“Lord Wen?” The girl finally turned her full attention to Wen Ningwan.
Dressed in a light blue brocade robe, her slender waist as delicate as a willow swaying in the breeze, she exuded a gentle and soft aura with her lovely features. Her large, dark eyes sparkled like pools of water, captivating anyone who met her gaze.
Wen Ningwan smiled awkwardly and nudged the Imperial Preceptor’s waist with her elbow, whispering, “You could’ve given me something else.”
“That wouldn’t do,” the Imperial Preceptor replied, taking her hand gently and gazing at her with tender eyes.
“This green one suits you,” he said, slipping the bracelet onto Wen Ningwan’s wrist.
Wen Ningwan stared blankly at the Imperial Preceptor as he fastened another string of beads around his own wrist, then glanced nervously at the girl before her, whose face had turned livid. She could only offer a helpless smile.
“The Imperial Preceptor just wants to give you something better.”
The girl’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she glared at Wen Ningwan. “Even before returning to Jinling, I’d heard of Lord Wen’s reputation swift in solving cases, and entangled in rumors with my cousin. Now that I see you in person, you really do have a face that could seduce anyone.”
Wen Ningwan broke into a cold sweat but grinned back. “Thanks for the compliment. You’re not bad-looking yourself.”
The girl paused, her eyes brimming with grievance as she turned to the Imperial Preceptor. “Cousin, look at her!”
Wen Ningwan quickly shook her head and spread her hands. “What did I do?”
“Don’t think that just because my cousin is nice to you, you can forget your place! I’m his fiancée!”
“Oh.” Wen Ningwan feigned indifference, though utterly confused. “I’m Wen Ning, Deputy Chief of the Dali Temple. I know that much, so no need to get angry. There’s nothing between me and the Imperial Preceptor.”
“Of course there’s nothing! What could two Alphas possibly have?!” The girl looked at her with disgust.
Wen Ningwan rolled her eyes and turned to leave. “Imperial Preceptor, enjoy your stroll with your fiancée! I’ll take my leave!”
Suddenly, the Imperial Preceptor grabbed her wrist. Wen Ningwan turned back, looking from his hand to his face. “What?”
“This is my cousin, Su Yu’er, just back from Suzhou. She’s not my fiancée. I don’t have one.”
Wen Ningwan gaped at the Imperial Preceptor’s earnest explanation. Su Yu’er immediately clung to his arm, pushing Wen Ningwan’s hand away as she whined, “Cousin, Why bother explaining to her? You know I’ve always liked you.”
“I’ve said it before, I will marry no one but Her Majesty the Queen.” The Imperial Preceptor pushed Su Yu’er’s hand away, his expression stern.
“Yan’er, keep Yu’er company. We have urgent matters to attend to.” With that, he walked past them both.
Wen Ningwan glanced at Su Yu’er’s livid face before quickly catching up to the Imperial Preceptor, then turned back to see the girl stomping in fury.
“Such a pretty cousin, and you don’t like her?”
The Imperial Preceptor looked at Wen Ningwan’s incredulous expression and suddenly said, “Give the bracelet back.”
“Huh?” Wen Ningwan immediately clutched her wrist, hiding the bracelet. It was worth four hundred taels, how could she bear to return it?
“And you call yourself the Imperial Preceptor! How shameless to ask for a gift back!”
She backed away, determined not to return it, then turned and bolted. “Official duties call. I’m off!”
The Imperial Preceptor was momentarily stunned before a faint smile curved his lips as he watched her retreating figure.
Miao Shiyi had been waiting at the Dali Temple. Spotting Wen Ningwan skipping back cheerfully, he hurried over. “My Lord, where have you been? Everything’s in chaos here! The attendants of the Prince of Yan are threatening to report you to the Emperor for negligence!”
“Ah?” Wen Ningwan was startled, having forgotten about the attendants. Miao Shiyi quickly grabbed Wen Ningwan, who was about to bolt for the backyard.
“My lord, the attendants have already entered the palace. By now, they’ve probably met with His Majesty.”
Wen Ningwan rubbed her forehead. “Why didn’t they come find me?”
“We couldn’t find you.” Miao Shiyi was genuinely aggrieved she had searched practically every well-known tavern in all of Jinling.
Wen Ningwan gave a wry smile. Miao Shiyi immediately reassured her, “It’s fine, it’s fine. His Majesty will surely summon you for questioning. When the time comes, just say you were out investigating leads. Problem solved.”
“Right.” Wen Ningwan sighed in relief.
Miao Shiyi noticed the bracelet on her wrist and gasped, grabbing it in surprise. “My lord! Did you buy this at Jade Street?”
Wen Ningwan nodded, puzzled by Miao Shiyi’s envious expression. “How did you know?”
“Yesterday, Sister Yezi and I went there, but I couldn’t afford it, it was too expensive.” Miao Shiyi shot Wen Ningwan a resentful look. “I never knew your family was so wealthy.”
“Not at all. The State Preceptor gave it to me.” Wen Ningwan smirked proudly.
Miao Shiyi’s face instantly paled. “You dared to accept something from the State Preceptor? And this is part of a matching pair! If His Majesty finds out, won’t he have your head?”
“Why would His Majesty?”
“Court officials are forbidden from having personal entanglements. And the relationship between His Majesty and the State Preceptor, do you really think it’s just that of ruler and subject? When a sovereign gets jealous, how many heads do you have to spare?”
“Tsk…” Wen Ningwan chuckled dismissively. In the original story, the queen merely relied on the State Preceptor, there was no romantic involvement. Why would she be jealous?
“His Majesty’s decree!” A palace matron stood at the door, her voice shrill.
The two exchanged glances. Wen Ningwan hurried over with a smile. “I’m Vice Minister Wen. Are you here for me?”
The matron gave her a disdainful look, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve been accused of harassing a respectable woman in public. His Majesty summons you for questioning.”
“Ah?”
“Ah what? Receive the decree!” the matron snapped impatiently.
Wen Ningwan trembled in fright. Miao Shiyi quickly pulled her down to kneel and accept the decree, whispering, “When you see His Majesty, give her the bracelet. Say you were delivering it on behalf of the State Preceptor. She might go easy on you.”
“Enough! Let’s go, Vice Minister Wen.” The matron’s tone was that of summoning a criminal. Wen Ningwan, sensing impending doom, followed with a bitter smile.