Chu Chu was utterly bewildered by what she heard, but Xiao Jin Yu understood perfectly. Wu Jiang, afraid of further incidents and not daring to leave the capital himself, had driven Jing Yi over since Prince An Manor had no available hands this year.
If Wu Jiang hadn't permitted Jing Yi to return, Jing Yi truly wouldn't have been able to enter the capital city gates. During the New Year festivities, so be it...
"It's just as well you came... Tomorrow, handle the betrothal gifts for me in the county town."
Jing Yi curled a smile, "That's easy. I guarantee I'll do it better than you would yourself."
Xiao Jin Yu glanced at Jing Yi, who was burying his head in continued feasting, "We'll find an inn to rest first. Take your time eating."
"Go on, go on..."
"Remember to settle the bill after you finish."
"..."
When Chu Chu emerged from her bath, Xiao Jin Yu was leaning against the headboard reading a letter. The letter appeared to be four or five pages long, and Xiao Jin Yu was frowning tightly at the pages.
It had been quite some time since Chu Chu had seen such an expression on Xiao Jin Yu's face. She had already memorized that whenever Wang Ye wore this expression, something major must have happened somewhere, and Wang Ye would remain unhappy for several days straight. Chu Chu obediently stood to the side waiting for him to finish reading before approaching the bed, climbing in, burrowing under the covers, nestling into his embrace, resting her head against his chest, and tightly wrapping her arms around his waist.
Over this period, Xiao Jin Yu had finally grown accustomed to this gesture. Seeing her suddenly silent and docile as a kitten, he patted her gently, "It's nothing, just a personal letter from the Sixth Prince."
Chu Chu's heart relaxed instantly, and a smile immediately appeared on her face. She lifted her head to look at Xiao Jin Yu, "Wang Ye, what's the Sixth Prince's name?"
"Xiao Jin Li."
Chu Chu burst out laughing, "Little Goldfish? Wang Ye, your family's names are really amusing!"
Xiao Jin Yu didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he didn't argue with her, moving the cushion aside and lying down.
"Wang Ye, what's the Sixth Prince's courtesy name then?"
"Jue Ran."
"I thought it would be Mule!"
"...Go to sleep now."
Chu Chu restlessly nuzzled against Xiao Jin Yu's chest, "Wang Ye, since Brother Jing is handling the betrothal gifts, what will we do tomorrow?"
"Didn't you want to take me to Fragrance Adding Teahouse to listen to Mr. Dong's storytelling?"
"Great!"
Xiao Jin Yu had always assumed Fragrance Adding Teahouse was quite a large establishment, but upon arrival discovered it was just the most ordinary small teahouse - two floors, with several tables and chairs downstairs, a storytelling platform, the entire place spotlessly clean but worn beyond recognition.
Early in the morning, it was indeed quite deserted.
"Please come in, honored guest. What would you like to drink... Oh! It's Little Chu!"
The teahouse manager rubbed his eyes before smiling, "Haven't seen you for two months, you've gotten even prettier - hardly recognized you!"
Chu Chu smiled sweetly, "I went to the capital!"
"What did you go to the capital for?"
"To find the Six Doors!"
The manager chuckled, "You're still hung up on Mr. Dong's little tricks..."
Xiao Jin Yu asked, "Is Mr. Dong here?"
Only then did the manager notice there was someone else who had entered with her. Looking at Chu Chu, he asked, "This is..."
"I am An Qi, a tea merchant from the capital... half your colleague, Manager."The innkeeper frantically waved his hands in refusal. "I dare not accept such praise! I'm just a humble tea seller—how could I possibly associate with a tea merchant from the capital? Please, come inside, come inside... What tea would you like? No, no... You're a tea merchant from the capital—my tea is hardly worthy of your palate... How about this? Let me brew you a pot of our local green tea. It's nothing special, but you can try it for novelty's sake..."
Xiao Jin Yu tried several times to interject but couldn't get a word in. Seizing the moment when the innkeeper paused, he hurriedly said, "Proprietor, there's no need for such courtesy..."
"This is one situation where courtesy is absolutely necessary! Chu Shui Town rarely gets outsiders, let alone merchants from the capital... Since you're here, you're our guest. The tea is on me..."
"Proprietor..." Xiao Jin Yu had to raise his voice to cut through the excessive politeness. "I'm here to find Mr. Dong."
The innkeeper froze. "Looking for Mr. Dong?"
Chu Chu quickly nodded. "We came specifically to hear Mr. Dong's storytelling!"
The innkeeper offered an awkward smile. "You've come at an unfortunate time. I've been looking for him myself these past two days... He hasn't shown up for his morning storytelling sessions for two days now, didn't even leave a message. I can't find anyone to replace him on such short notice—it's been worrying me sick..."
Xiao Jin Yu's brow furrowed slightly. For the storyteller to disappear just as he arrived seemed far too coincidental. "Do you know where Mr. Dong lives?"
The innkeeper waved dismissively. "He's not from around here. Said he came from the capital. His storytelling style is different from our local performers—quirky, but quite entertaining... I don't know where he lives. He'd come every morning, leave after his performance, sometimes chat with customers. He talked with Miss Chu the most... He's been doing this for over a year now. Suddenly not seeing him feels strangely unsettling..."
Chu Chu grew anxious. "Could he have returned to the capital?"
"That I wouldn't know."
Xiao Jin Yu nodded gently. "Thank you, proprietor."
"Since you're already here, why not stay for some tea?"
"We won't trouble you further."
Chu Chu remained silent throughout the walk back to the inn. The moment they entered their room, she burst into tears with a loud "Waa!" "Wang Ye, I wasn't lying to you!"
Her crying tightened Xiao Jin Yu's heart. He pulled her closer. "I know..."
Chu Chu sobbed against Xiao Jin Yu's lap for a long while. Nothing he said could console her, so he simply stroked her hair, waiting until she had cried herself out, exhausted herself, and finally quieted.
Lifting her tear-streaked face, Chu Chu looked at Xiao Jin Yu with watery eyes. "Wang Ye, will Mr. Dong ever come back?"
Xiao Jin Yu took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the teardrops from her cheeks. "Don't worry. I can find him."
"Really?"
Someone who went through such great lengths to lure him here—why would they disappear without even meeting him or leaving any clues?
Xiao Jin Yu nodded softly. "Really."
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