[Wei City]
Lin Yaotang was sitting up straight as he sat down calmly in the prison exuding a sense of noble air.
He Rui and prefect Wen walked into the cell.
"Your highness", Lin Yaotang said without standing up.
"Master Lin, we've not seen each other for barely an hour. I'm curious on how you ended up here", He Rui said as he sat opposite him.
"Your Highness should know that better than me", Lin Yaotang said calmly.
"Unlike Fang Jinghe, I must say, you are quite smart. You transferred all the banned medicines to minor pharmacies to protect yourself. If I'm right, you must have acted on Shen Cheng'an's orders", He Rui said leaning closer to him.
There was a short pause.
He Rui straightened up, "it seems I'm right"
"Your Highness, instead of making baseless allegations, I suggest you present evidence to back up your claims", Lin Yaotang said.
His composure at such a critical moment was truly impressive.
"All right", He Rui said as he slowly stood up, "I'll come back and with evidence. I believe Master Lin will be man enough to admit to his crimes"
"I will wait for Your Highness", Lin Yaotang answered.
He Rui left the cell and Prefect Wen rushed to lock the cell.
*******
It was not long before Lv Chi and Lu Qian returned.
"What have you found out?" He Rui asked.
Lv Chi sighed, "This Lord Shen is truly a hard nut to crack. He gave reasonable explanations to every fact. He had been prepared all along"
"The Shen family's blood runs deep. His sister is the Empress. How can her brother be any less scheming?" He Rui said as his fist was still tightened on the table.
There was a long pause and Lu Qian broke it, "I heard Lord Commander Mo assisted in the investigation"
The atmosphere in the room changed for a second but He Rui became composed.
"Yes. He was the one who ordered the search and gave information on Fang Jinghe and Lin Yaotang's movements", he said.
Lu Qian thought for a while before saying two words, "That's strange."
He Rui looked up and Lv Chi asked, "how is that strange?"
"I have worked with him once. He is very professional. He doesn't interfere in others business casually"
"So you mean someone must have asked him to interfere? He answers only to the emperor. Are you suggesting either His Majesty or someone from our side asked him for help?"
"That's what I'm thinking", Lu Qian agreed.
He Rui sighed with his mood lightening, "He has already interfered. There is no need to dwell on it", he said before adding, "Fu Jiu has been working for some time now. What has he found out?"
"I'll send for him", Lv Chi said and turned to go before realizing someone's absence, "where's Liu ying?"
[Xu Residence]
"Miss Liu, we met not too long ago. Why are you here to see me so soon?" Xu Yicheng asked.
"I have long heard that the Hall of Benevolent Healing is run by a gentleman. I came to see for myself", Liu Ying answered before adding, "won't you serve me tea?"
Xu Qiaoqiao's voice was heard entering the room, "how can that be?"
She was carrying a tray containing tea and snacks. She walked towards them and set the tray next to Liu ying who was sitting and stood beside her brother.
"Our Xu family is well known for our hospitality", she smiled brightly.
"This is..." Liu ying asked.
Before Xu Yicheng could speak, Xu Qiaoqiao answered, "I am Xu Qiaoqiao, Xu Yicheng's little sister"
"Qiaoqiao? Which character is Qiao?" Liu ying asked.
Xu Qiaoqiao smiled even brighter, "it's Qiao as in Lingqiao - clever and quick".
Xu Yicheng sat opposite her while Xu Qiaoqiao sat next to her.
"With a mind like woven silk and steps like shifting light, Qiao dances through the world, clever, quick, and bright", Liu ying recited a line of poetry containing Xu Qiaoqiao's name.
"Miss Liu, you are well-versed in poetry", Xu Yicheng complemented."Not at all. I have never paid attention to poetry. I just happened to hear this line during the Qixi festival.
"Then, Miss Liu must have a remarkable memory", Xu Yicheng commented.
"I indeed do", Liu ying accepted the compliment.
"Sister, try some persimmon cake" Liu ying took a bite and completely forgot about He Rui's attitude towards earlier.
"Delicious. I haven't had this kind of persimmon cake before. It's crispy and has a nutty flavor", she looked happy.
"It is different from the ones in the palace", she added.
Xu Qiaoqiao looked even happier, "if you like it, you can take some with you. My brother bought a lot"
"I'll definitely buy this on my way to the capital and share some with my friend"
The atmosphere was light as Liu ying enjoyed the cake but Xu Yicheng interrupted, "Miss Liu, you have been here for quite some time. I wonder if His Highness is aware of your visit"
"I am not a child. I don't think I need to inform His Highness of my every move"
"I am just wondering why you are out here alone while the others are investigating alone"
"His Highness is exceptionally intelligent and so are the rest of the team. An absent member won't change the outcome", she said and turned to Xu Qiaoqiao, "could you do me a favor and pack some cakes for me. I would like to share it with my team as well?"
"Okay, I'll be right back", Xu Qiaoqiao responded standing up and rushing off to get them.
There was a moment of short silence in the room.
"Miss Liu did not just visit to eat snacks and drink tea, did she?" Xu Yicheng asked.
"Can't I? I have always loved eating, especially free food", she responded and indeed the four medium slices of the cake were already finished.
"But, I would like to ask what your opinion of this case is", she asked looking at him.
"My opinion does not matter", Xu Yicheng answered.
Xu Qiaoqiao was seen walking in and the conversation naturally stopped.
She stretched the bag of persimmon cakes to her, "all wrapped"
Liu ying stood up to accept it, "thank you on behalf of the investigation team"
"It's nothing. You guys are working hard to bring those criminals to justice. This is just a little token of our Xu Manor's appreciation"
"I came over because I was hungry and had no money on me. The others are busy and since your brother was my only acquaintance, I dared to come over", she said as she slowly directed her gaze at Xu Yicheng, "after all, the other two acquaintances I met before are not in the right position to engage me"
"That's fine. When the investigation is over, don't forget to bid farewell to us", she said.
"I won't"
[Channing Palace]
Lingxi walked into the room and could not find He Yu. She noticed him standing on the corridors.
"Your highness, what are you doing?" she asked as she walked up to him.
"Come with me", he said with a calm smile as he walked past her.
'What is he up to this time?' she wondered but followed him anyways.
She followed him all the way to the backyard. She had never been there.
Unlike the garden that carried a refreshing scent of flowers and herbs, the back yard felt earthier. It was grassy with few shrubs and barely any trees. There was a rock pond that had white water lilies on them. There were golden fireflies surrounding the pool and the moon shone brightly on the surface of the water.
"Your highness, this is...."
Lingxi admired the beauty but did not quite understand why He Yu had brought her there.
"Sit down", he said as he held her hand and helped her sit comfortably on the grassland.
"Do you like it?"
"I like it. It's very beautiful", she said smiling as she admired the wonderful view, "but why did you bring me here?"
"Do you know what today's date is?" he asked.
Lingxi thought for a while, "it's the last day of the month. So?"
He Yu could not believe his ears, "doesn't that tell you something?"
"What? Is this a special event?" she asked genuinely curious as she leaned closer to him.
He Yu sighed and whispered in her close ears, "it's our one month anniversary"