Xiao Yaozu had just finished attaching the flower to the Eighth Prince’s carriage when he met Old Yu’s probing gaze. He innocently rubbed his nose with his index finger.
Surely Old Yu didn’t suspect him of poisoning the flower?
He was a law-abiding citizen.
Old Yu averted his eyes elsewhere.
Truth be told, he had actually sniffed the flower to confirm it wasn’t poisoned before remaining silent.
As Xiao Yaozu’s figure disappeared, a tall, slender figure emerged from the shadows.
“Your Highness.”
“Has he left?”
“He just departed, leaving something for Your Highness,” Old Yu replied respectfully.
The Eighth Prince lifted the carriage curtain, his gaze falling upon the vibrant flower. Besides its fragrance, he seemed to detect another scent…
“To actually send flowers…” the Eighth Prince murmured softly.
Leaning against the carriage wall, he twirled the flower in his hand while staring ahead.
“Old Yu, have you ever considered the possibility that your wife and daughter might still be alive?”
“I have, but that’s merely an old man’s unwillingness to face reality—a fantasy.”
The Eighth Prince fell silent, gently rotating the flower stem between his fingers as he stared at the petals, his thoughts shifting to Xiao Yaozu’s actions.
He had initially assumed Xiao Yaozu was just another ordinary, spoiled noble scion—such individuals were as common as carp in the Bianjing River.
Unexpectedly, interacting with him felt quite comfortable…
There was just one issue: Xiao Yaozu seemed unaware that romantic feelings between men were unacceptable. He was still too young.
Perhaps it was due to a lack of proper guidance from elders.
Being a few years older, the Eighth Prince considered it his responsibility to steer Xiao Yaozu onto the right path. Marrying a gentle and considerable young woman would be the proper course for his future.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yaozu was humming a tune as he headed toward…
[Host, that scumbag has arranged to go jewelry shopping with the Prime Minister’s daughter. First the younger sister, now the elder sister—both sisters ended up buying identical hairpins. It’s as if they’re blind to the scornful looks people are giving them.]
[The key point is, the Prime Minister’s daughter paid for everything herself. That scumbag just made empty promises.]
Xiao Yaozu crouched in the alley entrance, holding a burlap sack, ready to throw it over the scumbag’s head as soon as he passed by.
“Ahem~ Lord Xiao, what a coincidence!”
“Lord Zhao? Lord Li, Lord Zhang, what are you all doing here?”
“I just spotted you and wanted to thank you for your warning the other day. I never imagined my daughter had been switched for so long. It’s rather shameful to admit.”
Xiao Yaozu lowered his voice, pulling them all into hiding. “No need for thanks, Lord Zhao. It was your sharp perception that uncovered the clues—I merely mentioned it in passing.”
Xiao Yaozu then turned to Lord Li and Lord Zhang. “And you two, my lords…?”
Lord Zhang also whispered, “I was just returning home this way when I happened upon you gentlemen.”
Lord Li: “Same here.”
What a coincidence?
They all turned to look at Xiao Yaozu. And you? ()
Xiao Yaozu organized his words carefully: “To be frank with you all, just moments ago! I saw it clearly with my own eyes.”
“Some pretty boy is swindling the Prime Minister’s two daughters, probably using some noble family’s name. Isn’t this bullying the families of court officials?”
“If this continues, while we’re at court or on official business away from home, our family members could be deceived the moment they step outside. As fellow officials, we can’t just stand by and watch.”
“Such a thing actually exists? Someone with such vile character cannot be let off lightly,” Lord Zhao declared with a righteous expression.
Who would have thought the Admonishing Official could act so convincingly? Lord Li and Lord Zhang nodded in agreement.
In the blink of an eye, the scumbag arrived on the scene…
Xiao Yaozu swiftly bagged the scumbag and threw him to the ground.
The scumbag struggled inside the sack, kicking and thrashing while cursing furiously, “Who dares lay hands on this Young Master?!”
“What for? Don’t you know what you’ve done? You deserve this beating.”
“Lord Xiao, we’re here to help you!!”
Three or four middle-aged officials hoisted their robes and rushed over noisily, delivering fierce kicks to the sack.
The scumbag trapped in the sack writhed and screamed.
Lord Zhang stepped forward and kicked him, “Such a vile character truly disgraces all scholars.”
Lord Zhang appeared refined, yet surprisingly held his own in a fight.
The officials rarely had such an opportunity to unleash their pent-up energy. After a satisfying round of blows, the scumbag gradually lost the strength to resist.
Each felt immensely gratified.
After the beating, they quickly dispersed. Xiao Yaozu clasped his hands respectfully toward the officials, “Thank you, my lords.”
“Lord Xiao, you’re too courteous. We all serve the same court.”
Their tone hinted they’d be willing to join such activities again in the future.
How did they unexpectedly become friends?!
In the distance, the Eighth Prince’s carriage passed slowly. Steward Yu whispered softly, “Master, Lord Xiao has done another good deed.”
The Eighth Prince’s lips curved slightly, “Have someone clean up the loose ends.”
…
However, Xiao Yaozu didn’t return home but went to the Prime Minister’s residence.
The servant, seeing his Seventh Rank official uniform, paid him little mind. His master was the esteemed Prime Minister, after all—countless people sought audiences.
Unless the Prime Minister spoke up, he’d follow the usual routine and brush him off.
The Prime Minister, anticipating Xiao Yaozu would come to warn him, instructed the servant to let him in.
The Prime Minister had just asked his wife if their daughters had taken a liking to the same man.
Realizing she couldn’t hide it, the Prime Minister’s wife confessed truthfully.
She told the Prime Minister that both daughters had indeed developed a slight fondness for that young nobleman, and this situation had persisted for some time.
Hearing this, the Prime Minister trembled with rage.
He picked up the teapot from the table and gulped down several mouthfuls, but even finishing the entire pot couldn’t quell the fire in his chest.
By the time Xiao Yaozu entered, the steward had already brought fresh tea.
“Prime Minister, apologies for disturbing you.”
“Lord Xiao, please have a seat. What brings you here?”
Though the Prime Minister offered a smile, his years of authority remained palpable.
Most would find it intimidating.
But Xiao Yaozu, largely unaffected, sat calmly in the chair.
“Prime Minister, earlier I passed a gold shop and saw a strange man—claiming to be some Lang Jun—first following your third daughter, then escorting the second daughter inside. I suspect he intends to swindle your daughters out of their money.”
The Prime Minister understood Xiao Yaozu was being tactful.
His face darkened further as he snorted coldly, “How dare he play such tricks under my nose? Does he think the Prime Minister’s residence is easy to bully?”
Xiao Yaozu continued, “Prime Minister, the man’s behavior is highly suspicious. His Majesty mentioned this morning that Wa Country has been acting boldly lately—perhaps this man… is connected.”
The Prime Minister nodded, “Thank you for the warning, Lord Xiao. I will investigate this thoroughly. I won’t forget today’s favor.”
Xiao Yaozu: “Prime Minister, I take my leave.”
[Host, why not just tell the Prime Minister the man is a spy?]
[The Prime Minister is clever—he’ll investigate on his own. Moreover, he’ll trust the findings more if he uncovers them himself.]
The Prime Minister glanced approvingly at Xiao Yaozu’s retreating figure.
After Xiao Yaozu left, the Prime Minister immediately ordered his subordinates to investigate the background and whereabouts of the fake heir.
Following thorough investigations and with clear leads, the Prime Minister finally uncovered some crucial clues.
As the moon rose higher, the study remained brightly lit.
His two daughters stood before him with bowed heads, too afraid to make a sound…