Jun Yan took the drawing paper and unfolded it. In the center of the paper was a boy of seventeen or eighteen years old. The paper was yellowed, and as he unfolded it, he could even see some scraps of paper falling off.
Even so, the boy in the painting has not faded. He is still tall, with three-dimensional features and a sharp jawline that looks like it has been carved by a knife and axe. In particular, his deep eyes are so captivating that one cannot look away from them.
He wore a well-fitting long robe, and his slender waist and broad shoulders were no exaggeration. He held a sharp sword and twirled it, which made his whole demeanor even more cold and aloof.
Jun Yan stared at the portrait for a long time, then a smile spread across his peach blossom eyes. "Tsk, the nose and eyes are really well drawn. He is exactly the same as that Young Master Xiao. If you say they are not father and son, I'm afraid no one will believe it!"
"Yes, it's said that this portrait was painted by the best painter in the capital at the time." Ye Yu nodded in agreement. "Master, should we deliver this news to Prince Zhan immediately?"
"Hmm, find a painter... no, I'll paint a portrait of Young Master Xiao myself, and then send it to Prince Zhan together." Jun Yan carefully rolled up the painting paper little by little.
His thin, sharp lips curled into a pleased smile. "A full eighteen years, not just a year or two. What would Xiao Hongyu be like if he knew that his son with Yu Heng was not dead?"
Ye Yu pursed her lips and shook her head. "The Prince of Zhan may still have this eldest son in his heart. Otherwise, Xiao Baocong would not have remained just the second young master of the Xiao family, and even now, he has not yet obtained the title of heir."
Upon hearing this, the man chuckled softly, "This Xiao Hongyu is quite a strange person. If you say he's affectionate, he couldn't wait to marry his second wife while the late princess's body was still warm. That second wife was the late princess's close friend from her youth."
But to say he was heartless... he turned white-haired overnight because of the late Queen Consort and her son, and for the past eighteen years he has been guarding the Western Rong border like a rock, never setting foot in the capital except when summoned by his father.
The second wife and Xiao Baocong might not recognize him now if they saw him.
Eighteen years ago, Yu Heng passed away. After Xiao Hongyu finished arranging her funeral, he went to Xirong and never returned to the capital for holidays.
He was just a two or three-year-old child at the time, so he had never met Xiao Hongyu. It wasn't until many years later, during a court session, that he finally caught a glimpse of the Prince of Zhan, who was returning to the capital to report on his duties.
At that time, all he saw was a middle-aged man with a full beard. What impressed him most were his unfathomable eyes, like sharp blades.
Even after six or seven years, I still remember it clearly.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to detect Xiao Jinhan's secret at a glance on the gambling stone street in Tangshan Prefecture that day.
Ye Yu listened with his eyes down the whole time without saying a word; these were matters that a guard like him couldn't interfere with.
Only after Jun Yan finished speaking did he clasp his hands and say, "Master, besides this portrait, the people we sent to escort Miss Wei Er replied that they have not yet seen the Wei family's convoy."
"Still haven't seen them?" Jun Yan frowned slightly upon hearing this. "Traveling north from Tangshan Prefecture to Wuxi Prefecture, according to normal travel time, they should still be in Wuxi Prefecture by now. How come we haven't seen them?"
"We don't know yet." Ye Yu was also puzzled, and said, "Our people went to the Wuxi Prefecture post station, but Miss Wei did not stay at the post station, and we did not see any trace of the Wei family's caravan on the inn or the official road."
Now, his men have continued north, heading towards Qingzhou Prefecture in their search.
Upon hearing this, Jun Yan fell silent. Although her cousin was born out of wedlock, she was quite well-off in the household due to her outstanding talent. She was always particular about food and lodging, and even if she couldn't reach the post station the first night, she would definitely stay there the next day.
But now, almost two days and two nights have passed, and there is not a trace left in Wuxi Prefecture. How is this possible?
Could it be that the Qin family already knows that Wei Jianjia used witchcraft?
Thinking of this, a glint of light flashed in the man's peach blossom eyes. "Send more people to search in Wuxi Prefecture and the various prefectures north of Shangjing."
In addition, you will keep a close eye on the Qin family these next few days, and if there is any disturbance, you should immediately inform me.
If it really is the Qin family who captured Wei Jianjia, then we must get rid of her before she can speak, understand?
"Yes," Ye Yu replied, clasping his hands in a fist salute. "I will take care of it immediately."
The private room fell silent again, with only the sound of the broth boiling. Jun Yan stared at the bubbling soup pot, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table.
Actually, he doesn't want to fall out with the Qin family yet.
Once the Qin family finds out about the Nine Yin Puppet Gu, the Li family, their money bag, will probably never be at his disposal again.
The Li family are all stubborn and unyielding, impervious to both gentle persuasion and force. This is a bone that not only he wants to gnaw on, but also his brothers in the palace are eyeing it covetously.
If it weren't for Su Hua's interference, he could have remained completely unperturbed.
Thinking of that beautiful and delicate face, the man's eyes darkened. This woman was truly infuriating. If he could bring her into his camp and work her out properly, in three to five years, he might be able to create the next Li family.
"Knock knock knock—"
Just then, someone knocked on the door of the private room.
Upon hearing this, Jun Yan deftly tucked the portrait in his hand to his chest. "Come in!"
As soon as the voice fell, the door to the private room opened from the outside, and Wang Ergou walked in carrying a pair of round-bellied ceramic bottles, his face beaming with smiles. "Sir, these are our restaurant's new cold drinks for today: peach wine and plum juice. Would you like to try them?"
As he spoke, he reached out and opened the lid of the ceramic bottle, placing it on the dining table in front of Jun Yan.
Almost the instant the lid was opened, a sweet fruity aroma wafted out, and even Jun Yan, who doesn't particularly like sweets, couldn't help but look at the ceramic bottle.
One bottle was pink, and the other was dark brown. The juice was dotted with tiny bubbles, and if you got close, you could feel a slight coolness in the sweet aroma.
Jun Yan raised an eyebrow. "Is this an iced drink? I don't think I ordered this."
Seeing the curiosity in his eyes, Wang Ergou tactfully poured him a cup of each and explained with a smile, "Master has a good eye! This peach wine and plum drink are made from the freshest seasonal fruits, then chilled in well water for several hours. These chilled drinks will be available gradually in June."
These new-style drinks would cost one tael of silver for two pots if bought by a regular customer, but our boss said that Su Ji Restaurant's Black Gold members must enjoy the best exclusive benefits, so Xin Xin will be giving them away for free.
Upon hearing this, Jun Yan raised her eyes and glanced at Wang Ergou. "This cold drink is quite a novelty. Was it also an idea of your Miss Su?"
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