Ji Xinhe picked up the handkerchief in her hand and examined it carefully, saying, "Mu Houchu said that this handkerchief probably belonged to the former Lady Hou of Le Yuanhou Mansion, who was also Li Junyao’s mother. But the fact that the Wang Family wanted to kill me upon seeing this handkerchief, I don’t think there’s anything extraordinary about it. Otherwise, they would have wanted to snatch it away earlier. But they just wanted to kill me, which means they are only afraid of the owner of this handkerchief."
Looking at the assassins from the Wang Family, especially how that Granny Cai followed Li Junyao’s commands, Xin He found it strange, and said, "Perhaps she knows something."
Fuquan secretly admired his young miss’s sharp and meticulous mind and asked, "So, Miss, do you think Granny Cai can be used?" 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
"Today I noticed her. She is timid and not loyal."
When she first saw the assassins, she hid under the carriage, fearing for her own safety and ignoring her master who was still in the carriage and almost killed. Later, had she not realized that the assassins belonged to the Wang Family, she probably wouldn’t have had the courage to stand up.
Ji Xinhe frowned slightly, "The only thing I don’t understand yet is how the former Lady Hou died. I heard that she died sixteen years ago, and my mother also worked in the Wang Family for about a year sixteen years ago. The timing is too coincidental."
As her words fell, Mu Houchu entered and said, "The late Lady Hou, Lady Wu, died of childbirth complications sixteen years ago."
Ji Xinhe was surprised, "Childbirth complications?"
She had thought that there would be some hidden secrets, but she didn’t expect it to be for this reason.
Mu Houchu sat down, and Fuquan hurriedly said, "I’ll prepare some tea for the minister."
Mu Houchu’s usually cold face had an indescribably melancholic expression, "More than twenty years ago, this land was not ruled by the Leng Family."
Ji Xinhe’s eyes flickered, waiting for him to continue.
Mu Houchu said softly, "But then Da Qian was invaded by an enemy country, and the entire nation was in chaos. The royal family members were displaced, and Emperor Renzong, along with the only remaining two princes, died one after another during their escape. Finally, the Leng Family, a powerful minister, turned the tide and expelled the enemy army to save Da Qian’s land. Since the royal family was completely gone, their family naturally took the throne."
"What does this have to do with Le Yuanhou Mansion?"
"The Marquis of Le Yuanhou Mansion was the Great General at that time, stationed in the border regions to protect his home and wife. Lady Hou was with him in the border regions. Later, when the enemy army suddenly invaded, he ordered his men to protect Lady Hou and escape first while he himself resisted the enemy at the border. At that time, Lady of Le Yuanhou was already pregnant. She went through hardships and was even pursued and attacked. She finally gave birth to their child halfway, but she couldn’t hold on and died."
Ji Xinhe couldn’t help but be shocked as she listened. She never expected that such a thrilling history existed on this land under her feet just one to two decades ago. She wondered if she should be grateful that she had traveled to this peaceful and prosperous era.
"It doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the Wang Family, does it?" Ji Xinhe furrowed her brows.
"However, if the Wang Family is so sensitive to the late Lady Hou as you said, it indicates that there is a problem."
Ji Xinhe nodded gently, "I also think so. Perhaps the death of the former Lady Hou is related to the Wang Family. That’s why I want to give it a try."
As Fuquan brought in the tea, Ji Xinhe said, "Fuquan, you don’t need to watch the Wang Family anymore. Keep an eye on Granny Cai. When she goes out, take the chance to make contact with her like this..."
Fuquan’s eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, "I understand!"
In the evening the next day.
Li Saner hurried back and said, "Miss, Fuquan sent a message saying that Granny Cai has left the house and is heading to Ruifu Building. Miss Li plans to have a banquet with her friends there tomorrow, so she asked Granny Cai to reserve seats."
Ji Xinhe raised her eyebrows, "Really?"
"Fuquan said that everything is ready on his side. If Miss is not at ease, you can go and have a look."
Ji Xinhe laughed softly, "There’s nothing to worry about. Fuquan is always clever when it comes to getting things done, so I’m not worried. You should hurry up and check on it first. Fuquan has shown his face in the Hou Mansion and it’s not convenient for him to act. You’re better suited for the task."
Li Saner quickly replied, "Yes."
Then she hurried out.
Xinhe was not in a hurry and waited at home for news.
She just wanted to gamble this time. If she won the bet, it might save her a lot of trouble.
Ji Xinhe pinched the handkerchief in her hand, her expression becoming more serious.
Just then, a little maid rushed in and said, "Miss, Young Master Duan is here."
Ji Xinhe was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "Please, bring him in." She had been meaning to find him earlier, but to her surprise, he showed up today.
"Yes."
Before long, Duan Lan was brought in. He looked haggard, and his once-clean face now carried a hint of turbidity, probably due to his troubled heart.
Ji Xinhe hurriedly said, "I’ve been wanting to find you these past few days, but I didn’t think it’d be appropriate to go directly to your house. And I couldn’t find you anywhere. You..."
As the words reached her lips, she hesitated to ask any further. Xin He felt responsible for Duan Lan’s current state.
After seeing her, Duan Lan’s gloomy eyes brightened slightly, "Xin He."
Ji Xinhe poured him a cup of tea and said, "You haven’t shown up for a while now, and I can’t go to your house to find you. I’m always worried that something happened to you."
"I’m fine." Duan Lan managed a smile, but it was clearly forced. After a pause, he asked, "You know about that matter too, right?"
Xinhe nodded, "Of course I know about the Emperor granting marriage. How could I not?"
Duan Lan shook his head helplessly, "Actually, it’s my own fault. Since I wasn’t satisfied with the marriage, I should have withdrawn earlier. Now it’s like lifting a stone to drop on my own foot."
"You don’t need to be so desperate. Maybe...maybe there’s another way?" Xin He felt somewhat guilty as she said this.
The imperial edict had been issued, which represented the dignity of the emperor. How could anyone dare to contradict it?
Suddenly, Duan Lan grabbed Xin He’s hand, "Xin He, are you willing to come with me?"
Ji Xin He was stunned, "Huh?"
Duan Lan’s eyes pleaded earnestly, "Xin He, if you’re willing, I’ll disregard the imperial edict and the imperial decree, and I’ll only want to be with you. I’ll take you far away and hide from all this. For the rest of our lives, I’ll treat you with the utmost kindness. Will you, are you willing?"
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