Early the next morning, Bai Feng came to pick up Qin Guan and take her to the prefectural magistrate's office. Upon seeing Bai Feng, Qin Guan knew that Yan Chi was indeed going to the magistrate's office. Bai Feng also said, "My lady, the Crown Prince has already gone to the magistrate's office. I am here to escort you."
Once in the carriage, Qin Guan lifted the curtain and looked out at Bai Feng riding alongside. "How has His Highness been these past few days?"
She hadn't spent much time with Yan Chi yesterday, and from inside the carriage, she couldn't see much. But given the gravity of the situation, Qin Guan was quite worried. Bai Feng urged his horse closer and shook his head. "His Highness has been exchanging messages with the western front these past few days, but the distance is great, and communication is slow. His Highness can only wait anxiously. The court's sentiment is increasingly turning against the Northwest Frontier Army."
Though this was expected, Qin Guan's heart still sank. Bai Feng continued, "His Highness hasn't slept well for over ten days. Now he's just waiting for news from the prince."
Waiting was the most agonizing part—the Northwest Frontier was a thousand miles from the capital.
Qin Guan said, "As you accompany His Highness, you should remind him to take care of himself."
Bai Feng nodded but then hesitated. "I will naturally do my best, but His Highness is firm in his decisions. Sometimes when I speak up, it doesn't help..." As he spoke, he looked at Qin Guan with great expectation.
Qin Guan understood his meaning perfectly. "Very well, I will try—"
Bai Feng smiled slightly, and Qin Guan let the curtain fall, saying no more. The carriage arrived at the magistrate's office after the time it takes to burn two incense sticks. At the entrance, Zhan Yang was waiting. Seeing Qin Guan, he hurried forward to bow.
Qin Guan waved her hand, and they all walked into the magistrate's office together.
"The Crown Prince has already arrived. Zhang Daoshi has calculated the next time and location, and they are discussing it inside now. Knowing you were coming, I came out to receive you..."
Qin Guan nodded. "Have you found anything about that Huixin from before?"
Zhan Yang replied, "We've uncovered a little. We went to Huayan Temple outside the city and asked. They said that over two months ago, someone came to the temple and inquired about the disciples they had expelled over the years. Generally, those who enter monastic life are rarely driven out, and those who are expelled are mostly those who broke the rules and violated their vows. The monk who was asked at the time mentioned three names. Two of them are no longer in the capital, and only this Wang Xin remains in the city."
Qin Guan frowned. "It's not easy for the killer to find the right target. Asking this way is the simplest method."
Zhan Yang sighed. "Unfortunately, the monk who was questioned was blind. He doesn't know what the person looked like."
A blind monk?! Qin Guan narrowed her eyes. This killer certainly knew how to cover his tracks.
When they reached the rear hall, they saw Yan Chi speaking with Zheng Baishi. Zhang Daoshi stood to the side, his gaze fixed on Yan Chi with a scrutinizing air. Hearing the footsteps, they all turned to look at Qin Guan.
Zheng Baishi stood up. "My lady, you've arrived—"
Qin Guan nodded and went straight to the point. "I heard the time and location have been determined."
Zhang Daoshi said, "Yes, my lady, please come this way—"
On the desk against the wall in the rear hall lay a map of the capital. Zhang Daoshi walked over, picked up a brush nearby, and lightly marked three spots. "The night after tomorrow, these three locations are all possible."
Qin Guan looked closely and saw that this time, all three places were very close to the imperial palace, all located in the northern part of the city."These three locations in the northern part of the city correspond to the three northern constellations of Xuanwu: Dou, Niu, and Xu."
Zhan Yang stepped forward and said, "Among these three locations, one is the northernmost part of Xingle District outside the imperial city, another is the Ministry of Justice outside the imperial city, and the third location—here—is the only place where the murderer might strike. This area consists of market streets with mostly reputable music shops and taverns. Compared to the other two locations, this is the most suitable for the murderer to act."
Qin Guan turned to look at Yan Chi, who said, "The murderer wouldn’t target the Ministry of Justice. As for the residential district, that area is mostly occupied by royal residences and marquis estates, each heavily guarded with numerous servants. There’s no reason for the murderer to go there."
Qin Guan nodded. "But the murderer already knows we’re heavily guarded. Will they still strike this time?"
Zhang Daoshi stepped forward. "I believe the murderer will strike. If nothing else, this seventh opportunity is rare. If they miss it, the next time they’ll either have to give up or become a trapped rat in the government’s net. Given how many people the murderer has killed, they must be deranged and won’t stop now."
Zhan Yang agreed, "Yes, opportunities are limited. They won’t abandon it for no reason."
Qin Guan looked at Yan Chi and asked, "Should we mobilize the Garrison Battalion this time?"
