“What?” Huo Ningyu exclaimed in shock.
How could it be so soon? Weren’t we supposed to wait a few more days?
In just over ten days, many things had changed.
Could it be because that day in the palace, when she brought Qingdai along to save the Third Prince, it caused unexpected changes in events?
That must be the only possibility.
“Quick, tell me what happened?”
“Sob… Miss Huo, after our young lady returned from the palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival, she received rewards from the Emperor and was very happy. The master praised her several times.”
“This made the second young lady jealous. While strolling in the garden, she schemed to make it look like our young lady pushed her down the stairs. The madam was furious and locked our young lady in the woodshed.”
“Who would have thought that after Young Master Gao learned of this, he secretly drugged our young lady, took her from the woodshed, brought her out of the residence, and even out of the city.”
“The madam led people in pursuit. Young Master Gao was beaten, but he claimed our young lady asked him to elope with her.”
“The master was so angry he invoked the Family Law. No matter how our young lady tried to explain, it was useless.”
“After being beaten nearly to death, our young lady was sent to Putuo Temple without even being allowed to bring a maid.”
“It’s been three days already. I only just found the chance to sneak out of the residence.”
“I have no one else to turn to. I know Miss Huo is close with our young lady. I beg you to go to Putuo Temple to see our young lady and save her.”
Xiachan tearfully recounted the events briefly.
Just as she had guessed.
Her rebirth had even affected her close friend’s fate.
This incident had occurred several months earlier.
Gao Jiyang didn’t actually like Qingdai – this was all a scheme orchestrated by her aunt, aimed at eliminating Qingdai, with the Wan family eldest brother being next.
A concubine-born daughter rising to power, with such great ambition.
“Go back first, and don’t let your madam know you came to see me. I’ll find a way to save Qingdai,” Huo Ningyu promised.
She hurried to the front courtyard study.
Huo Mingxian was studying. He would take the Metropolitan Exam next March, and since returning from his travels, he had mostly been studying at home.
With their father being the best teacher at home, there was no need to hire another. He occasionally went out to exchange ideas with his classmates.
“Elder brother, I need your help with something,” Huo Ningyu said urgently.
“What happened?” Huo Mingxian noticed his sister’s anxious expression.
“Elder brother, Qingdai was framed by her stepmother and sent to Putuo Temple. She’s my only close friend, and I need to save her. Please go find Lord Zhao He and tell him I’ve gone to Putuo Temple.”
“Why tell him? I’ll go with you and bring some servants,” Huo Mingxian said, unaware that his sister’s exchange with Zhao Bingyu involved matters related to Putuo Temple.
Huo Ningyu hadn’t mentioned this last night because it wasn’t related to their family’s fate.
“Elder brother, trust me on this. He will help me,” Huo Ningyu said with certainty.
This matter needed to be handled according to Zhao Bingyu’s arrangements. Her brother going along would be useless.
Remembering his sister’s experiences and that she probably knew something, Huo Mingxian didn’t insist further.
He changed clothes and went out.
Huo Ningyu went to the Main Courtyard and told Rong Huazhi about the situation.
“Ningyu, that Putuo Temple is rather peculiar. Six or seven out of ten young ladies sent there by various families end up dead – either by hanging themselves or jumping off cliffs. I’ve heard that nuns from the temple have also mysteriously disappeared.”
“The Ministry of Justice investigated for a year but found nothing. The Imperial City Guard took over the case, but half a year has passed with no results either.”
“Mother, don’t worry. I’m not being sent away as punishment like those other girls—I’m going to pray at the temple. I’ll return by tomorrow at the latest. I’ll bring two maids and two matrons with me. Please assign two guards to escort me.” To reassure her mother, Huo Ningyu requested two guards.
“Very well, be careful in everything.” Only then did Rong Huazhi feel at ease.
With guards accompanying her and within the boundaries of Jing Cheng, safety shouldn’t be an issue. If she didn’t return by tomorrow, she would go fetch her personally.
The moment Huo Ningyu’s carriage left the manor, a figure hidden in the shadows slipped away quietly.
When Huo Mingxian found Zhao Bingyu, he was riding a fast horse with two personal attendants behind him, about to depart from the government office.
“Lord Zhao!” Seeing this, Huo Mingxian called out loudly to stop him.
