Under the cover of night, Xie Tingzhou sat on the rocks, feeling the salty sea breeze on his face, his heart overflowing with longing.

After leaving the capital, he rode at full speed to the seaside. On the way, he intercepted a letter from Lady Wang to Imperial Censor Wang.

It was a thick stack of papers. Although I didn't open it to see what it contained, the fact that it was so thick was enough to show that Lady Wang was concerned about Imperial Censor Wang.

It's likely that she wrote down everything she saw and heard along the way to Imperial Censor Wang. Su Luoqing also wrote a letter to Wang Jingshuo, which was about two or three pages thick.

That's quite a lot.

Before Cui Yihuan left the capital, he also left a letter for Marquis Zhongyong, but Ye Zhen did not give him a single word.

While cursing Ye Zhen for being heartless, Xie Tingzhou was also worried that she was really angered by the Empress, and even more afraid that Shi Yan would interfere with their marriage because of this.

The Empress said that the Crown Princess does not necessarily need Ye Zhen, but he cannot do without Ye Zhen.

Now that they've arrived at the seaside, Xie Tingzhou thinks of Ye Zhen, who might still be at sea, in the same area, feeling the same wind.

"master."

Yu Nie appeared behind them, "Last time, when our people and Li Heng's people went to Da Wei, the boats they rented encountered storms on the way, resulting in the loss of crew members. Now, when the boat owners hear that we are going to Da Wei, none of them dare to agree."

Dae Yeon has official ships, but the court has not traded with overseas countries in recent years, so the official ships only travel from nearby ports and have no experience going out to sea.

Therefore, when they arrived here during the day, they began to look for ships with experience in long voyages, but all of them shook their heads when they heard that the ships were going to the Great Wei.

"This is the first time I've encountered someone who refuses to leave the ship no matter how much money is offered. Do you think it's possible that the princess's father did something?"

After all, the Empress's actions were somewhat immoral, and the Regent of Great Wei would definitely be angry, perhaps even taking it out on his master.

Xie Tingzhou also felt that it was strange that no one was going to board the boat. With such a generous reward, there would surely be brave men. Boatmen sail for money, so it was indeed unusual that they all refused.

But reason told him that it was best not to doubt his future father-in-law without evidence.

Even if it really was his father-in-law who did it, he still had to find a way to go to the Great Wei and ask his father-in-law to marry Ye Zhen.

He glanced at the sky and said, "Let's continue the search tomorrow."

There's always a solution. If all else fails, we'll have to reveal our identities and force them to go to sea.

Yu Nie nodded, but seeing that Xie Tingzhou showed no intention of getting up, he advised, "Master, I've heard that the journey on the ship was arduous. You rushed back to the capital from Xiyue and then all the way here without getting a proper rest. You should rest early tonight."

Otherwise, even the strongest body couldn't withstand it.

Moreover, they had just been fighting in Xiyue, and Yu Nie felt very sorry for his master.

She couldn't help but feel resentful towards the Empress. If it weren't for her meddling, the princess might not have left so quickly, and even if she did leave, she would have discussed it with her mistress.

In the past, they had always been so close. Now that the princess has not written to them, how uneasy their master must be.

Xie Tingzhou knew that Yu Nie was worried about him, so he gently hummed in agreement and was about to get up when he suddenly heard the sound of weapons clashing.

"Go and see what's going on."

Xie Tingzhou gave the order, and a shadow flashed by in the shadows.

A moment later, the guard reported, "It looks like merchants are being chased."

During the day, they not only asked the boatmen, but also the merchants traveling at sea. The one being hunted down was one of the merchants who had refused them.

Upon hearing this, Xie Tingzhou walked over.

Seeing that it was a man of similar age to him being chased by a group of men in black, Xie Tingzhou signaled Yu Nie to intervene.

As the Crown Prince of Dayuan, he could not possibly turn a blind eye to an assassination attempt.

Yu Nie joined them with several guards, and the man in black, seeing that the man had reinforcements, reluctantly withdrew.

The man breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Xie Tingzhou, "Thank you for saving me, brother. My surname is Jiang and my given name is Lingzhou. May I ask how you are addressed?"

"When you see injustice on the road, it's just a small act of kindness."

Xie Tingzhou looked at the man, "Why are they chasing you?"

Jiang Lingzhou sighed, "Hey, this is my first time doing business in Dayuan. I'm not familiar with the local rules and I've offended some of my local colleagues."

If it weren't for your rescue tonight, I fear I would have met with dire straits. I beg you, brother, for saving my life. I bow deeply in gratitude.

After saying that, he bowed deeply to Xie Tingzhou.

Xie Tingzhou sized him up. "No need for formalities. May I ask what kind of business Young Master Jiang is involved in?"

"Silk and seafood."

Jiang Lingzhou sighed, "Originally, I heard that Dayuan was populous and rich in resources, so I thought I would sell these things in Dayuan and bring some Dayuan products back with me."

Unexpectedly, while the goods were sold smoothly, local competitors told them that the prices were too low and were affecting their business.

However, the price they quoted was far too high for Lingzhou. Lingzhou, a merchant, had his own principles and did not make money unethically.

Furthermore, the extra profits were also a kickback to them, so Ling Zhou did not take their advice, never expecting it would lead to his death.

These merchants from Dayuan are far too arrogant. Lingzhou only wanted to make a little money; he wouldn't dare come again.

He looked at Xie Tingzhou and smiled, "However, I must thank you for saving my life before I leave. Would you be so kind as to invite me to have a drink on my boat?"

"Then I'll have to trouble you."

Xie Tingzhou also smiled, "My surname is Chen, and my given name is Qing."

This was the pseudonym Ye Zhen used when she disguised herself as a man to go to the border back then, and now he's picked it up and is using it.

Jiang Lingzhou was delighted that he was willing to give him the opportunity to repay his kindness, and hurriedly led the way, saying, "Brother Shen, please."

Xie Tingzhou nodded and glanced at Yu Nie without making a sound.

Yu Nie understood and did not board the ship, but instead went to inquire about Jiang Lingzhou.

When Xie Tingzhou disembarked from the boat and returned to the inn, Yu Nie also returned.

“Master, the situation is indeed as he said. The men in black who tried to assassinate him tonight were indeed thugs hired by the local chamber of commerce.”

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