Yan Chi shook his head. "Not for now. We’ll use my men this time. Mobilizing the Garrison Battalion would create too much commotion, and the murderer might become extra cautious. Zhan Yang and I will handle the arrangements."
Yan Chi’s expression was calm and resolute, his dark eyes bright and clear, exuding an inexplicable sense of reassurance. Just by looking at him, who would have guessed he was troubled and worried about the Northwest Frontier Army?
...
...
By the time Wu Yu left the government office, it was already late. His official rank was not high, and the prestige of the Weiyuan Earldom had long been nominal. Moreover, everyone knew he was not the biological son of the Earl of Weiyuan, so his colleagues regarded him with meaningful glances.
Wu Yu felt a knot in his heart. Thinking of his mother’s illness, he grew increasingly agitated and irritable.
When he reached his carriage, he initially intended to return to the estate but reconsidered and said, "Head to the western residence."
The coachman outside acknowledged, and the carriage slowly made its way westward.
As dusk deepened, Wu Yu watched the bustling streets and glowing lanterns outside, his brow furrowing tighter. His usually steady and composed expression grew shadowed and sinister. He abruptly let the carriage curtain fall, as if merging into the darkness.
After a long journey, the carriage finally stopped in front of the western residence. Wu Yu alighted and, without allowing the coachman to enter, instructed him to return to the Weiyuan Earldom. For a moment, Wu Yu stood alone at the gate.
He paused, casting wary glances left and right, then unlocked the door and entered.
Wu Yu went straight to the main room and lit a lamp. As the light flared, the desolation and bleakness of the courtyard and room became starkly apparent. His face grim, he sat in a chair, silent and motionless as if in deep meditation.
Another half-hour passed before footsteps sounded outside. When the door opened, Wu Yu composed his expression and sat up straight. The newcomer approached him respectfully and said, "Young Master, everything has been taken care of."
...
...Wei Qizhi had been visiting the painting gallery in the city every day these past few days. After inquiring about calligraphy and paintings, instead of seeking out Qin Guan, he went to find Yue Ning. On this day, Yue Ning had some free time and went with Wei Qizhi to the gallery to view paintings.
Ning Buyi had long known that Wei Qizhi would come, so he did not leave the gallery, intending to personally receive the two of them.
As soon as Wei Qizhi entered the gallery, he winked at Ning Buyi. Ning Buyi chuckled, stepped forward to bow, and said, "County Princess, Young Master Wei has been coming to the gallery every day these past few days to inquire about paintings. I never imagined it was for you."
Yue Ning raised an eyebrow. "It's not for me—it's for Yongci County Princess."
Ning Buyi smiled. "Then why are the two of you here today?"
Yue Ning looked somewhat uncomfortable and glanced at Wei Qizhi, but he only smiled without saying a word. Yue Ning then said, "Qin Guan has been helping the magistrate's office investigate a case these past two days. I have nothing to do, so I'm just helping her out."
Ning Buyi's smile deepened meaningfully, but he did not expose the truth. Wei Qizhi said, "Since Yongci County Princess isn't coming, it's just as well that you're here, County Princess. Let's go take a look at the paintings first. You bought the 'Pine Tree Painting' last time, so I assume you're familiar with Master Ning's collection."
Yue Ning nodded. "Last time, I invited the gallery's master to the marquis's residence to paint. My grandmother and mother were both very satisfied."
As they spoke, the group went up to the elegant room on the second floor. Ning Buyi went to fetch the paintings, leaving only Wei Qizhi and Yue Ning in the room. Wei Qizhi smiled as he poured tea for Yue Ning, being exceedingly attentive. Yue Ning watched him with a raised eyebrow but said nothing. When Ning Buyi returned with the paintings, he saw Wei Qizhi chatting cheerfully with Yue Ning. Although Wei Qizhi was not from a noble family, his background in the capital was not low either. This was the first time Ning Buyi had seen him behave like this.
"These are two authentic works by Xu Daozi. Take a look first..."
Upon hearing this, Wei Qizhi hurriedly unrolled the scrolls for Yue Ning to see. After examining them, Yue Ning said, "I quite like them, but Qin Guan might not feel the same. She prefers the subtle and restrained style, and so does the Grand Princess."
Wei Qizhi laughed. "No matter. It's fine if you like them. We can wait until tomorrow. Master Ning will have another painting delivered from elsewhere tomorrow, and we can come back to see it then."
Ning Buyi couldn't help but smile. "Don't worry, you two. These two authentic works aren't sought after by anyone else for now, so no one will snatch them away. The County Princess can have Young Master Wei accompany her to view them again. Tomorrow's painting is a landscape by Qi Qianshan."
Wei Qizhi immediately said, "Good, it's settled then. We'll come again tomorrow."
