Chapter 511: 518: Hidden Away

“Sikong Ling, I actually quite admire you. Even now, you still have the mind to play tricks, thinking that such words would scare me off from searching your horse carriage. Dream on! I must expose your true identity today!” Though Wang Yu harbored a sliver of uncertainty, he still issued his stern threat.

“If the Eldest Young Master is so determined, then please, as you wish!” Sikong Ling glanced at the time, realizing it was almost up, and he lost his patience to contend with someone like Wang Yu. He knew all too well what kind of person Wang Yu was; he wouldn’t stop until he achieved his goal today.

Wang Yu was convinced that Sikong Ling, harboring a fugitive, would not allow a search and would fight him to the end. After all, harboring a fugitive was a serious crime, one that Sikong Ling couldn’t afford to take the blame for. Unexpectedly, Sikong Ling suddenly reversed his prior attitude, giving way instead of insisting.

The more Sikong Ling acted like this, the more Wang Yu hesitated, especially seeing Sikong Ling’s leisurely attitude, allowing the search as if nothing mattered. If they failed to find the fugitive, Sikong Ling would certainly seize the opportunity to make Wang Yu pay, making him even more doubtful.

“Eldest Young Master, shall we continue to search? Sikong Ling is not someone to be trifled with. If we don’t catch him red-handed, he will surely turn the tables on us. It won’t end well then, and moreover, the Prime Minister has always valued those two. It’s one thing for other matters, but if this upsets the Prime Minister, the loss will outweigh the gain,” said one of Wang Yu’s subordinates. They didn’t want to offend Sikong Ling either; his reputation in Chang’an was too formidable. It was fine for Wang Yu to offend people—relying on his status as the eldest son of Prime Minister Wang, he would at most get reprimanded without any serious consequences. But they were just servants, insignificant people who couldn’t bear Sikong Ling’s retaliation.

That subordinate hit right upon Wang Yu’s greatest concern. Although Wang Yu was initially impulsive, he calmed down at once. Although he caused trouble for Sikong Ling partly out of spite and also hoped to capture the fugitive to gain favor from his father, if this turned out badly and his father blamed him, shifting all the credit onto his brothers instead, it really wouldn’t be worth it. But to let go of such an opportunity was something he was also unwilling to do.

At that moment, several men rode over on horses, also under Wang Yu’s command, they had been sent to keep an eye on Sikong Ling. Now they approached and whispered a few words into Wang Yu’s ear, causing his face to light up with joy.

“Are you telling the truth?” Wang Yu said excitedly. The news was like timely rain; he hesitated to act against Sikong Ling because he wasn’t certain whether the fugitive was hidden inside the carriage or if Sikong Ling was indeed colluding with the fugitive. But now, the news had arrived.

“It’s true, subordinates personally witnessed Sikong Ling’s carriage taking a few people away. We gave chase but Sikong Ling’s men were too cunning. They led us around in circles and used some deceptive techniques to shake us off. That’s why it took until now to report back to you. I didn’t expect Sikong Ling to be so bold, daring to transport people out of the city in a carriage. It’s definitely that carriage.”

Those men had been keeping a close eye on Sikong Ling, so they were very certain about the carriage and unhesitatingly stated so.

“Good, this time you have truly earned a great merit. Once I catch the fugitive and unveil Sikong Ling’s true façade, I will certainly speak to father on your behalf and ensure you are rewarded!” Wang Yu imagined his father’s praise and confirmation of his abilities, as well as Sikong Ling’s impending downfall.

“Servant, get on that horse carriage and search. Don’t miss a single fugitive!” Wang Yu, now resolved, decisively ordered his men into Sikong Ling’s carriage for a thorough search.

Qing Zhu nearly jumped up in anger. What kind of trash were these people, daring to search his master’s carriage? Wang Yu was someone without much ability. If not for relying on his status as Wang Mang’s eldest son, who knew in which corner he would be crouched, truly not fit to show his face in public.

“Eldest Young Master, are you really so determined not to let this matter go with our Young Master? I wonder if Prime Minister Wang would be happy to know about your actions. The other Wang Young Masters indeed seem to be getting more and more outstanding by the day, no wonder you feel such great pressure, Eldest Young Master, coming up with such inane plans,” Qing Zhu said angrily, but still knew his place. After all, offending Wang Yu would only trouble his master with his status. But Wang Yu’s weaknesses were not just known by his own subordinates; Qing Zhu knew them too, so he sneered, his words laced with sarcasm.

Wang Yu didn’t expect to be ridiculed by a servant. Their Wang family matters were being turned into a joke by a servant of Sikong Ling’s and discussed openly, which incensed him even more.

“Sikong Ling, control your subordinate. Too much talk, and you might end up dead on the streets one day.”

“My subordinate is none of your concern, Eldest Young Master. Perhaps you should take better care of yourself,” I said.

“Hmph, Sikong Ling, you are still so arrogant up to this point. You’ll be the one crying! Surround them all; the fugitive is hidden in the carriage. Don’t let a single one escape!” Wang Yu ordered, moving towards the carriage himself.

Sikong Ling couldn’t be bothered to respond, simply stepping down from the carriage and watching Wang Yu indifferently.

“Eldest Young Master, there’s no one in the carriage!” Wang Yu’s men searched the carriage and didn’t find a ghost of a person. They reported in a panic.

“How is that possible? There were definitely people hidden in the carriage, the very fugitives who escaped this morning. You must not have looked carefully enough,” Wang Yu couldn’t bring himself to believe his subordinate’s words, his voice shrill, clearly unable to accept such a result. He strode forward to take a personal look, but how could a few large living people disappear from such a small space?

“How could this be? Someone definitely saw them!” Wang Yu, speaking, glanced at the men who’d brought the news, his gaze fierce.

“Didn’t you say you saw the criminals enter the carriage with your own eyes? How can there be no one?”

Those men, originally thinking they had made a great achievement and waiting for their reward with joyful faces, didn’t expect it to turn out like this. Frightened by the fury emanating from Wang Yu, they knelt down on the ground: “Your subordinates indeed saw those people boarding the carriage, perhaps they were hidden during the time we lost them?”

“Sikong Ling, speak! Where have you hidden the people? My subordinates clearly saw the fugitives board the carriage and now they’re gone. You must have hidden them!” With a reddening of his eyes, Wang Yu accused Sikong Ling, who simply couldn’t be bothered to deal with such a person.

“Eldest Young Master seems to be possessed. You accused our Young Master’s carriage of hiding people, and now you’ve found nothing. Don’t you think our Young Master deserves an explanation? Our Young Master cannot bear such baseless slander!”

“Let’s go. If the Eldest Young Master can’t give me an explanation, there will be others who will,” Sikong Ling didn’t have the time to kick an adversary when they’re down. Since the matter had been settled, it was time to leave. Any further delay would mean being later to meet someone.