Chapter 159 He ran away~
Upon hearing the sound, everyone instinctively looked in the direction where Luo Qing was cursing.
But the child was lying there, sleepy-eyed, showing no fear whatsoever from his curses.
"Zhaozhao is a big girl now, she doesn't drink milk anymore~"
She pouted and grumbled unhappily, which was extremely cute.
"Whose child is this?"
The person standing outside the door looked up and saw the child leaning on the railing, and couldn't help but feel surprised.
How come there are children here?
How can exiled children still be so happy and make a ruckus everywhere?
"Zhaozhao is my father's child~"
Yun Zhao looked at them curiously.
"So, whose children are you?"
Children's innocent remarks can make you laugh involuntarily.
The tense atmosphere eased somewhat as a result.
Luo Qing withdrew his gaze, his expression showing displeasure.
"Sir, your search of the post station is none of our business, not ours at the Dali Temple."
But shouldn't you also give the Dali Temple a reason why you haven't allowed them to pass since yesterday?
Without offering any explanation, they suddenly came today and ordered a search. Doesn't this show a lack of respect for the Dali Temple?
Faced with Luo Qing's questioning, the other party did not back down at all.
Instead, he scoffed and retorted, "Last night, Lord Yuan's residence was robbed, and today the entire Xuyang Prefecture is under martial law."
If you can't find the thief, you probably won't be able to leave here either.
Now that you're blocking the search, could it be that the thief is one of you?
Luo Hao couldn't hold back his temper any longer and angrily rebuked, "Don't push your luck!"
"Uncle, what do you want to search for?"
Yun Zhao lay there, asking curiously.
The leading official, looking at her adorable appearance, couldn't help but laugh and said, "Searching for thieves, have you seen any strangers before?"
Yes!
Yun Zhao blinked, looking completely innocent.
Luo Qing looked back at her suspiciously.
What's wrong with this child?
Could it be that she didn't know that the thief these people were coming to catch was her?
The reason he's spouting nonsense here is to buy them some time.
Upon seeing this, the visitor smiled smugly.
"Really, kid? Then tell me, where did you see the stranger, what did he look like, and where did he go?"
Yun Zhao immediately frowned, holding her head in her hands, looking like she was struggling.
"You're asking so many questions at once, Zhao Zhao needs to think them over carefully!"
"Um... a tall, thin uncle, limping, climbed over the wall last night!"
The newcomer's expression immediately changed, and he looked at her with a stern face.
When he spoke again, his voice carried a chilling undertone.
"Really? You saw him? Why didn't you call for help?"
"That uncle said we can't tell anyone, otherwise he won't give Zhaozhao any candy!"
After saying that, Yun Zhao covered her mouth in alarm.
"Zhaozhao didn't eat any candy! Don't tell Mommy!"
He looked just like a child who had stolen some candy and was worried about being punished by his mother.
"Where did Uncle go?"
"He's gone~ He left before dawn, and Zhao Zhao hadn't even gone to sleep yet when you all came, making Zhao Zhao unable to sleep well!"
Yun Zhao muttered angrily and glared at them fiercely.
"They've left?"
The newcomer narrowed his eyes and scanned the area.
Luo Qing and the others did not show any change in expression, seemingly unaware of the matter.
"I'm asking you, did you hear anything last night?"
The newcomer looked at the official guarding the post station.
Those men were so engrossed in drinking with Luo Qing and his group last night that they dared to stand far away now, afraid of being detected by the smell of alcohol on their bodies.
When asked about last night, he instinctively shook his head.
"No, we were on duty at the post station yesterday, and nothing happened!"
Did the thief just come in to rest for a while and then leave?
The person glanced at Yun Zhao again, only to see the child yawn listlessly and turn back to call for his mother.
It's not easy to get a child who is only a few years old to cooperate in lying.
Moreover, the officials at the post station had no reason to help them.
Thinking of this, the visitor casually selected a few constables.
"You few, stay here and search. The rest of you, come with me!"
The group came in a grand procession and then left quickly.
Luo Qing watched Yun Zhao leave, then obediently stepped aside, allowing the officials to go in and search.
Wei Jingchen watched this scene from the corner, and only when the officials came to search the back did he slip back to the second floor.
When Yun Zhao returned to her room, Xu Qingyi quickly pulled her in front of her.
"Are you alright now?"
God knows, with all that commotion downstairs, my daughter still had to go out and face the officials.
Her heart pounded as she listened from inside the house!
"Don't worry, Mommy, it's alright~ Zhao Zhao went out to buy time for Brother Jing Chen!"
"That's good, that's good!"
Xu Qingyi patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.
When the officials came in to search, Yun Zhao continued to blink, watching them curiously.
"Sister-in-law, your daughter is really brave!"
An older official couldn't help but sigh.
Xu Qingyi hugged her daughter with concern and quickly apologized.
"Please excuse my rudeness, sir. This child grew up in the Marquis's mansion when he was young, and perhaps that's why he's always been so bold!"
"A child raised in the Marquis's mansion? Now I'm curious. May I ask which household you belong to, sister-in-law?"
Compared to the leading official, this constable was much more polite.
"I am a child of the Prince of Jin's household, and my mother is the Princess of Jin!"
My maternal grandfather was a great general, and I grew up in the Dingyuan Marquis's mansion!
Yun Zhao proudly raised his head.
The officials in front of them were immediately shocked and quickly and respectfully clasped their hands in greeting.
"So it's Princess Consort of Jin and Princess Jinglan! I was rude just now!"
Xu Qingyi was startled, but her face remained calm.
"Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities. We have now been demoted to commoners and are no longer princesses or noblewomen."
"Your Highness, you flatter us. We are all people from the Jiangnan region. His Highness has visited Jiangnan many times to manage the floods."
We are deeply indebted to him, but we regret that we are of lowly rank and powerless to help the prince..."
As he spoke, the officer lowered his eyes, looking as if he truly hated his own powerlessness.
Yun Zhao looked up at his mother and saw that her eyes were filled with tears.
She thought that her mother must miss her father very much.
After a long while, Xu Qingyi cleared her throat.
"Thank you for your trust in the Prince. However, please do not repeat these words outside, lest they cause you trouble."
"We all understand. This is just a small token of our appreciation. Please accept it, Your Highness!"
The official took a money bag from his person and presented it with both hands.
"No! It is the prince's duty to control the floods, how can he take your money!"
Xu Qingyi said sternly.
"Your Highness, the journey to exile is fraught with peril, especially once we reach Lingnan, where it will cost money!"
The officials were describing the life of ordinary exiled prisoners.
Xu Qingyi knew that they still had a lot of money left, but it was inconvenient for them to say so.
She knew she had money, so how could she take the people's hard-earned money?
They were grateful for her husband's help, so how could she betray the people's trust?
She was still thinking about how to refuse when her daughter in her arms spoke first.
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