Chapter 143
Just as Song Xuan was about to touch the corpse's face, Xia Zi walked in from outside the hall and reported, "Your Majesty, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Prince Ye have arrived and are currently in the study."
During these three years, Jin Yi and Ye Lingzhou had become Song Xuan's confidants, and could directly enter the inner palace to seek an audience for important matters.
Song Xuan paused, then withdrew his hand, picked up Xiao Yanqing from inside the hall, and strode towards the East Palace study.
Xiao Yanqing kicked his little legs and then respectfully said, "Father, I wish to stay in the Ice Palace and accompany Mother."
He wanted to see his mother again; he still felt something was off about her.
Song Xuan's tone was stern: "As the Crown Prince and the future Emperor, you should set an example. You may only come to your mother's place in your spare time."
Xiao Yanqing, having been reprimanded by his father, lowered his head obediently: "Father is absolutely right."
Inside the study.
Ye Lingzhou and Jin Yi were inside. When they saw Song Xuan enter, they both bowed respectfully.
"His Majesty."
"His Majesty."
Song Xuan walked to the table, his dark eyes sweeping over the paintings on the wall and the double-sided embroidery before he asked, "What is it?"
Jin Yi and Ye Lingzhou exchanged a glance.
Ye Lingzhou stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, it concerns the matter of the granaries in Jiangnan. The person I secretly sent to investigate the case has disappeared a few days ago. According to the information I have received, Zhou An, who was investigating the case, has probably been discovered by the government and is likely in grave danger."
Zhou An was not a member of the imperial court, but a reliable constable whom Ye Lingzhou had specially found in Jiangnan.
Zhou An comes from a poor family, is a righteous man, and has an older brother who is a soldier on the frontier. He is a promising talent, and it is reassuring to entrust this matter to Zhou An.
Naturally, Ye Lingzhou did not personally go out, but instead sought out Zhou An's elder brother and asked him to send a letter secretly to check the granary. Zhou An was from Jiangnan and was also a constable, which was much better than sending someone directly from the court, as it could avoid alerting the enemy.
Jin Yi also clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the granary case is likely of great importance. I beg Your Majesty's permission to go there in person."
If the granaries south of the Yangtze River are not at peace, the soldiers on the frontier will also be uneasy.
Song Xuan's expression was cold as he said, "Jin Yi, you will accompany me to Jiangnan. Lord Ye will remain in the court and keep a close eye on the situation."
Although he assigned Shen Zheng to investigate the case, he did not trust Shen Zheng and even suspected that the other party was involved in the matter.
During these three years, although Shen Zheng appeared to be well-behaved and was wary of his ruthless methods, he still sensed the other party's hidden ambitions and his frequent correspondence with Shen Zheng.
Although Shen Zheng appeared grief-stricken by Qing Nian's passing, he made many underhanded moves, which made Shen Zheng wary.
When Jin Yi and Ye Lingzhou heard that Song Xuan was going to Jiangnan in person, they immediately felt that something was wrong.
Ye Lingzhou said, "Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, you should be in charge of the court. Let me and Jin Yi handle the matter in Jiangnan."
"Although I am going to Jiangnan, I will say to the outside world that I am going to Lincheng incognito. Recently, bandits have been rampant in Lincheng, and Jin Yi and I can go there to inspect them," Song Xuan said in a cold tone, with a command in his voice.
Jin Yi and Ye Lingzhou had no choice but to obey.
The current emperor is swift and decisive, so they dared not object, and the departure date from the capital was set for five days later.
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On the fourth day.
Song Xuan left the palace in casual clothes, accompanied by Xiao Qingyan.
"Father, today is Mother's birthday. I would like to make her a bowl of longevity noodles tonight," Xiao Yanqing said, his little face full of seriousness.
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