Ye Wanmian understood this truth only too well. She just couldn't swallow this grievance, especially when she saw Bu Hua standing arrogantly behind Xiao Yixuan. Remembering how Bu Hua had made her spend over a hundred copper coins to buy new bowls, dishes, and fabrics last time, she gritted her teeth in hatred.
She could let them search, but they shouldn't get away with it for free. They had to pay a price.
She secretly pinched herself, her eyes turning red. With a touch of grievance, she said, "It's not that I'm reluctant to let the prince come in and search, Your Highness. I'm just scared... Some days ago, that official behind you also knocked on my door late at night. He forced his way in and ransacked my house. He broke all the valuable things in my home and even hurt the yellow dog that accompanied me..."
She grabbed her sleeve to cover her face and burst into tears. "I'm just a widow with no man to rely on. To be treated like this... It's just... Waaah..."
Xiao Yixuan narrowed his eyes. "Is that so?"
He turned to look at Bu Hua. "Is this how General Bu conducts himself outside, ruining my elder brother's reputation?"
Recalling the long - forgotten memory, Bu Hua's face turned alternately pale and red. He lowered his eyes and said, "I was just so concerned about the Crown Prince's safety that I was a bit hasty."
Xiao Jingcheng watched coldly, sneering inwardly.
Concerned about his safety, so he acted rashly? He doubted it.
Moreover...
His gaze shifted between Bu Hua and Xiao Yixuan, and he sneered again.
His life or death was still uncertain, but the guards of the Eastern Palace were quick to find a new master. Should he praise Bu Hua for being "flexible"?
Xiao Yixuan had no idea that the man glaring at him was the Crown Prince they had been searching for. He turned to Ye Wanmian and asked, "How many items did he damage in your home last time?"
Ye Wanmian counted on her fingers. "Pots, bowls, ladles, and basins cost two hundred copper coins in total, the tables and chairs cost a hundred, and the clothes cost two hundred. So it's five hundred copper coins in total."
Bu Hua immediately retorted, "You country woman, you're asking for too much!"
Xiao Yixuan stopped him, took out a money bag, and offered it. "Here's fifty taels of silver. Consider it compensation for your losses, miss. I apologize to you on his behalf."
Ye Wanmian took the money bag and weighed it. Her eyes curved into a happy smile. "The prince is really generous. In that case, please come in, Your Highness."
She stood up, dusted off her clothes, and made way.
Xiao Yixuan waved his hand at the people behind him. "Go in and search."
Bu Hua glared at Ye Wanmian fiercely and led his men into the inner room. Ye Wanmian called out, "Be careful with the bowls, dishes, tables, and chairs I just bought!"
Xiao Yixuan didn't follow Bu Hua and the others into the house. Instead, he stood in the yard with his hands behind his back, looking around. Although Ye Wanmian seemed relaxed and natural, she was actually quite tense inside.
A pair of eyes fixed on her. She heard Xiao Yixuan ask,
"I heard that you're already married. Your husband once served in the frontier army but died in battle. After his death, you left the frontier and came here to live, right?"
Since Xiao Yixuan had found this place, he must have learned about her background. So Ye Wanmian didn't try to hide it.
She lowered her head, sighed softly, and wiped the corner of her eyes. "Yes, my poor husband didn't even get to enjoy a peaceful life with his wife and children before sacrificing himself for the country."
She sounded so sad, but it grated on Xiao Jingcheng's ears.
It wasn't the first time he had heard her mention something about her "deceased husband", but he had never felt so uncomfortable before.
She seemed to be truly in love with that early - deceased "husband". Even though he had been dead for so long, she still missed him. Not only did she remain chaste for him and reject others' proposals, but she also shed tears for him.
He couldn't help thinking that it would be better if she had no children after becoming a widow at such a young age.
In front of him, Xiao Yixuan was also a bit stunned by her words. He frowned and then asked, "So, Miss Jiang came to Dongli Town in the past two years? Why did you choose Dongli Town to settle down? Do you have any relatives here?"
Ye Wanmian paused in the act of wiping her tears and said quite naturally, "I have no relatives here. I just think this place is beautiful and suitable for a secluded life."
"Oh, really?" Xiao Yixuan seemed to smile. "I wonder what your deceased husband's name was and which general he served under in which city. I see that you've been living a hard life alone. After I return to the capital, I can submit a memorial to the Ministry of War and ask them to allocate some more pension for you."
Ye Wanmian used to deal with Xiao Yixuan often in the capital. This "cousin" seemed carefree, but in fact, he was very scheming. She blushed a little and said,
"I'm just a woman. I don't know these things. My husband didn't like to talk to me about this when he was at home. I only know that his superior was surnamed Wei, and people usually called him Captain Wei."
There were many centurions in a military camp. She didn't believe he could investigate city by city.
Sure enough, Xiao Yixuan didn't continue to ask. Bu Hua led his men out of the room, looking gloomy. He said to Xiao Yixuan, "Your Highness, we found nothing."
Xiao Yixuan glanced at Ye Wanmian and asked, "You didn't damage any items in the house, did you?"
Bu Hua looked extremely aggrieved and gritted his teeth. "No."
Xiao Yixuan nodded slightly at Ye Wanmian. "It seems we made a mistake. We disturbed you tonight, Miss Jiang. Please don't blame us. We won't bother you anymore. Farewell."
Xiao Yixuan led Bu Hua and the other guards out of the yard in a rush. Ye Wanmian stood by the door and waved. "Take care, Your Highness and all the officials."
When they were far away, Ye Wanmian let out a sigh of relief. She quickly closed the door and bolted it, all in one smooth motion.
Finally, she had sent these plague gods away!
She turned around and walked quickly into the house. She looked around by the light. Although the things in the house were a bit messy and the tables and chairs were out of place, at least everything was still there.
As she tidied up the house and put things back in place, Ye Wanmian lowered her head and thought.
What on earth was lost in Liuxiang Tower that could make Prince Xuan and the guards of the Eastern Palace so alarmed that they conducted a search at night?
Could it be something related to the Crown Prince Xiao Jingcheng?
Ye Wanmian didn't know that she had accidentally guessed the truth. She thought that since something so important was lost, Xiao Yixuan, Bu Hua, and the others probably wouldn't come back. She yawned, rubbed her eyes, and walked back to the bed.
It was still early before dawn. She could still sleep for a while.
Xiao Jingcheng was about to jump onto the bed when he heard a very faint sound from outside. His canine instincts made him tense up instantly. He subconsciously stood in front of Ye Wanmian.
But someone was faster than him!
A dark shadow slipped into the room like lightning and rushed towards Ye Wanmian!