Thirteen
Xuanyuan Tianyi and his companions rode at breakneck speed, and when they arrived at the post station, Leng Moyan was already waiting at the entrance. While the group walked inside, Leng Moyan briefly explained what had happened in the past two days. However, before he could finish, Xuanyuan Tianyi, his eyes glazed over, said, "I'm sleepy."
Leng Moyan looked at Xuan Yuantianyi's already half-closed eyes with amusement and asked indulgently, "Didn't you sleep all night?"
Nodding hurriedly, Xuan Yuan Tianyi stopped and opened his arms to Leng Moyan, receiving a magnetic laugh in return: "Come on, let's go to sleep." He then scooped Xuan Yuan Tianyi up in his arms and was about to head towards the room when Xuan Yuan Tianyi said, "Wait." Leng Moyan stopped and looked at Xuan Yuan Tianyi in his arms. Xuan Yuan Tianyi pulled a small porcelain bottle from his robes and tossed it to Bai Yutang: "Have Gongsun Ce change his dressing."
Bai Yutang took the porcelain bottle and nodded: "Understood."
Xuanyuan Tianyi buried his head in Leng Moyan's arms and mumbled, "Let's go." Then he disappeared. Behind him, Bai Yutang, beaming, and Zhan Zhao, somewhat embarrassed, stared at each other. After a while, Bai Yutang finally helped Zhan Zhao towards Bao Zheng's room. In the distance, they saw Wang Chao and Ma Han coming out to greet them. Taking Zhan Zhao from Bai Yutang's arms, Wang Chao and Ma Han carefully helped Zhan Zhao into the room. Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce, who had heard the news, were already waiting there. After quickly changing Zhan Zhao's dressing, Gongsun Ce examined Zhan Zhao's body while telling him about the events of the past few days.
After Gongsun Ce finished speaking, Zhan Zhao frowned slightly. Although he looked tired, his voice was unusually clear: "My lord, if Prince Chai is plotting treason, can he be punished according to the law?"
After hearing Zhan Zhao's words, Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce exchanged a glance, a flash of shock passing through their eyes. After a long silence, Bao Zheng finally spoke: "If that's really the case, I'm afraid the Emperor will be in a dilemma."
"What if the evidence is conclusive?" Zhan Zhao asked again.
Instead of answering, Bao Zheng asked, "Why does Guard Zhan ask such a question?"
After a moment's thought, Zhan Zhao recounted the events of the past few days in the Ailao Mountains and Xuan Yuan Tianyi's speculations. Bao Zheng, after listening to Zhan Zhao's account, looked grave: "What did Tianyi say?"
Zhan Zhao shook his head slightly. He knew that if Xuan Yuan Tianyi knew about Chai Wenyi's matter, it meant that Zhao Zhen already knew. However, judging from Xuan Yuan Tianyi's attitude, he did not seem to want to get involved. It seemed that Zhao Zhen had other plans.
Bao Zheng seemed to have anticipated Xuan Yuan Tianyi's attitude, so he said, "Guard Zhan, you should rest well first."
“Then Princess Qingyuan…” Zhan Zhao remembered the most important thing at hand, Duan Qingyuan’s disappearance, and couldn’t help but look at Bao Zheng.
"This matter will be arranged by the government, so Guard Zhan need not worry." After saying that, he turned to look at Bai Yutang, "Young Master Bai, you have worked hard. The government will have someone arrange a room for you."
"No need, Lord Bao, I'll just make do in this room at Mao'er's," Bai Yutang replied, unusually politely.
Bao Zheng knew that Bai Yutang was worried about Zhan Zhao, so he nodded and said, "Alright, you've all worked hard these past few days. Take a good rest. If there's anything else, we can talk about it when you get up." After saying that, he left with Gongsun Ce.
Zhan Zhao glanced at Bai Yutang's mischievous grin, shifted his body slightly, and remained silent. Bai Yutang knew Zhan Zhao was preoccupied, so he didn't bother him. He lay down beside Zhan Zhao and fell asleep in no time.
When he opened his eyes again, it was already dark outside. As soon as Xuan Yuantian sat up, he saw Leng Moyan standing guard to the side, smiling at him: "You not only stayed up all night to heal Zhan Zhao, but also used up your spiritual energy. You know your body is different from others. Zhan Zhao was only injured this time. If he had died, would you have taken your heart's blood to save him?"
"Don't look at me like you've caught someone cheating." Xuan Yuan Tianyi leaned back on the bed. Although Leng Moyan was still smiling, Xuan Yuan Tianyi could still hear the anger hidden in his voice. "How's your investigation into Qingyuan going?"
“She should be in this post station. Finding her shouldn’t be difficult, but we’ll need to put on a show to lure out the traitor.” Leng Moyan’s mocking smile slowly crept onto his face as he saw Xuan Yuantian change the subject.
"Notify Qingcao to prepare," Xuanyuan Tianyi instructed softly.
