Chapter 1001: Chapter 839: Dying With Eyes Open

Duke Cheng’en fell silent for a moment, “How are we to believe your words?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yechi immediately set down the dagger and pushed the Princely Heir toward Duke Cheng’en, “To show my sincerity, I can first tell you that the Death Exemption Token is placed behind the plaque in Taihe Hall. You should have people in the palace who can verify this, and if you choose not to believe me, you can let someone go and check.”

Duke Cheng’en looked hesitant, “Why would you keep such an important item in the palace?”

Xiao Yechi smiled faintly, “Keeping it outside, it could be stolen or lost. If my father ever needs the Death Exemption Token, he will undoubtedly be brought into the palace for trial. Placing it in Taihe Hall is just right.”

Duke Cheng’en nodded at the Princely Heir.

The Princely Heir immediately covered his neck with his hand and left the study.

Seeing him leave, Xiao Yechi did not show any sign of worry.

Duke Cheng’en asked, “Aren’t you afraid that once my son leaves, he will summon the Hidden Guard to capture you?”

Xiao Yechi laughed, “No, the Jiang Family is almost at odds with the emperor, and also, your legitimate eldest grandson has died. I can’t believe that you don’t want revenge.”

“You must be conspiring something now, and being short of money, how could you refuse the treasure left by our grandfather emperor?”

“And besides, aren’t you still here? I’m confident that, the moment before the Hidden Guard rushes in, I can make you my hostage.”

Duke Cheng’en glared at Xiao Yechi coldly and snorted without saying a word.

Soon, the Princely Heir returned, nodded to Duke Cheng’en to signify he had sent the message inside the palace, and then turned to Xiao Yechi, “The Hidden Guard just reported that they saw Jinling Guard outside the mansion.”

Xiao Yechi frowned slightly, feeling irritable about the relentless pursuit of the Jinling Guard.

Duke Cheng’en did not want to draw the attention of the Jinling Guard to the Jiang Family, glanced at the sky, and after some thought spoke, “We will arrange for someone to deliver you out of the city immediately.”

Xiao Yechi raised an eyebrow, “How do you plan to get me out?”

Duke Cheng’en didn’t answer but turned to the Princely Heir, “You, leave the city with him.”

The Princely Heir nodded and looked at Xiao Yechi, “I hope you keep your word. Once outside the city, tell me the location of the treasure.”

Xiao Yechi smiled and nodded, “Rest assured, I won’t break my promise. The emperor forced my father to his death; I want to see you drive him from power.”

Hearing this, Duke Cheng’en and his son were somewhat reassured.

Very soon, a Hidden Guard brought in two sets of the patrol officer’s clothes.

The Princely Heir and Xiao Yechi changed quickly, not lingering, they swiftly left through the back door, then blended into the already bribed patrol team.

Meanwhile, in front of Duke Cheng’en’s mansion, the Jinling Guard watched Dog Xiao’er incessantly barking at the mansion gate, all turning toward Xiao Yeyang, as if waiting for him to give an order.

At that moment, Duke Cheng’en himself, with a stern face, walked out.

“Yeyang, have you been reinstated to your office now?”

Xiao Yeyang smiled, “Not yet.”

Duke Cheng’en looked at the Jinling Guard, “Then what are you doing? Are you planning to ransack Duke Cheng’en’s mansion?”

Xiao Yeyang, “Duke Cheng’en, you misunderstand. We were just passing by.”

Duke Cheng’en, “Since you’re here, why don’t you come in and sit for a while?”

Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang felt surprised and smiled as he declined, “I won’t disturb you; we still have matters to attend to.”

Duke Cheng’en, “Yeyang, I’m somewhat your senior. Aren’t you going to come in, passing by the mansion? Are you looking down on Duke Cheng’en’s mansion?”

Xiao Yeyang shook his head, “Duke Cheng’en really misunderstands; we indeed have matters.”

Duke Cheng’en smiled, “Yeyang, you’re not on duty now, whatever the matter, it can’t be that big, come, sit in the mansion with me.”

Seeing Duke Cheng’en look like he was prepared for a long conversation, Xiao Yeyang’s eyes flickered subtly, and he calmly let go of the dog leash he was holding.

