Xiao Yi went straight out of the palace. "Yunxiao, go to Ling Yu's place!"
"Yes." Yunxiao acknowledged and leaped onto the front edge of the carriage.
At a wine tavern, Ling Yu was smiling broadly as he saw off a customer who had just settled the bill. He was about to turn back into the tavern when he suddenly spotted a familiar carriage approaching. Ling Yu immediately broke into a smile and trotted over.
"Guest, would you like a meal or tea?"
Yunxiao glanced at Ling Yu. "A meal. Our master hasn't eaten yet. Do you have a private room?"
Ling Yu beamed. "Yes, please follow me, sir."
Yunxiao nodded. He lifted the carriage curtain and quickly helped Xiao Yi down.
Ling Yu led the way, guiding them straight into a private room in the tavern.
"Your subordinate pays respects to the Prince!"
As soon as he entered the room, Ling Yu knelt and bowed.
"Rise. Pick a few dishes that cook quickly and bring them up."
Xiao Yi was somewhat hungry.
"Yes, sir! Your subordinate will see to it at once!" Ling Yu scrambled to his feet and hurried out.
Before long, a waiter knocked on the door carrying some pastries.
Yunxiao opened it to find a waiter standing outside.
"Guest, please enjoy some tea and snacks first. The dishes will be ready shortly."
Yunxiao nodded and took the pastries inside.
"Prince, have a little something to tide you over." Yunxiao placed the pastries beside Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yi didn't touch them.
He could afford to wait a short while.
With Ling Yu personally overseeing things, the meal was served quickly.
Once the dishes were set out, Yunxiao automatically followed the waiter outside.
He stood guard at the door, wary of anyone approaching to eavesdrop.
Xiao Yi was genuinely hungry. He picked up his bowl and ate a few large mouthfuls before slowing his pace.
"Any unusual developments at the medical clinic afterward?"
Ling Yu promptly replied, "Reporting to the Prince. After that physician was arrested, the clinic closed for a few days, but then it reopened as usual."
Xiao Yi paused in his eating.
"And what about that steward?"
"Reporting to the Prince. The steward seems to have discovered that the person he was in contact with is dead."
"He's been holed up in his residence lately, not going anywhere."
Xiao Yi looked thoughtful.
"Investigate him."
"Find out where the silver he's using to rent the house came from."
"Also, his daily expenses—those aren't issues that can be solved with a few copper coins."
"If no one is helping him, there's no way he could survive in the capital!"
Ling Yu was taken aback, then it dawned on him.
"Prince, do you mean someone is secretly aiding him?"
"Whether or not that's the case, just send someone to probe and you'll find out!" Xiao Yi ordered coldly.
Ling Yu felt deeply ashamed.
"It was my oversight, Your Highness. I thought that by having someone tail him, we'd eventually find the person behind him."
"Since he hadn't come out, I assumed he was just frightened."
"I was also worried about tipping him off—the steward is the only lead we have left."
"If he ends up silenced like that eunuch, it will be even harder to investigate."
"Your subordinate will send someone to probe at once!"
With that, Ling Yu was about to leave.
Xiao Yi stopped him.
"There's another matter. See to it yourself!"
Ling Yu perked up at this.
Having served Xiao Yi for some time, he knew that only tasks of great importance warranted the Prince's instruction for him to handle personally.
"Yes, sir! Please give your orders!"
Xiao Yi set down his chopsticks and gestured for Ling Yu to come closer.
Ling Yu bent down and leaned in.
Xiao Yi whispered a few words into his ear.
Ling Yu straightened up, his eyes blazing with astonishment.
"Such a secretive matter—how did Your Highness come to know of it?"
"Even our people had detected some clues, but we couldn't find where the evidence was hidden!"
"Prince, you're extraordinary!"
"Those corrupt officials actually hid things in places like that!"
"Full of malicious schemes—they deserve to die horribly!"
Ling Yu couldn't help cursing a few times.
Xiao Yi's lips curled slightly. "A fortunate coincidence and a bit of luck. Heaven's secrets must not be revealed!"
Ling Yu eagerly bowed to Xiao Yi.
"Your subordinate will go and handle it at once! Prince, await my good news!"
With that, Ling Yu dashed off excitedly.
Xiao Yi smiled faintly and resumed eating slowly.
Seeing Ling Yu leave, Yunxiao walked in.
"Prince, did Ling capture a gold nugget? He's that thrilled?"
Xiao Yi's smile lingered.
He set down his chopsticks. "You should eat too."
Yunxiao quickly thanked him, filled his bowl with rice, and ate heartily.
After Yunxiao finished his meal, Xiao Yi sat for a while longer.
When he saw that Ling Yu hadn't returned, he decided not to wait any longer.
The evidence on the Ministry of Personnel could only be used as a last resort.
For now, there were other important matters requiring his attention.
"Yunxiao, send someone to find a few storytellers. Have them spread tales of Prince Ling's achievements in every teahouse."
"The more exaggerated the stories and the larger the audience, the higher the reward!"
Yunxiao was puzzled.
"Prince, Prince Ling isn't the Crown Prince yet. Are we already beginning to build his reputation?"
Xiao Yi rubbed his fingers thoughtfully.
He cast a sideways glance at Yunxiao.
"How do you know I'm helping him build his reputation?"
"If you have people spread tales of his merits, the common folk will surely rally to support him as Crown Prince."
"If this isn't building Prince Ling's reputation, then what is it?"
Xiao Yi's lips curled again. "Heaven's secrets must not be revealed. I'm merely going with the flow."
With that, Xiao Yi's expression turned stern.
"Get it done quickly. I still need to return to the residence."
Yunxiao quickly bowed and hurried off.
At the Pingyang Prince's residence, Old Madam Su was speaking to Su Xian. "Your needlework is excellent, so I feel comfortable having you do this."
"That girl Yunxi's embroidery is far inferior to yours."
Standing nearby, Yunxi looked embarrassed.
"Grandmother, my embroidery has improved recently. Let me make it for you instead."
"Aunt has to manage the household affairs and is busy every day."
"We shouldn't add to her burden."
Old Madam Su glared at Yunxi, then turned to Su Xian.
"Xian'er, am I causing you trouble?"
Su Xian sighed inwardly.
She already knew that her mother had arranged a gathering with Old Madam Wang.
To save face, her mother had insisted she buy various jewelry and fabrics.
She had originally planned to have the mansion's seamstresses make new clothes for her mother and the grandchildren.
But for some reason, her mother had taken it into her head to bring the fabric to her and insist she sew it herself.
In truth, it wasn't that she couldn't do it.
But she was genuinely busy every day.
Moreover, according to Yunxi, the gathering was only a few days away.
And her mother had made endless demands.
Intricate embroidery on the cuffs and hems, patterns stitched all over the garment itself.
Such requirements would take at least a month or two to complete.
Thinking this over, Su Xian forced a smile.
"It's no trouble. Since I married out, I haven't made any clothes for Mother."
"Since Mother has brought it up, this garment can count as my New Year's gift to you."
Old Madam Su had been delighted when Su Xian agreed.
But upon hearing the words "New Year's gift," her smile froze.
