Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Tracking
Since he left, she has been writing to him every day. She rarely goes out and only associates with clean people. Given her personality, she would never break her promise unless she had no choice.
Those small portraits on pink paper, depicting her with either anger or smile, were examined page by page.
Five days can bring about great changes.
For example, there are ghosts who don't listen to good advice and deserve to die, and who move people who shouldn't be moved.
"Has Lu Tingwen sent any letter?"
Jiang Ting held his breath, bowed his head, and replied respectfully, "Your Excellency, there has been no letter from Lord Lu recently."
The hall was silent for a few breaths. Qin Jingyao suddenly stood up, his knuckles tightly grasping the letter. A deep voice came from the inner room.
"Call five palace guards and immediately go to Yuqing to search for him."
"yes!"
*
The further we went towards Longshuo, the hotter it got, and the sweltering heat was rising.
Lan Nongnong and her companions found a shady spot by the roadside to rest, drink some water, and loosen up their muscles. As she was the only woman in the group, everyone was self-consciously cautious, their words and actions restrained. She relaxed and stretched her stiff body.
I raised my hand to cover my eyebrows and looked far to the east. The summer cicadas were chirping tirelessly. The sound of them coming one after another made me feel restless.
Eight days had passed since Yuqing set out on her journey. According to the driver, at the current pace, it would take another five days to reach Longshuo. Normally, she would sit comfortably in the carriage, with the windows open, letting the breeze caress her face.
Although the driver was on top of the shaft, the canopy provided some protection, so the ride wasn't too difficult. Only the guards, relying only on bamboo hats for some protection, had to endure the scorching heat as they sped along under the blazing sun.
Although Lan Nongnong wanted to arrive quickly, she couldn't bear to see everyone overtired, so she decided to have everyone stop and rest every half an hour. However, her suggestion was unanimously rejected by everyone. After several rounds of push and pull, they finally compromised and decided on a one-hour rest interval.
Even so, it still took a little longer than usual. If they had walked at their usual pace, they would have arrived in ten days at most.
The closer she got to him, the more difficult it became for Lan Nongnong to calm down.
I don’t know if he has noticed that she has left Yuqing. I don’t know if he will be worried about her whereabouts. I don’t know if he will feel uncomfortable if he hasn’t received her letter for several days.
When they meet, will his face be filled with surprise at seeing each other again after a long separation, or will he be filled with shock and anger at seeing her exhausted and taking such a dangerous journey?
In those always calm phoenix eyes, will lovesickness or resentment show up first?
Thinking of this, Lan Nongnong couldn't help but smile. Her trip was really smooth. The aunts respected her decision, and Brother Lin prepared a carriage for her. Even the official pass was unexpectedly stamped on the same day, and there was no hindrance at all.
When he mentioned Brother Lin, he treated himself like an elder brother and was exceptionally considerate. This carriage, originally used for his own long journeys, was spacious and comfortable, its interior decorated in crisp blue and white gauze. In the center sat a half-man-high square table, furnished with all the necessary study tools.
The side bookshelves were neatly stacked with books and notes for her to while away the time, and at the far end was a small couch. Aside from the slightly cramped white space, it felt like a sophisticated, movable bedroom, a truly surprising and delightful experience.
After a short rest, the convoy continued on its journey. When they had traveled about 40 or 50 miles, they suddenly heard the rapid sound of horse hooves approaching from afar. It swept past the convoy like a gust of wind and disappeared in the distant dust in an instant.
Lan Nongnong leaned against the window and looked into the distance, her eyes full of longing. If she could ride a horse, she would have arrived in Longshuo by now.
Then she thought of the piercing itch she felt when she was allergic, and she shuddered subconsciously. Her face, which seemed a little thinner after the long journey but still rosy, suddenly wrinkled.
She was going to see her beloved. If she rode fast, she would be exposed to the wind, sun, and dust. Women dress to please themselves, and she didn't want him to see her in such a disheveled state when they met again after a long separation.
Lan Nongnong withdrew her gaze, lowered the gauze curtain, and sat upright again. She sighed softly, and felt good just walking slowly, riding in this stable and comfortable carriage.
*
Messenger falcons are specially trained messenger birds, faster than homing pigeons. However, they are difficult to domesticate. Since the reign of Emperor Wu Sheng, after decades of breeding and replacement, there are still less than twenty usable ones.
