Zhao Han's gaze turned cold upon hearing this. He looked at Zhao An and asked, "Is Zhao Min your father?"
Zhao An was startled. He had been a lackey, relying on his father being the county magistrate of Xifeng Pass. More importantly, his family's direct lineage was connected to the imperial family. He suddenly recalled his father had warned him a few days ago to be more restrained, as the Zhao family from Qi might be coming.
His father had already changed his name to Zhao Qingda upon arriving at Xifeng Pass, aiming for prosperity. Very few people knew his father's original name. This young master before him actually knew it. A chill ran down his spine. Could it be someone from the Zhao family in Qicheng?
"I'm asking you a question," Zhao Han said impatiently when Zhao An remained silent.
Zhao An asked, "May I know your surname?"
Even at his young age, Zhao Han knew Zhao An might have guessed his identity. He sneered and looked at Zhao An, saying, "You'll know when the time comes. But this woman..."
Zhao An had lost all his earlier assertiveness. He quickly said, "I dare not, I will never dare again."
Zhao Han let out a cold snort. He took out some碎银 (broken silver) from his waist and threw it to the woman, saying, "Take this and bury your father!"
"Thank you, young master," the woman said, and with the help of the onlookers, carried the corpse away.
"Young master, where are you going?" Zhao An asked, enduring the pain in his wrist.
"Does it concern you where I'm going?" Zhao Han glanced at Zhao An and left, pulling the young master beside him.
Zhao An said to the person beside him, "Hurry back and tell my father that someone from the Zhao family has arrived."
"Yes, young master," the family retainer replied and quickly left.
"Miss Xue, why have you come?" Zhao Han asked, his face filled with excitement as he looked at Xue Xingyue.
Xue Xingyue had met the Zhao family young master when her imperial brother passed away and she was being pursued by her consort. She had been saved by two young masters from the Zhao family, which allowed her to disguise herself and seek Xie Yunliu.
Xue Xingyue smiled and said, "If you can come, why can't I?"
Zhao Han smiled and replied, "You're right."
"What are you doing here?" Xue Xingyue asked casually.
"My brother and I..."
"Young master, the elder young master is looking for you." A man suddenly appeared as Zhao Han was speaking.
Xue Xingyue looked at the man. She knew this man had been following Zhao Han from the beginning. When Zhao Han was attacked, he hadn't intervened. Now, he appeared just as Zhao Han was about to speak. It was not difficult to imagine that Zhao Xuan was worried about Zhao Han, otherwise, he wouldn't have sent someone to follow him.
"Brother is looking for me?" Zhao Han frowned, a hint of impatience flashing across his handsome face.
Seeing this, Xue Xingyue said, "There must be something important. You should go attend to it first!"
"Which inn are you staying at now? I'll come find you after I'm done," Zhao Han said, looking at Xue Xingyue with some unease.
Xue Xingyue replied, "I'm staying at the Fulai Inn. Hurry along!"
Zhao Han nodded. Although he felt reluctant to leave, as he wanted to see the person he longed to see, he also understood that Zhao Xuan must have an urgent matter to find him for.
"Alright, I'll come find you after I've finished," Zhao Han said.
As Zhao Han's figure disappeared into the distance, Feng Jiu, who had been nearby, appeared beside Xue Xingyue. "Your Highness, what should we do next?"
"Go and follow Zhao Han, but be careful not to be discovered. He has people protecting him. When both of the Zhao family members are gone, you go and rescue Feng Qing," Xue Xingyue instructed.
"Your Highness, allow me to distract the two Zhao family members, and you can go rescue Feng Qing," Feng Jiu said.
Xue Xingyue frowned, looking at Feng Jiu. "What are you..."
Feng Jiu gazed into the distance, his expression unexplainably complex. "If Feng Qing sees you, he will be very happy."
"Alright, but don't try to lure away both of the Zhao family. I believe they will leave the escort team soon."
"Your Highness, you mean..."
Xue Xingyue curved her lips into a smile. "Because some people are more anxious than we are!"
Zhao Han returned to the gate of Xifeng Pass and saw Zhao Xuan standing there. He walked up and asked, "Brother, has something happened?"
Zhao Xuan cast a cold glance at Zhao Han, then said coldly, "Did you encounter people from the Zhao family?"
Zhao Han was stunned. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered Zhao Taian, whose wrist he had broken. Looking at the cold-faced Zhao Xuan, he nodded stiffly.
"Did I tell you what our current mission is?" Zhao Xuan asked.
Zhao Han replied, "To escort exiled prisoners."
"Then what did you do?" Zhao Xuan asked coldly.
"I..."
Zhao Xuan snorted and said, "You, on the other hand, went to play the hero and save the damsel. Since you're so willing to save her, why don't you marry that woman? I'll write a letter to Father right now and tell him you're getting married."
"Brother, don't be impulsive, I... I just..."
"You just what? You want to say that escorting prisoners is a trivial matter, and it's beneath your talents? Zhao Han, when will you ever use your brain? Do you know why cousin asked me to escort them? It's because His Majesty..."
Suddenly, Zhao Xuan closed his mouth and stopped speaking.
Zhao Han's eyes widened as he looked at Zhao Xuan. "Brother, what is your relationship with His Majesty?"
Zhao Xuan flicked his sleeve and said coldly, "It's useless telling you."
"Useless telling me? You think I'm useless, don't you?" Zhao Han's anger flared up instantly.
"Or are you useful?" Zhao Xuan remained indifferent to Zhao Han's anger and asked coldly.
Zhao Han said angrily, "I knew you all looked down on me. Not just you, but also Father, Mother, and all our siblings. None of you think highly of me. That's why you hide things from me. Fine, since you're hiding things from me, don't lecture me with grand principles. It's your own fault for keeping it bottled up."