Chapter 1000: Chapter 838, Willing to Let Go

In the deep and disordered alleyways of South City, Xiao Yechi hid in a pile of junk, watching with his eyes wide open as the last two of his men ran out to lure away the chasing soldiers before he closed his eyes in annoyance.

Prince Residence of Pingxi.

Daohua had dinner with the Prince of Pingxi and then returned to Pingxi Hall.

It was not until dawn the next day that Xiao Yeyang returned. As soon as he arrived, Daohua woke up startled, “Why have you been busy until now? Did you catch him?”

Xiao Yeyang shook his head, taking the handkerchief handed over by Wang Manman and wiped his face, “Xiao Yechi is still at large.”

Daohua’s face showed surprise, “So many people and they still didn’t catch him?”

Xiao Yeyang changed his clothes and lay down on the bed, “Don’t underestimate Xiao Yechi, he was personally taught by the Eight Princes, and the Eight Princes are the Emperor’s uncle’s most troublesome confidant, full of tricks.”

Daohua nodded, “Despite being hit with a dumb drug and Soft Muscle Powder, Xiao Yechi still managed to escape, indeed quite impressive.” She paused before continuing, “By the way, how did Luo Qiong die?”

Xiao Yeyang fell silent for a while, “She was used as a human shield by Xiao Yechen and died from arrow wounds.”

Daohua, “Xiao Yechi didn’t care about her?”

Xiao Yeyang scoffed, “Xiao Yechi is busy fleeing; why would he care about Luo Qiong? Not only did he not care, but he also pushed Luo Qiong and Xiao Yechen out to attract everyone’s attention, buying himself a chance to escape.”

Hearing this, Daohua showed a sigh on her face. Luo Qiong really trusted the wrong people, her husband used her as a shield, and her lover abandoned her in the face of danger.

Seeing Xiao Yeyang’s tired expression, Daohua didn’t ask any more, pulled over a thin blanket to cover his chest, and waited until he fell asleep before she quietly got out of bed.

On the other side, after a night of inner force stimulation, Xiao Yechi finally could move freely, immediately climbed over the courtyard wall next door, changed into a short brown robe, put on a straw hat, and went onto the street.

There was nothing unusual on the streets, just more patrolling soldiers, Xiao Yechi cautiously hid in the crowd, walking quickly towards the city gate.

The gate, indeed, was open, unfortunately, it was only open for incoming, not outgoing.

Looking at the heavily guarded gate, Xiao Yechi’s heart sank, pondering for a while before directly turning around towards the inner city.

…

At noon, Xiao Yeyang woke up, came out of the inner room, and saw Daohua squatting in the courtyard feeding food to the hunting dogs.

Daohua raised seven hunting dogs, Xiao Yeyang, Yan Wentao, Yan Wenkai each took one, and of the remaining four, she brought two with her to the Prince Residence when she got married, leaving the other two at the Yan Residence as protectors.

“You’re awake!”

Seeing Xiao Yeyang, Daohua handed the dog food to Bi Shi, smiling as she entered the room.

Xiao Yeyang knew Daohua too well, seeing her leading the hunting dogs out, he already knew what she intended, “You want me to catch Xiao Yechi with the hunting dogs?”

Daohua nodded, “There should still be the scent of the drug on Xiao Yechi’s body, take Dog Xiao’er with you when you go out, it might help you.”

After saying this, she pulled him to the dining table.

Xiao Yeyang did not object; Dog Xiaoyi had been borrowed by the Commander for a task a while ago and had not yet been returned to him, it seemed he needed to personally retrieve it at some point.

After lunch, Xiao Yeyang led Dog Xiao’er out the door.

A dog’s nose is always a bit more sensitive than a human’s; that afternoon, it led Xiao Yeyang and his men to the place where Xiao Yechi had hidden the night before.

Meanwhile, in the backyard of an apothecary in the inner city, an old man responsible for preparing medicines in the shop skulked into the storeroom with a bowl of freshly boiled medicine.

“Master, once you drink this medicine, you will be able to speak.”

Xiao Yechi eyed the bowl in the old man’s hands but did not take it immediately.

Although this man was also a Jinling Guard, they had not been in contact for many years, and Xiao Yechi did not trust him completely.

Seeing this, the elder quickly took a sip first, then offered the bowl to Xiao Yechi again.

Xiao Yechi took the bowl, downed the medicine, and before long, he felt his throat start to itch. Trying to make a sound, he found that he really could speak.

“What’s the situation outside?”

Xiao Yechi asked hoarsely.

The elder, “The Jinling Guard is leading the soldiers to check the population house by house, arresting everyone who doesn’t have a residency registration or can’t explain their origin and taking them to jail.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yechi’s expression grew even more somber. After a moment of silence, he stood up, “Continue with your duties, act as if I was never here.”

The old man nodded and only after Xiao Yechi had left did he sigh heavily with relief.

