Steamed Bun

The frown on Qin Zhi Hao's face deepened as he walked out of a warehouse.

This was the first warehouse that he had came to visit, however, he has not found out what he was looking for. At the pace of his inspection, it might take him the whole day to go on all five of the warehouses.

Earlier today, he had met the Emperor in his concubine mother's place and was instructed to investigate a case.

Just two days ago, an accident occurred at the place where they were constructing the big lantern. It was dark at night. There was an explosion and the person who was guarding the place died on spot.

After an investigation, it was said that someone ignited a light and accidentally drop the light on the gunpowder and caused this accident. Fortunately, this incident happened at night, and that there were not many casualties.

However, the Emperor had some doubts about this case. It was strange that someone would store some gunpowder at the place where they stored a large amount of paper. Though the official in charge had tried to hide the matter about the gunpowder and did not mention anything regarding the gunpowder in their reports, how can they hide this matter from the Emperor?

The old man might be staying in the palace, enclosed by the tall and thick wall all around him, but that does not mean that he was unable to find things that he was supposed to know about.

Didn't they say that the Emperor has eyes and ears all over the country?

Since the officials wanted to hide this matter from the Emperor, then the Emperor choose to play along and had someone discreetly find out the truth about that matter.

However, the Emperor was a suspicious person. He lived in constant fear of assassination and believed that if someone wanted his life, they will take action on the festival. As traces of gunpowder had appeared at the place where they were constructing the big lantern, it was not impossible that someone might have this thought to do something to the lantern to harm him.

His Majesty was not at ease.

As this matter was related to the Emperor's security as well as the lantern festival, of course, he had to assign this matter to the Seventh Prince to handle.

Therefore, everything has to be recheck again, starting from the suppliers of the materials.

After going around for a few hours, Qin Zhi Hao and his men were unable to find anything.

Though it can be said that it was good news that they were unable to find out anything, the Emperor will not like this answer and therefore, Qin Zhi Hao and his men can only continue to search for evidence thoroughly.

"My Lord," Pei Zi spoke. "The second warehouse is up ahead."

Qin Zhi Hao snapped out of his thought and realized that they were approaching the next warehouse. At this time, the crowd was getting thicker and it was hard for them to walk through without bumping into some people.

His eyes were looking around warily at the people, scanning for anyone that might seem suspicious to him.

There were a few men walked past them carrying crates and boxes, A pair of beautiful ladies glanced at them with their seductive glance, and a few kids running around and bumped into them.

"My Lord, be careful," Pei Zi said as he tried to block the passerby from bumping into the Prince.

"I'm alright," Qin Zhi Hao raised a hand, gesturing his men to step back as they did not want to attract others' attention.

Just then, a young boy, in shabby clothes bumped into Qin Zhi Hao, causing him to frown. Swiftly, Qin Zhi Hao moved to grab the boy's wrist, tightening his grip around it, as he was suspicious that the boy might bump into him to steal his money.

"Spare me a coin," the boy mumbled.

"Go away boy, we have nothing for you," Pei Zi warned. He glanced at the boy with disgust on his face. Then, he inched closer to the prince and whispered, "My lord, although you might pity this boy, I would advise you not to give him any coin. Once you give this boy something, the others are going to come."

"This gentleman, can you spare a coin? Please, I'm hungry." He raised his head slightly to look at the Prince before he quickly lowered his gaze again.

"This filthy street rat!" Pei Zi scolded. He lifted his hand to reach the beggar to throw him away.

"Wait for a second," Qin Zhi Hao raised a hand and stopped his guard from taking another step. He narrowed his eyes and watched as the boy looked at him with a glint of cheekiness in his eyes. It wasn't long before Prince Yi recognized the boy as Xiao Feng.

Pei Zi looked at his master with a puzzled look, but seeing the look on the Prince's face, he did not dare to say a word.

"Gentleman, if you are unable to spare a coin, you can buy me a steamed bun," Yu Feng spoke before the guards would drive her away. She then turned and gestured towards the stall next to them.

Yu Feng ran over to the port to hand over the letter from Officer Zhou. It would be a shame if she was unable to pass the message when she had met the man.

Officer Zhou hinted that she can use that token to speak to this gentleman, but at this time and place, Yu Feng did not think that was something she should do.

She has not figured out the identity of this gentleman but knew that he was someone important. Perhaps he was of the nobilities? Since he had wanted to conceal his identity, flashing the token in this crowded street does not seem like a good idea.

Yu Feng had long decided not to use that token unless if it was urgent.

If she had revealed his identity and caused him trouble, then there was a chance that she might not see her cat again.

"You're hungry?" Qin Zhi Hao raised a brow, and Yu Feng nodded. His gaze shifted towards the steamed bun stall next to them. He paid for one piece and handed it over to Xiao Feng. A glint of light flashed in his eyes as Qin Zhi Hao felt Yu Feng slipping a small scroll of notes in his hand in exchange for the food.

"Thank you," Yu Feng flashed him a smile before he ran into the crowd and disappeared.

"My lord?"

Qin Zhi Hao turned around and instructed, "Let's go."

Pei Zi frowned as he could not understand what the Prince was trying to do. Waving his hand to his partner, Pei Zi then trailed after the Prince and headed towards the warehouse in front of them.

Qin Zhi Hao stopped abruptly as they have escaped the crowd. He took out the message that Yu Feng had handed over and his expression changed. "Pei Zi, we are going back to the first warehouse."