"You want to lure the snake out of its hole?" Leng Moyan handed the poured tea to Xuan Yuantianyi. "What about their schemes against the Xuan Yuan family?"
"Don't push them too hard. Let's settle this score later." After saying that, Xuan Yuantian gave Leng Moyan a meaningful look.
Leng Moyan shrugged: "You're the head of the family, so what you say goes." Although he said that, Leng Moyan knew that they could settle things later. Xuan Yuantian made it sound so easy, but the consequences would probably be something that the group of people couldn't easily bear.
Xuan Yuantian glanced at Leng Moyan, who was turning to leave, and said indifferently, "While you're at it, see if Zhan Zhao has woken up yet."
Leng Moyan turned around and gave a bewitching smile: "I understand."
Before they even reached Zhan Zhao's door, they could hear Bai Yutang's arrogant voice from afar: "Little Zhan, don't push your luck!"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan Tianyi revealed her captivating smile, but just as the smile bloomed on her face, Leng Moyan's teasing voice rang out at the opportune moment: "If you don't want things to get out of control, don't always show that kind of smile."
With an indifferent shrug, Xuan Yuantian's smile remained unchanged: "What if I said things have already taken an irreversible turn?"
"Are you really going to turn them brothers against each other?" Although Leng Moyan's smile faded, there was no nervousness in his voice; on the contrary, there was a hint of anticipation.
Turning his head to look at Leng Moyan, Xuan Yuantian smiled indifferently: "This was all arranged by Zhen, what does it have to do with me?"
"If you weren't willing, how could Zhao Zhen possibly outmaneuver you?" Leng Moyan's eyes were filled with knowing understanding as he looked at Xuan Yuantianyi.
Xuanyuan Tianyi clearly didn't want to continue this topic: "Is everything ready?"
"Don't worry, everything is foolproof. We're just waiting for the fish to take the bait." Leng Moyan didn't dwell on the matter any further.
"Go ahead." After dismissing Leng Moyan, Xuan Yuan Tianyi walked towards the door. Without knocking, he pushed it open and entered, only to find the room in complete disarray. Zhan Zhao, dressed in his undergarments, was propped up on his arms, his pale face filled with anger as he stared at Bai Yutang, who was clutching a pillow and looking smug, at the door. Unexpectedly, Bai Yutang and Zhan Zhao froze the moment the door opened, not expecting anyone to do so without knocking. Upon recognizing Xuan Yuan Tianyi, Bai Yutang immediately broke into a wide smile.
"Oh... what's going on?" Xuan Yuan Tianyi's eyes darted back and forth between the two of them.
"Oh, it's Tianyi. It's nothing, it's nothing. I was just playing around with the cat." Bai Yutang said, throwing the pillow toward the bed without turning his head.
However, the next moment, they heard Zhan Zhao's somewhat suppressed gasp. Turning around, they saw the pillow fall off Zhan Zhao's injured shoulder. Xuan Yuantian hurriedly walked towards Zhan Zhao, complaining, "Bai Yutang, can't you be more careful?"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Bai Yutang didn't dare to argue, watching as Xuan Yuan Tianyi helped Zhan Zhao lie down. Bai Yutang quickly handed Xuan Yuan Tianyi the wound medicine from the table. Gently unbuttoning Zhan Zhao's clothes, Xuan Yuan Tianyi frowned slightly upon seeing blood seeping from the wound. Carefully removing the bandage, he lightly sprinkled the wound medicine on, all the while scolding Bai Yutang: "Knowing he was injured, couldn't you have avoided provoking him?!"
Seeing the heartache in Xuan Yuan Tian's eyes, Bai Yutang couldn't help but recall the scene that had unfolded in the room before she entered. "Cat, how are you going to thank me?" Bai Yutang sat on the edge of the bed, smiling ambiguously at Zhan Zhao. "Why should I thank you?" Zhan Zhao rolled her eyes, unsure what trick Bai Yutang was up to. "You like someone, but you're too shy to say it. I'm kind-hearted, so I confessed for you." Hearing Bai Yutang's words, Zhan Zhao knew something was wrong and quickly asked, "What confession? Who did you confess to?" "I confessed to Tian Yi for you," Bai Yutang said smugly. Unexpectedly, Zhan Zhao's face showed surprise: "Bai Yutang, what did you say to Tian Yi?" "I told her you like her." Bai Yutang, not expecting Zhan Zhao's surprise, suppressed his smile and replied seriously. "Bai Yutang, mind your own business!" Zhan Zhao looked anxious and her tone became unfriendly. "Little Zhan, I'm only doing this for your own good, why are you glaring at me?" Bai Yutang knew Zhan Zhao would complain, but he didn't expect him to be so angry. "Tianyi is the Emperor's favorite woman, what nonsense are you spouting!" Bai Yutang was taken aback by Zhan Zhao's words, but still refused to back down: "So what? That doesn't mean Tianyi likes the Emperor too." Zhan Zhao sighed helplessly and growled at Bai Yutang, "They are mutually in love!" Bai Yutang was stunned, hearing Zhan Zhao's incessant scolding. Although he knew he had been rash, he finally snapped, "Little Zhan, don't bite the hand that feeds you." "What? Me, Lü Dongbin biting a dog? Bai Yutang, when did you become a dog? Aren't you a guinea pig?" Zhan Zhao retorted angrily. Hearing Zhan Zhao's words, Bai Yutang jumped up: "Little Zhan, don't push your luck!"
