Chapter 102 Fang Xu Inserts
"Yuan Ting, issue the order to search for Xi Yuan and Ling Jin with all our might. Focus on investigating all strongholds of Western Region people inside and outside the capital, as well as places where they might be hiding. Report back immediately if you find any clues!"
"Yes, Your Highness!" Yuan Ting perked up and immediately accepted the order.
Mu Cenlin then looked at Li Bao'er, his tone softening: "Ling Jin is quite skilled, he might have room to maneuver. The most urgent task is to find clues."
"You two search the vicinity of the Prime Minister's residence and the places Ling Jin frequents first. Remember not to act rashly, and wait for my news." Now, they split into two groups. Mu Cenlin planned to return to the residence first to gather information. Li Bao'er understood his meaning and nodded in agreement: "Don't worry, we know what we're doing."
Mu Cenlin then hurriedly left with Yuan Ting and the others.
As soon as Mu Cenlin left, Li Bao'er and Li Yu immediately sprang into action. They first went to Ling Jin's residence in the Prime Minister's mansion, which was excessively clean. Then they went to the training ground where he usually practiced martial arts, the teahouse he frequented, and even the market where he occasionally bought trinkets. They asked everyone who might have seen him, but to no avail.
"Damn it! Where did they go?!" Li Yu punched the wall in frustration.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Bao'er's mind. She and Li Yu looked up almost simultaneously, exchanged a glance, and said in unison:
That place!
That was an old, abandoned house in the western suburbs of the capital. Many years ago, it was a secret auction house. When Li Bao'er and Li Yu were young, they wandered in by mistake and were almost arrested as merchandise. It was Ling Jin, who was also quite young at the time, who cleverly led them to hide and eventually escaped.
Later, Li Yu felt that this place was secluded and had a bit of an adventurous feel, so he secretly took over the place, made some minor modifications, and turned it into a secret base exclusively for the three of them. They would occasionally come here to store some treasures that they didn't want the adults to know about.
The two immediately rode to their old house in the western suburbs. The house was not much different from when they last visited.
Li Bao'er, with her sharp eyes, immediately noticed something on the octagonal table.
In the center of the table, a clean stone was used to weigh down a folded piece of paper.
Li Yu stepped forward and opened the note. The handwriting was familiar and strong; it was Ling Jin's handwriting. There were only a few words:
[Miss, Ayu: This letter is as if we are meeting in person. Please do not come looking for me again. I have decided to leave the Prime Minister's residence and return to the Western Regions with Xiyuan.]
Xiyuan was my mother's adopted son, and thus my elder brother in name only. The reasons for this are complex and difficult to explain in detail. Many years have passed since we parted; I hope you take good care of yourself.
She and Li Yu stood frozen in place, the room deathly silent.
“Sister.” Li Yu’s voice trembled with disbelief and panic. He grabbed Li Bao’er’s sleeve suddenly, just like when he was a child seeking support. His eyes instantly reddened. “Is it because…is it because I didn’t listen to Ling Jin’s advice the other day and insisted on running away to the military camp for training, which made him angry and sad? So he doesn’t want us anymore?”
Looking at her younger brother's expression, Li Bao'er took Li Yu's cold hand in return: "Ayu, don't think nonsense. Ling Jin is not that kind of person. He said the reasons were complicated, and there must be some difficulties that we don't know about. We've never heard him mention that Xi Yuan is his older brother before... Let's not rush."
Bao'er looked at Li Yu with a determined gaze: "What we need to do now is not to make wild guesses and blame ourselves, but to find out exactly what happened. Ling Jin is our family. Even if he really wants to go back to the Western Regions, we need to know if he is safe and if it is his own choice!"
Looking at his sister's calm eyes, Li Yu's panicked heart calmed down a little. He nodded vigorously, "Yes! Sister, you're right! We can't just let him go like this!"
The siblings composed themselves and returned to the Prince Jing's residence.
