Wang Qingyao analyzed to herself, "This means it wasn't a serial killer. There's someone who has a grudge against the Xiao family and Lord Xue... or perhaps it's not a grudge, but a crime of passion!"
A crime of passion!
Wang Qingyao's eyes lit up.
How could she have forgotten such an important motive for murder?
In TVB detective dramas, it's either a revenge killing or a crime of passion. She had only thought of revenge, and completely forgot about passion! Love is the most powerful thing that can drive people mad. To destroy what one cannot have, whether in ancient times or modern, there are always such obsessive men.
Xiao Yun was also taken aback when she mentioned a crime of passion.
"Ah?"
Her great-grandfather died of an accident, and her grandfather was the first to be poisoned. Therefore, the one involved in a crime of passion would be the Old Imperial Consort.
Xiao Yun and Wang Qingyao looked at each other simultaneously, and both swallowed silently.
"You go ask!" they said in unison.
"They are all women. It's easier for women to talk. What would it be like for me, a grown man, to ask such a sensitive question?" Xiao Yun was very resistant.
Wang Qingyao was anxious, "You are the direct grandson, and I am only the granddaughter-in-law. How can I ask such a sensitive question? No matter what you do, your blood relation with the Old Imperial Consort cannot be severed."
Fine, it had escalated to blood relations.
After a heated discussion that yielded no results, they decided to go ask together.
The Old Imperial Consort was surprised to see them both arrive, "Ah Yun is not on duty today?" She then added, "Yao Yao's complexion has improved a lot."
Neither Wang Qingyao nor Xiao Yun responded. They exchanged a silent glance, their expressions peculiar.
The Old Imperial Consort, being old, naturally noticed.
"Is there something you can't speak of?"
Wang Qingyao frantically signaled to Xiao Yun, but he turned to admire the decoration in the Old Imperial Consort's room instead.
"Oh, this fine white mink blanket must have been a gift from Xiao Mo, right? I saw it in the seafood shipment last time. Xiao Mo is indeed filial."
"This five-colored gold glaze is from Ru ware, isn't it? It's best for displaying plum blossoms."
Wang Qingyao rolled her eyes internally, knowing that this man was unreliable at crucial moments. She had no choice but to shamelessly approach the Old Imperial Consort, clear her throat, and begin her performance.
"Grandmother, it's like this. You see, my complexion has improved a lot, right? That's because Grandfather dreamt of me again last night..."
Xiao Yun's eyelids twitched, and he glanced at her sideways.
"Oh, he dreamt of you again?" The Old Imperial Consort was very surprised. Some people never experience a dream from the deceased in their entire lives, yet Wang Qingyao had encountered it three times in such a short period, and from the same person.
What did this mean?
It meant that Wang Qingyao had a connection with their Xiao family and was a great benefactor to them!
The Old Imperial Consort's gaze towards Wang Qingyao became increasingly warm and affectionate, "What did Grandfather say to you this time? Did he receive the news that you were offering sacrifices to his colleagues below?"
"Mmm," Wang Qingyao nodded obediently, her eyes curving into crescent moons, "Grandfather praised us for doing well and said I had worked hard. I felt much better after waking up. It must be Grandfather protecting me."
The Old Imperial Consort also felt relieved upon hearing this.
"Grandfather also said... also said..."
Wang Qingyao usually spoke freely in front of the Old Imperial Consort, but this time she hesitated. The Old Imperial Consort found it strange, "What else did he say? Just say it, it's alright."
"If I say it, Grandmother, you mustn't get angry?" Wang Qingyao built up the atmosphere, glancing at Xiao Yun from the corner of her eye. Xiao Yun's heart skipped a beat. How could he feel that his wife was so unreliable?
The Old Imperial Consort became even more curious, "When have I ever been angry with you? Tell me, I promise I won't be angry?"
Wang Qingyao then said with great difficulty, "Grandfather asked me to ask you, after he passed away, did you ever encounter...?" She carefully chose her words to avoid angering the Old Imperial Consort and causing her blood pressure to rise, "Did you ever encounter someone who made your heart flutter again?"
"Huh?" The Old Imperial Consort was completely stunned, never expecting Wang Qingyao to ask such a question. She was already halfway to the grave, and to be asked such a thing in front of her juniors, how could she bear it?
The Old Imperial Consort's old face slowly turned red.
Xiao Yun twitched the corner of his mouth, goosebumps rising all over his body. Even young people would feel embarrassed discussing this topic, wouldn't they? If he had known Wang Qingyao would be so direct, he should have been the one to speak!
Xiao Yun was filled with regret, fearing that the Old Imperial Consort might suddenly scold Wang Qingyao. He quickly and subtly moved behind Wang Qingyao.
The Old Imperial Consort, blushing, said, "This old man, how could he let the juniors deliver such a message?"
In fact, Wang Qingyao regretted it herself after asking. The question sounded too modern and didn't fit the old prince's persona at all. What if the Old Imperial Consort became suspicious?
Unexpectedly, the Old Imperial Consort showed no suspicion, which indicated that the old prince was indeed such a person.
Wang Qingyao felt that she had inadvertently discovered a big secret.
"Hehehe, perhaps Grandfather no longer cared about such superficial things after he died."
Xiao Yun also let out a few dry laughs.
The Old Imperial Consort snorted, "He's been dead for so many years, and he's still worried about this? Decades ago, I already said that I..."
At this point, the Old Imperial Consort paused, as if considering that her juniors were present and it wasn't appropriate to directly discuss her romantic experiences.