After that, Xiao Yixuan knew everything.
The Ye family welcomed their real daughter back to the mansion. They announced to the public that they had accidentally swapped the babies back then and had only now found the whereabouts of their biological child. They had fetched her from Dongli Town to the capital city and would raise her by their side from then on.
As for Ye Wanmian, since she had outlived her usefulness, she was naturally discarded.
Xiao Yixuan snorted and pushed Ye Wanxing's face away. He took out a handkerchief and wiped his fingers.
"You told me back then that she occupied the fate of the Ye family's daughter, which was bad for the Ye family, and that she should be sent away as soon as possible. That's why I cooperated with you and framed her for seducing me at the Spring Banquet, ruining her reputation."
"In fact, only when she left could you completely take over the fate that originally belonged to her."
Ye Wanxing lowered her eyelashes and said tremulously, "Yes..."
"Good. You're really good." There was not a trace of warmth in Xiao Yixuan's voice. "For the sake of wealth and honor, you even plotted against me."
Ye Wanxing quickly grabbed the corner of his robe and put on a pitiful look. "If she hadn't escaped from Xuanzhou and died there as planned, this scheme would have been foolproof. And if I married Your Highness, I could help Your Highness ascend to the throne."
"It's just that... we didn't expect..."
Xiao Yixuan finished her sentence. "You just didn't expect that she would elope from Xuanzhou and disappear without a trace, ruining your plan?"
"Why did you come to Dongli Town with me?"
Ye Wanxing replied, "Mother told me to come to Dongli Town to find Master Huaihai and ask him to find a way to make the life - swapping plan a complete success. If Master Huaihai was not there, I was to kill her biological mother. Master Huaihai said that the fates of the mother and daughter were intertwined. As long as one of them died, the other would not survive."
"But I never expected that Master Huaihai lied. He wasn't traveling at all. He was hiding in Ling'an Temple. If I had known he was there, this wouldn't have happened!"
Ye Wanxing's tone softened again. She leaned towards Xiao Yixuan. "Your Highness, Xing'er has always been whole - heartedly devoted to you. I really want to marry you. Even though the life - swapping plan has failed, Xing'er is willing to do her best to help Your Highness."
"Your Highness is a man after all. If you find Sister Mian'er's whereabouts one day, Sister Mian'er may not trust you, but Xing'er can definitely persuade her for you and make her serve Your Highness."
"As long as Your Highness is still willing to give Xing'er another chance."
Xiao Yixuan fell into deep thought.
Indeed, the people in Dongli Town were all saying that Jiang Mian was dead, but he didn't believe it. He was determined to find her and claim her for himself. But now he had no idea where she was. Even if he found her, it would be difficult to gain her trust under the current situation.
It would be better to let Ye Wanxing do it.
Pinching Ye Wanxing's chin, Xiao Yixuan squinted at her. His usually gentle and elegant face was full of coldness and calculation. "Remember what you said today. You should know that the Ye family can only rely on me now. I decide whether you live or die. If I want you dead, your bones may not even be found."
"Do things well for me, and you can keep the wealth and honor of the Ye family. Do you understand?"
Ye Wanxing said softly, "Your servant understands."
She leaned her face on Xiao Yixuan's shoulder, her voice becoming more charming. "Your Highness, we are already married. I'm yours now. Please... love me."
Xiao Yixuan picked her up horizontally and walked towards the red bed not far away, which was covered with peanuts, melon seeds, and jujube kernels.
Meng Zhao heard the commotion in the room. He waved his hand at the guards standing outside the door and called a few maids to wait outside with hot water and towels.
After a long time, the commotion inside the curtain finally stopped. Xiao Yixuan asked for water.
The maids filed in. They wiped Xiao Yixuan and Ye Wanxing with towels and helped them get dressed. Then Xiao Yixuan left without looking back.
Early the next morning, Xiao Yixuan counted his men, led Yu Si and Meng Zhao, and set off for Dongli Town again.
At the same time, in the open space of the Dongli Town market, a crowd of villagers gathered around Xiao Wuchen.
"Everyone should know the current situation of the Great Sheng. If we stay here, not only will we not be able to spread the deeds of Crown Prince Brother, but we may also lose our lives."
His steady voice echoed throughout the open space. Everyone listened in silence.
"In this king's heart, there will always be only one Sheng Kingdom. The one who truly cares about the world and the people is the king of the Sheng Kingdom."
"I don't want to get involved in the disputes on either side, but I also don't want to be restricted by the situation in Southern Sheng and hold back Crown Prince Brother. So I plan to lead my guards away from Dongli Town, stay away from the disputes, and build my own surprise troop. I will also find a way to spread the heroic deeds of Crown Prince Brother so that more people will know."
"If anyone is willing to leave with me, we will share the glory and disgrace from now on, advancing and retreating together. If not, this king will not force you."
After saying that, Xiao Wuchen patiently waited.
Qi Wen was the first to stand up. "I'm willing to follow Your Highness and spread the storybooks I wrote for the Crown Prince all over the place."
Zhao Hu also said, "If we stay, we'll be recruited into the Cangzhou Army to fight in the north. I'd rather follow Prince Ning than be a tool in the hands of that so - called Crown Prince Xuan!"
With these two as examples, soon a third person responded, then a fourth, a fifth...
In the end, 70% of the people were willing to follow Xiao Wuchen!
Moreover, they were all the young and strong people in the town. Those who were not willing to leave were the elderly women, the old people, and the children.
Xiao Wuchen was very satisfied with this result. He expected that Xiao Yixuan would soon lead his men here. Without any delay, he roughly counted the number of people and immediately led them away. He left very neatly.
When Xiao Yixuan led the Cangzhou Army to Dongli Town, Xiao Wuchen had already led his men 20 li away.
...
On the other side, after Jiang Mian and the others' carriages left Jiaowei Village, they first traveled 10 li west and then came to the fork in the road that the villagers of Jiaowei Village had mentioned.
At this fork, one road led to the northwest, and the other led to the northeast. The latter should be the road to Huyong Town.
The two carriages stopped at the fork. Jiang Mian lifted the curtain, and Xiao Jingcheng controlled the body of the yellow dog to jump out of the carriage. It sniffed back and forth between the two forks.
Dogs could smell scents that humans couldn't. At this moment, different scents were like invisible threads, drilling into Xiao Jingcheng's nostrils from all directions. He patiently distinguished them.
Soon, Xiao Jingcheng made a judgment in his heart. He controlled the body of the yellow dog and ran back to Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian squatted down and asked, "Big Huang, which road do you choose?"
Xiao Jingcheng barked towards the northwest fork.
Jiang Mian laughed happily. "Big Huang chose the same road as me."