Sun Mancang looked at Xiao Jinheng with a face full of despair, his eyes filled with deep fear and numbness.
Who was this little child? He was not old, yet his interrogation methods were extremely cruel.
Just now in the courtyard, Yun Daman had knocked out one of his teeth, and after being dragged into the study, his remaining two front teeth were also knocked out.
Having a tooth replaced was expensive these days, and he didn't want to end up with a gap-toothed smile.
"Young, young master, please, don't hit me anymore, I'll talk, alright!~" Sun Mancang covered his face, finally relenting.
Xiao Jinheng snorted lightly and raised his hand, signaling Sun Mancang to confess obediently.
"Young master, this Lord Huang's full name is Huang Fulin. He lives in a large mansion by Zhengyang Street in the capital. He privately keeps dozens of mansion guards, all of whom are large, well-fed, and robust. If you want to confront him head-on, young master, you need to think carefully..." Sun Mancang mumbled.
Xiao Jinheng narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this. "Only officials of the first rank and above and various princes are qualified to train mansion guards. It seems this Lord Huang has a powerful patron..."
Could it really be related to that person?
Sun Mancang repeatedly shook his head, his face filled with horror. "Young master, I don't know if he has a patron. This is all I know. Can you let me go now?"
He was both scared and curious. What was this little child's background? Why did he speak with such a strong official tone?
"Let you go?" Xiao Jinheng hooked his lips and frowned. "You insulted the county princess, spoke disrespectfully, and colluded with a corrupt official like Huang Fulin. If I let you go, how can I explain myself to the Yun family, old and young?"
Sun Mancang: "..."
Whether I insulted the county princess or bribed Lord Huang, what does it have to do with you?
Wouldn't it be better for a little child like you to just squat by the river and play with mud?
Also, is that little girl really some Dongping County Princess?
"Kong Xingzhuo, throw Sun Mancang into the county yamen and let Magistrate Chen handle him..." Xiao Jinheng said lightly.
Sun Mancang's legs trembled with fear upon hearing this, and he felt completely unwell. "Young, young master, please don't throw me into the county yamen! I still need to support my father!~"
"If we were relying on you for support, Uncle Sun would have died of illness on his kang long ago..." Kong Xingzhuo said not a word of nonsense, stepped forward, and dragged Sun Mancang out.
By the time Kong Xingzhuo had finished dealing with the matter and returned to Dashui Village, it was completely dark.
Xiao Jinheng sat alone in the study without lighting a lamp. He hadn't touched the food and dishes sent by Granny Jin, as if he were pondering something.
"Your Highness!~" Kong Xingzhuo entered the study in the dark and cupped his hands. "The matter has been handled. Magistrate Chen has locked Sun Mancang in prison and will release him after three months of labor reform!"
Xiao Jinheng did not respond, but instead gazed into a dark spot with a wistful expression.
"Your, Your Highness?" Kong Xingzhuo took two steps forward.
Xiao Jinheng suddenly raised his head, his eyes changing drastically, as if he had experienced something terrifying in the vortex of his memories.
"What is it?" Xiao Jinheng looked at Kong Xingzhuo.
"Your Highness, Sun Mancang's matter has been handled!~" Kong Xingzhuo replied again.
Xiao Jinheng came back to his senses and said, "Oh." Then he added, "Commander Kong, I suddenly remembered something. I wonder if you still have any impression of it?"
Kong Xingzhuo was slightly stunned. "Your Highness, wh... what matter?"
The Crown Prince was a bit strange today, especially after mentioning the Jiangnan grain transport, he had become particularly pensive.
Xiao Jinheng sighed slightly, stood up, and walked to the window. "Commander Kong, you must return to the capital immediately. Find Huang Fulin, and no matter what method you use, find out who his patron is..."
If this matter was not handled properly, it might repeat the incident of Consort Xian forcing the emperor to abdicate.
Being cautious and taking one step at a time was the way to be prepared for any eventuality.
"Understood, Your Highness!~" Kong Xingzhuo responded, turned, and walked out of the study.
At the same time, in the main hall of the East Wing.
Guan Zhongbo, like an old Taoist priest with boundless magical powers, pasted talismans all over Xiao Xitian's forehead and the back of her hand, muttering, "Evil spirits be gone, return my soul, great fortune and good luck..."
Yun family elders and Xiao Xitian: "???"
Why had Old Guan become so superstitious since returning from the northern frontier?
Seeing that his daughter was almost pasted into a paper doll, Old Yun stepped forward and asked, "Um... Doctor Guan, what are you doing? What's wrong with my little daughter?"
Madam Gu also looked at Guan Zhongbo curiously, hoping he could provide an explanation.
Guan Zhongbo paused his talisman-pasting and turned to the elders. "Didn't you ask me to treat Xitian? I've found the root of her illness, but it's a bit troublesome to treat. Without eight or ten years, it's probably incurable!~"
Old Yun: "..."
Madam Gu: "..."
So, according to you, when Xiao Xitian is sixteen or seventeen, she will have to go through a tribulation?
"Doctor Guan, what illness does my daughter have?" Madam Gu got up, poured him a cup of tea, and asked in a low voice.
Guan Zhongbo heard this, reattached the talisman that had fallen from Xiao Xitian's face, and sighed, "I'm afraid you and Brother Yun won't believe me if I tell you. This is not like a normal illness..."
Madam Gu was completely confused. She exchanged a glance with Old Yun, and her expression became more and more tense.
Old Yun pulled Guan Zhongbo aside and lowered his voice. "Doctor Guan, we're old acquaintances. Tell me the truth, is my daughter suffering from a serious illness?"
Guan Zhongbo: "..."
If it were a difficult or serious illness, that would be better.
"This illness is a bit strange, well, that's it!~" Guan Zhongbo said thoughtfully.
Madam Gu was so anxious that she stomped her feet, wishing she could strangle this old man. "Oh, Doctor Guan, just say what you have to say, alright?"
Can't you understand a parent's feelings...
Guan Zhongbo glanced back at Xiao Xitian. Seeing her sitting in the armchair like a little meatball, her eyes so sleepy she could barely open them, he leaned closer to the elders. "Your daughter's soul is lost. You must protect her soul well so that she can grow up safely until she is sixteen!~"
After speaking, Guan Zhongbo pointed to his head. "Don't you notice? Recently, Dashui Village has been overcast and gloomy, with dark clouds covering the sun. This is a sign of great misfortune! Right now, I can only temporarily guard Xitian's soul and let her safely pass this tribulation. As for any future difficulties, I can't guarantee them!"
The bewildered elders: "..."