Fang Yuchun was not surprised that Prince Yi would inquire about this matter, as it was well-known that Prince Yi and Xie Jiang were close friends.
Prince Yi's attitude towards the Xie clan's submission was consistent with His Majesty's.
Without His Majesty's decree, Prince Yi's words could also resolve the issue.
After entering Shangyi Pavilion, not far from Yuanyou Palace, Fang Yuchun and Yi Yanteng exchanged greetings and took their seats. Fang Yuchun picked up the perfectly brewed tea and drank it down in gulps, his throat parched.
He had spent the morning persuading Xie Jiang, and then persuading Old Master Hao. His throat felt dry, sore, and itchy, as if stuffed with straw.
As soon as Yi Yanteng asked, Fang Yuchun launched into a torrent of words upon hearing that the Marquis of Nanhai had clashed with the Hao family.
"...The Hao family's mansion, with its four courtyards, was demolished by the Marquis of Nanhai's men, leaving not a single brick standing... In front of Marquis Yongxin and this subordinate, the Hao family's father and two sons were beaten. Old Master Hao, at his age..."
Seeing Yi Yanteng's expressionless face, Fang Yuchun's heart sank. Remembering Yi Yanteng's relationship with Xie Jiang, he quickly tried to backtrack, "But after all, they were only superficial injuries. This is already the greatest fortune amidst misfortune..."
Yi Yanteng suddenly spoke, "Isn't this very measured?"
"Hm? Uh-huh..."
Fang Yuchun's "uh-huh" was convoluted. He had never seen such brutal measure.
Yi Yanteng believed she had been restrained. "The Marquis of Nanhai's actions today were to vent his anger; he did not harm anyone without reason."
"Yes, yes, yes. The Marquis of Nanhai is young and impetuous and cannot tolerate being wronged. This subordinate can understand. This matter was indeed the Hao family's fault first, but..."
"The Hao family, with dozens of old and young members, are currently sitting outside the Shun Tian Prefecture, demanding that the Shun Tian Prefecture severely punish the Marquis of Nanhai. However, the Marquis of Nanhai has a special status, and the Xie clan's submission is a matter of great importance..."
"How should this matter be handled? I implore Prince Yi to help decide." He knew Prince Yi favored Xie Jiang.
Yi Yanteng said with a straight face, "Handle it according to the law."
Fang Yuchun thought he was joking. Was the law to be used at such a time? But then he understood.
"Then let him be held in the Shun Tian Prefecture prison for a few days. Although the Marquis of Nanhai's actions today had a reason, the incident has had a very bad impact."
Fang Yuchun said this while observing Yi Yanteng's expression. If Yi Yanteng had even frowned, he would have immediately changed his tune.
Seeing that Yi Yanteng seemed to approve, Fang Yuchun was relieved.
"The main culprit in this matter is Hao Wei. The Hao family also bears responsibility for their lax upbringing. If they had properly disciplined Hao Wei, today's events would not have occurred. Hao Wei will surely be severely punished..."
However, he did not have the authority to punish the Hao family. That would require His Majesty, or Prince Yi could punish them on behalf of His Majesty.
Although Prince Yi did not yet have the title of regent, he was already exercising the power of a regent. He did not need to report to His Majesty to deal with the Hao family.
Fang Yuchun did not stay in Shangyi Pavilion for too long. Such a trivial matter was not enough to waste too much of Prince Yi's time.
Wen Feng came in to clear away the teacups and poured fresh tea for his master. Seeing his master's furrowed brow, he thought his master was worried about Miss Xie. "If there's nothing urgent this afternoon, why don't we leave the palace early and go to the Shun Tian Prefecture to see Young Master Xie?"
Yi Yanteng: "See her for what? Praise her for doing a good job? Encourage her to continue next time?"
"Hao Wei brought it upon himself. Not only did the Hao family fail to restrain him, but they also wanted Miss Xie to suffer in silence. He deserved this calamity today."
