There seemed to be nothing amiss with what he heard.
"But the brother who delivered the message said that the owner of this Xu Ji Firewood Shop hasn't appeared for many days. The shop assistants say their family went back to their hometown to visit relatives and haven't returned for two months!"
What kind of relatives require a two-month visit, and it's not even that far away.
Moreover, it was the transition from spring to summer, a time when many wealthy families enjoyed hosting banquets. The demand for firewood would certainly be high, so their going to visit relatives at this time was truly unreasonable.
"Then I'll trouble you to investigate further the whereabouts of the Xu family boss."
"Yes!"
Feng Jin Yao came back to her senses, and the secret guards had already disappeared.
The two secret guards sent by Prince Ding were indeed of great help, much faster than her relying on her own exploration or seeking help from Su Cheng.
And what she didn't know was that the orders she issued were only slightly slower than those of Prince Ding, Xiao Ting Yi. All information except military affairs was open to her, so finding anything was very fast.
Recalling that pile of firewood, Feng Jin Yao seemed to have some impression.
In her previous life, it seemed that one day before she came of age, her family had also experienced a fire.
It wasn't a big incident at the time, and the fire was quickly brought under control. She hadn't heard of anyone being harmed.
No!
Something must have happened, but she just wasn't informed.
She remembered Yun Xu casually mentioning that her mother had invited some monks to chant scriptures daily.
But why chant scriptures so late, and not earlier or later, precisely after the fire?
Therefore, something must have happened, and it was likely life-threatening, which was why it was like this.
Who could it be?
Who in the family now would think of harming someone?
For a moment, she couldn't figure it out.
When Yun Xu returned, she indeed brought back a medicine chest.
It contained many different bottles and jars. "This is for colds, that's for fevers, and also for injuries, to stop bleeding and reduce swelling. The most remarkable is this. Divine Doctor Zhang said that taking one pill will allow one to hold their breath underwater for an hour without any issue."
Yun Xu's eyes were filled with shock and admiration as she said this.
Feng Jin Yao couldn't help but laugh and cry. "I'm not going to war, why did Shou Bo prepare so many pills?"
"Better safe than sorry. If you ask me, Divine Doctor Zhang and Auntie are good people, especially to Miss, they are exceptionally good!"
Feng Jin Yao didn't say anything, she actually felt the same way.
For some reason, she suddenly thought of Prince Ding. Could it be that they wanted to matchmake them?
She felt that she should clarify things with him when she had the chance, otherwise, if things continued like this, it would be bad if misunderstandings arose.
Some people, however, felt that misunderstandings were best at this moment.
In Prince Ding's mansion, Xiao Ting Yi, who should have been on his way to Jiangnan, was currently reading military reports.
A faint calming incense was burning in the gilded qilin beast bronze censer beside him.
Xiao Ting Yi didn't usually use incense, but the scent of this incense was very similar to that on Feng Jin Yao's person. Over time, he had become accustomed to it.
The military report in his hand was from the northwest.
One hundred thousand taels of gold, the Northern Di people were indeed generous.
It seemed that Luo Hong must have told the Northern Di people a lot about the Feng family's mines. Trading one hundred thousand taels of gold for a city like Liangzhou and the Feng family's mines was indeed a profitable deal!
So he picked up his brush and wrote a few words: Invest all of it in the restoration of Liangzhou.
With this hundred thousand taels of gold, he believed that Xiao Ji would be able to repair Liangzhou into an ironclad city, and even recruiting soldiers would give him more confidence!
As the news traveled to the northwest, the group escorting the "Prince Ding" to see a doctor in the south was also on their way.
Yang Zhao and Lin Huai Jin sat together in a carriage, with Xu Lin, who was feigning illness, lying inside. All three were silent.
Yang Zhao was the first to break the silence.
He said to Lin Huai Jin, "If His Majesty knew that you were already a person of Prince Ding's mansion, do you think he would be so angry that he would spit blood?"
Lin Huai Jin picked up the teacup at hand and took a sip before replying.
"He wouldn't spit blood, but he would definitely make things difficult for the Prince."
Yang Zhao nodded, this was absolutely true.
The imperial surveillance had never been withdrawn from the Prince's mansion. Fortunately, they had built some secret passages in advance, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to be so unrestrained in Dongdu City.
Sometimes, he felt that Emperor Qi was extremely hypocritical.
He clearly wanted to kill the Prince, yet he pretended to be a caring brother to gain a good reputation.
Take this trip to Jiangnan for example. Without even thinking, one could know that the road ahead would be bumpy.
Bandits, rebels, remnants of the previous dynasty, they would all come out in full force.
Once they finally left the impregnable Prince Ding's mansion, they would surely make a move against the Prince.
It would be best if they could kill him on the spot, and if not, they could let him live until he died.
Who could help it if the Prince could live for ten years on a single breath? Emperor Qi's fear was not a matter of a day or two.
Xu Lin was originally a man of few words, and now with a human-skin mask, he had to imitate the Prince's occasional coughs. It was truly a troublesome task.
Thinking of the reason the Prince remained in the capital, the three of them couldn't help but feel that love was a harmful thing.
Mentioning Feng Jin Yao, Yang Zhao couldn't help but tease.
"Your mother was quick to act. When someone came to propose marriage, if the third young lady hadn't refused, do you think you would still be sitting here with us today?"
"Hmph."
Lin Huai Jin also felt a chill down his spine.
He had someone he admired in Jiangnan and originally planned to tell his parents after these matters were settled so they could propose marriage.
Who knew that his mother would take it upon herself to go to his aunt? His aunt was also quick to act, and by the time he found out, the proposal had already been accepted.
It truly caught him off guard.
Fortunately, he could use this excuse to escape this time. Otherwise, if he had stayed in the capital, wouldn't he have been killed by the Prince?
Thinking of this, goosebumps covered his body.
"Did you see your master when you came this time?"
"I did."
"That's good, lest Divine Doctor Zhang constantly complain that the Prince wouldn't let you return to Dongdu."
Mentioning Divine Doctor Zhang, Lin Huai Jin's expression improved considerably.
He had been born with a weak constitution since childhood. If not for his master's dedicated treatment, he would have probably returned to the heavens long ago.
Therefore, he had become a disciple of Divine Doctor Zhang a long time ago, though not many people knew about it.
He had been kept in Jiangnan before to take care of Elder Master Min.
He was the Prince's maternal grandfather, and he was already seventy years old, so naturally, someone needed to be by his side to take care of him.
And being transferred back to Dongdu City this time was to plant a nail and an eye within the Imperial Academy for the Prince.
After all, the more they knew about matters within the palace, the more security the Prince would have.
The three of them sat in the carriage, traveling towards Jiangnan.
At the Feng family, after Yun He returned, He Huan was reassigned to serve him alongside Han Jiang.
His routine had been very regular these past few days.
Every morning, he would get up and pay his respects to his mother and elders. After accompanying them for breakfast, he would return to his own courtyard to study.