After Su Tiyue alighted from the sedan chair and entered the Jinxiu Palace, the tense expressions on their faces gradually eased.
Liu Wan supported her, holding Su Tiyue's slender, cold fingertips tightly, and said with heartache, "Your Highness, did Master Xiao make things difficult for you?"
Su Tiyue reached out her other hand and gently patted Liu Wan's hand, comforting her, "No."
"But I'm still uneasy. Rumor has it that Master Xiao is ruthless and cunning. We've gotten ourselves into a lot of trouble this time. Will he really help us?"
"Actually, I'm not sure either, but since it's already happened, instead of living in fear all the time, I should live each day to the fullest. We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Liu Wan, I will do my best to protect the Su family and you all, no matter what."
Hearing her say that, Liu Wan's eyes instantly welled up with tears: "Your Majesty, whether you live or die, this servant will always be with you."
Su Tiyue nodded and said, "Liuwan, this is a very important matter. The fewer people who know about it, the better. Qingwu isn't as cautious and meticulous as you. She's straightforward and easily acts impulsively..."
"This servant understands Your Highness's meaning." Liu Wan gently grasped Su Tiyue's hand, and did not continue speaking, nor was it necessary to finish.
At that moment, both of them knew in their hearts that after tonight, everything would be very different.
As night fell, it started snowing again.
Su Tiyue had nightmares all night and was woken up several times in the middle of the night.
The next morning, Qingwu went to the Imperial Household Department early to collect some charcoal and brought back some earth-shattering news.
"I heard that Prince Rong was assassinated at Chunfeng Tower last night. He had several wounds on his body and died a gruesome death."
As soon as Qingwu entered the room, she couldn't wait to tell them the gossip she had just heard.
Su Tiyue sat upright in front of the dressing table, silently looking at herself in the bronze mirror, feeling a little scared.
Liu Wan stood behind Su Tiyue, combing her long hair. She didn't turn around to look at Qingwu. Although she had many things on her mind, she only replied lightly, "Is that so? Wouldn't the area outside the palace be in chaos?"
"Of course. I heard that His Majesty is taking this case very seriously and has entrusted it to Xiao Zhangyin of the Directorate of Ceremonial, ordering him to catch the murderer within three days."
"I've heard that Chief Inspector Xiao is incredibly skilled and deeply trusted by the Emperor. This case should be solved quickly if it's handed over to him, right?" Liu Wan said casually, while carefully selecting hairpins for Su Tiyue. Finally, she took a white jade hairpin and carefully inserted it into the middle of her hair bun.
Qingwu casually picked up a peach shortbread from the table and stuffed it into her mouth, her words muffled: "Master Xiao has already sent people from the Eastern Depot to investigate this matter. Those people from the Eastern Depot have always been domineering and reckless. I'm afraid Yong'an City will not be peaceful now."
Qingwu rolled her eyes and whispered, "But it doesn't matter anymore. It's better that Prince Rong is dead... This is what they call 'what goes around comes around.'"
Upon hearing her words, Liu Wan immediately turned around and glared at her fiercely, saying, "Qingwu, don't talk nonsense, lest you cause trouble for our Empress."
Qingwu realized she had misspoke, gently patted her mouth, and then cautiously glanced at Su Tiyue, who remained silent.
Su Tiyue pursed her lips, not blaming Qingwu for her slip of the tongue. Right now, she only hoped this matter would pass quickly and be closed as soon as possible. That way, Su Tiyue could return to her peaceful life.
So Xiao Heye wasn't lying to her; he really did get Prince Rong out of the palace.
Su Tiyue finally breathed a sigh of relief. The Emperor had entrusted this case to him, which made things much easier.
But if what Qingwu just said is true, the people of the Eastern Depot will definitely stop at nothing to catch the murderer, and it is not impossible that Yong'an City will be dug up. In that case... what will happen to the Su family?
Chunfeng Tower was a notorious brothel in Yong'an City. Prince Rong, like the current emperor, was a licentious and lustful man, so it was not surprising that he died in Chunfeng Tower.
However, Su Tiyue also remembered that her good-for-nothing second brother's favorite place was Chunfeng Tower. Just in case, she would definitely write back to remind her father to keep an eye on her second brother these days and not let him go to Chunfeng Tower to cause trouble, so as not to run into the people of the Eastern Depot and get into trouble.
She turned to Qingwu and said, "Go prepare paper and pen; I need to write a letter back home."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Qingwu got up and went to the study next door.
Su Tiyue lowered her head and smoothed the hair on her shoulders. She raised her hand and touched the jade hairpin in her hair. In a daze, she suddenly remembered something terrible.
The silver hairpin went missing last night!
She hurriedly rummaged through the jewelry box on the dressing table, but found nothing...
Su Tiyue stood up, quickly walked to the soft couch, lifted the pillows and quilt and searched carefully again, but still found nothing...
"Liu Wan, did you see that silver hairpin last night?" She was so anxious that her voice changed.
Upon hearing the mention of the silver hairpin, Liu Wan naturally knew its importance. She lowered her head and thought carefully for a moment: "Your Majesty, I remember that you weren't wearing that hairpin when you returned last night. Could it be...?"
Upon hearing this, Su Tiyue remembered that she had left in a hurry last night and seemed to have forgotten her things in Xiao Heye's room.
Su Tiyue clutched her pounding chest and said, "Liu Wan, I need to go to Nanyuan again."
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