My System Is Three Thousand Years Early

Cheng Guang's heart began to harbor some doubts as his gaze settled on Song Yunqi, waiting for his answer.

Under Cheng Guang's scrutiny, Song Yunqi hesitated for a moment before he said with an odd expression, "Princely Heir, this Zhang Shunlong is different from the other slaves; he seems to have been demoted to slavery."

"Demoted to slavery?" Cheng Guang frowned slightly.

Song Yunqi nodded slightly, "Yes, Zhang Shunlong's family, his father, was a common yamen runner in Ping'an County who had committed a mistake. His father was thrown into the dungeon and was awaiting execution, and he himself was demoted to a slave."

"A mistake?" Cheng Guang wondered.

What kind of mistake would cause the yamen to send a runner directly to the dungeon and even demote his offspring to slavery? It was like trying to eradicate them root and branch.

Song Yunqi continued, "According to the intelligence, it seems that Zhang Shunlong's father, Zhang Heling, stole a large amount of silver from the county yamen's treasury. Under the laws of Great Zhou, those who commit theft in their office of guard are severely dealt with, hence the Ping'an County Magistrate incarcerated him in the dungeon and scheduled his execution soon."

"Afterward, the constables discovered that the silver Zhang Heling had stolen was mostly squandered by Zhang Shunlong, so they treated him as an accomplice and demoted him to slavery as well."

As Cheng Guang heard this, his brows knitted tighter, and for some reason, he felt that something was amiss.

According to the information in the mission prompts, Zhang Shunlong's character was rather decent.

The saying goes, 'Like father, like son.' If Zhang Shunlong's character was decent, it didn't make sense that his father would be such a rascal.

Moreover, it didn't seem likely that Zhang Heling, a yamen runner, would commit the crime of theft from the treasury.

A common man like him neither needed that much silver nor had the courage or capacity to steal huge amounts of silver from the county yamen's treasury.

With many doubts in his mind, Cheng Guang looked at Song Yunqi and asked, "How far is Ping'an County from here?"

Song Yunqi replied respectfully, "It's about a few hours away from the capital city."

Cheng Guang nodded slightly and turned to Qing Luan, "Qing Luan, prepare the horses. We shall go to Ping'an County together."

Qing Luan showed a trace of surprise upon hearing this, seemingly not expecting that the Princely Heir would take her along this time. She nodded happily, lifted her skirt hem, and quickly went out to fetch the horses.

At this moment, Song Yunqi, hearing that the Princely Heir was going on a long journey, couldn't help but feel his heart lift. The recent event concerning the mourning for the crown prince had just concluded, and many people from all over Great Zhou were watching the Princely Heir, who had emerged prominently from this event.

If the Princely Heir encountered any mishap on this trip, Song Yunqi would indeed have a hard time absolving himself from blame.

He immediately summoned the Bureau of the Lamp guards in secret, preparing to escort the Princely Heir along the way.

Cheng Guang did not notice Song Yunqi's actions, as his eyes fell on the Queen of the South Ming standing to the side, and then he lowered his gaze and reached out to rub Black Cub's dog head.

"Little Black, you take good care of my aunt here, and don't let her run around, understand?" Cheng Guang said to Black Cub.

It was clear that Black Cub understood Cheng Guang's words, as the dog's face showed a human-like look of resignation, and he lowered his head, whimpering softly.
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It seemed to indicate he understood.

The Queen of the South Ming, standing beside him, heard Cheng Guang's words and her exquisite and noble face showed an expression of helplessness.

"You little rascal, are you trying to confine your aunt to this house?" she said.

Cheng Guang did not appear embarrassed but smiled and replied, "Essentially."

"Every man dreams of secluding a beauty in a golden house."

The Queen of the South Ming's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly at his words and she huffed, turning her head away.

She remained silent thereafter.

Even if Cheng Guang were to let her go, she couldn't leave for the time being.

Returning to the Ten-Layered Demon Sea would most likely mean death.

To stay here, before the true self's consciousness descends, life would go on for her, which wasn't so bad after all.

At most, her freedom would be somewhat limited.

The Queen of the South Ming actually didn't mind.

She had a vague feeling that her true self would soon realize that the King of South Ming had died and that her avatar was acting unusually, perhaps soon to descend consciousness upon this avatar.

By then, Black Cub would not be able to suppress the true self.

And Cheng Guang, the Princely Heir to Duke of the State, might not fare well either.

The Queen of the South Ming pondered this within her heart, but showed no sign of intending to caution Cheng Guang.

Her lips curled into a faint smile, her aura of dignity undiminished.

......

Cheng Guang, accompanied by Qing Luan and a group of guards including Lin Cheng, rode horses and left the capital city.

Cheng Zhihai and Wu Yuemei were still in the Imperial Palace and had not returned to Duke Zhen's Mansion when he left the capital city. Upon their return to the mansion and finding Cheng Guang absent, they would likely send people to look for him.

They might even have some needless concern over his whereabouts.

At the moment, Cheng Guang couldn't worry about that much. Having found out Zhang Shunlong's whereabouts, he couldn't afford to wait for Cheng Zhihai and Wu Yuemei to return from the Imperial Palace, as that might cause further inexplicable delays.

Having left the capital city, they traveled along the official road for several hours and soon approached an ancient, bustling county town.

When Cheng Guang and his party arrived in Ping'an County, passersby who saw Cheng Guang's attire and his entourage of guards hastily stepped aside, frightened.

"Is that someone from Duke Zhen's Mansion?"

"Why has the Princely Heir to Duke Zhen come to Ping'an County today?"

"Quickly make way, be sure not to obstruct the path of the nobleman."

As people hurriedly cleared the way amidst their alarm, they were careful not to impede Cheng Guang, for to them, the Princely Heir of Duke Zhen was a personage of enormous importance.