He had almost lost his life from severe injuries sustained previously, and it was only through Ye Qingcheng’s strenuous efforts that he survived. However, outsiders remained unaware of his actual physical condition.
Since the young emperor had extended his influence so far as to be privy to the resolution of the strange illness in Fengdu City before any official report, he would undoubtedly be aware of the attack and serious injuries suffered by the prince.
By presenting this excuse, the capital would find it difficult to dispatch any more people to urge him for a response, as the injured were, after all, to be given priority.
Even so, Xiao Wangye understood that he still had to provide an explanation to the other party. Thus, he declared that he was dispatching two guards to Ningcheng on his behalf.
While others were unaware of the contents of the imperial decree delivered to the prince’s mansion, as the prefect of Ningcheng, they naturally knew what orders had been issued by the capital due to their authority.
Xiao Wangye’s men were undoubtedly sent to investigate the matter of selling grain at inflated prices.
The officials involved did not wish for this affair to be uncovered. In order to protect themselves, these individuals blocked the guards at the gate.
They did not hold Xiao Wangye, the regent prince, in high regard, as he held no military power nor any actual official title.
He was merely a prince, and they assumed he could not stir up too much trouble.
The two mansion guards, having hit a wall and being unceremoniously refused entry, received a cold shoulder and returned empty-handed to Fengdu City.
Upon hearing their report, Xiao Wangye calmly continued with his tasks, showing not the slightest hint of surprise.
“Alright, you may withdraw. There’s no need to concern yourselves with this further.”
With a casual wave of his hand, he dismissed the guards, feigning indifference to the matter.
Meanwhile, certain observant individuals who had been watching from the sidelines discovered that he acted as if nothing had happened, continuing to enjoy his life in Fengdu City.
When the party involved, Xiao Wangye, himself did not take the matter to heart, Ye Qingcheng, who had initially been somewhat angered, also let go of her concerns and put the incident out of her mind.
The two of them continued to frequent the city streets, experiencing life and enjoying the company of the common people.
As both had personally participated in disaster relief and the treatment of the strange illness, most of the citizens in the city had a deep impression of them and could recognize them.
Furthermore, unlike the nobles who maintained an air of superiority, they interacted with people in a very approachable manner, earning the affection of many citizens.
The people of Fengdu City were very grateful and fond of them.
Occasionally, when they went out and felt tired, owners of wonton stalls would smile and offer them wontons to eat.
Life in Fengdu City was so peaceful that the imperial decree seemed as if it had never arrived.
However, soon, someone’s sudden arrival shattered this tranquility.
“Wangfei, your subordinate has discovered the assassins who attacked the prince that day.”
Can Jian, dusty and travel-worn, suddenly appeared before Ye Qingcheng and Xiao Wangye.
He was the one Ye Qingcheng had dispatched to track the assassins while she was treating the severely injured Xiao Wangye.
It was not that Ye Qingcheng did not trust the mansion guards, but at that time, Xiao Wangye was injured, making it inconvenient for these guards to leave the city.
Moreover, in terms of tracking and investigation skills, Can Jian, who was often active in the martial world, was more adept.
As expected, Can Jian brought the results of his investigations from the past few days.
“The last known whereabouts of these individuals were near the border, and not far from there were the encampments of the Japanese army. Based on the testimonies of passersby that day, I located one of the assassins. After eliminating him, I found this on his person.”
Saying this, Can Jian handed a peculiar piece of fabric to Ye Qingcheng, its embroidered pattern exquisitely beautiful.
Xiao Wangye, glancing at it a few more times, immediately identified the origin of the fabric.
“This is a type of fabric quite popular among the Japanese noble class. It is extremely expensive and rarely seen in our dynasty.”
“It seems this matter is inextricably linked to the Japanese!”
Ye Qingcheng echoed his words, her brows furrowed. She then turned and handed the fabric to Xiao Wangye.
The latter took the fabric, placed it in his embrace, and nodded, a look of insight seemingly in his eyes.
From the time he captured Luo Qin Quan and began investigating the smuggling cooperation with Japanese merchants, this matter had already become unusual.
The reason the Japanese wanted to kill him was simple: it was all related to Luo Qin Quan’s affair.
After all, on that occasion, he not only brought Luo Qin Quan back to Fengdu City but also executed quite a few Japanese people, and he even held the partnership agreement in his possession.
Now, Xiao Wangye inexplicably had the responsibility to thoroughly investigate Japanese merchants for raising grain prices, which suggested that future interactions with the Japanese were inevitable.
He did not say anything further about the assassination matter, and after securing the evidence, he dropped the subject.
Ye Qingcheng knew he had a plan, so she let him have his way.
However, after this incident, Xiao Wangye acted uncharacteristically. He ceased his passive inaction and organized his retinue to head to Ningcheng.
On this matter, Ye Qingcheng naturally had to accompany him, and Xiao Wangye also intended for her to do so.
This time, neither of them concealed their identities. They openly led their entourage, heading directly to Ningcheng in their capacities as Regent Prince and Regent Princess.
In contrast, in Ningcheng, while they had been able to block two low-ranking guards that day, they could not prevent their entry into the city today.
Not only were their statuses far superior to those officials, but the imperial decree held by Xiao Wangye also served as a powerful aid in making them yield.
To refuse them entry again would be a grave offense of defying an imperial decree!
However, the officials of Ningcheng did not attach much importance to this matter. Only when the entourage of the two arrived at the city gate did they dispatch two minor officials in charge of documents to welcome them.
These two officials stood alone in the cold wind, without any attendants or yamen runners behind them, offering stiff, awkward smiles.
The two minor officials, sensing the darkness on the faces of the approaching party, quickly offered explanations, stating that the Prefect was on his way and would arrive shortly.
Upon hearing this, Ye Qingcheng and Xiao Wangye’s expressions softened slightly, and they nodded, continuing to wait.
However, after waiting for a considerable time, nearly half an hour passed before the Prefect, arriving fashionably late in a sedan chair, appeared.
“This subordinate begs the Prince and Princess Consort’s pardon for my tardiness!”
“This subordinate apologizes for the delay in receiving you. I beg the Prince and Princess Consort’s pardon!” the Prefect of Ningcheng stated blandly.
“The official does not even bow to the Prince. I thought you were the Prince!”
Glancing dismissively at the Prefect, Ye Qingcheng did not conceal her anger and sarcastically taunted him with a pointed remark.
It was understandable that she could not reveal her identity in Fengdu City before, as she merely wished to avoid causing trouble for Xiao Wangye.
Now that they had arrived here as the Regent Prince and Princess Consort, without expecting them to be overly fawning, the least they should show was basic respect and courtesy.
How could she tolerate such a negligent attitude?
Upon hearing this, the Prefect of Ningcheng widened his squinting eyes slightly and looked at the two of them more closely.
His previously drowsy demeanor vanished entirely. However, just as he was about to offer a retort, Ye Qingcheng deliberately spoke before him, continuing her sarcastic remarks:
“Even if my Prince is not favored, he is still a Prince, a member of the imperial family. By exhibiting such negligence and disrespect, you are tarnishing the imperial family’s honor and showing disrespect to the royal court! By law, this is punishable by death!”