Chapter 464: Xiao Huai’an Extra: The Handsome Young Man (Part 1)

Another decade of spring and autumn slipped by in the blink of an eye.

No matter the time, the capital of Great Chu, Western Capital, is always this bustling and prosperous. As the national power of Great Chu has increasingly flourished over the years, surrounding foreign tribes have successively formed peace agreements with Great Chu. Gradually, Great Chu has opened its borders, welcoming people of various ethnicities to do business, study, and live here. Consequently, today in the bustling streets and alleys of Western Capital, people dressed in diverse ethnic costumes can be seen everywhere, making it more vibrant and lively than it was ten years ago.

Amidst the incessant flow of people, a young lord dressed in a plain water-green narrow-sleeved robe and wearing a hat worn white from washing suddenly stopped, turned to look at his long-term follower, who was panting heavily while leading a horse behind him, and with a sudden smile, said: "Xianyun, weren’t you the one who kept urging me to hurry back to the capital? Now we’ve only traveled for a while, how come you look so worn out?"

Xianyun, exhausted to the point where he wanted nothing more than to collapse and sleep, thought: We were supposed to return to the capital, but he never said to spend most of the time sightseeing and enjoying ourselves, turning a six-day return journey into three days, rushing back to Western Capital without a moment’s rest!!!

The lord, at the energetic age of fifteen, had been practicing martial arts and exercising daily since childhood, able to feel refreshed after a quick nap under a tree at night, unlike Xianyun, who was almost thirty and couldn’t compare!

Seeing Xianyun’s face full of grievance, Xiao Huai’an chuckled softly, pointed to a nearby teahouse and said considerately, "Since we’re already back in the capital, there’s no rush to return home immediately. Come, let’s rest in the teahouse nearby, and I’ll treat you to this year’s new tea."

Xianyun wanted to say they could rest after returning to the mansion, but feeling the blisters already forming on his feet, he said indignantly, "I’ll also need a plate of pastries!"

Xiao Huai’an couldn’t help but smile and nod, "Alright."

The master and servant duo entered a teahouse nearby and casually found a place to sit.

Because they were dressed very plainly at first, the teahouse attendants merely took them for ordinary guests. That was until the young man took off his worn hat, and suddenly a hush fell over the place.

Surprisingly, it was a remarkably handsome youth, who exuded an inviting warmth like a spring breeze. With fair skin and well-defined features, he had no flaw in appearance. Particularly captivating were his eyes, an enchanting shade of peach blossom, lively and elusive yet subtly emanating a warmth capable of melting ice and snow. This immediately made the surrounding young ladies’ faces blush, as they covertly and overtly cast glances his way.

Xianyun surveyed the room discreetly, and couldn’t help but chuckle, "Lord, you really are a troublemaker. You’ve just returned to Western Capital and already stolen the hearts of so many young ladies. I’m afraid when you formally make your debut, all noblewomen in Western Capital would go mad for you."

The lord’s appearance was a harmonious blend of the Lady and Lord’s best features, resulting in an extremely handsome disposition.

But a year ago, when the lord traveled abroad at the age of fourteen, although promising, he still carried a hint of youthful innocence.

After traveling abroad for over a year, the lord’s demeanor had matured significantly, and that youthful innocence had diminished. The slight chubbiness on his face had reduced, and even wearing simple clothing, he emanated the charm of an elegant young gentleman.

Xiao Huai’an discreetly shot Xianyun a glance and softly said, "Exaggeration. Didn’t you say you were thirsty and hungry? Go ahead and eat."

Xianyun thought to himself, he was not exaggerating at all. The lord’s face, combined with his status, would undoubtedly drive all the noblewomen of Western Capital into a frenzy!

The Holy Emperor personally appointed Lady Tang as the lady of the Great Chu and their family had birthed the youngest Prime Minister in history. In a way, their status was akin to that of a prince!

Fortunately, Xiao Huai’an was accustomed to the attention of outsiders. After admonishing Xianyun, he raised the teacup and sipped the refreshing and elegant spring tea.

While the master and servant were resting in the teahouse, a sudden panicked scream was heard outside, "Somebody... somebody help! Robbery! Someone is robbing!"

Xiao Huai’an paused with the teacup in hand, turned to look at the street outside, and saw a man wearing a black mask and ordinary gray clothes, clutching a large pile of belongings, anxiously pushing through the crowd, desperately trying to escape.

Several men chased closely behind him. However, due to the crowded streets and the stalls lined up on either side, the man being chased maneuvered agilely through the crowd like a snake. Whenever he was about to be caught, he would knock over a nearby stall, creating obstacles for his pursuers, making it impossible for them to catch up, the distance between them growing ever wider.

Watching the chaos outside, Xiao Huai’an’s well-formed brows gradually furrowed.

With an osmanthus cake hanging from his mouth, Xianyun shook his head and said, "Oh heavens, which fool would dare to commit robbery in broad daylight? And this is so close to the Western Capital government office. If they catch him, he surely can’t escape..."

No sooner had he finished his sentence than several government officials dressed in the Western Capital government office uniform sprinted past, shouting sternly, "Stop running! Halt!"

Xianyun’s osmanthus cake fell onto the table.

Could it be? He just casually mentioned it, and the officials from the Western Capital government office really showed up?

Hadn’t the robbery just happened? How were the officials so swift nowadays?

"Maybe they were just patrolling nearby."

A clear and pleasant young voice chimed in, as Xiao Huai’an raised his teacup and took another sip, saying, "Xianyun, go find out what’s going on."

Xianyun was taken aback, "Isn’t this just an ordinary robbery? What’s there to find out?"

Xiao Huai’an cast him a sidelong glance and said slowly, "I’m curious, do you have an issue with that?"

Xianyun: "..."

"No, I don’t."

Oh! If there’s one flaw the lord has, it’s that as he grows older, he gets more exasperating! Just like the Lord in his youth!

Oh-wo-oh, where has the adorable, pure little angel-like lord gone?

Soon enough, Xianyun had gathered some information and returned, unable to contain his surprise as he said, "Lord, guess what? That person didn’t just rob, he committed murder as well! He robbed a nearby gold shop. It’s said that as soon as he entered, he pulled out a small knife, took the shopkeeper hostage, and gruffly threatened the others in the shop to wrap up the store’s gold items with a cloth he brought!

With the shopkeeper in his grasp, who would dare defy his orders? They followed his instructions to pack up all the gold, stopping only when the bundle couldn’t hold anymore.

It was said that the man also demanded the shop clerk prepare a horse for him, but because government officials happened to be patrolling nearby and came upon hearing the news, he gave up on that plan."

Xiao Huai’an frowned slightly, "The people in the shop followed his instructions, why did he kill someone? Who was killed?"