tuan Tuan didn't even open her eyes, wriggled out of her mother's arms, and, like a kitten, scrambled to Xiao Ningyuan's side and fell asleep.

Cheng Ru'an could only laugh and sigh: "That child!"

Xiao Yuanhang also laughed: "Let her sleep here; Tuan Tuan is only five, it's fine."

He turned to Guo Taiyi: "Old Guo, I would like you to stay a few days in the residence. First, the young son has not yet awakened; if his condition changes, I'll need you to treat him. Second, I intend to capture the thieves for legal punishment, and will need your testimony then."

Guo Taiyi quickly bowed: "Prince, you're too kind; in our line of work, these are commonplace."

"Attendants, escort Guo Taiyi to the side chambers and settle him well."

Guo Taiyi left.

"Ningchen! Follow Xiao Er; if there are any mistakes, act immediately, strive for no oversight."

"Yes!" Xiao Ningchen sprang up sharply, a fierce gleam in his eyes; this was his first chance to act since his leg injury healed.