The next morning, Xu Hengyi brought Xia Zeshi along to visit the prison.
Outside the Shun Tian Prefecture, they encountered Ruan Ziji and his group. The two parties exchanged glances, acknowledging each other. They hadn't expected anyone to arrive earlier than them.
Xie Jiang was having breakfast.
Wen Feng stood by obediently.
Ruan Ziji clutched the food box in his hand and glared at Wen Feng with anger. "This dog is so idle every day, blocking even the opportunity to deliver breakfast!"
"Yi Yancheng is sick!"
Wen Feng glanced indifferently at the food box in Ruan Ziji's hand, then withdrew his gaze.
The most important task he had been handling in the past few days was to be responsible for Miss Xie's three meals a day, and then to report in detail, without omission, every aspect of Miss Xie's situation in prison to his master.
Whether Miss Xie ate a bit more or a bit less directly affected his master's mood that day.
Xie Jiang finished eating and put down her chopsticks, looking at the heavily blocked doorway. "Why are you all here so early today?"
Xu Hengyi sat down at the table. "Your Lan Yong envoy is entering the capital this afternoon. Xie Jiang, are you so lost in the darkness of the prison that you've forgotten about the Lan Yong envoy?"
Xie Jiang said "oh," as if she had just remembered.
The cups and bowls on the table had not yet been cleared. Ruan Ziji placed the food box on a stool by the bed. "I brought some pastries for Young Master Xie. If you're hungry, you can have a few to tide you over."
These pastries were bought after he sent people to queue up before dawn, waiting for nearly two hours.
However, Ruan Ziji had no intention of seeking credit. In his heart, Xie Jiang was worth all the best.
As long as Xie Jiang was happy, he was willing to give his all and present the best things to her.
If Xie Jiang liked to eat them, it would be the good fortune of these pastries and also his good fortune.
If Xie Jiang didn't like to eat them, they were just a pile of trash, nothing worth mentioning.
Seeing that Xie Jiang hadn't eaten much, Wen Feng's heart sank. It would be difficult for him to report if she ate so little. He quickly recommended the bowl of porridge beside her.
It was a bowl of red rice porridge with a special fragrance.
Xie Jiang had praised it a few times the last time she ate it, and Yi Yancheng remembered it, adding it to her list of favorite foods.
The meals Wen Feng had delivered for the past two days were all based on a list personally drafted by Yi Yancheng.
Seeing that the red rice porridge was prepared meticulously, Xie Jiang took the spoon that Wen Feng respectfully handed over.
Xu Hengyi felt that Xie Jiang's attitude towards the Lan Yong envoy's arrival in the capital was as indifferent as her attitude towards Ruan Ziji's food box.
It was right to be indifferent to Ruan Ziji's solicitousness, which was either treacherous or thieving.
But how could she be indifferent to the Lan Yong envoy entering the capital?
Lan Yong was her backing. Her backing was entering the capital, so why would she still be locked up in prison?
Xu Hengyi was more concerned about when Xie Jiang would be released than Xie Jiang herself. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Do you know who the envoy dispatched by your Lan Yong this time is? Is it someone from your Xie family or someone under the Xie family?"
It was said that Lan Yong had no emperor.
Several major families, led by the Xie family, jointly governed the four continents, including Lan Yong.
The Xie family was also the absolute head of the major families in Nanyang.
One could imagine the weight of Young Master Xie Jiang, from the Xie family, in Lan Yong and even the four continents of Nanyang.
Xie Jiang replied, "I'm not sure."
She had quite a few capable people under her, and many who could competently undertake this mission to Da Yu. Who knew who Xie Tangqing would send for this trip?
Xu Hengyi continued, "Isn't your Xie family like the supreme ruler in Lan Yong? Then no matter who comes, they shouldn't be indifferent to the matter of the young master of the Xie family being in prison, right? They will save you, won't they?"
"They probably will." Being in prison wasn't a big deal. Whatever, Fang Yuchun wouldn't keep her for too long anyway.
The red rice porridge was quite to her taste, and Xie Jiang ate a few more mouthfuls than usual. Wen Feng was thrilled, grateful that the ancestors had favored him.
Xu Hengyi clapped his hands. "We'll go to the city gate to wait in a moment. Tell the Lan Yong envoy that you're in prison and ask them to save you!"
