"It wasn't mine," she explained promptly. When she killed the second person, she had expended some effort and fought him to finish him off, and that's when the blood got on her.
Worried that she might have other injuries, Chi Yan pulled her close and whispered, "Let's go back to the manor first."
Shen Tangning nodded slightly. She had been drugged and then had gone through a lot of trouble. She was exhausted and could barely stand. She could only rely on him for support.
Chi Yan noticed this, frowned, and bent down to pick her up in his arms.
She instinctively hugged his neck tighter, then, realizing what was happening, felt a little awkward and whispered, "With so many people around, this isn't a good look..."
Moreover, she had just hidden in the sheepfold, so she must smell terrible right now, something she herself would find unbearable.
But Chi Yan showed no sign of surprise, calmly glancing over, while those around him kept their eyes down, pretending not to see anything.
Chi Jingyu followed the commotion and came over. When he saw Shen Tangning's appearance, a look of surprise flashed across his eyes. He moved his lips as if to say something, but his throat seemed to be blocked.
He didn't know why the other party had kidnapped her, only that if he hadn't invited her to meet, she wouldn't have suffered this ordeal.
As they passed by, Shen Tangning didn't even look at him. She buried her face wearily in Chi Yan's arms. Chi Yan said indifferently, "Someone, escort the Minister to the Jingzhao Prefecture to cooperate with the investigation!"
Such a big commotion as finding someone needs a reason. He didn't want her to get too much attention in this incident, and since Chi Jingyu just happened to be involved, he might as well use him to get by!
His eyes suddenly darkened, revealing a hint of ruthlessness.
The kidnapping of the Minister of Works is no small matter; he will surely find the person behind it and give an explanation to the court and the public!
——
After bathing and washing up, Shen Tangning was exhausted, but she still mustered her energy and recounted the whole story, including how Chi Jingyu used Aunt Qiu to invite her to meet, and the conversation she overheard, leaving no detail untold.
Chi Yan remained silent throughout, but when she briefly recounted the thrilling events in a few words, his eyes tightened.
Shen Tangning didn't notice these details, only frowning as she recalled: "The official's clothes were patterned like a fourth-rank lark, he was on the plump side, and his age looked to be between forty and fifty... Could we find him based on that?"
Her throat was injured, so her voice was hoarse and she had difficulty speaking. He handed her a cup of tea and personally fed it to her to soothe her throat.
Chi Yan curled his lips into a smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. He spoke slowly and deliberately: "Today is not a day off. I only need to check all the fourth-rank civil officials in the court who have asked for leave or left work early, and I will know who it is."
Without these characteristics, it would have taken him longer to find the person. It must be said that the information she provided greatly improved his efficiency.
Shen Tangning calmed down, then her expression darkened slightly as she remembered something: "The other person, I couldn't see his face, nor did I notice anything particularly distinctive, and it was he who said that he would make a move against you and the Crown Prince during the autumn hunt."
She paused, then said with certainty, "But I've memorized his voice, and I'll definitely recognize him if I hear it."
Chi Yan stared intently at her, feeling no relief, only lingering fear.
She was in grave danger, yet she risked her life to obtain useful information, killing two of her opponents and still managing to escape unscathed...
He reached out and touched her head: "Sleep for a while."
Shen Tangning was indeed tired. She closed her eyes and fell asleep almost immediately, but her brows remained tightly furrowed even in her sleep.
Chi Yan's eyes were dark. After seeing that she was completely asleep, he wiped the knife clean again and again, and left without looking back.
...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
