Huo Huaixin returned to his mansion exhausted and went straight to the main courtyard. Yuan Shi excitedly ordered food to be prepared and went to help him change clothes. “My Lord has been tired all night, even your complexion has changed. Though official duties are important, there’s no need to work yourself to death like this.”
Huo Huaixin replied irritably, “What do you know? Both cases are related to the An Yang Marquis’s mansion. Failing to resolve either would have serious consequences.” Then, thinking of Qin Wan, he added more dissatisfied, “Didn’t you see the Marquis and his wife at the wedding banquet? Do you know who saved the Princess Supreme?!”
At this question, Yuan Shi’s eyes flickered, “I heard it was someone from the Qin mansion.”
Huo Huaixin gritted his teeth, “What do you mean you heard?! I don’t believe you don’t know…”
Yuan Shi had a round face with peach-like cheeks and a plump, prosperous figure. Her expression seemed gentle and warm from afar but revealed shrewdness up close. Hearing this, she could only say helplessly, “All right, all right, it was the Ninth Miss from the Qin mansion. The Qin mansion made quite a splash that day, everyone saying that Ninth Miss was a divine healer, and the Princess Supreme would only see her.”
“Did you see Ninth Miss in person?”
Yuan Shi pursed her lips, her expression arrogant, “I caught a glimpse from afar.”
Huo Huaixin changed his clothes and sat down, “What did you think?”
While pouring tea, Yuan Shi said disdainfully, “Nothing special. I told My Lord before, this Ninth Miss has long admired our son, but with her status, she doesn’t even qualify to be a daughter-in-law in our Magistrate’s household!”
“Bang!” Huo Huaixin slammed his palm on the table!
Yuan Shi jumped in fright and immediately reined in her contempt, carefully asking, “My Lord, what’s wrong?”
Huo Huaixin glared. Remembering Madam Jiang’s instruction not to mention Qin Wan’s examination of the corpse, he just snorted, “Indeed an ignorant woman! Based on just a few rumors, you almost missed a good marriage prospect for our son!”
Yuan Shi’s eyes widened, “What does My Lord mean?!”
“I went to the An Yang Marquis’s mansion last night. The Qin family’s Ninth Miss is staying there. The Princess Supreme fell ill again, and Ninth Miss was called to treat her and will stay for several days. I observed that the Marquis and his wife trust and dote on Ninth Miss tremendously, not to mention the Princess Supreme!”
Huo Huaixin snorted again, continuing, “Looking at Ninth Miss’s character and appearance, she surpasses even the noble ladies in the capital, let alone finding her equal in Jinzhou. I don’t understand how she became unworthy and ugly in your words?!”
Yuan Shi was stunned, “My Lord speaks… the truth?”
Huo Huaixin slapped the table again, “Would I speak nonsense?!”
Yuan Shi immediately clutched her handkerchief tightly, “But… but no matter how favored she is, she’s not the Marquis’s princess. Her parents are dead, and you know how the Qin family treats her. Even if she likes our son, but… but Ning’er’s future wife should be from a prestigious family, which would help both My Lord and Ning’er’s official career…”
Huo Huaixin gritted his teeth, “Such short-sightedness! The An Yang Marquis’s family are all people of great virtue and faith. Ninth Miss has saved the Princess Supreme multiple times, they must be deeply grateful to her. Even last night, I saw the Marquis and his wife treating Ninth Miss like half a daughter, not to mention the future. Moreover, regardless of everything else, Ninth Miss is from the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household, and she’s a legitimate daughter. The Loyal and Brave Marquis currently holds power in court and values a reputation for benevolence and wisdom. For the sake of this reputation alone, he certainly won’t truly abandon Ninth Miss.”
Huo Huaixin narrowed his eyes, “Setting aside all that, just looking at Ninth Miss herself, she’s more than worthy of Ning’er!”
Yuan Shi wanted to speak but hesitated. Just then, a maid announced softly from outside, “My Lord, Madam, Young Master is here.”