“What is it?” Zhao Bingyu reined in his horse upon recognizing Huo Mingxian.
In the past, anyone who interrupted him during official business would be met with a whip without a second word.
Those who dodged quickly escaped unharmed; those who didn’t could only blame their misfortune.
“Lord Zhao, may we speak in private?” Huo Mingxian bowed slightly.
Zhao Bingyu didn’t dismount but motioned for him to approach.
As Huo Mingxian reached the side of the horse, he leaned down.
Huo Mingxian whispered a few words into his ear.
After hearing them, Zhao Bingyu turned his horse around, summoned over a dozen more attendants, and galloped out of the city.
He had just received a report from his subordinate stationed at Huo Manor: Huo Ningyu had left the manor and appeared to be heading out of the capital.
He had also learned that the young lady of the Wan family had been sent to Putuo Temple.
Suspecting that Huo Ningyu might be going to visit her, he intended to stop her.
Little did he expect that she would specifically send Huo Mingxian to inform him, making it clear her purpose was not merely a visit.
Sitting in the carriage, Huo Ningyu recalled what she had witnessed in her previous life, her heart sinking to the depths.
At this time in her past life, she was still alive and had only overheard a casual mention of the case from Xie Zhengyang.
“Miss, Young Lady Wan will be fine. I’ve brought plenty of medicinal ointments,” Zhenzhu comforted, noticing her mistress’s heavy mood.
Huo Ningyu snapped out of her thoughts.
“Yes, she’ll be fine. I’m just afraid she might do something rash.”
In her past life, her dear friend had hanged herself.
Qingdai was originally a resilient person—what immense torment must she have endured to reach such despair?
Those beasts!
They were utterly devoid of humanity.
“Tell the coachman to drive faster,” Huo Ningyu urged, growing more anxious the longer she thought about it.
She feared she might arrive too late.
Xiachan had said it had already been three days since she was sent away before she found a chance to sneak out and deliver the message.
No sooner had she spoken than hurried hoofbeats sounded from behind.
“Whoa!”
The carriage was halted.
“Da Xiao Jie Huo,” a somewhat familiar voice came from outside the carriage.
Huo Ningyu’s face lit up with joy—he had arrived so quickly.
She lifted the window curtain.
“Lord Zhao!” Seeing the visitor, Huo Ningyu’s earlier gloom vanished instantly.
Zhao Bingyu swung down from his horse and, in one stride, boarded the carriage.
The space suddenly felt much smaller.
The two maids tactfully stepped out and seated themselves on the carriage shaft.
Once settled, Manao patted her chest.
She exchanged a look with Zhenzhu.
How could Lord Zhao be so improper, seating himself directly in an unmarried young lady’s carriage—and their young lady, no less?
And their young lady seemed delighted to see him.
What was going on?
Inside the carriage.
Zhao Bingyu still wore that mask, eerie even in broad daylight.
The distinct aura of a man began to permeate the confined space.
His powerful presence enveloped Huo Ningyu in an instant.
Yet, she felt no fear.
This was the first time the two of them had been alone in such close quarters.
“Lord Zhao, have you been busy these past few days investigating the matter of Shizi Lingzhe’s drowning?” Huo Ningyu broke the silence first.
“Yes.”
“Have you found out everything?” Huo Ningyu asked again.
“You needn’t ask further.” Zhao Bingyu didn’t wish to discuss it.
Nor did he need to tell Huo Ningyu.
Huo Ningyu fell silent, realizing she had overstepped.
“Sorry.” Apologies should be swift.
Another stretch of silence fell between them.
Their breathing was audible to each other.
For no reason, Huo Ningyu recalled that moment when he reached out to pull her ashore.
The instant her soft, small hand rested in his broad palm.
She hadn’t felt much then, but now the memory was strikingly vivid.
The warmth transmitted from his palm, and the comfort of him swiftly removing his outer robe to wrap around her—all remained fresh in her mind.
“How do you plan to assist this official in investigating the Putuo Temple case?” Zhao Bingyu cut straight to the point without wasting words.
“I must first confirm whether Miss Wan is safe.” Huo Ningyu’s primary concern remained her friend’s well-being.
“With so many people accompanying you, do you think the culprits would act?” Zhao Bingyu’s tone was detached.
“You want to catch them in the act?” Huo Ningyu was astonished.