As they neared the courtyard, Wen Feng couldn't help but whisper, "It seems Prime Minister Xun also supports His Highness becoming the Regent?"
Yi Yan Geng's gaze was calm, his expression unmoving. "Prime Minister Xun doesn't support it. It's merely a compromise born out of having no other choice."
Prime Minister Xun did not wish to see the excellent situation that the Da Yu Dynasty had just begun to flourish in be ruined.
How could an old minister like Prime Minister Xun, who wholeheartedly dedicated himself to the country, be willing to see a Regent emerge in the court?
Although they were utterly disappointed in the current Emperor, they would never wish for imperial power to fall into other hands.
Wen Feng recalled the night of the Spring Garden auction, when Miss Xie had incited His Highness to accept the position of Regent.
Wen Feng gazed at His Highness's stern back, hesitating to speak several times. He finally entered the study, but some words remained unasked.
What Wen Feng wanted to ask was about just now. His Highness had pushed back repeatedly, only to tell Prime Minister Xun that he would consider it. His Highness wouldn't actually intend to...
~
Xie Jiang, who was taking a nap, was shaken awake.
Aunt He stood by the bedside. "Young Master, something has happened."
Xie Jiang rolled over and turned his back to Aunt He, continuing to sleep.
Aunt He knew the Young Master was awake and could hear her. "Young Master Xu the Third has been kidnapped by Lu Baohong, and the Heir Xu is going alone to ransom him."
Xie Jiang remained still, as if asleep.
Aunt He waited by the bedside.
After a while, Xie Jiang turned over, the sleepiness in his eyes gradually fading. "Who did you say kidnapped Xu Hengyi?"
"Lu Baohong." Fearing she might not remember the person, Aunt He reminded her, "The younger brother of the one from the Marquis of Nanxiong's estate, the cannibal."
Xie Jiang let out an "Oh" and remembered. "When did this happen?"
Didn't Xu Hengyi just have lunch with her?
Aunt He had already prepared the washing supplies. "It was not long after he left us. Young Master Xu the Third went out for a stroll by himself, and it's said he was abducted in broad daylight."
"Is Xu Hengyi a pig?"
Even within their own territory in Ninghe County, Xu Hengyan would not be so careless as to not send people to follow Xu Hengyi.
He could still be abducted like this?
Did Xu Hengyi think he was only three years old!
"...If you say so, then so be it."
It was said that Young Master Xu the Third had indeed been tricked.
Xie Jiang got out of bed and stretched. "This Lu Baohong has some courage, daring to sneak into Ninghe County and act under Xu Hengyan's nose."
Aunt He wrung out the cloth and handed it to Xie Jiang. "Indeed, Young Master Xu the Third had no defenses at all."
Xie Jiang wiped his face, completely awake, and asked calmly, "Did Xu Hengyan go alone to ransom him?"
Aunt He took the cloth and threw it into the basin. While helping Xie Jiang dress, she said, "Lu Baofang sent someone to deliver a message: if they wanted to save Young Master Xu the Third, they had to exchange him for the Heir Xu. If the Heir Xu was unwilling to exchange, then Young Master Xu the Third would be killed."
"And they emphasized that only the Heir Xu could go alone. If the Heir Xu dared to be disobedient and bring others, for every extra person, they would stab Young Master Xu the Third. How many stabs could Young Master Xu the Third withstand? So, the Heir Xu could only go alone, couldn't he?"
Xie Jiang tilted his head back as Aunt He fastened his buttons. "Aunt He, when you state facts, why do you have to step on Xu Hengyi?"
Aunt He looked confused. "Did I?"
Xie Jiang said seriously, "You did. You said he couldn't take a beating."
Aunt He gave him a reproachful look. "...Don't get sidetracked. Where was I just now?"
Xie Jiang said, "To prevent Xu Hengyi from being killed, the Heir Xu went alone to make the exchange."
Aunt He sighed and concluded, "The Heir Xu is truly a good brother."