The couple exchanged glances, and Huo Huaixin said, “Let him in.”
The curtain lifted, and Huo Ning entered wearing a moon-white formal robe, “Father? I heard Second Young Master’s matter is resolved?”
Huo Huaixin’s expression turned serious, “It’s resolved. We almost caused a disaster this time, fortunately, Nin… fortunately, we discovered the suspicious points in time and thoroughly investigated again.” He tensed up, having almost let something slip.
Huo Ning’s face lit up, “Father is indeed wise! I knew no case could stump Father!”
Huo Huaixin’s face reddened, though his dark complexion almost concealed it. He coughed lightly and quickly changed the subject, “What brings you here? Did you attend school today?”
Huo Ning shook his head, “Father, I looked at the case files in your study last night.”
Huo Huaixin frowned, glaring at Huo Ning, “You mean Miss Song’s case?”
Huo Ning nodded repeatedly, “Yes, Father, I want to help you solve this case!”
Huo Huaixin grew suspicious. He knew his son’s nature – though talented, he had been spoiled too much by Yuan Shi over the years, resulting in a facade without substance. “I’ve wanted you to gain experience before, but you showed no interest, saying refined scholarship was your focus. Why the change of heart today?”
Huo Ning lifted his chin, his brow full of pride, “This case is unusual. Firstly, I want to help Father share the burden; secondly, I genuinely want to gain experience; thirdly, I want to accomplish something, to let others know I’m not just about poetry and literature!”
Though ambition was good, something felt off to Huo Huaixin, “Others… who?”
A trace of discomfort appeared in Huo Ning’s eyes, but he stubbornly said, “Those who look down on me!”
Huo Huaixin studied Huo Ning, assuming he had been mocked for his poetry and writing. After some thought, he decided to go along with it, “This is your request. Don’t complain about being tired or afraid of hardship later.”
Huo Ning straightened his back, “As a man of honor, I’m not afraid!”
Huo Huaixin smiled with satisfaction, “Good, then prepare yourself. In the afternoon, you’ll accompany me to the public mortuary.”
Huo Ning’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he happily answered “Yes” and turned to leave.
After Huo Ning left, Yuan Shi watched his retreating figure with pride and contentment, “Look, My Lord, our son’s character and appearance, and now his ambition too. If he could marry into a noble family from the capital, his future would surely soar…”
Before she could finish “high,” Yuan Shi turned to meet Huo Huaixin’s angry gaze.
Huo Huaixin said through gritted teeth, “You, prepare gifts and start visiting the Qin mansion this afternoon!”
Yuan Shi’s mouth hung open in unwillingness, but Huo Huaixin stood up, “I have my plans. If you develop crooked thoughts and ruin my affairs again, you’ll answer to me.” With that, he left without giving Yuan Shi a chance to speak.
Two hours later, Bai Feng reported quietly to Yan Chi, who had just returned to the An Yang Marquis’s mansion, “When Magistrate Huo came today, he specifically asked Ninth Miss to hear the case. Shortly after returning to his mansion, the Magistrate’s wife went to the Qin mansion with gifts.”
Yan Chi was removing his wrist armor. Hearing this, his brows furrowed, and his eyes showed a hint of sharpness.
Bai Feng hesitated, “What are Your Highness’s plans?”
Yan Chi came back to himself and continued removing his wrist armor unhurriedly, only asking, “Are the items I asked you to prepare ready?”
Bai Feng quickly nodded, “Ready, from the best craftsman of the Wei family in Jiangzhou.”
Yan Chi made a sound of acknowledgment, his tall, lean silhouette somehow exuding coldness.
Bai Feng’s expression grew serious, “Then about the Magistrate’s wife…”
Yan Chi gave a cold laugh. Though he didn’t speak, just the curve of his lips and the cold intent in his eyes made Bai Feng shiver. Back in the Northwest, whenever their Crown Prince showed such an expression, it meant the enemy forces were about to face a devastating, bloody defeat!