Chapter 673: It

Qing Wang turned and left: "I'll go retrieve those people right away, and then order someone to keep an eye on that Crispy Pastry Pavilion!"

"Hold on!" the Masked Man called out, "Since Xiao Er is present, capturing Princess Jiayou can't be done with ordinary Guards alone."

Qing Wang halted his steps: "Then I'll dispatch more troops!"

"No, you needn't worry about it; I'll send two experts."

Chen Wang asked in puzzlement: "Two people? Your Excellency, according to what you said, two might not be enough."

The Masked Man replied: "Each of those two experts can stand against a thousand troops."

Qing Wang and Chen Wang were both startled.

Your Excellency truly has such a formidable figure in his possession?

Chen Wang's eyelids twitched; how had I never heard Your Excellency mention this before?

Qing Wang, however, was overjoyed: "Your Excellency truly is unfathomable!"

"If such a person exists, there's no need to worry about the Xibei rebels any longer!"

The Masked Man rose: "You still need to continue pacifying the people's hearts, and frequently visit the barracks."

"On the battlefield of countless troops, it's morale and spirit that matter; these tricks are useless there."

"Indeed!"

The next day, an "Peace for the People" notice was posted, and the populace erupted in cheers:

"Two taels of silver per household! That's quite a lot!"

"Exactly! I thought I'd been unjustly punished and was complaining, but then I ended up with two taels of silver for free!"

"My little stall, after months of braving wind and rain, could never earn two taels; the Imperial Court really does love its people like children!"

The old man selling rice cakes heard it clearly, and the grip on his shoulder pole loosened a bit.

He had pined over the crushed rice cakes all night yesterday, but now feels that losing them was truly worth it.

In a secret chamber of the Guoshi Residence.

The young Taoist who had just bought a large box of pastries from the Crispy Pastry Pavilion narrated the whole story vividly to everyone.

Feng Zhou snorted: "They really know how to buy people's hearts!"

Eunuch Cheng sighed: "They squander the wealth saved by His Majesty, so of course they won't feel any remorse."

Xiao Ran muttered gloomily: "Why am I the one to fear guilt and punish myself?"

"Let them talk nonsense as they please," Chen Hao smiled, "When His Majesty returns, everything will naturally come to light; why bother holding it in your mind?"

Lu Qi said lazily: "Don't worry, Ninth Prince, in the eyes of those common folk outside, you're not as important as those two taels of silver."

"I—" Xiao Ran widened his eyes, about to speak again.

Tuan Tuan took a piece of date cake from the box and shoved it into his open mouth: "Brother Nine, try this, it's delicious!"

She poured another cup of tea and placed it before Xiao Ran: "Brother Nine, this can choke you; have another sip of tea, okay?"

Xiao Ran gave Lu Qi a sidelong glance, then ate the pastry and drank tea, saying nothing more.

Chu Yuan laughed and shook his head: "My disciple, as long as she's here, anyone can be dealt with."

This skill, I, the teacher, truly feel inferior to.

Xiao Er frowned: "Their methods are indeed powerful; two taels of silver settled yesterday's huge chaos."

The young Taoist interjected: "Exactly! The last Da Xia spy incident was the same."

"When those beaten were released, each received fifty taels of silver for medical care and settlement; countless people must have envied them immensely!"

"Many said, if I'd known that a two‑day beating without broken limbs could earn fifty taels, I'd just go begging for alms."

The crowd shook their heads helplessly, and Xiao Ran stared dumbfounded.

"Ah! There's meat inside!" Tuan Tuan discovered that the filling of a pastry was meat, and cheerfully fed it to Xiao Feifei.

Xiao Feifei sniffed it, then swallowed it in one bite.

"You're eating meat again, Xiao Feifei," Tuan Tuan patted the horn on its head, "I'll chase after you later!"

Xiao Feifei let out a plaintive whine, its head drooping.

Everyone burst into laughter.

A few days later, Zichen Hall.

The Masked Man got straight to the point: "Princess Jiayou is in the Guoshi Residence."

Chen Wang and Qing Wang exchanged glances: Guoshi Residence?

The Masked Man continued: "Within five days, people from the Guoshi Residence went to the Crispy Pastry Pavilion three times, buying quite a lot each time."

"Chu Yuan is a hermit beyond the world, never indulging in food cravings; the young Taoists in his residence can't afford those pastries."

Qing Wang said: "But, Your Excellency, we've already searched the Guoshi Residence many times and found not a single clue."

Chen Wang nodded: "Altogether we've searched at least five times."

Qing Wang rose: "I will personally lead a team to search."

"Hold on," the Masked Man called, "Stop searching. The reason you've failed repeatedly is probably because there's a secret chamber inside, and Princess Jiayou must be hiding there."

Qing Wang sat down: "What then? Chu Yuan is the National Preceptor; we can't move him."

"How about capturing those young Taoists for interrogation?"

Chen Wang shook his head: "Arbitrarily seizing people from the Guoshi Residence, will your reputation survive?"

The Masked Man said coldly: "Burn the Guoshi Residence."

Qing Wang was stunned: "Burn the Guoshi Residence? Your Excellency, arson in Jingcheng is a grave matter, let alone burning the Guoshi Residence!"

The Masked Man said: "After that, you should go yourself and relocate Chu Yuan elsewhere."

"Post another notice, informing the people that the Guoshi Residence was set ablaze by Xibei spies—a win‑win."

Chen Wang understood: "Your Excellency means to trap Princess Jiayou inside the secret chamber?"

Masked Man nodded: "Right. How large can the secret room be?"

"After the Guoshi Residence was burned down, a heavy force under Tuan Tuan surrounded it, saying it must be rebuilt quickly."

"I want to see how long they can endure without food or drink!"

"Marvelous!" Qing Wang exclaimed joyfully, "Brilliant! Corner the rabbit in its burrow; if it doesn't come out, it will starve to death inside!"

Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking.

A towering blaze shocked the entire city.

Everyone from the Water Dragon Bureau of Jingcheng rushed over; although they fought hard to extinguish it, they still could not stop the fire's spread.

The fire burned for nearly two hours before it gradually died down.

The former Guoshi Residence now lay only as a charred ruin, with thin wisps of blue smoke still rising from the broken walls.

After finishing the morning court, Chen Wang and Qing Wang headed straight for the Guoshi Residence.

Chu Yuan, leading a few junior Taoist priests, dressed in black‑gray, his face covered in soot, stood before the ruins.

Qing Wang hurried forward, his face full of anguish: "The National Preceptor is frightened! We don't know where these villains came from; they are utterly lawless!"

Chen Wang clasped his hands and said: "National Preceptor, rest assured, I have already ordered a strict investigation; we will bring these thieves to justice and give you an answer!"

Chu Yuan glanced at them, his expression calm, and gave a slight nod: "Thank you, Your Highnesses."

Qing Wang sighed: "This place has become a ruin; the National Preceptor should not linger here."

"I have found a tranquil residence for the National Preceptor; please relocate there for now. After the Guoshi Residence is rebuilt, moving back will not be too late."

Chu Yuan did not decline, and calmly replied, "Very well."