These falcons are never to be lightly handled, each bearing a clear pedigree and history. Apart from the Emperor's personal use and urgent military reports, only the favored General Qin was granted a pair, a testament to the Emperor's immense grace.
The falcon is a bird of prey, larger than most birds, with wingspans of more than ten feet. Its cry pierces the sky. Lu Tingwen, wearing a crimson official uniform and a black veil on his head, had just finished assigning his duties and was about to step out of the corridor.
Suddenly, a black shadow was seen circling down from the sky. The wings of the bird of prey were like knives, drawing a sharp arc above the eaves. It turned out to be a falcon that came on orders.
He stared intently at the direction the falcon had flown, his brow furrowed slightly, and was lost in thought when he suddenly heard another sound of piercing air. A second falcon flew through the clouds, its wings creating a sharp whistling sound as it swept past. It was clearly descending towards the prefectural government office!
Lu Tingwen's expression suddenly changed. Without even calling for help, he had already lifted his robe and sprinted into the courtyard. He sternly ordered the nearby cleaning servants, "Take off your outer clothes immediately!"
By the time the coarse cloth was wrapped around his right arm, the falcon had already swooped down like a black iron arrow. The moment its sharp claws grabbed his arm, Lu Tingwen felt a huge pressure on his head. He staggered back half a step before he could steady himself.
Looking closely, one can see that the second toe of the bird's right foot is tightly clasping a black gold ring, on which the word "Yao" is engraved in relief, and it was engraved by General Qin himself.
Lu Tingwen's expression suddenly darkened. He took the secret letter from the falcon claws and unfolded it quickly. The moment his eyes passed over the paper, the solemn look in his eyes had not yet faded, but astonishment had already appeared.
After a moment, he closed his eyes and took a long breath. When he opened his eyes again, his usually serious face revealed an indescribable complexity.
He originally thought that it must be a big event that made him use the falcon again, but he didn't expect that it was for a woman.
If he was truly so concerned, why hadn't he taken her along? Given his abilities, even if he was in a hurry to return to the capital to report, caring for a woman along the way would have been a piece of cake. Ultimately, he was more concerned than attentive, which was why he didn't want to go through all this trouble.
Moreover, he had already given instructions to everyone that day, and even privately instructed them to take good care of her. The clever servants in the other courtyards were also constantly watching over her. If anyone dared to disobey and pluck out the tiger's hair, the news would have spread long ago.
He shook his head slightly, thinking that he was worried and confused, but his face did not show any sign of it. After compressing his expression, he solemnly ordered the servant standing by to call the butler.
When someone hurried over, he instructed, "Take Madam Wu and go to Miss Lan's house in Wulan Hutong immediately. Make sure you see for yourself whether she is okay. Inquire about every detail, no matter how big or small. Go and return quickly."
"Yes, sir!"
Half an hour later, the housekeeper had not returned yet, so Lu Tingwen received the travel permit from the clerk. When his eyes fell on the record under the woman's name, he was shocked. He looked carefully and found that it was annotated seven days ago. His face suddenly darkened.
After seeing the direction clearly, he slammed the book shut and threw it to his followers, then shouted, "Quickly select four guards and rush to Xunyang City at full speed. Make sure to find the person and protect him well!"
He summoned his trusted aides and gave a solemn order: "Immediately investigate which household in the city had people walking near Wulan Hutong ten days ago, and which households have been showing signs of joy these past few days, and why. Also, investigate the origin of the carriage that left the city seven days ago, and which family it belonged to!"
"Neighbors, Qingfeng Temple twenty miles outside the city, anyone who has had any contact with Miss Lan must be questioned carefully!"
After assigning the people, Lu Tingwen frowned and paced back and forth in the hall with steady steps. He glanced at the secret letter on the desk several times and finally shook his head. He would report back after finding out the exact information.
It's not his fault for being cautious; there's something fishy going on. According to Ling Gong's letter, Miss Lan usually exchanges letters frequently, so there's no reason for her to suddenly leave the house to visit her family. Even if there was truly urgent business to attend to, why would she have no news for seven whole days?
All these strange things inevitably make people feel ominous.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out that his good intentions had led to a mistake. He had originally taken good care of Miss Lan at the request of the Duke, but the clerks had misunderstood his intentions, misinterpreting these favors as a concession and hastily allowing her to pass without even having the travel permit.
Fortunately, he had specifically instructed the clerk in the yamen to remember Miss Lan very well. She had indeed applied for the pass herself, and her expression was calm, without any sign of reluctance.
