Chapter 984: Chapter 831, The Treasure

Daohua grabbed Dong Yuanyao by the arm, but before they could exchange pleasantries, Sun Changze sternly said to Xiao Yeyang, “On my way back to Beijing, I noticed two passenger ships with very deep drafts docked at Jingyun Port.”

“Normally, passenger ships don’t sit that low in the water. I thought about going over to investigate, but before I could get in the water, I spotted a big man patrolling the ship. Guess who that man was?”

Xiao Yeyang raised an eyebrow, “Could it be Tartars?”

Dong Yuanyao interjected, “They’re the very Tartars we followed here.”

Xiao Yeyang’s expression became grave, “No wonder my men haven’t been able to find them; they’ve been hiding on the water.”

Sun Changze added, “There must be something hidden on those passenger ships. I was afraid they would find me, just like last time, and I didn’t want to startle them, so I didn’t dare approach. Instead, I brought Yuanyao here to inform you immediately.”

Xiao Yeyang turned to Daohua, “Please entertain Madam Sun. I’m going to Jingyun Port with Changze now. We might soon discover the purpose of Xiao Yechi’s return to the capital.”

Daohua nodded, “Be careful out there.”

After the two men had ridden away on horseback, Dong Yuanyao tugged at Daohua’s sleeve and asked, “Who is Xiao Yechi that the Little Prince just mentioned?”

While walking towards Gu Jian’s courtyard with Dong Yuanyao, Daohua replied, “The son of the Eighth Prince.”

Dong Yuanyao’s face darkened immediately, “How have the Eight Princes Party not been eradicated yet?”

The Dong Family had lost their title because of their entanglement in the affair with the Eighth Prince, and Dong Yuanyao had developed a deep loathing for anyone associated with him.

Daohua said, “Right? After all that killing and capturing, I thought this was over, but now another son of the Eighth Prince has popped up.”

“Xiao Yechi’s covert actions in the capital haven’t been minimal this time. Moreover, he’s secretly interacting with the Duke Cheng’en’s residence. Once this is out, Beijing will be shaken to its core again.”

Dong Yuanyao’s lips curved into a sly smile, “Amitabha, it’s good that Xiao Yechi came back! His dealings with the Duke Cheng’en’s residence prove that they are also part of the Eight Princes Party. This time, there’s no escaping for them.”

Whether the Duke Cheng’en’s residence faced beheading or their family was confiscated and exiled, they would no longer pose a threat to the Dong Family.

Later, Daohua took Dong Yuanyao to see Gu Jian. Feeling that Dong Yuanyao must be tired from the journey, Daohua let her rest after lunch. Meanwhile, Daohua herself spent some time tending the medicine field with Gu Jian and chatting about family matters.

It wasn’t until late at night that Xiao Yeyang and Sun Changze returned.

“Why haven’t you gone to bed?”

Upon entering the room, Xiao Yeyang saw Daohua leaning against the headboard, flipping through a Medical Book.

Daohua placed the Medical Book down and got out of bed, “These are the latest insights from my master.” She helped Xiao Yeyang take off his coat, “How did it go? Did you find anything?”

Xiao Yeyang nodded, “Xiao Yechi’s intentions are indeed grand. We found a great deal of gold, silver, and jewels in the passenger ship.”

Daohua widened her eyes, “Where did they come from?”

Xiao Yeyang’s face grew solemn, “Exactly, where did they come from? It looks like they must have transported several ships’ worth already.”

Daohua probed, “Could it be the leftovers from the Wan Family?”

Xiao Yeyang furrowed his brows, “If it was from the Wan Family, how did they transport it out of the city gates?”

Daohua reminded him, “Don’t forget, Xiao Yechi has the Duke Cheng’en’s residence at his disposal, and Luo Honghao is the Commander of the Capital Guards. It shouldn’t be difficult for him to transport a few items, right?”

Xiao Yeyang shook his head in disagreement, “It’s true that Luo Honghao is the Commander of the Capital Guards, and he might be able to transport one or two carts, but moving the quantity for several ships without notice is impossible. Besides, my men have been watching Luo Honghao closely, and we haven’t observed any unusual behavior.”