He was a Protector and he knew his mission, but years of peaceful living had made him truly not want to be involved in struggles for power again.

However, the heavens seemed to enjoy playing jokes on people; the more he wished to avoid something, the more likely it was to happen.

As he watched the Jinling Guards swarm into the pharmacy, the old man felt powerless and hung his head.

In the end, he couldn’t avoid it!

Xiao Yechi didn’t go far; he just sat at a nearby noodle stall to eat, leaving the pharmacy because he did not trust the old man and felt the pharmacy was not safe. But he didn’t expect the Jinling Guards to arrive so quickly.

Without daring to delay any longer, Xiao Yechi left a few coins and stood up to leave.

…

Duke Cheng’en Residence.

The Duke, currently idle at home, and Jiang’s Princely Heir were discussing Xiao Yechi and the issues of Duke Weiguo residence in the study when suddenly, the sound of a heavy object falling came from outside.

Jiang’s Princely Heir got up quickly and opened the window to look out, saw a Hidden Guard grimacing as he lay on the ground, and frowned, “What happened?”

The Hidden Guard hurriedly got up and replied, “Reporting to the Princely Heir, a dead bird suddenly fell from the tree. I wasn’t paying attention for a moment and slipped.”

Jiang’s Princely Heir showed displeasure but did not say much else, only instructing, “The city is unstable these days, you all need to be more alert.”

“Yes!”

After the Hidden Guard had concealed himself again, Jiang’s Princely Heir closed the window. However, at that moment, a figure flashed by, and swiftly, a sharp dagger was pressed against his neck.

Duke Cheng’en stood up anxiously upon seeing Xiao Yechi.

Seeing that he was about to call for help, Xiao Yechi pressed the dagger harder and a streak of blood marked the Princely Heir’s neck, “Duke Cheng’en, stay calm! You wouldn’t want to see your grandson off just to send off your son soon after.”

Duke Cheng’en was angry and worried, staring fiercely at Xiao Yechi, “What do you want to do?”

Xiao Yechi’s lips curled, “No one visits a temple without a cause. I’m here to propose a collaboration with you.”

Duke Cheng’en scoffed, “I don’t see anything we could possibly collaborate on.”

Xiao Yechi shook his head with a smile, “Duke Cheng’en, why speak in absolutes? Your Jiang family has not been a stranger to collaborating with us in the past.”

Duke Cheng’en, seeing blood trickling down from Jiang’s Princely Heir’s neck, gritted his teeth and asked, “What kind of collaboration do you want?”

Xiao Yechi smiled and said, “My terms are simple, help me get out of the city.”

Duke Cheng’en flatly refused, “I can’t do that. The city gates are guarded by the Jinling Guard and the Imperial Guards. Without the emperor’s orders, no one can leave.”

Xiao Yechi replied, “Don’t be so hasty to say no. You haven’t heard what benefit I’m offering you. The treasure left by His Imperial Majesty, plus a Death Exemption Token.”

Hearing this, Duke Cheng’en’s expression stiffened, and even Jiang’s Princely Heir, still in danger, could not help but show interest.

Xiao Yechi saw that both father and son were tempted and continued, “Currently, I’m somewhat aware of your family’s relationship with the emperor. A Death Exemption Token could be very useful to you.”

Jiang’s Princely Heir asked, “The Death Exemption Token was bestowed to the Eighth Prince by the late emperor. If you give it to us, wouldn’t that be admitting our Jiang family is part of the Eight Princes Party?”

Xiao Yechi laughed, “Princely Heir Jiang, it seems you know too little. After establishing the Xia Dynasty, Gaozu crafted three identical Death Exemption Tokens – my father received one, and no one knows where the other two are to this day. If you don’t tell anyone the Death Exemption Token I gave you, who would know its origin?”

“As for the treasure left by His Imperial Majesty…”

Xiao Yechi smiled as he looked at Duke Cheng’en, “You’re a veteran of three dynasties, so you must know about the treasury of the former dynasty. To leave enough wealth for my father, His Imperial Majesty almost emptied the treasury.”

Hearing that, Jiang’s Princely Heir was completely moved.

They needed a significant amount of silver for what they were planning to do.

Duke Cheng’en watched Xiao Yechi coldly, “Even if there’s a lot, I guess you’ve already cleared it out.”

Xiao Yechi shook his head with regret, “To avoid detection, I didn’t dare make too much noise coming back to Beijing this time. I have only managed to move half of the gold, silver and jewels.”

“Duke Cheng’en, as long as you get me safely out of the city, the remaining half of the treasure and the Death Exemption Token will all be yours.”

Duke Cheng’en squinted his eyes at Xiao Yechi, “You’re willing to part with so much?”

Xiao Yechi shrugged, “What else can I do if I’m not willing? Now that the emperor knows my whereabouts, he’ll certainly stop at nothing to eliminate me. I can no longer stay in Beijing.”