Xu Yan wasn't stupid; he knew this was a deep issue and there was no need for him to delve any deeper. He simply needed to recount the things Luo Huai had asked him to convey.
It turned out that before the New Year, Luo Cuizhen had overheard her classmate surnamed Tang complaining to others that the Huang family in Nancheng was dishonest and seemed to have secretly used tricks to steal something from the Tang family.
The young man surnamed Tang was focused on complaining about the Huang family to his companions and didn't go into details. Besides, Luo Cuizhen only vaguely heard a few words and didn't know the whole story, so she didn't take it to heart.
However, Huang Jingru did not make any public appearances after the New Year. Luo Fengming found this strange and went to discuss the matter with his father, Luo Huai. Coincidentally, Luo Cuizhen was also there. The young girl then remembered her classmate's vague complaints and quickly told her father and brother.
These seemingly unrelated, trivial details, if they fell into the ears of others, would probably just pass by like the wind.
Unfortunately, Luo Huai was a man who was good at seeing the big picture from small details. Although he had been living in seclusion for several years due to his injury, his keen sense of smell had not faded.
"In addition, Uncle Luo also heard a rumor that the Prince An's mansion has been active in private activities after the New Year, and it seems that most of the people visiting are officials and censors."
"Uncle Luo means that Huang Jingru's whereabouts may be related to the original support behind the Tang family; in addition, the actions of the Prince An's Mansion are not friendly. He wants you to think carefully about whether Huang Jingru has any leverage over you, so that you can make plans to deal with it in advance, so as not to be caught off guard."
Xu Yan sighed deeply, as if relieved, "That's all I know."
Although Luo Huai asked Xu Yan to pass on a message, the inside story was far from simple. For Luo Huai to dare to let Xu Yan know so much was already a reckless move out of necessity.
****
Before disembarking, Luo Cuiwei solemnly presented a thank-you gift to Xu Yan, saying, "Thank you very much, Second Brother Xu, I am deeply grateful."
Although Xu Yan downplayed the arduous journey he had taken, Luo Cuiwei was not unaware of the details.
If the Luo family and those associated with the Prince Zhao's residence hadn't been under close surveillance, her father wouldn't have entrusted this matter to Xu Yan, who was completely unrelated to the case.
The reason Xu Yan took such a long detour to reach Linchuan must be because the official road from the capital to Linchuan was not safe.
“I thought I would never hear you call me ‘Second Brother Xu’ again in this lifetime,” Xu Yan said with a smile that curved his eyes. “I thank you too.”
We were playmates when we were young and naive, but we gradually drifted apart due to some funny and unexpected twists of fate.
He had thought about and even tried to scheme against her when the spring hunt at Quanshan ended; but she thwarted his plans with just a few words, revealing the sharp edge of the aura he had cultivated from sitting in the main seat for so many years.
However, instead of turning against him after realizing his scheming intentions, she revealed her true intentions, letting him know that there was a secret alliance of interests between them.
He had originally intended to set a trap for her, and he had taken the initiative to strike first. However, she remained calm in the face of her sudden attack, instead using both harsh measures and sweet promises. Her combination of firmness and gentleness forced him to follow her lead.
On that very day, Xu Yan realized that as he was caught up in the family infighting and was about to become a frog in a well, his childhood playmate, who had chased and played with him, had already grown into the carefree, fearless person he most admired.
Outside the inn, he watched her graceful figure departing in the spring sunshine through the window, and his heart suddenly pounded, but he knew it was too late.
Today, her calling him "Second Brother Xu" and giving him a thank-you gift have somewhat eased his regrets.
"May both Your Highnesses be well."
Luo Cuiwei responded upon hearing the voice, her eyes sparkling.
That genuine and sincere smile has been absent from the second young master of the Xu family in the north of the city for many years.
****
Although Xu Yan wished the two princes well, Prince Zhao's mood was clearly not very good.
Upon returning to the manor, Yun Lie immediately ordered someone to invite Gao Zhan over, while he and Luo Cuiwei waited in the study.
"Are you asking for a beating with that deadpan face?" Luo Cuiwei stood in front of him, smiling as she lifted his chin with her fingertip. "They risked their lives to help deliver a message; shouldn't you thank them?"
Yun Lie rolled his eyes arrogantly and snorted, "It's right to say thank you, but calling him 'Second Brother Xu' is a bit too much."
That cry of "Second Brother Xu" carries the bond between Luo Cuiwei and Xu Yan when they were innocent and childlike playmates. In those carefree and joyful times, there was no such person as "Yun Lie".
It's so frustrating, I feel helpless.
"Oh, well, I'm really sorry I didn't get to know you sooner," Luo Cuiwei pinched his chin and shook it, leaned down and brought her nose close to his, and said sweetly, "Brother Yunlie."
A long-lost ochre blush suddenly appeared on Yun Lie's cheeks. After glaring at her for a moment, he suddenly tilted his head back and kissed her lips several times.
Like bees and butterflies in love with flowers, they flutter and leap lightly, gently entwining themselves around the nectar.
“This doesn’t count,” he said in a deep, slightly hoarse voice, a smile playing at the corners of his eyes. “We’ll call you again tonight.”
Or many times.
****
While waiting, Yun Lie carefully removed the wax seal from the letter and took out the letter paper.
The letter was written on ordinary white paper, but it was not the size of ordinary letter paper; when unfolded, it was only about the size of Luo Cuiwei's palm.
Luo Cuiwei leaned closer for a peek, then frowned. "What kind of cryptic book is this? What does it say?"
The tiny characters were densely packed, crooked and scribbled, like a ghost's handwriting.
“I don’t know the Northern Di people either,” Yun Lie said, his eyes turning cold. He clenched his fist as if he had just realized something. “I’ll have Fu Qian come over and take a look later.”
Fu Ying's older brother, Fu Qian, who never grew old, now holds the position of "Director of Studies of the Linchuan Prefecture School." He is an extremely learned man and has also done considerable research on the Northern Di script.
“How could my father…” Luo Cuiwei exclaimed in shock.
Yun Lie shook his head, pressing his index finger against the edge of the small letter. "This size must be hidden in the small bamboo tube on the pigeon's leg."
He deduced that someone must have intercepted a carrier pigeon and then secretly sent the letter to the Luo family.
"As for who delivered the letter to the Luo family, we can only make a conclusion after Gao Zhan comes to confirm it."
When Gao Zhan arrived, completely bewildered, Yun Lie didn't explain anything further, but simply handed him the jade-colored wax seal.