allonlinenovel Chapter 235 Small Town Spy
Chapter 235 Small Town Spy
Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting hurried along the winding mountain road, heading towards the small town at the foot of the mountain. Though they remained silent along the way, their tacit understanding flowed quietly. Ling Xuan would occasionally tilt his head, glancing at Yun Mengting with concern, his gaze filled with worry and affection. Yun Mengting nodded slightly, indicating that she was fine, her determined eyes revealing her persistent pursuit of the truth.
Soon, the outline of a small town gradually emerged before them. It appeared peaceful and tranquil, with winding bluestone streets and numerous shops lining the streets. The bustling atmosphere of people, shouting and laughing, blended together in a vibrant atmosphere. However, in the eyes of Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting, this tranquil appearance might conceal hidden secrets and dangers.
After entering the town, Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting split up. Ling Xuan, relying on his noble status as a prince and the extensive connections he had cultivated in the area, headed straight for the homes of several respected elders. He knew these elders held considerable prestige in the town, were intimately privy to every happening, and might be able to glean some clues about the conspiracy.
Wherever he went, Ling Xuan treated everyone with courtesy, his humble demeanor endearing him to the elders. He deftly steered the conversation toward the unusual developments in town in recent days, his eyes revealing a sincerity and concern that was hard to resist. A white-haired elder stroked his beard, then spoke after a moment of contemplation, "Your Highness, there have indeed been some suspicious individuals in town recently. They are generous with their spending, yet secretive in their actions. They spend their days scrounging around town, gathering information, particularly regarding the state of the court and the whereabouts of prominent officials. I've heard that these individuals appear to be colluding with a certain faction within the capital, but I don't know the specifics."
Ling Xuan's heart moved, and he quickly asked: "Old man, do you know where these people are now? Do you have any distinctive features?"
The old man shook his head. "They have no fixed place to stay, frequently changing their residences among the inns in town. As for their characteristics, they all wear black clothes, have stern faces, and their eyes reveal a chilling aura."
After thanking the old man, Ling Xuan visited several more elders. Combining the information they provided, he gradually formed a vague outline in his mind. The behavior of these suspicious individuals was very similar to that of a conspiracy group. It seemed that they had already extended their tentacles into this remote town.
Meanwhile, Yun Mengting strolled through the town's marketplace, seemingly at ease, but in reality, she was listening intently. She weaved through the bustling crowds, her eyes keenly observing the gossip around her. Suddenly, a shrill voice caught her attention.
"Have you heard? The situation in the court is turbulent now. It is said that a prince intends to rebel and has been wanted by the court." A thin and mysterious vendor stood in front of the stall and said to passers-by with a beaming face, fiddling with small objects on the stall in his hands.
Yun Mengting was startled. She knew full well that this was a rumor deliberately spread by a conspiracy group to confuse the public and create chaos. She calmly approached the vendor and asked with feigned curiosity, "Is this news true? Where did you get it from?"
The vendor glanced at her warily, a flash of panic in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and said with a chuckle, "This news of mine naturally came from the capital, and it's absolutely true. Miss, please don't ask too many questions, or you'll get into trouble."
Yun Mengting sneered inwardly, feeling even more suspicious about the vendor. She pretended to leave, then quietly hid in a corner not far away, her eyes fixed on the vendor. After a moment, seeing no one was paying attention, the vendor packed up his stall and hurried off to the east side of town.
Yun Mengting followed without hesitation. She carefully followed the vendor, keeping a safe distance, using the crowds at the market and the street stalls as cover to avoid being spotted. The vendor walked hurriedly, looking back from time to time, appearing extremely cautious.
After passing through several alleys, the vendor arrived at a secluded courtyard. He glanced around the door, making sure it was clear, and then knocked gently. The door creaked open, and a dark figure flashed past. The vendor quickly slipped into the courtyard, and the door closed behind him.
Yun Mengting hid in the corner, pondering her next move. She knew the yard might be lurking with danger, but to uncover the truth, she decided to take a risk. She looked around and saw the wall wasn't high, so she leaped quietly and scaled it.
Inside the courtyard, a vendor stood respectfully before a middle-aged man, reporting on the day's market. The man had a gloomy expression and a fierce look in his eyes.
"Are you sure no one suspects you?" the middle-aged man asked in a low voice.
The vendor nodded quickly. "Don't worry, sir. I'm extremely careful. But today a woman seemed quite concerned about what I said. I've already gotten rid of her."
The middle-aged man sneered, "That's for the best. This plan can't afford to fail. If the news gets out, you know the consequences."
Yun Mengting heard it clearly from the wall, and she was secretly glad that she had followed. Just as she was about to find an opportunity to enter the courtyard to further investigate, a cat suddenly ran past her feet and let out a shrill cry.
The two people in the courtyard immediately became alert, and the middle-aged man shouted, "Who?"