He couldn’t openly send people to search for someone who resembled a “foolish version of the Regent Prince.” Doing so would be like handing a poisoned dagger to the enemy.

“This clue is too scant,” Xie Chaoyun fretted. “Isn’t there any other way to find her?”

The Regent was taken aback by the question. He tried to think, but his mind was blank, and he felt a dull pain at the back of his head. However, he had a strong intuition that this person was important to him and must be found.

Xie Chaoyun asked, “Do you have any clues?”

Xiao Heng replied, “I have a headache at the back of my head, a wound on my back, and my wrist was bitten.”

Xie Chaoyun looked at the Regent quietly. He had never seen anything like this before.

Xiao Heng gave him a warning look and gritted his teeth. “A pillar in the house collapsed and hit me.”

“Oh,” Xie Chaoyun thought, “That’s a bit intense.”

“She took care of me, and the seal of authority of the Dragon Guards might be with her. Keep an eye on the pawnshops and blacksmiths around the capital.”

Xie Chaoyun was surprised. “You lost the military seal?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Xiao Heng’s nonchalant demeanor, Xie Chaoyun blurted out, “You didn’t give it to the young lady as a token of affection, did you?”

“No.” It was such an ugly thing, and it was only half of it. The other half was with Chu Zhaoyou. What was he trying to achieve by giving this as a token of affection? Was he hoping for her to have a complete relationship with Chu Zhaoyou?

Thinking of Chu Zhaoyou, Xiao Heng felt a surge of displeasure, but he couldn’t articulate it.

Seeing through but not exposing it, Xie Chaoyun muttered to himself, “How could you not? You wouldn’t do it when you’re in your right mind, but who knows what you’re capable of when you’re not in your right mind. Can the young lady still take something from you, the abstinent Regent?”

It was probably his own gift, but he wouldn’t admit it.

Xie Chaoyun sighed. “You only found a set of clothes to use as a pillow, and you’re already treating her as your savior.”

After enduring so many hidden agendas and schemes, whenever someone showed him a little kindness, Xiao Heng would repay it tenfold. Unfortunately, no one had ever been genuinely kind to Xiao Heng.

Xiao Heng frowned. He wanted to refute Xie Chaoyun, but he couldn’t find the words.

…

Chu Zhaoyou noticed that Xie Chaoyun had not appeared at the morning court for the past few days.

This Emperor of his was useless. When officials took leave, they only reported to the Regent. Chu Zhaoyou glanced at Xiao Heng several times, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

――Has your good brother been poisoned to death in that corner?

Xiao Heng dismissed the others and looked at Chu Zhaoyou coldly. “What’s the matter?”

Chu Zhaoyou was seated on the throne, having woken up early that day and feeling hungry again.

“Um… General Xie hasn’t been attending the morning court recently. Is he unwell?” Chu Zhaoyou asked cautiously, afraid that if the Regent became displeased, he would be punished by being denied lunch. That would surely lead to a scene.

Xiao Heng’s face darkened.

What? The young puppet had been praising General Xie every day, and now he dared to think that he might be gone after just three days?

He replied irritably, “He’s gone back to his hometown to get married.”

As General Xie, who thought he was helping the Regent find a “bride,” suddenly sneezed.

Chu Zhaoyou was taken aback. Married? He hadn’t heard about this. He suddenly thought of something and exclaimed in shock, “Does getting married involve paying respects to the elders?”

Xiao Heng looked at him as if he were mentally challenged.

Chu Zhaoyou muttered to himself, “General Xie’s parents are no longer around. Could it be paying respects to a stepmother?”

The stepmother had emerged. Could she be taking advantage of the opportunity to poison him?

Suppressing his anxiety, Chu Zhaoyou looked at the Regent with a measured gaze and asked, “Can I go ask for a cup of wedding wine?”

After saying this, Xiao Heng’s expression worsened. He felt that the young Emperor might not just be sowing discord, but might also be harboring feelings for General Xie.

How dare he!

Xiao Heng looked at Chu Zhaoyou sternly and left the palace in anger.

By not refusing, he had agreed. Chu Zhaoyou had a thick skin and hurriedly lifted the hem of his dragon robe, running down the white jade steps to keep up with the Regent.

The Regent was walking fast, trying to shake off Chu Zhaoyou.

Chu Zhaoyou stubbornly kept up with him.

This was the first time he had followed Xiao Heng out of the palace. There were no obstacles or checks at each checkpoint, and everything went smoothly.

Whether it was the Regent or Xiao Hei, they were both very useful when going out!

Xiao Heng’s anger was inexplicable. He didn’t say anything, but he let the young puppet follow him to the palace gates. Beyond that was the bustling Wangfu Street, where the Regent’s mansion was located.

He suddenly stopped, and something soft bumped into him from behind.

Xiao Heng’s heart skipped a beat. A certain scene flashed through his mind, familiar yet unfamiliar, indistinct but evoking a faint feeling. It was similar to the present situation.

Chu Zhaoyou was panting heavily from exhaustion. “Hoo… General, which way to your residence? Is it an auspicious time yet?”

As he looked up, he saw Xiao Heng’s dark eyes fixed on him, with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. “Who told Your Majesty that Xie Chaoyun is getting married?”

“…”

“…”

Is it fun to play tricks on me!

Chu Zhaoyou glared angrily at Xiao Heng. If something happens to his good brother next time, it’s your fault!

“Your Majesty can go back now.”

Chu Zhaoyou walked forward in frustration. He would go back, and next time, he wouldn’t come out even if he was begged.

Xiao Heng stepped forward and grabbed the back of his neck, turning him in a different direction. “The palace gate is this way.”

But Chu Zhaoyou seemed rooted to the spot, not moving.

He looked at a group of ruffians not far away, who were idle despite being able-bodied. They were the same group that had bullied Xiao Hei before.

If he hadn’t arrived in time, the ringleader’s stick would have pierced Xiao Hei’s body.

Now, they were up to their old tricks, bullying another person who had found a good spot to bask in the sun.

Chu Zhaoyou smiled brightly. “Even in the Emperor’s presence, there are so many homeless people. Regent, could you help me give them a few coins? I’ll return to the palace now.”

Xiao Heng looked at Chu Zhaoyou in confusion and followed his pointing finger. It was a group of beggars he had never seen before. He passed by this place every day, but they looked unfamiliar, probably having come from elsewhere.

Usually, based on Chu Zhaoyou’s requests, which were not too excessive and rooted in kindness, Xiao Heng could reluctantly fulfill them. However, his expression was still sour, as if he wasn’t doing a good deed, but seeking revenge.

The ruffians were initially pleased to see someone from the palace approaching, thinking that a person of high status would be generous. However, their faces turned pale when they saw the Regent, who looked as if he was seeking revenge. They suddenly recognized him as the person they had fought with not long ago! He was even wearing the same clothes!

Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes sparkled. Let’s fight, let’s fight!