Chapter 234
Hearing Yue Fuguang suggest searching the backyard, he was already so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat, cursing that blind little thief a thousand times in his heart.
Upon hearing Zhang Fang's reason for looking for him, he already had a suspect in mind, as this wasn't the first time that person had stolen from a guest.
He never expected to kick a steel plate today! This little girl was actually some high-ranking official!
In the Great Yan Dynasty, who else could be a female official with such an esteemed status other than the famous Junior Preceptor?
With a hasty glance just now, he seemed to have faintly seen that iconic lotus mark on her forehead!
The shopkeeper's mind suddenly became active. Thinking of a certain possibility, a sense of determination instantly filled his chest!
He clenched his hands hidden in his sleeves, doing his best to suppress his increasingly excited, thrilled, and somewhat contorted face.
He stole a glance at Yue Fuguang's guards, secretly assessing their combat power against the people in the backyard and calculating their odds of winning.
Cai Xian looked at the shopkeeper, whose legs were trembling from a bold decision, and said coldly, "Shopkeeper He, a thief has committed a robbery in your inn. Do you know where this thief is now?"
Huo Ying also said, "I have heard that multiple thefts have occurred in your inn. Don't tell me you don't have a suspect in mind."
Shopkeeper He cupped his hands and bowed, his face full of flattery as he said, "My lords, this humble one... this humble one indeed has someone in mind. That person is currently staying in Room Bing-Three on the first floor of the backyard."
Cai Xian and Huo Ying exchanged a glance, both able to tell that this shopkeeper was being dishonest.
Without them needing to waste their breath, he took the initiative to lead everyone to the backyard. No matter what treachery he was hiding, it played right into their hands.
The two slightly turned sideways and glanced at Yue Fuguang, who was sitting upright there.
Yue Fuguang understood clearly in her heart. Naturally, she also noticed the shopkeeper's seemingly respectful demeanor, which actually concealed an ever-growing malice toward her.
Since this was one of the strongholds of Nanyue, and Shopkeeper He was deliberately leading them there, the backyard must not be simple.
Just as Cai Xian was wondering whether they should wait for the Crown Prince and Wei Ping, he saw Yue Fuguang stand up and say, "My lords, why don't we follow the shopkeeper to the backyard and have a look.
Whether it is or isn't, a search will tell us."
Seeing that Yue Fuguang had made a decision, the two bowed and agreed.
Shopkeeper He also took the opportunity to raise his eyes and quickly size up Yue Fuguang. After confirming her identity, he made an inviting gesture to the group in a seemingly humble and flattering manner.
Just as the group headed toward the backyard, the outside of Zuilai Inn had already been completely surrounded by the Crown Prince's men.
Xie Zhiyan said to Wei Ping, "Lord Wei, send some men out to keep a close eye on the nearby intersections, just in case the people inside escape through a secret tunnel."
After the incident with Bai Yu and the Prince of Qi, they were all on higher alert, guessing that Zuilai Inn might have a similar secret tunnel.
At this time, a 'diner' ran out of Zuilai Inn. The man came before the Crown Prince, bowed, and quickly reported, "Your Royal Highness, just now, the Junior Preceptor and the two Ministers, Cai and Huo, took their men and followed Shopkeeper He to the backyard.
Minister Huo suspects there is an ambush in the backyard."
The Crown Prince's gaze sharpened. Without time to overthink, he immediately ordered, "Quickly, follow me inside to protect the Junior Preceptor! Wei Ping, I'll leave the capture of the criminals to you."
"Yes, sir!"
The two of them led their men and charged inside. Just as they approached the screen wall of the backyard, they heard the clash of weapons and shouts of killing coming from within.
"Quick, charge in!"
Wei Ping, holding a steel blade, took the lead and charged in, shouting loudly, "The authorities are handling a case! Surrender at once!"
"Lord Wei!"
"Your Royal Highness!"
"Junior Preceptor!"
"Minister Cai, Minister Huo, why are you here?"
The Crown Prince and Wei Ping put on an act of a chance encounter, their expressions completely on point.