Daohua suggested, “What about a secret passage?”

Xiao Yeyang shook his head again, “When the Wan Family was exterminated and their estate confiscated, the Jiang Family had already turned their residence upside down. If there was indeed a secret tunnel, Duke Cheng’en would certainly have known of it with his methods.”

Daohua was at a loss, “There must be a source for those jewels and gold. If they weren’t left by the Wan Family, where else could they come from?”

Xiao Yeyang resolved, “This matter is too big. I will inform the Emperor, my uncle, first thing tomorrow morning.”

…

Imperial Palace.

The Emperor, upon hearing that Xiao Yeyang had entered the palace before dawn without having breakfast, summoned him. “What’s the matter?”

Xiao Yeyang immediately reported the discovery of gold, silver, and jewels on the boat.

After listening, the Emperor let out a cold laugh. “I finally understand why the treasury was empty when I ascended the throne. My father had indeed taken great pains for the Eighth Brother!”

The hall fell into silence.

After a while, the Emperor spoke again, “You didn’t alarm them, did you?”

Xiao Yeyang shook his head.

The Emperor said, “That’s good. Keep a close watch on those people. I am very curious to see where your Imperial Grandfather hid the treasures from the treasury that even the Empress Dowager and the Jiang Family couldn’t find.”

Xiao Yeyang nodded in agreement, then briefed the Emperor on Sun Changze and Dong Yuanyao’s involvement in the discovery.

The Emperor replied, “Since the Sun Family is involved with the transport syndicate, let’s provide them some convenience in the future where possible.”

…

Seven days later, while keeping watch on the passenger ship, several heavy chests were moved onto it, and soon after, the ship set sail to the north.

Xiao Yeyang, upon seeing this, immediately ordered Bu Gandang and Sun Changze to lead a team of Hidden Guards to follow the boat. “Once it leaves the Capital Boundary, seize the vessel.”

Meanwhile, he followed the workers who had carried the chests.

Following them for a while, Xiao Yeyang realized that these men were not heading towards the city gates; instead, they were venturing further into increasingly remote areas.

“Master, these people do not seem like they’ve been trained as Hidden Guards or assassins.”

Xiao Yeyang had noticed this too. Observing the carefree and joking laborers ahead, they seemed like a group of ordinary hard-working laborers.

“Swish, swish, swish!”

As they passed through a wooded area, a flurry of arrows flew out from the trees, swiftly killing the laborers.

“Don’t go out.”

Xiao Yeyang stopped the Hidden Guards who were about to step forward to investigate and silently waited.

Before long, a figure in black emerged, released a pigeon after confirming everyone was dead, and then slipped away.

Xiao Yeyang saw this and immediately ordered the capture of the man and the pigeon.

Upon seeing Xiao Yeyang and his men, the man in black’s expression changed and he tried to flee, but when surrounded, he immediately bit into a capsule of poison in his mouth and died foaming at the mouth.

The pigeon was caught, but the message contained only the words “Mission accomplished.”

Xiao Yeyang, frustrated, led his men back.

Fortunately, the team led by Sun Changze had some success. Not only did they seize the gold, silver, and jewels from the ship, but they also captured a living Tartar.

The Tartar, having been with Xiao Yechi for two or three years, was far from as devoted as the Hidden Guards or the suicidal death soldiers, and valuing his life, hadn’t ingested poison.

After being subjected to torture, the Tartar could not endure it and bowed his head to Xiao Yeyang.

Xiao Yeyang asked, “Where did the gold, silver, and jewels on the ship come from?”

The Tartar shook his head. “I do not know. The Consort Prince doesn’t trust us Tartars. Since arriving in Daxia, I have only been responsible for overseeing and guarding.”

Seeing a Hidden Guard approach with a red-hot iron brand, the Tartar hurriedly said, “I really don’t know, but I am aware of two locations for the treasure, one within Beijing and one outside.”

Xiao Yeyang’s expression became serious. “How did you transport it out of Beijing?”

The Tartar initially wanted to shake his head again, but seeing the iron brand coming closer, he quickly said, “I only know it has something to do with the Duke Cheng’en Residence. I wasn’t involved in the actual transport. There seems to be some hidden routes.”