CHAPTER 232: CHAPTER 231: ZHAOZHAO’S FAME SPREADS FAR AND WIDE!

"Shen Qing stole other people’s children and joined the ’Underworld’ cult, committing treasonous acts behind the scenes. The Shen Family is also responsible. They are all to be imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison while awaiting disposition."

Xie Jiuxiao spoke coldly. Mr. Shen and Ms. Shen immediately appeared dejected, crying and protesting their innocence, with no mind left to care about the children.

The Dragon Shadow Guards took the entire Shen Family away and also planned to return the children to their families individually.

Yu Nianzhao turned her head and said to Liu Tong, "Shen Qing is already dead. There’s no need for this child to bear the Shen surname anymore. Change the name later. The Prince can handle such matters."

Xie Jiuxiao was suddenly named, his expression slightly resigned.

Liu Tong cautiously glanced at Xie Jiuxiao, and seeing him nod in agreement to help, she breathed a sigh of relief, crying tears of joy, "Prince and Princess Consort, your great kindness and virtue, Liu Tong really has no way to repay."

Seeing her about to kneel down again, Yu Nianzhao helped her up.

"What’s repayment? I charge for my services. Just add more incense offerings later."

Yu Nianzhao was blunt and straightforward in her words.

But in Liu Tong and the others’ ears, it sounded extremely warm, only feeling that Yu Nianzhao was intentionally saying that for their sake. After all, lives were at stake, which couldn’t be measured by money.

Liu Yi happily said, "I said so; finding Miss Yu was certainly the best choice. With her, any problem can be easily solved."

Clearly, Liu Yi regarded Yu Nianzhao as his idol.

Xie Jiuxiao gave him an extra look, feeling a chill sweeping over him, still wondering why the temperature dropped suddenly.

The Shen Mansion was sealed, and Liu Tong took the child to the King Yan Temple overnight.

The people guarding the temple were also waiting to have their children returned.

They were beaming with joy, repeatedly kneeling to thank Yu Nianzhao, and even in the middle of the night, King Yan Temple received many incense offerings.

Yu Nianzhao felt the abundant incense offerings flowing in, and her Divine Power soared in response, and she was in a very good mood.

[Master, the increase in Divine Power this time is even more intense than before.]

[Before it was a ten percent Divine Power increase, now it’s increased directly to twenty percent.]

[Master, can Jiu have some incense offerings?]

[You’ve had a significant harvest this time, Master!]

"Go ahead and eat. You deserve a little reward, just don’t eat it all up."

Yu Nianzhao, feeling pleased with holding twenty percent of the Divine Power, let Jiu go for a buffet in the temple.

By the time they returned to the Prince’s residence, it was late into the night. After washing up, Yu Nianzhao was exhausted and soon fell asleep.

Xie Jiuxiao, busy handling affairs, only returned at the break of dawn.

He sat by the bedside, his deep eyes staring at Yu Nianzhao’s sleeping face for a long time, suddenly sighing, "Zhaozhao, who are you really?"

In the past, he didn’t want to explore Yu Nianzhao’s identity because it was a matter of mutual benefit.

Now, he wanted to know everything about Yu Nianzhao, yet feared that delving deeper would lead to an unbearable answer.

"Zhaozhao, what should I do about you?"

Xie Jiuxiao sighed lightly, leaning in to plant a gentle kiss on her cheek.

He didn’t sleep all night, and when Mu Hongxuan’s figure was waiting outside the door, he got up and left.

"My Lord, we found a Token in Shen Qing’s room, along with a basin full of ashes. After closely examining it, there was a corner of a letter that hadn’t burned completely. It seems to have been used to contact others in the ’Underworld’."

Mu Hongxuan reported truthfully.

"Hmm, continue the investigation."

Xie Jiuxiao had his hands behind his back, looked up at the bright sky, and hesitated, "Also, investigate the Princess Consort’s past whereabouts."

"My Lord, wasn’t it investigated before? The Princess Consort was adopted in a small frontier town, and as for the person who adopted her, they’ve disappeared."

"Investigate again! Unless they’re dead, there must be some clues."

"Yes, I understand, My Lord."

——

Yu Nianzhao slept until late in the morning, awakened by the noisy sounds outside.

"Why is it so noisy?"

Yu Nianzhao yawned her way into the hall.

"Princess Consort, those people outside are here to see you."

Zhixi stepped forward, blinking and saying, "It’s the people who recently lost their children. They came to thank the Princess Consort."

"Didn’t they already add incense? Why are they still thanking me?"

Yu Nianzhao asked in confusion.

"The Princess Consort did such a good deed; they couldn’t be more grateful. Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda; incense alone couldn’t fully express their gratitude."

Ms Jiang smiled, bringing a plate of snacks to Yu Nianzhao.

Zhixi asked, "They mean well; should the Princess Consort go and have a look?"

Yu Nianzhao casually accepted the snack and took a bite, speaking indistinctly, "Since they’re already here, if I don’t go to see them, they probably won’t leave."

Yu Nianzhao walked to the main gate, seeing a diverse crowd of men and women, all with children, their feet surrounded by large bags and packages.

"The Princess Consort is here!"

"It’s really the Princess Consort; we are here to express our gratitude for saving us!"

"Just adding incense is not enough to convey our gratitude, so we brought some gifts for the Princess Consort."

Among these people were wealthy townsfolk, Shangjing officials, and common people.

The wealthy offered up silks and satins, officials presented treasures, and the farming commoners, looking a bit shy, took out a large bundle of local goods and venison from hunting outside.

"We don’t have much. These are the most valuable things we could offer."

A burly man, his face flushed, scratched his head and whispered.

"Perfect, I like venison. Ms Jiang, please roast the venison for the evening; I’ve been craving the taste."

Yu Nianzhao graciously accepted their gifts, showing no disdain towards the things brought by the burly man and his wife.

They all breathed a collective sigh of relief, and the couple happily left after offering a thousand thanks.

Very soon, the news of the Princess Consort Su catching the main culprit behind the missing children case spread throughout Shangjing.

On his way home from Stargazing Tower, Pei Yuanzheng had many colleagues expressing envy at how the Pei Family had produced such a clever and resourceful daughter. Before Pei Yuanzheng could fathom it, they lamented that they had severed ties too soon, losing a pearl in the sea.

Hearing this, Pei Yuanzheng immediately understood that the person being praised was Yu Nianzhao.

He went home with a wry smile and confusion all over his face.

When Yu Nianzhao arrived at the King Yan Temple, intending to pick up Jiu Ying, who had feasted all night, she ran into Xia Muyan at the entrance.

"Miss Yu!" Xia Muyan’s tired face lit up with a delighted smile upon seeing her.

"Muyan," Yu Nianzhao responded coolly, "Are you here to add incense?"

Xia Muyan nodded and then shook her head, "I’m also here to find you."

"To find me?"

"Yes, I have some things on my mind that I want to ask Miss Yu’s help to sort out." She seemed somewhat hesitant, yet felt compelled to speak up.