Chapter 313 - Charred (1/2)

The group of riders finally arrived at the hidden residence to find what remained of the burned down building. The only reason the building was not burned to the ground was due to the midnight rain that quenched the raging fire.

”Search the area...” Prince Yul ordered as he got down from his horse and the men promptly fanned out while he scanned the area. It was a very troubling sight indeed, but there did not appear to be a batttle here.

Prince Yul frowned and glanced at Bao Zhun's father, who was worriedly staring at the charred building, at a loss.

”General Bao, did you inform my brother that I will be coming with you?” Prince Yul asked with concern over the prospect that Prince Houyi had truly decided to go rogue over the Chun siblings.

General Bao shook his head, ”No, your grandfather was very clear...”

The Zou prime minister - grandfather of the Prince Houyi, Prince Yul, and Princess Nalan had promised him that as long as he helped with the search for the fugitives, he would ensure that Bao Zhun was completely absolved of all blame.

So as soon as he received word from Prince Houyi that Bao Zhun was in his custody, General Bao had gone against Prince Houyi's request to keep this quiet and immediately went to the Prime minister with the location. And following the Prime minister's orders, he came here with the second prince, Prince Yul and guards to capture the fugitives as well as to quietly escort Prince Houyi back to the capital.

This constituted as a betrayal on his part so naturally he would not have told Prince Houyi anything that would have endangered his son.

Even though General Bao did feel a bit bad for outing Prince Houyi who had simply offered his help, in the end he had to do what was best for his son. And between Prince Houyi and the prime minister, the prime minister was the obvious choice. After all, Prince Houyi derived most of his power from his maternal grandfather.

Not to mention the fact that the King was highly upset with Prince Houyi over this very matter, believing him to be the mastermind behind the Chun siblings. Prince Houyi himself was on shaky ground and therefore, not in the position to be pleading anyone else's case right now. So General Bao believed that the Prince would understand that he had to consider all avenues to make the right choice.

But now General Bao was starting to regret that decision. If Prince Houyi found out that he betrayed him...what if he decided to simply kill Bao Zhun?

”Do you think the Prince found out I told the Prime minister? Do you think my son is alright?” General Bao asked, but Prince Yul simply knit his brows at him and turned back to the building with a sigh. He honestly did not want to be here, but their grandfather had ordered it and so here he was to talk sense into his older brother and drag him back home, of course with the fugitive twins in tow.

He had hoped his brother had some sort of reason for camping here instead of bringing them to the capital as instructed. Their grandfather had been very angry when he had heard the news and almost rode here himself to drag Prince Houyi through the mud. But Prince Yul had managed to talk him out of it, assuring him that Prince Houyi had a good reason - a good reason he could not provide at the moment. But would naturally inform them once everything was set.

Of course, their grandfather did not buy this explanation and still sent him here with very specific instructions he dreaded carrying out...But now that he had arrived here to this, it seems he would be left with no choice if his brother had truly gone rogue for the Chun siblings.

Some of the men suddenly came out dragging a beaten and bruised man with them, they threw him to the knees and explained, ”We found him in one of the rooms in the back...”

Prince Yul scrutinized the man, but before he could speak, General Bao crouched down and asked, ”What happened here? Where's my son?”

”The prince, he-”

”Bu Lao! That's you, right?” Prince Yul suddenly exclaimed, also crouching down to look closer at the man, it was a bit hard to tell with how swollen the man's face was, but he was sure it was him...Prince Houyi's right hand man.

”It is I...” The man said with difficulty.

”What happened here?” Prince Yul asked with a frown, feeling somewhat relieved. If his brother was attacked, it makes sense that he would have switched locations. For all he knew, Prince Houyi might already be on his way back to the capital right now.