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Xiao Heng had just reported to the Ministry of Justice and was about to return to the Hanlin Academy when he passed by the stationery store. He realized that he needed more writing materials so he stopped the carriage and made a purchase.
As he boarded the carriage again, he immediately sensed that something was amiss.
The carriage's curtains were open, and the interior was well-ventilated, yet he detected a faint scent of blood.
"Lord Xiao, I've placed the items here." The coachman said, placing a large box containing four treasures of the study on the carriage's floor. He wasn't as sensitive as Xiao Heng and didn't notice anything unusual. "Are we heading back to the Hanlin Academy now, or does my Lord want to buy anything else?"
"No, that's all." Xiao Heng replied.
"Understood, I'll be outside then." The coachman lowered the curtain and returned to the seat outside.
Xiao Heng didn't immediately sit down but kept a watchful eye on the cushioned bench.
Under the bench, Yuan Tang gripped his wounded arm, his forehead slightly damp with sweat from a mixture of anxiety and pain.
He didn't know whose carriage this was, but he overheard the coachman addressing the passenger as "Lord Xiao." The coachman also mentioned the Hanlin Academy, and as far as Yuan Tang knew, the only official with the surname Xiao in the Hanlin Academy was the husband of Physician Gu, Xiao Liulang.
Yuan Tang and Xiao Liulang hadn't formally met, only having seen each other from a distance a few times. He only knew that Xiao Liulang was Physician Gu’s husband and this year's top scholar, currently working at the Hanlin Academy.
As for whether Xiao Heng recognized him or not, Yuan Tang couldn't be sure.
However, if Xiao Liulang did see his current condition, he should be able to guess who he was.
Yuan Tang dared not easily conclude whether Xiao Liulang was an enemy or a friend. He might be Gu Jiao's husband, but he was also an official, and as an official, he had a duty to apprehend him.
Yuan Tang bit his lip to stifle any sound.
He had no intention of harming Gu Jiao's family, but if… and he emphasized "if," he went to apprehend him, he would have to offend him!
"Whose carriage is up ahead?"
A squad of imperial guards came to a stop in front of the carriage, and it was their commanding officer who asked the question.
They had been in pursuit all the way, setting up blockades in the surrounding area, but that guy Yuan Tang seemed to have vanished into thin air.
They speculated that Yuan Tang must be hiding under their noses, either in nearby shops or within passing carriages.
Xiao Heng observed the slowly seeping bloodstain beneath the bench. With a slight flicker in his eyes, he walked forward, lifted the hem of his clothes, and sat down. His right foot happened to step on the spreading bloodstain.
The coachman negotiated with the imperial guards for a moment before cracking the curtain open slightly and explaining to Xiao Heng, "Lord Xiao, the imperial guards are searching for the prince of the State of Chen. They hope to inspect our carriage."
Xiao Heng raised his hand to signal for him to open the curtain wider.
The coachman nodded and extended the curtain fully, allowing the imperial guards to see the situation inside.
Xiao Heng sat upright in the carriage, his demeanor serious and devoid of smiles. He possessed a youthful and handsome appearance, yet exuded an exceptionally powerful presence. His gaze carried an air of authority that commanded respect without any hint of anger.
"Do any of you gentlemen need to come up and conduct a thorough search?" Xiao Heng inquired.
The commanding officer was taken aback by Xiao Liulang's appearance and presence and remained stunned for a moment before finally regaining his composure. Perhaps realizing his momentary lapse, he hastily lowered his head and respectfully bowed, saying, "No need, Lord Xiao! Our men have already seen inside. We apologize for the disturbance and hope Lord Xiao can forgive us!"
Xiao Heng was a person highly favored by both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and the commanding officer would not dare to easily offend him even if he had eight times the courage. Moreover, he had been rudely staring at Xiao Heng earlier, which was indeed impolite.
"It's alright." Xiao Heng replied.
The commanding officer courteously said, "In that case, we'll continue our search for the person. Farewell, Lord Xiao."
Xiao Heng nodded, "Farewell."
The commanding officer intended to lead the remaining imperial guards to search nearby shops. However, as he turned, he heard the sound of something dripping to the ground. It was a faint sound, but the street wasn't crowded at the moment, and the surroundings were relatively quiet.
Yuan Tang turned pale!
His blood was dripping through the gaps in the floor of the carriage!
This was bad!
He was about to be discovered!
"Why are you just standing there?" Xiao Heng sternly told the coachman, "How much longer are you going to let this official bleed? Hurry to the medical hall!"
The coachman was taken aback.
Had Lord Xiao been injured?
When did it happen?
Xiao Heng's momentary eruption of authority was too intimidating, and the coachman didn't dare to ask him what had happened. In a hurry, he lowered the curtain and replied, "Yes! Yes! This humble one shall go to the medical hall right away!"
Just before the curtain was fully drawn down, the commanding officer saw a trace of blood seeping under Xiao Liulang's right foot.
So, it was indeed Lord Xiao who was injured?
The commanding officer frowned in suspicion, believing that there might be something to it, but he was afraid of Xiao Liulang's status. He also didn't think that Xiao Liulang would lie, so he refrained from inspecting further.
The coachman drove the carriage towards the nearest medical hall, but then he heard Lord Xiao inside the carriage saying, "Don't go to the medical hall, head to the north gate instead."
"Eh?" The coachman was puzzled once more. "Lord Xiao, didn't you get injured? The medical hall is just right ahead."
"I remembered there was some jinchuang medicine in the carriage. I can just apply some of it myself."
"Alright, then." The coachman was completely baffled by the swift change of plans. "Does Lord Xiao want to go to the north gate?"
Xiao Heng replied in his usual tone, "I originally intended to go in the afternoon, but upon further thought, I've decided to go now."
"Understood." The coachman, with his humble status, did not dare to inquire about Xiao Heng's official business. He continued to drive the carriage towards the North City Gate.
Xiao Heng displayed his official token from the Ministry of Justice, saying, "Investigating a case."
The city guards allowed him to pass.
Xiao Heng went to the nearest post station outside the north gate.
"Give the horse some feed." He instructed the coachman.
"Yes."
The coachman removed the reins and bridle, leading the horse to the post station's stable.
Xiao Heng stepped down from the carriage with an indifferent expression.
He spent about thirty minutes inside the post station before returning to the carriage. By this time, there was no trace of Yuan Tang in the carriage anymore.
The coachman came back, leading the well-fed horse, and called, "My lord!"
Xiao Heng calmly said, "Return to the capital."
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