Ning Buyi agreed with a smile. Wei Qizhi then said to Yue Ning, "County Princess, there's another painting gallery in the western part of the city. Shall we go take a look there as well?"
Yue Ning replied indifferently, "Very well. Have you already made inquiries there?"
"Of course. I wouldn't have brought you out if I hadn't."
Yue Ning seemed somewhat satisfied. "In that case, let's make another trip."
As the two conversed, they walked out. Ning Buyi followed behind, escorting them all the way to the gallery's entrance. Wei Qizhi walked with Yue Ning to the carriage, personally lifting the curtain and helping her inside. This thoughtful and meticulous behavior might have gone unnoticed by the straightforward Yue Ning, but Ning Buyi saw it clearly. He shook his head, his smile tinged with helplessness.
...
...Early the next morning, Wei Qizhi indeed brought Yue Ning to the painting gallery bright and early. Ning Buyi had been waiting there all along. Seeing the two arrive as promised, he couldn't help but smile and say, "I thought you'd come a bit later, but I didn't expect you to be this early."
Wei Qizhi laughed, "I went to pick her up very early today, so naturally we arrived early."
Yue Ning's expression remained indifferent, creating a contrast with Wei Qizhi's enthusiasm. Ning Buyi first invited Yue Ning to sit in the elegant room. Wei Qizhi said he wanted to retrieve the paintings with Ning Buyi, so the two of them went to the backyard together. Ning Buyi remarked, "Judging by the princess's attitude, it seems you haven't yet confessed your feelings?"
Wei Qizhi waved his hand, "Brother Ning, in this regard, you're not as experienced as I am. With a young lady like the princess, if you confess your feelings right from the start, she'll weigh the pros and cons and not only won't respond to you but might even drive you away. That way, you won't even have a chance to get close to her—"
Ning Buyi found this somewhat amusing, "Then what do you plan to do?"
Wei Qizhi said mysteriously, "The princess is pure-hearted and clear about her likes and dislikes. Using the pretext of the Marquis's family having shown me kindness before, I first sent gifts as a gesture of gratitude. When the princess sees this, she'll know I'm someone who repays kindness and will develop a favorable impression of me. Sending gifts just once certainly isn't enough—I naturally have to send a second round. The princess won't casually accept so many gifts from me and will surely feel a bit of gratitude. If I send a third round, guess what will happen?"
Ning Buyi looked at Wei Qizhi, "What?"
"On the third round, the princess will send me gifts in return!" Wei Qizhi said very proudly. "For example, previously, the princess gave me a few military strategy books. This opens up another avenue. The Anyang Marquis built his career on military campaigns, and the princess is also very fond of this Path. By showing interest in this Path, the princess will naturally feel that we share a common interest and will become even closer to me. As I talk with the princess more and treat her affairs as my own, taking care of her in every detail, she, though simple-minded, is not an unfeeling person. Gradually, she'll go from feeling a bit grateful to me, to a bit moved, and then naturally, she'll develop some affection for me..."
"Wait until this point to confess your feelings to the princess?" Ning Buyi couldn't wait and quickly asked.
Unexpectedly, Wei Qizhi shook his head with an inscrutable expression, "No, no, no, not even at this point should you say anything..."
Ning Buyi smiled wryly, "You've put in so much effort, and the princess has developed feelings for you. Why not say it then? When will you say it?"
Wei Qizhi curled his lips, "Naturally, I'll wait for her to say it first."
Ning Buyi raised an eyebrow, "You mean wait for the princess to say it first? How is that possible?"
Wei Qizhi chuckled, "When I say 'say,' I don't mean verbally. I'll wait until her actions start speaking—that is, when she's deeply in love with me. Only then will I make things clear. You have to understand, women in this world are prone to becoming spoiled by favor. If I'm always attentive and proactive, I might spoil her to the point where she loses her bearings. Then what initiative would I have? I'll only act without speaking, making her moved and affectionate, yet keeping her uncertain. Once she's deeply entangled, I can watch from the sidelines. By then, she'll be the one infatuated with me, and I can make her do whatever I want!"Ning Buyi’s expression shifted slightly at these words. He turned to look behind him and was relieved to find no one there. With a bitter smile, he said, “Brother Wei, what do you mean by that? Are you saying your feelings for the princess aren’t genuine? Why all these twists and turns?”
Wei Qizhi grinned broadly. “Genuine? Of course my feelings for her are genuine now. But… I have many genuine feelings. Who knows who the next person I’ll genuinely care for will be? Still, whether in terms of background or character, the princess is the most suitable to be my wife.” As he spoke, Wei Qizhi winked at Ning Buyi. “Brother Ning, this method works on any young lady in the world—provided, of course, she has a decent first impression of you…”
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