Chapter 1107

First Volume, Chapter 1107: Sudden Tragedy

Xie Yun'er understood all that Princess Qiyang had said, but those caught in emotion always find it hard to restrain their feelings.

Xie Yun'er sighed softly in her heart and let it go.

After all, once Qin Feng returned, all questions would find answers.

Xie Yun'er looked at Princess Qiyang, hesitated many times, then softly asked: "Your Highness, how have you been lately?"

Princess Qiyang was surprised at the sudden mention of the Chang Princess, but considering Xie Yun'er was her closest sister and would never harbor ill intent toward her,

her momentary hesitation vanished, and she sighed helplessly: "Since Mother returned home, she hasn't stepped outside the door once."

"I've told Mother that since His Majesty has ceased pursuing the Li Yong's Rebellion, as long as we live quietly, he certainly won't pursue us to the end."

"But Mother still refuses to leave the house, and I can do nothing."

In truth, this matter owes much to Xie Yun'er—had it not been for her staunch defense, even if His Majesty had shown mercy, the court ministers would never have spared Mother.

After all, Li Yong's Rebellion involved too many people.

Thinking of this, Princess Qiyang felt another wave of envy—how right Xie Yun'er had been to bet everything on the Qin Family.

With the Qin Family as her backing, no one in all of Shedynasty dares show Xie Yun'er the slightest disrespect.

This honor rivals even that of the nobles within Gong Zhong.

Princess Qiyang's eyes held a trace of helplessness—she didn't know where her destined one might be, for in Jingdu, no man dared marry Princess Qiyang.

The daughter of a convicted criminal is no joke—should blame ever be traced back, the husband's family would be implicated; who would risk it?

Though still a Princess, clearly the title "Xie Yun'er's sister" carried more weight in Jingdu than "Princess Qiyang."

"Qiyang…"

Xie Yun'er seized Princess Qiyang's hand, fearing she might feel resentment, and quickly comforted her: "We sisters are one, aren't we?"

Princess Qiyang nodded with a smile, her heart filled not only with gratitude but also deep loneliness.

Once, her status far surpassed Xie Yun'er's—she had always defended Xie Yun'er.

Now, their roles had reversed; her mother's and her own honor and disgrace now depended on Xie Yun'er.

To say she didn't care at all would be a lie, but the tide of the times had turned—what use was her resentment, as a woman with no power?

Meanwhile, Qin Feng left Ming County and set out on the road back to Beijing.

Everything that happened in Ming County was, to Qin Feng, merely a minor detour.

Just as Qin Feng was about to order his men to speed up and return to Beijing faster, a shout came from behind.

Qin Feng gently tugged the reins, turned around, and saw a cavalryman galloping from afar; as he drew closer, Qin Feng recognized him as a messenger.

A messenger appearing never bodes well!

As Qin Feng predicted, the messenger dismounted upon reaching him, knelt on the ground, and cried out with a hoarse voice:

"Lord Qin, a great disaster has struck Yuping County!"

"County Magistrate Wu Chenggong… is dead."

What?!

Qin Feng frowned sharply and demanded: "What exactly happened? I've only been away from Yuping County for a few days—Wu Chenggong was perfectly fine. How could he suddenly die?"

Wu Chenggong may have lacked ability, but he was a good official—diligent, conscientious, and devoted to duty.

Why would he die so suddenly?

The messenger wiped away tears and wailed: "A villain hid in the city, slipped into the County Yamen's Rear Residence under cover of night, and murdered the County Magistrate in his sleep."

"The Yamen Runners have been deployed across the county; investigations confirm that the rebel leader Wu Heli has not fled—he has secretly returned to Yuping County. We believe Wu County Magistrate was killed by Wu Heli."

Again, Wu Heli—Qin Feng's eyes blazed with murderous intent. If these bastards weren't eradicated, the people would suffer endlessly.

But…

Qin Feng was troubled—he had no spare time to waste here.

If he delayed the Wedding Date, it would become a colossal joke, and Li Xiaolan and the other women, though silent, would surely harbor resentment.

After all, for women, marriage was of paramount importance.

On the other hand, after Wu Heli's army was shattered, he could not possibly regroup in the short term.

Thus, Wu Heli must be traveling with only his closest followers, lightly equipped.

The more so, the harder it would be to track them down—these days, capturing a fugitive was exceedingly difficult.

Wu Chenggong's gruesome death pained Qin Feng deeply, but the greater good must come first.

Qin Feng waved his hand and summoned Zhao Yuxiong forward.

The words were on his tongue, but he swallowed them and instead asked the messenger: "Who is currently in charge in Yuping County?"

The messenger shook his head: "County Magistrate Wu was always hands-on, handling every matter himself. Now that he's gone, no one can fill his place."

That was troublesome—by the time word reached higher authorities, a new County Magistrate was appointed, and then arrived, it might be years.

How could such a large county remain without a leader?

More urgent than hunting Wu Heli was sending someone to stabilize Yuping County's situation.

Qin Feng pointed directly at the messenger: "Go at once to Ming County—the Zhou Fu official hasn't left yet. Order him to proceed immediately to Yuping County and assume temporary command."

"Then have him select a capable man from the Zhou Fu to temporarily replace Wu Chenggong as County Magistrate."

"Oh, and one more thing!"

Qin Feng pulled out five hundred taels in Silver Notes and handed them to the messenger: "I am deeply grieved by Wu County Magistrate's death. These funds are my personal Compensation for his family—funeral expenses will be substantial."

The messenger accepted the Silver Notes, bowing and thanking him profusely.

Qin Feng then turned to Zhao Yuxiong: "Brother Yuxiong, immediately contact the Jin Yi Wei. Send them to patrol the areas around Yuping County and Ming County."

"First, protect the officials and Yamen Runners there; second, secretly track Wu Heli's movements. If conditions permit, execute these Rebel Party members on the spot without reporting."

Hearing this, Zhao Yuxiong frowned: "Brother Qin, why not simply station a few Black Cavalry in Yuping County and Ming County?"

Qin Feng shook his head decisively: "If they bring light cavalry, then of course they should garrison; but heavy cavalry, even if they garrison in County City, are of no use."

The greatest value of heavy cavalry lies in holding the line and breaking formations on the battlefield; outside of that, they are unfit for any other task.