Things proceeded smoothly on their end, while on the other, Ye Tinglan's situation was far from optimistic.
When he awoke, the silver needles had been removed from his body. The room was empty of the fair, pale figure, with only two ingots of silver left on the table.
His dark eyes sinking, Ye Tinglan immediately rose and went outside. The hunter's family was having dinner in their room and rushed out to greet him upon seeing him awake.
"Young Master, you're awake?"
The courtyard was deserted, and Jiang Wan was nowhere to be seen. Ye Tinglan's slightly dry lips tightened instantly.
"Where is he?"
Knowing he was asking about Feng Yinwan, the hunter nodded and quickly replied.
"That young master has already left. He said you were injured and would wake up later, and specifically instructed us to clean the room tomorrow."
"He has already left?"
Ye Tinglan's brow furrowed, a sharp, chilling anger rising within him.
Even the hunter, accustomed to fierce beasts, trembled inwardly at the coldness.
After a pause, he nodded again, "He has indeed already left."
"When did he leave? Was he with anyone?"
The hunter shook his head. "The young master told me this morning. We weren't home during the day. When we returned from the mountains in the evening, that young master had already left."
Before he lost consciousness, he had heard movement in the courtyard. Based on this account, she had left at least half a day ago.
If someone was waiting for her... she might already be in Yuzhou by now!
The unanswered questions still swirled in his mind, and for a moment, his heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, unable to move.
He couldn't let her disappear just like that!
His large hand clenched instantly, and Ye Tinglan strode out.
The sky outside had already darkened. Seeing him about to leave at this hour, the hunter hurried to stop him.
"Young Master, the mountain paths are difficult at night, and you are still injured. There's no need to rush. It's not too late to leave tomorrow!"
However, Ye Tinglan seemed to hear nothing, his lips tightly pursed as he walked out without a word.
Yun Shu and the others encountered him near midnight.
"Your Highness!"
As soon as they approached, a strong smell of blood hit them.
The hidden guards rushed forward, but before they could even touch the figure in black, a sharp, chilling aura struck them first.
Not expecting Yun Shu to be traveling with them, Ye Tinglan's eyes narrowed, the oppressive aura in his gaze silently spreading.
Yun Shu stepped forward, "Brother Lan, I insisted on coming along myself. It's not their fault."
He had been missing for two days, and the officials of Yuzhou were constantly monitoring the movements at the imperial envoy's temporary residence. If not for Yun Shu smoothing things over, the matter would likely have been exposed by now.
So, when she insisted on coming, they couldn't refuse.
Ye Tinglan's handsome face remained cold upon hearing this.
"The places the hidden guards go are dangerous. It's inconvenient for a woman to follow. If the Prince of Dingnan knew about this, he might blame me for not taking good care of you."
Yun Shu clasped her hands behind her back, her eyes meeting his, showing no hint of fear.
"Are you underestimating me, Brother Lan?"
Ye Tinglan gave her a deep look and mounted his horse.
"Return to Yuzhou."
After all, he was sent by the Emperor to inspect. With Ye Tinglan's whereabouts unknown for so long, the officials of Yuzhou were in a constant state of anxiety, visiting the imperial envoy's residence daily to inquire.
When he reappeared on the third day, their agitation finally subsided somewhat.
"We haven't seen Your Highness out on inspection these past two days. I wonder if there's anything..."
The speaker was the Yuzhou Chief Clerk. He clasped his wide sleeves in front of him, his eyes filled with probing intent.
Ye Tinglan's dark eyes moved silently, his expression one of icy calmness. "I have recently caught a chill and have not been feeling well, so I have not been out. I hope you weren't too worried, Master Sun."
This explanation was identical to what Yun Shu had said.
The Chief Clerk's eyes flickered slightly, sweeping over Ye Tinglan's still somewhat pale face, and he immediately spoke again.
"We dare not, we dare not. Your Highness's health is of utmost importance. If you have caught a cold, it must be that your subordinates have not served you well. I, on behalf of the Governor, offer our apologies to Your Highness."
Half of those serving at the imperial envoy's temporary residence were their people. However, the entrance to Ye Tinglan's courtyard had been strictly guarded by sentries for the past two days, preventing their people from getting close.
Ye Tinglan gave a faint "Mm" upon hearing this, but said nothing more.
This implied a clear desire for them to leave.
Recalling the instructions from the Governor and Ning Fengzhi when he came, the Chief Clerk hesitated for a moment, then forced himself to speak again.
"Your Highness has been in Yuzhou for several days now, and the administrative affairs have been largely cleared. I wonder... are there any other matters to investigate? We can then arrange for people to prepare in advance."
This was an attempt to gauge Ye Tinglan's intentions.
Previously, he had only stayed in Dingzhou for three days, in Jiangzhou for merely one day, and had even bypassed Jinzhou altogether to come directly to Yuzhou.
Yet, he had lingered in Yuzhou for several days, showing no intention of leaving.
The Ning clan's issues were significant, and the Yuzhou officials were intertwined with complex interests. If Ye Tinglan were to investigate, it would be a case of "pulling out one radish and bringing out the mud." Therefore, as long as he remained, no one would feel at ease.
He probed cautiously, but Ye Tinglan's dark eyes narrowed, his expression remaining utterly calm.
"I was just about to mention this to Master Wu. Since Master Sun is here today, please convey my message for me."
"I have a basic understanding of the affairs in Yuzhou, and my health has also recovered. I will be leaving tomorrow."
Last night, the hidden guards had searched the city but found no trace of Jiang Wan. Now, she had likely already departed.
"To... tomorrow?!"
Caught completely off guard by this sudden announcement, the Chief Clerk's eyes widened.
Realizing his失态 (loss of composure), he immediately said, "It's so sudden."
Truly a hasty arrival and an even hastier departure.
But he hadn't visited the military camp during his stay, and now he was in such a hurry to leave. Did this mean... he wouldn't be investigating further?
Ye Tinglan nodded, acting as if he hadn't noticed the anomaly on the other's face.
"Please convey my message to Master Wu, Master Sun."
"Certainly, certainly!"
The Chief Clerk left with joy, Ye Tinglan loosened his grip on the teacup, and his sleeve slid back, revealing a dark, blood-red bloom spreading across the front of his robe.
"Brother Lan."
Yun Shu approached with a bowl of medicine. Upon seeing the paleness on his face, she immediately came forward.
"Has your wound reopened?"
Ye Tinglan pursed his lips and waved his sleeve to cover the spot.
"It's nothing."
He always kept a distance from her.
Realizing this, Yun Shu's lips tightened. Just as she was about to speak, a hidden guard entered first.
"Your Highness."
Ye Tinglan nodded, then looked at her again, his voice faint.
"You should go back. Let the servants bring the medicine."
Yun Shu's brow furrowed slightly, but she still nodded. "Alright."
She placed the medicine bowl down and withdrew. Ye Tinglan's gaze did not waver as he lifted his lips.
"Speak."
"Your Highness, a secret letter has arrived from Jinzhou. It's from Guard Qi."
Qi Xuan had been ordered to Jinzhou since their parting. The letter arriving now meant that the investigation likely had some progress.
His thin lips tightened slightly, and Ye Tinglan reached out to take it.
The moment he unfolded the letter, his brow suddenly furrowed, and the chill emanating from him intensified.
[Yú Píng is in Jinzhou.]