Immediately, Dog Xiao’er ran off.

Seeing this, Xiao Yeyang’s expression drastically changed, and he quickly said to Duke Cheng’en, “Duke Cheng’en, that’s a hunting dog; I really shouldn’t let it run around the streets, I need to catch it. I must go now!”

Saying so, he quickly chased after Dog Xiao’er.

Watching the Jinling Guard follow Xiao Yeyang away, Duke Cheng’en’s face immediately turned cold.

Xiao Yeyang was too slippery; he had intended to hold him back for a while, to prevent him from continuing to pursue Xiao Yechi.

The butler came over and asked in a low voice, “Master, will there be any problem on the Crown Prince’s side?”

Duke Cheng’en furrowed his brows, “The patrol soldiers are all our men; there shouldn’t be any trouble.” He added, somewhat uneasy, towards the butler, “Since Xiao Yeyang wants to find Xiao Yechi, create some commotion in the city to divert their attention.”

The butler nodded and quickly left to carry out the task.

Xiao Yeyang caught up with Dog Xiao’er and ordered his men to lead it, continuing to search the streets.

He himself was pondering Duke Cheng’en’s strange actions.

Inviting him into the mansion for a casual chat wasn’t Duke Cheng’en’s style; was he trying to hold him back?

Suddenly, patrolling soldiers ran to report that a murder had occurred in West City, potentially done by Xiao Yechi.

After hearing this, the Jinling Guard was ready to head there, but Xiao Yeyang felt something was amiss and stopped them.

“Sir, what’s wrong?”

Xiao Yeyang, “….We continue following Dog Xiao’er. Let others handle different matters.”

Dog Xiao’er sniffed here and there, and unknowingly led Xiao Yeyang and his men towards the West City gate.

At the city gate, Dog Xiao’er was still fiercely barking towards the outside.

Xiao Yeyang saw this and was about to inquire from the soldiers guarding the gate when Wei Qi approached.

“How did you end up here?”

Xiao Yeyang looked at Wei Qi in surprise.

Wei Qi, “His Majesty is very concerned about Xiao Yechi’s situation and sent me to check on it. By the way, why are you here?”

Xiao Yeyang pointed at Dog Xiao’er with his chin, “It led us here. No one has left through here just now, right?”

Wei Qi shook his head, “No, but we just changed the guards a moment ago.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang frowned, looked at the still barking Dog Xiao’er, and said to Wei Qi, “I need to take some men out of the city to check.”

Wei Qi didn’t ask more, “Okay, I’ll wait here for you.”

Xiao Yeyang quickly led the Jinling Guard out of the city gate, released Dog Xiao’er, and followed it.

A few miles away, Xiao Yechi and his subordinates waiting outside the city reunited.

Jiang Princely Heir, “Xiao Yechi, the location of the treasure.”

Xiao Yechi looked at the butler, “Give it to him.”

The butler quickly pulled a palm-sized sheepskin map from his bosom and handed it to Jiang Princely Heir.

Jiang Princely Heir looked it over and asked suspiciously, staring at Xiao Yechi, “You aren’t deceiving me, are you?”

Xiao Yechi smiled and was about to say something when a scout ran over, “Master, we need to leave–Jinling Guard is catching up.”

As soon as he finished speaking, an arrow flew straight at the scout, hitting him.

Seeing this, Xiao Yechi, without a word, mounted his horse with the others and rode off, worried about being caught. After a thought, he drew a flying knife and aimed it at Jiang Princely Heir, who was running in another direction.

The flying knife zipped through the air and sliced through Jiang Princely Heir’s neck.

Blood splattered, Jiang Princely Heir’s eyes widened as he collapsed.

“Crown Prince!”

The bodyguard hurriedly ran to Jiang Princely Heir, pressing hard on his neck attempting to stop the bleeding.

Jiang Princely Heir, filled with reluctance, handed the map to the bodyguard with great effort, “Go… go…” He had paid for it with his life; it had to be brought back.

As the Jinling Guard closed in, the bodyguard took the map, mounted his horse, and swiftly fled.

When Xiao Yeyang and the Jinling Guard arrived, Jiang Princely Heir’s eyes had already lost their focus; defiant to the end, he drew his last breath.