Xie Qianzhong never interfered in matters that were unrelated to him, so after he said this, everyone understood.
It was nothing more than Song Tangli being jealous of Song Tangxue and trying to frame her, but she ended up falling into the trap herself.
Everyone knew perfectly well what was going on, but Song Tangli was slapped in the face. Her face turned even paler.
"Crown Prince... I'm cold..." Song Tangli tugged at Li Zhaoxian's sleeve and spoke up. She really didn't want to stay in this place.
Li Zhaoxian glared coldly at Song Tangxue and Xie Qianzhong, then lowered his head and said softly, "Ali, I will find a royal physician for you right away."
Having said that, he ignored everyone's gaze and calmly carried Song Tangli away.
Seeing that the fun was over, the people around gradually dispersed.
Song Tangxue breathed a sigh of relief; only Xie Qianzhong and Song Tangxue remained by the flower wall.
"Thank you, Lord Xie, for saving me again just now." Song Tangxue bowed again and raised her head to say sincerely.
When the top of her head accidentally touched her smooth, jade-like chin, Song Tangxue realized how close they were.
They were so close they could smell Xie Qianzhong's chilling aura, mixed with coldness.
Xie Qianzhong looked down at Song Tangxue, his deep pupils clearly reflecting her image. His eyes were like whirlpools, as if they were about to suck her in.
"It's alright."
Two words, extremely bland.
His breath brushed against her face, and Song Tangxue inexplicably felt her ears getting hot.
It must be because I drank too much alcohol earlier.
Shaking her head, ignoring the thought, Song Tangxue took a step back: "May I ask if you may speak to me privately, sir?"
Xie Qianzhong's gaze fell on her, and upon seeing this, he nodded in agreement.
The two maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far, and slowly walked forward.
The light cast their shadows on the ground, stretching them into long, intertwined lines.
Xie Qianzhong suddenly stopped, his thin, large hand pinching a cluster of hydrangea flowers. Without looking at Song Tangxue, he said, "Did Miss Song know I was coming?"
The familiar, cold tone of voice reached her ears, yet Song Tangxue felt inexplicably at ease. She stopped, turned around, and smiled brightly.
"As expected, you can't hide it from the adults."
Xie Qianzhong stared into those clear, bottomless eyes and suddenly felt a pang in his heart.
Throughout the entire capital, everyone knew his name; he was practically the one who could stop children from crying at night.
But today, he was being stared at so directly and intently by a woman. Something inside him stirred inexplicably.
"Oh?" Xie Qianzhong turned around and stood with his hands behind his back.
Seeing his reaction, Song Tangxue took a deep breath and continued:
"I suppose Lord Xie is all-knowing and must know that I am investigating the matter of nitrate powder."
"Not bad." Xie Qianzhong nodded, which was also the reason he came to this banquet.
It is truly extraordinary that a young woman from a secluded family would set out to investigate something that even the Imperial Censorate dared not touch.
Moreover, this person is the Crown Prince's principal wife...
A glimmer of light flashed in Xie Qianzhong's dark eyes as he turned to look at her, the five-step tattoo on his left arm gleaming in the light.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"I need an adult to do me a favor."
Song Tangxue remained calm, and under Xie Qianzhong's dangerous and profound gaze, she slowly said:
"I need your help, sir, and the Hundred Inspections Bureau under your command, to successfully annul my engagement with the Crown Prince."
"After this is done, I will tell you the whole story about the source of this saltpeter powder. After all, saltpeter powder is a matter of great importance, and in all the world, only I can help you."
The woman was still smiling, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
Where Xie Qianzhong couldn't see, Song Tangxue's palms were damp with sweat.
The Hundred Inspection Institute was a privately established supervisory institute under Xie Qianzhong's jurisdiction, which was also tacitly approved by the emperor. It was responsible for the daily supervision of the inspection.
Similar to the Eastern Depot of the previous dynasty, except that Xie Qianzhong's subordinates were not a group of eunuchs, but a group of truly capable secret guards.
Over the years, the Hundred Inspection Bureau has done a lot for Xie Qianzhong, but nitrate powder is a taboo that cannot be touched.
Back when the late emperor was alive, many officials died from spontaneous combustion of gunpowder powder, which, for various reasons, remained unsolved cases.
When Xie Qianzhong took over the Hundred Inspections Bureau, he unearthed many old cases, and the Nitrate Case was one of them.
The reason why Song Tangxue chose to cooperate with him.
Firstly, she couldn't possibly contend with the Crown Prince on her own. Secondly, she was isolated and powerless, and she definitely needed to find a powerful backer.
Xie Qianzhong is undoubtedly the best backer.
Whether before or after rebirth.
A dark glint flashed in her eyes, but Song Tangxue's face remained unchanged. She was waiting, waiting for Xie Qianzhong's answer.
"I can cooperate with Miss Song..."
Before Song Tangxue could even catch her breath, Xie Qianzhong's voice continued, his tone uncertain:
"But how did Miss Song know about saltpeter?"
His voice was cold and clear, but a glint of light flashed in his slightly narrowed eyes.
Song Tangxue's heart trembled.
Xie Qianzhong was inherently suspicious, and the Hundred Inspections Bureau had never made the matter of saltpeter powder public.
It's understandable that Xie Qianzhong has some doubts about himself, but how should he cover up this lie? He can't just tell him that he has memories of his past life, can he?
Cold sweat beaded on Song Tangxue's forehead, and under Xie Qianzhong's scrutinizing gaze, she blurted out:
"When those assassins attacked the Crown Prince, their weapons must have been coated with saltpeter. After I went back and applied medicine, I found that the wounds had turned black."
"I asked the doctor in my family and found out what was coated on it."
"I was certain this was the key to closing the case, so I investigated it for you ahead of time!"
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