Xu Lingyue had likely overthought things due to her introverted nature, bottling up her emotions. Seeing her eldest brother return safely, she finally felt the weight lift from her heart and burst into tears, her cheeks glistening with rolling teardrops.
Just then, a maid walked out of the door and, seeing the siblings embracing, exclaimed joyfully, “Has the First Young Master been released?”
Only then did Xu Lingyue remember she was an unmarried young lady. She quickly broke free from her brother’s embrace, sniffling as she stood demurely with her head bowed, her face burning red.
Xu Qi An led his sister by the hand into her boudoir. The maid brewed tea for him and stood obediently to the side, listening to the First Young Master and Young Miss converse.
“Go inform the servants to heat some water. I want to bathe,” Xu Qi An instructed.
The maid went to relay the message, but to her surprise, all the servants turned pale upon hearing it and shook their heads in refusal.
The maid returned to inform the First Young Master, feeling very aggrieved. Xu Qi An was also angered, wondering if the servants had become too arrogant or if he, Xu Qi An, could no longer wield authority.
“Then you help boil the water,” Xu Qi An said.
The maid felt even more wronged but dared not refuse. She left with a pout.
Xu Qi An turned to Xu Lingyue with a smile, “His Majesty has allowed me to redeem myself. I’m safe for now.”
Xu Lingyue nodded, her delicate oval face looking somewhat haggard. “How did Elder Brother end up fighting with his colleagues?”
Xu Qi An briefly recounted the incident. Xu Lingyue listened, growing increasingly indignant, her dainty fists clenched. “Elder Brother, I’ve always trusted your actions.”
She flashed a dazzling smile, her eyes filled with pride.
Momentarily captivated by her radiance, Xu Qi An couldn’t help but pinch her cheek.
Xu Lingyue lowered her head shyly.
After bathing and donning his night watchman uniform, Xu Qi An sat with Xu Lingyin under the eaves. Side by side, they each held a large bowl of egg and shredded pork noodles.
The scene was harmonious and heartwarming.
Xu Qi An said, “Lingyin, would you like to trade your eggs for Brother’s meat?”
Xu Lingyin thought for a moment and shook her head. “No. Mother said you tricked me out of my buns last time.”
“Do you think Brother tricked you?”
She tilted her head, pondering seriously. “I forgot.”
Xu Qi An said, “See? How could Brother trick you? Brother absolutely isn’t trying to trick you out of your eggs. Brother just…”
Before he could finish, he saw Xu Lingyin spit twice into her egg noodles.
Xu Qi An froze.
Xu Lingyin said, “Second Brother taught me.”
…Scholars truly are no good! Xu Qi An lowered his head to eat, giving up on his little sister’s eggs.
But he was slyly mischievous and said teasingly, “Lingyin, you can’t eat these noodles. They’re poisonous.”
“Huh?” Xu Lingyin’s eyes widened as she looked at the bowl on her lap, then at her brother, uncertain and alarmed.
Xu Qi An patiently explained, imparting knowledge: “Remember when you fell and skinned your knee? Didn’t Father use his saliva to clean the wound?”
Xu Lingyin nodded.
Xu Qi An continued, “That’s because saliva can… well, it can kill germs. From this, we can deduce that once saliva leaves the mouth, it becomes poisonous. Therefore, we can conclude that your egg noodles are now poisoned and can’t be eaten.”
He finished speaking and watched as Xu Lingyin’s little face gradually turned pale.
“Will I die?” Xu Lingyin asked, her lip quivering and on the verge of tears.
“You won’t die, but you’ll have a stomachache for many days,” Xu Qi An said.
Xu Lingyin nodded and continued eating her noodles contentedly.
Xu Qi An: “???”
…
After finishing the meal, Xu Qi An went to Second Young Master Xu’s room. In the study, he found his small jade mirror and tucked it into his robe. By chance, he noticed a few pages of paper on the corner of the desk, held down by a paperweight.
The pages were densely covered in scrawled handwriting, analyzing Xu Qi An’s situation and evaluating whether the Bureau of Astronomy and Cloud Deer Academy could have any influence.
It seemed to be thoughts jotted down while pondering late at night in the study.
Little brother still has some skills… Xu Qi An smiled and left the study.
He rushed back to the yamen at full speed and went straight to see Wei Yuan.
Wei Yuan had been waiting for a long time. He pointed to the spot beside Yang Yan and said gently, “Sit.”
Yang Yan handed over a case file with an expressionless face.
Wei Yuan said, “I’ve assigned the Golden Jade Hall, Spring Breeze Hall, and Evil Suppression Hall to work jointly on this case. You are the lead investigator!”
Xu Qi An was shocked.
Wei Yuan smiled, “It’s His Majesty’s personal decree.”
Their eyes met, and Xu Qi An suddenly understood. Wei Yuan wanted to use this opportunity to promote him… directly appointing him as the lead investigator rather than just assisting in the case.
Xu Qi An opened the case file and read it carefully before asking directly, “Is something sealed beneath Sang Lake?”
A glint flashed in Wei Yuan’s eyes.