After thinking for a moment, Xie Lingqin also headed towards the Prefect of the Capital.
The case she was handling remained unsolved, and she no longer wanted to investigate. She could only wait for the man in black robes to appear and answer all her questions.
However, before that, she had to send her mother, Zongzheng Shao's, remains to the imperial mausoleum.
This matter can only be carried out after the Emperor bestows the marriage decree.
If her grandfather knew how her mother had died...
Even though the emperor forbade people to speak about what happened in the palace, the rumors still leaked out because they were so widely discussed.
For a time, people were filled with anxiety, and there were also more whispers about the so-called misrule of the Northern Emperor from a few days ago.
His Majesty is already fifty-eight this year. In truth, it would be a good thing to pass the throne to the Crown Prince sooner rather than later...
However, no one dared to say these words aloud.
The ministers kept their thoughts to themselves, but the emperor knew perfectly well what was going on.
As for Yuwen Xian...
Especially at times like these, one must perform well. Who doesn't want the throne? Having lost face in the previous search for medicine, one should naturally take the lead and volunteer to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Therefore, Yuwen Xian's figure could be seen all over the long street.
However, Xie Lingqin wondered what Yuwen Xian was doing, cautiously entering a pharmacy all by himself. Just as she was about to follow him to see what was going on, she saw General Xie and the Prefect of the Capital City coming out of the gate of the Prefect's Mansion. Under the bright sunlight, it was clear that neither of them looked well.
“Lord Huo, Ningyi is my son. I cannot rest easy until he is found. You should help me first.”
"General Xie, please rest assured, I have done my best in this matter."
"Lord Huo, Xie Lingqin will investigate the cases she has on her own. She is my daughter, and she will not make a mistake. Please do not take her side."
Hearing the conversation and watching the passersby coming and going in front of the Jingzhao Yin's residence, Xie Lingqin finally turned her gaze away from the pharmacy and walked over. "Father, you are exaggerating. The Jingzhao Yin's residence has been busy with many cases recently, but Ningyi is my brother. Not to mention that the Jingzhao Yin will do his best to allocate manpower, I, your daughter, will not abandon him. So how can you say that the Jingzhao Yin is biased?"
Xie Lingqin's voice was clear and bright, neither too loud nor too soft, yet it carried a subtle air of authority that made General Xie momentarily intimidated. However, he was a father, and he could not allow his daughter to trample on him.
"Really? I've noticed you haven't been paying attention to him at all lately. Could it be that you're happy to see him disappear?"
"Father, be careful with your words."
Xie Lingqin's tone turned serious.
"General Xie and Miss Xie are here too, what a coincidence."
Just then, Li Qingyu and the Holy Maiden walked over together, and it was naturally Li Qingyu who spoke.
Xie Lingqin frowned slightly. General Xie and the Prefect of the Capital had already extended their greetings to the Holy Maiden.
The Holy Maiden smiled slightly, but her deep gaze was already fixed on Xie Lingqin. "Ever since the day we searched for the Gu worm, I have been wondering if someone was behind it all, or if Miss Xie's destiny is so strong that..." The Holy Maiden smiled, but her tone was not polite at all. "Miss Xie is destined to be widowed, which is indeed somewhat unlucky for both herself and others."
A chill ran through Xie Lingqin's heart. Just moments ago, the people were secretly saying that the Emperor's governance was inadequate, leading to natural disasters and man-made calamities one after another, but now...
It seems quite a coincidence that the Holy Maiden and Li Qingyu are here.
Is the Emperor trying to use her to shift all the public opinion onto her? I won't let you have your way.
“How could a mere woman like me cause a natural disaster? Holy Maiden, you are a meritorious person of Beirong. Why don’t you set up an altar and perform a ritual to ask the heavens for guidance and explain the reason? That way, no one who doesn’t know the truth will have bad thoughts about me.”
This was originally intended to use public opinion to create momentum; if they really did that, they would only make things worse.
The Holy Maiden was speechless for a moment, but Xie Lingqin continued, "Otherwise, you can't tarnish my reputation as an unmarried woman, right?"
Xie Lingqin spoke very politely, but her words implied that the Holy Maiden should not act arrogantly because of her age, thus silencing her.
"hehe."
Saintess could only laugh awkwardly, but in her heart she thought this little girl was quite clever. With just a few words, she had extricated herself from the situation. If she really forced herself to say something about her, it would be a bit deliberate, and it would be Saintess's fault.
"Father, you don't need to worry. The Prefect of the Capital has many matters to attend to, so let's head back to the mansion first."
General Xie was not in the mood at the moment. He glanced at Xie Lingqin, greeted the Prefect of the Capital and the Holy Maiden, and then mounted his horse.
The father rode away on horseback, completely ignoring his daughter, which shows that General Xie disliked her.
Moreover, doing this in public is clearly disrespectful to Xie Lingqin.
"Miss Xie, how about I take you home later?" Li Qingyu stepped forward upon seeing this, clearly with ill intentions.
Xie Lingqin glanced at her and smiled gently, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Li, but it's not necessary." After saying that, Xie Lingqin called down the mounted guards behind General Xie.
The guard glanced at General Xie, and seeing that he remained silent, he could not refuse Xie Lingqin, so he immediately dismounted.
Xie Lingqin immediately flipped herself up, her posture graceful and elegant.
The flowing clouds, as beautiful as a startled swan, made Li Qingyu frown deeply.
Xie Lingqin can actually ride a horse, and she's so skilled at it.
It seems she really underestimated Xie Lingqin.
That's right. To have won the Crown Prince's favor, she must be no ordinary person.
However, Xie Lingqin, there is a vast chasm between you and the Crown Prince. As long as the Emperor is alive, you will never be able to be together.
Upon arriving at the general's mansion, General Xie dismounted and went straight inside, his gaze towards Xie Lingqin turning sinister. "I had no idea you knew how to ride a horse."
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