Chapter 23

The undercover agent who died at the Xiao residence vanished without a trace. After his corpse was sent away, no one asked any further questions, and Old Madam Xiao never mentioned it again.

After Su Jinyuan obtained the Xiao family’s token, she secretly left the mansion once more and tracked down the people Old Madam Xiao had mentioned. As soon as they saw the token in her hand, they all obeyed her commands.

Without hesitation, Su Jinyuan divided these men into three groups. She assigned the best fighters—those skilled in stealth—with the task of keeping an eye on the prison at the Ministry of Justice, while the other two groups were sent out separately: one to investigate the whereabouts of Prince Duan’s heir and the other to check on the households of the two deputy generals serving under Xiao Jin.

It wasn’t until three days later that any news arrived.

“Are you saying that Feng Kui’s family has returned to their hometown?” Su Jinyuan asked, looking at the man before her.

The man, named Xiang Lei, was one of those Old Madam Xiao had mentioned to her. At that moment, he was dressed in the uniform of a servant from the Xiao household—he had blended in under the pretext of buying supplies for them. His appearance was utterly nondescript, though he was remarkably capable. Upon hearing the question, he simply replied, “Yes.”

“Then what about Xu Yingcheng?”

“Everyone from the Xu family is still in the capital; however, due to the Xiao family’s defeat, they are extremely fearful and planning to escape amidst the chaos.”

Su Jinyuan lightly twirled her finger. Though it was understandable that the Xu family, terrified by the Xiao family’s defeat—which had led to heavy casualties in battle—would be inclined to flee the capital, it was peculiar that the Feng family had left in advance at such a critical moment.

“When did they leave?”

Xiang Lei replied, “Approximately one month ago.”

Feng Kui’s wife and his parents lived in Xiaoronghua Alley and enjoyed excellent relations with the neighbors. According to their accounts, just the previous day, people had seen Feng Kui’s wife returning with her child and a bundle of goods—but then, she suddenly vanished. It wasn’t until much later that word spread that Feng Kui’s wife, child, and parents had all rushed back to their hometown because of an emergency at home.

Su Jinyuan’s gaze darkened slightly. A month ago—exactly when the Xiao family set out on campaign—how could it be such a coincidence that the Feng family happened to return home at that very moment?

“Has anyone witnessed them leaving in person?”

Xiang Lei shook his head, “No.”

“Young Madam ordered me to investigate discreetly without leaving any trace, so I didn’t dare to press for further details. Every neighbor around the Feng family said that a few days after they left, someone—allegedly a relative—came by to manage their house. It was from that person’s account that they learned the Feng family had returned home.”

After squinting thoughtfully for a moment, Su Jinyuan’s suspicion deepened. She looked up at Xiang Lei and asked, “And what about Prince Duan’s heir? Have you learned anything about his itinerary?”

Xiang Lei replied, “I have already found out. Prince Duan’s heir has an engagement banquet tomorrow—he is scheduled to attend a banquet at Pengyun Pavilion.”

Su Jinyuan knew precisely where Pengyun Pavilion was. It was a renowned tea house for poetry and literature in the capital, with Prince Duan’s mansion located right behind it. Moreover, many literati would gather there to display their talents or chat idly, and several court officials often visited just to savor a cup of tea.

Nodding, Su Jinyuan said, “Make the arrangements; we will go to Pengyun Pavilion tomorrow.”

The next day, when Su Jinyuan left the mansion once more, things went much more smoothly with Xiang Lei’s assistance. She had changed into a scholar’s robe and tied her long hair before heading to Pengyun Pavilion.

After nearly an hour, someone from Prince Duan’s residence finally arrived. “Young Madam, that is Prince Duan’s heir—Qi Sheng.”

Upon seeing him, Su Jinyuan felt that he looked strikingly familiar. When she heard Xiang Lei’s words, she was utterly stunned: “What did you say his name is?”

“Qi Sheng.”

Su Jinyuan’s eyes widened. Qi Sheng? Isn’t he King Shan from among the rebel forces later on?

She still remembered that in her previous life—when Xie Yunyan led his troops to besiege a city—it was King Shan who remained loyal. It was said that King Shan was a royal orphan whose parents had been killed by Emperor Qing, and that after being rescued by Xie Yunyan, he went on to become the leader of the rebel forces.

