Chapter 74
The Huazhou Lantern Market is very large. In addition to stalls selling display lanterns, there are also many small vendors selling daily household utensils, snacks unique to Yanjing and Wanping, and even amusement stalls selling goldfish, touchstones, and ring tossing.
Duan Nanqi saw that Jiang Lingyao was very excited. She looked at each stall one by one, as if she wanted to buy everything. However, she only played with the gadgets in her hands for a while and put them back.
"Why not buy it? That singing wooden bird is pretty good. I'll give it to you as a gift." Duan Nanqi asked.
Jiang Lingyao shook her head: "Those are children's toys, why would I buy them? Besides, I just want to see them for fun. I definitely won't have time to play with them when I get home."
Duan Nanqi uttered an "oh" but didn't insist on it.
The two of them strolled all the way from beginning to end. They didn't buy any small things, but Jiang Lingyao bought a few rabbit lanterns to give to Jiang Lingyan, Duan Jianing and Duan Jiaying.
Naturally, she kept one for herself as well.
As for the other sisters-in-law, Jiang Lingyao also bought some beautiful white porcelain swan lanterns, which she placed on the table to reflect the swan's slender figure.
When they returned to the alley, Duan Nanqi thought for a moment and said, "I just forgot to do something. Wenzhu, wait for the young lady to return home first, and be careful."
Duan Nanqi was a busy man, and Jiang Lingyao didn't ask him what he was going to do. She just nodded and said gently and graciously, "Go home early in the evening."
By the time Jiang Lingyao returned home, took a bath, changed her clothes, and ate a bowl of pumpkin and milk soup, Duan Nanqi had not returned yet.
Jiang Lingyao looked outside, then called Wen Zhu over and gave him a rare order: "Remember to prepare some water and a midnight snack. Don't let your young master fall asleep hungry."
Wen Zhuke was quite new to this. He was a little confused when he first heard Jiang Lingyao's instructions. Then, Xingyun glared at him, and he hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, Madam, don't worry. I understand."
Only then did Jiang Lingyao fall asleep comfortably.
Probably because I went to bed early that night, when I woke up the next morning, the sky was still dim and the golden crow was hiding in the soft clouds. I was too lazy to get up early.
It was quiet outside the curtain. Jiang Lingyao lay quietly for a while. She slept too much and couldn't fall asleep anymore, so she reached out and opened the curtain.
To Jiang Lingyao's surprise, the sky outside was not dark, but a sparkling rose was blooming quietly in front of the window.
It was a rose glass lamp.
Undisguised joy spread from her heart. Jiang Lingyao lifted the curtain, got out of bed, walked barefoot on the wooden floor, and walked step by step to the glass lamp.
This lamp is made entirely of colored glaze, and every petal is translucent and charming. The wick is burning with a ball of sparks, making the lamp shine brightly.
It is like the stars that light up in the middle of the night, illuminating everyone's way home.
Jiang Lingyao likes this lamp very much.
She lowered her head and looked at it carefully for a long time. The smile on her face became brighter and brighter, just like this lamp, which makes people like it after just one look.
Xingyun heard the noise inside, so he pushed open the door and asked softly, "Miss, why are you up so early?"
Jiang Lingyao turned her head, her gentle eyes and brows were lit up by the lanterns, shining brightly.
Before Jiang Lingyao asked, Xingyun laughed.
She walked quietly into the bedroom, came to Jiang Lingyao's side, helped her sit down, and then went to look for her bed shoes.
"Miss, last night after you went to bed, the aunt came back. I don't know where she went, but she brought back this glass lamp."
When Jiang Lingyao heard that it was a gift from Duan Nanqi, she felt a little hot for some reason and even embarrassed.
"What are you giving this for?"
Xingyun thought for a moment and said, "My aunt didn't tell me why she wanted to give Miss a lamp, but she said she knew Miss liked roses, so she chose this one specially."
Jiang Lingyao's gaze fell on the lamp again.
It blooms quietly in the quiet morning, and seems to be emitting a faint fragrance that makes people calm down as well.
Jiang Lingyao couldn't help but chuckle, "You're really good at choosing. This one is really beautiful."
Seeing her happy, Xingyun was also very happy. She whispered, "Miss, I think the aunt is very good."
Jiang Lingyao moved her gaze and fell on Xingyun's face.
Xingyun grew up with her, and the two have been together for more than ten years. There are some things that outsiders cannot easily say, but Xingyun dares to say them.
If Xingyun had not been truly sincere towards Jiang Lingyao, he would not have crossed the line like this.