For the Duke of Wei's estate and the Xu family, the Heir Xu's importance was immeasurably greater than that of Young Master Xu the Third.
Yet, the Heir Xu still went to face the danger without hesitation.
Lu Baohong and his son were now cornered beasts, capable of any desperate act.
~
Xie Jiang rode his horse quickly, preparing to leave the county town, but encountered a large crowd gathered at the county gate. Many were familiar faces.
The guards of the Duke of Wei's estate.
And the chief clerk of the Ninghe County Magistrate's office, along with several scribes.
All were subordinates of the Duke of Wei's estate.
Xie Jiang reined in his horse and stopped. "What are you all doing here? Where is Xu Hengyan?"
Guang Bai, with red-rimmed eyes, stepped forward and cupped his fists in salute. "Young Master Xie, the Heir went alone to ransom Young Master the Third."
As he spoke, he turned his head and glanced at the two figures outside the city gate, his gaze filled with killing intent.
Those were the assassins sent by Lu Baohong to deliver the message. They were currently watching them, and if they dared to step out of the county town, the other party would not let Young Master the Third return.
"By the Kui River?"
"Yes."
After Guang Bai confirmed the ransom location, Xie Jiang flicked the reins, preparing to leave the city.
Guang Bai sensed something and quickly blocked him. "Where is Young Master Xie going?"
Xie Jiang said, "To the Kui River to find Xu Hengyan."
Guang Bai hurriedly explained with concern, "Lu Baohong doesn't allow anyone to follow, or he'll take everyone down with him!"
Guang Bai was truly afraid of Young Master Xie's temper. What if he rushed in and acted recklessly, forcing Lu Baofang to perish with Young Master the Third!
Xie Jiang said solemnly, "I know Xu Hengyan intends to exchange himself for Xu Hengyi. I don't plan to forcibly snatch him. I intend to go there to be a hostage with Xu Hengyan."
The people gathered at the city gate were all somewhat shocked by this.
Guang Bai blurted out, "How can that be!" An exchange of two for one, was that necessary?
Nie Tong, who had followed, hurriedly said, "Young Master, you must not!"
Xie Jiang's attitude was firm. "When I was in danger, Xu Hengyan risked his life to save me. Now that Xu Hengyan is in trouble, what is there that I cannot risk?"
Guang Bai was deeply moved by these words. Although Young Master Xie had many flaws, he was a person of great righteousness and loyalty.
Nie Tong was so anxious that he was sweating. "But the Lu family hates you to the bone. If you deliver yourself to them, I'm afraid Lu Baohong will kill you directly!"
Although Nie Tong was acting, he was also genuinely worried.
This was too risky for the Young Master!
Guang Qing was also deeply moved and stepped forward to persuade him. "We accept Young Master Xie's deep friendship on behalf of the Heir. We beg Young Master Xie not to put yourself in danger."
"It's not as serious as you think. Lu Baohong is holding Xu Hengyan because he wants to exchange Xu Hengyan for the remaining members of the Lu clan who are imprisoned in the celestial prison. I'm just going to keep Xu Hengyan company; there won't be any immediate danger to my life."
Xie Jiang's words were spoken lightly, but his determination was evident, clearly unmoved by their persuasion.
"But Lu Baofang repeatedly emphasized that the Heir was not allowed to bring anyone. If Young Master Xie goes, Young Master the Third will have to take a stab."
Guang Bai genuinely felt that Young Master Xie should not go.
An exchange of two for one was not cost-effective!
"Of course, others cannot go, but I am different. Lu Baohong won't mind one more person. He'd be happy to capture me and find an opportunity to dismember me."
Xie Jiang spoke as if Lu Baohong wasn't the one who wanted to chop him up.
"You know Lu Baohong wants to kill you, so why are you doing this? The Heir wouldn't want you to take such a risk."
Guang Bai admired Young Master Xie's immense courage above all else.
"Do I look like someone who is wholeheartedly going to their death?" Xie Jiang dared to go because he was confident he could return intact.
Guang Bai: "...Quite like it."