When Xuanyuan Tianyi opened the door, Zhan Zhao was throwing a pillow at Bai Yutang.
After tending to Zhan Zhao's wounds, Xuan Yuan Tianyi looked at Bai Yutang, who was still in a daze, with a hint of reproach. Just as she was about to speak, Zhang Long's voice came from the doorway: "Is Miss Tianyi here?"
Bai Yutang saw Xuan Yuantian nod at him, then turned and opened the door. Zhang Long clasped his hands in a salute to Bai Yutang and walked in: "Miss Tianyi, Princess Qingyuan has been found, but she remains unconscious. The master requests your presence."
Nodding slightly, Xuan Yuantian said softly to Zhan Zhao, "I'll go check on him. You rest well." Seeing Zhan Zhao nod, he stood up and said to Bai Yutang, "Keep an eye on him. If his wound reopens, I won't forgive you." After saying that, he and Zhang Long walked towards Duan Qingyuan's room, leaving Zhan Zhao and Bai Yutang looking at each other suspiciously.
When Xuanyuan Tianyi entered Duan Qingyuan's room, besides Saqi and Qingning, Bao Zheng, Gongsun Ce, and Li Jie were also there. Leng Moyan stood alone at the door and gave Xuanyuan Tianyi a barely perceptible nod. Xuanyuan Tianyi walked to the bedside, placed three fingers on Duan Qingyuan's wrist, and turned to ask Bao Zheng, "Father, where was the person found?"
“It was Mo Yan who found her.” After Bao Zheng finished speaking, he looked at Leng Mo Yan at the door. Before Xuan Yuan Tian could speak, Leng Mo Yan said, “She was found in the alley behind. She was already in this state when she was found.”
Nodding slightly, Xuan Yuantian withdrew his hand and placed Duan Qingyuan's arm under the blanket: "I'll prescribe some medicine for her, let's try it for two days and see." After saying that, he stood up and instructed Saqi and Qingning to take good care of Duan Qingyuan.
The group arrived outside, and Bao Zheng turned to Li Jie: "Vice Commander Li, I'll leave Princess Qingyuan's safety to you."
"Rest assured, Lord Bao, I will make the arrangements right away." After saying this, Li Jie bowed to Xuan Yuan Tianyi and then quickly walked out.
"Tianyi, you've worked hard these past few days. Without your protection, I'm afraid my life would have been in danger." Bao Zheng's voice timely pulled Xuan Yuan Tianyi, who was lost in thought while gazing at Li Jie's retreating figure, back to reality.
"Zhan Zhao is lucky. Even if I don't save him, he'll be fine." Xuan Yuantian smiled sweetly and walked towards Bao Zheng's room.
Once back in his room and seated, Bao Zheng finally spoke: "When will Princess Qingyuan wake up?"
“Her problem isn’t serious. She’ll wake up when she’s supposed to. I’m just curious where she’s been these past few days.” Xuan Yuantian glanced meaningfully at Bao Zheng.
Bao Zheng nodded knowingly, "It seems we'll only know when Princess Qingyuan wakes up."
"What does Godfather think of Li Jie?" Xuan Yuan Tianyi asked casually.
Bao Zheng glanced at Xuan Yuan Tianyi and smiled slightly: "You often move around the palace, so you should be more familiar with Deputy Commander Li than I am."
With a playful smile, Xuan Yuan Tianyi did not continue speaking.
After a moment of silence, Bao Zheng spoke again, "Tianyi, what are His Majesty's plans regarding the Chai family?"
“Godfather, the Chai family is different from other families. What binds Zhen’s hands and feet is not only the imperial edict and the ancestral precepts.” Xuan Yuan Tianyi’s words were brief, but they made Bao Zheng frown.
"This government has heard that Princess Anyang is in the Ailao Mountains."
“Siyi was sent to Ailao Mountain by her father when she was very young. I’m afraid it was to prepare for today,” Xuanyuan Tianyi said quietly.
“But we have no evidence,” Bao Zheng said, somewhat troubled.
Xuanyuan Tianyi smiled slightly: "Godfather, our most important task now is to resolve the immediate issue and find the traitor as soon as possible. As for the Chai family's matter, there's no rush. Even if we find the evidence now, there's nothing we can do about it."
After listening to Xuan Yuan Tianyi's words, Bao Zheng nodded: "That's right. We can only make plans for the Chai family's matter after we return to the capital."
For a moment, the room fell silent...
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