Chapter 493: Governor Xu Yansong of Jiangnan Province

Provincial Capital, Jiangnan Provincial Government Building.

Provincial Governor Xu Yansong's office is on the third floor, the largest room in the entire building.

At this moment, Xu Yansong is seated behind his desk, head bowed as he reads a document.

He is in his fifties, his hair meticulously combed, dressed in a dark Zhongshan suit, appearing dignified and solemn.

He has served five years as Provincial Governor of Jiangnan, and throughout Jiangnan Province, aside from the Jiangnan Wang, his authority is the greatest.

Xu Yansong finishes the document, picks up a pen to sign, then leans back in his chair, rubs his temples, and a hint of fatigue appears on his face.

Just then, the office door is pushed open.

No knock, just pushed open.

Xu Yansong's complexion darkens instantly, he lifts his head, about to lose his temper, but sees a woman walk in.

The woman is about twenty‑seven or twenty‑eight, dressed in a white suit, hair draped over her shoulders, features delicate, skin fair, demeanor cold, like a piece of ice in winter.

Her gaze is sharp, bearing a condescending air, looking at people as if inspecting an object rather than a person.

Xu Yansong can't help but furrow his brows, speaking, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure.

"Madam, this is a Provincial Government office core area! Who are you? How did you get in?"

His voice is not loud, but very authoritative.

What about the guards outside?

How could a stranger just barge in?

The woman gives Xu Yansong a faint glance, her eyes showing no emotional fluctuation, as if looking at someone insignificant.

She does not answer Xu Yansong's question, but speaks directly, her tone flat yet exuding an undeniable air.

"Xu Yansong, I have a matter that requires you to act."

With those words, Xu Yansong's brows furrow even deeper.

He has been Provincial Governor of Jiangnan for five years, and no one has ever dared speak to him like this.

How does this woman, who looks in her twenties, have the right to be so arrogant?

Xu Yansong takes a deep breath, suppresses his displeasure, and his tone becomes serious.

"Madam, this is a Provincial Government office core area, not a place for you. If you have business, you may go to the Letters and Visits Bureau. Without an appointment, please leave immediately."

His words are courteous, but his attitude is firm.

The woman hears this, a faint cold smile curling at the corner of her mouth, her eyes bearing a hint of mockery.

She says nothing, but reaches into her bosom, pulls out a Golden Seal, and casually tosses it onto Xu Yansong's desk.

The Golden Seal lands on the desk, emitting a dull thud.

Xu Yansong looks down, his pupils snapping shut.

The Golden Seal is small, only the size of a baby's fist.

Entirely golden, engraved with a five‑clawed golden dragon.

The dragon's body coils, its claws splay, lifelike.

At the base of the Golden Seal are two characters: Linghu!

Xu Yansong's mind buzzes, a blank.

He recognizes the Golden Seal.

It is a token of the top‑tier Kyoto clan Linghu Family; seeing the seal is like seeing the family head.

Throughout the Empire, fewer than five people possess this Golden Seal.

In other words, the woman standing before him is a Core Disciple of the Linghu Family.

Sweat springs from Xu Yansong's forehead, streaming down his cheek.

He has been Provincial Governor of Jiangnan for five years, his word unchallengeable throughout Jiangnan Province, a true high‑ranking official.

But the Linghu Family is one of the Four Great Top‑tier Clans of Kyoto, its power unimaginably vast.

Before the Linghu Family, his modest position as Jiangnan Provincial Governor is merely a minor role.

A mere flick of a finger from them could topple him from his current post.

Realizing this, Xu Yansong instantly stands, the displeasure on his face vanishing, replaced by a respectful expression.

He strides out from behind the desk, slightly bowing, his voice much softer than before.

"So it is Miss Linghu, my apologies, my apologies. I was unaware of Miss Linghu's esteemed arrival, and failed to receive you properly; I beg Miss Linghu's forgiveness."

Xu Yansong's attitude shifts rapidly, as if he has become a different person.

The woman looks at him, a hint of indifference on her face, her eyes showing no emotion.

She does not sit, merely stands, looking down at Xu Yansong as a queen watches her servant.

