After Xin Zizhao heard Wei Shuxuan's words, he thought carefully. It seemed that from the first time they met at the enfeoffment ceremony, he had felt that Xin Yeheng was a bit strange. They didn't like each other at first sight. In the past, every time Xin Yeheng saw him, there was a hint of disgust in his eyes. However, at the enfeoffment ceremony, he didn't see any disgust in Xin Yeheng's eyes. Instead, there was more obedience.
However, he wasn't in the mood to pay attention to such trivial matters at that time. After the enfeoffment ceremony ended, he went straight back to the Fenghe Palace. He hadn't seen Xin Yeheng since then.
Seeing Xin Zizhao still deep in thought, Wei Shuxuan frowned. "No way? You didn't even notice? You came back earlier than me!"
"I... wasn't in the mood to care about these things at that time. I didn't pay much attention."
Since Xin Yeheng was still waiting for them in the main hall, they only chatted briefly before entering. Wei Shuxuan walked up to Xin Yeheng with a sweet smile on her face. "Prince Eleven, I wonder if you still remember what happened between us before?"
"Replying to the Empress Dowager, what happened between us before?" From Xin Yeheng's eyes, Wei Shuxuan could tell that he really seemed to have no memory. However, memories could deceive, but the body couldn't. Wei Shuxuan could still feel the passionate and intense feelings Xin Yeheng had for her, just the same as before.
"Prince Eleven, do you really not remember?" Wei Shuxuan asked him again, but Xin Yeheng seemed to have really lost his memory.
"Do you really not remember what happened between us?"
"I really don't remember, Your Majesty. May I ask what kind of relationship I had with the Empress Dowager before?" Xin Yeheng hooked his lips into a smile, with a hint of charm.
Seeing this, Wei Shuxuan thought that if this child grew a bit older, he would really be a devil.
"Before, I took you in. I treated you as my own younger brother, and you also regarded me as your own elder sister..." A hint of emotion appeared on Wei Shuxuan's face, and there was a look of nostalgia in her eyes as she looked at Xin Yeheng. Meanwhile, Xin Zizhao, sitting on one side, carefully observed the expression on Xin Yeheng's face.
"Really? Why don't I remember?" Xin Zizhao clearly saw the disappointment in Xin Yeheng's eyes. He seemed to be disappointed that he couldn't remember the past.
"It's okay. Anyway, we are like siblings now. You are the half - brother of my husband, so you are also my younger brother!" Wei Shuxuan showed a bright smile to Xin Yeheng. A hint of emotion flashed across Xin Yeheng's still somewhat childish and handsome face.
Xin Zizhao saw all the changes in Xin Yeheng's eyes and expressions. He felt a bit angry in his heart. But then he remembered what Wei Shuxuan had said to him just now. If he got angry at this time, he would become the petty person she had mentioned. Moreover, he had long known about Xuan'er's feelings for him. Why should he care about such things with a young boy who hadn't even grown up yet?
Thinking of this, Xin Zizhao relaxed his mind. The little flame that had been burning his rationality went out instantly, and his expression became calm.
After chatting with Xin Yeheng for a few more words, Wei Shuxuan sent him off from the Fenghe Palace. "Come and chat with me when you're free, Prince Eleven."
"Okay, Your Majesty."
Watching Xin Yeheng's shrinking back, the smile on Wei Shuxuan's face disappeared instantly, and her expression became serious. Xin Zizhao walked out of the Fenghe Palace and saw Wei Shuxuan's serious expression. "What's wrong, Xuan'er?"
"This isn't Sima Yongheng. It seems like he's a different person. Although their faces are the same, their personalities are completely different."
"He has the jade pendant that Sima Yongheng used to carry."
"But it may not be Yongheng. Although he has Yongheng's jade pendant, it doesn't necessarily mean he is Yongheng. Didn't Yongheng disappear before? It's possible that his jade pendant was taken by someone with ulterior motives." Wei Shuxuan explained.
Xin Zizhao looked at Wei Shuxuan and sighed. "Accept the reality. This is Sima Yongheng. I can't see any trace of disguise on him. I think he might have been controlled by someone."
"Controlled?" Wei Shuxuan looked at Xin Zizhao in confusion. Suddenly, a term came to her mind. "Do you mean hypnosis?"
"Not necessarily hypnosis. It's also possible that he was poisoned by a witchcraft and is under someone's control." Then, Xin Zizhao looked at Wei Shuxuan. "But how do you know the term hypnosis?"
Wei Shuxuan was rendered speechless by Xin Zizhao's question. Then she explained with a smile. "I read it in a book before! Don't worry about such a small thing! Let's go back to the Fenghe Palace quickly! I'll tell you about the amazing experiences that Wei Wei and I had after you left!"
Since Wei Shuxuan didn't want to tell him, he wouldn't force her. He had no choice but to follow her into the Fenghe Palace.
"So, you asked Wei Wei to disguise himself and sneak into the Sanmei Inn?" Xin Zizhao looked at Wei Shuxuan.
"Yes. The only people who could have tampered with our candles are the people from the Sanmei Inn. The tattoo on that waiter's arm is exactly the same as the flame mark left by the criminal at the crime scene. If this mark is really only for their internal staff, then the Sanmei Inn is very suspicious."
After hearing Wei Shuxuan's analysis, it seemed to make sense. Because the Sanmei Inn was not only located in Baolan Town but also in three other small towns on the border. Moreover, most of the missing - person cases that occurred in the inns happened in the Sanmei Inn.
"The Sanmei Inn should only be a branch of the real criminal, right?"
"I think so too. So, I wanted Wei Wei to sneak in and help me find out who the big boss behind the inn is and where those missing people have gone. Why can't we find these people even after sending people to search the entire border? It's as if they have disappeared into thin air."
In the evening, Xin Shang came back. As soon as he entered the study, he saw Xin Zizhao and Wei Shuxuan sitting together reading books. "Your subordinate pays respects to the Empress Dowager!"
"Don't call me the Empress Dowager. It's too formal. Just call me as you did before." Wei Shuxuan smiled.
"How's it going, Xin Shang?"
Xin Shang hesitated a bit. He glanced at Wei Shuxuan and then lowered his head. Xin Zizhao's voice sounded. "It's okay. Just say it directly. Xuan'er won't tell others."
"Yes, My Lord! Your subordinate followed Prince Eleven and found that he is very close to Minister Zhang and Grand Scholar Jin."