Chapter 39 She Wasn't Hurt
The men acted quickly and brought Shao Mingjie back shortly after dawn.
Shao Mingjie also didn't rest all night. Not only was he covered in mud, but he was also soaked to the bone. He was not much better off than when Xiao Yu and Xu Chuchu came back.
He was relieved to hear that both of them had returned safely. Without even changing his clothes, he hurried to see Xiao Yu.
He told Xiao Yu that he had rushed out with his men and was waiting outside the mausoleum, but the two people who had fallen behind were nowhere to be found and he became extremely anxious.
Later, he heard some movement below, so he sent someone down to investigate. Just as he was lowering the rope, he felt a shaking before it reached the bottom.
If we pull him up quickly, there will be only half a person left.
"Brother Xiao, you have no idea how I felt at that time!" Shao Mingjie slammed the table, and several lumps of mud fell from his sleeves. His expression was uglier than crying. "My men are dead, and you will most likely not survive either. It's all my fault. Why did I drag you into this mess and cause you to die in vain..."
"Oh, why don't I see Xiangshi Xu?" He looked around for a while, "Isn't she injured? No, I can't ignore her, I have to go see her!"
He stood up immediately after saying that.
"...No need. She is not injured, she is just tired and resting." Xiao Yu cleared his throat.
"Okay then." Shao Mingjie sat down again. "Then I'll wait until she wakes up before I go. Otherwise, I really..."
"I said she wasn't hurt."
"Well, then I won't go."
Shao Mingjie felt that there seemed to be something wrong with Xiao Yu's attitude, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"Speaking of which, how did you get back?" he asked again.
Xiao Yu then told Shao Mingjie what happened afterwards, of course omitting the part about his sudden illness.
Shao Mingjie sighed, "I didn't realize Xiangshi Xu was so amazing! How did Brother Xiao find such a talented person? He has such a good eye!"
Xiao Yu raised the corner of his mouth, then quickly lowered it: "What about you? You were escaping in a hurry, so you didn't let the tomb robber take the opportunity to escape, did you?"
"Of course not! We finally caught them alive," Shao Mingjie said. "We've already brought them back and locked them up, and have them under strict guard. Damn, they've cost me my troops, and I'm going to make them give up everything they stole."
Xiao Yu lowered his voice and said, "Brother Shao, listen to me. This matter is very serious and may be related to the remnants of the previous dynasty."
He also told Shao Mingjie about the markings and texts he and Xu Chuchu had found in the tomb. "This case is also related to Zhang, the prefect of Tailing County. The power behind him is immeasurable. I suggest you return to the capital immediately and report this case to the emperor in person."
"So there's such collusion. I understand." Shao Mingjie immediately realized the seriousness of the matter and said anxiously, "Let's go back to the county city now!"
Xiao Yu hesitated slightly. "...Xiangshi Xu is still resting. How about this? I want Ah Fu to go with you first. Let him help you lock up the tomb robbers, and then you can go to the capital. I will wait for Xiangshi Xu to wake up, and then take her back."
"Is this... okay?" Shao Mingjie scratched his head.
Xiao Yu's arrangements have always been flawless, but he always felt that something was strange, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Everyone says that he doesn't understand the ways of the world, is that right?
"Oh, there's one more thing." Shao Mingjie was about to leave but turned back. This time it was his turn to hesitate. "That is... When I go back to report, I still want to report your contribution. You know that His Majesty is very concerned about this tomb robbery case. I told you, if His Majesty is happy, maybe..."
"No need." Xiao Yu refused without hesitation.
"Brother Xiao, please listen to me—" Shao Mingjie said helplessly, "You can't keep dragging it out like this. It will become a problem sooner or later. Your Majesty is still in his prime. If one day in the future... Pah, you will be in an awkward situation then. You should make some plans for yourself in advance and try to gain more now."
Xiao Yu smiled lightly: "If that day really comes, I will be at ease."
Shao Mingjie continued to persuade him, "Even if you don't care, I can't take away your credit. How could I have discovered such an important clue without you? When the time comes to reward you for your contributions, wouldn't I be taking advantage?"
"I, Xiao Yu, don't do things for reward, but solely based on my feelings," Xiao Yu said. "Brother Shao, there's no need to say more. I appreciate your kindness. If you still consider me a brother, please don't mention my involvement in this matter before His Majesty."
"You're still sulking. You're clearly still concerned about me. Otherwise, why would you be so concerned about this matter..."
"Brother Shao!"
"Okay, I won't say any more..." Shao Mingjie sighed, "Just make sure you understand."
Shao Mingjie went to find Ah Fu. Xiao Yu sat alone at the table for a long time. No one knew what he was thinking.
Oh, so angry...
"Sir?" The attendant Ah Fu knocked on the door and walked in. "Sir, would you like me to go back with Master Shao first?"
"Yes." Xiao Yu responded, "Take my token and tell the county magistrate to hand the suspect over to him for custody."
Ah Fu looked embarrassed: "Sir, will you stay to accompany Xiangshi Xu? Or how about I stay here, and you and Lord Shao go back first? Xiangshi Xu, she..."
Last night, when Ah Fu saw the young master and Xu Xiangshi coming back together, talking and laughing, he felt something was wrong. He wondered if the young master had fallen into the clutches of an evil spirit. He hesitated whether to tell Xu Xiangshi and Miss Shao about their open and secret struggle for him...
He had wanted to talk about this for a long time, but he felt that it was inappropriate to do so due to the pressure of work.
"What's wrong with her?" Xiao Yu frowned.
"She, she..." Ah Fu immediately became timid when he saw Xiao Yu's expression change. "I don't know how long she has been sleeping, delaying the young master's work."
"You know she sleeps well, but don't you know I need a rest too?" Xiao Yu glared at him. "Are you asking me to work non-stop for three days without sleep?"
"No, no! I'm going to follow Lord Shao now!" Ah Fu rushed out of the door.
"Come back!" Xiao Yu said, "Please close the door curtains and window shades for me before you leave."
"Now?" Ah Fu was surprised.
"What else? How can we rest in such bright light?" Xiao Yu asked back.
Seeing that the young master was really unhappy, Ah Fu didn't dare to persuade him anymore and retreated.
Soon, Ah Fu hung thick dark curtains outside the doors and windows of Xiao Yu's room, completely blocking out the originally dazzling morning light.
"Sir..." Ah Fu asked hesitantly from outside, "Is this okay? Do we need to add another layer?"
"That's enough." Xiao Yu sat in the dark, "You can go now."
"Yes, sir." Ah Fu gritted his teeth and added, risking being scolded, "The door is not locked. If you can't stand it anymore, just rush out."
After he finished speaking, he covered his head involuntarily, waiting to be reprimanded by Xiao Yu, but after waiting for a long time, he only heard a plain "I know, thank you for your hard work" from inside.
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