Now I just hope that all this is just his worry.
At this moment, both he and Qin Jingyao, who was far away in Longshuo, could not help but assume the worst. After all, no one could have imagined that a girl would dare to travel thousands of miles to find her lover.
This move was not only unexpected and shocking, but also criticized by people.
*
When the door knocked again, Aunt Liu had just returned from the post station, having sent a letter and was about to comfort her daughter-in-law, who was about to give birth. Through the crack in the door, she saw one of the men, dressed in coarse silk. Although he didn't look ferocious, his expression carried a certain intimidation.
Her heart suddenly tightened. Aren't the maids who visited her every day these days behaving in the same way?
She opened the courtyard door, smiled reservedly, and asked, "I wonder what brings you here, sir?"
Several uninvited guests stood outside the door, all with stern expressions. A woman with graying hair at the temples forced a half-smile, but a scrutinizing look etched between her wrinkles. "Excuse me, sister-in-law, but may I ask if you know where the owner next door has gone? Did he leave any messages before he left?"
A man who looked like a housekeeper swept his eyes across the courtyard behind her and added, "Were there any unfamiliar faces walking around in the area during those few days?"
Aunt Liu was an ordinary woman, after all. Her expression showed the slightest thought in her mind. Fortunately, she didn't have to lie in the first place. She simply repeated what she had said to the maids and others: "...She said she was going to Xunyang City to visit relatives and asked me to look after the yard during the day. Before she left, it was quiet and peaceful, and I didn't see any strangers coming and going."
After saying this, she mustered up the courage to look up and asked tentatively, "Do you have any urgent matters?"
Before she finished speaking, she hurriedly added, "I don't mean anything else. If there's anything important you need to pass on, I'll definitely help keep it carefully."
The two exchanged glances, and seeing her expression was calm and unpretentious, they stopped asking questions. The woman nodded slightly, and the group turned and walked towards the neighboring courtyard.
Aunt Liu half-stepped out the door and watched as those people knocked on every door, asked questions, and then left, their movements so quick and decisive that it made her feel uneasy. She exchanged glances with Mrs. Zhang next door, and they both saw the panic in each other's eyes. She forced a smile, then quickly withdrew and bolted the door with a click.
This matter was ultimately private, and Lu Tingwen couldn't mobilize the government to conduct a high-profile investigation. The alley's neighbors, some fearing the lingering influence of the mysterious man, while others, mindful of their strong neighborhood ties, remained largely unaware. They all responded cautiously, no one daring to say a word.
Therefore, all those who came here to investigate returned empty-handed.
Coincidentally, while Lin Siyi, Wen Niang and others were being questioned in the city, Qingfeng Temple, far outside the city, also welcomed visitors. Fortunately, all the visitors were very respectful.
Moreover, Nong Nong had already told them everything before she left. Now seeing this scene, she understood everything in her heart, so she just said some witty remarks according to the circumstances, and lightly touched upon the important points.
After everyone left, Fang each calculated the time of her departure, and couldn't help but worry about whether she would be safe on the journey of thousands of miles.
*
By the time the Jade Rabbit rose in the east, all dispatched personnel had returned to the yamen to report. After hearing the reports from all sides, Lu Tingwen finally breathed a sigh of relief. The clues were now clear, and all was quiet at the mansions. It was indeed she who had left on her own.
Before leaving, she not only asked the neighbors to look after her house, but also went to the nunnery to say goodbye to her teachers. Most importantly, following clues, they finally confirmed that the carriage she rode that day was from the Lin family, the city's grain merchant, and the list of people accompanying her was also confirmed.
Although there was still no news, at least the danger had been eliminated. Now all we had to do was find Miss Lan, and all our worries would vanish.
Without further ado, Lu Tingwen immediately took up his pen and outlined the entire investigation. Once the ink had dried slightly, he personally placed the plain paper into a soap-colored letter box and released the letter falcon under the soft moonlight.
*
At the end of June, the scorching sun melts gold.
The city of Longshuo was like a furnace. Even when dusk fell and the ice began to rise, the steaming heat still lingered.
The six ministries of the Secretariat are the foundation of government.
Six bronze ice mirrors were placed in the main hall of the capital, and the dark marble floor was as mirror-like as a mirror. Even in the hottest days of summer, it should have been refreshing and sweat-free. However, from the left and right chancellors to the clerks of the outer court, everyone was silent as a mouse. There was not a dry thread beneath their blue and crimson official robes, which were even more damp than the condensation on the outer walls of the ice mirrors.
