Chapter 350: There Must Be Hidden Circumstances

In the subsidiary residence of Rui Wang Fu outside the city, Xiao Yin's personal guards filled every spot, sealing the compound so tightly that not even a fly could enter.

The subsidiary residence was exquisitely decorated, with peach blossoms blooming everywhere around, their sweet fragrance filling the entire mountain villa.

In the rear courtyard of the mountain villa, every room was exquisitely and splendidly decorated.

Even the stone basin outside the gate where koi were kept was coated with a layer of gold powder.

In the hall, Madame Zhao's intermittent accusations could be heard.

Outside the hall, Ling Feng and the others waited, while inside stood a zitan wood table.

The table was laden with various delicacies, all signature dishes from famous restaurants in Shang Jing, none repeated.

This time, the table was filled to the brim.

Xiao Yin sat at the head of the table, raised his wine cup, and apologized with a smile.

"Madame Zhao, please bear with it a little; I really have no other way."

"The main reason is that there is a matter that needs to be handled this way; otherwise I wouldn't have brought you two here. Once this matter is settled, I will personally come to apologize."

"I'll drink first as a sign of respect; Jinzhi cannot drink alcohol, Lady Zhao, please feel free."

Madame Zhao, who had been scolding, swallowed her words.

Xiao Yin was the Ninth Imperial Uncle of Southern Qi, his status supremely noble; this time he personally accompanied this lady to sit, drink, eat, and repeatedly apologize, giving her ample face.

If she continued scolding, it would seem somewhat impolite; moreover, along the way, the scenery of this estate was far more beautiful than that of the Zhao family.

The defenses were also tight; putting aside other matters, if the daughter-in-law stayed here to nurture her pregnancy, it would indeed be a good place.

Xiao Yin also summoned an imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Institute, who could attend to his daughter-in-law's health at any time.

The residence they lived in consisted of compounds within compounds, with pavilions, terraces, and towers, and in the center a small lake had been encircled.

An arched bridge spanned the lake, with a waterside pavilion in the middle where one could enjoy the view; every few steps offered a scenic spot.

Being in this estate felt like walking inside a painting.

Madame Zhao couldn't help but click her tongue inwardly, thinking that Xiao Yin had sunk to the depths of despair seven years ago and had become utterly impoverished.

Who would have thought their estate would be this luxurious—showing that everyone is a tiger pretending to be a pig.

However, she was still somewhat angry, after all, her freedom had been restricted.

Madame Zhao uttered a complaint, then picked up her chopsticks and selected the good dishes on the table, placing them into her daughter-in-law's bowl.

She also tasted a few bites; indeed, it was a delicacy fit for mortals.

"Forget it; out of consideration for these dishes, I won't quarrel with the prince."

"But I still wonder, Prince, why exactly you have confined my daughter-in-law here? There ought to be a reason."

"If you have any difficulties, Prince, just speak up; the Zhao family owes you a favor, and we will certainly help you with whatever trouble you have."

"But the prince's conduct like this only makes people angrier."

Xiao Yin had unspeakable suffering.

How could he tell these people in the capital that his wife had not been burned to death, but had chosen to feign her death to avoid him, this plague god?

Does Xiao Yin not care about face?

Moreover, speaking of this would also be unfavorable to Gu Jiu Ling; you should know that, in order to fake her death, Gu Jiu Ling actually set fire to Chongwen Tower.

If this matter reaches Emperor Longqing's ears, who knows how he might punish Gu Jiu Ling.

Now he only wants to find that woman, sparing no expense to do so.

But some words cannot be spoken openly before everyone, for that would be the crime of deceiving the sovereign.

Xiao Yin composed himself and said slowly, "I cannot say."

"Lady Zhao, just treat this as my invitation for you two to come as guests, to tour the estate, enjoy the scenery, and cultivate yourselves."

"After a few days, I will certainly release you two."

Having said that, Xiao Yin no longer accompanied the two, turned, and left the hall.

