The leading burly man's pale blue pupils instantly lit up upon hearing this. He rushed forward, grabbed Prefect Qin's hand, and shouted, "The... the Prince, looking for the Prince, where... where is he?"
"How dare you! Release Prefect Qin at once!" Two guards drew their sabers, fearing these foreign barbarians might harm Prefect Qin.
Prefect Qin clicked his tongue, "Retreat, retreat. These people mean no harm..."
What are they doing, making such a racket.
Prefect Qin pulled his hand away and examined the portrait again. "You'd best go to Dashui Village. The old Yun family previously found a young boy named Jin Xiaolou. Xiaolou bears a strong resemblance to the child in the portrait..."
Since the portrait was drawn by an artist, there was still a significant difference from the actual person. Therefore, Prefect Qin dared not assert whether it was Xiaolou.
"Da... Dashui Village?" The leading man's eyes widened, and he stomped his feet. "Da... Dashui Village, where is it?"
"Uh... it's in Heyang County!" Prefect Qin pointed in a direction. Seeing the group's weary faces and ragged clothes, he felt a pang of sympathy. "Never mind, I happen to be going to Dashui Village myself. Why don't we go together!"
Upon hearing this, the burly man clasped his hands over his chest and bowed to Prefect Qin. "Thank you..."
"No need for thanks. When we reach the post station ahead, I'll rent two carriages for you. If you walk to Dashui Village, it will be winter by then!"
Thus, the group followed Prefect Qin's carriage, slowly heading towards the post station ahead...
Meanwhile, within the Imperial Academy in the capital.
Yun Jinhe had just finished a class and intended to inquire about the study tour to Yan Country at Dean Qian's office. However, as soon as he stepped out of the classroom, he was intercepted by Yao Jinsheng and Sun Tianxiu...
"Jinhe, my father said that both Tianxiu and I passed the exams thanks to you. So, my father is planning to host a banquet at our residence to reward you handsomely, hehe!" Yao Jinsheng said with a smile.
Yun Jinhe found it both amusing and exasperating. "It was just a small favor, why be so formal?"
Even if Master Yao hadn't asked, he would have tutored Sun Tianxiu and Yao Jinsheng...
After all, they were his friends, even if they were somewhat disappointing.
"No, no!" Yao Jinsheng said with a serious expression, grabbing Yun Jinhe's sleeve. "My father heard you like balut eggs. He specifically bought a large basket this time for you to eat your fill. If you don't come, I... I'll throw the balut eggs into the doghouse to feed the dogs, hmph!"
Yun Jinhe: "..."
Must you be so extreme?
Balut eggs were quite common in the countryside, but in the capital, a single balut egg could sell for fifteen copper coins.
Fifteen copper coins could buy four or five steamed white flour buns in Heyang County...
"Don't throw them away!" Yun Jinhe smiled helplessly. "I'll go, alright?"
This clingy fellow only knew how to waste food.
"Then it's settled. Bring Miss Murong along too. My father also asked someone to custom-make a hair ornament for her. I heard it's very beautiful..." Yao Jinsheng was overjoyed.
Yun Jinhe said nothing. Since it was Master Yao's gift to Murong Qing, he couldn't interfere.
Suddenly, footsteps could be heard from the corridor outside the door...
The three turned their heads and saw Yang Jingrui walking towards them, holding a folding fan and with a half-smile on his face.
"Heh, it's true that birds of a feather flock together. You three are always together, making the Imperial Academy smell foul. Aren't you afraid Dean Qian will get angry and kick you all out?" Yang Jingrui said sarcastically.
Birds of a feather flock together, like ants drawn to carrion. No matter how good Yun Jinhe's grades were, he would eventually be led astray by those two...
Yun Jinhe frowned upon hearing this. "Young Master Yang, it's been a few days, and your tone of speech has become even more offensive. Do you not rinse your mouth before going out every day?"
In fact, even if Yang Jingrui hadn't said anything, Yun Jinhe knew why he was being so sarcastic and rude...
It was because Miss Murong had suddenly returned all the gifts he had sent and cut off all contact with him. Yang Jingrui was unhappy and had come to cause trouble for Yun Jinhe.
Yang Jingrui let out a cold snort and glared at Yun Jinhe. "Yun Jinhe, just for your words just now, I can report you to Dean Qian for speaking disrespectfully, provoking trouble, and being rude and arrogant towards your classmates. You've disgraced the Imperial Academy..."
As soon as he finished speaking, before Yun Jinhe could react, Yao Jinsheng rolled up his sleeves and lunged forward, shouting, "Hey, you son of a turtle, do you think you can bully people just because your father is the Prime Minister? I'll show you today why the flowers are so red!"
Although Yao Jinsheng was plump and fleshy, his fighting skills were top-notch...
He grabbed Yang Jingrui by the collar and then clenched his fist, landing two punches that gave him a pair of black eyes.
Sun Tianxiu was not to be outdone. He went behind Yang Jingrui, held him tightly around the waist, and chuckled, "Jinsheng, hit him hard. If you don't beat him into submission, he'll dare to bully Jinhe in the future..."
This was like striking a single blow to prevent a hundred blows.
Otherwise, a weak scholar like Yun Jinhe would be bullied to death by Yang Jingrui.
"Alright!" Yao Jinsheng got into a fighting stance, feeling extremely exhilarated. "I haven't beaten up the Prime Minister's foolish son before. I must have my fill today. Take this..."
"Bang bang!"
"Ah, ouch!"
With two more punches, Yang Jingrui was completely beaten into a pig's head.
Seeing this, Yun Jinhe quickly stepped forward to break up the fight. "Jinsheng, Tianxiu, stop quickly..."
Fighting and brawling in the Imperial Academy, what did they think this place was?
What would Dean Qian and the instructors think if they saw this?
"Jinhe, don't you find him disgusting?" Yao Jinsheng kicked Yang Jingrui twice and looked at Yun Jinhe with curiosity.
This scoundrel, not only competing with Jinhe for Miss Murong but also spreading rumors about him everywhere, eager to stir up trouble.
If Jinhe didn't beat him up, it would be too cowardly.
Yun Jinhe sighed slightly and whispered into Yao Jinsheng's ear, "Even if you want to beat him, you shouldn't do it in the Imperial Academy. Aren't you inviting trouble upon yourself?"
It wasn't that he had no temper, but he had to choose the right time and place...
Upon hearing this, Yao Jinsheng gave Sun Tianxiu a look. "Tianxiu, let go of this useless fellow, let's go!"
He felt that Jinhe had a point. He and Tianxiu had finally managed to study at the Imperial Academy, and they couldn't ruin their future.
Besides, if Master Yao knew that these two were so disappointing, he would surely be angered to the point of spitting blood...
Who would have thought that the moment Sun Tianxiu released his grip, the enraged Yang Jingrui suddenly roared, "Come, come here, quickly!"
In an instant, dozens of formidable guards rushed over, surrounding Yun Jinhe and the other two.