Chapter 83: Sympathy

Chapter 83: Sympathy

He Qingxiao looked at the earnest girl seeking an answer and raised his lips slightly. "Miss Kou, are you really not afraid of being imprisoned if you insist on knowing the answer?"

Anyone else would probably be happy to feign ignorance.

Xin You lowered her eyes, staring at a cup of clear tea in front of her. "Even after treating Lord He like that before, he didn't make things difficult for me."

She knew that He Qingxiao wasn't here to arrest her, which was why she took the opportunity to ask.

Thinking about it, her behavior might have been a bit excessive?

Xin You felt a slight warmth in her cheeks, realizing this belatedly.

He Qingxiao suddenly felt that the usually composed and calm girl before him had changed somehow. He couldn't quite put his finger on what had changed, but it made him feel more comfortable than the tension of recent days.

"Because—" He paused, intending to give some grand reason, but when he met those clear eyes, he spoke his true thoughts. "Civil cases fall under the jurisdiction of Shun Tian Prefecture and the Ministry of Justice. The Jinlin Guard usually investigates cases by imperial decree, so we can find reasons to get involved or choose to ignore them. Personally, I have no interest in imprisoning Miss Kou."

Upon hearing this, Xin You tightened her grip on the teacup and looked up to meet He Qingxiao's gaze. "Zhou Tong's death has nothing to do with me."

Although it was because of her warning that Miao Susu was prepared and managed to kill Zhou Tong, ultimately, Zhou Tong died due to his own greed and cruelty.

This answer surprised He Qingxiao somewhat, but the honesty in the girl's eyes seemed genuine, bringing a subtle smile to his face.

"In that case, Miss Kou, please be patient. If there are any developments regarding your father's case from years ago, I will inform you."

Xin You picked up the teapot and refilled He Qingxiao's cup. "Thank you, Lord He."

This misunderstanding not only kept her and her mother hidden but also allowed her to investigate whether Kou Qingqing's father died accidentally, achieving both goals.

He Qingxiao lifted the teacup and took two sips before putting it down. "Then I won't disturb Miss Kou further."

Xin You stood up. "I'll see Lord He out."

He Qingxiao did not refuse and let Xin You escort him to the side gate, bidding farewell.

Then Xin You watched as Lord He walked into the Bookstore.

Xin You stood quietly at the side gate for a moment before turning back to the eastern courtyard.

Xiaolian was tidying up the stone table.

The autumn sun was bright, and the stone table and chairs were spotless, showing no signs of anyone having conversed there just moments ago.

Xin You sat down and called for Xiaolian to join her.

"Xiaolian, I didn't ask before, but where was Miss Kou's father being transferred to when he accidentally fell into the water?"

Though puzzled by Xin You's question, Xiaolian replied immediately, "According to Madam, our master was being transferred to Wanyang."

Indeed, it was Wanyang.

No wonder Lord He, as the head of the Jinlin Guard, had veered off course in his investigation.

However, Xin You did not intend to say anything. If Lord He's investigation revealed any suspicious circumstances surrounding Kou Qingqing's father's death, it could be considered her way of repaying Miss Kou.

As she continued on her path of revenge, she increasingly realized how much protection the identity of Kou Qingqing provided her.

"Never mind, go fetch 'The Peony Record' for me."

Xiaolian responded and quickly brought over a copy of 'The Peony Record,' a clean reprint from the Bookstore.

Xin You placed the book on the stone table and began reading slowly, basking in the autumn sun.

Back at the office, He Qingxiao received new information from his subordinates.

Zhou Tong had visited the Count Gu Chang's residence.

Although they only found evidence of one visit, given Zhou Tong's position, any connection to the Count Gu Chang's residence was unusual.

He Qingxiao pondered the new information, a thought crossing his mind. "Investigate any anomalies at the Count Gu Chang's residence in April, particularly noting if anyone left the capital. Be discreet and don't alert anyone."

Zhou Tong was part of the Jinlin Guard, and he could investigate thoroughly without drawing attention. However, Count Gu Chang was not an ordinary noble. His sister was the Empress Dowager, who managed the palace, and his nephew was King Qing, who was widely regarded as the heir apparent.

Investigating the Count Gu Chang's residence could easily lead to trouble.

"Proceed slowly and involve as few people as possible."

The Jinlin Guard was not a monolith; many disapproved of his leadership of the Northern Pacification Office. Everyone assumed that a minister in his position must be the emperor's confidant, but even now, he couldn't understand the emperor's intentions.

As night fell, He Qingxiao returned to the Changle Marquis's mansion.

The Changle Marquis's mansion was vast, larger than most marquis mansions, with magnificent architecture and numerous servants. As He Qingxiao walked inside, greetings and salutations followed him everywhere.

He smiled and nodded, but his eyes remained calm until a woman appeared.

The woman was middle-aged, yet one could still see traces of her former beauty.

"Lord Marquis, have you had dinner? I made some shepherd's purse dumplings. Would you like a bowl?"

He Qingxiao's smile became genuine. "Thank you, Aunt Gui."

Soon, a steaming bowl of dumplings was placed on the table.

The dumplings had large fillings and thin wrappers, floating in a bowl adorned with green scallions and red chili oil. There was also a dish of vinegar and a plate of cold chicken strips.

He Qingxiao, who could not handle spicy food well but loved it nonetheless, tasted the soup first, causing his cheeks to turn slightly red.

Seeing this, the woman couldn't help but say, "Lord Marquis, you should eat less spicy food; it's bad for your stomach."

"Understood." He Qingxiao responded with a smile, and began to eat heartily.

The woman silently watched, sighing inwardly.

This vast marquis's mansion, seemingly splendid and vibrant, but who could truly understand the hardships of the Lord Marquis?

The grand residence was bestowed by the emperor, and it needed maintenance. The numerous servants were also granted by the emperor over time, and they needed to be provided for. Everything required money, yet apart from his annual stipend, the Lord Marquis had no other income. Even after becoming the commander of the Jinlin Guard, he did not amass wealth as people might have assumed.

A noble Lord Marquis, unable even to afford the expenses of marriage.

Sometimes, the woman couldn't help but secretly wonder: Could this be the emperor's intention?

If the Lord Marquis cannot marry, the lineage of his sworn brother, who once vied for the throne against the current emperor, would be cut off, leaving no further threats.

What a sin, she, a mere servant, should not harbor such treasonous thoughts.

But—

With a heart brimming with compassion, she observed the young man as he hungrily consumed his meal, yet she couldn't help but ponder: If the Empress were still present, the Lord Marquis would undoubtedly not be enduring such hardship.

She had originally been one of the Empress's attendants. The Empress, out of pity, sent her to care for the orphaned child who would become the Lord Marquis.

Time flew by; the Lord Marquis grew up, but the Empress had been missing for over a decade.

Is the Empress still alive?

"Aunt Gui—"

The woman snapped back to reality. "Lord Marquis, what is it?"

In the lamplight, the young man looked as clear and refined as jade, his features relaxed. "I said the chrysanthemum dumplings are delicious. Aunt Gui, what were you thinking about? Do you have something on your mind?"

"No, no," the woman denied instinctively, then, looking at the handsome youth who was more beautiful than any woman, changed her tune. "Actually, there is something."

He Qingxiao wore an attentive expression.

"The Lord Marquis is of marrying age now. Is there anyone you fancy?"