Chapter 116

When leaving the palace, Xifeng unloaded the carriage.

Xie Tingzhou mounted his horse and rode directly back to the Prince’s Mansion. As soon as he entered, he asked if Shiyu had returned.

The Prince’s Mansion had several gates. Even if she had returned, they didn’t know which gate she had entered through. The servants confirmed it and then came back to tell him that Shiyu hadn’t returned at all.

Xie Tingzhou’s heart sank. On the way back, he had thought that she was skilled in martial arts and would be able to return safely once she left the palace.

If she hadn’t returned, there were only two reasons: either she was imprisoned or she had voluntarily gone back with Jiang Lianzhi.

Neither possibility was acceptable to Xie Tingzhou.

Xie Tingzhou said coldly, “Immediately dispatch people. Surround Jiang Mansion for me. Don’t let a single fly escape.”

Then he mounted his horse again.

Xifeng was shocked. He took a few steps forward and tried to persuade him, “Jiang Mansion is the residence of Chief Minister Jiang Yuanqing. If we go there directly to demand someone, it’s really inappropriate.”

Xie Tingzhou didn’t care about appropriateness. He turned his horse around. Xifeng quickly stepped forward and grabbed the reins.

Xie Tingzhou reined in his horse, “Move aside!”

Xifeng stood in front of him, as steady as a mountain, “Your Highness, think carefully. To surround Jiang Mansion for a mere guard, and to make such a fuss, this matter will probably reach the Emperor’s ears.”

Zhong Bo heard the commotion in the front yard and rushed over. When he heard what was going on, he was even more anxious than Xie Tingzhou.

“That won’t do. We must bring her back. Let’s go to Jiang Mansion and turn it upside down.”

Xifeng was having a headache. He thought Zhong Bo would come to persuade him, but instead, he came to fan the flames.

“Old man, can you stop meddling?”

“No.” Zhong Bo said to Xie Tingzhou, “Your Highness, look. Let’s cause a scene at Jiang Mansion today. Not only did the Jiang family produce the Chief Minister, but they also produced a Minister. I heard that the Jiang family has many other branches serving in the court. They are powerful, but our Prince’s Mansion of Beilin is not to be trifled with.”

“If we make a scene like this, the Emperor will definitely intervene. When he asks why, Your Highness, just speak boldly. Say that Minister Jiang stole our person. Your Highness, what do you think?”

Xie Tingzhou loosened his grip on the reins.

Xifeng finally breathed a sigh of relief. Zhong Bo was still an old fox. This tactic of going against the grain was truly ingenious.

Xifeng leaned closer and said, “Yes, Your Highness. In that case, Shiyu’s night raid on the Forbidden Palace will probably be exposed as well.”

Xie Tingzhou sighed.

He had lost his composure over the word “beloved.” Just thinking about her being in Jiang Lianzhi’s hands made him lose all reason.

Seeing that he was somewhat appeased, Xifeng took the opportunity to persuade him, “This matter needs to be carefully considered.”

Carefully considered?

Xie Tingzhou wasn’t going to listen to that.

Leaving Shen Yu in Jiang Lianzhi’s hands, he couldn’t rest for a moment.

If he couldn’t even get his beloved back, then he was a useless Crown Prince.

“Go and gather people.” He said calmly, “Bring Da Huang as well.”

Xifeng’s heart sank. It seemed he couldn’t persuade him.

Xie Tingzhou suddenly turned his head, “Have you forgotten? The people in Shengjing only know that I’ve been a complete wastrel in Beilin for the past few years. They haven’t seen the real me yet. Today, let them see what a real wastrel is like.”

Before Xifeng and Zhong Bo could react, Xie Tingzhou had already whipped his horse and charged forward.

He whistled. In response, a hawk’s clear cry echoed. A sea eagle swooped down from the sky, landed on his shoulder, stayed for a moment, then spread its wings and took off again, letting out two sharp cries in the air.

It was indeed in the mansion.

…

The courtyard was quiet for an hour. Suddenly, there was a pounding on the door.

Gao went to see who was knocking. After listening for a moment, his expression turned serious. He rushed back.

“Master, something’s happened.”

Jiang Lianzhi turned his head and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Gao said outside, “Crown Prince Xie Tingzhou of Beilin has surrounded our mansion with his men. Old Master is recovering from his illness, so we didn’t dare to disturb him. Now, Madam and Master are receiving them in the front hall.”

