Chapter 22: Lurking in the Shadows

Qi Chen had already returned when they went back. They could clearly see that he was in a great mood after his trip to the. He’d lost all traces of princely dignity after leaving the capital.

Once the distribution was over, Nan Xun went to stand beside Jun Huang. He watching her check a child’s body when one of his men silently crept up to him and whispered something by his ear, causing Nan Xun’s brows to knit together tightly.

“Has something come up?” Jun Huang asked in confusion after the hidden guard left. Nan Xun nodded but didn’t respond. She knew that it wasn’t the proper time to chat now and didn’t press on with her questions.

When the day’s work was over, the sun was already setting to the west in splendid glory. Jun Huang and Nan Xun walked side by side in the fading light, looking to be a perfect pair from far away.

When they reached a low hill, Jun Huang looked at Nan Xun, waiting for him to speak. Nan Xun gathered his thoughts for a moment before starting slowly, “Just as you thought, there’s something else going on.”

Jun Huang had speculated early this morning that something greater was going on behind the scenes. It was impossible that the magistrate would be so bold as to embezzle funds just like this. Add to that the close interactions between Qi Chen and the magistrate these two days, and the fact that Qi Chen had been the one to send over the funds… Jun Huang naturally felt there was something suspect with the situation and the Qi Chen was likely behind the magistrate’s actions. Nan Xun had sent someone to investigate this, and they’d actually been able to confirm that this was so, as well as find out where the silver and gold was being hidden.

“What do you think we should do now?” Nan Xun tilted is head at Jun Huang. He was very curious about her insights.

Jun Huang thought for a moment and responded, “Since the second prince is so daring in this matter, this means his faction has significant power at the moment. We might be buried here at the border city if we go about this brashly.”

Nan Xun nodded in agreement. “Then you have no need to become further involved. You’re a guest at Qi Chen’s at the moment, after all. You won’t gain anything if you set yourself against him now. Just leave it all to me.”