The legitimate daughter returns to the capital and embarks on a splendid life, tearing apart the fak

The Fifth Prince's Residence.

Xiao Yifan was playing chess with Mr. Songzhu when he picked up a chess piece and asked, "Sir, what's your opinion on the matter of the Yun family's adopted daughter?"

Mr. Songzhu, his eyes fixed on the chessboard, said unhurriedly, "Your Highness, the Chu family, the Zheng family, the Yun family, and the Lan family have all sent people to search. I heard that Madam Yun is in a terrible mood every day at home, and Old Madam Chu has also fallen ill. In my opinion, that girl is probably in grave danger this time."

Xiao Yifan put down the chess piece, took a sip of tea, and smiled slightly, saying, "Falling off such a high cliff, even if you didn't die from the fall, you'd freeze to death in this cold weather. What a pity... sigh!"

As for what he regretted, he didn't say.

Mr. Songzhu looked at Xiao Yifan and suddenly said, "Your Highness, I heard that Prince Yu returned to the capital overnight. Is he really that concerned about that adopted daughter of the Yun family? That girl's accident is probably related to Princess Yamin. Your Highness, what do you think Prince Yu's reaction will be upon his return to the capital?"

Xiao Yifan sneered, "What can he do? He's probably just infatuated with that girl for a moment. Yun Jin is just an adopted daughter after all. Even if my cousin wanted to marry her, he could only give her as a concubine at most. Would he really ruin his relationship with Ya Min for that girl?"

He paused for a moment, then asked, "Mr. Songzhu, everyone in the capital knows about Yamin's feelings for Prince Yu. In your opinion, what is the Princess's attitude towards this matter?"

Mr. Songzhu picked up a chess piece and placed it on the chessboard before saying, "Your Highness, if the Princess truly disapproved, would these rumors spread like wildfire?"

Xiao Yifan was startled: "Sir, are you saying that my aunt supports it?"

Mr. Songzhu shook his head: "It's hard to say. In my opinion, the Princess has probably made two preparations."

"How so?" Xiao Yifan hurriedly asked.

Mr. Songzhu stood up and paced on the ground as he said, "After all, Prince Yu has military power. Who wouldn't want to win him over? The Eldest Princess probably wants to too, but she can't find a way in. In recent years, Prince Yu has not given face to anyone except His Majesty."

If Ya Min can win over Prince Yu, the Eldest Princess would be happy to see it happen. If she can't, then she'll choose someone he can control.

Xiao Yifan pondered Mr. Songzhu's words carefully, and after a long while, he said, "My aunt is so cunning; she has deceived everyone."

Mr. Songzhu hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Your Highness, there are a few words I'm unsure whether I should say."

Xiao Yifan looked at him earnestly and said, "Please speak, sir."

"Your Highness, I suspect that the Princess's public statement about wanting Ya Min to marry you is just a pretext. Your Highness is a man of great talent, while the Princess has increasingly revealed her ambition in recent years. She wants to find a puppet, or even ascend to that position herself. Would such a person choose Your Highness?"

Xiao Yifan was stunned, and after a long while, he said, "What you say is true, sir. The Eldest Princess is gathering a large number of martial arts figures to work for her, and she is also bribing court officials to amass wealth. That Ruifeng Money Shop is very likely her doing. Sir, if she were to choose a puppet, who do you think she would target?"

Songzhu shook his head: "It's hard to say. I can't make a conclusion on this matter. Your Highness needs to find someone to keep an eye on her and see who she's frequently seen with."

Xiao Yifan nodded and said, "I understand. I'll arrange it right away."

……

On the official road leading from Da Ning to the capital, Xiao Jingyan rode on horseback, his eyes bloodshot, his lips chapped and peeling, and a stubble of bluish beard on his chin.

He had been traveling for three days and three nights straight, only stopping a few times to change horses and eat some dry rations. The total time he had slept was less than two hours.

Jin Hu was in no better shape; his eyes were bloodshot, his cheeks were chapped, and his lips were covered in dry, cracked cuts.

He couldn't take it anymore and shouted at Xiao Jingyan, "Your Highness, take a rest! If you keep going like this, you'll collapse before we even reach the capital!"

Xiao Jingyan didn't turn his head, his voice hoarse but firm: "No rest, she's waiting for me."

