Chapter 41: Volume 1, Chapter 41 — Eldest Miss Rong Ought to Know Who I Am

"What news?" Rong Luoge asked, looking at Cang Yun's happy expression.

"This morning, this servant heard that Rong Lang was beaten up by someone—said he couldn't even get out of bed. Rong Dai went crying to Prince Qi to seek justice, and Prince Qi is currently investigating the matter."

"Beaten up by someone?" Rong Luoge's first instinct was that it had something to do with Chu Ke, but without evidence she couldn't say so recklessly. "Now that truly is good news. Did Prince Qi go to the Zhen Guo Gong Fu?"

"He did, but this servant made inquiries—said he only stayed for less than half a shi before leaving. In such a short time, it doesn't look like he intended to stand up for Rong Dai." Cang Yun was a bit puzzled.

Rong Luoge said, "Consort Ming is keeping Prince Qi in check now. He definitely wouldn't dare show off as conspicuously as before."

If he were to fly into a rage over Rong Dai again, he probably wouldn't be able to marry his Princess Consort Qi. If it really came to that, and Consort Ming vented her anger on Rong Dai, then even if Han Yifeng wanted to protect her, it wouldn't be easy.

Cang Yun, seeing her young lady happy, felt happy herself too. Mindful of the old residence, she said, "If young lady has no other instructions, this servant will head back first."

Rong Luoge nodded. "Go, and mind your own safety too. If Rong Dai dares come to your door to cause trouble, send me word."

Cang Yun felt warm at heart. She agreed and hurried off.

Rong Luoge stood at the corner of the long alley. From here, she could just see the house where Liu Yuniang lived. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt like there were more unfamiliar faces around that house.

That day when Ming Yuhua came to cause trouble, she had seen several neighbors and could vaguely remember some of their faces. But today, the few people she saw coming and going were all completely unfamiliar.

Thinking of this, Rong Luoge recalled what Luo Xian had said about merchants from out of town. She looked again and saw that there were still people standing guard outside Liu Yuniang's door. It seemed Madam Ming still hadn't made a final decision. Standing around here was useless, so she turned and headed back.

Liu Yuniang's house wasn't far from her own. She deliberately took a roundabout way back, but could still feel someone watching her. That gaze didn't feel as sharp as surveillance—more like someone was watching everyone who approached Liu Yuniang's house.

She returned to the manor. She happened to run into He Huai coming back, so she called him over and asked, "Have you found out what you needed to know?"

He Huai had been about to go to the rear courtyard to report. He hadn't expected the eldest young lady to come in from outside. He hurried over quickly and said, "This subordinate made inquiries. It's said that a merchant caravan from Qiongchuan has come to the capital to do business. Because the trade is large this time, they brought many people."

Qiongchuan?

Rong Luoge thought carefully, then said with some surprise, "Qiongchuan seems to border Qingxuan? That truly is a long way to come."

"Yes. Qiongchuan is located in a remote area, but it is rich in natural resources. It produces fine medicinal herbs as well as refined iron and such things—goods that merchant caravans have always favored," He Huai said.

Rong Luoge asked in surprise, "Doesn't the court control things like refined iron?"

He Huai shook his head. "The people of Qiongchuan are fierce and tough. It originally didn't belong to Xiao State either. After Qingxuan was defeated in a war some years ago, they ceded Qiongchuan to Xiao State. But the area is remote and difficult to govern. The court once sent people to subdue it, but after the court's army left, things would return to normal there. Over time, the court was unwilling to waste lives and money, so Qiongchuan became the only free territory in Xiao State."

Rong Luoge hadn't expected this. In ancient times, unlike later eras with advanced transportation, going by the map, it would take three months to travel from the capital to Qiongchuan. A single campaign there and back would consume a whole year. If troops were stationed there long-term, the court probably couldn't afford to supply them. So it wasn't surprising that Qiongchuan had become a free territory.

It was just like the Golden Triangle in later eras—border regions, combined with special geography and resources, always tended to breed instability.

"With such a merchant caravan entering the capital, wouldn't the authorities look into it?" Rong Luoge looked at He Huai and asked.

He Huai shook his head. "Merchant caravans from Qiongchuan have proper travel permits. They're legal."

"I noticed people watching Liu Yuniang's house. Take some men and observe carefully—find out who's doing the surveillance." Rong Luoge knew there was nothing she could do about the Qiongchuan caravan, but Liu Yuniang was right nearby, and she could at least keep an eye on things. "Also, check whether any of the houses around Liu Yuniang's home have been rented out or sold to others."

Though He Huai didn't know what the eldest young lady intended to do, he followed the instructions and immediately went to make arrangements.

Rong Luoge had a vague thread in her mind that she couldn't connect. She felt like she had overlooked something. Things were truly too coincidental—what had she forgotten?

She couldn't think of it at the moment, so Rong Luoge simply stopped trying. Sometimes people were like that—the more you tried to think of something, the more it eluded you. Better to set it aside for now.

Aside from this matter, Rong Luoge went back to the rear courtyard, retrieved the blueprints, and knocked on the door next door.

This time, a stranger opened the door, but he was very respectful upon seeing Rong Luoge. "Eldest Miss Rong, is there something you need?"

Rong Luoge asked, "Is your master in?"

The gatekeeper shook his head. If she had come two shi earlier, His Highness would still have been there, but His Highness had left on business now.

Rong Luoge thought for a moment and said, "I have something here to give to your master. Is there someone who can pass it on for me?"

"Yes. Miss Rong, please wait a moment." The gatekeeper had clearly been instructed beforehand. He immediately turned and went inside to fetch someone.

Soon, Hu Xi came out. His eyes lit up upon seeing Rong Luoge, but he forcibly suppressed his excitement and smiled at Miss Rong as he spoke. "Eldest Miss Rong, I've long heard of your great name."

Rong Luoge: …

"May I ask who you are?" Rong Luoge found the person before her somewhat unfamiliar and asked.

"My surname is Hu," Hu Xi said at once.

He, Hu Xi, had served by His Highness's side for many years. Mentioning this surname, surely Eldest Miss Rong ought to know who he was?

Rong Luoge didn't recognize anyone surnamed Hu or otherwise. She still spoke politely: "So it's Lord Hu. Please deliver this letter to His Highness."

Hu Xi realized that Eldest Miss Rong genuinely didn't know him. The corner of his mouth twitched. Then he recalled that she had grown up on a country estate—it was understandable that she didn't know. His mood immediately settled.

Looking at the envelope in Rong Luoge's hand, he regarded it as if seeing gold. He quickly reached out to take it and said, "Rest assured, I will deliver it to His Highness with my own hands."

Rong Luoge nodded. "Then I'll take my leave first."

Hu Xi still wanted to ask about the Divine Fire Arrow, but Rong Luoge walked away extremely fast, as if being chased by ghosts. Was he really that frightening?

He clearly had a face full of smiles and a friendly expression, didn't he?

Hu Xi felt an itch in his heart, not knowing what blueprints were in the letter. He immediately had someone prepare a carriage, boarded it, and headed straight for the Dong Gong.

When they exited the alley and turned the corner, the wind lifted the carriage curtain. Hu Xi casually glanced back, but caught a glimpse of Prince Qi's figure flashing past.

Prince Qi?

What was he doing around here?

He couldn't be here for Eldest Miss Rong, could he? No good—he needed to inform His Highness at once.