The two were already extremely close, and Qin Xianyue could even smell the faint, cool sandalwood scent emanating from his slightly open collar.
It was completely different from the incense she usually used, carrying a sense of clarity and intoxicating aggression.
The initial panic surged like a tide, though she herself couldn't explain what she was panicking about.
Forcing down her thumping heart, she tried to regain some composure and slightly averted her gaze.
"Elder Brother, don't tease me. I'm talking to you about something serious."
Seeing that Xie Jinyuan was just looking at her with deep eyes and not responding.
She simply raised her head and, half-jokingly, half-seriously, asked back the doubts swirling in her heart:
"On the contrary, Elder Brother, by asking me like this... do you find me bothersome and want to marry me off quickly to have peace and quiet?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Jinyuan looked at her intently for a moment.
Suddenly, the tense atmosphere was broken by his low chuckle, and the invisible pressure dissipated.
"When choosing a husband for Jiao Jiao, one must naturally be extremely selective and deliberate."
His smile reached his eyes, carrying a sense of inherent pride:
"In my opinion, there isn't a single prince or young master in the entire Capital city who is worthy of our Jiao Jiao."
These words were arrogant and protective, yet they strangely soothed the inexplicable sourness and unease in Qin Xianyue's heart.
She couldn't help but curve her lips at his words, the taut string in her heart loosening. Following his lead, she said with a playful tone:
"Then, according to Elder Brother, will I have to be an old maid forever and stay by Elder Brother's side?"
She was joking along with him, intending to dispel the awkward and subtle atmosphere from earlier.
However, upon hearing this, Xie Jinyuan's smile didn't diminish, but his gaze suddenly deepened, like a deep well into which a stone had been dropped, creating ripples that were hard to discern.
"Truly?"
Her heart felt as if it had been lightly scratched, causing a ticklish and flustered sensation.
Qin Xianyue picked up the teacup on the small table and placed it in his hand.
"Elder Brother, please drink your tea, it's getting cold..."
Xie Jinyuan took the cup of cold tea. His fingertips touched the cool porcelain, and his gaze lingered on her slightly reddened earlobes for a moment before he finally didn't press further.
The two then engaged in some casual chat about other matters.
Before long, Dan Zhu reported softly from outside the door.
"Your Highness, Shi Chun has returned and is waiting in the side hall."
Xie Jinyuan put down his teacup and said gently to Qin Xianyue.
"You rest here, I'll be back shortly."
Under the corridor outside, Shi Chun, travel-worn, stood respectfully with his hands clasped.
Although he was an old man nearing eighty, he was spirited and his eyes were sharp.
Upon seeing Xie Jinyuan emerge, his face immediately showed undisguised excitement and longing. He stepped forward quickly, about to bow:
"This old servant greets Your Highness!"
"Rise." Xie Jinyuan supported him lightly, his tone very familiar, "Weng, you've had a hard journey."
After speaking, he walked a few steps with him into the more secluded depths of the corridor, ensuring they were alone, before asking in a low voice.
"How did the matter go?"
Shi Chun lowered his voice and respectfully replied.
"Replying to Your Highness, this old servant has, as per your instructions, personally delivered the clues to Miss Qin's background and related evidence to the former site of You Ning for verification. I did not entrust this task to anyone else. Once there is any definitive news, it will be reported to Your Highness as quickly as possible."
After hearing this, Xie Jinyuan's fingertips idly rubbed the blood amber prayer beads on his wrist, and he remained silent for a moment.
His gaze once again fell upon the half-open rhombic window of the side hall, where a slender female figure could be vaguely seen through the paper.
"Mm."
He responded indifferently, his face expressionless, save for a very faint, calculating glint in his eyes, making him seem like a different person from the one who had smilingly teased Qin Xianyue in the hall earlier.
"Whether she is the person I am looking for or not, for now, she is useful."
Shi Chun lowered his head and acknowledged.
"This old servant understands."
Xie Jinyuan stood in place, glanced at the window again, then turned and disappeared into the shadows of the corridor with Shi Chun.
Inside the Zhenfu Division's yamen, Gu Yanchi had been standing silently for a long time, gazing at the portrait of the suspect hanging on the wall.
It was too similar.
Even though he wasn't an expert in painting, his years of immersion in power struggles and his extensive experience with people were enough for him to capture that unique, almost instinctive brushwork and style.
To be safe, he had taken several of Qin Xianyue's old works left at the Marquis's Estate and found a trusted old painter to compare them privately.
The conclusion was that it was highly likely to be from the same artist's hand.
However, when he questioned the officer on duty that day, they were unaware of the portrait's origin, only stating that the Crown Prince had personally given the instructions.
He didn't believe in such coincidences.
Recalling her inexplicable disappearance and the travel permit that was already prepared...
Could it be that her departure was related to the Eastern Palace?
This thought made him restless.
After a court session, the officials gradually dispersed.
Gu Yanchi's gaze locked onto the tall figure in the black python robe ahead. As the figure approached the imperial carriage, he quickened his steps and called out from below the steps.
"Your Highness, please wait."
Xie Jinyuan stopped upon hearing the voice and turned around.
Seeing that it was Gu Yanchi, he raised his eyebrows, his expression still the same lazy, half-smiling demeanor.
"Does Minister Gu have something else?"
Gu Yanchi cupped his hands in a salute and spoke with deliberation.
"Your Highness, the Zhenfu Division assisted in investigating the suspect's portrait the other day. The artistry was exquisite and captured the likeness and spirit with great precision, greatly contributing to the capture of the criminal. I wonder which master of painting within your department created it?
I thought that if I encountered similar difficult cases in the future, I might be able to specifically request their assistance, which would surely yield twice the results with half the effort."
Xie Jinyuan heard this but did not answer immediately. He casually raised his hand and brushed away a non-existent speck of dust from his black sleeve.
"There are many painters in the Zhencha Division, each with their own strengths. I usually only care about the results; do you expect me to remember the handwriting style of every painter?"
Gu Yanchi's heart sank, but he dared not press further. He could only suppress his doubts and change the subject.
"It was my presumption."
Just as he was about to find another topic, Xie Jinyuan changed the subject first.
"It's nothing." His gaze lingered on Gu Yanchi's face for a moment, and then a smile, which was more amiable but didn't reach his eyes, appeared. "On the contrary, Minister Gu, I heard that your wedding with the Third Miss of the Lin family is approaching. How are the preparations for the marriage going? I will definitely attend the ceremony to have a drink of celebration wine and share in Young Master Gu's good fortune."
Gu Yanchi's eyes flickered slightly.
"Your Highness's kindness is too much for this humble servant to bear. I will certainly invite Your Highness to attend."
Xie Jinyuan lowered his gaze, observing Gu Yanchi's handsome and steady face.
He thought of that slender figure who had unhesitatingly stood in front of him;
He thought of the expression of that person saying naturally, "Because you are my elder brother";
And then he looked at the man before him, who had made her wait alone under the lamp for countless nights, only to happily prepare for a marriage with another noble lady...
Suddenly, the afternoon sunlight felt harsh, and the face before him seemed somewhat irritating.
He suddenly opened his lips, his voice not loud.
"Speaking of which, it seems like it's been a while since Young Master and I sparred. The weather is fine today. If Young Master has no important matters, how about accompanying me for a few rounds to stretch our muscles?"
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