The top-level junior sister also wants to act weak today

Chapter 177 Luoying Village (2)

Hearing that familiar name, Yan Chuan's face suddenly turned gloomy and he couldn't help but snorted coldly.

"There are so many people in the imperial court. They wouldn't ignore the lives of the children in the entire village just to find one person, right? They haven't been seen for over a month. It's hard to say whether they are dead or alive."

Seeing this, the waiter came over hurriedly, lowered his head and sighed softly: "Alas, sir, you don't know..."

He paused, lowered his voice, and glanced around, afraid to be overheard. "Our current emperor has no opinions of his own and always listens to Prime Minister Xu. Now that he's disappeared, he doesn't know what to do. He insists on finding Prime Minister Xu first, and then letting him make arrangements."

Jiang Yingxue smiled and said, "I didn't expect that you, a waiter, know so much."

"Ah, we odd jobs, spending all day entertaining those passing guests who come for food and lodging, do hear more than others."

"Then do you know who the court sent this time?"

The waiter shook his head. "I don't know, but I heard that it was because His Royal Highness the Crown Prince couldn't stand it anymore and insisted on sending someone to He'an County, so they came. I guess they are people the Crown Prince trusts."

If someone is trusted by the Crown Prince, then he can be considered one of his own.

Jiang Yingxue nodded and gave the waiter some change: "Thank you. Lead the way."

The waiter smiled from ear to ear at the sight of the silver and became even more attentive: "Thank you for the tip, sir. Please follow me!"

The waiter led them through a corridor and pushed open a wooden door. Inside was a simple but tidy room with only a wooden bed and a table. The moonlight from outside the window shone through the window paper, bringing with it a hint of cold light.

Although the room is simple, it makes people feel a sense of security.

The waiter stopped at the door and said with a smile, "This room and the one next door are the rooms you requested. Although the inn is old, it is quiet enough. If you are tired, you can rest for a while. I won't disturb you."

With that, the waiter retreated.

Seeing this, Jiang Yingxue pulled Chu Ying into the room and then said to the two people outside, "It's late, everyone go back to your rooms and rest. Tomorrow morning, we will go to the inn ahead and consult with the court officials to discuss the situation."

"I don't think that's right." Yan Chuan immediately retorted: "The court has been dragging their feet and only coming now, which clearly shows they have no interest in investigating the case. If we rush over, at best they'll think our Xianyun Sect is meddling too much. At worst, they'll simply refuse to let us get involved."

He stood outside the door, the light from the oil lamp shining on his shoulders, making him look even taller.

Jiang Yingxue understood that what Yan Chuan said made sense, but...

She looked up at Yan Chuan, her eyes bright and calm: "Just now the waiter said that the person sent by the court this time is someone trusted by the Crown Prince. If it is really someone the Crown Prince has sent, I believe this situation would not have happened."

Upon hearing this, Yan Chuan's eyes flickered slightly: "Do you trust your prince brother so much?"

"The Crown Prince and I have been childhood sweethearts for so many years. Don't I know him well? He is always cautious and fair in his actions. The people he sends must be trustworthy."

Jiang Yingxue paused and said, "However, you do have a point. I can't trust everything the waiter says. Tomorrow I will go and see who is coming from the court before making a decision."

Her voice gradually lowered, with a hint of fatigue, and then she raised her hand, gently closed the door, and left a faint farewell: "Okay, go to bed first, good night."

Cen Yizhi stared at the tightly closed door and looked at Yan Chuan helplessly: "Big Brother... Yingxue seems to have a good relationship with that prince..."

Yan Chuan's expression instantly turned colder. He pursed his lips, frowning slightly, but he still maintained a calm demeanor. His tone was a little stiff, "I know, I don't need you to remind me."

After saying that, he took a step forward and strode towards the next room. He pushed open the door and walked straight in. The sound of his footsteps was particularly clear in the silent night.

Cen Yizi looked at his back, the corner of his mouth twitched, and he couldn't help shaking his head. Then he quickly followed him, still unwilling to give up and said: "I remind you because I'm afraid you will regret it. If Yingxue follows someone else by then-"

Before he finished speaking, Yan Chuan suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at him with a cold look in his eyes: "If you don't want to sleep, don't come in."

Cen Yi was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses and sighed inwardly. He looked at Yan Chuan's usually stern face and could clearly sense the complex emotions that flashed across his eyes.

That unspeakable emotion was like a suppressed flame, burning Yan Chuan and making him feel uncomfortable, but he endured it tightly, refusing to let anyone notice.

"Oh, I really admire you." Cen Yizi muttered softly, then quickly went into the room and closed the door gently.

The next day, just after dawn, a few people set out from the inn and walked along the bluestone-paved street towards the inn that the waiter mentioned.

After walking for a while, the inn came into view. Unlike the humble inn I'd stayed at the previous night, this one had a tall door lintel, brand new red lanterns hung on either side, and the door frame was carved with intricate cloud patterns. The three golden characters "Yingfengju" on the plaque gleamed brightly in the morning light.

The first floor happened to be the dining area, so they found a table, ordered some breakfast and started eating.

Yan Chuan lowered his head and took a sip of tea, his eyes casually scanning the surroundings. He saw that half of the tables in the hall were already occupied. The diners were eating breakfast and chatting in low voices.

Suddenly, a low voice came from the next table, attracting the attention of several people.

"Hey, let me tell you, someone from the imperial court came last night and stayed at this inn."

"You know about this kind of thing?" Another voice asked skeptically, with a hint of joking in its tone.

"What a joke! I'm a constable. I'm the first to know what happens in this county." The man put down his teacup, obviously feeling a little proud.

Hearing the words "people from the imperial court," several people's brows twitched imperceptibly. They put down their chopsticks and glanced at the people talking at the table.

"Why are the court officials here? To investigate the disappearance of the child?"

"Of course not." The man who claimed to be a constable took a bite of the bun and answered vaguely, with some soup still on the corner of his mouth.

The older customer scoffed, "Oh, that's ridiculous! They've been missing for a month, and they're only now checking. And what kind of official did they send? If it's a weak civil servant, there's no need."

"Why?" The other man was puzzled. He reached out and grabbed the teacup, drinking from it while saying, "Although this civil servant may not be good at fighting, he can solve cases."