The assassins’ sharp swords were forged from the most common cast iron, as were the fletchings on their arrows. To try and identify the assassins one by one would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
The commander of the Jiyang Army was skilled at leading troops but completely clueless when it came to investigating cases.
“My lord, the assassins’ trail has been found!” Thirteen returned in a hurry, reporting to Ji Jinmo.
Although the assassins had destroyed their tracks, veteran Xuan Wei investigators had still uncovered some clues. The group of over ten people had fled westward after unleashing their arrow volley. To the west of Weian Mountain lay a steep cliff with no path. However, Xuan Thirteen still discovered a steep and perilous shortcut hidden within a patch of wild grass.
The group descended the mountain via this small path, heading straight for the official road. After getting off the mountain, they continued westward.
Not away from the capital, but towards it.
“Returning to the capital?”
Nan Shiying’s eyes widened abruptly.
Xuan Thirteen nodded with certainty.
Nan Shiying stroked her chin, finding the matter incredibly intriguing. “The Jiyang Army has likely sent people searching everywhere, and they certainly wouldn’t be heading towards the capital. The other party is clever, knowing that the most dangerous place is precisely the safest. However, their exposed movements reveal quite a lot.”
“There’s a spy nearby!”
“The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Rites, the Jiyang Army…”
“My lord, do you think these people discovered the western shortcut while patrolling?”
If they had discovered it, then the Jiyang Army had a significant problem. But if they hadn’t, then among the old officials in the Lin Yuan court, who were from Xiliang or Miaojiang?
And that old fellow Nan Chaoyin, his residence not only housed hidden guards like Qing Yuan, but also a蛊师 from the Lan clan of Miaojiang. He was also highly suspicious.
However, thinking of this, Nan Shiying suddenly remembered something.
“My lord, if it’s said that Nan Yuan’er is destined to be Empress, why hasn’t Ji Hong married her until now?”
As soon as she asked, she remembered this lord and couldn’t help but narrow her eyes, smiling sinisterly and strangely. “Oh, right, I remember now. It’s because of you!”
Nan Shiying had married into the royal manor in place of Nan Yuan’er, so she had asked a foolish question.
Thinking that this lord had originally intended to marry Nan Yuan’er, Nan Shiying felt a blockage in her heart, a repressed resentment. She truly felt like slashing something.
Xuan Thirteen quickly retreated a few steps, reaching a friendly consensus with Lu Wan to advance and retreat together.
If things go wrong, retreat immediately!
Ji Jinmo’s scalp tingled under Nan Shiying’s gaze. Explaining this matter would be rather complicated. However, seeing her gnashing her teeth, Ji Jinmo thought for a moment and suddenly waved at Xuan Thirteen. Xuan Thirteen and Lu Wan promptly retreated without a moment’s delay.
Only Ji Jinmo and Nan Shiying were left in the tent. They stared at each other, their eyes meeting. After a long while, Ji Jinmo felt that whether he explained or not was actually irrelevant, he just didn’t want someone to be so angry in the middle of the night that she’d grab a knife and kill him.
He coughed and unhurriedly sat down, picking up a teacup and pouring himself a cup of tea.
“Ji Hong…”
Ji Hong not marrying Nan Yuan’er had his own plans. As for him… in the final analysis, it all boiled down to one sentence.
“Disgusted Ji Hong!”
Ji Jinmo explained concisely.
Nan Shiying raised her eyebrows, saying nothing, just watching him.
Ji Jinmo coughed a couple more times, not out of guilt, truly not: “It was indeed only for this. I didn’t go on our wedding night, did I?”
Recalling their wedding night, Ji Jinmo thought of the first time he saw her. The memory seemed as vivid as yesterday, yet so much time had passed.
Nan Shiying thought about it, and it was indeed so.
Ji Jinmo naturally wouldn’t have any feelings for Nan Yuan’er. It was merely her own momentary emotional turmoil. Compared to this, she was actually more curious about Ji Hong’s thoughts: “Why is he so reluctant to marry Nan Yuan’er?”
Ji Jinmo said he had his own thoughts, but Nan Shiying couldn’t quite understand his intentions for not marrying Nan Yuan’er.
“Is it because… of Nan Chaoyin?”
Ji Jinmo glanced at Nan Shiying, neither nodding nor shaking his head, but vaguely saying, “Perhaps!”
Nan Shiying looked at Ji Jinmo with some surprise. His demeanor, wasn't it too obvious in its desire to distance himself? Did he genuinely not know Ji Hong’s thoughts, or was he unwilling to say more, thus revealing something?
Nan Shiying shrugged, no longer dwelling on it. Whether Nan Yuan’er entered the palace or not was unimportant to her.
“Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that we return to the palace. Please prepare your carriage.”
The voice of a forbidden guard came from outside the tent. With such an incident occurring during the hunt, they naturally couldn't stay long. Compared to the open expanse of Weian Mountain, the capital was much safer.
“This king understands!”
Ji Jinmo dismissed the forbidden guard and said to Nan Shiying, “Pack up, we’re returning to the capital.”
Nan Shiying nodded and called Lu Wan in.
…
Just as the various households were packing their belongings and collecting the bodies, the Princess of Dali sought an audience with her maid.
“Madam.” Lu Wan hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself. If the Princess of Dali sought an audience at this time and was seen by those with ill intentions, who knew what gossip and speculation would arise.
Nan Shiying, however, had already stood up and walked out to greet her.
Before the Princess of Dali could state her purpose, Nan Shiying said, “The poison on the Princess is, in fact, curable.”
The Princess of Dali was slightly stunned, her movement to sit down even faltering. Since the palace banquet that day, she had wanted to visit the royal manor multiple times, but due to issues of status, she had never been able to. In fact, her visit today was not for the poison within her, but she hadn’t expected the first thing the other party would say upon seeing her to be this.
The poison is curable?
So what?
She slowly sat down, placing her hand on the table, and looked directly at Nan Shiying. “What does the Princess consort want? Or rather, what does the Princess consort want me to do?”
She did not eagerly inquire about the cure but first asked what she would have to pay. If the price was too high, then the poison could remain uncured.
“It is indeed simple to speak with an intelligent person,” Nan Shiying couldn’t help but sigh at Princess Hui’an’s intelligence. However, she did not directly state her request. Instead, she said to Princess Hui’an, “I can help you return to Dali.”
Hui’an’s hand trembled slightly as her thumb rubbed the pad of her index finger. She couldn’t quite figure out what Nan Shiying was up to.