Jiang Lingyao held her hand and asked her to sit next to her.
Xingyun then took the courage to say, "Miss, I know you have concerns in your heart, but when His Majesty granted this marriage, the old master never objected. No matter what, it proves that the old master recognizes the character of the aunt."
If not for this, with Jiang Zhisheng's temper, he would never let his children suffer.
After spending a month together, Jiang Lingyao had actually gotten to know Duan Nanqi to some extent. For some reason, Duan Nanqi always acted like a dandy boy when he was outside, but when he was at home, he never drank or had fun, and he didn't even care about beautiful women.
He is surrounded by only a few old servants like Wen Zhu and the Jinyiwei's men. If he is really a complete idiot, the Jinyiwei's cavalry will immediately rebel against him and will never be obedient to him.
But Jiang Lingyao had no idea why Duan Nanqi acted like this. She was not curious when they first got married. But after a month of getting along, although Jiang Lingyao became curious, she did not want to ask.
Just as she herself had hidden countless secrets, Duan Nanqi had her own reasons. Although she was curious, she could not lose her manners.
The two of them were sweet and loving in front of outsiders, and they were actually quite harmonious at home. Duan Nanqi never deliberately made things difficult for him, and would even give her convenience and more advice when handling cases.
Even Jiang Lingyao, who carries a secret, will gradually develop trust in him. This trust is not because they are friends and are willing to protect each other with their own lives, but because Duan Nanqi is a good person who is trustworthy.
To tell whether a person is good or bad, you can tell three-quarters of the clues just by looking into his eyes.
Duan Nanqi's eyes were particularly pure. There was never any contempt for the weak or mockery of the dead in his eyes. There was only pure impartiality and determination to catch the murderer.
Unconsciously, the two became more familiar with each other and trusted each other more.
Especially when handling a case, it is best to have the feeling of being trusted and being able to understand the other person's intentions without much explanation.
It was an inexplicable fit.
Although Jiang Lingyao didn't want to admit it, she understood that she and Duan Nanqi had unknowingly developed a tacit understanding that could not be ignored.
This tacit understanding made it easy for both of them to handle cases, and they could even get twice the result with half the effort.
As Jiang Lingyao thought about it, she recalled the day when Duan Nanqi was angry with her.
That was the first time Jiang Lingyao saw Duan Nanqi angry. He was so angry that the smile in his eyes was completely driven away by anger. His peach blossom eyes no longer had the warmth of spring, but only a biting coldness.
He was angry, and Jiang Lingyao felt even more aggrieved.
She had clearly obtained all the clues when no one was hurt, so why did Duan Nanqi still scold her? Jiang Lingyao was puzzled at the time, and she was still puzzled when she woke up today.
But now, although Duan Nanqi didn't say anything, he still sent a rose glass lamp as a reconciliation, and Jiang Lingyao suddenly understood.
In the final analysis, it's just that caring leads to confusion.
Because he was worried about her safety and he couldn't disrupt her plan to inquire about the case, Duan Nanqi could only endure it. But after she was safe, Duan Nanqi could no longer suppress the anger in his heart.
That's why he's so fierce.
Jiang Lingyao recalled what happened yesterday, but she couldn't hide the smile in her eyes. Xingyun found it a little funny, but felt more distressed.
Although the marriage was unexpected and my aunt had a bad reputation, after the marriage, I could see that my aunt had good character and, most importantly, good looks. She was truly a handsome man.
Jiang Lingyao turned her head and looked at Xingyun's worried eyes, and couldn't help but pursed her lips and smiled.
"Silly girl, why are you so worried?" Jiang Lingyao said, "After all, it's the emperor who has granted us a marriage, so we can't divorce right away. We can wait and see. We can always see if Duan Nanqi is suitable."
"Can I still wrong myself?"
Jiang Lingyao said this, in fact, she was somewhat moved. Xingyun's brows relaxed and he whispered, "Miss, tell me the truth, is the young lady quite handsome?"
That’s right, Jiang Lingyao pinched Xingyun’s face.
Xingyun smiled and said, "Madam has always been worried about Miss's marriage. Now that Miss is married, Madam is also very concerned. She is afraid that Miss is not living well in the Duan family. Before we returned home, Madam also told me to take good care of Miss. If Miss is not living well, she should go back to her parents' home."
Jiang Lingyao was deeply moved to hear her mother care about her so much. She said, "I haven't seen you for a few days. I miss you so much."
Xingyun said, "If the young lady can get along well with her aunt, the lady will be relieved."