There were too many people around Xie Jiang, and Yin Baixuan couldn't squeeze in. He leaned against the prison bars and, upon hearing Xu Hengyi's words about saving her, immediately joined in. "We'll also wait at the city gate. When the Lan Yong envoy arrives, we'll lead the way for them! Let's break her out together!"
Ruan Ziji turned around and slapped him. "Break her out? What nonsense! Is the brain on your shoulders just for decoration!"
"If the Lan Yong envoy arrives, do you think you'll need to break her out? They just need to say a few words to His Majesty."
Yin Baixuan was hit and held his head, not daring to make a sound.
Facing Xie Jiang, Ruan Ziji's expression turned innocent and cute again. His ferocious face absolutely could not be revealed in front of Xie Jiang.
Xu Hengyi continued to press. "You really don't know who the envoy is? If it's someone from your Xie family, or someone close to the Xie family, you'll be out of prison before tonight."
Xie Jiang ate slowly with her small spoon. "No matter who comes, they are not distant from the Xie family."
Xia Zeshi's eyes moved slightly, and Ruan Ziji looked thoughtful.
Xu Hengyi was still asking what she meant, did the Xie family have relatives and friends all over the four continents of Nanyang?
Xie Jiang said, "Those who are unwilling to be close to the Xie family have all been crushed by me and our family."
Xu Hengyi exclaimed, "...Your Xie family's methods are quite dark."
Xie Jiang thought about it seriously and nodded.
In the first two years, she had been a bit radical, always feeling a fire chasing after her.
She dared not slack off for a single moment, for fear of being utterly destroyed by the fire. In those two years, she had indeed committed many sins.
"Those who obey me prosper, and those who defy me perish!" She didn't even bother to try indirect methods.
If she were to ascend the throne as emperor, she would surely be a tyrant.
In the past two years, her state of mind had become much more peaceful. She even had the patience to slowly harvest Xu Hengyan's sincerity, just to witness the Xu Heavenly Master brothers turn against each other.
Xu Hengyi said, "So no matter who the envoy is, they are considered retainers of the Xie family, right?"
Which retainer could tolerate their young master being imprisoned? They would surely rescue Xie Jiang immediately.
Xie Jiang replied, "I suppose so."
Xu Hengyi stood up. "Then I understand. I'll go to the city gate to wait now. As soon as I find an opportunity, I'll tell them about your current situation."
"Your Highness Fifth Prince, please accompany me. Your identity will be more useful."
This way, the officials from the Court of State Ceremonial wouldn't stop him from approaching.
Xia Zeshi said, "It's still early. There's no need to be so anxious."
He thought Xu Hengyi and the young scamps were worrying unnecessarily.
Didn't they see that Xie Jiang remained as steady as Mount Tai?
If Xie Jiang needed help from the Lan Yong envoy, she would have her subordinates contact them. Why would Xu Hengyi and the others need to worry?
However, he was very curious about the people and affairs of Lan Yong, so it wouldn't hurt to accompany Xu Hengyi to see the situation.
The young scamps were already discussing where to hold a welcoming banquet for Xie Jiang that evening, as if Xie Jiang would definitely be released from prison today.
Xu Hengyi glanced at the books placed at the foot of the bed and was greatly surprised. When did Xie Jiang start liking to read?
He opened one and saw that they were all storybooks, and those with illustrations.
There were tales of monsters repaying kindness, of grudges and vendettas in the martial world, of idle talk between ruler and subject, and even romance?
"Xie Jiang, you actually read these kinds of storybooks?"
"What kind?"
Wen Feng had only managed to find them for her last night, and she hadn't even finished one about ruler and subject idle talk.
Seeing Xu Hengyi's strangeness, she had some anticipation. Perhaps Wen Feng had become more perceptive and found what she wanted?
Xu Hengyi held one up and showed it to her. "Romance, unfaithful lovers, and such. Only young girls like to read these. I didn't expect you to have such a preference, Xie Jiang?"
Wen Feng's eyes flickered, and he silently lowered his gaze.
Those were his personal additions, hoping Miss Xie would gain some insight and be more devoted to his master.
Xie Jiang didn't think much of it. "It's just to pass the time. It's none of your business what I read."
How could she possibly imagine that Wen Feng had included romance storybooks in hopes that she would develop a bit of a crush, to make her fall in love?