He then found Shen Qingtang and said apologetically, "Shen Qingtang, I'm so sorry you had to suffer like this. It's all my fault for not managing the security of Loulan properly, which allowed this kind of person to take advantage of the situation. I've already sent people to arrest her, and I promise I won't let her harass you again."
Shen Qingtang smiled and shook her head: "Your Highness need not worry about it. No one will believe such rumors. There's no need to trouble yourself over her. Let's focus on the trade routes."
Looking at Shen Qingtang's composed demeanor, Lyon's admiration for her deepened, and he nodded.
He secretly resolved to protect Shen Qingtang even more diligently and not let her suffer any more harm.
Lu Jiaojiao's rumors spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of Loulan's capital city overnight. At the market...
In teahouses, and even in the courtyards of ordinary people.
People were whispering amongst themselves, those who had originally been fond of Shen Qingtang.
I'm feeling panicked because of the rumors.
Gradually, I began to hesitate and observe.
Some old nobles who already harbored prejudices against the people of the Central Plains further fueled the flames by spreading rumors.
They said that Shen Qingtang and his group were "disasters descended upon the world" and demanded that Elizabeth expel them and terminate the cooperation.
In the teahouse, several elderly people sat together, their brows furrowed as they discussed: "Have you heard? That woman from the Central Plains came to Loulan with her man and child, just to steal our good fortune! The nobles' previous rudeness was only the beginning; who knows what sandstorms and plagues might follow!"
Someone nearby chimed in, "Yes, my neighbor said she saw her child playing in the river yesterday, and as a result, several fish in the river died today. It must be bad luck!"
These baseless rumors spread more and more wildly, until finally some people said that as long as Shen Qingtang and her party stayed in Loulan, the capital would be shrouded in disaster, people would be filled with anxiety, and even business in the market would become much quieter.
Upon hearing the news, Pei Wuwang's face instantly darkened. He knew all too well how dangerous rumors could be.
If left unchecked, it will not only disrupt trade route plans.
It could also endanger the safety of Shen Qingtang and Pei Nian'an.
He immediately summoned his accompanying guards and the Loulan Kingdom's guards, and ordered in a deep voice: "Investigate immediately to find out who started this rumor. Follow the clues step by step, and whoever is behind it must be found out!"
The guards immediately sprang into action, splitting into several teams and traversing every corner of the capital.
They first found the vendor who was spreading rumors in the market.
The vendor, brought before Pei Wuwang, trembled with fear and quickly confessed that a little girl dressed in coarse cloth with her face smeared with ash had instructed him to say those things, and had even given him a small piece of silver. "I really didn't know it was a rumor! That little girl said that as long as I told her what to say, I would get money, and I was confused when I agreed!"
The vendor defended himself with a mournful face.
Following the clues provided by the vendor, Pei Wuwang sent people to track down the little girl, but the other party was clearly prepared.
No clear traces were left along the way. The guards then visited nearby inns and dilapidated temples, and questioned countless passersby.
Finally, they learned from a beggar that he had seen a little girl who matched the description. A few days ago, she had met a bearded man at the city gate and then headed towards the slums in the west of the city.
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