Chapter 658: So It Was Him

Xiao Ningyuan suddenly understood: that was the idea he was proposing!

On the roof, the drowsy Tuan Tuan heard Princess Jiayou, instantly opened her eyes and whispered, "Uncle Lu Qi, are they talking about me? Should we go down?"

Lu Qi said, "Let's take another look."

Xiao Ningyuan asked, "How did the Marquis learn that Tuan Tuan is in Jingcheng?"

Zhou Jinhua smiled, "The two Regent Kings said so."

Inside the house and on the roof, the four of them were startled at the same time.

"That's why they sent people to guard Song Residence, Lu Residence, Guoshi Residence, Xuanqiong Temple, and, oh right, the Crown Princess's Chenhui Hall, day and night."

Tuan Tuan's eyes widened instantly, Imperial Aunt!

Xiao Ningyuan understood, "I see, so the Marquis wants to see my sister?"

Zhou Jinhua nodded, "Princess Jiayou has repeatedly achieved great feats; if she speaks, His Majesty will surely listen to her."

"Young Master Xiao, please consider carefully: given this Marquis's current situation, if I don't add more backing, could the day His Majesty breaches the city be the day this Marquis meets his end?"

"And how can this Marquis still protect his own grandson?"

What a case of "no rabbit, no hawk"!

Xiao Ningyuan helplessly gave Xiao Er a subtle glance.

Xiao Er stood up, opened the door and stepped out, waving at Lu Qi.

Lu Qi leapt down, placed Tuan Tuan on the ground, and each of them took one of her little hands and led her inside.

Zhou Jinhua saw Tuan Tuan, sprang up sharply, and with a thud knelt on the ground, "Princess!"

"Please, Princess, save the more than a hundred lives in this Marquis's household!"

Tuan Tuan jumped at his scare, "Hey! What are you doing? I'm not Imperial Uncle!"

Zhou Jinhua lifted his head, tears instantly streaming, "Princess, do you still remember the old matters and refuse to help this Marquis?"

"Before, this Marquis was blind, Princess, you are magnanimous, grant this Marquis a way out!"

"Lord?" Tuan Tuan pointed to her tiny nose, looking puzzled, "Am I big? Your eyesight must be poor; you should see a doctor!"

Zhou Jinhua: "…"

Xiao Er and Lu Qi both pressed their foreheads, this was truly a case of talking past each other.

Xiao Ningyuan stifled a laugh, lifted Tuan Tuan, and said, "Marquis, please stand; no need for that."

Zhou Jinhua stood, "Please, everyone, have a seat."

He then personally poured tea for several people, "Here you are."

Zhou Jinhua looked at Xiao Ningyuan with eager eyes, "Eldest Young Master?"

Xiao Ningyuan patted his sister's back, "Tuan Tuan, the Marquis means that if he helps us, when His Majesty returns to the capital, could you say some kind words to him in front of His Majesty?"

"That way, your Imperial Uncle won't be so angry."

"Oh!" Tuan Tuan finally understood.

She looked at Zhou Jinhua, "Then why didn't you just say it straight away? Why are you crying!"

Zhou Jinhua's face flushed; the skills he had honed in officialdom were of no use at all before this Little Princess.

He said sheepishly, "Ashamed, ashamed. I do not know the Princess's meaning?"

Tuan Tuan thought for a moment, "Sure, you help us, then I'll help you!"

"That pretty auntie and little brother are so pitiful; I also hope they can all return home."

Zhou Jinhua rejoiced, "Thank you, Princess!"

He then froze, "Princess, have you met Yun Niang and my grandson?"

Tuan Tuan nodded, "Yes! The little brother's bellyband is what I picked up!"

"By the way," Tuan Tuan recalled Qing Wang's appearance that day and giggled.

"I also tripped that scoundrel Qing Wang, making him fall twice! His nose was broken!"

Zhou Jinhua then understood where Qing Wang's facial wounds that day came from.

But he couldn't figure out, "How did the Princess manage that?"

Tuan Tuan blinked, "I dreamed it!"

"Huh?" Zhou Jinhua was dumbfounded.

This Little Princess really has such ability!

No wonder the two Regent Kings are so wary of her; they must kill her to feel at ease.

"Ahem," Xiao Ningyuan cleared his throat, "Marquis, since Tuan Tuan has already agreed, you can rest assured now, right?"

Zhou Jinhua snapped back, "Oh, right! Eldest Young Master Xiao, what brings you to our door today?"

"I, the Marquis, will speak all I know and leave nothing unsaid!"

Finally! What an old fox!

Xiao Ningyuan asked, "Regarding the notice posted in Jingcheng today, how much does the Marquis know?"

Zhou Jinhua replied, "It turns out it's for the Ninth Prince."

"Last night the Ninth Prince went to Chen Hao's residence in the dead of night, was spotted by scouts outside, rushed in and captured him."

Tuan Tuan panicked, "Brother Ninth really got caught?"

Zhou Jinhua was stunned, "It's true, how could it be false?"

Xiao Er said, "But the notice only lists the crime; it says nothing else."

Zhou Jinhua curled his lip, "Now that's clever—no, cunning!"

"The notice was written that way on purpose, because the vaguer it is, the more you'll anxiously seek familiar people for answers."

"Tonight, not only those few mansions, but outside every official's residence throughout Jingcheng, watchers have been placed."

First, I want to capture you; second, I want to see which of your close ones are still in the capital.

Several people exchanged a look. Ah, that's why! No wonder that notice was written so strangely; luckily we didn't go anywhere.

Tuan Tuan didn't care about those, and pressed on asking: "Where is Ninth Brother? Did they beat him? Have they given him food?"

Zhou Jinhua: "......"

Princess, the Ninth Prince is after all an imperial son; they would certainly not deny him food.

As for beating him, they probably wouldn't either.

Xiao Er asked: "Where is the Ninth Prince now?"

In the heavenly prison of Dali Temple.

Heavenly prison?' Xiao Ningyuan's brows knotted into a lump. 'The Ninth Prince is an imperial son; even if he committed the grave crime of treason, he could only be confined in his own mansion.'

How could there be any reason to imprison him in the heavenly prison?

Zhou Jinhua replied: 'Because he was merely a bait all along, meant to lure you out.'

Tuan Tuan's eyes rolled: 'Hey! If you help me rescue Ninth Brother, I'll guarantee your marquis's manor!'

Zhou Jinhua sprang to his feet: 'Princess, are you serious about this?'

Tuan Tuan nodded: 'Of course!'

Zhou Jinhua knelt on the ground: 'Thank you, Princess!'

Xiao Ningyuan hurriedly helped him up, and Tuan Tuan tilted her head, staring at Zhou Jinhua's face: 'Why aren't you crying this time?'

Zhou Jinhua: "......"

Xiao Ningyuan held back a laugh and changed the subject: 'May I ask, Marquis, how did Prince Chen and Qing Wang learn that Tuan Tuan is in the capital?'

Zhou Jinhua shook his head: 'I don't know that either.'

Who is the current Minister of Dali Temple?

Li Jing.

Li Jing?' Tuan Tuan exclaimed upon hearing: 'Oh, so it's him!'