Chapter 48: The Secret of the Box

  It seems that Yuwen Qiming also analyzed it as if they had discussed it beforehand: "Since the prefecture has already increased its manpower, but the thefts continue, either the prefecture is just going through the motions or there is an insider involved. Ji Zhou and Gan Zhou are on the border of the Fourth Prince's fiefdom, while Ling Zhou is on the border of the Second Prince's fiefdom. I'm afraid that the thefts have something to do with them."

  Yuan Longlin was taken aback, quickly glanced at the two of them, took a deep breath and said: "If we intervene in this matter, Second Brother and Fourth Brother will definitely secretly stir up trouble. If they can't stop the theft, it will give them a big handle to use against us. Not only will it be unhelpful, but also impossible to explain to Emperor Father. So Third Brother, why don't we let Second Brother or Fourth Brother deal with this matter and let them clean up their own mess? What do you think?"

  "Inadvisable." Yuan Long's eyes drooped, his fingertips lightly tapping the table as he spoke slowly: "If this matter has nothing to do with Second Brother and Fourth Brother, then it would be equivalent to giving them a way to obtain copper and sulfur; if this matter is related to Second Brother and Fourth Brother, do you think they will thoroughly investigate?"

  "What should we do then? Do we really have to investigate ourselves?"

  "It's still going to be checked." Yuan Longchao's mouth twitched slightly without a smile, and his eyes caught a glimpse of Qingming walking out of the pavilion. His heart tightened, and he almost shouted: "Qingming, where are you going?"

  He paused for just a moment, then continued walking forward without looking back.

  He jumped up from his seat, Yuan Long raised an eyebrow with anger in his eyes, his tone unpleasant: "Don't go, did you hear me?!"

  Yun Wuqi and Yuwen Qiming exchanged a glance, both with unconcealable worry in their eyes. Yuan Longxiang was visibly startled, looking up at Yuan Longqiao with a puzzled expression.

  His face darkened, still with his back to them, he insisted awkwardly: "Don't you want me to go and treat her? Can you trust those mediocre doctors?"

  Yuan Long jumped up and echoed, "Yes, Third Brother, otherwise you can go pick up Third Sister-in-law."

  The air seemed to freeze for a moment, and everyone involuntarily held their breath.

  Silence...

  I thought he wouldn't stop me again, but... "If you leave, don't come back." With a sweep of his wide sleeve, the jade jug and cup on the table were knocked to the ground. Amidst the shattering sound, the figure that turned and left had an inexplicable desolation in its slightly stumbling footsteps.

  Yuan Long's eyebrows furrowed, his hands slowly clenched into fists.

  Standing under the yellow locust tree by the lake, Jingfei watched as dozens of guards on the water pavilion and in the lake searched for something under Xiaoyang's command.

  "Found it!" A shout of excitement, a person in the water raised their head high and held up the purple crown in their hand.

  Although standing a little further away, Jingfen couldn't help but follow the cheering crowd with excitement, her heart pounding rapidly. She turned to look at the figure on the long bridge that she was most familiar with, and her eyes gradually became moist. With both hands grasping the railing, his body leaned forward slightly, although she couldn't see his expression, she could clearly feel his joy at this moment.

  Ziying Crown, but it's just an ordinary coronet. Why is he so nervous? She couldn't understand, just like she never understood what was on his mind. After being stunned for a while, seeing the guards by the lake dispersing and Xiaoyang leaving, she sighed and turned back listlessly.

  Through the study, the half-open window reflected the busy figure of Xiaoyang. She stood still for a moment, holding her breath and peeking quietly inside.

  He bent down and took out a small box from the cabinet under the bookshelf, placed it on the desk, and opened the hidden latch. Jing Fei narrowed his eyes to take a closer look inside. He carefully wiped the purple crown clean, held it in his hand for a long time, and only put it back into the box after making sure there was no dust or dirt on it.

  That box wasn't small, and it could easily hold a purple coronet. Although she couldn't see clearly, she felt that there must be other things inside. She was very curious - what secrets was he hiding in the box? Was it his sealed heart? His unknown secrets?