157, Seeing Through (2nd Update)
The fool’s heart ached upon hearing those words.
Xie Zhinuan was very good, extremely good.
She was kind-hearted, and possessed an indescribable purity and amiability.
As a spy who had never known warmth, she yearned to be close to Xie Zhinuan. Xie Zhinuan always seemed lively, cheerful, and optimistic to her. This was the first time she saw her looking somewhat bewildered and hostile toward the world.
“Miss… it’s not like that!” the fool called out gently.
“Whether it is like that or not, we will know after the investigation is clear. It won’t take long, no rush!” Xie Zhinuan said softly.
She propped her cheeks with both hands.
For the first time, she felt anger rising.
Upon her delicate face, the gentleness receded, and shadows crept over, her eyebrows knitting together.
From where Li Hengyi sat, he could just catch Xie Zhinuan’s expression.
Already displeased, his mood now turned even more somber. Looking at the County Magistrate and the schoolmaster kneeling on the ground, he ordered coldly, “Conduct a thorough investigation. Strip a layer of skin from anyone involved, be it whoever!”
They were taking the Imperial Court’s salary, yet they mitted acts of bullying the mon people.
The County Magistrate and the schoolmaster trembled in fear, their bodies shaking. The County Magistrate cursed the schoolmaster in his heart, and the schoolmaster cursed that young master Lu.
At this moment, young master Lu was kowtowing and bowing to someone, exhibiting a slavish demeanor.
“Crown Prince, I did everything as you instructed. We just need to wait until that Miss Xie arrives in the county town…” young master Lu said ingratiatingly.
He was a concubine’s son. Although his concubine mother was favored, his stepmother’s family was too distinguished for his mother to dare act recklessly, and he dared not provoke his legitimate brothers.
Otherwise, he would not have left the prefectural city’s academy to e to the county town. That was because his two legitimate brothers were in the academy in the prefectural city.
Gu Yichen nodded, his mind already plotting. Once Xie Zhinuan ran out of options for help, he would establish a connection with her. When the time came to play the hero saving the beauty, there was no way the beauty would remain unmoved.
Gai Ke was also beside him, congratulating Gu Yichen on winning the beauty’s favor.
Gu Yichen smiled, his heart delighting in the thought of waiting a bit longer for Xie Zhinuan to reach the county town.
“Has there been any news from the city gate?” Gu Yichen inquired.
“Crown Prince, you have put a lot of thought into this. Our people are watching the area. As soon as they see a carriage from Yuanji, they will e to report immediately!” Gai Ke promptly replied.
Gu Yichen hummed in acknowledgment, his determination to have Xie Zhinuan never stronger.
Of course, there were plenty of beauties in the world, and typically it was a matter of mutual consent. Gu Yichen loved the pany of beauties and was adept at capturing their hearts, making them willingly enter his residence as concubines for him to enjoy.
He waited, unaware that their conversation had long been overheard by someone- a cloaked figure who came silently and left without a trace.
The figure returned to the County Governor’s Office to report.
Li Hengyi called out to the exterior, “Miss Xie!”
Xie Zhinuan, ing back to her senses, looked up at Li Hengyi with a puzzled expression, “?”
“There’s news!”
Xie Zhinuan blinked slowly, stood up, and tidied her clothes. She was quite graceful; however, Li Hengyi watched her with an intense look in his eyes and quickly turned his head away.
The County Magistrate stole a glance at Li Hengyi and happened to witness this exchange.
His heart skipped a beat.
As someone experienced in romantic affairs, he knew all too well how a man’s expression and attitude toward a woman change once he harbors feelings for her. And this formidable Prince Heng, the current Emperor’s eldest legitimate son, would have been made Crown Prince for his merits if not for an incident three years ago. He was known for his extreme personal integrity, with not even a single attendent by his side.
But look at the way he looked at Miss Xie. He clearly wanted to look but didn’t dare to stare too blatantly. He sneakily watched her, all the while hiding his sentiments.
His protectiveness toward Miss Xie was tight. He thought about what he said over and over again, fearing to speak the wrong words and anger the lady.
This was clearly the sign of a man struck by affection, and yet he himself was unaware.
Chapter 159
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