Not long after returning to the Prince's manor, before he could even show Mu Cenlin the note left by Ling Jin, the steward rushed in to report:
"Your Highness, someone from the Imperial Preceptor's residence has come to say that Imperial Preceptor Fang Xu would like to invite Your Highness to his residence for a chat."
Li Bao'er and Li Yu were both taken aback. Fang Xu? Why did he suddenly want to see them?
"The Grand Preceptor asked me to pass on a message to the Princess: He knows a little about the sudden departure of your personal guard and the reasons behind it. If the Princess wishes to understand, she may come to the Grand Preceptor's residence for a detailed discussion."
Li Bao nodded slightly to the person from the Imperial Preceptor's residence, speaking calmly: "Thank you for your trouble, I'll be there shortly."
After dismissing the person, Li Bao'er immediately shouted in her mind, "001! Come out!"
[Ding! Host, I'm here!]
"Fang Xu! Why would he suddenly get involved in Ling Jin's affairs? And he even claims to know the whole story?" Li Bao'er frowned, quickly communicating in her mind, "This old fox, ever since I confirmed that he was also a transmigrator, he has been hiding in the shadows, observing without ever taking the initiative to contact me, let alone interfering in the affairs around me. Now he suddenly jumps out, what does he want to do?"
Li Bao'er had long since confirmed that Fang Xu was a time traveler. However, since he hadn't shown any signs of communicating with her since Longhua Temple, she was happy to maintain the status quo and keep to herself.
To be honest, I don't know either. Fang Xu's system hasn't replied to me, and I have no idea what the situation is like on his end.
Fang Xu's purpose is unclear. I suggest you go, but be highly vigilant and adaptable.
Inside the study of Prince Jing's residence.
Several confidential reports were spread out on the desk in front of Mu Cen. Yuan Ting stood solemnly to the side, reporting the newly compiled information in a low voice:
“Your Highness, investigating Xi Yuan’s identity is proving quite difficult. He seems to have appeared out of thin air, but his presence is also faintly visible in the records of Western Region merchants and some gray areas. He is extremely cautious in his actions. The fact that he could infiltrate the capital so easily, and even blend into the core area of the black market, is something that no ordinary Western Region merchant or spy could do.”
Mu Cenlin picked up another secret letter from the northern border, scanned its contents, and his eyes narrowed slightly:
"The border has only been stable for a few years. The imperial court has always been wary of the Western Regions and strictly checks travel documents. For an unidentified person from the Western Regions to be able to lead his men deep into the heartland and reach the capital without anyone noticing," he sneered. "either there is a huge lapse in the border defenses, or... someone in the court has given him special treatment."
This latter possibility instantly made the air in the study heavy.
Yuan Ting continued, "There is another matter, which is quite strange. Our informant in the Western Regions Royal Court has sent word that the Second Prince, who has the highest prestige in the struggle for the Western Regions throne, was seriously injured in an accident while hunting about a month ago. Since then, he has remained secluded and has not even appeared at court meetings. The Western Regions Royal Court is keeping this matter very secret."
Mu Cenlin's fingers paused, and he raised his head, his gaze sharp as he looked at Yuan Ting: "More than a month ago? Seriously injured and forced into seclusion?"
The timing of this event, along with the time when Xi Yuan appeared in the capital and the time when Ling Jin disappeared, is too much of a coincidence!
Xi Yuan's identity is extraordinary, and he is very likely closely related to the Western Regions Royal Court, or even the Second Prince himself or his confidant! His risky infiltration into the capital of Da Lin was definitely not just for business.
It seems the Crown Prince has already made his move. Heh, this is getting more and more interesting.
“Yuan Ting,” Mu Cenlin ordered in a deep voice, “double the manpower to secretly protect the Princess. Also, have our people in the Western Regions investigate the truth behind the Second Prince’s serious injury at all costs.”
"Yes, Your Highness!" Yuan Ting accepted the order and immediately turned to make arrangements.
Mu Cenlin sat alone in his study, staring at the flickering candlelight, his eyes unfathomable. Bao'er should already be at the Imperial Preceptor's residence. What role is that old fox Fang Xu playing now, interfering at this crucial moment?
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