Chapter 544.2: disappeared? (2/2)

Thirteen days passed uneventfully and the capital was just as bustling as it always was. The fight to consolidate power had quieted and Xie Yun had also been recuperating, even if he was not back to his former self.

The Imperial Princess of the Western Region was still in the posthouse, and seemed to tour around Beimin everyday, trying out their delicacies and enjoying the scenery. Commander Zhao Wu had been looking into eligible males in Beimin, and realised that although they could not compare to Prince Hao, there were indeed some officials whose sons were rather impressive. However, he knew that the Grand Empress Dowager would never agree.

Before they set off for Beimin, the Grand Empress Dowager had called for Commander Zhao Wu to inform him of her top three choices; at the forefront of that list was none other than Prince Hao.

Everything seemed to be very calm. Too calm, in fact.

Wu Ling alighted from his horse outside the Prince Hao Residence. Pei Qianhao had instructed him to escort Du Ling from the suburbs about ten miles out from the capital, but there seemed to be no sign of the latter even after waiting for an entire day. Based on their estimates, Du Ling should have arrived by today at the latest.

After some investigation, Wu Ling learnt that there had been a recent bandit attack on a horse carriage, and that those involved were now missing.

When he went to check the corpses that were now lying at a county’s yamen[1] in the suburbs, he realised that they were indeed soldiers from the Western Region. With this, he was certain that something had happened to the Western Region King on his journey to Beimin. Thus, he made his way back to the Prince Hao Residence to report.

Pei Qianhao frowned slightly before his expression relaxed as Wu Ling gave his report in the main hall. Su Xi-er, on the other hand, could not believe something like that could have happened.

“The King of the Western Region is intelligent and powerful. He wouldn’t be fooled with mere trickery.” Su Xi-er firmly spoke after a moment of contemplation.

Wu Ling then answered, “But if that’s the case, where is he now? The only things this subordinate has found are the bodies of the soldiers and damaged horse carriage.”

“Convey my instructions, go on site to investigate this. Bury the remains of the Western Region soldiers where they are.”

1. Something like a magistrate office or a court and police post in modern times.