Lingxi paused for a moment but immediately regained her composure.
She stood up and went on to drop the oil. After that, she slowly washed her hands and wiped it with towel. All these that could had been done within a minute was leisurely done in more than five minutes. She then walked back to the bed and sat down.
He Yu who had been patiently watching her turned to hear her answer but all he got was:
"Figure it out yourself", as she lay down on her side of the bed. He paused for a second and then lay down too.
"Your highness seems to like riddles", he commented.
Lingxi turned to face him properly, "isn't this the girl you found cute? What? You can't handle me anymore?" she asked.
He Yu turned to face her and there was a smile in his eyes, "No, you got cuter", he said.
Lingxi was caught off guard by that response and immediately turned away and went to sleep but on a second thought paused and turned back, "have we really not met before?"
He Yu paused for a long moment before turning to face her properly, "figure it out yourself", he smiled.
"Childish"
[The Next Day]
[Wei City, Weizhong Teahouse]
The morning weather was rather cool. It was not sunny but just bright enough with a slight chill.
The famous Weizhong teahouse of Wei City was the number one spot for noblemen. It was peaceful and quiet with beautiful scenery and the elegant sound of the zither.
The three masters who had been invited there were already seated and waiting.
"What do you think is the reason for the sudden visit?" one of them asked. It was Fang Jinghe, the owner of the Hall of Hundred Herbs.
"His Highness asked us to meet him here while investigating the Prime Minister's death. Shouldn't that give you an idea?"
The one speaking was Xu Yicheng who was known for being soft-spoken and articulate. He had the aura of a deep businessman. He was the owner of the Hall of Benevolent Healing.
"How does the case concern me? I don't know about both of you but I am a very honest businessman", Fang Jinghe replied.
"Master Fang, mind your words. You've been the business for a long time. Do you dare say you have been completely honest all your life?" the third person of the trio, Lin Yaotang asked.
"It seems Master Lin is worried or I would rather say - scared", Xu Yicheng said.
"He has been in the business longer than the both of us. Suddenly getting an invitation from an investigative officer could definitely make anyone cold", Fang Jinghe said.
The three masters locked eyes with each other and the tension in the air was so thick that one could cut it with a knife and He Rui was the perfect person for that.
"Masters, I hope I did not keep you waiting", he said invading the tough atmosphere.
Everyone immediately composed themselves and stood up to greet him, "greetings, Your Highness"
"Right now, I'm just an official from the Ministry of Justice. There is no need to be so formal", He Rui said.
"Thank you, your highness", they rose and their gaze fell on Liu ying who was next to He Rui.
"Your Highness, this is...."
"She is also an official from the ministry of justice working with me, is there a problem?" He Rui asked.
"No, it's just that she is a woman and we all feel it might be rather inappropriate..." Fang Jinghe was saying when Liu ying interrupted.
"How is it inappropriate?"
"We are all men..." he wanted to explain.
"Oh it seems Master Fang has inappropriate thoughts towards me", Liu ying said and turned to He Rui, "having inappropriate thoughts on a noble lady, how does the ministry of justice deal with that?"
He Rui thought for a moment, "that we would have to discuss with your father, Minister Liu"
Fang Jinghe realized and quickly gave a bow, "Minister Liu? I was indeed shortsighted. Please have a sit", he said making way for her.
[Deputy Magistrate's Residence]
While the Liu Ying and He Rui where at Weizhong Pavilion, Lu Qian and Lv Chi was having tea at Shen Cheng'an's residence.
"Two officials from the Ministry of Justice have visited my home today. To what do I owe this august visit?" Shen Cheng'an asked.
He was seated in the main seat in the hall while Lv Chi and Lu Qian were seated in both sides. There was no response from either of them.
"Official Lu, it seems you don't like the tea I served. Are you looking down on me?" Shen Cheng'an asked.
"I'm not thirsty", Lu Qian answered with his ever usual indifferent face.
Shen Cheng'an smiled, "official Lu is known for being direct and indifferent. It seems the rumors were true", he paused, "but if you do not drink this tea, I would take it as a sign of disrespect", he said.
Lu Qian and him locked eyes but Lu Qian did not flinch nor did it seem like he would reach for the tea.
Lv Chi sensing the growing tension immediately stood and went on to drink Lu Qian's tea, "Brother Lu is not thirsty but I am. Official Shen, don't take offense", he said.
Shen Cheng'an laughed, "official Lv, you must joking" Lv Chi went back to his seat.
Shen Cheng'an paused and looked at both of them, "Official Lu and Official Lv are always said to travel together. There is a saying, 'wherever there is Official Lu, there you would find Official Lv. Seeing the both of you together, you indeed complement each other", he said.
Lv Chi smiled along but he was no longer comfortable with his jokes. They were there for a serious matter.
Just as he was about to speak, Lu Qian spoke up first, "Lord Shen, you flatter us but our relationship is not the priority here, you are", he said.
They stared at each other again but this time Shen Cheng'an broke it with a laugh, "Official Lu is truly straightforward. What do you have to say?"
Lu Qian went mute again and Lv Chi spoke instead, "we've recently been reinvestigating the Prime Minister's case. We ask for your cooperation"
"Hasn't the investigation concluded? Why reinvestigate?"
"That is not for you to worry about. What we want to know is this - three months ago, on the third of the 7th Lunar Month, where were you?" Lu Qian asked.
[Channing Palace]
Lingxi was busy reading a book on her workspace table when Qin Yan came to reveal the investigation results.
"Do you think they will find the truth?" Qin Yan asked.
"Lu Qian is logical and direct capable of trapping people with their own words by logic while Lv Chi....." she paused on her reading, "although he seems quite playful and harmless is good at psychological pressure. Shen Cheng'an, on the other hand, is as sly as his sister, Shen Ruihua. Sly people tend to speak less but there is no way to ignore Lu Qian's questioning and if he does, Lv Chi can pressure him"
"So you think they can succeed?"
"With Shen Cheng'an, it won't be very easy", she said.
She reached for her hair and removed the hairpin. She studied it for a while and remembered Mu Qingzhou's words.
'Hold it in the dark and you will see the magic', he had whispered.
She used it to write on a sheet of paper.
"What is Li Changsheng doing now?" she asked.
"He is on his way to Fengyin Hall", Qin Yan answered.
Lingxi smiled lightly, "he is on his way to see Shen Ruihua, smart move", she said and paused her writing for a while to look at the book again before proceeding, "the Li family will soon fall into chaos. Tying his only daughter, Li Min to the First Prince is his only option. Now that Shen Ruihua's brother is involved, she would have no way to refuse him", she said.
She stopped writing and placed the hairpin back in her hair, "the upcoming drama is going to be interesting"