I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?

Chapter 427: Would We Be Causing Trouble?

"Play? The city’s locked down. Where are we supposed to go play?"

"The gates are locked down, but we can still play inside the city."

"...Everyone’s on edge, the streets are empty, and all the taverns are closed. It’d be a miracle if there was anywhere to have fun," Helian Chen grumbled.

Prince Yu raised his hand and rapped him on the head. "Silly, we can go play at the General’s Manor."

Helian Chen’s eyes lit up, but then his little face scrunched into a frown. "But it’s so chaotic right now. Won’t we just be getting in the way if we go?"

’Even though he really wanted to go, too!’

"That’s a good point. In that case, let’s not go. We’ll just sleep at the posthouse."

"Royal Uncle!" Helian Chen whined.

"What is it?"

Helian Chen’s mouth worked for a moment before he, red-faced and fuming, finally shouted, "You’re mean, Royal Uncle! I’m never traveling with you again! You’re a big meanie!"

"..."

Prince Yu watched the little brat run off looking utterly devastated. He scratched his head in confusion. ’How am I the bad guy?’

「The posthouse where the delegation from Xi Yan was staying.」

Xiliu Yuan stood on the long veranda with his hands behind his back, watching the Beili soldiers search room by room amidst a constant din.

"Your Highness, your chambers are upstairs, correct?" the lead official asked, approaching with a bow.

"Mm."

"We’ve searched the entire posthouse, top to bottom. Only Your Highness’s chambers remain. If you would, Your Highness..." the official said tentatively.

"Go ahead and search, Officer," Xiliu Yuan said, his hands clasped and his expression cold.

"Yes, yes! Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness." The official bowed, then turned and gestured to his soldiers. "Go up and search. Be thorough. Don’t miss a single spot."

"Sir!"

The reply was deafening as over a dozen soldiers swiftly headed upstairs.

The official held his longsword, his eyes scanning the courtyard.

Before long, the soldiers came back downstairs. "Sir, we found nothing."

The official’s brow furrowed. He turned back to Xiliu Yuan with an apologetic smile and bowed. "My apologies for the disturbance, Your Highness."

Xiliu Yuan remained silent.

A guard behind him waved a hand, gesturing for them to leave at once.

The official bowed once more before turning and leading his men out.

"Your Highness, the Beili Emperor is far too arrogant," a Hidden Guard said angrily.

Xiliu Yuan shot him a cold glance before turning and heading upstairs.

The Hidden Guard followed.

Once inside, Xiliu Yuan walked directly to the window. From the third floor, the view was expansive, and the clamor from outside gradually faded into the distance.

"Shadow Guard," he called out coldly.

A figure in black appeared in the room like a shadow. "Your Highness."

"Where is she?"

The Shadow Guard’s Inner Strength was profound, and his aura filled the room.

At the question, he dropped to one knee. "We have not found her. However, all the Hidden Guards who entered the Imperial Palace are dead."

Xiliu Yuan’s pupils constricted. ’All the men I sent are dead. Where could she have hidden, all alone?’

"I traced the trail to the backstreets, but it went cold there. Her aura was deliberately erased. I found personal effects belonging to the Hidden Guards in a dry well near the moat. The bodies have most likely been dissolved."

Xiliu Yuan fell into thought, his cold expression turning grave.

’Who could have interfered, to be able to evade the Shadow Guard’s pursuit? The Beili Emperor is still conducting a massive search, which means whoever has her doesn’t intend to hand her over to the authorities.’

"Who controls the backstreets?"

"Part of it is the Chen family’s territory, and a small section belongs to the General’s Manor."

"The General’s Manor?" Xiliu Yuan glanced back.

"Yes. The rear entrance to the General’s Manor is on an alley not far from the backstreets."

Xiliu Yuan lowered his gaze in thought. After a moment, he looked up. "Call off the search. Have our men watch the General’s Manor’s every move. Tell them not to get too close. If any other parties draw near, eliminate them if you can. And remember: leave no trace."