Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 1277 - 400: Escape, Matters of Marriage for the Children_3

Chapter 1277: Chapter 400: Escape, Matters of Marriage for the Children_3

The escape of the criminals had infuriated Emperor Huian to the point of thunderous rage. He couldn’t bother with punishing the negligent Criminal Department Officials; instead, he decisively issued an order to dispatch eight hundred elite soldiers to guard the four major city gates, inspecting the commoners as they entered and exited. Moreover, another thousand elite troops were dispatched to work with WuChengBingMaSi to carry out a carpet-style search within the city.

However, these spies vanished as if into thin air, leaving not a trace to be found. The soldiers guarding the city gates didn’t find any clues among the people they inspected either. If not for the fact that the city gates hadn’t been opened at night and no other accomplices could have left the city, it would almost seem as if these spies had indeed managed to escape.

Having received news and rushed back to the city during the night, Xiao Ruiyuan was invited to the Prince’s Mansion by Chu Heng’s men. The implications of this issue were vast; without finding those spies, the secret of manufacturing firearms could be exposed, which was very dangerous for Great Chu.

"How do you see this matter?" Chu Heng asked with a serious expression.

Xiao Ruiyuan replied gravely, "Clearly these spies’ disappearance was premeditated. They either still have accomplices that have not been caught, or they are colluding with someone from the Ministry of Penal Affairs or other officials in the imperial court."

Otherwise, where did the source of the fire come from during the arson? How could they disappear without a trace after fleeing in the chaos, even when every inch of the city was being searched?

Chu Heng was obviously thinking along the same lines. Showing no surprise at Xiao Ruiyuan’s answer, he said, "Last night, The Emperor secretly dispatched people to interrogate the heads of the Ministry of Penal Affairs, and rigorously surveilled several Ministers with suspicions, yet nothing was discovered. The Emperor is more inclined to believe that the spies who have not been arrested are the ones who orchestrated this."

A thought crossed Xiao Ruiyuan’s brow; he was more inclined to believe that someone in the court was colluding with the foreign spies. However, this person was so well-concealed that he couldn’t immediately figure out who it was.

Chu Heng didn’t miss the slight change in Xiao Ruiyuan’s expression and said with a smile, "It seems you and I are thinking alike. Even if there truly are spies outside to respond to them, their ability to quickly hide without letting anyone detect them is not within their capability."

Xiao Ruiyuan nodded, asking, "Do you have any suspects in mind, cousin?"

Chu Heng shook his head slowly, "I cannot be certain of anyone without solid evidence." That was precisely why the investigation was troublesome. Even if they monitored every Minister in the imperial court, it might not be effective.

"As long as we find the people, the mastermind behind them will have nowhere to hide." Xiao Ruiyuan was not very worried about finding the individuals. He didn’t believe that with so many elite soldiers searching, those people could escape. Right now, it was a matter of who had more patience.

Chu Heng nodded, that was all they could do for now.

"By the way, cousin," Xiao Ruiyuan thought of another matter and reminded him, "In a few days will be the imperial grandson’s full month celebration. It will inevitably be chaotic with many people around. You should dispatch more guards and station them around the Prince’s Mansion as much as possible."

At those words, Chu Heng considered a certain possibility. His expression turned grave, and he took his cousin’s suggestion.

Leaving the Prince’s Mansion, daylight was already upon them. Just as Xiao Ruiyuan returned to the General Mansion, he received a decree from Emperor Huian. After a quick grooming and changing into formal attire, he followed the eunuch who delivered the edict to the Imperial palace.

As he was still on leave, Xiao Ruiyuan wasn’t required to attend the morning court. By the time he arrived at the Imperial study, Emperor Huian had already finished the morning court and was reviewing memorials.

"What is your view on this matter?" Emperor Huian asked directly, putting down his cinnabar brush.

"Answering The Emperor, your humble servant is incompetent and currently has no leads." Xiao Ruiyuan replied, maintaining a much more cautious demeanor before Emperor Huian.

Emperor Huian seemed somewhat dissatisfied with this answer and while looking at Xiao Ruiyuan he said, "Those spies were originally captured by you. Presumably, you are more familiar with their ways than others. This time, due to negligence, they escaped. How to find them now—I will leave this matter to you."

Xiao Ruiyuan remained silent, unable to refuse Emperor Huian’s command, he said while clasping his fist, "Your humble servant obeys." Yet in his heart, he lamented how his well-deserved vacation had just vanished.

Having discussed official matters, Emperor Huian’s demeanor now seemed less imposing. His gaze towards Xiao Ruiyuan even contained a bit of an elder’s tender affection, "You’re not getting any younger. When do you plan to marry Miss Hejia?"

Xiao Ruiyuan did not expect Emperor Huian to bring this up. His mind raced through various thoughts, but his face remained unchanged, "Responding to The Emperor, barring any accidents, your humble servant plans to marry Miss Hejia next year."

"Next year? That is quite soon!" Emperor Huian appeared delighted and said half-seriously, "If you get married at the beginning of the year, by the end of the year, you might be able to hold a child. If it’s a boy, he can grow up with Yao. If it’s a girl, she can be betrothed to Yao."