That's true.
Jiang Lingyao thought for a moment and said, "I understand."
Having said this, she smiled and went back to playing with the glass lamp.
Jiang Lingyao blew out the candle in the glass lamp, leaving only the quiet and crystal glass lampshade. Jiang Lingyao touched the rose petals and liked it more and more.
However, after she smiled, her face became solemn again.
Her voice was low, but Xingyun could hear it clearly: "Xingyun, do you want to tell Auntie about what you said?"
Xingyun didn't know what to do, but she said, "I don't understand those things, but if you want to talk about it, you can ask Aunt."
"I think that the aunt is not a secretive person and has always been very straightforward with the young lady. The young lady can talk to the aunt."
After all, it was only Jiang Lingyao who was responsible. Even if Jiang Zhisheng, Shen Suning and others were secretly investigating, the case back then would not be easy to investigate. If the Jinyiwei took action, they might be able to find more clues.
But this matter involved a lot of things, and if it went wrong, the entire Jiang family would be implicated. It didn't matter to her, but she couldn't bear to see the Jiang family suffer with her.
Therefore, Jiang Lingyao closed her eyes and sighed: "Forget it."
"The fewer people who know about this, the better. For me, for the Jiang family, and for him."
Xingyun just smiled and then withdrew it. She did not sigh, but just said: "It's still early. If you are not busy today, go and lie down."
Jiang Lingyao said, "I won't lie down anymore. I haven't practiced the Five Animal Exercises for a long time. I'm going to practice today."
After Jiang Lingyao washed and changed her clothes, she came to the courtyard.
As soon as she walked out of the room, she saw Duan Nanqi holding a long sword and practicing in the yard.
Because he was at home, he only wore a short brown shirt, leaving most of his strong arms exposed, showing vigorous vitality as he moved.
Jiang Lingyao took a look at first, and then couldn't help but take another look.
She suddenly felt that what Xingyun said made sense.
Why not consider Duan Nanxi?
————
This thought only lasted for a moment and was immediately shattered by Jiang Lingyao.
Duan Nanqi happened to hear footsteps and looked towards her. At one glance, Duan Nanqi noticed that she was looking at her arm.
Duan Nanqi thought it was a little funny, but he didn't say anything sarcastic. He just put away his sword and walked towards Jiang Lingyao step by step.
As soon as he got close, the heat emanating from his body was scorching. Jiang Lingyao was a little disgusted: "Dirty."
Duan Nanqi had just practiced sword fighting for a long time, so he smelled of sweat. After being rejected by Jiang Lingyao, he shook his head and took two steps back.
He is so talkative today.
If it were in the past, she would have been ridiculed for her cleanliness. Jiang Lingyao suddenly found it a little strange.
Thinking carefully, he not only took the initiative to show his goodwill yesterday by inviting me to see the lanterns, but also gave me a glass lantern. What was the reason for this?
Wu Shixian was either a traitor or a thief, so Jiang Lingyao didn't believe that he was just seeking peace.
"Tell me, what's the matter?"
Feeling Jiang Lingyao's scrutiny, Duan Nanqi couldn't help but smile slightly. He sighed, "My wife is still so smart. Nothing can escape her discerning eyes."
Jiang Lingyao couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, then said, "Hurry up and take a shower, you're so dirty."
After Duan Nanqiao left, the smile on Jiang Lingyao's face had not yet disappeared. Xingyun stepped on the ground and took a look at him, but she laughed secretly in her heart.
The relationship between the young lady and her aunt is actually more harmonious than those loving couples in the capital.
Duan Nanqi bathed quickly and soon changed into a clean green bamboo gown. He was busy outside all day long, but he was not tanned at all. Whenever he put on the light and elegant gown, people would mistake him for a handsome scholar who went to Beijing to take the imperial examination.
The couple sat at the dining table and had breakfast together.
Jiang Lingyao ate fried dough sticks with soy milk, while Duan Nanqi took two baskets of mushroom meat buns and placed them next to him.
Only when they were about three-quarters full did they slow down their eating pace.
Jiang Lingyao didn't ask any more questions. She raised her eyes slightly and glanced at Duan Nanqi's face. Duan Nanqi's hand holding the meat bun paused slightly.
"My dear," Duan Nanqi's smile faded, and he whispered, "If you see something new in the future, don't open it outside. You must look at it at home first."
Even at home, Duan Nanqi's words were quite subtle, but Jiang Lingyao understood them immediately, and then she was stunned.
