General Xie nodded, seemingly relieved, but there was still a hint of unease between his brows.
Xie Lingqin returned to Qingshui Pavilion and asked Tridacna and Zihe to fetch water. After washing up, she went to bed.
Today, as soon as she came out of the ancestral hall, she noticed that someone was watching her. So, when she entered Aunt Wan's room, she gave her a look. Fortunately, she was smart and reacted quickly.
However, she still had some things to say to Aunt Wan...
One night passed.
The next day, early in the morning, a message came from the palace and quickly reached the ears of Xie Lingqin at Qingshui Pavilion.
It is said that the Emperor, moved by the loss of his son by Minister Li, and knowing that his daughter Li Qingyu was both learned and skilled in martial arts and was determined to find the real culprit for her brother, issued a special decree ordering Li Qingyu to follow the Prefect of the Capital in investigating the case.
However, there were also words spoken, not decrees, but which were subtly conveyed.
That is, if there are any disagreements between Miss Xie and the investigators during the investigation, the two of them need to discuss and resolve the matter peacefully.
This clearly shows that it both distinguishes between primary and secondary importance and fails to distinguish between primary and secondary importance.
“Miss, it is said that Miss Li went to the palace before dawn, it seems that she went to obtain this imperial decree.”
Xie Lingqin was not surprised at all, as if she had known all along, and calmly drank her porridge.
"Now, everyone outside is saying it, and without anyone noticing, they've started comparing you to Miss Li, and even..."
Seeing Zihe's voice growing softer, Xie Lingqin put down her bowl, her starry eyes clear and cold, "Is it because your young lady is inferior to Li Qingyu in every way, and suddenly becomes her foil?"
Zihe's expression was not good. "That's right, these people know nothing but talk nonsense. Miss, you are very capable."
"Yes, your young lady is quite capable, but haven't you considered that there might be a problem with this?"
"Is there a problem?"
"This news just came from the palace. Normally, it's already an exception for the Emperor to have me, a mere woman, investigate a case. Now that Li Qingyu has been added, shouldn't normal people first discuss this strange event before comparing us? But look, the people's words reached Qingshui Pavilion almost at the same time as this news. So, what does that mean?"
“It must have been Li Qingyu’s doing.” Tridacna walked in with a look of resentment on her face. “She’s so self-righteous.”
Xie Lingqin glanced at Zihe and Tridacna, and smiled slightly, "Whether it's her, the entire Ministry of Rites, or even the Emperor, as long as we act uprightly and don't lose our composure, that's fine."
"yes."
After having breakfast, Xie Lingqin left the mansion by carriage and soon arrived at the gate of the Jingzhao Yin's mansion.
Meanwhile, another extremely large and exquisite carriage was already parked at the entrance of the Prefect of the Capital.
As the autumn wind swept by, the golden tassels shone brightly in the morning sunlight.
"Lord Huo, I'd like to think about the body you brought back from that courtyard that day." Xie Lingqin went straight to the point as soon as she entered the residence of the Prefect of the Capital.
This corpse is the same one that appeared at the entrance of the General's Mansion that day. She had been secretly watching Zihe when she encountered Xuanyuan Du and discovered the man's body.
However, she secretly had someone notify the Prefect of the Capital to bring the body back.
Now, if we want to investigate this case, we can only look at the body and see what we can find.
"I had the same idea. Why don't we do it together?"
Before the Prefect of the Capital could answer, a woman's voice, as melodious as pearls falling onto a jade plate, rang out from the side.
It was Li Qingyu who came over with her maid.
Dressed in a lotus-colored gown, lightly veiled in gauze, she not only accentuated her feminine beauty but also avoided appearing affected or pretentious. With her light makeup, she walked with the grace and elegance of a well-bred lady, a beauty of unparalleled grace.
"Hello, Miss Xie."
Xie Lingqin met Li Qingyu's gaze and nodded slightly, "Hello, Miss Li."
Their eyes met.
One was naturally beautiful and charming, the other was outstanding and elegant.
However, Xie Lingqin was more composed than Li Qingyu.
Ultimately, because of what happened yesterday, Li Qingyu had a thorn in her side.
Looking at her today, the woman before me is calm and composed, showing no trace of the absurd behavior she displayed yesterday. So, it's clear that she was indeed deceived yesterday.
"Please have someone lead the way, Your Excellency." Xie Lingqin turned her gaze to the Prefect of the Capital.
The Prefect of the Capital glanced at the two men, then smiled and led his men to them personally.
Li Qingyu unconsciously quickened her pace, and in the blink of an eye, she was ahead of Xie Lingqin.
Xie Lingqin wasn't annoyed, but suddenly looked at Zihe.
"Zihe, you must behave properly in a moment. Don't talk too much, and especially don't say anything that is unrelated to the case and will affect me and Miss Li."
His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, neither blaming nor angry, just enough for everyone to hear.
Li Qingyu, who was walking in front of Xie Lingqin, narrowed her eyes but said nothing.
For a moment, the atmosphere became strangely oppressive.
We continued until we reached the entrance to the morgue.
"I had heard that Miss Xie was incompetent, inarticulate, and unskilled in music and chess. I never imagined that she would have the talent to investigate cases. Now that my brother has died, I would like to ask Miss Xie for help."
Finally, Li Qingyu spoke in a gentle voice.
Xie Lingqin pursed her lips and smiled, "Miss Li, you flatter me. Speaking of which, yesterday you came to my courtyard to look for me, but you didn't say more than a few words before leaving because you were feeling unwell. I wonder if you are feeling better now?"
Upon hearing this, Li Qingyu's eyes darkened, but her expression remained composed. "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Miss Xie. I'm fine."
"That's good. I'm most afraid of bloody scenes. I've heard that Miss Li is not only a woman of literary talent and refined elegance, but also an outstanding martial artist. If I get scared later, I'll have to trouble Miss Li to help me out." Xie Lingqin said, her face showing that she was genuinely afraid.
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