Time Travel: Pampered by the Aloof Prince-Chapter 60 - Heifeng Runs Away

In these five years, he had been kneeling like this, almost forgetting the unyielding spirit of a scholar he had when he first entered the officialdom.

Back then, he was the top scholar personally appointed by the Emperor, beaming with pride during his horseback parade through the streets, unmatched in glory.

Later, he became the Minister of Revenue, handling his duties well, often praised by the Emperor.

In the capital, no one could match his edge.

Aside from his sovereign, he had no need to kneel before anyone.

Five years of worldly trials had ground away his proud spirit.

Song Ling thought mockingly to himself that now he had actually become the very kind of person he used to disdain the most.

His eyelids drooped, concealing the bitterness at the bottom of his eyes, and he bowed, “Thank you, Princess, for the guidance.”

Qi Yu did not continue to nitpick; after all, habits cannot be changed in a moment.

Besides, Song Ling was not innately spineless; given some time, he would naturally remember who he was.

After the inventory was complete, the anti-banditry troops marched triumphantly back to the capital.

Several of them were still on horseback, Song Ling, now in disguise, posed as Li Mingjue’s guard, with a sabre hanging from his waist.

When they were halfway there, suddenly, a horse charged up from behind, kicking up a cloud of dust along the way.

The rider did not care that he had startled the nobles; he dismounted and knelt down in haste, saying, “Your Highness, Heifeng has escaped!”

“What!” Cailin exclaimed, his voice changing pitch.

The man had escaped right under his watch, and he had no face to meet Li Mingjue now.

Li Mingjue raised his hand, signaling the troops to halt.

They turned their horses around one after another and went back.

The people from Heifeng Village were being dragged behind with hemp ropes.

Only Heifeng, after being tied up elaborately by Cailin, was suspended by the deputy commander to follow behind the horse.

But now, one end of the rope still hung from the horse, while the other end had been sawed off by someone unknowingly.

Qi Yu dismounted to take a look, and the marks on it were clearly bitten.

It was unknown how long Heifeng had used his sharp teeth, but he had finally bitten through the rope just as they were returning to the capital.

Li Mingjue surveyed the surroundings; though it was desolate with no one around, with the dense forest next to them, if Heifeng had run off, it would be difficult to find him for a while.

He said in a deep voice, “Minister Cailin, you take a squad of guards and search.

Everyone else will follow me back to the capital.”

If Heifeng had escaped, he was certainly going to look for Li Ming’an, and the autumn hunt entourage was also on their way back to the capital; Heifeng wouldn’t dare appear rashly at such a time.

He was injured and couldn’t have gone far.

Cailin wiped his face and, gritting his teeth, said, “Yes, this subordinate will definitely find the man!”

Li Mingjue, however, shook his head slightly, “Minister Cailin, no need to waste time.

Heifeng Hall’s momentum is already gone; even if Heifeng has fled, he is merely a lone wolf.

Li Ming’an cannot protect him.”

Cailin fell into deep contemplation before nodding solemnly.

At present, Heifeng was truly insignificant.

The only person he could seek out was Li Ming’an.

To Li Ming’an, Heifeng was nothing more than a disposable piece, especially once he found out that Li Mingjue had confiscated that batch of Official Silver hidden in Heifeng Village.

A discarded piece, once lost, was lost.

To the exalted Prince An, what was there to regret?

“The urgent matter at hand is this batch of Official Silver.

It must be moved to a safe place before Prince An discovers it!”

Cailin felt he had made rapid progress these past few days, astonishingly keeping pace with Prince Qi’s line of thought.

Li Mingjue nodded in agreement.

Song Ling’s lips curled slightly, his expression not very optimistic, “But where in the capital can one find such an absolutely secure place?”

Li Mingjue looked silently at Qi Yu, “This prince has a way.”

Upon returning to the capital, Li Mingjue, having heard that Li Tianze had been waiting in the Imperial Palace, hurriedly took Cailin, who had rushed back, to report to the emperor.

Li Ming’an stood by, restless in spirit.

These past few days had brought no good news from Heifeng Village.

And the letters he sent, Heifeng did not reply to a single one.

This was not a good sign.

“Greetings to my emperor father.”

“Greetings to Your Majesty.”

Li Mingjue and Cailin paid their respects together.

Li Tianze hastily raised his hand, “My son and Minister Cailin, you’ve both worked hard.”

Seeing them arrive dusty and tired, he had seats granted for them before asking, “How is the bandit suppression going?”

Li Mingjue glanced towards Li Ming’an without a word, lips curving slightly, and replied, “Father Emperor, Heifeng Village has been completely annihilated.”

“What!” Li Ming’an exclaimed somewhat out of character.

Li Tianze furrowed his brows, “What’s the matter, An’an?”

Li Ming’an came to his senses, “Father Emperor, your son was just momentarily surprised.”

Li Tianze turned his attention away from him and continued to ask Li Mingjue, “Have all those bandits been detained?”

Li Mingjue nodded, “They have been sent to the Imperial Prison.”

Cailin had no chance to speak, but his attention divided as he watched Li Ming’an’s complexion turn ashen, feeling somewhat gratified.

After Li Tianze had finished questioning, he slightly lifted his hand, “You both have toiled over this affair.

Go back and rest today.

After the Ministry of Justice conducts its inquest, I will reward your efforts.”

“Thank you, Father Emperor.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Both men left the palace together.

With no one around, Cailin could hardly restrain himself from asking, “Prince, are we truly not going to report the matter of the Official Silver to His Majesty?”

Li Mingjue glanced at him, tersely responding, “The Official Silver has been missing for five years, yet suddenly reappeared in Heifeng Village.

This matter requires investigation, just not now.”

“When then?” Cailin looked at him eagerly, the very picture of a student eager to learn.

Li Mingjue chuckled lightly and, stepping into the night without turning back, said, “At this moment, Li Ming’an must be worried about the whereabouts of that batch of Official Silver.

Yet, since we haven’t reported this matter, he will surely think that Heifeng hid the Silver.”

“Then they will turn on each other,” Cailin suddenly had a flash of insight.

Li Mingjue got into the carriage, lifting the curtain to say to him, “It’s not just that.

Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com.

With the disappearance of the Official Silver, aside from worrying about the whereabouts of the gold, what distresses Li Ming’an most is Song Ling.”

“Minister Song?” Cailin’s rusty mind couldn’t immediately grasp the advantages and disadvantages, unable to clear the fog.

Li Mingjue had no intention of enlightening him.

As the curtain fell, he left him with a casual remark, “Colluding with bandits, hoarding Official Silver, and sheltering a criminal sought by the court—how many heads does he have to chop off?”