Chapter 251 - 249: Xu Jing’s Request (1st Update)

Chapter 251: Chapter 249: Xu Jing’s Request (1st Update)

Outside the door stood several government officials, led by a middle-aged man in a bright red official robe with a square face.

These guards used to work for Xiao Yi, so they had some experience. One of them quickly recognized the man outside and immediately saluted, saying, "I’ve met Mr. Yao. May I ask what brings you here, Mr. Yao?"

The visitor was indeed one of the two Capital City Governors of the Western Capital—Yao Wangzhi!

The guard spoke while subtly observing the man in front of him.

As it turns out, the Holy Emperor had previously ordered Miss Xu to become an external advisor for the Western Capital Prefecture. Could it be that Mr. Yao was here to ask Miss Xu for help with an investigation?

However, Mr. Yao’s stern and serious expression didn’t quite match that notion.

Mr. Yao pressed his lips together and said, "I have an important matter to discuss with Miss Xu. Could you please ask her to come out?"

The lead guard sensed something was amiss and cautiously asked, "It will take a little time for our lady to come out. Would Mr. Yao like to wait inside?"

"No need."

Mr. Yao paused, seemingly hesitating for a moment, then said gravely, "Tell your lady she is in trouble and should be mentally prepared to come with us shortly.

Just now, the Western Capital Prefecture received reports simultaneously from the Xu Family and Wang Family that two of their young heirs have been kidnapped."

At that moment, everyone had just finished lunch. Xu Jing was in her room, reviewing the dowry list Xu Sihai had finalized for her, feeling increasingly frustrated. Hearing the urgent report from the guard, she paused, her expression becoming slightly serious.

The young heirs of the Wang Family and Xu Family had gone missing, but why would the people from the Western Capital Prefecture come to her?

Moreover, Mr. Yao was clearly indicating that this matter was related to her. She had no ties with the Wang Family and had already severed relations with the Xu Family. His implication could only mean—they believed she was involved in the kidnapping!

Could it be because of the conflict she had with these two families on the street a few days ago, and they assumed she kidnapped their children? But if it was just a simple suspicion of crime, Mr. Yao wouldn’t specifically remind her to be mentally prepared.

Under normal investigative procedures, unless it involved a major suspect, investigators would first conduct visits and inquiries rather than directly ask someone to accompany them.

Yet Mr. Yao came straight out telling her to go with him, without even basic questioning, indicating they might have some crucial evidence!

Xu Jing, with a composed face, did not rush to go out and said, "Guo Yi, Du Ying, quickly go and check if my uncle and cousins are at home."

Guo Yi and Du Ying, two guards who regularly accompanied Xu Jing, immediately saluted upon hearing her words and quickly went out.

Xu Jing then instructed the guard who delivered the message to inform Mr. Yao that she had just woken from a nap and needed time to get ready. She returned to her room to prepare herself slowly.

Guo Yi and Du Ying soon returned and said to Xu Jing, "Miss Xu, Mr. Xu and Xu Erlang are at home, but there is no sign of Xu Wulang and Miss Xu. We asked the servants who usually follow them, and they said Xu Wulang and Miss Xu went out early this morning and haven’t returned."

A bad feeling rose in Xu Jing’s heart.

During lunch, she noticed Xu Huaiyang and Xu Huaijin were missing. But they were at the age where they loved to play and were rarely in the Capital City. Over the past few days, whenever they had free time, they would run out. When asked what they were doing, they were mysterious about it.

Even though Xu Sihai reprimanded them a few times, he didn’t overly restrict them. If Xu Huaiyang went out alone, he might have been grounded immediately. But Huaijin was sensible and prudent from a young age. With her accompanying Xu Huaiyang, he felt relatively assured.

She immediately said, "Go ask my uncle and cousin again if they know where they usually go, and tell them it’s a critical time, so no secrets."

"Yes!"

Once Xu Jing slowly finished getting ready, Guo Yi and Du Ying returned again, this time followed by a frowning Xu Sihai and Xu Huan’an.

Xu Sihai strode up to Xu Jing and asked, "Jing, what on earth has happened? Have those two kids caused trouble?"

Xu Jing shook her head, "I’m not entirely sure, but just in case, I want to find out their whereabouts first."

"I’m not really sure what they do when they go out every day, but Huan’an knows. Just now, Huan’an mentioned they’ve been going to the jewelry store on the street to use their own money to prepare a wedding gift for you."

Xu Jing was slightly taken aback.

Xu Huan’an stepped forward and said, "But they’ve been out all morning. Usually, they would be back for lunch. I was also worried and was about to send someone to look for them."

The unease in Xu Jing’s heart grew stronger, and she took a deep breath, saying, "Perhaps... there’s no need to look for them."

Both Xu Sihai and Xu Huan’an were surprised.

Having said that, Xu Jing walked forward quickly and said, "Uncle, cousin, just now Mr. Yao from the Western Capital Prefecture asked me to go with them. You both should come along as well."

Mr. Yao had been waiting outside without entering, not annoyed even after Xu Jing took almost a quarter of an hour to come out. When he finally saw her, he gave her a complicated look and said, "Miss Xu, let’s go."

During their previous brief cooperation on the Smiling Killer case, Mr. Yao had a good impression of Xu Jing.

However, Xu Jing didn’t move. She spoke plainly, "I heard Mr. Yao came to find me because the young heirs of the Wang Family and Xu Family were kidnapped. I am quite familiar with both families, so I wonder which two heirs were kidnapped?"

Mr. Yao replied, "The kidnapped ones are Wang Baojun, the youngest son of Duke Qiao’s Princely Heir, and Xu Hanguang, Minister Xu’s only son."

It was indeed those two!

Xu Jing’s eyes turned slightly sharp as she asked, "Where were they kidnapped?"

This time, Mr. Yao paused for a moment before replying, "In an alley beside Baoyue Pavilion on Xuanwu Street."

Upon hearing this, Xu Huan’an exclaimed, "Isn’t that... the jewelry store that Huaiyang and Huaijin have been visiting these past few days?!"

Indeed!

Xu Jing’s lips curled into a faint, cold smile, "No wonder I brought my uncle and cousin out, and Mr. Yao didn’t say anything. I suppose Mr. Yao was actually planning to find them too! Could it be that you suspect my cousins of kidnapping those two children?"

Xu Sihai and Xu Huan’an were startled, finally understanding why Xu Jing wanted to know Xu Huaiyang and Xu Huaijin’s whereabouts earlier.

Xu Sihai couldn’t help but say solemnly, "Nonsense! How could my two children possibly kidnap anyone? There must be some misunderstanding!"

However, Xu Jing merely smiled faintly, "The Western Capital Prefecture wouldn’t arrest anyone without reason, so I guess you must have some evidence, right?"

Mr. Yao furrowed his brows but wasn’t overly surprised.

After all, it was Miss Xu; it was normal for her to have guessed this matter.

Seeing Mr. Yao was unwilling to say more, Xu Jing did not press further and said calmly, "I can go with you, but I have a request. Before heading to the Western Capital Prefecture, I want to take a look at the place where those two children disappeared."