For the past two days, as Xie Jinyuan needed to rest due to his "serious injuries," Qin Xianyue stayed by his side as instructed, personally attending to even minor matters like serving food.
She noticed that of all the dishes meticulously prepared by the imperial kitchen, from delicacies to seasonal vegetables, Xie Jinyuan only took a small bite of each. His chopsticks mostly picked up bland, lightly cooked dishes.
After serving him another small portion of steamed perch fillet, seeing him put down his chopsticks after just one bite, Qin Xianyue couldn't help but ask softly.
"Elder Brother... do you prefer bland flavors? I see you mostly choose steamed or blanched dishes."
"It's not exactly a preference," Xie Jinyuan said, slowly wiping the corner of his lips. "I just feel that bland dishes are less likely to be poisoned."
Qin Xianyue listened, feeling helpless, and looked at Xie Jinyuan with a chiding expression.
"Elder Brother is joking again."
Xie Jinyuan smiled at her, not refuting, but the smile on his lips gradually faded.
His phoenix eyes slightly raised, his pupils a light shade.
When he looked at people, his eyes sparkled, as if he had something to say but held back.
When he spoke the truth, he sounded like he was joking, and when he lied, he was extremely serious. The truth and falsehood were so mixed that even Qin Xianyue, who was sensitive to emotional changes, found it difficult to discern his true thoughts when meeting his naturally affectionate gaze.
However, recalling the evasive and hesitant manner of the palace servants when she had previously inquired about her elder brother's preferences, Qin Xianyue suddenly realized that what he said was actually true.
Could it be that even within the heavily guarded Eastern Palace, Elder Brother did not feel safe?
This thought made her heart sink slightly, and she did not pursue the topic further.
Not long after lunch, an urgent report from the Zhencha Division was submitted to the Eastern Palace.
Xiao Lin personally delivered a secret letter. Xie Jinyuan opened it, read it, let out a scoff, and casually tossed the paper onto the desk.
Qin Xianyue was nearby, organizing the memorials he needed to "hear" later. Seeing this, she asked.
"What has troubled Elder Brother again?"
"Nothing new," Xie Jinyuan replied with obvious sarcasm in his tone. "It's just that two 'highly respected' elders in the court have had their homes burgled, and some valuables were stolen."
"Their families are unhappy and have gone to the Jingzhao Prefecture, demanding that the thief be found and severely punished. The Prefect of Jingzhao is at a loss and has brought it to me."
Qin Xianyue listened with some surprise.
"The Zhencha Division oversees officials and handles major cases. Why would a common theft case need to trouble Elder Brother?"
Xie Jinyuan leaned back on the couch, playing with the blood amber prayer beads on his wrist, his phoenix eyes narrowed.
"The two families who were robbed are an old Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and a Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, both influential figures in the court. The current political situation is already delicate, and some people are just looking for an excuse to cause trouble. With these thefts and the families making such a fuss, if the Zhencha Division doesn't 'quickly solve the case' and calm things down, I'm afraid tomorrow the memorials impeaching me for 'neglecting state affairs' and 'disregarding the safety of officials' will be piled up on Father Emperor's desk."
He paused, the sarcastic curve of his lips deepening.
"They just don't want me to be idle; they always have to find some 'trouble' for me."
Qin Xianyue was silent.
Although she didn't fully understand these tricks of courtly struggles and mutual framing, she could sense the invisible pressure and annoyance in Xie Jinyuan's words.
"Are there any clues... about the culprits?"
She asked.
"Mm," Xie Jinyuan gestured for Xiao Lin to report the details.
Xiao Lin cupped his hands and said.
"According to the testimonies of the guards at both residences and nearby watchmen, the culprits have been identified as the same person. This individual is quite agile and familiar with the alleys of the Capital city. The last trace of them was lost near 'Refugee Street' in the southern part of the city. However..."
"However, what?"
"That Refugee Street is a complex area, with all sorts of people gathered, and the alleys are narrow and chaotic, making it difficult for outsiders to search.
Furthermore, the only watchman who saw the thief's appearance is terrified of retaliation and refuses to go to Refugee Street to identify them in person, making the search difficult to proceed."
Qin Xianyue listened intently, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. After a moment of thought, she suddenly said.
"Elder Brother, may I see the watchman who witnessed it?"
Xie Jinyuan raised an eyebrow, looking at her. "Oh? Jiao Jiao is also interested in this case?"
"I just thought, since he recognized the thief's appearance, perhaps... I could ask more detailed questions and draw a portrait of the thief."
Qin Xianyue's tone was sincere.
"It's better than having Elder Brother's men search aimlessly in those complicated alleys like headless flies."
Xie Jinyuan gazed at her clear and earnest eyes and suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question.
"Jiao Jiao, you are so enthusiastic, aren't you afraid of being used?"
Qin Xianyue was slightly taken aback, then understood what he meant.
"Used by whom? By you, Elder Brother?" She shook her head, her gaze meeting Xie Jinyuan's deep stare frankly. "Elder Brother and I are one. Your affairs are my affairs, and your troubles are my troubles. I am willing to share your burdens, so what 'use' are you talking about?"
She thought these words would please Xie Jinyuan, but instead, his expression turned grim. He got up and gave an order outside.
"Prepare the carriage, I will accompany you."
With a small entourage, Xie Jinyuan and Qin Xianyue went to the Jingzhao Prefecture office handling the case.
The Crown Prince's arrival caused a stir throughout the prefecture.
The Prefect of Jingzhao, along with his subordinate officials, had already lined up outside the gate. Seeing the discreet yet undeniably luxurious carriage stop, they hurried forward to pay their respects.
However, when Xie Jinyuan alighted first, and then personally turned back to help a woman wearing a moon white dress and a veiled hat out of the carriage, everyone present froze for a moment.
The Prefect of Jingzhao exchanged glances with several principal officials, seeing surprise and confusion in each other's eyes.
Why was His Highness bringing female relatives to investigate a case?
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