Wasn't he supposed to be beaten to death? Why did this powerful cousin love him so much?

Upon hearing that Jiang Sese was missing, Xie Ping's head buzzed, his hands and feet instantly turned ice-cold, and he swallowed hard: "It's over...it's all over..."

Xie Ping's face was ashen, and cold sweat instantly soaked through his clothes.

Before his departure, the eldest young master repeatedly instructed him to keep a close eye on the situation in the capital and protect Miss Jiang. And yet, only a few days later?! She's disappeared right under his nose!

Xie Ping gritted his teeth and ordered, "Prepare the fastest horse immediately! Send this message to the eldest young master at the fastest possible speed!"

After giving the instructions, Xie Ping leaned against a pillar, his legs feeling weak.

Even with an urgent courier service, it would take at least two days for the letter to reach Suzhou from the capital. It would take the eldest son at least five or six days to receive the letter and return.

He dared not imagine what might happen in the next five or six days.

The eldest son knew what the situation would be like, and he dared not even think about it.

Xie Ping took a deep breath, wiped the cold sweat from his face, and forced himself to stand up straight. He couldn't rely on the eldest young master alone; he had to find the person before the eldest young master returned.

Xie Ping suddenly came to his senses and mobilized all available overt and covert leads to track down Jiang Sese's whereabouts.

At the same time, a thought flashed through Xie Ping's mind and he thought of someone—Fei Ying, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Before Xie Jue left the capital, he instructed that if Jiang Sese encountered any trouble, she could go to Fei Ying.

Moreover, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has eyes and ears all over the capital and is the most well-informed.

Xie Ping disregarded everything else and went straight to find Fei Ying.

When Fei Ying arrived at the Dark Trial Division and heard that Xie Ping wanted to see him, he immediately frowned and pondered for a while.

It was quite rare for Xie Ping to seek him out.

But as soon as Xie Ping explained what had happened, Fei Ying grabbed him by the collar and demanded sharply, "How do you judge people?!"

Xie Ping, looking utterly dejected, dared not deny the fact that he was useless. He only said, "Xie Ping is incompetent! I deserve to die a thousand deaths! But Lord Fei, the eldest young master will not be able to return for at least five or six days after receiving the message. We must find Miss Jiang before the eldest young master returns!"

Xie Ping did indeed send people to guard Jiang Sese, but to prevent her from noticing, he only sent two, both of whom were quite skilled in martial arts. Who would have thought that something like this would still happen?

Fei Ying let go, realizing that now was not the time to pursue accountability.

Besides, he was well aware of Xie Ping's competence.

Xie Ping is definitely not someone who takes things lightly.

Fei Ying said coldly, "To be able to silently take down the guards under your command... this is not something an ordinary scoundrel could do!"

"Understood. I will immediately mobilize all available agents, spies, and special agents from the Northern Garrison. We'll search high and low to find Miss Jiang!"

Fei Ying's voice was resolute, carrying a chilling murderous aura.

If something really happens to Jiang Sese, and Xie Jue returns, the entire capital will likely be...

Fei Ying felt a chill run down her spine; she couldn't bear to think about it.

Xie Jue's methods are not much kinder than his.

He must do everything in his power before that happens.

……

Just as Xie Ping's messenger was rushing on his way, Xie Jue had already received the previous letter that Xie Ping had sent a few days earlier via express courier.

The letter detailed how Xie Yihua and Chu Zhiyin had joined forces to spread rumors in the capital that Jiang Sese was a jinx, causing continuous rain in Jiangnan.

By candlelight, Xie Jue finished reading the letter. His handsome face remained expressionless as he silently placed the letter on the candle flame and ordered, "Prepare the horses. I'm returning to the capital."

The flames instantly engulfed the paper, illuminating his cold, handsome profile.

He had taken everyone into account, but he hadn't considered that his beloved younger sister would repeatedly try to kill the person he loved.

He had always thought there was a way to have both.

He was too greedy.

If Xie Yihua wants to die, he can't control her.

If he can only protect one person.

That person can only be her.

When the prefect of Suzhou and the commander of the Suzhou garrison heard that Xie Jue was going to return to the capital at this critical moment, they were shocked and rushed over to dissuade him.

The Prefect said, "My lord! The river dredging project is at a critical juncture. As long as the canal remains blocked, the grain transport route in Jiangnan will be disrupted, and the disaster victims are crying out for food! The rectification of officialdom has only just begun to take shape. If you return to the capital at this time, what if…?"

The commander clasped his hands and said, "My lord, the situation in Jiangnan is unstable. As the imperial envoy, you are in charge of the overall situation. If you leave now, things may change! Please consider the greater good!"

Xie Jue glanced at them indifferently, took out several documents he had already prepared from his sleeve, and spread them out on the table one by one.

"The river works will be temporarily overseen by Prefect Zhou. I have already outlined the dredging plan in stages, and Prefect Zhou only needs to supervise the work according to the plan."

"The dispatch of grain transport is temporarily under the command of Commander Fang of Suzhou Garrison. The military and guards along the route have received the cabinet's document and will fully cooperate. As for the accounts for the distribution of disaster relief grain, I have already reviewed them. The remaining matters will be supervised by the accompanying Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."

The rectification of local officials was to be carried out by the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner's Office. Xie Jue left behind a deputy commissioner to assist in the work, and major matters were to be reported to the cabinet for decision.

Each document bears the imperial envoy's seal and the vermilion seal of the cabinet.

Prefect Zhou and the local governor took the documents and turned the pages one by one, growing increasingly alarmed with each reading. This was no spur-of-the-moment decision; it was clearly pre-arranged. Even the material lists for each section of the river were clearly written, and the locations of the backup quarries were marked.

Looking at the well-organized arrangement above, the two were not only astonished but also filled with an indescribable sense of admiration.

It turns out that the adults had already thought out all the follow-up matters and made perfect arrangements!

The two exchanged a glance, and most of their worries vanished, leaving only awe for the young man's profound wisdom.

No wonder they were able to climb to such a high position at such a young age.

The two bowed in unison: "Your Excellency's wisdom and foresight are truly admirable. We will certainly do our utmost to live up to your expectations!"

Xie Jue nodded slightly.

Outside the camp, the horses were already prepared. Xie Jue mounted his horse, flicked the reins, and galloped off towards the capital.