29 Why Can’t You Be A Little More Shameless (1/2)
29 Why Can’t You Be A Little More Shameless
Translator: YTJS_ | Editor: Perriemix
The battle only ended when day broke. The army was victorious. First-in-charge, who escaped from the secret passageway, was blocked at the entrance and caught. Second-in-charge’s whereabouts, however, were still unknown.
Following Bai Zongye’s arrest, thousands of bandits surrendered, while others refuse to submit. Those that rather die than give in were slaughtered. The notorious Hei Feng Gang finally disintegrated and ceased to exist.
Only, Yaoyao’s tracks had yet to be discovered.
Song Qi led a gang of brothers to search the corpses but was unable to find her. Yaoyao seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Facing the immense victory, Xia Chunyu did not feel happy. His heart felt more and more empty as the seconds passed with no news of Yaoyao. He should've been rejoicing, yet, here he was, sick to his stomach with worry.
”Has no one seen her at all?” Xia Chunyu asked, depressed.
Song Qi replied, ”When we caught second-in-charge’s henchman, Li Tie, he said that before the battle happened, sis… Lady Ye was kidnapped by second-in-charge. She was imprisoned in the little house beside the meeting room. However, when I went over there, there was only a piece of bloodstained rope and an open window. Lady Ye must have escaped from the window.”
When Xia Chunyu heard the word bloodstained, his heart contracted into a tight vise. Second-in-charge must have realized Yaoyao eavesdropped in their conversation and captured her.
”Some men from the group of bandits who were arrested in the meeting room said that Lady Ye told them about it. She was the reason they knew of the passageway.” Song Qi visibly deflated and continued, ”After that… there was no news of Lady Ye.”
”Master Crown Prince, there is someone outside called Auntie Jiang who wishes to see you.” A guard entered with the message.
Auntie Jiang? Xia Chunyu ordered hurriedly, ”Let her in.”
After escaping the previous night, Auntie Jiang was busy taking care of the injured Auntie Zhao. She only came to look for third-in-charge to inquire about third madam. She was going to go as soon as she finished helping Auntie Zhao settle down, but she had no idea where third-in-charge was. She had asked many soldiers but they all ignored her. She couldn't ask her old partner because he had gone to lead the army to the secret passageway to chase after first-in-charge.
”Third-in-charge!” At the sight of third-in-charge, Auntie Jiang was overwhelmed by an inexpressible agitation.
Song Qi smiled. ”Auntie Jiang, it's time to call him Master Crown Prince.”
”Yes, yes, my stupid mouth! Master Crown Prince, please do not take offense.” Auntie Jiang laughed in embarrassment.
Xia Chunyu was not concerned. ”Auntie Jiang, have you seen Yaoyao?”
Auntie Jiang was astounded. ”Master Crown Prince, you haven't found third madam yet? That is terrible.”
Xia Chunyu’s heart sank. ”What do you mean?”
Aunti Jiang recounted the events of the previous night. She started with how she and Auntie Zhao met second-in-charge and almost got slashed by him, continuing onto how third madam came to save them and became second-in-charge’s hostage.
”Auntie Zhao and I followed the direction third madam gave to look for you, Master Crown Prince. It was a pity we could not find you, but instead, we ran into a few soldiers. I told them where the second-in-charge of the stockade was at and they chased after him. I thought third madam would have been saved. Third madam gave herself over to save me, otherwise, she would not have been held hostage by second-in-charge. This is all my fault!” Auntie Jiang thought of Ye Jiayao’s kind and selfless heart, and could not help but weep grievingly.
Xia Chunyu’s brows were knitted. ”Yaoyao said she saw me and even pointed you in the direction I was at?”
Auntie Jiang nodded.
”Which direction did she point in?” Xia Chunyu asked.
Auntie Jiang choked with emotions, ”The training grounds.”
Xia Chunyu and Song Qi looked at each other in dismay. The previous night, he did chase second-in-charge, Shengwu, all the way to the training grounds, but he left when he realized that person was not Shengwu. How did Yaoyao know? Did she see him? When was it? Why didn’t she come out to meet him if she saw him? Did she make use of the chaos to escape?
”Oh, right! I remember third madam said something like, you are the crown prince and don’t want her anymore.” Auntie Jiang was so afraid at that moment and did not listen carefully.
Ugh! When did he say anything like that? Ridiculous!
Song Qi suddenly remembered something, saying hesitantly, ”Master Crown Prince, could it be possible that Lady Ye was there near the courtyard at that time?”
Master Crown Prince have said something along the lines of putting on an act.
Xia Chunyu’s face lost all of its colors. If it was really then... but wasn’t she always very thick-skinned? When did she become so sensitive?
Song Qi looked at the Master Crown Prince with sympathy. The Master Crown Prince was just reluctant to admit it, but he obviously cared about sister-in-law a lot.
”Chunyu!” A handsome man dressed splendidly walked in.
”Marquis,” Xia Chunyu welcomed with cupped hands.
Helian was the only king who still had a different family name from the ruling emperor, Zhao. Helian Xuan was an outstanding talent from the Helian royal family. The late Helian Marquis passed away at his prime, and Helian Xuan took over his position as the Marquis from a young age. He had a deep friendship with Xia Chunyu, and this time they worked together hand in hand to get rid of Hei Feng Gang who had been wreaking havoc in Shan Dong for more than 10 years.
”Shengwu's corpse had been found,” Helian Xuan relayed.
”Where is it?” Xia Chunyu shuddered at the worry of Yaoyao's condition. Where is she?
”It is right outside. He was shot like a porcupine. The soldiers only realized that it was Shengwu as they were cleaning up.”
Xia Chunyu walked out at a fast pace with Song Qi and Auntie Jiang following him.
In the courtyard, a corpse lay on its stomach with more than 10 arrows piercing his back. Xia Chunyu went up to examine him.