Jin Hu grew anxious and spurred his horse forward half a step, shouting, "Your Highness! If you're not well, who can Miss Yun rely on? If she returns and sees you like this, how can she feel good? Besides, even if you see Miss Yun like this, aren't you afraid of frightening her?"

Xiao Jingyan paused for a moment, then pulled on the reins. After a brief silence, he finally said, "We've reached the post station. Let's rest for the night."

Jin Hu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed. The two spurred their horses forward and arrived at the post station before nightfall.

When the two arrived at the post station, they dismounted, washed up, and asked the postmaster to cook two bowls of hot soup noodles. After eating the noodles, they lay down on the bed and closed their eyes.

He slept until the next morning. After getting up, he felt more energetic. Jin Hu tried to persuade Xiao Jingyan to tidy up his appearance, at least to trim his beard, but Xiao Jingyan didn't want to waste a moment. After having breakfast, he continued on his way.

The two traveled for another day and night, finally arriving in the capital on the evening of the following day.

When Xiao Jingyan arrived in the capital, it was already evening.

As dusk settled and the city gates were about to close, the soldiers guarding the city, upon seeing that it was Xiao Jingyan, quickly made way for him and dared not obstruct him.

He didn't return to Prince Yu's residence, but went directly to Ling Feng's spy.

Upon seeing Xiao Jingyan, Ling Feng immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, you're back."

Xiao Jingyan stood at the doorway, his gaze sharp, his voice hoarse yet carrying an undeniable air of authority: "Have you found them yet?"

Ling Feng lowered his head, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Not...not yet. Miss Yun's body hasn't been found at the bottom of the ravine, only the wreckage of the carriage. General Chu's men, the Zheng family's men, the Lan family's men, and the men I sent out are all searching. But...we haven't found her yet."

Xiao Jingyan stared at him, his gaze icy: "Send Dongxue to see me."

Ling Feng didn't dare to delay and hurriedly went to deliver the message.

A moment later, Dongxue pushed the door open and came in. Before she could react, Xiao Jingyan said coldly, "What did you do?"

Dongxue knelt down with a thud, but remained silent.

Xiao Jingyan stared at her for a long time before finally speaking: "Get out, all of you."

Jin Hu and Ling Feng quickly pushed open the door and went out.

Xiao Jingyan then looked at Dongxue and said, "Tell me, what happened?"

Dongxue took a deep breath and recounted the whole story. It turned out that Yamin had sent an invitation, but she had cleverly concealed it.

After listening, Xiao Jingyan looked at Dongxue with mixed feelings, and after a long while, he finally asked, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Dongxue shrank her neck and said awkwardly, "Miss said she was afraid of delaying the prince's business. Perhaps she will have already returned to the city by the time the prince comes back."

She paused for a moment and then said, "Miss also said that if the prince returns before she does, she should tell the prince the truth."

Xiao Jingyan nodded in satisfaction, without blaming her, and asked, "Is she really alright?"

Dongxue quickly replied, "It's alright. Miss is unharmed, she just... she just didn't want others to know she was still alive, so she hid herself."

Xiao Jingyan was silent for a moment, then looked at her and asked, "Where is she now?"

Dongxue lowered her head and replied, "She's at the Crown Prince's estate outside the city. Miss said she needs to recuperate there for a few days, and she wants to wait until the Prince returns to the capital before deciding to go back to the city."

Xiao Jingyan nodded: "I understand. Go ahead and do what she says."

Winter Snow breathed a sigh of relief and readily agreed.

"Go out." Xiao Jingyan waved his hand.

Dongxue stood up and left.

Xiao Jingyan felt a huge weight lifted from his heart. He rubbed his temples and called out, "Jin Hu!"

Jin Hu pushed open the door and cautiously asked, "Your Highness, what are your orders?"

"Go fetch water, I need to take a bath." Xiao Jingyan stood up, untied his cloak, and threw it on the back of the chair.

Jin Hu quickly responded, turned around and went out to make arrangements, and prepared a new set of clothes for Xiao Jingyan.

Xiao Jingyan bathed, changed his clothes, shaved his beard, and put on clean clothes before saying to Jin Hu, "Let's go, come with me to see those assassins."