The Prefect of the Capital looked again at his daughter, who had already fainted from fright, in his arms. "Yanru, Yanru, are you alright?"
"Ning Xiao, are you alright?" Ning Xiucai also came forward. Seeing that Xie Lingqin was alright, he took the little girl from her arms and asked with concern.
"It's nothing, she's alright," Xie Lingqin said. "She said it was the same as Miss Huo's situation; she just fainted due to the high pressure."
"Hmph, how cunning."
But just then, a cold snort arose from the shadows, and the surroundings seemed to suddenly brighten and become clearer.
The repression is gone.
It seems the people have left.
"Tap tap—"
A series of chaotic yet orderly hoofbeats approached from afar.
Everyone was on high alert once again.
However, Xie Lingqin's expression relaxed when she saw the person who had arrived.
"Your Highness." The Prefect of the Capital quickly bowed.
"No need for formalities. I saw the great fire in the city and, upon hearing what Lord Liu said, I followed the trail here."
Yuwen Yao said, his voice still cold, and when he looked at Xie Lingqin, his gaze only lasted for a moment before shifting away.
Xie Lingqin was puzzled. Why was he so cold? Just as she was about to speak, a sentence suddenly popped into her mind.
"Is this cold and distant attitude acceptable?"
Well--
Xie Lingqin suddenly realized that he was referring to what she had said before: that in front of outsiders, the two of them should keep their relationship distant so as not to arouse suspicion.
All right.
But at least give her a symbolic glance and ask if she's hurt.
"Your Highness, nothing unusual has been found."
At this moment, Tingfeng reported from behind the Crown Prince.
The crown prince, seated high on his horse, looked at the Prefect of the Capital upon hearing this, and asked, "Does Your Excellency have anything to say?"
"I will certainly investigate this matter thoroughly," said the Prefect of the Capital.
"Um."
Yuwen Yao withdrew his gaze, adopting a nonchalant expression, before turning to Xie Lingqin. "Xie Lingqin, Father Emperor ordered you to investigate the case. Have you made any progress today?"
"Your Highness, the murderer of Second Concubine Xiao has been found. It is none other than Xiao Huamao, who has been impersonating Xie Lingyu for many years. Xiao's husband can testify to this. I will go to the palace today to report to His Majesty, and then a decision will be made."
The Crown Prince was very serious, but Xie Lingqin was even more serious.
"Oh." Yuwen Yao thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you need my assistance?"
"Hmm, not for now."
"All right."
Yuwen Yao appeared no different than usual, but only Tingfeng, who was closest to him, felt that his crown prince seemed to have suddenly fallen into a bad mood.
"Are you really not needed any help?"
The crown prince asked again, looking at the Prefect of the Capital.
The Prefect of the Capital was inexplicably flattered.
The Crown Prince is usually calm and unperturbed, and doesn't care about anything. Is his concern for him this time a reproach for his poor performance?
"Your Highness, I will do everything in my power to find out who is behind today's events."
This expresses my heartfelt sincerity...
However, the Crown Prince only glanced at him, then looked at Xie Lingqin, his eyes darkening, "And you?"
"Your Highness, Miss Xie only began investigating the case today when this happened, and she was quite startled. Please do not blame her."
The Prefect of the Capital quickly stepped forward to plead for Xie Lingqin.
Xie Lingqin's lips twitched, but she didn't know what to say.
"Did I say I would blame her?"
The crown prince seemed even angrier. He immediately withdrew his gaze, turned his horse around, spurred it on, and waved his hand.
Then……
They're gone, they're gone, they're really gone.
Accompanied by his guards, they vanished like the wind, leaving not a trace.
Xie Lingqin's lips twitched again.
At least leave her a horse!
"Although the Crown Prince is somewhat aloof, he is fair in his dealings. Don't take it to heart," the Prefect of the Capital said, adding that Xie Lingqin was upset by the Crown Prince's question and quickly offered some words of comfort.
Xie Lingqin...
"Thank you for speaking up for me, sir," Xie Lingqin could only say.
"Are you alright?"
At this moment, Liu Yunzhou also arrived with his men, and it seemed that he was in a great hurry to come out.
"It's alright, everyone's been found," Xie Lingqin said, then, looking at the horse behind Liu Yunzhou, "I can use your horse to go back."
"No, I've prepared a carriage for you," Liu Yunzhou said, then waved behind him.
A fine and spacious horse-drawn carriage was driven aboard.
Xie Lingqin breathed a sigh of relief; this Liu Yunzhou had finally gotten the hang of things.
Much better than someone else.
Xie Lingqin gestured for Ning Xiucai to carry the little girl and go inside with Ning Yi first. Then she glanced at the unconscious Huo Yanru and asked Zihe to help her into the carriage.
The Prefect of the Capital admired Xie Lingqin even more.
She is selfless and understands the greater good; she is truly a rare woman. It's just a pity that her son is not good enough for her.
Xie Lingqin was unaware of the thoughts of the Prefect of the Capital at this moment, and immediately tried to get into the carriage.
"The carriage is spacious, but with so many people, Xie Lingqin, don't you feel crowded?"
Ahead, the Crown Prince, who had just left, suddenly spurred his horse back, his brows and eyes cold and aloof in the dim light.
Xie Lingqin glanced at him, then at the carriage, and said truthfully, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I think it's acceptable."
"Listen to the wind."
The crown prince frowned and spoke to someone nearby.
Hearing the wind, he immediately understood and dismounted.
"Mount up."
Yuwen Yao gave instructions to Xie Lingqin.
"That's outrageous! How can a woman ride a horse in public and expose herself in the streets? This will damage Miss Xie's reputation!" Liu Yunzhou, a pedantic young man from the Xie family, suddenly stepped forward to advise her.
Actually, he meant well.
Xie Lingqin understood.
However, the Crown Prince merely glanced at him indifferently, then looked at Tingfeng, "Speaking of which, Lord Liu was also frightened. You ride alongside him and protect him to prevent him from falling off his horse halfway."
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