What was with the master's sarcastic tone?
Wen Feng said this while secretly observing his master.
Yi Yanteng sneered silently.
He had initially thought she was driven by lust when she went to sleep with the courtesan. Now it seemed he had wronged her. She was clearly targeting Hao Wei or the Hao family.
He wondered if her visit to the gambling house was also targeting Hao Wei.
Or perhaps, while she was at the gambling house, Hao Wei just happened to run into her, foolishly seeking death.
Why did she provoke the Hao family for no reason?
In Yi Yanteng's opinion, the Hao family was just the beginning; he didn't know which family would be next to suffer.
Was she planning to make her image of being hated by everyone deeply ingrained, and then be sent away from the capital by His Majesty as a natural course of action?
Yi Yanteng's first thought was that she still wanted to go to Ninghe!
Xu Hengyan was waiting in their usual spot to be reunited with her!
Calming down and thinking objectively, Yi Yanteng believed she wanted military power.
Staying in the capital, a place of wealth and privilege, she was merely a wealthy idler. This was not what she wanted.
Why would a girl like her want to hold military power?
From the news sent back by the spies from Lan Yong, she was the most favored young master of the Xie clan. Whether within the Xie clan or in Lan Yong, her influence was second only to Xie Tangqing.
In Lan Yong, everyone knew that the eldest young master, Xie Tangqing, doted on this young master, Xie Jiang.
The two Xie brothers, one stationed in Lan Yong and the other returning to their homeland to forge a path, had never had any rumors of discord.
What was the purpose of her wanting military power?
If the Xie clan intended to replace the Xia clan of Da Yu, they should not have such unrealistic ambitions.
She still harbored many secrets. Yi Yanteng suspected that what the spies had gathered in Lan Yong was merely what the Xie clan had allowed them to see.
The Xie clan had managed Lan Yong like an impenetrable fortress, and they were separated from Da Yu by a vast ocean, making it difficult for them to penetrate.
Yi Yanteng raised his hand and rubbed his tightly furrowed brow.
"Has Song Song sent any news back?"
Wen Feng was stunned by the question. They were discussing the Hao family, and suddenly he asked about this?
"Not yet. The Qian family is all dead, so it's not easy to investigate."
Yi Yanteng and Xie Jiang first met in the Qian family's haunted house.
When Xie Jiang disappeared without a trace, Yi Yanteng had sent people to investigate along the Qian family's trail.
Nothing was found.
"Although the Qian family was wiped out, they still have married daughters. Investigate them as well."
"Your subordinate will issue instructions shortly. There should be Qian clan daughters in the capital as well."
Did his master firmly believe that Miss Xie was related to the Qian family? Miss Xie, who grew up in Lan Yong, how could she be related to the Qian clan across the vast ocean?
It couldn't be said that there was absolutely no connection.
The navy of Da Yu was originally held by the Qian family.
After a long silence from his master, Wen Feng pondered for a moment and then asked again, "Are we still going to the Shun Tian Prefecture?"
Yi Yanteng snorted coldly, "You are so concerned, why don't you go yourself?"
Wen Feng was dumbfounded.
What did he mean by him being concerned? What was he concerned about?
Wasn't he just thinking that although his master was complaining endlessly, his heart had already flown to the Shun Tian Prefecture prison?
Wasn't he just doing what a competent subordinate should do?
Why was he being so temperamental?
Clearly, since that night, his eyes had been filled with spring breeze every day.
Yesterday, even though he was busy until late, he still rushed to the Marquis of Nanhai's mansion. Miss Xie had already gone to sleep, but he still insisted on going a long way to see her.
Didn't Miss Xie just fight a fight that needed to be fought today? Why was he unhappy? Was it because Miss Xie had gotten herself thrown into prison, making it inconvenient for him to visit her?
A man deeply in love was simply unreasonable.
But he still had to offer a step down. "The environment in prison is not good, and Miss Xie might not be accustomed to it. Shall we send some things over?"