She really didn't know that Duan Nanqi had also gone to Osmanthus Lane with her yesterday, but he probably didn't know anything else. He probably just heard her crying and mistakenly thought that she was thinking of something sad, which was why she acted like that.
Take the initiative to show your friendship, invite her out for a walk, and send her off with courtesy.
Duan Nanqi is a thoughtful person. He would first comfort people without repeating himself. In his own way, he cared for her when she was sad.
To be honest, Jiang Lingyao was indeed comforted by him.
So much so that after a night, Jiang Lingyao had recovered her spirit and began to think about how to walk next.
Jiang Lingyao slowly raised her eyes and looked towards Duan Nanxi.
Duan Nanqi was very serious, and his peach blossom eyes showed nothing but determination and dignity. He always looked like this when he was talking about serious matters.
After seeing him many times, Jiang Lingyao understood that although he seemed careless, he was actually more serious than anyone else.
Jiang Lingyao lowered her eyes and sighed, "Everyone, go down."
After the maids and servants had left and Xingyun and Wenzhu were standing guard outside the door, Jiang Lingyao raised her eyes and looked at Duan Nanqi.
At this time, Nanxi seemed to have noticed something. He put down his chopsticks and looked at Jiang Lingyao with clear eyes.
Their eyes met lightly, Jiang Lingyao's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she lowered her eyes again.
"My wife, do you have anything to say to your husband?" Duan Nanqi's voice was cold, but it revealed a concern that could not be ignored.
Jiang Lingyao didn't look at him again.
She lowered her eyes to look at the bowl of soy milk in front of her and spoke softly, "Duan Nanqi, aren't you curious about what I went to Guihua Lane to investigate?"
Duan Nanqi let her go to Guihua Lane alone because he noticed that Jiang Lingyao was distracted for a moment when people mentioned Li Hong's name.
It was this moment that Duan Nanqi seized.
Since he knew that she paid special attention to Li Hong and heard him crying in No. 17 Guihua Lane, he must have understood that there were more secrets behind Jiang Lingyao.
Duan Nanqi noticed that she kept her eyes downcast, her long eyelashes blocking her vision and also concealing the expression on her face by a factor of three.
With just one glance, Duan Nanqi knew how important the secret was to Jiang Lingyao.
Duan Nanqi thought for a moment and then chuckled softly.
Then, Jiang Lingyao heard his cynical voice: "My dear, everyone has secrets. You have yours, and I have mine."
Jiang Lingyao suddenly felt relieved. For no reason, she was no longer as heavy as before.
"When we got married, we agreed to stay out of each other's way and live our own lives. We already had a tacit understanding at that time, right?"
Jiang Lingyao didn't answer.
Duan Nanqi said to himself, "But after spending a month together, we have solved two major cases together. You have gotten to know me better, and I have gotten to know you better."
"So, I know what kind of person you are. I know you are determined, brave, and just. You can work tirelessly to solve a case. You are an excellent criminal justice officer. We may not have known each other a month ago, but after a month, we have experienced so many ups and downs together. I think I know you well enough."
"You are a trustworthy official, am I right?"
He started with a string of compliments, which made Jiang Lingyao feel a little embarrassed, but she still said, "Master Duan, how can I respond to your words?"
Duan Nanqi's words made Jiang Lingyao unconsciously use an official tone.
"My dear, we are just chatting casually," Duan Nanqi smiled again, "There is no need to be so serious."
Jiang Lingyao's tense heartstrings were broken by his words.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly." Jiang Lingyao rolled her eyes at him again.
Duan Nanqi laughed out loud, then tried to hide his smile and said, "Madam, I thought we could try to trust each other gradually, right?"
Jiang Lingyao raised her eyebrows and looked at him. She had just had this thought yesterday, but today Duan Nanqi took the initiative to mention it, which made her very surprised.
Duan Nanqi thought she was surprised that he would take such an initiative, and couldn't help but smile and said, "I know what kind of person you are, and you probably also know my character. Although I don't know what the secrets behind us are, we can be sure that the other party will not harm us behind our backs, right?"
These words are not empty words.
Even though she didn't know what his secret was, Duan Nanqi was a close confidant of His Majesty, a good official who tried his best to investigate the case, and a good man. Based on these two points alone, Jiang Lingyao knew that his secret would not put her in a dilemma.
The same is true for her.
Duan Nanqi could tell at a glance that Jiang Lingyao agreed with his idea, and the smile on his face became even brighter.
