Nan Shiying smiled, she had no intention of discussing with Hui An who the mastermind behind the assassination attempt at the end of the year truly was. Smiling, she interrupted Hui An's thoughts, "Alright, alright, since it's in the past, there's no need to dwell on it. As for you, your wedding day is just a few days away. Are you all prepared?"
The border conflict between Da Li and Lin Yuan had made Hui An's status even more awkward. After Bao Lan's death, she didn't even have a personal maid. A princess, reduced to preparing her own grand wedding. Fortunately, Ji Hong had assigned a governess and palace maids, so she didn't have to do everything herself. Hui An tucked the stray hair falling by her temple behind her ear and softly spoke about the preparations for her wedding. After talking for a while, Hui An rose to take her leave.
After seeing Hui An off, Nan Shiying returned to the inner courtyard. Ji Jinmo had just finished his court session, still wearing his purple-gold python patterned robe, over which he wore a fur-lined robe. The black fox fur at the collar made him appear even more distinguished and cold. Nan Shiying leaned against the grape trellis, her enchanting eyes looking at the man striding towards her.
Seeing she was only wearing a pure white fox fur coat, Ji Jinmo furrowed his brows slightly. He quickly walked to Nan Shiying's side, took off his fur-lined robe, and draped it over her. "Why are you wearing so little?"
Nan Shiying took his hand. His fair, distinct fingers felt a little cool. Looking at him like this, how could he still blame her for wearing too little? He probably didn't realize who between the two of them had better health.
Nan Shiying pulled Ji Jinmo towards the house. She didn't return the fur-lined robe, knowing this man wouldn't put it back on. Lü Wan had already added charcoal to the brazier earlier, making the room warmer. Bai Zhi served a freshly brewed pot of tea and replaced the fruits and pastries on the table.
Nan Shiying took off her two outer robes. Lü Wan hung them on a coat rack, shook off the dust, and then folded them neatly into the cabinet.
Nan Shiying cupped Ji Jinmo's hands in hers, blew on them, and rubbed them together to warm him. The distance from the grape trellis to the house wasn't far, but the cold wind was enough to penetrate his python-patterned court attire.
She always worried about his health, fearing the relapse of the蠱 poison in his body.
Ji Jinmo let Nan Shiying rub his hands, only lowering his head to look at her eyes filled with worry and blame. His smile relaxed his features; any trace of the coldness and severity from the court was gone. He reciprocated by holding Nan Shiying's hand and pulling her onto the soft couch.
"Why were you standing outside today? Did you feel bored?"
Ji Jinmo pulled her into his embrace, resting his head on her shoulder, as if wanting to bury himself in her heart. Nan Shiying looked down, removed a plum blossom petal that had fallen onto his hair at some point, and smiling, shook her head. "Hui An and the Divine Constable Wang Yu Yi from the Dali Temple came to pay their respects. I went to the front courtyard and had just seen them off when you happened to finish your court session."
She wasn't bored. Compared to excitement, she preferred leisure. In this life and her previous one, leisurely times were exceptionally few.
"Because of last night's assassination attempt?" Ji Jinmo asked without looking up, his voice growing a little colder.
Nan Shiying nodded, her fingertip gently massaging away the frown lines on Ji Jinmo's brow. She had still been feeling sleepy these past few days, but not so much that she had to sleep until noon every day. She had woken up earlier today. Hui An and Wang Yu Yi hadn't disturbed her pleasant dreams.
She said, "I woke up early today and ate the new pastry developed by the small kitchen. It had finely kneaded sweet noodles inside, soft, fragrant, and very delicious."
Upon hearing this, Ji Jinmo immediately decided to reward each member of the small kitchen with one hundred taels. Not wanting anyone to disturb his and his wife's intimate time, he only asked Lü Wan to handle the rewards. The staff in the small kitchen, upon receiving the rewards, were overjoyed and knelt to express their gratitude, wishing they could immediately develop several new delicacies to please the Empress.
After rewarding everyone, Lü Wan wisely did not go back to disturb the master and empress's private time, waiting outside the door for further instructions.
During the morning court, Ji Jinmo had heard that Ji Hong had assigned the assassination case to the Dali Temple and ordered them to solve it within seven days. The Minister of the Dali Temple looked distressed. The Emperor couldn't just keep squeezing their Dali Temple!栾 Wen Cheng was still missing due to the investigation into the disappearance of the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and along with him, Dali Temple constables who followed栾 Wen Cheng. Currently, the only Divine Constable remaining in the capital was Wang Yu Yi. With the identity and motives of the assassins unknown, solving the case in seven days was almost impossible.
The Minister of the Dali Temple headed straight for the Dali Temple after the court session. These past few days, he would likely have no time for anything else. However, Wang Yu Yi was indeed resourceful to have come to the Prince's mansion.
But even if he came, he wouldn't be able to solve the case within seven days.
The hidden depth of the extraordinary individuals in the martial world was something even the Shadow Pavilion hadn't fully uncovered, let alone a Divine Constable of the Dali Temple.
Ying Yi hadn't held back. They hadn't intended to uncover the mastermind through that assassin. Whoever wanted Hui An dead now had only one purpose: to prevent Nan Yu Jin from taking office as the Prefect of Yuzhou Commandery.
Since they roughly knew who the mastermind was, why bother dragging the person back for interrogation and torture?
As the time approached, red silk banners and lanterns were hung on streets and alleys. Although it was the wedding of a young master of the Nan family, it was a marriage alliance between two countries. Even though the common people detested Da Li, the peace talks some time ago had resulted in Da Li ceding twelve cities in Weicheng. For such fools who willingly handed over territory to Lin Yuan, the anger in the hearts of the people had somewhat subsided. Compared to Da Li, the Liao bandits were more detestable.
The streets were decorated everywhere with festive colors, and a celebratory atmosphere permeated the streets and alleys. The Emperor issued a decree to cancel the curfew on Nan Yu Jin's wedding day, allowing the entire city to celebrate. The Lantern Festival that day was forced to be canceled, causing great disappointment to many who had waited a year only to enjoy the Lantern Festival. Now, with the help of the two countries' alliance, people had the opportunity to enjoy themselves without being restricted by the curfew. Temporary stages were set up on Yunlan Street and Changling Street, and it was rumored that some event was going to be held. Guangfu Tower had even hired an entire opera troupe to perform a new play written by Mr. Yun Chang.
...
Nan Yuan'er leaned against the bedside, holding the notebook filled with questions.
Who are you?
Why did you say Zou Yun'er was carrying the imperial heir?
Answer me!
When will you leave my body!
Who are you, really, get out, get out of my body!
From initial record-keeping and questioning to the final hysterical outbursts, Nan Yuan'er watched the increasingly distorted handwriting, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Useless.
She deserved to end up in this state.
Who am I?
I am Nan Yuan'er!