“How many carts are missing?” Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes.
“And who else is trying to get their hands on the provisions?”
“Was it the Sixth Prince or the Seventh Prince?”
A strange look flashed through Ling Yu’s eyes, and he lowered his head.
“Your Highness, neither of them.”
“Following your orders, we lured the people sent by the other princes away ahead of time.”
Xiao Yi thought of a possibility, and his hand clenched tightly.
“Have you found out who did it?”
Ling Yu hesitated for a moment before lowering his head even further.
“After discovering that several carts were missing, I had our men return the provisions while I began investigating.”
“Later, I found traces of Shitou and the others.”
When Xiao Yi heard the name “Shitou,” a look of surprise flashed through his eyes.
His body relaxed almost imperceptibly.
Seeing that the prince remained silent, Ling Yu continued reporting.
“At first, I thought they had merely happened to pass by.”
“Later, I discovered that he was leading more than a dozen youths toward the border with the carts.”
“I counted them carefully and realized that the number of carts matched the number of carts of provisions that had gone missing.”
A faint smile appeared in Xiao Yi’s eyes.
That Duoduo had actually dared to take advantage of the chaos and rob the provisions.
She certainly had courage!
No wonder she had insisted on meeting Shitou personally.
But what did she want the provisions for?
Could it be that she was short of money?
At that thought, Xiao Yi’s brows furrowed.
Seeing that the prince still had not asked any questions, Ling Yu continued.
“I followed Shitou and the others to find out what they intended to do with the provisions.”
“In the end, I saw them return everything.”
Xiao Yi raised his eyes.
“They returned all of it?”
Seeing that the prince had finally reacted, Ling Yu hurriedly nodded.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“They placed the several carts of provisions they had taken along the route the soldiers transporting the supplies were bound to pass.”
Xiao Yi was somewhat taken aback.
Duoduo had ordered someone to steal the provisions, only to return them afterward.
What was the point?
Could it be…
Did Duoduo have the same idea as him?
At this thought, the corners of Xiao Yi’s lips curved upward.
She really was his daughter!
Even her ideas were the same as his!
“The Second Prince failed this time, so he’ll definitely send people to intercept the provisions again.”
“Have our men continue following them.”
“If he dares to make a move, show no mercy!” Xiao Yi’s voice was filled with murderous intent.
Ling Yu cupped his fists. “Yes!”
After lowering his hands, Ling Yu cautiously looked at Xiao Yi.
“Your Highness, aren’t we helping the Fifth Prince by doing this?”
“Besides, the Fifth Prince has a good relationship with the Crown Prince. If he succeeds, he certainly won’t spare us.”
Xiao Yi’s eyelids did not move.
“I ordered you to spread the news that the Crown Prince was the one intercepting the provisions. Has it been done?”
Ling Yu hurriedly replied, “When we stopped the men sent by the other princes, I deliberately exposed the token of Prince Pingyang’s residence.”
“So they must have guessed that the people intercepting the provisions were the Crown Prince’s men.”
“If nothing unexpected happens, everyone will assume that the Crown Prince’s men intercepted the provisions and then returned them.”
Ling Yu did not quite understand why Xiao Yi had sent them to carry out such a pointless act.
Xiao Yi nodded and changed the subject.
“Has Lingfeng reached the border? What is the situation there now?”
Upon hearing Xiao Yi’s question, Ling Yu immediately straightened and answered solemnly.
In another courtyard of Prince Pingyang’s residence, a pigeon flew to the window.
“Coo, coo, coo!”
“It’s a carrier pigeon!” Lüdou was the first to notice it and walked over to the window.
“Princess!” Lüdou took the letter and handed it to Duoduo.
Duoduo set down the book in her hands and accepted the note.
After the time it took to brew a cup of tea, Duoduo put down her brush and raised her head.
Her face was full of smiles.
“Shitou and the others succeeded!”
“They even managed to steal several carts of provisions.”
Lüdou looked delighted. “Shitou and the others are actually that capable?”
Duoduo nodded. “Not bad!”
“Looks like this Liqing is quite talented!”
Duoduo knew that her Second Uncle would never send ordinary guards to steal the provisions.
The fact that Shitou and the others had managed to take back several carts had already exceeded her expectations.
“The Princess is right!” Lüdou agreed.
In the study, Yunxiao hurriedly came over and knocked on the door.
“Come in.” Xiao Yi motioned for Ling Yu to stop.
Yunxiao entered and bowed.
“Your Highness, someone was lurking suspiciously outside the residence just now.”
“I went out to take a look and found that he was asking about the Princess.”
Xiao Yi’s eyes narrowed.
“Who was it?”
Yunxiao shook his head. “A young man.”
“However, I’ve already arranged for someone to keep an eye on him.”
“If anything happens, I’ll report back immediately!” Xiao Yi’s tone was grave.
Had Shitou and the others exposed their identities?
Had someone discovered that Duoduo was the person behind them?
“Yunxiao, go and bring Shitou here.” Xiao Yi immediately gave the order.
Ling Yu quickly spoke up. “Your Highness, Shitou and the others followed the convoy transporting the provisions to the border.”
Xiao Yi froze.
“They went with them?”
Ling Yu nodded. “Yes. Our men saw them in a town.”
“There were twelve youths in all. Not one was missing!”
Xiao Yi thought for a moment. “There are thirteen of them in total.”
Ling Yu froze. “Thirteen? Then there’s still one in the capital!”
Yunxiao cupped his fists. “Then I’ll go to that residence.”
Xiao Yi waved his hand, and Yunxiao withdrew.
Meanwhile, Duoduo stuffed the note she had written into the bamboo tube tied to the carrier pigeon’s leg and released it.
At that moment, Qingliu hurried in.
“Princess, there’s someone outside asking about you.” Qingliu reported breathlessly.
Duoduo turned back curiously.
“Who is it?”
Qingliu shook her head. “This servant has never seen him before.”
Duoduo pondered for a moment. “Come on, let’s go take a look!”
Lüdou hurriedly stopped her.
“Princess, you mustn’t!”
“Since he doesn’t dare send a formal invitation to request an audience, he’s clearly up to no good!”
“It’s too dangerous for you to go out and meet him!”
Duoduo tilted her little head.
“But I’m bored.”
“Besides, this is Prince Pingyang’s residence. What could he possibly dare to do at our doorstep?”
“Qingliu, let’s go!”
As Duoduo spoke, she strode toward the exit.
Lüdou stomped her foot anxiously and hurried after her.
The three of them soon arrived at the entrance of Prince Pingyang’s residence.
Qingliu pointed to someone outside and said, “Princess, that’s the person.”
Duoduo cautiously peered outside.
The person standing there was a fairly young boy.
He seemed anxious and kept looking toward Prince Pingyang’s residence.
Duoduo remembered that she had asked Shitou to purchase people.
Could this person have been sent by Shitou to find her?
“Qingliu, go and bring him here,” Duoduo ordered.
Qingliu hesitated. “Princess, should we inform Your Highness first?”
