Jia Huan brought Wang Yuyi to the outside of Xingyuan Pavilion and handed him over to Lv Wan.
"Lord Wang, this way, please."
Lv Wan led him to the front courtyard. Xingyuan Pavilion was divided into a front and back courtyard; the front for receiving guests and the back for sleeping. Male visitors would naturally not be brought to the Empress’s sleeping quarters.
"Your Highness, the person has been brought!"
Reaching the door of the reception hall, Lv Wan signaled Wang Yuyi to wait for a moment. She stepped forward and lightly knocked on the door, announcing her presence. A slightly cold voice came from inside: "Enter!"
Lv Wan responded with "Yes" and stepped back to the right. "Lord Wang, please!"
Wang Yuyi pushed open the door and walked in.
"This subject, Wang Yuyi, greets Your Highness, the Princess Consort."
Wang Yuyi bowed respectfully with his head slightly lowered. His gaze could only catch sight of her toes, hidden beneath the hem of her skirt.
"Rise!"
A voice, even colder and more resonant than the one that had come through the door, reached his ears. Wang Yuyi had heard many rumors about Her Highness before, but he had not seen her face for half a year. No, he had seen her, but only a profile from a distance.
He raised his head, his gaze moving upward, first noticing Her Highness's straight back. Unlike the usual reserved and gentle demeanor of noble ladies who slightly drooped their shoulders, Her Highness possessed an indescribable aura that commanded awe and respect.
It was only with his second glance that he noticed Her Highness's appearance, and his heart trembled once more.
Her Highness's beauty was difficult to describe in words; it was a face where the soul seemed to embrace the flesh, transcending ordinary physical beauty. m..oΓg
Wang Yuyi had indeed seen many noble ladies with exceptional appearances, but none had ever astonished him so much with a single glance as Her Highness.
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Hui An covered her mouth and chuckled.
Her laughter jolted Wang Yuyi awake. Seeing the smile on Princess Hui An’s face, Wang Yuyi’s face flushed, and a flicker of panic crossed his mind. However, he quickly regained his composure. He did not offer an excuse for his momentary distraction, nor did he presumptuously elaborate on his inner thoughts to flatter her. He simply remained silent, casting a deep look at Princess Hui An.
Seeing that he had come, she seemed not at all surprised, nor did she appear angry. It seemed she had anticipated his arrival long ago.
If she had anticipated it, and still remained unfazed, then this Princess Hui An of Dali, though not widely renowned, was indeed a formidable figure with considerable cunning and capability.
If this were the case, then the assassin's identity might be extended to several possibilities.
"Lord Wang, please sit."
Seeing him still standing, Nan Shiying gestured for him to sit down and speak. Wang Yuyi expressed his thanks and sat down openly in the lower seat. Lv Wan knocked on the door, served tea, and placed it within reach of the guests.
"Your Highness, Princess Hui An was attacked last night. His Majesty was furious and ordered me to thoroughly investigate the matter. This morning, I visited the Princess to inquire about the details of the assassination. Upon learning that the Princess intended to visit Your Highness, I thought perhaps Your Highness might know something, hence I took the liberty to request an audience. I hope Your Highness will not fault me for my presumption."
Nan Shiying toyed with the jade bracelet on her wrist, the corner of her mouth curving upwards, her voice betraying no hint of emotion. "Lord Wang, what you are saying sounds like you are casting a reflection upon me. Is His Majesty ordering you to investigate merely to direct your attention towards me and the Prince?"
"I dare not. I absolutely have no such intention!"
Wang Yuyi hastily rose and knelt on the ground. Cold sweat trickled down his back, quickly soaking his entire tunic. The ambiguous words of Her Highness sent a chill down Wang Yuyi’s spine. When carefully considered, her words had placed him directly in the center of the battlefield between the Prince and the Emperor. He was further confronted by the Prince’s vast army, and retreated to face the Emperor’s sovereign authority. With mere words, Her Highness could push him to a dead end. He vaguely regretted his impulsive action. Knowing the relationship between the Prince’s estate and His Majesty, he had still plunged headfirst into this. If not him, then who?
Nan Shiying calmly observed Wang Yuyi for a few minutes, then a hint of a smile suddenly entered her voice. She smiled and said to Wang Yuyi, "Alright, alright, I was merely speaking. There's no need for you to be so terrified. Quickly, get up and sit down."
Wang Yuyi expressed his thanks, rose, and sat back on the chair. After he sat down, Nan Shiying spoke again, "Actually, Princess Hui An has already told me your intention. It is true that the person who protected Princess Hui An last night and killed the assassins was a guard I sent to Princess Hui An's side."
Wang Yuyi did not expect her to admit it so readily. Hui An quickly glanced up at Nan Shiying. Her true thoughts at this moment were known only to herself. However, from Wang Yuyi's perspective, he saw a fleeting shadow of darkness and unease in her eyes.
Hui An quickly lowered her head, stood up, and bowed gracefully to Nan Shiying, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your protection of Hui An. I will surely repay Your Highness's life-saving grace manifold."
Wang Yuyi scoffed inwardly.
I think you will surely repay it a hundredfold!
Nan Shiying stood up, gently supporting Hui An’s arm, and helped her up. She held Hui An’s hand and said earnestly, "In a few days, you and I will become family. Since we are to be family, why be so formal? It makes us seem distant."
Hearing this, Wang Yuyi felt as though he were listening to utter nonsense.
Family? You don't even consider the people of the Nan residence as family, and you would consider a Dali princess who is about to join the Nan residence as family?
Hui An raised her hand, her fingertip touching a tear that had not yet fallen, and was deeply moved.
Wang Yuyi: "..."
Her Highness and this Dali princess’s acting is truly superb. Truly, far better than the Nan residence troupe.
After much thanking and comforting, the conversation could finally continue. Wang Yuyi then asked, "Your Highness, according to the Princess, the assassin used the silk in the mansion as a weapon to strangle the Princess. However, to my knowledge, there is no such martial art technique in the jianghu. Do the guards you sent to protect the Princess know what method the assailant used?"
"Since there is no such martial art in the jianghu sects, then the assassin naturally did not use martial arts," Nan Shiying said, taking a sip of tea to moisten her throat.
"Not martial arts?" Wang Yuyi was slightly taken aback.
If not martial arts, then what was it?
"Lord Wang is a divine constable of the Dali Temple. You must have handled dozens, if not hundreds, of cases. Have you never heard the term '異人' (Yiren - extraordinary person)?"
"What is an 'Yiren'?"
Nan Shiying put down her teacup and succinctly summarized, "They are capable individuals who master various extraordinary arts."
"Extraordinary arts?"
"Your Highness, are you referring to those street performers?"
"Heh~"
Nan Shiying let out a laugh, her tone chilling, "If an 'Yiren' hears you call them mere charlatans performing tricks, be careful not to die in your dreams!"