Chapter 998: Chapter 836, Hostage_3

Prince also knew about Daohua’s attitude towards the Princess Consort, and didn’t want to make things difficult for her. He immediately said, “Alright, it’s fine if I go with you. Yan girl, go back to your tasks.”

Daohua felt something wasn’t right and didn’t want Prince to go with them, but she had no reason to stop him. After thinking for a moment, she could only smile and say, “If father is going, then I should join as well.”

Seeing Daohua wanted to follow, Luo Qiong’s brows instantly furrowed.

She knew well that the discovery of the incorrect timing of her pregnancy was all because of Yan Yiyi.

This person had incredibly sharp observational skills, and she really didn’t want to have too much contact with her.

Just as Luo Qiong was about to remind ‘Xiao Yechen,’ she heard ‘Xiao Yechen’ loudly ordering Gao Yuan to prepare the carriage.

Seeing this, Luo Qiong thought it over and didn’t say anything further. Even if Yan Yiyi had strong observational skills, with Brother Chi around, what waves could she possibly stir up?

…

During the interlude to change clothes, Daohua had Yan Ying quickly go to notify Xiao Yeyang, “Tell him, Xiao Yechen is taking Luo Qiong and father to the temple to offer incense.”

After Yan Ying left, Daohua quickly changed into a plain-colored outfit and went to find Prince.

Prince Residence’s main gate.

Daohua frowned slightly when she heard ‘Xiao Yechen’ requesting them to share a shiny carriage, especially noticing the box placed behind the carriage she was in, which made her feel even more uneasy.

However, since Prince had already boarded the carriage, Daohua followed suit, lifting her skirt to climb aboard.

After she was on, ‘Xiao Yechen’ then helped Luo Qiong into the carriage.

Sitting inside the carriage, Daohua caught a glimpse of the two holding hands tightly, her gaze shifting around ‘Xiao Yechen’s’ slightly coarse hands.

Once the carriage started moving, Daohua finally realized what was off.

Xiao Yechen was a pampered scholar accustomed to luxury, with hands that were fair and smooth, better maintained than even some girls, and roughness was completely out of character.

The person before her was not Xiao Yechen!

Daohua suddenly thought of the old lady fortuneteller and the discussion with Xiao Yeyang about the human skin mask.

In an instant, Daohua’s heart started beating rapidly as she saw Luo Qiong’s unwittingly revealed affection, immediately guessing who the person before her was.

Xiao Yechi!

This person was truly audacious, coming directly to Prince Residence!

Inside the cramped carriage, with Prince also present, Daohua dared not make any rash moves, but quietly crushed the Fragrant Pill inside her pouch.

Suddenly, a faint scent began to spread throughout the carriage.

The carriages of Prince Residence were relatively ornate. Smelling the fragrance, ‘Xiao Yechen’ merely frowned and didn’t pay much attention.

…

Duke Residence.

The old Duke had not waited for Xiao Yechi to come meet him and, under the watchful gaze of Xiao Yeyang, was about to write a second letter. However, at that moment, Yan Ying arrived.

Upon seeing Yan Ying, Xiao Yeyang didn’t hesitate and went out immediately, “What’s happened?”

Yan Ying quickly relayed the event of ‘Xiao Yechen’ taking Luo Qiong and Prince to offer incense, “The master is worried about Prince’s safety and followed as well.”

Xiao Yeyang pondered for a moment, then delegated the task of guarding Duke Residence to other Jinling Guards, while he quickly left with the Hidden Guard.

Meanwhile, Prince Residence’s carriage was making its way through the bustling market. Daohua quietly calculated the timing of the drug’s effect, and upon seeing ritual offerings being sold on the street, she suggested stopping the carriage for a moment.

However, the coachman did not heed her request.

Prince looked towards Daohua, “Yan girl, is there something you need?”

Daohua smiled and said, “There are sellers of ritual offerings on the street. I was thinking of buying some.”

Xiao Yechen looked over, his voice indifferent, “There’s everything in the temple, no need to go down to buy anything.”

Prince saw Xiao Yechen’s attitude was too cold and couldn’t help saying, “Yan girl means well, just stop the carriage and let her go buy something.”

Daohua, from the look in Xiao Yechi’s eyes just now, knew he definitely wouldn’t stop the carriage at this moment, quickly interjected in front of Prince, “Father, since the temple has everything, I also don’t feel like getting off the carriage.”

Just then, the box placed behind the carriage suddenly ‘bang bang bang’ made noise as if something inside was hitting the box.

The four people inside the carriage all heard it clearly and felt the vibrations.

Prince looked at Xiao Yechen, “What’s in the box?”

Xiao Yechen smiled, “Nothing much, just a disobedient dog.”

Prince frowned, just about to say something, but saw Daohua shake her head at him.

Luo Qiong saw this and abruptly said, “You know, don’t you?”

Daohua feigned confusion, “Elder sister-in-law, what are you talking about?”

Xiao Yechen also looked over.

Luo Qiong went on by herself, “A person Xiao Yeyang would be fond of couldn’t possibly have just beauty. I’m quite good at hiding myself, yet you still figured out that the month of my pregnancy is incorrect. With your personality, you would never go offer incense at the temple for our mother, yet you insisted on following. You’ve discovered it, haven’t you?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yechen’s expression didn’t change much, but his gaze towards Daohua became dangerous.

The box behind them was still making a ‘bang bang’ sound.

Daohua smiled, “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

Luo Qiong also smiled, “Do you know why I didn’t stop you from following us? One, my husband needs me, and second, a person with neither the identity nor the status like you shouldn’t be living so comfortably.”

Daohua no longer pretended, speaking directly, “You’re sick, and gravely so. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have played such a good hand so terribly.”

Prince was confused by their conversation, “What are you all talking about?”

Xiao Yechen, not wanting any mishaps, looked coldly at Daohua, “Since you’ve discovered it, then just like Xiao Yechen, you’ll faint for a while.”

Saying this, he raised his hand to knock out Daohua and Prince.

However, Xiao Yechi was horrified, as he found he couldn’t muster any strength in his arms and legs.

“You…” The moment Xiao Yechi began to speak, a mute pill flew into his mouth.

Immediately after, before Luo Qiong could react, she was also given a mute pill.

Both slumped in the carriage.

Prince watched the scene in a daze.

Daohua passed the antidote for the Soft Muscle Powder to him, whispering an explanation, “Father, this person isn’t Xiao Yechen, he’s probably the son of the eighth prince, Xiao Yechi.”

Prince’s eyes bulged, just about to ask something, Daohua stopped him.

“Father, there must be Xiao Yechi’s accomplices outside; we can’t let them find out.” Saying this, she stood up and fiercely threw herself against the box at the back of the carriage.

“Bang!”

The box fell off the carriage.

The coachman noticed and inevitably stopped the carriage.

As the carriage stopped and one of the coachmen went to move the box, Daohua kicked open the carriage door, threw a handful of Soft Muscle Powder at the coachman outside, and, pulling Prince, rushed out of the carriage quickly.

“What about those two?”

“Father, we just need to ensure our own safety. As for capturing them, that’s the job of the Jinling Guard.”