“Should I run away?” Wen Ningwan gazed at the Grand Preceptor’s residence before her with a complicated expression, then glanced at the people beside her.
“Please, Vice Minister Wen.”
Wen Ningwan took a deep breath. If they were summoning her so openly, it was unlikely they intended to make things difficult for her, right? At the very least, silencing her wouldn’t be done so blatantly.
Steeling herself, Wen Ningwan stepped into the Grand Preceptor’s residence. The place was as cold and quiet as ever, with everyone absorbed in their tasks, each face stern and serious.
Standing at the entrance of the main hall, she hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. The door closed behind her with a thud.
Wen Ningwan jumped in fright and spun around, rushing toward the tightly shut door. “Open up! Let me out! What are you trying to do? I warn you, killing a court official is a serious crime!”
“Tsk!”
A disdainful voice came from behind. Wen Ningwan shuddered and slowly turned her head, tense with fear.
The Grand Preceptor held a book in her hand, reading as she walked out. She lifted her gaze briefly to glance at Wen Ningwan before settling at the desk. Flipping a page, she remarked casually, “So timid, yet you dared to go alone to see Miss Li.”
Setting the book down, the Grand Preceptor looked at the flustered figure by the door. “Tell me, what are your thoughts on this matter?”
“Huh? Oh.” So that was what this was about. Wen Ningwan exhaled in relief and took a few steps forward, smiling brightly.
“First of all, it’s a fact that Zou Yun and Cai’er eloped. Miss Li said she stumbled upon them preparing to leave together and accidentally killed Zou Yun in the struggle. I don’t think she’s lying, but…”
“Then why would Cai’er take the blame for her?” The Grand Preceptor’s tone was cool.
“They’re from the same hometown, grew up together, and came to Jinling together. With the man she loved dead, Cai’er was heartbroken and felt guilty toward Miss Li, so taking the blame makes sense.”
The Grand Preceptor nodded. “But if she was truly heartbroken, why would she go back to entertaining clients?”
“…” Wen Ningwan scratched her head. In the original story, this was called the Beauty House Murder Case, and the killer was supposed to be Cai’er. So why did Miss Li confess?
“Cai’er tried to seduce you into helping her clearly, she didn’t want to die. Yet after escaping, she was brutally murdered. Why would someone kill her?”
Wen Ningwan sighed helplessly. “Miss Li said she didn’t kill Cai’er. When I suggested someone might have silenced Cai’er for her, she panicked.”
The Grand Preceptor frowned slightly. “And then she was silenced too.”
“Right.” Wen Ningwan sighed again. “And the person who killed her, she knew them.”
“Perhaps she was working for them.” The Grand Preceptor’s eyes darkened.
Wen Ningwan suddenly realized something and blurted out, “Could this be targeting the Grand Preceptor’s residence? Zou Yun was your strategist, your confidant.”
The Grand Preceptor arched a brow. “You Qi, investigate Miss Li’s background thoroughly. Find out who’s pulling the strings behind the scenes.”
“Yes!”
Wen Ningwan shivered, swallowing nervously as she stared in shock at You Qi, who had suddenly emerged from behind a pillar. She quickly stepped aside.
With admiration, Wen Ningwan watched the departing figure. “She was here the whole time?”
The Grand Preceptor looked at Wen Ningwan’s awestruck expression, her disdain too profound for words.
Suddenly excited, Wen Ningwan turned back to the Grand Preceptor. “You Ran must be just as amazing as her, right?”
The Grand Preceptor gave a faint hum, a slight smile tugging at her lips as she regarded the peculiar young woman before her.
“She lost to me last night, so from now on she’s my underling. I want her to be my personal bodyguard for a few days.”
“Fine.”
“You agree?” Wen Ningwan stared excitedly at the straightforward State Preceptor.
The State Preceptor nodded. “Of course. After all, even I can be ordered around by Young Master Wen and if I refuse, she just cries.”
“…” Wen Ningwan’s expression instantly froze.
“Young Master Wen is so timid and prone to tears, she really does need a personal bodyguard.”
“Hahaha…” Wen Ningwan forced a stiff laugh, taking a nervous step back as she met the State Preceptor’s cool gaze.
“Trouble!” You Ran rushed in anxiously, immediately straightening up when she saw the two of them.
“A foreign woman was killed at the tavern on West Street. The Capital Prefect has already gone there. The woman seems to be a princess from Yan who came with a merchant convoy.”
“…” The State Preceptor’s brow furrowed as she looked at Wen Ningwan.
“Go take a look at the scene. It’ll likely be handed over to the Dali Court soon.”
“If it really is the Yan princess, mishandling this could spark a war.” You Ran, uneasy about Wen Ningwan, warned the State Preceptor.
“Accompany Young Master Wen and follow her orders.”
Wen Ningwan’s heart skipped a beat before she broke into a delighted smile.
“Yes.” You Ran shot a reluctant glare at the smug figure.
Once outside the State Preceptor’s residence, Wen Ningwan puffed out her chest triumphantly. “Little Ran, starting today, you’re moving into the Dali Court to live with me.”