Xiao Jin Yu had enjoyed a rare night of deep, peaceful sleep in days. Chu Chu, afraid of disturbing him, didn't dare move recklessly and could only prick up her ears to listen. Before she could hear any voices, another set of hoofbeats approached—likely from a rider pulling the reins too abruptly. The moment the hoofbeats ceased, they were followed by a loud whinny, startling Xiao Jin Yu awake instantly.
"Wang Ye, is it Little Chili returning?"
Who else could fluster Jing Yi so much that he couldn't even steady his horse but Leng Yue? "It should be..."
"When can I see her?"
"Once we're up... I'll call her in."
"Okay!"
Chu Chu quickly freshened up, helped Xiao Jin Yu tidy himself, assisted him into his wheelchair, and swiftly straightened the carriage interior. Nervous yet excited, she looked every bit the host preparing to receive an honored guest.
Xiao Jin Yu raised his voice to summon Leng Yue inside. A clear, crisp voice responded from outside, making Chu Chu's heart leap to her throat.
The carriage door opened, and a flash of red darted in, swiftly closing the door behind her. Leng Yue knelt before Xiao Jin Yu, bending one knee. "Your humble subordinate Leng Yue pays respects to Wang Ye."
Xiao Jin Yu looked at her, kneeling with practiced formality, and gave a faint, wry smile. "Paying respects won't help. You two must settle your matters yourselves—I can't intervene... Just spare his life."
Though Xiao Jin Yu had essentially said nothing, Leng Yue replied decisively, "Leng Yue understands."
"Rise and speak."
"Thank you, Wang Ye."
Only when Leng Yue stood did Chu Chu get a clear look at her: a slightly pointed chin, willow-leaf eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a blend of heroic spirit and subtle allure. Her tall, curvaceous figure was clad in form-fitting red martial attire, a sword gripped in her hand. Her beauty burned as fiercely as fire, matching Chu Chu's imagination of "Little Chili" perfectly. Chu Chu gazed at her, thrilled. "You... you must be Little Chili!"
Leng Yue froze. "I'm what?"
Chu Chu smiled sweetly. "You're Little Chili—the only female Divine Detective among the Nine Great Arresters of the Six Doors!"
Leng Yue's refined phoenix eyes widened round as saucers, staring at Xiao Jin Yu as if she'd seen a ghost.
Lately, she had been racing from one case to another, all in places far removed from the capital. She only knew that Xiao Jin Yu had married—and that he'd wed a unique coroner girl... Now, she understood just how unique.
Xiao Jin Yu smiled faintly. "She was just saying how much she likes you."
Chu Chu nodded eagerly.
Seeing that Leng Yue needed time to process this, Xiao Jin Yu spoke gravely, "You can ask Jing Yi about it later... For now, I need to ask you: What is the current situation in Liangzhou?"
Leng Yue immediately straightened her posture, bowing her head slightly. "Reporting to Wang Ye, I just concluded the Horse Gang case and intended to visit my father on my way back to the capital when I encountered this incident in his camp... These past two days, military morale has been unstable, and the front lines are somewhat strained. I came out to greet you and ensure your safety."
Xiao Jin Yu nodded thoughtfully, his brow furrowing slightly. "The memorial stated that the Turkic army enlisted Miaojiang shamans to cast gu on our forces.""Who added such a pointless line!" Leng Yue cursed before continuing, "But... recently there have indeed been many bizarre incidents in the military camp for no reason. Some soldiers strangled themselves, others drowned in bathtubs, and one even ran into a bonfire and burned to death—no one could stop him... They all seemed possessed. Initially, I thought the theory of gu poisoning was nonsense, but I actually saw that Miao tribesman on the battlefield once."
Xiao Jin Yu was slightly startled, "On the battlefield?"
"Yes, that person rode a white horse, dressed in a messy way, recognizable from afar. He even had an innocent look on his face—I've never seen any man blink his eyes quite like Jing Yi..."
Xiao Jin Yu's voice deepened, "You went into battle?"
Leng Yue stuck out her tongue and smiled somewhat sheepishly, "It's been a long time since I've fought a proper battle, so when I saw the chance, I couldn't resist..."
"Don't let it happen again."
"Yes!"
"Return to the camp first, keep quiet, observe the situation... Make sure to protect those bodies. I'll send you a letter later."
"Yes..." Leng Yue suddenly remembered something and bowed to Xiao Jin Yu. "Leng Yue thanks Wang Ye for helping my second sister and the Prince of Wu Commandery."
Xiao Jin Yu chuckled lightly, "No need to thank me... It was Jing Yi's doing."
Leng Yue pouted, "But you ordered him to do it."
"This time it was truly his own idea."
"Then it's because Wang Ye taught him well!"
"It's you who taught him well..."
Leng Yue bowed and retreated. Chu Chu, still eager for more, pressed against the window crack to watch as Leng Yue nimbly mounted a sturdy bay horse, whipped it, and vanished in the blink of an eye.
"Wang Ye, she can solve cases and fight in battles—she's truly amazing!"
Before Xiao Jin Yu could respond, a mournful voice came from outside the carriage, "She's capable in many other ways too..."
"Jing Yi, come in."
Chu Chu quickly moved away from the window, but this time Jing Yi actually entered through the door properly—not only that, but he was limping as he walked.
Xiao Jin Yu looked him up and down. Jing Yi's hair was slightly disheveled, but his clothes were relatively tidy, not at all like someone who had been in a fight. He just looked utterly exhausted. "What happened to your leg?"
Jing Yi plopped down on a stool by the table, rubbing his knees with a resentful expression. "From kneeling."
Xiao Jin Yu raised an eyebrow slightly, "Did you two go worship Buddha?"
"No... Leng Yue punished me."
Xiao Jin Yu curled the corner of his mouth, "You asked the Emperor and Empress to allow Leng Yan to leave the palace, facilitating Xiao Jue and Leng Yan's relationship, just to earn favor with Leng Yue... So, it didn't work?"
Jing Yi looked miserable, "How was I to know she'd be so furious..."
Xiao Jin Yu glanced at the two red marks on the side of Jing Yi's neck—now he understood better than anyone how those marks got there. "The old method didn't work either?"
"We spent the whole night out in the cold wilderness, and she still didn't calm down... Right after we finished, she dug up a handful of earthworms and made me kneel on them. I couldn't crush the earthworms or let them escape, or she'd set my clothes on fire..."
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