Chapter 993: Chapter 835, Into the Jar

The Emperor listened to Xiao Yeyang’s report, and upon learning that even at this juncture, the old Duke still dared to make conditions, he couldn’t help but scoff. He flipped through the Luo family genealogy and said, “Tell the Luo family to spare only the children under the age of five.”

Xiao Yeyang’s eyes flickered. It seemed the Luo family had only three children under five, including just one boy, who was Luo Honghao’s legitimate heir.

“Yes.”

Xiao Yeyang once again visited the Duke Residence and conveyed the Emperor’s wishes.

Upon hearing this, the old Duke’s body swayed, and his back bent with a mix of resignation and helplessness.

Xiao Yeyang said, “Some things should not be delayed, lest there be further complications. Best to draw out Xiao Yechi sooner rather than later.”

Trembling, the old Duke walked to the writing desk and started to write on a slip of paper.

Xiao Yeyang stood by, watching the entire process.

After finishing his writing, the old Duke looked at Xiao Yeyang. He had used a secret code, waiting for Xiao Yeyang to ask him about it.

Unfortunately, to his disappointment, Xiao Yeyang didn’t ask a thing.

Seeing this, the hearts of both the old Duke and the Duke sank even further.

What did this imply?

It implied that Xiao Yeyang had long mastered the secret codes used for communicating by the Eight Princes Party.

Taking a deep breath, the old Duke realized why the Eight Princes Party had been exterminated so thoroughly and cleanly previously.

Xiao Yeyang then spoke, just as the old Duke and the Duke had anticipated–he could understand the secret code: “Are you sure that Xiao Yechi will show up for Luo Qiong and the child she carries?”

With a pained expression, the old Duke said, “He will, because I wrote this letter. Even if Xiao Yechi doesn’t care about Qiongqiong, he will consider the Duke Residence’s face.”

He only mentioned that Luo Qiong was carrying Xiao Yechi’s child and did not bring up that Xiao Yechen was also aware of it. The old Duke understood that if he mentioned it, Xiao Yechi might just give up on Luo Qiong altogether.

Xiao Yeyang nodded, “Then I shall await the good news.”

He watched the Duke tie the note to a carrier pigeon and then release it. It was only then that Xiao Yeyang inquired, “Do you know the reason Xiao Yechi has been reluctant to leave?”

The old Duke and the Duke exchanged glances, then replied with a bitter smile, “You surrounded the Duke Residence so quickly; you must have already discovered our correspondence with Xiao Yechi, right?”

Xiao Yeyang smiled lightly, “What I know is my business. I’m interested to hear what you have to say.”

The old Duke looked at Xiao Yeyang, “If I tell you, could you possibly…”

Xiao Yeyang cut him off directly, “Old Duke, one must not be too greedy. That the Luo family is allowed to leave even a single trace of lineage is already an exceptional mercy from the Emperor.”

“The Emperor agreed to your conditions merely to capture Xiao Yechi sooner. Without you, it would merely take a bit more time.”

“Even if we ultimately can’t capture him and he flees back to the steppes to become a Consort Prince of the Tartars, it really isn’t such a big deal. Is Daxia to fear a defeated foe?”

“The Emperor and the Eight Princes Uncle stand in opposition, but for the Emperor, you are betrayers. At this critical time, you dare provoke the Emperor’s ire repeatedly; are you courting death that desperately?”

Sighing, the old Duke spoke, “This time Xiao Yechi has returned mainly to transfer the wealth left by the Wan family and the treasure given to the Eight Princes by the Emperor.”

Xiao Yeyang asked, “Where is the treasure?”

The old Duke shook his head, “Xiao Yechi does not fully trust us. We don’t know the exact location of the treasure.”

Looking at him with a half-smile, Xiao Yeyang said, “Surely you must know something. Digging for treasure would surely require manpower; wouldn’t Xiao Yechi ask for your help?”

After a pause, the old Duke spoke again, “Have you heard of the Wan Guard?” Not waiting for Xiao Yeyang’s response, he continued, “The Wan Guard was a military unit established by the former Emperor specifically to protect Consort Wan. After Consort Wan’s death, the Wan Guard vanished from public view, leading everyone to believe it had been disbanded.”

“However, that was not the case. The former Emperor relocated the Wan Guard underground to protect the safety of the Eight Princes. When the former Emperor died, the Eight Princes were assigned to protect the Imperial Mausoleum, but they did not take the Wan Guard with them; instead, they went into hiding.”

“After the rebellion of the Eight Princes, the Wan Guard was not summoned back. This time, when Xiao Yechi returned, he reactivated the Wan Guard to excavate and transport the treasure.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yeyang once again realized just how much his imperial grandfather had favored his Eight Princes Uncle. No wonder he had been watching the Duke Residence and discovered nothing; Xiao Yechi never needed them in the first place.