The Prodigal Son

As it turned out, Qin Yu's luck wasn't as good as he had imagined.

They traveled all the way out of Nanping Mountain but still couldn't find the burial site.

However, Qin Yu did not think it was because he was unlucky.

After all, there are no fixed routes in these mountains, and if you deviate even slightly from the path, it will be difficult to find a burial site.

After reuniting with the people who remained outside the mountains, Qin Yu and his group immediately rushed to Bailu County in Taozhou.

Bailu County and Xiaping County of Fangzhou are separated only by the Pingjiang River.

They arrived in Bailu County in just one day.

Upon learning that Qin Yu had led a large army to attack Bailu County, the county governor Kong Youde was nearly scared to death.

"This humble official is guilty, I beg your mercy, sir! I beg your mercy, sir..."

Upon seeing Qin Yu, Kong Youde knelt on the ground and kept kowtowing and begging for mercy, which left Qin Yu somewhat bewildered.

Damn it!

Should we do this?

Am I that scary?

Got it!

Since we're being so straightforward, it saves me the trouble.

"Take it down!"

Qin Yu gave the order and immediately led his men toward the prefect.

Watching Kong Youde being dragged away like a dead dog, some officials felt their legs go weak, while others' eyes shone and they unconsciously straightened their backs.

In the following period, Qin Yu released most of his men, and countless people began to explore the area centered on Bailu County.

While Qin Yu was conducting a thorough investigation, news of his arrival in Bailu County also reached the ears of Jiang Ci and Xuan Cailing.

"Let's go to Bailu County together to see Lord Qin!"

Jiang Ci suggested, "Last time he had something come up unexpectedly, and we didn't have a chance to properly thank him. Now that he's in Taozhou, we should at least show him the proper hospitality!"

"I have so much to do here, I'll postpone my trip!"

Xuan Cailing smiled knowingly. "Please go and thank Lord Qin properly on my behalf!"

She's a woman too!

Could Jiang Ci not see through Qin Yu's feelings for her?

Previously, she was busy with salt transportation all day long, wishing she could even use her mealtimes to work.

As soon as she heard that Qin Yu had come to Taozhou, she was no longer busy and didn't feel rushed anymore!

She couldn't wait to see Qin Yu!

Let's go together!

Jiang Ci seemed a little embarrassed, "You're the real host, what would it be like if I went alone?"

"But I can't get away!"

Xuan Cailing smiled sweetly, "You should thank Lord Qin for me. If possible, please invite Lord Qin to come and sit here. I will certainly do my best to be a good host!"

Jiang Ci pouted slightly, "Sister Xuan, how can you be like this!"

"Go, go!"

Xuan Cailing held Jiang Ci's hand and said earnestly, "Girl, when you meet a good man, don't be reserved!"

"If my sister hadn't been married, she would have thrown herself at me long ago!"

"To put it bluntly, don't be fooled by our seemingly glamorous lives in the eyes of ordinary people. If it weren't for your connection with Luo Qingyi, given his status and position, women like us wouldn't even have the right to sit with him..."

She's been through it all herself!

She had seen through some things long ago.

Even though the late emperor greatly elevated the status of merchants during his reign, they were still considered beneath the notice of the truly powerful and wealthy.

Qin Yu didn't look down on their backgrounds; he was even willing to joke with them and eat with them, which was extremely rare!

There are plenty of beautiful women in the world!

In the eyes of the truly powerful and wealthy, beauty is the least worthwhile thing!

What's the use of being reserved?

Can restraint feed you or elevate your status?

If she encounters a man like Qin Yu, why wouldn't she take the initiative to pounce on him?

She didn't even consider that if everyone had the chance to pounce on Qin Yu, she, being so reserved, wouldn't even have a chance to squeeze in; at best, she could only stand at a distance and watch silently.

After a while, other people will find her an eyesore!

If you need to grab something, you have to grab it!