Only when the figure in the purple official robe turned around the door screen of the capital hall did the officials slowly stand up. The capital hall, which had been frozen for a moment, suddenly cracked like spring ice.
The hair under the green-robed officials' fu was already wet. The sound of silk tea being ground and bamboo paper being ripped suddenly became more intense. A young clerk couldn't help but rub his numb knees and secretly breathe in the cool air.
The entire protocol for the Red Di envoys' visit to the capital to apologize had been fully approved by the Ministry of Rites, and no one had been heard of causing trouble without knowing the proper etiquette. Even more surprising was that while Yuqing was recuperating, he showed some affection for a commoner woman, not only delaying her return but also publicly offering his protection. Now, the streets were abuzz with rumors, with everyone saying that this usually cold-faced and iron-fisted lord might have truly shown affection.
But for some reason, his expression has remained the same these days, and there is no anger between his brows, but whenever those deep phoenix eyes glance at me, I feel a chill down my spine for no reason, as if a thorn is in my back.
As a result, everyone in the capital has been walking on thin ice these days, cautious with every move, fearing any misstep might offend that lord. Though he has now left the yamen, his imposing presence still hangs over him, making no one dare to speak behind his back. When colleagues meet, they simply exchange glances, and even whispers become a hesitant twitch between their brows.
At three quarters past midnight, Qin Jingyao walked back home in the moonlight. The flickering candlelight cast a layer of dark light on his outline, which was difficult to distinguish. As he walked past, the guards on duty under the eaves were frightened and held their breath and lowered their heads.
The night wind blew across the corridor with a swastika-patterned brocade floor, lifting the tassels of the lamps in the maids' hands. The floating light and shadows meandered on the blue brick floor, as if the stars in the sky were pouring down to the earth.
Only the flickering lights could illuminate the imperially bestowed cloud and python patterns on the corridor pillars, silently demonstrating the owner's power.
Yet, the people and scenery in this mansion seemed to be cast from the same mold, full of unbearable vulgarity. The sudden cessation of those lively, vibrant letters, filled with coquettish whispers, made everything seem even more unbearable.
As soon as he crossed the threshold, without taking off his official robe, he asked, "Can the letter falcon return?"
Jiang Ting quickly presented the scroll of letter tied with a black ribbon with both hands: "Your Excellency, the messenger falcon has returned home at 3:30 PM."
Qin Jingyao waved away the maid, took off his official hat, and casually opened his purple official robe, revealing the plain white undershirt underneath. A palm-wide white satin ribbon was tied tightly around his waist, outlining his tall and straight pine-like figure. Under the candlelight, the taut texture lines under the clothes were faintly visible.
He turned around and sat down, picked up the scroll of letter with his slender fingers, and slowly unfolded it with his index finger as the axis. However, he had read through the few lines of ink in a glance.
The room was completely silent, with only the occasional crackle of candlelight flickering. As her slender fingers loosened, the letter automatically curled back to its original shape, like the lifeless wings of a butterfly, and no one paid it any attention.
There was no movement in the mansions, and the neighbors and relatives were unremarkable. The travel permit was obtained by the family, and the carriage and escort were arranged by close relatives. On the surface, it truly seemed like a normal visit to visit relatives.
However, it was precisely this normality that became the most bizarre thing. She had no living parents and no blood relatives to rely on. Her so-called relatives were just a few nuns in the temple.
In this situation, what kind of relatives does she want to visit?
People's hearts are treacherous, and Qin Jingyao did not hesitate to assume the worst. If she, an orphan with no one to rely on, was secretly colluded with and set up by those seemingly warm-hearted neighbors and relatives, with her completely defenseless nature and her kind nature, she would probably be unaware of the conspiracy and even help the criminals count the money.
Dark tides surged in the depths of his black jade-like pupils, and the furrows between his brows were like unsheathed blades, fierce and pressing.
Qin Jingyao stood up, his arms stretched out like crane wings, and Jiang Ting immediately stepped forward, first untied his belt, and then took off the purple official robe layer by layer along the shoulder line.
"Take all servants from Yuqing Villa to Lu Tingwen's office and interrogate them strictly for dereliction of duty in serving their master. Also send a secret letter, instructing them to closely monitor the Lin family and the nunnery. If they find any clues, they will be arrested and questioned without further notice."
"yes!"
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