"You’re going to investigate Huang Manli’s case in person?"

"Yeah."

"But aren’t you going to look for your younger sister?"

"There are people searching for my sister at every moment."

He had come out precisely for this matter, so how could he delay it? Most of the men under him had already been sent out to look for her.

"All right then. Once you’re done, remember to let me know, and I’ll summon Xiaobai back."

"Mm."

Just as they were about to get into the carriage, the Lian siblings blocked their way.

"My lord, I beg you to take in this commoner girl and her brother. We’ll serve you like cattle and horses." Xue’er really did kneel down and plead. "All of my family are gone. I have no relatives in Hulu Village. If, if it’s just us siblings going back, I fear it will be very hard for us to survive there."

Xue’er was only fifteen this year, and her younger brother was even smaller, only ten. For the two of them to return to Hulu Village alone, it really would be hard to survive.

But he was going to Jingzhou now, and it wasn’t convenient to bring the two of them along.

After thinking a moment, he said to Xiaoyuanzi, "Take them and hand them over to Prefect Min, and have him figure out a way to settle the Lian siblings."

Then he turned his head and said to Xue’er, "Once Prefect Min receives my message, he’ll make proper arrangements for you."

The Lian siblings knew their place. Hearing this, they said no more. "Thank you, my lord. You’re a good man. You’ll surely live a long, long life."

After arranging things for the Lian siblings, Ye Haoxuan got into the carriage. He thought for a moment, then stuck his head out and said, "Your distant relative, Feng Suyun, has also arrived in Heng River. If you’re willing, have Prefect Min arrange for you to be placed together."

With that, without waiting for the Lian siblings to respond, the carriage shot off.

That Feng Suyun had been locked in an inn by Huang Manli that day, then made her own way to Heng River, where she was found by Ye Haoxuan’s men. When she learned that someone had impersonated her and brought such calamity upon the Lian Family, she was deeply grieved and guilt‑ridden.

From Heng River to Jingzhou was only a two‑day journey.

Just after they reached Jingzhou, news came from Heng River as well: Zhong Yongqian and his wife had both been sentenced to death. As for their children, some were exiled, some enslaved. With Zhong Yongqian’s downfall, the commoners of Heng River clapped their hands in delight; some even set off firecrackers in celebration.

"Aren’t you going to the yamen first?"

Seeing the carriage stop at the inn’s entrance, Li Luru asked.

"We eat first. You’re not hungry?"

At the mention of food, Li Luru realized she really was hungry; her stomach had already growled twice on the road.

"Heh heh, I knew Master Ye had a good heart."

"You need to say I’ve got a good heart?" Ye Haoxuan gave her a light smack on the head. "That flattery has no finesse at all."

With that, he took the lead getting out of the carriage, and Li Luru followed behind him, hopping down.

Maybe her legs had gone numb from sitting too long in the carriage, so when she jumped down she pitched forward and landed right on Ye Haoxuan’s back.

Ye Haoxuan stiffly turned his head, his smile tight and forced. "Li Luru, your face is pretty thick, huh? Taking advantage of your lord in broad daylight?"

"So what if I did? What can you do about it?" Li Luru rolled her eyes. He clearly knew she’d just lost her footing, yet he still had to say it like that—he really couldn’t spit out a nice word.

"You... you’re something else!" Ye Haoxuan jabbed a finger at her, then led the way inside.

Li Luru followed behind him. After they finished their noon meal, Ye Haoxuan sent someone to the county yamen, but was informed that Liu Cheng was no longer there.

San and the others waited at the county yamen until evening, but never saw Liu Cheng return.

Li Luru said, "Do you think he got wind of it early and ran?"