FAKE PHOENIX, FALSE PHOENIX CHAPTER 26

Chapter 26

After resting in the city for a few days, the group prepared to set out as soon as the weather cleared. Yu He, with his knack for getting along with everyone, had managed to befriend many of the garrison soldiers in Xiangyang, even in just two short days. He brought back news in advance: “Young Master, security in Xiangyang has been tight on the inside but lax on the outside for the past couple of days. It seems they’re looking for someone. The soldiers say it’s a thief, but I suspect it’s the man we rescued the other day.”

Mo Shuihan instructed, “Go and find out more.”

By the time their luggage was packed, Yu He had returned. He leaned close to Mo Shuihan’s ear. “They’re definitely checking very strictly. Even someone with a small wound will be taken away.”

This was a problem. Ying Er and Ying San could get out easily, but they would never make it past the gates with a seriously injured man in tow.

Mo Shuihan thought for a moment, then went to find the Ninth Princess. “I rescued someone by chance. Now the whole city is looking for him. I want to take him with us.”

The princess was puzzled. “What did he do?”

“It should be related to the case we’re investigating, but I haven’t figured it out yet, so it’s not convenient to tell the other officials. Princess, is there any way you can get him out of the city without anyone noticing?”

The princess waved her hand dismissively. “Just have him hide in our carriage. Would those soldiers dare to search me?”

This gave Mo Shuihan an idea, but also a worry: they were no longer in the capital. What if the local officials were bold enough to overstep their authority?

His concern proved to be well-founded. As they were leaving the city, the princess’s carriage was actually stopped. The gate-guarding general looked at them with an air of stern righteousness. “That man is a heinous criminal and an expert at hiding. I am only acting for the Princess’s safety. I must ask the Princess to step out of her carriage!”

“Insolence! How dare you search the Princess’s carriage?” Mo Shuihan stepped forward and rebuked him angrily.

The general’s attitude was respectful but firm. “Prince Consort, please calm your anger. The Princess is of noble status. If anything were to happen to her, all of our families would be executed. Therefore, I must conduct a search. I ask for the Prince Consort’s and the Princess’s understanding.”

The guards behind the princess immediately drew their long swords, and the two sides faced off. Even the arrival of several local officials who tried to mediate was useless. Mo Shuihan narrowed his eyes. These aren’t the local gate guards. It seems the man we saved is a big fish indeed!

Xiao Heng watched from the side for a moment with a worried expression, then stepped forward. He took out his waist token and showed it to the general. “I am the son of the Left Minister, and this is the current Ninth Prince Consort. It doesn’t matter if you offend us, but you should have heard of the Ninth Princess’s reputation. Even if you search the carriage now, with a single word from her when she returns to the capital, she can still have your entire family executed!”

The general, who had been so resolute just a moment ago, actually hesitated upon seeing Xiao Heng’s token. This confirmed Mo Shuihan’s suspicions. He stepped forward and said, “Thank you for your concern, Lord Xiao, but it is not easy for them to be on duty. Forget it, let them search!”

He went back and convinced the Ninth Princess, who reluctantly stepped down from the carriage. Xiao Heng was initially worried, but when the soldier found nothing, he gave Mo Shuihan a thoughtful look.

Xiangyang was already very close to Jingzhou. The sky remained overcast, and fearing they would be trapped by another heavy snow, the party sped up their journey, finally arriving in Jingzhou just before the snow began to fall again.

The governor of Jingzhou was an elegant, middle-aged man, and it was clear he was a good official who cared for his country and his people. At the welcoming banquet, he began to explain the local situation: “On the main road outside the city, there is a canyon that one must pass through, with high mountains on both sides. For some reason, a group of bandits appeared there a few years ago, and their numbers have only grown since. Now they occupy the mountains on both sides, committing all sorts of atrocities. Anyone traveling from Jingzhou must take that road. Not only are the common people living in fear, but even the merchants have stopped coming. When the bandits can’t get money from robberies, they have started harassing the local populace. If this continues, what will become of Jingzhou?”

Xiao Heng asked, “Do you know the origins of these bandits?”

The Jingzhou governor shook his head. Mo Shuihan asked again, “Were there no results from the previous attempts to suppress the bandits?”