Chapter 153 Update 1
Wen Zan’s investigations had progressed even faster; within a few moments, he had already clarified the truth. This person indeed belonged to Prince Duan. Prince Duan had happened to save Qu Xiang, leaving him at the inn, yet had not expected Qu Xiang to disappear without saying goodbye after falling ill.
Whether his departure without goodbye was real or feigned, there were enough people in the inn whose statements could prove this point.
Yet, yesterday, Princess Chao Ren seemed to show no emotion upon seeing Qu Xiang.
Wen Zan was somewhat puzzled; logically, leaving such a person at the inn would make ignoring him difficult. Yet, the person was lost, and Princess Chao Ren did not send anyone to look for him, and even to him, she appeared as a stranger.
However, Wen Zan soon found the answer. Princess Chao Ren had truly not noticed Qu Xiang. According to Qu Xiang’s own account, Princess Chao Ren had seen him destitute and dying on the streets and had taken him to the inn.
Qu Xiang had no idea of the Princess’s identity, nor did he know the origin of the inn. It was only after the inn changed its innkeeper that he thought he no longer had a place to stay and decided to leave on his own.
Wen Zan highly doubted how pitiful Qu Xiang must have appeared when he was destitute on the streets to be ignored. But regardless, now that Prince Duan’s people had found him, even with any advantages Qu Xiang had, he could not stay.
The next day, Wen Zan arrived a quarter of an hour earlier than scheduled, personally accompanying Qu Xiang to Prince Duan’s Mansion, who, unlike his usual attire of fine clothes, wore ordinary coarse garments.
Nobody had told him what to do, but after Second Young Master Wen had asked about the inn affairs yesterday, it must be related to today’s trip. Seeing the Princess again yesterday, it was highly probable that she recognized him, which was why he was asked to return.
Qu Xiang did not know what lay ahead, nor did he lament his difficult fate. For people like them, discussing fate or possessing it was not befitting; in the hands of the powerful, they were no different than grasshoppers.
Wen Zan felt somewhat anxious. Prince Duan sending this note meant he must have uncovered some information and probably knew what he intended to do with Qu Xiang, a matter that Wen Zan feared might leave a bad impression in Prince Duan’s mind.