A few hours earlier...
Prince Li had taken several officers to the Ironworks to search for clues about the illegal weapons.
While questioning the blacksmiths about the weapons, he also took the opportunity to ask whether anyone had seen a dagger bearing a clover-shaped symbol.
One of the blacksmiths listened to his question with a puzzled expression.
"That's strange... Why is everyone suddenly interested in finding such a dagger?"
"What do you mean? Has someone else asked you about a dagger with a clover-shaped symbol?" Prince Li asked curiously.
"Yes. Just a little while ago, an elegant man and a beautiful woman came here asking about the same dagger. The woman even showed me a drawing of it."
Prince Li thanked the blacksmith for the information, but his mind was already working.
A beautiful woman carrying a drawing of the dagger? Could it be Hua MuTan? But who was accompanying her? An elegant man? Is he her partner in crime?
Just then, ManQi approached to deliver his report.
"Master, we've questioned all the blacksmiths, but we haven't found any useful clues yet."
"Hm... The thief we captured clearly said he saw the caravan entering this area. They must have a good hiding place somewhere nearby."
Suddenly, a little boy ran along the street, shouting.
"Fire! There's a fire in the woods!"
Several people immediately rushed to check what was happening.
"Let's help them, too."
Prince Li stood up at once and headed towards the woods with ManQi and the other officers.
Before long, they arrived at an old lodge engulfed in flames. They immediately joined the others in putting out the fire.
By the time the fire was extinguished, the old lodge had been almost completely destroyed.
Most of the people eventually left, since there seemed to be nothing worth investigating in the remains of an old burned-down building.
However, Prince Li and his men stayed behind to examine the ruins.
This lodge would have been a perfect hiding place. Could someone have deliberately burned it down to cover something up?
Unfortunately, they found nothing useful.
Prince Li stepped outside and continued observing the surroundings.
Meanwhile, ManQi was checking the other side of the woods when he suddenly noticed someone emerging from the trees.
As soon as he recognised the figures, his eyes widened.
He immediately gestured towards Prince Li.
"Master, look!"
Prince Li followed his gaze and was equally surprised by what he saw.
Prince FengEr was walking out of the woods with TanTan, supporting her carefully as they moved forward.
What a coincidence! Just when I'm investigating the illegal weapons, I run into her again...
But he was even more curious about why Prince FengEr was with Hua MuTan.
He immediately approached them.
Prince FengEr and TanTan were also surprised to see Prince Li and his men waiting nearby. They had actually been returning after noticing the fire.
Prince Li greeted his older brother politely.
"San WangGe..."
However, his expression remained cold as he looked at TanTan leaning so closely against Prince FengEr.
No matter what, Hua MuTan was legally his wife. It wouldn't be appropriate for her to be seen walking so intimately with another man. He also worried that such a scene might damage Prince FengEr's reputation.
Prince FengEr seemed to understand what was going through his younger brother's mind, so he immediately explained.
"Wei Di, what a coincidence to meet you here! Ah, please don't misunderstand. MuTan Mei sprained her ankle, so I was helping her walk. But since you're here now, you can take care of your wife."
With that, Prince FengEr smoothly guided TanTan towards Prince Li.
Before he even realised what he was doing, Prince Li had already reached out and taken hold of her.
Uncomfortable with the position, TanTan quickly freed herself and tried to stand on her own, despite the pain in her ankle.
"It's all right... I can walk by myself."
But Prince Li continued holding her arm.
"What happened? Why are you here with San WangGe?" he asked curiously.
"Isn't it obvious? I came here to look for clues about the dagger," TanTan explained.
"And you dragged the Third Prince into this with you? How reckless! You could have put him in danger!"
Prince Li scolded her loudly, not caring that ManQi and the other officers were watching.
In truth, he was once again frustrated by Hua MuTan's recklessness. After being rescued from danger before, she had still gone out of her way to put herself in another dangerous situation.
Is she really this careless, or is she deliberately trying to attract attention by getting herself involved in these dangerous situations?
He doesn't seem concerned about my safety at all. He's more worried about Prince FengEr's! Wonderful...
TanTan felt upset, but she couldn't argue with him. After all, she had deliberately used Prince FengEr as bait to distract the enemy.
An uncomfortable silence settled between them.
Prince FengEr felt a little regretful about the situation and quickly intervened.
"Wei Di, please don't be angry with MuTan Mei. I was the one who willingly accompanied her. Now, why don't we sit down and discuss everything? I'm sure you'll want to hear what we've discovered."
Prince Li still seemed dissatisfied with his older brother's explanation. He gave TanTan one more sharp look before replying.
"Fine. Let's discuss it back at the mansion."
Prince FengEr was still holding TanTan's arm with his left hand. Prince Li then raised his right hand and whistled to summon his horse.
The horse obediently approached him.
Prince Li gestured for TanTan to get on.
TanTan looked at him in confusion.
Why is he suddenly offering me a ride when he's clearly so angry with me?
"Just get on. Or would you rather trouble San WangGe to help you walk all the way back?"
His voice was sharp.
TanTan immediately understood.
He cares about Prince FengEr's reputation! He's worried people might start spreading rumours about me and Prince FengEr!
She didn't want that to happen either, so she obeyed and prepared to mount the horse.
However, the pain in her ankle made it difficult for her to climb up by herself.
Before she could struggle any further, Prince Li suddenly lifted her onto the horse and climbed up behind her.
TanTan was so startled that she became speechless. She simply sat still, unsure how to react.
Prince Li then looked towards Prince FengEr.
"San WangGe, let's meet again at Li Mansion. I want to hear everything that happened here."
He turned to ManQi.
"ManQi, accompany the Third Prince."
"Yes, Master."
ManQi bowed obediently.
Prince Li then guided his horse away with TanTan.
Prince FengEr watched them leave, his expression difficult to read.
He remained silent until ManQi addressed him.
"Shall we leave now, Third Prince?"
"Oh, yes. Of course."
Prince FengEr suddenly remembered something.
"Ah, don't forget to ask your officers to retrieve the dead body in the woods. It might be useful for our investigation later."
"Understood, Third Prince."
ManQi immediately relayed Prince FengEr's instructions to several officers. After that, he mounted his own horse and accompanied Prince FengEr back to Li Mansion.