Hong Yingrong listened quietly to Xiangqin's narration, and every word was beyond her expectations.
The room fell into silence. Even Aunt Zhao and Aunt Han couldn't help but look at each other with a hint of surprise in their eyes.
Although they somewhat looked down on the identity of prostitutes, they couldn't help but become serious when they heard that it involved murder.
Hong Yingrong pondered for a moment, as if recalling something, and finally spoke slowly: "I remember your name is..."
Xiangqin couldn't wait to reply, "Xiangqin, I'm the flower lady of Tianxiang Tower." After saying that, she lowered her eyes again, as if she couldn't bear the heaviness of her life experience.
Hong Yingrong sighed softly, "These matters in Chang'an Fang should be handled by the Jingzhao Yin. I am just a woman in a secluded house. It is not convenient for me to interfere in the affairs of the court."
She paused, then continued, "Even if I wanted to help, I couldn't act rashly. I still have two daughters waiting to be married. If word got out that I was helping a prostitute, how would they survive in the capital?"
At this point, a hint of helplessness flashed in her eyes, "So, I really can't help you with this matter."
After saying this, she winked at Madam Zhao.
Nanny Zhao understood and immediately said, "Since you've come to the Marquis' Mansion for help, we won't let you go back empty-handed. Miss Chunhong's mother is seriously ill, and our Mansion is willing to provide some money so that her mother can rest assured and receive treatment."
However, Xiangqin stepped forward eagerly, "I don't want any money! Old Madam, I have something to tell you. If someone wants to harm the Xingyuan Marquis Mansion, would you be willing to lend me a hand?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room showed a look of astonishment. Mother Han reacted quickly and immediately walked to the door and closed it tightly.
Zhao Mama also warned sternly, "Don't talk nonsense! If you make up any lies to deceive us, no one will dare to ask even if we beat you to death!"
Hong Yingrong raised her hand and gently signaled to Madam Zhao to calm down. She stared at Xiangqin sharply, "You have to distinguish the seriousness of this matter. If you dare to lie, you know the consequences!"
Xiangqin swallowed nervously, a determined glint in her eyes, and she was determined to tell everything.
"That day, the two sons of the Shoukang family secretly sent me to the mansion to accompany the prince," Xiangqin recounted carefully. "They asked me to search the prince's room and study for items that the old marquis had stamped with his private seal. If I could find the seal, that would be even better..."
Xiangqin observed Hong Yingrong's expression as she spoke. "I'm curious about this, too. I've asked them why they're looking for these things. After all, Marquis Xingyuan is dead, so what use would his seal have? Could it be that military commanders also have a special fondness for calligraphy, paintings, and books?"
Hong Yingrong thought of the missing seal among the old marquis's belongings, as well as the half tiger talisman given to him by the court. She put down her teacup and trembled slightly, but she quickly calmed herself down, frowning slightly. "Oh? So what did they say?"
"The explanation given by Jiang Ren and Jiang Yi doesn't sound true," Xiang Qin replied. "They said that Marquis Xingyuan has passed away, and his private seals and stamps are his last works. If we can steal one or two, we'll definitely be able to sell them for a good price, and then we can get a share of the profits..."
"However, I searched for a long time in Lanyue Pavilion but could not find what they wanted. Later, you, Old Madam, drove me out of the mansion. Seeing that I had returned empty-handed, they simply told me to keep it a secret, and the matter was dropped."
Nanny Zhao was horrified when she heard this, and the slight bit of pity she had felt for Xiangqin was now gone.
"I've long seen that you had no good intentions when you sneaked into the mansion that day. You are indeed ambitious. I wonder what conspiracy and tricks you will play out today!" Nanny Zhao's words were full of vigilance and dissatisfaction, and her vigilance against Xiangqin became stronger.
Hong Yingrong didn't say anything, but just stared at Xiangqin, carefully savoring her words in her heart, examining every word and sentence in her mind.
"You guys step back first." She ordered softly.
A trace of worry flashed in Madam Zhao's eyes, and her gaze lingered on Xiangqin, "Madam, if she suddenly..."
Mother Han immediately took over the conversation and assured her, "I have searched carefully and found no sharp objects on him. There are no scissors, needles, or thread in this room either."
"Just wait outside the door." Hong Yingrong's tone revealed that there was no room for questioning.
The old lady had already spoken, so they had no choice but to withdraw.
The door of the guest room slowly closed, and the room suddenly fell into silence. It seemed that only the sound of breathing could be heard, and the air seemed to be frozen.
Hong Yingrong raised her hand slightly, motioning Xiangqin to get up and sit at the tea table. Although she was a little timid, she did not dare to disobey and did as she was told, waiting for the old lady's questions.
"I've always felt something was fishy," Hong Yingrong said slowly, her eyes sharp. "You sneaked into the mansion secretly, so why did you go to the kitchen and cause trouble, attracting attention?"
Xiangqin suddenly raised her head, a trace of panic flashed in her eyes, as if someone had seen through the secret deep in her heart. She quickly lowered her head to avoid the old lady's gaze.
"You are an extremely intelligent girl, but it's a pity that you have such a bad fate that you have fallen into prostitution."
Hong Yingrong's voice was gentle and steady, revealing her understanding and sympathy for Xiangqin. "You already realized then that the matter of asking you to find the seal was serious, but you didn't dare to speak out. So, you used the kitchen incident as an excuse, hoping that the Marquisate would expel you."
Xiangqin felt the tolerance in Hong Yingrong's words and gradually let down her guard.
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