At this point, Olivia Brooks's voice trembled slightly, and she continued, "This case happened at the beginning of the year, but even now people are still being driven to their deaths. Grandfather has been extremely cautious, afraid of ending up like Wei Jian, but my husband just can't change his nature."

Charles Reed asked, "Last time, did the Crown Prince choose to divorce the Wei family? And this time?"

"Second sister may only be a concubine, but her relationship with the Crown Prince is very good."

Charles Reed hesitated for a moment, leaned in closer, and asked in a low voice, "Can we trust the Crown Prince?"

Olivia Brooks said, "Don't worry, the Crown Prince is very reliable."

Charles Reed thought it over; at the moment, there was no other way but to seek help from the Crown Prince.

In a rare moment of silence, Edward Brooks quietly sighed, "Wow, you really have such ability?"

Charles Reed pretended not to know who he was talking to and remained silent.

The night grew quieter, and the five of them squeezed into the small room and spent the night there.

At the fifth watch, the sound of the street drums rang out, and the gates of Chang'an and each ward opened one after another...

...

The current emperor strictly forbade royal offspring from participating in government affairs, so large residences were built in Yongxing Ward and Xingning Ward in the northeast corner of Chang'an, allowing the princes to live in separate courtyards for close supervision and strict upbringing, known as the "Ten Princes' Residences."

Even the Crown Prince did not live in the Eastern Palace, to avoid too much contact with the palace officials, and instead resided in a separate courtyard within the Ten Princes' Residences, accessible by carriage.

Morning.

Children chased each other under the willow trees by the street, singing rhymes.

"Jade green adorns a tall tree,

Ten thousand strands of green silk hang down.

Who cut out the fine leaves,

The spring breeze in February is like scissors."

A mule cart came from the south, passing through the crossroads of Yongxing Ward.

Inside the carriage, Ethan Green said, "The Crown Prince's residence is just ahead, turn into the second alley..."

"I know that person." Edward Brooks was peeking out through a gap in the curtain and suddenly whispered, "He was there the day Ji Dalang beat Duan Yan to death."

"Which one?"

"The one sitting under the teahouse banner, with prominent brow bones, deep-set eyes, and a face full of bristly beard."

"I've seen them too." River Song said in surprise, "After you got into trouble, they were hanging around outside our house."

Charles Reed observed for a while and said, "They're keeping watch."

"Are they here to catch us?" Edward Brooks said, "What should we do?"

"......"

John King sat outside the teahouse, his sharp gaze sweeping the street, following a mule cart as it moved away.

Last night, the county constable of Wannian had gone to the Du residence to check, and upon checking the registry, found that Edward Brooks and a maid were missing. The report had come in, so he already knew who to look for.

A beggar-like person came up and whispered, "The Crown Prince's entourage left through the side gate."

"Follow them, see where he goes." John King called over two more people and instructed, "You go too. As soon as you see the Crown Prince meeting someone, report to the master immediately."

"Yes."

With these arrangements made, on the other side of the long street, a handsome young man strolled along with a maid, turning into an alley, heading straight for the Crown Prince's separate residence.

"Someone just went in."

John King narrowed his eyes and shook his head, saying, "It's not Edward Brooks, and he doesn't look like an Eastern Palace lackey."

"Should we take him down anyway?"

"Let's wait and see."

John King could tell that the young man was wearing a bright, fine fox-fur robe, walking with a calm and composed manner—clearly from a wealthy family.

He was here to find evidence, but there was no need to offend the powerful families of Chang'an.

In his line of sight, the young man stood with his hands behind his back, while the maid spoke with the guards and handed a jade pendant to the gatekeeper.

After a while, the gatekeeper returned with the jade pendant, handed it back with both hands, and invited them in.

"He went in?"

"The Crown Prince isn't there, who could he be meeting?"

"Du Liangdi—someone actually dares to meet Du Liangdi?" John King was greatly surprised, his eyes darting as he muttered, "Which family dares to get involved in this case?"

"What should we do?"

"Just follow him when he comes out. If he doesn't come out, even better." John King thought for a moment, then sneered, "Anyone involved in the Du Youlin case won't get away... Also, where did that mule cart go? Go find it."

...

The Crown Prince's residence looked very simple; there were no flowers or trees in the courtyard, just an empty stretch of sand.

Charles Reed and Ethan Green waited in the front yard for a while before a maid came running over.

"Qushui." Ethan Green called out with a sob in her voice.

"What happened?" Brooklyn asked anxiously, but before Ethan Green could answer, she led them inside. "Second Lady wants to see you... this way."

Charles Reed and Ethan Green took off their shoes and followed her through the long corridor, finally sitting down in a small side hall.

"Please wait a moment, Second Lady will be here soon."

"Thank you."

Charles Reed watched as Brooklyn hurried off again, and quietly asked Ethan Green, "Caiyun Ethan Green, River SongBrooklyn?"

"Yes, River Song and Brooklyn are house-born maids. Caiyun and I were sold to the Du family as children."

It wasn't convenient to ask more at this time. Charles Reed glanced around at the furnishings in the side hall, then knelt down imitating the way Edward Brooks sometimes did when reading, back straight, hands on his legs, eyes looking forward.

Since the incident, Ethan Green had been at a loss, long since losing the composure of a senior maid, and now stood anxiously by the door.

Before long, someone came down the corridor, and she hurriedly saluted.

"Your maid greets Second Lady."