Jiang Lianzhi never imagined that Xie Tingzhou would actually dare to bring troops to his door to demand someone.

He thought that Xie Tingzhou would be wary of the Jiang family and would only demand someone in secret, not in public.

Xie Tingzhou was making such a big fuss. Wasn’t he afraid of putting Shen Yu in danger?

Jiang Lianzhi tucked the covers around her, lowered the curtain, and walked out of the room, instructing, “Send people to guard the place. Don’t let anyone in, or you’ll be beheaded.”

Jiang Lianzhi rushed to the front hall. Madam Jiang and Master Jiang were facing the Buddha statue on the upper seat, at a loss for what to do.

When Jiang Lianzhi stepped through the door, Madam Jiang rushed forward, “Lian…”

Before she could finish saying his name, she noticed the blood on his neck and was immediately startled, “What happened to your neck? Why is it bleeding?”

Jiang Lianzhi hadn’t noticed anything unusual. He reached out and touched his neck. There was a slight stinging pain.

It must have been when Shen Yu cut him with the dagger in the carriage. He hadn’t paid attention to himself at the time, so he didn’t notice.

It seemed that she didn’t have any feelings for him at all. She really was ruthless.

“It’s nothing. I accidentally bumped it.” Jiang Lianzhi looked at Xie Tingzhou who was seated above, “I don’t know what brings Your Highness here. What can I do for you?”

Xie Tingzhou glanced at his neck. There was a lot of blood, and it looked like it was caused by a sharp weapon. It must have been Shen Yu who fought with him but couldn’t escape.

Xie Tingzhou’s heart was even more anxious, but he smiled, “Minister Jiang, that’s not very nice. What am I here for? Don’t you know best?”

Jiang Lianzhi said, “I don’t know. Please enlighten me, Your Highness.”

Since Xie Tingzhou had gone so far as to demand someone at his door, it meant that Shen Yu was important to him. He had just picked her up from the palace this morning. He was betting that Xie Tingzhou wouldn’t say it directly.

Xie Tingzhou twirled the ring on his finger, “I’m here to get someone back.”

Jiang Lianzhi’s face changed. Xie Tingzhou had already gotten up and walked towards him.

“A few days ago, I found a charming young man at Zuiyun Tower. I heard he was brought back to your mansion. If it were an ordinary person, it would be fine. I would just give him to you.”

Xie Tingzhou stopped in front of Jiang Lianzhi, “But unfortunately, that young man is my heart’s desire. He’s also been redeemed, but he’s just staying at Zuiyun Tower. It’s not good for you to take someone else’s beloved, is it?”

This kind of situation was not uncommon in the capital. It was not convenient to bring a prostitute or a young man back to the mansion, so they would be left at brothels. Whoever paid was the owner, and no one else was allowed to touch them.

When Master Jiang heard this, he quickly stepped forward and persuaded him, “Crown Prince, there must be a misunderstanding. I know my son best. He’s not interested in men.”

“Really?” Xie Tingzhou smiled faintly and glanced at Master Jiang. Then he turned to Jiang Lianzhi and said, “If you’re not interested in men, then give him back to me.”

Jiang Lianzhi underestimated him. He didn’t expect Xie Tingzhou to use this tactic.

Xie Tingzhou’s reputation was like that. He was capable of anything.

“There’s no one in my mansion who matches the person Your Highness is talking about. There must be a mistake. Your Highness should go look elsewhere.”

Xie Tingzhou lowered his hand, “I’m already here. How can I leave empty-handed? I have to see for myself.”

He took a step forward. Jiang Lianzhi stepped in front of him, blocking his way, and said in a deep voice, “This is Jiang Mansion, not your Prince’s Mansion of Beilin.”

Xie Tingzhou’s eyes were filled with a sharp glint. He leaned forward slightly, whispering in Jiang Lianzhi’s ear, “If this were my Prince’s Mansion of Beilin, do you think you could still stand here and talk to me?”

He straightened up, looking at Jiang Lianzhi as if he were a piece of garbage.

Jiang Lianzhi’s shoulder was suddenly bumped. Xie Tingzhou had already strode out the door.

Xie Tingzhou looked up at the sky. A white feather swooped down from the air and landed on his shoulder. It stayed for a moment, then spread its wings and took off again, letting out two sharp cries.

She was indeed in the mansion.