Chapter 236 Why Did the Third Prince Reject the Marriage?
"What's the matter?" Xiao Jiuyue sat up straight. In her mind, she couldn't help but recall Jun Lie, who was unconscious in the nameless pond before they parted, and how he blocked the arrow with his body. His words of regret seemed to be right beside her ears: It's a pity that I can't accompany you to the provincial capital.
"This..." Steward Jin hesitated, looked at Xiao Jiuyue, and said, "The news that came in said that it's related to the Third Prince's marriage."
"Disobeying the Emperor's order is a capital crime. He probably hasn't been granted a marriage yet," Xiao Jiuyue speculated, frowning. "He's been in the cold palace for years, and the Emperor finally thought of granting him a marriage. Isn't that a good thing? A girl worthy of his status must be good. Why would he refuse?"
"Is there no more specific news?" Xiao Jiuyue asked, looking up.
Manager Jin shook his head and his eyes fell on Xiao Jiuyue's face. He guessed: The Third Prince's refusal of marriage must be related to the eldest lady.
"If there's nothing, forget it. A few scoldings from my own father won't hurt." Xiao Jiuyue quickly put the matter behind her. She said, "Rong Xun's transfer to Lancang County means that he is currently in a good condition."
Xiao Jiuyue looked at Chief Jin seriously and said, "Chief Jin, I hope you can return to Shengjing in person."
"Don't worry, Miss. I will definitely find out why the Third Prince refused the marriage." Chief Steward Jin replied with a bow.
“…”
Xiao Jiuyue looked at him speechlessly and said, "Chief Steward Jin, he's His Highness, a prince. He knows what's going on. Why are we investigating this? He might have done it on purpose. The weaker his status, the less favored he is by others, and the safer he is."
Manager Jin suppressed his embarrassment, looked at Xiao Jiuyue suspiciously, and asked, "Miss, then you want me to go to Shengjing?"
"Of course, we're investigating the Bai family!" Xiao Jiuyue clenched her fists and dropped them on the table. "The Crown Prince was so brazen as to take Bai Miaoyun into the palace as a concubine. I don't believe that the Xiao family's misfortune has nothing to do with the Crown Prince!"
"Miss Bai San fell into the water and was rescued by the prince, so..." Chief Steward Jin was afraid that his report was not clear.
"Falling into the water and being rescued?" Xiao Jiuyue sneered and said, "Then why did no one else have to rescue him, but the Crown Prince? I don't believe the Bai family is innocent in this matter. Chief Steward Jin, go to Shangjing and investigate quietly. If you find that the Xiao family's accident is related to the Bai family..."
Xiao Jiuyue's eyes turned cold instantly. She thought of how her grandmother had been staring at the city gate when she left Shengjing. She didn't say anything, but she knew that her grandmother had been waiting for her second aunt Xiao Xia.
Xiao Xia has not shown up since the incident.
"Also, check on Xiao Xia's situation." Xiao Jiuyue seemed to remember something and added, "Oh, right? My father was falsely accused of taking 800,000 taels of disaster relief silver. Such a large sum of money has disappeared. So, who has the money now?"
Chief Steward Jin replied, "The silver was lost in Xiangcheng."
"It was lost in Xiangcheng. My father was at most responsible for failing to guard it properly. As for the remaining silver…" Xiao Jiuyue slowly closed his eyes and recounted the events that had happened to the Xiao family one by one. He asked, "Butler Jin, why do you think the robbers only took half of the disaster relief silver and kept the other half?"
"I guess it's too late?" Chief Steward Jin, who was staying in the mansion at the time and didn't know what was happening in Xiangcheng, said, "Miss, do you think the silver wasn't taken by robbers, but by..."
Manager Jin’s eyes widened.
"Whether it is true or not, we can only know it by checking." Xiao Jiuyue replied with pursed lips.
Chief Steward Jin straightened his back, bowed and said, "Don't worry, Miss. I will investigate this matter thoroughly."
"Don't let grandma know before the truth comes out." Xiao Jiuyue reminded that if the Xiao family's affairs are really related to the Bai family, the one who will be the most sad and upset will be grandma.
Manager Jin was startled and said, "Yes."
"The journey to Shengjing is long, so be careful. The truth is important, but your safety, Manager Jin, is equally important." Xiao Jiuyue looked at him seriously and said, "How many people do you need to take to Shengjing..."
"My lady, I am enough." Chief Steward Jin continued, "Jin Wen and Jin Wu, one is careful and the other is skilled in martial arts. Don't worry, they will stay with you. I have been in Shengjing for so many years. When I get there, I will still be able to find someone I trust to help me."
"Well, be careful." Xiao Jiuyue looked at him and said, "Tomorrow, I'll have Lianxin give you some money. Don't be stingy on the road."
The next day, Manager Jin left with the banknotes. When Old Madam Xiao asked about it, Xiao Jiuyue said, "Grandmother, the city wants Manager Jin to go there. We're taking 40% of the profits, so we can't just sit back and do nothing."
Madam Xiao looked at Xiao Jiuyue suspiciously and asked, "Did you really go to the capital?"
"Grandma, how could I possibly lie to you? Otherwise, why don't you call the brothers Jin Wen and Jin Wu and ask them?" Xiao Jiuyue looked at Old Madam Xiao helplessly. She said, "It's already autumn harvest time. If it wasn't urgent, would I let him leave?"
"Miss, Xiang Tiegen and the others are back." Lianxin came into the room to report. After bowing to Old Madam Xiao, she said, "They brought some things back from the capital."
"Grandma, look, I didn't lie to you, did I?" Xiao Jiuyue smiled and beckoned Lianxin over. Looking at the things Zeng Qing had brought back, mostly food, she said, "Xiang Tiegen and the others are from the village. The village is harvesting in autumn, and if these strong laborers don't come back, what will Aunt Xiang do alone?"
"It's time to come back. Autumn harvest is the most tiring." Old Madam Xiao took advantage of the good weather recently and often went out for a walk. Looking at the golden rice fields, she felt particularly good.
"That's enough, girl. Go and do your own thing." Old Madam Xiao didn't ask any more questions. Xiao Jiuyue changed the subject and accompanied Old Madam Xiao to have snacks.
After lunch, the doorman brought good news: Chu Ang and He Changqing were back!
"Any news about your father and the others?" Old Madam Xiao skipped even her nap and said impatiently, "Go and see! Your grandfather said he'd bring you something delicious."
"Grandma, please slow down." Xiao Jiuyue supported Old Madam Xiao, fearing that she would fall. They walked all the way to the front yard and watched the carriages loading things into the yard. Xiao Jiuyue saw Chu Ang and He Changqing, who looked exhausted.
After going to Lingnan twice, Chu Ang and He Changqing looked like refugees, with untidy beards and red eyes, and were eating meat buns with big mouthfuls.
They were eating voraciously. Seeing Xiao Jiuyue and Old Madam Xiao coming, Chu Ang and He Changqing quickly stood up and saluted. Chu Ang said, "Old Madam, Miss, we brought back a lot of canned food this time."
"You guys take a rest first and eat more." Xiao Jiubiao looked at the cans of food and knew they were canned food. Unexpectedly, when she sent the cans over, her father and the others came back with cans.
"Letter." He Changqing and Chu Ang stepped forward with the letter.
Madam Xiao couldn't wait to take the letter, looked at the familiar handwriting, and said, "It was written by your grandfather."
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