Chapter 289: The Huang Family Members Die Suddenly

Hearing her mention the Xuzhou Prefect, Jiang Xiaoxiao was stunned, immediately recalling the few bandits that Prefect Yuan had taken away just after they disembarked.

She subconsciously looked at Prince Duan beside her; he had learned the truth from Yu Batou, so he must have met with the Xuzhou Prefect by now, right?

As if sensing her gaze, Xiao Yi looked over at her abruptly.

His gaze was deep, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

Jiang Xiaoxiao's heart tightened, and she hurriedly lowered her head, taking a bite of the milk and tuckahoe cream handed to her by Su Wanwan.

Mmm, not to mention, the taste was truly not bad.

In ancient times, this milk and tuckahoe cream was something only royalty and nobility were qualified to enjoy. Because cattle were the labor force for farmers and could not be slaughtered at will, the price of milk was extremely expensive; usually, only wealthy families with status could afford to eat it.

Pairing tuckahoe with milk for consumption allows the tuckahoe to promote the absorption of nutrients like protein in the milk, making it especially suitable for pregnant women.

This Xuzhou Prefect really knew how to send gifts.

As Jiang Xiaoxiao ate, her thoughts drifted away.

She still had to find a way to meet with Lord Xie; only then could she inquire about news of Shen Que.

She had heard from the Xuzhou Prefect earlier that Lord Xie had also come to Xuzhou...

"Sister Wanwan, I discussed it with my mother last night; we cannot help you with your request. We have important matters to attend to on this trip to Xuzhou, and after this meal, we must leave..." Jiang Xiaoxiao deliberated, speaking the words she had prepared last night one by one.

Upon hearing that they were leaving, Su Wanwan became anxious: "What important matters do you have? Why are you in such a rush? Why don't you tell me, and I will send someone to do them for you."

Jiang Xiaoxiao glanced at her mother.

Jiang Wei's expression was indifferent, and her tone was equally flat, revealing no ripples: "Princess Duan need not do so. We prefer to handle our own affairs personally, so there is no need to trouble the Princess."

Su Wanwan felt a dull ache in her heart, very uncomfortable, upon hearing that Jiang Wei had even changed how she addressed her, and that her attitude had become distant and indifferent, not at all like the kindness she had shown on the merchant ship earlier.

"I understand..." She lowered her head, her face filled with disappointment, and said in a muffled voice: "I know I shouldn't keep pestering you, but I just hoped someone could keep me company for a few more days..."

Xiao Yi, standing to the side, frowned as he watched her appearance.

He spoke coldly and firmly: "Are you trying to see the Xuzhou Prefect?"

He used his chopsticks to place food into Su Wanwan's bowl, saying as he did so: "If you want to see him, you can stay here in the courtyard to keep Wanwan company, and I will have him come over."

Jiang Xiaoxiao: "..."

It is good to have imperial power.

"Since Prince Duan has spoken, I will tell the truth." Jiang Wei knew well that this Prince Duan was not a person easily fooled, so she simply laid it out: "The purpose of our trip, besides business matters, is also to see Lord Xie."

"Lord Xie did not come; he is not in Xuzhou." Xiao Yi spat out the words in a flat tone.

At this, even Jiang Wei couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

Lord Xie is not in Xuzhou?

Jiang Xiaoxiao couldn't help but ask: "Then earlier at the wharf, didn't the Xuzhou Prefect say he was acting under the orders of Lord Xie..."

"That was me borrowing Lord Xie's name to have the Xuzhou Prefect go to the wharf to welcome and find you." Xiao Yi glanced at Su Wanwan, who was equally surprised beside him. "I made two preparations; if Wanwan did not go with Xiao Er, then I would have the Xuzhou Prefect arrange for her to be in a safe place in my stead."

"..." Jiang Xiaoxiao was speechless once again.

So it turns out everything was within your preparations...

Su Wanwan was stunned: "So, that group of bandits was actually taken away by your men? What did you do to them?"

"What do you think?" Xiao Yi glanced at her sideways.

Su Wanwan immediately shut her mouth, not daring to ask further, fearing he might say something about turning them into human sticks again...

Jiang Xiaoxiao felt very helpless.

Since this Prince Duan thought to borrow Lord Xie's name, he must have also investigated their identities thoroughly.

Then, wouldn't their relationship with Shen Que be...

Jiang Xiaoxiao was still hesitating, but Jiang Wei had already spoken: "Since that is the case, I need not hide it. May I ask Prince Duan, where is Shen Que at this moment?"

Xiao Yi glanced at Su Wanwan.

At this moment, Su Wanwan was also looking at him with a face full of thirst for knowledge.

She also wanted to know where Shen Que was.

Xiao Yi secretly gritted his teeth, very unwilling to say.

"A few months ago, that Second Young Master of the Shen family returned to the capital with a grand procession of men, but unexpectedly, an accident occurred on the road."

Hearing this, Jiang Xiaoxiao's breathing suddenly tightened. An accident occurred on the road while Shen Que was taking the Huang family back to the capital?!

Xiao Yi ate a few bites of food before continuing unhurriedly: "That group of men was guarding a few criminals, and they likely encountered bandits blocking the road; all of them died suddenly... As for Shen Que, his whereabouts are unknown, and his life or death is uncertain."

"W-what did you say!?" Jiang Xiaoxiao stood up abruptly from her chair.

The Huang family members actually died suddenly on the road while being escorted back to the capital?!

That was the only evidence that could prove the true cause of General Shen's death back then!

How could there be such a coincidence in the world?

Shen Que's life or death is unknown, and his whereabouts are unknown; then, the evidence he was carrying on him... that copper wine cup, is it still there?

In an instant, all sorts of thoughts flooded Jiang Xiaoxiao's mind.

There cannot be such a coincidence in the world; could it be that those fellows in the capital sent people to assassinate them?

Jiang Wei was much calmer; she spoke in a flat tone: "Judging by Prince Duan's words, it seems you know that Lord Shen did not meet with an accident."

"Haha, this Mistress Jiang is indeed a smart person." Xiao Yi laughed twice. "The imperial court sent many people to look for him, and I also sent people to search, but apart from those few bodies, there was no sign of him. I suspect he is likely still alive, hiding in some place to bide his time."

After speaking, he deliberately glanced at Su Wanwan.

Su Wanwan indeed let out a sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

"Does Prince Duan know where Lord Shen is hiding?" Jiang Wei asked again.

At this, Xiao Yi shook his head.

"If his hiding place were so easy to find, the imperial court wouldn't have sent people to assassinate you."

Hearing this, Jiang Wei's eyes darkened.

Jiang Xiaoxiao's complexion also became unsightly.

Sure enough, those people hadn't found Shen Que's trail, so they set their sights on them.

It's just that she didn't know if capturing them was to force Shen Que out, or for that tiger tally... likely both.

"Assassination? What assassination?" Only Su Wanwan, who was kept in the dark, looked confused. "Weren't those people bandits that Yu Ying'er found to kidnap me?"

Xiao Yi: "..."

He reached out and pulled Su Wanwan's hand, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness: "So, have you decided how to punish that maid? Should you cut off her feet, or sever her hand tendons?"

"Y-you pervert!" Su Wanwan was so scared she shook off his hand.

Xiao Yi propped his chin up and watched her: "Then how about sending her back to the Su family, how is that?" ===== CHAPTER 290 =====