Chapter 49 Accompanying Shadows "Personally, I still hope you're even more capable..."
49
The sun was high in the sky, and Xie Qinghe had only rested for an hour or so.
What makes jade craftsmen special?
Wei Zhan was clearly more composed and continued to press for answers.
"We found this in the fire."
The imperial guards were familiar with Wei Zhan's cold and ruthless style of doing things, so they had no choice but to take out their items.
A piece of old cloth, when lifted, revealed several pieces of clearly broken jade.
Wei Zhan stared intently, immediately discerning the key to the matter, and then turned to Ning Lu with a grim expression.
"Is it related to Prince Jing?"
The question was clearly directed at the Imperial Guards, but their gazes were fixed on her face.
"A patrolling guard said that he did see General Zhao's men riding horses through the street and into the alley that day."
Wei Zhan had always been keeping an eye on the Prince Xian's side, and Wei Chun spent some time discerning the dragon patterns on it.
Where is that person?
Ning Lu wanted to ask for more details, but the Imperial Guard, unsure of her identity, dared not say more and subconsciously looked at Wei Chun and Wei Zhan.
Wei Chun spoke first: "Speak freely."
"Stay here and wait for the Grand Chancellor's instructions."
It was only after hearing these words that Ning Lu realized the current situation in Changzhou.
Pan Xingxue was still detained in his residence, while the other officials were either investigating cases or involved in them. The vast prefecture and county were now relying on Xie Qinghe for support.
Ning Lu observed Wei Chun and Wei Zhan's reactions and realized that this matter was of great importance.
Xie Qinghe is ill.
Her first reaction was still to go to the scene herself. Before she could even move, the words Xie Qinghe had told her before she went to sleep, "Don't run around," echoed in her mind.
A few days ago, she might not have listened to what that guy said.
Of course, it has to be today.
She pursed her lips, turned around, and looked inside the room.
Wei Chun and Wei Zhan exchanged a glance, seemingly making an assessment.
Taking advantage of their momentary lapse in attention, Ning Lu took two steps back and circled around to the other side.
Knowing the way well, he pushed open the window and poked his head in to observe.
Xie Qinghe was already awake, sitting with his hands supporting him on either side of him, his head bowed.
Unable to see his expression clearly, Ning Lu felt a little nervous. Seeing him gently shake his head as if to get up, she quickly cleared her throat to attract his attention.
He leaped into the room and carefully closed the windows tightly.
She picked up the cloak from the side and wrapped it around him, lowering her voice: "Why are you up?"
Xie Qinghe obediently pulled the fox fur coat over his shoulders, looked up at her blankly, and then looked at the window behind her.
Ning Lu didn't sense anything amiss and blinked, asking him, "Are you alright? Won't you sleep a little longer?"
"Didn't you need something from me?"
Having regained some of his senses and feeling much better than at noon, he revealed her purpose for coming.
Ning Lu didn't try to hide anything and blurted out, "The Imperial Guards said someone died, and it seems to be related to Prince Jing."
"From the Imperial Guards?"
"Yes, the body is still at the scene. They said they're waiting for you."
Ning Lu picked up the clothes he had placed on the bedside table and was about to unfold them when Xie Qinghe raised his hand to stop her.
"Take your official robes."
He put down the plain clothes he was holding and went to the wardrobe to look for the official robes he had mentioned.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"My lord, the Imperial Guards have something to report."
It was Wei Zhan's voice.
"Wait."
"yes."
Ning Lu carried the black official robe to the bedside. Xie Qinghe had already gotten up with a calm expression, and the weakness he felt in the morning had been completely concealed.
She hugged the clothes to her chest and glanced outside.
"Should we call Wei Chun and Wei Zhan to serve us?"
She would have Qinghuai and Qingzhi watching over her even when she changed clothes, so he would need at least three or four people with him.
"Come on in." He paused. "Didn't you have something else to say?"
She had lost count of how many times Xie Qinghe had seen through her thoughts, but she still couldn't help but shudder.
With a life at stake, Ning Lu quickly composed herself, unfolded her clothes, studied how to put them on, and walked up to him.
"I think I know the person who died."
Ning Lu spread her clothes and stood still, saying, "I saw him yesterday."
Xie Qinghe reluctantly took it from her and straightened the hem and cuffs himself.
Upon hearing this, he paused in his actions.
She went to the market after she came out of the dungeon yesterday.
The shadow guards reported that they had not been able to find her during that time.
