To be frank, the news Zhou Quan brought was worse than no news at all. Without news, there was still hope, but the news Zhou Quan delivered was suffocating and despairing.
Chen Xiaobei returned to his room. Huang Ying solicitously brought over a bowl of tea, "Brother Xiaobei, have some tea to moisten your throat. Don't be so anxious when something happens."
Chen Xiaobei took a sip of the tea and sighed softly, "Alas, young lady Xiao Yue is truly an unfortunate soul."
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Huang Ying's heart stirred, and a inexplicable sourness bloomed in her chest.
It was understandable for Chen Xiaobei to sympathize with Feng Xiaoyue, but she herself was Chen Xiaobei's second wife, already sharing this man with Cui Hongyu.
Huang Ying did not want another person to join them. The more this was the case, the more Huang Ying resolved to keep the news of Fang Zheng hidden, refusing to reveal it unless absolutely necessary.
With this thought, Huang Ying poured another cup of tea and handed it to Chen Xiaobei, "Brother Xiaobei, have some tea. Don't worry, there will be a way."
Chen Xiaobei forced a smile, but he knew in his heart that there would be a way? It was probably difficult.
At this time, Zhou Quan also returned to the Crown Prince's mansion and recounted his encounter with Fang Jun and Feng Xiaoyue to him.
After listening to Zhou Quan's report, Xiao Jingyun's expression was grave, "I didn't expect that Old Minister Fang would have been so diligently investigating the matter of Feng Pengju for so many years. It seems his efforts have not been in vain!"
Zhou Quan bowed slightly, "But Your Highness. Now Old Minister Fang is also missing, and Gao Xing's whereabouts are completely unknown. What should we do?"
Xiao Jingyun slowly stood up and paced back and forth in the small room. After a long period of contemplation, he finally spoke, "At this point, we have no better solution. I think we should find the right time to post a public notice to ask the people to help search for Old Minister Fang!"
"But Your Highness, now..." Zhou Quan started, then stopped mid-sentence. Xiao Jingyun understood his meaning. Wan Nian City was not peaceful now, with rumors spreading among the people. Fish shoals were gathering outside the four city gates, and they showed no signs of receding.
In such a situation, posting another notice seeking the old Prime Minister would seem incredibly ill-timed. It would undoubtedly cause greater unrest.
Xiao Jingyun also understood Zhou Quan's meaning. He nodded slightly, "After we invite the eminent monk to perform the ritual and resolve the evil spirits at the four gates, we will then repost the notice seeking Old Minister Fang's whereabouts."
The next day arrived quickly.
The soldiers guarding the Imperial Edict stood watch for an entire day, yet no one came to claim it. Zhou Quan could only return to the Crown Prince's mansion to report to Xiao Jingyun.
Hearing the report, Xiao Jingyun was filled with a sense of bitterness.
He looked at Zhou Quan, who also wore a helpless expression, "Your Highness, it seems we have to continue guarding tomorrow as well."
Two more days passed in a flash. Yang Chun finally sent a letter. Cui Hongyu and the others would arrive in the capital in two days. Chen Xiaobei could finally make his move.
That morning, long after the sun had risen high, the soldiers guarding the Imperial Edict leaned against the wall, somewhat distracted. They had been guarding for several days with no progress, and no one had come to claim the notice.
Rumors in the city, however, grew more intense. Various explanations emerged, some attributing it to water spirits, others to river monsters.
Some even claimed it was a divine manifestation, and some even said it was the chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep that had died in the water a few days ago returning for revenge.
Of course, among the various rumors, one was particularly damaging: it was related to Liu Xiangnan.
It was said that this foretold disaster for the Great Cang Kingdom brought by Liu Xiangnan.
Moreover, this argument was gaining traction and becoming mainstream, so Chen Xiaobei could no longer wait.
At this moment, the crowd of onlookers had already packed in front of the Imperial Edict. If not completely impenetrable, they were at least shoulder to shoulder. The onlookers craned their necks to look at the notice, then glanced at the soldiers on duty in the corner. They would then discuss the various rumors and versions they had heard, exchanging information before reluctantly leaving.
Chen Xiaobei pushed through the crowd and took a few steps forward.
Upon seeing him emerge, a soldier in the distance immediately shouted, "Spectators, please step back. Do not touch the Imperial Edict, or you will be guilty of deceiving the emperor!"
Chen Xiaobei smiled calmly, cupped his fists towards them, and said in a loud voice, "Esteemed soldiers, I am illiterate. May I ask what this notice says?"
His few words almost infuriated the guarding soldiers. If you're illiterate, why are you here? Aren't you causing trouble?
However, upon second thought, the Imperial Edict had been standing for several days with no one inquiring about it. They were bored to death, so it would be better to amuse themselves with Chen Xiaobei.
With this thought, one of them stepped forward, cupped his fists towards the Imperial Edict, and then said loudly, "You, since you are illiterate, I don't need to read it to you. I'll tell you one thing: this notice was issued by the Crown Prince, seeking a virtuous individual to suppress the fish shoals at the four gates. Do you understand!"
Chen Xiaobei nodded and cupped his fists towards the soldier, "Alright, I believe you!"
"Does the Crown Prince want someone who can dispel the evil at the four gates?"
The soldier nodded.
"It also states that whoever can eliminate this evil phenomenon will be rewarded with five thousand taels of silver. Hey, brother, you can't even read a single character. I think you should just stay put."
One had to admit, this soldier offered him some good advice. But Chen Xiaobei merely smiled and nodded, then strode forward, grabbed a corner of the Imperial Edict, and ripped it.
Chen Xiaobei took the Imperial Edict in his hand, carefully rolled it up, and then held it in his right hand, raising it into the air.
"Everyone, I, Chen Xiaobei, am tearing down this Imperial Edict today."
"Within five days, I will ensure that all strange phenomena disappear, and everyone will live in peace."
Upon hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, the crowd erupted in laughter, and then people began to disperse.
After all, for many of the people present, Chen Xiaobei was a complete stranger, appearing to be no more than seventeen or eighteen years old.
Judging by his age, even if he had started practicing magic in his mother's womb, he would have only studied for a little over ten years. Could he truly vanquish demons and ward off evil?
The soldiers guarding nearby stepped forward and cupped their fists in a salute to Chen Xiaobei.
"Young sir, greetings. Since you have claimed the Imperial Edict, I must first make it clear to you: if you can suppress this phenomenon, you will naturally receive your reward. However, if you fail, you will be guilty of deceiving the emperor, a crime punishable by the extermination of your entire clan. You must understand the gravity of the consequences."
Chen Xiaobei sighed. He was aware of this policy. He sighed because he felt it was unreasonable. He had come to help, but if he couldn't help, they would behead him. Where could he find justice for such a matter?
But clearly, he could find justice anywhere except from these soldiers.
These soldiers, excited, escorted Chen Xiaobei to the Crown Prince's mansion.