Chapter 403: The Truth Revealed

In the Jade Water Pavilion, Consort Zhen chatted warmly with Feiyue’er, often asking if she was comfortable.

Xiao Ming sat watching them, quietly planning when to return to Qingzhou. Now that he was married, he saw no reason to stay longer in Chang’an.

The recent assassination attempt left him with a shadow over his mind — Chang’an was unsafe.

Just like every regional lord tried to avoid leaving their own territory, Xiao Ming felt the same. Once on another’s land, he couldn’t guarantee his own safety.

Besides, now that he had Feiyue’er as his wife, he didn’t want any accidents in Chang’an.

While the two ladies laughed, Xiao Ming spoke up: “Mother, I plan to return to Qingzhou in five days. I won’t stay longer — this place isn’t safe.”

Consort Zhen nodded. She didn’t try to stop him. The assassination also worried her deeply.

“Yes, better to return early. The waters in Chang’an are muddy — every extra day brings danger. Also, your territory needs managing. If left too long unattended, there could be trouble. Prepare and go back soon.”

Feiyue’er knew about the assassination and did not oppose but asked, “Has the assassin been found?”

“According to Father, it was either the Second Prince or the Jin merchants colluding with the northern tribes. Both are most likely,” Xiao Ming said thoughtfully.

“The Second Prince?” Consort Zhen was shocked.

Xiao Ming nodded and told her how the Emperor had tested him about it.

“If it is the Second Prince, Father likely wants to smooth things over. As the ruler, he won’t want to move against his son and anger the King of Liang. Still, a warning will be given,” Consort Zhen said.

“Hmph, I guess Father thinks so too. But if it’s the Second Prince, I won’t compromise. How else can I face the fallen soldiers?” Xiao Ming’s anger rose.

“Even if it was the Second Prince, it’s not treason worthy of death. The worst is to strip his title or exile him,” Feiyue’er said.

Consort Zhen nodded. “Feiyue’er is right. You must not act rashly. Let Father handle it.” She worried Xiao Ming might do something foolish in anger.

Xiao Ming frowned. “Yes, Mother.”

After chatting more with Consort Zhen, Xiao Ming and Feiyue’er rose to leave. They couldn’t stay long in the palace.

“Mother must be lonely here alone in the deep palace, and you’re not with her,” Feiyue’er said thoughtfully on the way back.

“Kings are most heartless. But what can be done? The only thing I can do is raise my own status. ‘Mother’s status depends on her son,’ so I’ll try to make her life easier in the palace, free from other consorts’ bullying.”

Feiyue’er often talked with her sister and knew the palace’s dark sides. Still, her sister hoped one day to be the perfect Empress.

Sometimes, Feiyue’er couldn’t understand — was power really that important?

Back at the mansion, Xiao Ming ordered Ziyuan and Lu Luo to count the wedding gifts and prepare to return to Qingzhou.

Feiyue’er had gotten to know Ziyuan and Lu Luo.

She was gentle and kind. After chatting, the two maids happily called her “Princess Consort.”

Watching this, Xiao Ming nodded in satisfaction.

For a man, a good wife who can manage the household is priceless.

Though their marriage was political, he hoped for peace at home.

After long days of hardship, who wants chaos returning home?

After talking a while, Feiyue’er quickly took on the role of wife, eagerly helping count the gift list. To her, these things now belonged to them.

This gave Xiao Ming even more peace of mind, and he smiled.

Thinking of the gift list from Emperor Xiao Wenxuan, Xiao Ming pulled it out and scanned it.

He laughed. The Emperor had been very generous — sixty thousand taels of gold, five thousand bolts of cloth, and hundreds of precious jewels. He was well fed.

The final wedding event of the morning ended. That afternoon, Xiao Ming and Feiyue’er counted the gifts.

Sixty tables hosted six hundred guests — nearly all of Chang’an’s elites.

They worked until evening, tallying the gifts’ value at around three million taels of silver — a great haul.

Though most gifts needed selling to convert, Xiao Ming was pleased with the amount.

As the group was happily busy, someone suddenly entered the mansion.

It was Li San. After the assassination, Xiao Ming had secretly sent Li San to investigate. Li San had been working tirelessly and even contacted Wang Xuan in Qingzhou for help.

Seeing Li San, Xiao Ming led him into the main hall. Feiyue’er wisely excused herself to the bridal room.

“Your Highness, Wang Xuan’s men have caught a Jin merchant who supplied tribesmen to the Crown Prince,” Li San, tired from travel, said firmly.

“Caught?” Xiao Ming’s eyes narrowed.

“Yes. Wang Xuan planted spies in the tribes’ territory and soon uncovered the merchant’s background. This merchant even dealt with our Chamber of Commerce, breaking rules by smuggling liquor onto the grasslands. Li Kaiyuan has wanted to punish him for some time,” Li San explained.

“What about the capture?” Xiao Ming knew of the merchant. Many in the Qingzhou Chamber despised these Jin merchants, calling them traitors for selling contraband to the tribes, indirectly aiding their rise.

Li San said, “Between Liang and Prince Yong’s territories lies a lawless village where many Jin merchants gather. Goods pass through there, but rivalries among the merchants exist. We had Li Kaiyuan bribe one Jin merchant for information, and we successfully captured the target. He’s now outside Chang’an, awaiting your orders.”

“Well done,” Xiao Ming praised.

From the Emperor’s tone, Xiao Ming knew Xiao Wenxuan intended to downplay the matter — he wanted stability, not chaos.

But for Xiao Ming, this was a grudge he couldn’t let go.