Overwhelmed by a wave of panic and guilt, like an icy tide, she was instantly engulfed! She seemed to see again that rainy night, Xiao Xun's obsessive, crazed yet desperate and pained eyes… If… if he really died because of her…
The impact of this thought was so immense that she instantly lost all ability to think and judge! Her body reacted faster than her reason—she abruptly reached out and grabbed the bloodstained letter and the glaring silk handkerchief from Liu Ya's hand!
Her fingertips touched the cold, sticky, dark brown blood, as if burned by a scalding hot iron! The stench seemed to carry the feeling of Xiao Xun's life slipping away, making her shudder!
"Where...is he now?" Xin Jiuwei's voice was dry and hoarse, with a tremor and urgency that she herself did not realize.
A look of wild joy, as if a drowning person had grabbed a piece of driftwood, flashed in Liu Ya's eyes: "I'm still in the Prince's mansion! Before His Highness fainted, he strictly ordered a news blackout, saying only that it was a cold... but... but the imperial physicians in the mansion were helpless... I risked my life... to deceive the Second Prince's spies... and rushed here day and night! Miss! I beg you! Come back to the capital with me quickly! Any later... any later and it will really be too late!"
Xin Jiuwei clutched the blood-stained handkerchief and letter tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force. The cold blood seeped through the handkerchief, as if branded onto her palm. In her mind, the dam of reason collapsed under the overwhelming torrent of panic and guilt!
The capital city? A den of dragons and tigers? The Second Prince's spies? Qi Huaiyu's venomous fangs? All the anticipated dangers pale in comparison to the realization that "Xiao Xun's life hangs by a thread"!
"Prepare the horses..." Xin Jiuwei's voice was dry and hoarse, as if squeezed from the depths of her throat, carrying a tremor and determination that even she herself was unaware of, "Immediately...prepare the fastest horses!"
She abruptly stood up, clutching the blood-stained silk handkerchief tightly in her hand, as if grasping at Xiao Xun's last remaining breath. She didn't even have time to consider the veracity of Liu Ya's information, nor to weigh any pros and cons; only one frantically screaming thought filled her mind: Go to the capital! Save him! She must save him! She can't let him die!
Xin Jiuwei forced herself to take a deep breath, suppressing her turbulent emotions. Her eyes instantly turned sharp and cold, but beneath that coldness lay an unconcealable, immense anxiety. She looked at Xin Kui: "Notify the manor that… a major incident has occurred at 'Yun Jin Ge,' the largest silk shop in the Xin family in the capital. The manager has absconded with funds, involving a huge deficit. I must go there personally immediately to handle this! This matter is urgent and cannot be delayed!"
"Yes!" Xin Kui immediately accepted the order and turned to make arrangements.
"Wait!" Xin Jiuwei called out to her, her voice carrying an undeniable weariness. "You're coming with me. Take only the necessary travel expenses and medicine, travel light, and travel day and night!"
"Understood!" Xin Kui nodded emphatically, her figure quickly disappearing outside the door.
Xin Jiuwei stood alone in the study, the blood-stained silk handkerchief in her palm seemingly still carrying the lingering warmth of Xiao Xun's life. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she had forcibly suppressed the turbulent emotions deep within them, leaving only a deep, cold pool, filled with a desperate, resolute resolve. She quickly gathered a few essential items—a few specially made gold leaves, a disguise ointment, a flat jade box containing antidotes and wound medicine, and the short blade she always carried.
When she stepped out of the study and into the warm pavilion, she had tried her best to regain her usual calm, but the lingering anxiety and heaviness deep in her eyes could not be hidden from the eyes of her loved ones.
"Wei'er? Why do you look so pale?" Xin Xiyao was the first to notice her sister's unusual appearance and came to greet her with concern.
Qi Huaihe also stopped talking with Shen Ping and looked at Xin Jiuwei with a questioning gaze.
Xin Jiuwei forced a smile, her voice trying to be steady, but with a hint of tension that was barely perceptible: "Eldest sister, father, eldest uncle, eldest aunt... Something terrible has happened at 'Yunjin Pavilion' in the capital. The manager has absconded with most of the cash and several bolts of tribute-grade Yun brocade, and their whereabouts are unknown. This matter is of utmost importance, and I must go to the capital immediately to deal with it."
"What?" Xin Wenhai (Xin's father) frowned deeply. As the head of the family, he knew the seriousness of the matter. "Take away the tribute? This...this is a grave crime! How could it happen so suddenly?"
"The messenger was vague about the specific details, only saying that the situation was extremely urgent and that the head of the family needed to come in person to stabilize the situation and recover the losses." Xin Jiuwei spoke quickly, throwing out the pre-prepared statement, "I have already ordered Xin Kui to prepare a fast horse and set off immediately. There is no time to lose."
"So soon?" Shen Ping asked in surprise. "It's only the fifth day of the lunar month, and the ice and snow on the roads haven't melted yet. It might be difficult to travel. Wei'er, why don't you wait a couple more days and have your uncle send a few capable men to accompany you?"
“Thank you for your kindness, Aunt.” Xin Jiuwei shook her head, her tone resolute. “Business opportunities are fleeting, and catching the thieves is of utmost urgency. Every day we delay, the clues grow weaker. I’m traveling light, and with Xin Kui by my side, I should be fine.” She paused, looking at Xin Xiyao with apologetic eyes, “Elder sister, your wedding… I’m afraid I won’t be able to return in time to help…”
Although Xin Xiyao was filled with reluctance and worry, seeing her younger sister's solemn and resolute expression, she knew it was a serious matter. She could only suppress her unease and hold Xin Jiuwei's hand: "Wei'er, the shop is important, you go ahead. Be careful on the road! Take good care of yourself! As for the marriage... Aunt and my eldest sister will help me, you don't need to worry." She squeezed her younger sister's cold hand tightly.
Qi Huaihe remained silent, watching Xin Jiuwei. He keenly sensed a profound emotional turmoil beneath her calm tone, an emotion she was desperately suppressing—an emotion far more complex than simply the shop's mishap. Deep within her eyes lay anxiety, resolve, and even… a hint of fear? This was unlike the composed and collected cousin he knew. He stepped forward, his gaze penetrating as he looked at Xin Jiuwei: "Cousin, the situation in the capital is complex, and the Second Prince has many informants. If you encounter any difficulties, be sure to send word back. The Qi family has some old connections in the capital that we can rely on."
Xin Jiuwei met Qi Huaihe's all-seeing gaze, and her heart tightened slightly. But at this moment, she was too flustered to delve into the matter, and simply nodded hastily: "Thank you for your concern, cousin. I will remember it."
Xin Yunzhou rushed over upon hearing the news. He was both shocked and anxious to learn that his sister was about to depart immediately: "Sister! The capital is so far away, and it's not safe! Why don't I go with you!" He patted his chest, "I'll protect you!"
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