"We were just about to ask you that. Why is Lord Wei here? And with so many men?"
Cai Xian's acting skills were equally impressive.
Yue Fuguang quietly watched them perform. She kept a serious face and didn't speak because she had to... hold back her laughter!
The two sides successfully joined forces, yet they pretended not to know the other was there, probing each other's purpose for coming. It was truly hilarious.
Yue Fuguang nodded secretly. As expected of veteran actors, their expressions and words were perfectly executed, and no one dropped the ball.
The few of them protected Yue Fuguang as they retreated to the side. Then, they bowed and saluted the Crown Prince, saying, "The two of us agreed to have lunch at Fuman Restaurant across the street today.
We didn't expect to happen upon the Junior Preceptor..."
Cai Xian recounted the sequence of events to the Crown Prince and the others. Huo Ying continued, "Your Royal Highness, this humble minister believes that the origins of this Zuilai Inn must be problematic.
That shopkeeper just now was clearly targeting the Junior Preceptor."
Yue Fuguang also nodded and said, "What Minister Huo said is correct. Shopkeeper He's hidden weapon was indeed aimed at me. If Chunying and Dongxue hadn't reacted quickly,
he might have actually succeeded."
Xie Zhiyan asked, "Does the Junior Preceptor suspect that this person is connected to the previous assassins?"
"Indeed, I do have suspicions in that regard."
Wei Ping also chimed in, "The Junior Preceptor's guess is not unreasonable. Because of the potatoes, the people of the Great Yan Dynasty are exceptionally grateful to you. Only those previous assassins would think of killing you instead of thanking you."
By this time, the fighting in the courtyard had ended. Everyone in Zuilai Inn, from the shopkeeper down to the waiters and guests, had been captured.
The Crown Prince ordered, "Search all the rooms. If you find any suspicious individuals or items, report it immediately.
Also, pay attention to checking for hidden rooms and secret tunnels."
Cai Xian asked, "Do Your Royal Highness and Lord Wei have other important matters here?"
The Crown Prince signaled for Wei Ping to explain, so Wei Ping said, "Minister Cai might not know this, but I and His Royal Highness came here because we received a secret report from the Market Director here and Manager Cao Cang.
Manager Cao recently hosted a banquet for his friends here and discovered that the meat dishes at Zuilai Inn seemingly contained imperial poppy."
Wei Ping spread his hands. "His Majesty attaches great importance to this matter. Whether true or false, I and His Royal Highness had to bring men to investigate.
Coincidentally, we ran into the Junior Preceptor and the two ministers."
Huo Ying suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. This further proves that this Zuilai Inn is definitely not simple."
The Crown Prince said disapprovingly, "The two ministers were too reckless today. How could you bring the Junior Preceptor into such danger?"
The two hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Royal Highness's reprimand is justified. It was our lack of careful consideration."
Yue Fuguang quickly interjected, "Your Royal Highness, don't blame the two ministers. It was I who insisted on coming here."
[Master, something is wrong. Wei Ping said the Market Director and Manager Cao sent a secret report. Let's not talk about this Manager Cao for now, but the Market Director of the East Market should be named Jin Ming, right?]
"Does Little Zhu know this Jin Ming?"
[According to the records, this Jin Ming is a major 'drug lord.' He is also one of the behind-the-scenes owners of Zuilai Inn. How could he report that the food here is laced with imperial poppy?
He wouldn't even have time to cover it up fast enough. To him, this Zuilai Inn is a goose that lays golden eggs.]
"Jin Ming is a major drug lord! And the behind-the-scenes owner of Zuilai Inn? Didn't you say this Zuilai Inn belonged to Nanyue?"
The Crown Prince and the others thought: Yes, isn't it a Nanyue stronghold? How did it become Jin Ming's property?
Jin Ming's ancestry was traceable; they were all people of the Great Yan Dynasty. Could the Jin Ming before them be a fake?
It wasn't that they were overthinking. Ever since the incident with Qian Gui's family, these people's imaginations had grown wilder, immediately thinking of body doubles.
The group couldn't help but secretly scrutinize Jin Ming, but they couldn't figure out anything from it.