Regarding Wei Tonghao's impending visit, although Li Yue Shu was somewhat surprised, she could understand.
She inquired about the approximate time and then noted it in her mind.
Meanwhile, Wei Tonghao suppressed the urge to rush to Tong Mu County and prepared to receive the Crown Prince.
However, to his surprise, when the agreed-upon time arrived, he and his men waited by the city gate for a long time, only to see the Crown Prince, dressed in plain clothes and accompanied by a few guards, emerge from within the city.
Crown Prince Qin Ye Xiu, the eldest son of Emperor Chen Nan. He was benevolent, approachable, and learned, renowned for his courtesy and respect for worthy individuals.
As the original male protagonist, Qin Ye Xiu's appearance was naturally exceptionally striking, and he was bound to exude a dazzling aura that commanded attention.
Upon seeing them, Wei Tonghao appeared shocked, "This... Your Highness, you are..."
Qin Ye Xiu raised his hand to stop him, his every movement exuding the authority of a superior, "I have matters to discuss with City Lord Wei. Let us speak further at my residence."
Though somewhat bewildered, Wei Tonghao quickly responded, leading everyone away.
Back at the City Lord's mansion, he asked with confusion, "When did Your Highness enter the city?"
Mentioning this, Qin Ye Xiu's eyes darkened, "I encountered assassins on the road. To be safe, I disguised myself as a guard and arrived in Hong Ning City ahead of schedule."
Wei Tonghao was shocked, his brows furrowing tightly, "Who would dare to assassinate the Crown Prince with such audacity!"
Qin Ye Xiu looked up at him, his gaze inscrutable, "The assassins were remnants of the former Crown Prince."
"What?!" Upon hearing this, Wei Tonghao's expression changed slightly, "How could it be them?"
Thinking of those people, Wei Tonghao's expression turned cold, "Those scoundrels almost led to the ruin of my Wei family, and they dare to assassinate the Crown Prince? They are courting death!"
"Your Highness, do you know their whereabouts? I will personally lead men to annihilate them all!"
Seeing his righteous indignation, which seemed genuine, Qin Ye Xiu's suspicion lessened considerably.
When the former Crown Prince fell, Wei Tonghao became the City Lord of Hong Ning City and had managed it without error for years.
During the struggle for imperial power, many had tried to tempt Hong Ning City, but all their overtures were rejected.
Given its remote location and the support of its copper mines, it was natural for him to suspect whether the Wei family was colluding with the remnants of the former Crown Prince.
Qin Ye Xiu shook his head and said, "I did not bring many people this time, nor do I know the whereabouts of those remnants."
Wei Tonghao, always straightforward, did not detect Qin Ye Xiu's suspicion at all.
Hearing that the remnants could not be found, his temper flared even more, "Those scoundrels had better not fall into my hands!"
Qin Ye Xiu observed him, his probing gaze well hidden.
He changed the subject and began to discuss the recent events in Hong Ning City.
Wei Tonghao had made prior preparations and recounted the entire sequence of events, "...Speaking of which, we owe a great debt to Madam Shen. If she had not realized that Zi Miao was poisoned and helped expose the woman impersonating my daughter, the Wei family and Hong Ning City would likely have perished."
"Madam Shen?" Qin Ye Xiu appeared confused.
The reports from Hong Ning City did not seem to mention this person.
"She is the physician who treated my son," Wei Tonghao explained. "Madam Shen is known as a divine physician in Tong Mu County, truly a capable individual! She is calm and collected in the face of adversity, and remarkably intelligent. Were she a man, her future would be limitless!"
Hearing his high praise for Madam Shen, Qin Ye Xiu felt a surge of curiosity, "What is the name of this Madam Shen?"
Wei Tonghao paused, then awkwardly scratched the back of his head, "This... I truly don't know. However, her husband is named Shen Wei, a diligent and capable hunter, though sadly, he is now foolish. It is truly unfortunate for Madam Shen, having to support a family and raise four children on her own at such a young age."
He sighed with sympathy as he spoke of this.
"Shen Wei?" Qin Ye Xiu's eyes narrowed.
That name sounded so familiar.
And four children?
Qin Ye Xiu looked up, a cordial smile on his face, appearing merely curious, "How old are those four children, and what are their names?"
Wei Tonghao, being honest and simple, did not notice the subtle shift in his tone. "The eldest is about eight years old. There are also twins and a four-year-old youngest son. I don't know their names, but I heard her call her daughter 'A Yi'."
A Yi?
Twins?
The youngest character... Yi!
Qin Ye Xiu's smile unconsciously faded, and a deep emotion flashed in his eyes.
If he recalled correctly, several years ago, his subordinates had attempted to bribe a guard named Shen Wei, but not only did they fail to secure the guard, but his subordinates never returned.
If it were indeed him, then those children might be...
Qin Ye Xiu remained composed. After concluding his business with Wei Tonghao, he returned to his room and summoned his personal shadow guards.
His visit to Hong Ning City was to investigate the matter of the former Crown Prince's remnants. He had not brought a large contingent.
However, to have survived this long, it was impossible for him not to have his own trusted personnel.
A figure like a phantom suddenly appeared, and had he not witnessed it with his own eyes, he would likely not have realized that someone had entered the room.
Qin Ye Xiu stood with his hands behind his back, his demeanor no longer approachable but filled with a noble and superior air.
"Go investigate that Madam Shen and those children."
...
Li Yue Shu was unaware of the events in Hong Ning City.
After Hong Dai returned, she went to meet the people she had arranged at the Liu Xian Wine House.
This was something they had previously discussed: wherever there was a Liu Xian Wine House, members of the Ming Yue Tower would be stationed to gather information.
Looking at the bustling wine house, Hong Dai was quite satisfied. She then approached Li Yue Shu again, attempting to pry for information.
It seemed she was perpetually enthusiastic about uncovering Li Yue Shu's secrets.
Hong Dai did not hide her intentions, "I simply wish to outperform the Chi Yun Tower. Madam Shen, I am a weak woman managing the vast Ming Yue Tower, it is quite exhausting. Can you not show some concern for me?"
Li Yue Shu ignored Hong Dai's flirtatious gestures, having no desire to engage.
She was not unfamiliar with the name Chi Yun Tower; in the original book, it had posed significant obstacles to the male protagonist's ambition to rule the world.
If not for the support of Hong Dai, who was by the female protagonist's side, the male protagonist might not have so easily defeated Chi Yun Tower.
However, Li Yue Shu had not expected that Hong Dai's feud with Chi Yun Tower would begin so early.
Now that Hong Dai was no longer associated with Li Xiang Ru, would the Crown Prince, the male protagonist, have a reduced chance of success when confronting Chi Yun Tower in the future?
Li Yue Shu kept this in mind, considering that if an opportunity arose, she might try to see if she could cooperate with Chi Yun Tower.
...
As night fell, everyone had fallen asleep.
Just then, a figure in black suddenly leaped from outside the courtyard, skillfully scaling the wall.
"Hiss—Ah!"
A cry of pain rang out in the silent night, and the black-clad figure fell directly from the wall.
At the moment of impact, he quickly utilized his Qing Gong (lightness skill) and landed softly.
The courtyard was spacious enough that this small sound did not awaken anyone in the quiet night.
However, two people within this courtyard were not ordinary and opened their eyes from their sleep almost instantly.