Xiao Jingyun understood that the princess, being careless, would not notice Xiao Dezi's absence for days, and there must be another reason.
Recalling what the princess had said about her master finding the shoe seller in Wannian City, he wondered if there was a possibility that a problem occurred at this link, and the Emperor also noticed.
With this thought, Xiao Jingyun changed his mind. However, if he went alone, this matter might not be resolved. He had to go in person to appease both sides.
Of course, before meeting Chen Xiaobei, Xiao Jingyun put in a lot of effort. He first went to Liu Xiangnan's residence. With Liu Rumei's intervention, his chances of success would be greater.
The Liu family showed considerable respect for the Crown Prince's arrival. Liu Rumei and Liu Yuanwu welcomed him to the entrance of the mansion.
After meeting, they politely led Xiao Jingyun into the reception hall and ordered tea. Liu Yuanwu, as the head of the family, clasped his fists and bowed, "I do not know why Your Highness the Crown Prince has graced us with his presence. What is your command?"
Xiao Jingyun took a sip of water, looked at Liu Yuanwu, then at Liu Rumei, "Regarding the matter of Lord Liu, I have repeatedly advised my father, the Emperor, but it has ended up like this. I am also very uneasy in my heart."
For Xiao Jingyun's words, Liu Yuanwu had nothing else to say besides expressing his gratitude, "Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince, for your help. If it weren't for your strong support, my father would likely still be in the imperial prison, and my sister and I might not be sitting here talking to you!"
Xiao Jingyun waved his hand, then changed the subject, turning to Liu Rumei, "Rumei, regarding your matter with Chen Xiaobei, do you have any thoughts?"
Liu Rumei shook her head, forcing a smile, "I have no thoughts, and I am grateful to the Emperor for worrying about my lifelong affairs."
"Once Huang Ying's mourning period is over, Brother Xiaobei will come to marry me."
The topic shifted to Huang Ying, and the rest became easier.
Xiao Jingyun's expression turned solemn, "Huang Ying's coffin has been in the capital for some time. Should we not persuade Chen Xiaobei to return to Hetou Village sooner so that Huang Ying can be laid to rest?"
Hearing this, Liu Rumei understood that the Crown Prince had come to enlist her help as a persuader.
She soon realized that if the Crown Prince said so, Chen Xiaobei had to leave; staying would lead to greater trouble.
However, what puzzled her was why Xiao Jingyun, as the Crown Prince, would involve her? The Crown Prince could openly speak to him.
Despite her doubts, Liu Rumei did not show it and bowed in agreement, "If that is the case, I will accompany Your Highness the Crown Prince on this trip and pay respects to Sister Huang Ying."
Meanwhile, at the inn, Princess Zhaoning personally came to report the progress of her affairs to her master, the Lotus Cult Leader.
"Master, I have ordered people to secretly inquire about Xiao Dezi's whereabouts. Also, I told my elder brother, and he will help me keep an eye out when he pays his respects at the palace tomorrow morning."
Hearing her words, the Lotus Cult Leader nodded with satisfaction, "Thank you, Princess. Follow me, you will meet your Grandmaster."
The Lotus Cult Leader led Princess Zhaoning to the door of Nanhai Shenni's room.
She reached out and gently knocked on the door.
With a creak, the door opened. Shen Ziyan poked her head out and, upon seeing the princess, was about to curtsy. Princess Zhaoning quickly clapped her hands, "Aunt Master, please do not do that."
The Lotus Cult Leader also raised her hand to stop Shen Ziyan from continuing her curtsy and said with a smile, "Enough, she is a junior. You don't need to be so formal. I brought her to see Grandmaster."
Shen Ziyan stepped aside, and the Lotus Cult Leader brought Princess Zhaoning in.
Upon entering, Princess Zhaoning took two steps forward, lifted her skirt, and was about to kneel. Nanhai Shenni, sitting in a chair, beckoned, "Alright, how can a dignified princess of a nation kneel to me, a commoner? Since Ziyan did not curtsy to you, you do not need to curtsy to me."
Princess Zhaoning did not insist and gave a slight bow, "Jingfeng abides by Grandmaster's instructions."
At this point, the Lotus Cult Leader said, "There has been some progress in Huang Ying's matter. We have started searching for Xiao Dezi's whereabouts. If he remains unfound, it will be largely confirmed."
Nanhai Shenni nodded, "Then I will ask the Princess to take more care."
As they were talking, they heard a commotion outside, followed by someone shouting, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."
Hearing the shout, the expressions of everyone present varied. Xiao Jingfeng's eyes flashed with surprise and a hint of nervousness. Nanhai Shenni clearly noticed the change in the princess's demeanor. She glanced at Shen Ziyan.
"You go out and see on my behalf."
The implication was that the Lotus Cult Leader and Princess Zhaoning should both remain in her room.
Shen Ziyan agreed and walked out. By this time, Chen Xiaobei and others had already finished their pleasantries with Xiao Jingyun.
Jia Jingyun stepped forward and respectfully offered three sticks of incense to Huang Ying's memorial tablet.
Then Liu Rumei stepped forward and also offered three sticks of incense.
After finishing, Xiao Jingyun approached Chen Xiaobei and patted him on the shoulder.
Meanwhile, Liu Rumei hugged Cui Hongyu tightly, and they began to cry silently again.
Chen Xiaobei made a gesture, "Your Highness, please come inside and rest for a while."
Xiao Jingyun did not decline and followed Chen Xiaobei into the adjacent room.
After they were seated, Xiao Jingyun first asked a few questions about whether Chen Xiaobei had any urgent needs in his daily life.
Chen Xiaobei quickly clasped his fists, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Everything is fine now."
Xiao Jingyun then changed the subject and got to the point, "The matter of the killer probably cannot be investigated in two or three days. I think it would be best to send Huang Ying's coffin back to Hetou Village first. Once any clues are found here, I will promptly send someone to notify you."
Chen Xiaobei instantly understood Xiao Jingyun's intention and appeared hesitant.
Yesterday, they had agreed, and Nanhai Shenni had also said that they must wait until the matter was resolved before leaving.
At this moment, Liu Rumei, who was beside them, also spoke, "Yes, Brother Xiaobei, waiting like this is not a solution. Let's leave and come back when we have news."
Cui Hongyu, standing nearby, also understood instantly. These two had conspired to persuade them to leave.
Just then, the door opened, and Shen Ziyan walked in. After greeting Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun and Liu Rumei, she stood beside Cui Hongyu.
Seeing Shen Ziyan arrive, Chen Xiaobei's thoughts stirred. He said in a deep voice, "Ziyan, you've come at the right time. His Highness the Crown Prince is here to discuss with us whether it's best to send Huang Ying back to Hetou Village first, and we can return when there's news."
Shen Ziyan, being sharp and intelligent, looked at Xiao Jingyun and then at Liu Rumei, and instantly understood.
"If that is the case, I will go and invite Master over, and then we can discuss it."
Shen Ziyan withdrew and went to Nanhai Shenni's room, briefly explaining the situation.
Before Nanhai Shenni could even speak, the Lotus Cult Leader suddenly exploded.