Assuming it was just his young master's illness acting up, Ning Lu helped him take the next step, then stepped onto the bedside step herself, barely reaching his shoulder, and tiptoed to fasten the buttons on his collar one by one.
"Do you think I might have killed him?"
Her voice was muffled, coming from her chest.
Xie Qinghe lowered his head and looked at her as she focused on tidying her clothes, a warm feeling spreading through his heart.
"Jiang Yi's ruthlessness isn't necessarily all because of you."
"Can I come with you?"
"Aren't you afraid of people dying?"
Ning Lu didn't say anything, but turned around, picked up his fox fur coat, and wrapped it around his shoulders.
The cold fingertips were different from usual. Xie Qinghe focused slightly and tugged at her sleeve.
"If what you say is true, this matter involves a wide range of people, and Prince Jing's men should still be hiding in the shadows. Wait for me here."
Are you worried that Prince Jing will find me and I will be in danger?
Her voice was clear and crisp, and she looked earnestly seeking confirmation.
Xie Qinghe nodded slightly.
"That's not a problem, I have a solution."
Ning Lu tied the bow tie on his collar, took a step back, and looked her work up and down.
"You go first, I'll be right behind you."
Xie Qinghe wanted to give her some more instructions, but she had already run to the window and pushed it open.
Familiarity and ease are better than simply going through the door.
He chuckled and shook his head, then heard rustling sounds outside the door. Xie Qinghe's face darkened as he went out.
"lead the way."
With the Imperial Guards in front, Xie's carriage passed through the bustling city and came to a steady stop in the alley.
As the character "谢" (meaning "thank you") hung high above the mirror, pedestrians on both sides of the road gave way, and children stopped crying.
Even the crowd that had been lingering around the scene for a long time disappeared all at once.
A burnt smell permeated the air.
The sound of footsteps grew louder as they approached, and the horse stopped in front of the carriage.
The armor clanged and clashed, and the leader's voice, greeting them, was strong and resonant.
The carriage door opened, and Xie Qinghe slowly stepped out.
He remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the collapsed houses, his eyes glancing at the petite figure at the back of the line.
The coldness in his eyes softened slightly, and he gestured for everyone to stand up.
"Your Excellency, the fire started last night and was first discovered by the neighbors. It is said that the house was very quiet at the time, and everyone thought that no one was home."
The shops were mostly made of wood, but now they have all collapsed, leaving only charred, thick wooden sticks.
After walking a couple of steps around, you can see a stretcher covered with a white sheet parked in the middle of the road ahead.
"The coroner has examined the body."
The imperial guard leading the way slowed his pace: "The flesh has been burned away, leaving only charred meat and dry bones. It doesn't look good, and we're afraid it might offend you, sir."
With Xie Qinghe's instruction, Wei Zhan stepped forward steadily, turned his back, and squatted down to examine the situation.
A short shadow moved along with him, creeping up to a position half a step behind Xie Qinghe.
Hearing the sound, Wei Chun turned his head and glanced to his side.
Looking at the familiar face before him, he showed surprise, raised his chin slightly, and pointed at Xie Qinghe.
Ning Lu pretended not to care, standing with her eyes down and hands drooping.
While they were distracted, she had already scouted the area and discovered that this was the place she had visited yesterday.
His gaze fell on the spot in front of Wei Zhan, and he involuntarily took half a step forward, only to be immediately blocked by Wei Chun's horizontal sword. He shook his head silently.
Wei Zhan had finished his inspection and silently stood up.
The imperial guards and the coroner, having received their orders, carried the body away.
In the blink of an eye, a gust of wind lifted a corner, and a bloodied and mangled arm swayed and fell from the stretcher, the stench of a burnt corpse spreading to the nose.
Ning Lu dared not step forward rashly again, her gaze fixed blankly on the direction of the white cloth, a wave of nausea rising in her stomach.
Even with preparations, the fear in my heart was magnified a hundredfold at this moment.
Her legs went weak, and she covered her mouth and gagged.
Almost at the same moment, a large hand grabbed her belt and pulled her up half a step.
A familiar aura wafted down from above, and Ning Lu immediately realized who it was.
She grabbed the sleeve with her other hand, her chest heaving rapidly, and her gaze involuntarily followed it backward.
Before his eyes could even make out the corpse, he was completely covered by a fox fur coat.
Sensing that she was still trembling, he tightened his grip slightly on her back.
"I told you not to come."
Ning Lu rested her forehead against his elbow, took a deep breath, and remained silent.
My heart was pounding rapidly.
She seems to be getting more and more involved in this chaotic world.