No wonder she felt so familiar when she saw Prince Duan’s heir. This man was unmistakably the one who, in her past life, entered the city together with Xie Yunyan, standing side by side with him. However, King Shan in those days was far older than he is now, and his appearance had changed somewhat.

When Su Jinyuan saw someone coming over to greet them and lead Qi Sheng into the elegant private room opposite, she turned to Xiang Lei. She asked, “Uncle Xiang, what is the relationship like between Prince Duan’s Mansion and the royal family?”

Xiang Lei replied, “I’ve never heard of any discord between them.”

She continued, “Prince Duan has long been a man of leisure who cares little for worldly affairs—he indulges in song and dance and rarely meddles in court matters. His Majesty is quite indulgent too; not only does he often bestow rewards on Prince Duan’s Mansion, but he also holds Prince Duan’s heir in high regard.”

“Really? Is there truly no ill feeling between Prince Duan’s Mansion and Emperor Qing?” she pressed.

If there were no enmity, then how could he have been killed later?

Xiang Lei thought for a moment before replying, “If there was any grudge at all, it would have been during the time of the former emperor.”

She added, “I once heard that when the former emperor was choosing his successor, his earliest candidate of choice was Prince Duan—indeed, many in the court believed Prince Duan would ascend the throne. But later, for reasons unknown, it was changed to Emperor Qing.”

“After Emperor Qing’s accession, Prince Duan’s Mansion was suppressed for a while. Only after Prince Duan withdrew from court affairs did the relationship between the royal family and his mansion ease. But of course, these are all rumors—I can’t say for certain if they’re true.”

Su Jinyuan tapped her finger on the table and then asked, “And what about the relationship between the Sixth Young Master and Prince Duan’s heir? Are they on good terms?”

Xiang Lei answered, “They are very close. Before the incident at the General’s Mansion, Prince Duan’s heir even visited the mansion several times. Not only was he friendly with the Sixth Young Master, but he also maintained a good rapport with the First and Second Young Masters.”

A subtle gleam flashed in Su Jinyuan’s eyes. She began to understand why Xie Yunyan would mention Prince Duan’s heir—and why he had summoned her to meet Qi Sheng. It seemed his ultimate plan was unfolding here. If indeed there was a grudge between Prince Duan and Emperor Qing, then the apparent carefree lifestyle of Prince Duan’s Mansion had always been a façade, and if Qi Sheng was also ambitious…

She paused, tapping her finger on the table as a plan took shape in her mind, and then said, “Keep a close watch. If Qi Sheng emerges, bring him to me at once.”

“Yes, Young Madam,” Xiang Lei replied.

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Pengyun Pavilion was extremely bustling; as noon approached, even more people crowded below. Su Jinyuan sat inside a private compartment on the upper floor, where she could faintly hear the lively discussions downstairs. Some were reciting poems and songs, others engaged in lofty debates about court and national affairs—and there were even those who mentioned the Xiao family’s alleged treason.

The Great Jin Dynasty was known for its relative openness. The former emperor had once held court meetings that allowed scholars from all over to discuss state affairs, and even after Emperor Qing ascended the throne, this practice remained unchanged. Consequently, the literary scholars in the capital spoke with remarkable boldness.

She listened to the impassioned debates—some people accusing the Xiao family of military defeat and collusion with the enemy, while others loudly countered by extolling the Xiao family’s loyalty and valor. Her fingers idly drummed on the table until, after some time, Xiang Lei came over and announced that Qi Sheng had retreated to the rear courtyard.

Hastily, Su Jinyuan made her way over and intercepted Qi Sheng on the small path when he was about to leave. Although his visit to Pengyun Pavilion that day appeared to be for a scheduled appointment, in truth, he had other plans—plans he did not expect to be foiled by being stopped.

Seeing someone and a small group blocking his way, Qi Sheng frowned and asked, “Who are you? Why have you trespassed into the rear courtyard of Pengyun Pavilion?”

Respectfully, Su Jinyuan bowed to him and said, “I am Su Jinyuan. It is an honor to meet you, Heir Qi.”