The three-day journey left everyone exhausted, so Emperor Kangxi ordered that they rest for two days after entering the county town.
The carriage entered the town in the afterglow of the setting sun. The Yuelai Inn in the county town had closed early, awaiting the arrival of its masters.
Upon arriving at the courtyard of Yuelai Inn, Yin and Qingyan, carrying the twins, stepped off the carriage one after the other. The innkeeper hurriedly ordered the second gate to be closed.
The shopkeeper looked at the three children with a worried expression. Recently, the county town had become quite unsafe, and the masters had even brought their young masters with them.
"This servant has something to report!" The shopkeeper knelt down anxiously.
Kangxi turned his head and looked at the shopkeeper strangely. When did Qingyan's servants become so unruly?
"Father, let's go inside." Yin noticed that the shopkeeper was very nervous, and he thought it must be something serious.
The group entered the house, which, though not comparable to a palace, was a courtyard that even a wealthy family could hardly afford.
After entering the living room, the shopkeeper immediately knelt on the ground.
"You are innocent!" Kangxi declared directly.
The shopkeeper swallowed hard and said, "Recently, some families in the county have lost their children, especially those as young as the three young masters."
Qingyan held her daughter tightly, afraid that she would get lost.
What? !
Emperor Kangxi's face darkened. The imperial decree for the southern tour had been issued. Shandong was very close to Jiangnan, yet some people were still so rampant.
"The missing children all belong to wealthy families, and many people have offered rewards for their capture, but the government officials have failed to catch them. I was worried to see all three young masters here," the shopkeeper said directly, not daring to hide anything.
Qingyan tensed up. What... what's going on?
"Tulichen, go investigate." Kangxi was determined not to allow his three grandchildren to be in danger and prepared to have them carefully protected.
A faint, ethereal voice came from outside.
The shopkeeper shuddered, secretly glad he had spoken up.
"Alright, you can stay home and rest these next few days. There's no need for you to come over," Yin said directly, exchanging a glance with Kangxi.
"Yes." The shopkeeper left.
The atmosphere inside the room gradually became less tense. The three men, including Emperor Kangxi, looked unwell. Fortunately, they had come; otherwise, things might have gone wrong if they hadn't.
Soon, Tulichen walked in. Kangxi instructed the nannies to take the children to the inner chamber next door, with Shu accompanying them. Saito's new troops also stood at the door of the inner chamber, ready to rush in at any moment.
"Master, this servant has investigated and found that several wealthy families in the county town have lost their children, leaving behind a series of Manchu characters," Tulichen replied with a frown.
The situation was extremely complicated. Qingyan's heart sank; their arrival time was far too coincidental.
"Moreover, I secretly visited several families whose children had gone missing, and I'm certain that the Manchu script left behind was written by someone who doesn't understand Manchu." Tulichen was worried that it might be the work of a Manchu, so he made a special trip to observe it, and found that the breaks in the Manchu script were all incorrect.
Emperor Kangxi and his two sons breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the real culprit was caught, they would have the officials in charge of the government punish him according to the law.
"Father, I'll handle this myself." Yin wanted to intervene directly.
After all, he was the father of the child, and if Songkriyirha were kidnapped, Yin would definitely keep searching for him.
"No need." Kangxi was unsure whether there was someone behind this, and it wouldn't be good for either Yin or Yin to get involved.
Kangxi's resolute attitude made Yinzhi and Yinzhi think twice.
The two couples took their children back to their rooms and sent all the servants away.
Yin felt a warmth in his heart as he watched the children playing.
If the twins were lost, he would probably ruin the entire county.
“My dear, Father’s attitude is very strange. Even though Tulichen said it wasn’t written by a genuine Manchu, none of us can be sure.” Yin believed that Tulichen would hide something.
Qingyan tacitly agreed, saying that Tulichen was Kangxi's confidant and knew Kangxi's thoughts perfectly well. He probably wouldn't take action against Yin Hui, given the issues he had encountered.
"I'll have the Sticky Rod Office investigate," Yin said, trying to unravel the mystery.
"No!" Qingyan stopped him immediately. "Fourth Prince, let me handle this! If the people from the Sticky Rod Office get involved, Father Emperor will probably notice."
After dinner, Qingyan coaxed the children to sleep, and then Yin and Qingyan lay in bed.
She waved the gauze curtain above the bed, and the scene of the main courtyard flashed before her eyes.
Tulichen knelt before Emperor Kangxi, looking down at the ground, while Consort Tong sat to the side, her face ashen.
The two exchanged a glance, and...
"Who is in charge?" Suo'etu secretly trained a group of people, many of whom were children from wealthy families.
"This servant is not yet aware that the person in the south is a Han Chinese. Such a move has led many to suspect that the White Lotus Sect is framing him."
Soetu's idea was good; not only did he get the person out of trouble, but he also avoided any consequences.
Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief; it turned out to be what Suo'etu had said.
"Little darling, keep a close eye on Yiken, that guy's gaze towards him is strange." Yin was worried that Yin might make a move.
Yiken'e was the best of the third generation, and Emperor Kangxi took special care of her. Therefore, Hongxi also cared a lot about Yiken'e, and even mentioned behind her back that he must teach Yiken'e a lesson.
Yin was having a headache. The third generation of children were growing up and becoming increasingly scheming.
"No way?" Qingyan remembered that he was a very polite child, yet he was so rude to Yiken.
The "clear punishment" mentioned by Emperor Kangxi probably meant that someone would be made a scapegoat.
“Never mind,” Yin sighed. “Now that we know the general truth, we’ll be extra careful.”
Qingyan leaned against him, feeling inexplicably sad.
The decorations here are simple; they are only resting here for two days and will leave soon.
As dawn approached, Su Peisheng's voice rang out from outside the door, and Yin immediately opened his eyes and looked outside.
"What's going on?" Yin asked, walking to the door while wearing a morning robe.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has decreed that we shall depart today." Su Peisheng rushed over as soon as he received the news from Li Dequan.
"I understand. Have Sulan and Suzhu prepare breakfast," Yin gave the order.
After speaking, he turned and walked into the stroller. The two children were fast asleep. Yin picked up their clothes and changed them. He then placed the small blankets aside.
"Hmm... Fourth Brother, what's wrong?" Qingyan heard the voice and groggily woke up.
"We're about to set off," Yin whispered in her ear.
Departure?!
Qingyan instantly snapped out of it, looked up at Yin, and wondered if he had said something wrong.
Weren't they supposed to rest and recuperate in the county town?
"It must be that matter." On the surface, Kangxi was worried about the children's safety, but in reality, he didn't want Yin and Yin to find out the truth.
It was rare for Qingyan to get up. She changed into her everyday clothes and had Sulan come in to serve her. She tied up her little swallow-shaped hair. When Qingyan followed Yin out, everyone was stunned for a moment.
On previous imperial tours, Qingyan would always get into the carriage in a daze, but this time was an exception.
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