The two left the Yao residence, and a servant drove them to the Prince's residence.
It was not yet dinner time. The Fourth Prince was practicing his swordplay in the back garden when he saw Li Xue arrive with Lord Yao, so he stopped.
Lord Yao must have something important to discuss with me at this time.
"Lord Yao, is there something important that you have come to our residence at this time?" the Fourth Prince asked.
"Your Highness, I do have something very important to discuss. May I speak with you in private?"
The Fourth Prince nodded and led Lord Yao into the study, with Li Xue following behind.
A servant brought tea, and the Fourth Prince looked at Lord Yao with concern, asking:
"Lord Yao is recovering well, congratulations."
"I owe my survival entirely to the Princess; it was she who cured my illness," Lord Yao said gratefully.
The Fourth Prince looked at Lord Yao, then turned to look at Li Xue, and couldn't help but laugh.
"Whether Xue'er is a miracle doctor or not, I know perfectly well. But Lord Yao's condition did improve after drinking Xue'er's tea. It seems that this tea really does have some merit."
"Enough of that. Lord Yao has come all this way to see me; there must be something important. Now you can speak."
"Let me speak first," Li Xue said.
The Fourth Prince looked at Li Xue and nodded.
"Father, do you still remember the fourth-rank official's badge you got for Xue'er a few days ago?"
"Of course I remember. After Xue'er got the waist token, she disguised herself as a man and went out."
"I knew Xue'er was doing something important, so I didn't ask. Now, can you tell me what happened?"
The Fourth Prince asked.
"Father, do you remember Xue'er mentioning to you about a teahouse called 'Tingyu Pavilion' in the western suburbs of the capital?"
"Yes, Xue'er did mention it, but I didn't know there was such a teahouse, let alone ever had tea there."
“It’s normal that Father doesn’t know that teahouse, but there are quite a few officials in the court who do know it.”
"Has Xue'er been going to that teahouse these past few days?"
"Yes, Xue'er has been going to that teahouse every day these past few days, and she'll stay there for the whole afternoon."
"I understand now. Xue'er disguised herself as a man, wearing a waist token, and went to a teahouse for tea? What's going on here?" The Fourth Prince seemed intrigued.
"According to the teahouse's rules, all government officials who go to the teahouse can not only drink tea for free, but also enjoy the best service. With such a good deal, why doesn't Xue'er go?"
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince burst into laughter.
"Xue'er isn't one to take advantage of cheap deals. Besides, what kind of quality service can you expect from a tea house? I bet they provide meals there too."
"When court officials go to teahouses for tea, they will be provided with meals if they wish, but that's not the point."
The key point is that a stunningly beautiful woman accompanies you while you enjoy tea.
"How come you're having tea with beautiful women by your side? This teahouse seems a bit suspicious."
Xue'er dressed as a man to go to the teahouse; it certainly wasn't for these reasons. Perhaps there's something important going on.
“Father is right. Xue’er went to the tea house not to enjoy tea, nor to be accompanied by beautiful women, but to investigate the truth of an incident.”
"What truth are you investigating?" The Fourth Prince was starting to get confused.
At this moment, Lord Yao spoke up: "Fourth Prince, please do not be anxious. The truth of the matter has been found out by the Princess. The matter is of great importance, and Your Highness could not have imagined it."
Lord Yao picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and began to slowly recount his story.
The Fourth Prince listened quietly, his eyes wide with shock.
"Lord Yao is saying that this teahouse was founded by a sixth-rank official whose purpose was to extract important information about the Great Northern Dynasty from the mouths of court officials and then pass this information on to foreign countries."
Lord Yao nodded and said:
"What I believe to be the reason is that in the past few days, the princess took great risks to meet a tea girl named Andor, and learned about this news from her."
This woman has a rather special identity. She comes from Lanwei, and the official who founded the teahouse is named Ma Sibei, whose ancestral home is Yuanxi. He and Andor both come from the desert.
I have obtained Ma Sibei's personal information. He is an official of the Court of State Ceremonial and has been engaged in diplomatic work.
All indications suggest that Ma Sibei is likely an undercover agent lurking in our country.
The reason why foreign tribes have been constantly harassing our borders in recent years is somewhat related to this person.
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Prince became somewhat agitated. He stood up and, regardless of the time, prepared to enter the palace.
Li Xue said, "Father, please wait a moment. Xue'er has something important to say."
"What is it, Xue'er? Tell me quickly."
"After the Yuanxi incident, several barbarians were escorted back to the capital. According to their confessions, one of the barbarians, Nashbai, had already infiltrated the Central Plains and his whereabouts are unknown. Does Father know about this?"
"Of course I know. The imperial court has already deployed people to investigate this person. Does Xue'er know his whereabouts?"
Li Xue nodded and said:
"Of course I know where this person is. He is currently in Narcissus Village, and his purpose is to control Zhao Shaofu and get something useful from him."
"What?! Why didn't you say so sooner?" The Fourth Prince was anxious.
"Father, don't worry, Xue'er hasn't finished speaking yet."
This man, posing as a merchant under the alias Bai Shina, appeared in Narcissus Village, but was immediately recognized by Zhao Shaofu.
Zhao Shaofu did not make a fuss, but reported the matter to Prefect Shen, who took it very seriously.
After investigation, it was quickly discovered that Naspa had two properties in Song County, both of which had just been acquired. Prefect Shen immediately planted spies in them to monitor Naspa's every move.
In Narcissus Village, Prefect Shen ordered his advisor Yu Wen to keep an eye on Na Shi Bai. On the surface, it appeared that Advisor Yu had been bribed by Na Shi Bai, but in reality, Advisor Yu was using this illusion to monitor Na Shi Bai.
As far as I know, Nashbai wants to buy an inn in Narcissus Village as his base.
He did so much for a very clear purpose: he wanted to play the long game and catch a big fish.
Judging from the current situation, Nashi Bai does not want to harm Zhao Shaofu.
He must have a long-term plan, the ultimate goal of which is to win over the Minister of the Imperial Household and use his talents to serve the foreign people.
Nasba is currently under the surveillance of the government, but he is completely unaware of it. Zhao Shaofu has taken ample precautions, so Father King need not worry.
Now that things have developed to this point, I want to know if there is any connection between Ma Sibei and Nasbai.
"Since a barbarian has been able to establish himself in the Central Plains, he must have someone helping him. I want to find out who these people are."
Li Xue's words shocked the Fourth Prince and Lord Yao.
These two events are so significant that there must be a connection between them.
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