At first, she did not kill any living beings and had never come into contact with any inanimate objects...
Even now, people kill birds and pluck their feathers, and witness dead people, even those connected to them.
The old man was telling her yesterday that he would soon be able to go to Beijing to live with his children.
That's exactly what it's like today.
Before she could calm down, she heard noisy footsteps approaching.
Wei Zhan led two or three guards to report back.
Xie Qinghe turned slightly to the side and pulled her cloak tighter around her.
"My lord, I've spoken with the coroner. The murder weapon was from the Changzhou Prefecture camp. But..."
Wei Zhan hesitated for a moment, wanting to say something but stopping himself, looking at the pair of shoes that had suddenly appeared on the ground.
"explain."
"The thief didn't kill with a single blow; there were signs of a struggle at the scene. I'm afraid the person who came wasn't a skilled fighter."
"I suspect that the group of soldiers who were training privately outside Changzhou City are the same group."
Ning Lu didn't understand what this meant, but she also sensed something was off from Xie Qinghe's suddenly slowed breathing.
Where is Pan Xingxue?
"It has been in the governor's residence the whole time. No one else has come or gone."
"Keep a close eye on him." Xie Qinghe paused. "Bring the rest of the witnesses and evidence to the government office."
"yes."
The noise outside subsided, and only the two of them remained in their surroundings. Xie Qinghe loosened his embrace and took a half-step back.
"If you want to stay in Ninglu's shoes, don't get too involved in anything related to Liu Yunying."
His voice was calm and gentle, with a hint of helplessness.
"But I'm already involved."
Although her fingertips were still trembling, Ning Lu's thoughts gradually became clearer.
From the moment she woke up and saw Xie Qinghe, it seemed she could no longer escape this situation.
Even if we take a step back and say that she herself is a link in this chaotic relationship, she is still part of it.
"What did Wei Zhan mean just now? Wasn't it Prince Jing? But weren't they after the jade pendant?"
Before Xie Qinghe could reply, she continued, "Also, do you know what their purpose is?"
Will you give them justice?
justice?
Xie Qinghe looked at Ning Lu meaningfully.
In his eyes, someone who cannot even take care of himself but still tries to make a living for others is no different from a fool.
She is one, and Cen Wei is another.
There are only two people in this world who dare to chase after him demanding justice.
Without missing the almost stubborn sense of justice that shone in her eyes, Xie Qinghe looked her up and down.
She was dressed as a soldier of the Xie family, slender but upright, and possessed some martial arts skills, walking with a certain air of elegance.
Xie Qinghe narrowed his eyes: "Your injuries are fully healed?"
"It's been ready for a while. Don't interrupt."
“This outfit fits you well, so wear it from now on and come to my place every day.”
"What's the meaning?"
Xie Qinghe didn't linger and went straight to the car.
Although he walked slowly, one of his steps was equivalent to two of hers, so Ning Lu quickly kept up.
"Xie Qinghe."
"Um?"
"I don't want to work for you."
"I find that having you by my side and keeping a close eye on you makes me feel more at ease."
Ning Lu was so angry she jumped up and down, and tried to make excuses: "It's too early, I can't get up at 5 a.m.
"Then the justice you demand, I..."
"I'll do it."
Ning Lu saw him silently moving his wrist, revealing the wound on his palm, and felt a pang of fear: "Come on then."
"Get in the car."
She was already exhausted from walking behind the carriage.
Ning Lu didn't refuse and quickly followed, choosing a seat next to Xie Qinghe.
Seeing her bold and lively demeanor, the man silently curled his lips, then lowered his eyes and pretended not to notice, letting her run wild and chatter on.
"You still haven't told me what Wei Zhan meant just now? Was it really Prince Jing who did it?"
"Besides, you lied to me last time and said you didn't know who was more powerful, Xie Qinghe or Prince Jing. Now you can tell me, right?"
What do you think?
"I don't know Prince Jing, and I don't understand him. How would I know?"
Knowing that he probably wouldn't answer her question, Ning Lu took advantage of his inattention to pick up a piece of fruit, put it in her mouth, and thought about it carefully.
"You say he's unassuming and keeps his strength hidden, but you like to play dumb to outsmart others. It's probably a clash of titans."
“However…” she drawled, shaking her head, “I secretly hope you’re even more capable.”
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Author's Note: I've been a bit busy with work lately, but I'll try my best to maintain daily updates. If there's no update by 6 PM, it might be 11 PM. I'll post a leave notice if anything comes up.
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