"No need for superfluous words."

The woman's voice is cold, like winter wind.

"I have come to you to wield the authority of the Jiangnan Provincial Governor, to help me locate a woman's whereabouts."

Xu Yansong quickly nods, bowing even lower.

"Yes, yes, Miss Linghu, please give orders. As long as I can accomplish it, I will exert my utmost effort."

His attitude is sincere, daring not to be even slightly perfunctory.

The woman looks at him, a faint cold smile curling at the corner of her mouth.

Xu Yansong's brows knit slightly, a hint of unease in his heart.

He asks cautiously.

"May I ask what Miss Linghu is seeking?"

The woman lifts her head, a flash of cold in her eyes, her smile at the corner growing even more icy.

Her name is Su Xueyan.

As soon as those three words were spoken, Xu Yansong's expression changed slightly.

Su Xueyan?

He had heard that name before.

She is the eldest daughter of the Su Family of Jiangcheng, the Chairwoman of the Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce, and she also has some reputation in the business circles of Jiangnan Province.

But how could she be connected to the Linghu Family?

Although Xu Yansong was puzzled in his heart, he dared not ask further.

He quickly nodded and said.

"Miss Linghu, rest assured, I will arrange this immediately. Within three days, I will definitely find her."

The woman glanced at him and said lightly.

"Not three days, but today."

Her voice was not loud, but each word carried an undeniable tone.

"Within today, I need to know her whereabouts. Moreover, as far as I know, she should have just left Jiangnan......"

Upon hearing this, Xu Yansong's forehead broke out in sweat again.

Within today?

That's too urgent.

Moreover, the other party isn't even in Jiangnan—isn't this deliberately making things difficult?

But the Linghu Family is not someone he can afford to offend.

Xu Yansong gritted his teeth and said.

"Yes, I will take care of it right away."

The woman nodded, turned, and walked out.

After taking two steps, she suddenly stopped, turned back, and glanced at Xu Yansong.

"Right, don't startle the snake. After finding her, first inform me, and do not alarm her."

Xu Yansong quickly nodded.

"Yes, I understand."

The woman said nothing more, turned, and walked out of the office.

Her footsteps faded gradually down the corridor and soon disappeared.

Xu Yansong stood in the office, looking at the closed door, and let out a long breath.

He leaned back in the chair, closed his eyes, and thought about that woman just now.

A Core Disciple of the Linghu Family personally came to Jiangnan Province to look for Su Xueyan.

Just who is Su Xueyan? How could she have stirred the Linghu Family?

Xu Yansong couldn't figure it out, and dared not think too much about it.

He only knew that he could not afford to provoke this matter.

Whether it's the Linghu Family or Su Xueyan, neither is something he can touch.

He only needs to find the person and hand her over to that woman; the rest has nothing to do with him.

Thinking this through, Xu Yansong felt somewhat relieved.

He opened his eyes, picked up the documents on the desk, and continued reading.

But his heart could not calm down; his mind was filled with the image of that golden seal.

A five-clawed golden dragon, the two characters 'Linghu'.

That is a symbol of power, a height he could never reach in his lifetime.

Meanwhile, that woman had already left the Provincial Government building and gotten into a black sedan.

The car had no license plate, its glass was dark, and nothing could be seen inside from the outside.

The woman sat in the back seat, took out her phone, and dialed a number.

The phone rang once, and the other end answered.

"Have you found her?"

From the other end came an aged voice, tinged with anticipation.

The woman said.

"Not yet, but soon. I have already had the Governor of Jiangnan Province investigate; there should be results today."

The aged voice fell silent for a moment, then spoke.

"After finding her, do not alarm her."

The aged voice spoke again.

"Remember, she is the bloodline of the Linghu Family. No matter what, she must be brought back."

A flicker of complex emotion crossed the woman's eyes, but she quickly returned to her cold demeanor.

"Yes, Ancestor."

The phone hung up.

The woman leaned back in the seat, closed her eyes, not knowing what she was thinking.

The car started, slowly drove away from the Provincial Government building, and disappeared into the traffic.