Chapter 140 Let me collect some interest first

Jiang Zhi was stunned and subconsciously turned to look at Ru Ying and An Yue.

The two looked surprised as well, and seeing Jiang Zhi's suspicious gaze, they waved their hands repeatedly, "We guarantee we haven't leaked a single word..."

Jiang Zhi nodded and said nothing more.

At this moment, Lu Yuan tied up his horse and came over. When he saw Xiao Xuanyou, he simply raised his eyebrows and stepped forward to pay his respects.

Xiao Xuanyou snorted coldly, "Lord Lu, you have taken the county princess away from the capital without permission. Do you know your crime?"

If he hadn't been worried about Xie Qi's safety before leaving yesterday and hadn't specifically sent someone to guard outside Jiang Zhi's residence, he would never have imagined that Jiang Zhi would be so audacious as to secretly follow Lu Yuan out of the capital to Sizhou!

The journey was fraught with danger and hardship; how could a woman with no strength to even kill a chicken dare to go?

“It was I who asked Lord Lu to take me with him,” Jiang Zhi said. “I only wanted to go to Sizhou to find Lord Shen’s body and escort his coffin back to the capital so that he could be laid to rest.”

Xiao Xuanyou said coldly, "This kind of thing can be done by just sending someone else. Why did you have to take the risk yourself?"

“If I don’t go in person, I won’t be at ease. After all, Lord Shen’s accident is related to me, and His Highness the Crown Prince knows that.” Jiang Zhi said meaningfully.

Xiao Xuanyou choked.

He knew she was blaming him for forcing Shen Ci'an to go to Sizhou for disaster relief.

"No, I don't agree." He put the teacup on the table, stood up and pulled her, "Come back with me. I will send someone to look for Lord Shen. You don't need to worry about it."

Jiang Zhi frowned deeply.

She wanted to resist, but she was no match for the man in front of her, whether in terms of strength or power.

Just then, Lu Yuan, who had been silent all along, spoke up.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that Qinghe, the County Princess, and I shall travel together to Sizhou to search for Lord Shen's whereabouts." Lu Yuan took out a bright yellow imperial edict from his robes, his eyes cold.

Xiao Xuanyou, who was holding Jiang Zhi's hand, paused, a look of surprise flashing across his face. "You even obtained Father Emperor's decree?"

"Yes, I dare not make such a decision on my own. I can only ask His Majesty for permission," he said in a calm tone. "Does Your Highness wish me to read the imperial edict?"

...

Xiao Xuanyou's face darkened. "No need."

Even if Lu Yuan had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to falsely convey an imperial edict.

She actually dared to act first and report later; she really has some nerve.

"I have a few words to say to Princess Qinghe, please excuse me, Lord Lu." He didn't even glance at Lu Yuan, his phoenix eyes fixed on Jiang Zhi, the anger in his eyes impossible to conceal.

Jiang Zhi originally thought that Emperor Xuanzhao had only issued a verbal order, but she did not expect that Lu Yuan would actually issue an imperial edict.

Now that the die is cast, Xiao Xuanyou, no matter how unwilling, dared not disobey the imperial decree.

The anxiety that had been hanging over her ever since she boarded the ship finally subsided.

"Your Highness, please come to the cabin for a chat." She also had something to discuss with him.

The cabin was spacious and bright, fully furnished with a small square table and several wooden chairs. Behind a gauze curtain was a low couch that was fixed in place, with several wooden boxes placed next to it. The overall style was elegant and clean, yet not overly complicated.

"The arrowheads that I retrieved for Prince Xie last time are on the antique shelf in the study of the mansion. Your Highness may send someone to retrieve them yourself."

Qingxing originally intended to throw away the arrowhead, but she stopped herself.

Although there are no markings on the arrowhead, it might serve as evidence. It's useless to me, so it's better to give it to Xiao Xuanyou.

Xiao Xuanyou's expression remained unpleasant. "You personally retrieved the arrowheads for Xie Qi?"

"The matter was urgent, and I couldn't disregard the proper separation between men and women," Jiang Zhi explained simply, then added, "And what about the Prince Xiang's leg injury? How is Your Highness investigating it?"

My previous attempts were just guesses, without any concrete evidence.

“His leg is healed,” Xiao Xuanyou said coldly. “He told his father that he fell in front of the clinic that day and found that he could feel his leg again. His father was very happy about this and rewarded Doctor Xue with many good things, instructing him to do his best to treat him.”

Jiang Zhi thought to herself, "Just as I thought."

After realizing he was being tested, he decided to stop pretending.

Otherwise, if Xiao Xuanyou exposed him in public, he would be charged with deceiving the emperor.

"Does His Highness the Crown Prince have any instructions?" Having obtained the information she wanted, Jiang Zhi asked him again.

Xiao Xuanyou's phoenix eyes were dark. "When do you plan to return to the capital?"

“It’s hard to say,” Jiang Zhi thought for a moment. “Lord Shen’s whereabouts are unknown. I have to search for information everywhere I go in Sizhou. I will return as soon as I find him.”

"Are you planning not to come back?" Xiao Xuanyou stared straight at her, as if trying to see through her thoughts.

The death of Chanyi in his dream cast a huge shadow over him.

Even though he had her trapped by his side, she still tried every means to escape.

He brought her back time and time again, but in the end, all he got was a cold corpse.

Jiang Zhi felt a little guilty and avoided his gaze. "My home is in the capital. After finding Lord Shen's body, I need to bring him back to the capital for burial. How could I not come back?"

"Is that so? Then I'll only give you a month and a half." Xiao Xuanyou raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose, his cold, pale profile forming a sharp arc. "If you haven't returned by the time that's up, don't even think about seeing your maid again."

"You!" Jiang Zhi was furious that he would use green apricots to threaten her.

In a month and a half, she would spend most of the time traveling back and forth, so she could only actually stay in Sizhou for a mere half month.

“I will not allow you to leave my sight for so long. A month and a half is my limit,” Xiao Xuanyou said slowly, looking at her. “Otherwise, I will have to take you off the ship now, and I will explain to Father Emperor.”

Jiang Zhi glared at Xiao Xuanyou, her chest heaving with anger.

In the end, she simply took a deep breath to calm herself down and said, "Okay, I promise you."

Xiao Xuanyou laughed and handed her a waist token, "Take this token with you, and my men will be there to meet you along the way."

Jiang Zhi couldn't help but mutter to herself.

This Crown Prince really knows how to manipulate people's hearts.

After slapping someone, they still remember to give them a sweet treat.

Although she did make many preparations for this trip, it's always good to have more skills.

She did not refuse, and carefully put it into her bosom after taking it.

Seeing that Xiao Xuanyou had finished explaining everything, Jiang Zhi bowed and took her leave. Just as she was about to open the cabin door, a slender hand pressed her down.

Xiao Xuanyou's deep, slightly hoarse voice came from behind my ear, "Since we've been gone for so long, shouldn't I collect some interest first?"

Jiang Zhi froze, realizing what he was about to do, but it was too late.

Xiao Xuanyou, who was behind her, pressed her directly against the cabin door.