By the time Xiao Yunting returned to his room, it was already past midnight. He always came and went unpredictably, so his attendants were used to it.
But this time, when he came back carrying a food box, it stirred some curiosity.
Babao scratched his head and asked, “Your Highness, didn’t you eat enough tonight?”
He trotted along behind Xiao Yunting, eyes sparkling. “Did Your Highness go to Zuiyun Pavilion?”
Liu Jin gave a cough and shot Babao a glare before stepping forward and saluting Xiao Yunting. “Your Highness, that man has already been interrogated. No matter what we do, he refuses to admit he has anything to do with the people who tried to assassinate you…”
Xiao Yunting gave a cold laugh and asked in a low voice, “Where is he being held?”
“In the Dali Temple prison,” Liu Jin answered steadily—he was the calmest of Xiao Yunting’s personal guards.
Xiao Yunting’s expression didn’t change. “No food, no water, and no sleep. Light ten torches in his cell at night and keep them burning until he talks!”
Babao immediately replied with a loud “Yes!”
Then Xiao Yunting called out to two guards who had been silent the whole time. “Zhao Qing! Yin Kuang!”
The two quickly came down the steps to receive orders.
Xiao Yunting flexed his wrist slightly and gave a quiet command, “Go investigate Baotong Bank. I don’t care what method you use—just get your hands on their account books. Understood?”
Zhao Qing and Yin Kuang exchanged a look. They both understood exactly what he meant. They responded in unison, “Rest assured, Your Highness!”
Babao was confused. He was quick-witted but impulsive, and always trailed closely behind Xiao Yunting.
Now, hearing the sudden order to check out Baotong Bank, he was puzzled. “Your Highness, shouldn’t we focus on prying open that assassin’s mouth? That b*stard must know where the list is hidden!”
Xiao Yunting had been investigating corruption in the grain transport system, from Jiangnan to Guangdong, and had executed a large number of people.
He had finally learned from the Zhejiang naval commander that there was a list—a record of all those involved in corruption along the grain transport line and the amounts they had accepted in bribes.
If he could get that list, it would be the linchpin of his entire investigation.
But by the time he reached the Zhejiang Transport Commissioner, the list had vanished.
At the same time, Xiao Yunting began facing constant assassination attempts.
Eventually, he tracked down a clue and learned the name of a certain Ministry of Works official surnamed Zheng from one of the assassins. He had even managed to capture this man at a banquet hosted by the Xiang family.
So Babao thought the top priority now was to interrogate that man.
He didn’t expect Xiao Yunting to suddenly shift focus to investigating Baotong Bank.
Xiao Yunting gave him a brief glance. “You all keep a close eye on that Zheng fellow. Do exactly as I said.”
Babao, while jumpy, was experienced. Hearing this, he instinctively responded with a loud, “Yes, sir!”
Xiao Yunting gave a quiet “mm” and picked up the food box. “I’m heading out. None of you need to follow.”
Heading out—with a food box?
Babao scratched his head and turned to Liu Jin in confusion. “Where’s His Highness going with a food box?”
Liu Jin smacked him on the head. “Why should His Highness report to you where he’s going? Just do your job!”
Babao immediately chased after him, shouting, “You hit me? Do you even know who you’re messing with? I’m your senior, you little punk!”
Their bickering faded into the distance. Zhao Qing and Yin Kuang just shook their heads and chuckled.
The mountain air was chilly. The nuns in the temple were already asleep, with only a few lanterns swaying gently in the wind near the temple gate.
Xiao Yunting rode fast up the mountain road. A few hidden guards tried to stop him along the way, but when they saw his token, they quickly stood aside.
By the time he arrived at the temple, dawn was already breaking.
Some early-rising nuns had begun morning prayers and were preparing vegetables for breakfast.
Xiao Yunting stopped his horse in front of the temple and immediately spotted the large incense burner at the entrance.
A few nuns heard the noise and came out. Seeing a handsome young man on horseback, they hurriedly bowed. “Benefactor, we don’t accept public offerings here. If you wish to pray, please go to another temple.”
This temple housed the Eldest Princess. All its expenses were covered by the palace, and it was not open to the public.
Xiao Yunting didn’t reply but instead raised his voice and called out, “Grandaunt! Grandaunt!”
Not long after, a woman in her forties with her hair in a bun came jogging out. Seeing Xiao Yunting, she lit up with joy. “Ah! Your Highness! You’re here! Come in, quickly, come in!”
“Jiang Momo!” Xiao Yunting was just as delighted to see her. “How has Grandaunt been lately?”
“She’s doing well!” Jiang Momo said with genuine happiness. “She’s been thinking about you though. Just yesterday she asked when you’d return from Jiangnan. Who would’ve thought you’d be back already?”
Xiao Yunting dismounted and walked through the temple gates with her. Jiang Momo quickly pulled him aside. “Since you’re here, Your Highness, why not offer an incense stick? The Bodhisattva will bless you!”
Whenever he visited the temple in the past, the Eldest Princess always had him offer incense.
So when Jiang Momo said this, Xiao Yunting pursed his lips and solemnly lit one.
Jiang Momo then led him to the meditation courtyard where the Eldest Princess lived.
The courtyard was full of trees and flowers of all kinds. The Eldest Princess was practicing a qigong routine called “Eight Brocades” under the trees.
Jiang Momo waited with a smile until she finished, then said cheerfully, “Your Highness, look who’s here!”
The Eldest Princess slowly opened her eyes and saw Xiao Yunting standing at the entrance. She immediately broke into a smile. “Yunting, you’re back?! Come here!”
She pulled him forward and looked him up and down. “Good. You look thinner, but your energy is still good.”
Xiao Yunting smiled and handed the food box to Jiang Momo. “Momo, please ask the kitchen to heat this up and bring it over later.”
Jiang Momo smiled and agreed, carrying the box away.
The Eldest Princess asked curiously, “What delicious treat did you feel the need to bring all the way from the city? I have everything here.”
“It is something good. Try it first, then you’ll know.” Xiao Yunting helped her into the room and poured her some hot tea. “You look much more energetic these days, Grandaunt.”
The Eldest Princess sipped the tea and chuckled. “Getting old means learning to let go. What’s the point of wearing a long face all day? No one’s watching—I’d only be torturing myself.”
Then she asked, “You rushed here so early. You must’ve been on the road all night. What’s so urgent?”
It took at least half a day to get from the capital to the temple. Based on the timing, he must have ridden all night.
She knew his nature well. If it weren’t serious, he wouldn’t have come in such a hurry.
“There is something I’d like to ask for your help with.” Xiao Yunting held his teacup and looked at her. “Something… quite interesting.”