Duan Nanqi narrowed his eyes and said, "I can't tell you all my secrets, but I can tell you half of it. This half may also require your cooperation in the future."
Jiang Lingyao looked at the smile on his face and raised the corners of her lips slightly: "What a coincidence, I feel the same way."
The two of them looked at each other knowingly, and the tacit understanding that came from nowhere made them understand each other's meaning without saying anything.
Duan Nanqi took a sip of tea and said, "Let me talk first."
Jiang Lingyao glanced at the door and said, "Then I'll listen carefully."
Perhaps because he had already thought of what to say, Duan Nanqi did not hesitate and said directly: "I came to Wanping this time because His Majesty asked me to find out the whereabouts of the "Yuyong Baojian Tu"."
Duan Nanqi paused and continued, "My lady, you probably haven't heard of this map. This map is the culmination of the craftsmanship of the Yuyongjian over the past hundred years. It was created by the craftsmen of the Yuyongjian from generation to generation with great effort. The various craft drawings in it are the pinnacle. Without this map, many crafts would not be possible today."
Jiang Lingyao sat up straight and looked at Duan Nanqi without blinking.
Duan Nanqi sighed, "But this map was lost fifteen years ago. At that time, there was unrest in the court, and Yu Yong was imprisoned and the map was stolen, and its whereabouts are unknown."
Jiang Lingyao was very smart. Without Duan Nanqi's explanation, she asked, "Is this painting related to the royal family?"
Duan Nanqi nodded approvingly, and then said: "There is a device on this map, called the Thousand Machine Box. The box has no key or lock, but it cannot be opened. Only by following the method on the map can the Thousand Machine Box be opened without destroying it."
"Once the box is damaged, everything inside will be destroyed and cannot be repaired."
Jiang Lingyao was startled, and she asked subconsciously, "What's in the box?"
Duan Nanqi dipped his hand in the tea and wrote two words on the table.
One is the purpose and the other is the chapter.
Jiang Lingyao lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, then suddenly looked up at Duan Nanqi, with a huge wave of emotion in her heart: "What are the two most important things?"
Duan Nanqiao sighed, wiped the words on the table and nodded.
The things that would make His Majesty the Emperor so concerned are either the imperial edict of succession to the throne or the imperial seal. They involve the legitimacy of the country, and even Emperor Xuanhua, who has already firmly sat on the throne, cannot remain indifferent.
The seal in the box should be the imperial seal. Emperor Xuanhua was made the crown prince in his early years. Although his life was full of twists and turns, he eventually inherited the throne and became the emperor.
When he ascended the throne, both the enthronement edict and the posthumous edict of the late emperor were written in advance by Emperor Tianyou. Emperor Xuanhua's throne was the most legitimate, and the imperial seal was still in the Thousand Machine Box, so there was no need to worry too much.
But Emperor Xuanhua was now over thirty years old, and he also had to consider the issue of succession.
Emperor Xuanhua almost exclusively favored Consort Xie, which resulted in an empty harem and a lack of offspring. He had no adult prince, which made him very anxious. However, he could not rush to have an offspring, so he had to wait for the next few years. By chance, Emperor Xuanhua discovered last year that he had an eight-year-old son. A grown-up prince was a sign of the stability of the country, so Emperor Xuanhua was very happy and wanted to make his eldest son the crown prince. ①
But the Qianji Box cannot be opened.
Duan Nanqi whispered, "As soon as His Majesty ascended the throne, he ordered people to inquire about the Treasure Mirror Map. In addition to the seal, the other one... was also quite important. However, no matter how hard they tried, they got no news. At that time, His Majesty was still young and could not fully control the court, so he did not dare to make it public and secretly investigated for many years."
"Now that the eldest prince has grown up and the court is stable, I have set up the East Office to search for illustrations."
Jiang Lingyao narrowed her eyes: "The clue to the atlas is in Wanping?"
Duan Nanqi nodded and sighed, "My lady is so smart, I can't even compare to her."
He complimented her and then said seriously, "After investigation, it was found that Wanping did have a part of the atlas, but the person who sold the atlas to Wanping and the painter who bought the painting have disappeared. The Jinyiwei has been searching for them these days, but to no avail."
Jiang Lingyao thought of her own experience of searching for Li Hong, and she couldn't help but say, "My husband, I think we should start with the seller. No one knows who the seller is, how he came to Wanping, and through whom he sold it, but the buyer is very likely a local of Wanping. Why would a painter want to buy the treasure map?"
When a person does something, he must have a purpose. As long as he knows the purpose, he can follow the clues and find all the clues.
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