Madame Zhao hastily rose to speak, but her daughter-in-law Jinzhi seized her wrist, gently helped her sit back down, and shook her head at her.

Madame Zhao didn't understand what kind of performance this was; she is straightforward, a straight shooter, and cannot tolerate all this beating around the bush.

She couldn't help but slap the table and look at Jinzhi, saying, "Forget it; since we're here, we might as well settle in. Jinzhi, what would you like to eat? I'll serve you some dishes."

Xiao Yin hurriedly left the subsidiary residence, got onto the carriage, and Ling Feng approached the carriage side.

"Prince, we have already brought under control all the medicine boys under Zuo Feichen's name."

"Medicine boys?" Xiao Yin gave a cold chuckle: "That brat is a ruthless character; a few medicine boys could never disturb his mind."

"His biological father is General Shi Hu, who guards Yan Guan Town thirty li north of Qi Sha Gu."

"He was framed by treacherous men of the Duan family, died in battle in a lone city, and his remains were hastily gathered—even his head could not be found."

"Later, Shi Hu's son was saved by the Divine Doctor Zuo Ming of the Precious Herb Hall."

"From then on he changed his surname to Zuo Feichen and became a divine doctor."

"He was originally the son of a military commander; his biological father bore a great grievance, and his adoptive father had shown him immense kindness—this time he wants to lure out that brat……"

Xiao Yin composed himself, his peach-blossom eyes flickering slightly: "Go, order someone to rush to Qi Sha Gu, dig up General Shi Hu's remains, and give him a proper burial."

"Now that we've dug it up, we should also excavate the remains of Zuo Feichen's adoptive father."

"Spread the word; if Zuo Feichen does not return to Shang Jing, I will have him killed."

Ling Feng was momentarily speechless, looking at his lord's icy face, his heart trembling slightly.

He didn't understand why these people would offend his lord, when they clearly knew his lord was a world‑troubling devil, a cruel fellow.

Now it's come to this—even the remains of his biological and adoptive fathers cannot be preserved.

"Prince, we have searched Tuo Ba Yu's medical clinic as well, and found nothing we can use as leverage."

"Regarding matters concerning the little prince, the Bei Di little prince speaks little, has few friends or relatives; presumably the person he cares most about is……"

Ling Feng suddenly swallowed the rest of the topic back down.

If he doesn't swallow these words back, he'll be shot through with several holes by the Prince in front of him.

These days they also saw that Tuo Ba Yu harbors ill intentions toward their Princess Consort; any man can see the kid is probably coveting their Princess Consort.

If there is anyone in this world who could restrain Tuo Ba Yu, it would only be their own Princess Consort; he would never dare say that in front of Xiao Yin, even if beaten to death.

Indeed, Xiao Yin's face sank.

Afterwards, his eyes turned slightly cold as he slowly said: "I heard Tuo Ba Yu has raised an Eastern Sea Azure Falcon."

That bird has always been fierce-tempered; Tuo Ba Yu treats it like a treasure.

That's only because the climate in the northern region of Shang Jing is still tolerable; since he wouldn't bring it to the south, …

Xiao Yin suddenly froze, almost standing up from the carriage, bumped his head, then slowly sat back down, his eyes flickering slightly.

Eastern Sea Azure Falcon does not like hot places, only likes dry deserts.

Even raising this bird in Shang Jing already makes people feel so wronged they want to pull out their hair.

This time Tuo Ba Yu brought so many confidants, but only left that bird behind, indicating…

Xiao Yin turned his face to look at Ling Feng: "Check all waterways, contact the Jiangnan Eight Major Water Systems' canal gangs, and also from the seaports of Zhuozhou and Quanzhou, go find for me; don't miss any clues."

And also…

"Your Highness, what are your orders?" Ling Feng hurriedly asked.

Xiao Yin grabbed a handful of peach blossoms from the treetop, pinching them bit by bit into fragments, gritting his teeth: "Tie up Tuo Ba Yu's bird as well."

Ling Feng's eye corner twitched; he didn't know what to say.