If you don't fight for it, plenty of others will!

Listening to Xuan Cailing's heartfelt words, Jiang Ci blushed unconsciously.

However, a glint of light appeared in her eyes...

……

Before they knew it, Qin Yu and his group had been searching around Bailu County for five days.

After Zeng Guan and his men arrived and joined forces, they began an intensive investigation.

Zeng Guan and his team also found some clues, but none of them were specific. They could only confirm that nine or ten years ago, large ships were frequently seen in that area, which were probably transporting supplies.

But many people assumed it was a government patrol boat and didn't pay any attention.

After intensive investigation, they found a large number of wall lamps and some vendors selling horse beans.

However, this style of wall lamp is very common in Taozhou.

There weren't many people selling wild soybeans, but they hadn't heard of anyone buying large quantities of wild soybeans nine or ten years ago; these wild soybeans were usually sold to high-ranking officials and nobles.

Ordinary families' livestock are not even qualified to eat horse beans.

But this clue is practically useless!

Could someone capable of assassinating the crown prince not be a high-ranking official or nobleman?

Surely a group of commoners dressed in gray and hemp clothing could not possibly assassinate the crown prince with sickles.

However, they did not find the same style of the ceramic pots and bowls they brought back here.

This made Qin Yu wonder if they were investigating in the wrong direction.

As Qin Yu was deep in thought inside the prefectural governor's mansion, Qin Xiong walked in: "Thirteenth Young Master, Miss Jiang requests an audience!"

Qin Yu was slightly taken aback. "Jiang Ci?"

"right!"

Qin Xiong nodded. "She said..."

"Quickly, invite them in!"

Before Qin Xiong could finish speaking, Qin Yu stood up.

Qin Xiong was taken aback, glanced at Nan Que'er discreetly, and quickly retreated.

"Didn't you suspect her? Why are you acting like a day has been ages since you last saw her?"

Nan Que'er joked.

"What utter nonsense!"

Qin Yu pulled Nan Que'er into his arms, slapped her on the bottom, and, meeting her resentful gaze, said with a smile, "Jiang Ci is in the porcelain business! She should know a lot about pottery!"

"Do you want to ask her if she knows where those pottery pieces came from?"

Nan Que'er immediately reacted, and sat on Qin Yu's lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and looked up at him with her bright eyes.

"right!"

Qin Yu nodded slightly, then whispered, "My suspicions about her are something we should keep to ourselves; don't mention it to anyone else! And don't mention it to Qingyi after we return to the capital!"

"good!"

Nan Que'er nodded gently.

Soon, Jiang Ci was brought in.

At this moment, Nan Que'er had already gotten off Qin Yu's lap.

"I've met him..."

Jiang Ci bowed to Qin Yu as soon as she arrived.

"No need for formalities!"

Qin Yu stopped Jiang Ci and said with a smile, "It's better to be lucky than early. I happen to have something I'd like to ask you for help with."

"what?"

Jiang Ci was surprised, then looked at Qin Yu with her beautiful eyes and teased, "What merit do I, a mere woman, possess that Lord Qin would need my help?"

"I really need your help with this."

Qin Yu gestured for Jiang Ci to sit down, then handed her a ceramic bowl, smiling as he asked, "Can you tell where this ceramic bowl came from?"

Jiang Ci was stunned for a moment, then immediately took the ceramic bowl and examined it.

After a moment, Jiang Ci looked up at Qin Yu. "Can this bowl be broken? I can roughly tell, but if it's broken, I should be even more certain!"

Qin Yu was overjoyed and immediately said, "It's not anything valuable, just smash it!"

Jiang Ci nodded gently and dropped the ceramic bowl on the ground.

Snapped!

The ceramic bowl that fell to the ground shattered into several pieces.

Jiang Ci picked up the pottery shards and examined them carefully for a while, then said confidently, "This is Ningzhou black pottery, made from lake mud!"