The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 130

Chapter 130: Taken Home by the Princess Part 18

When Minister Dali first met Tao Ning, he couldn’t believe the evidence she had gathered.

This young woman, barely in her twenties, with a delicate and refined appearance, had solved the assassination attempt?

It seemed like a joke.

But after reviewing the report presented by the Princess Regent, he dismissed his earlier doubts and regrets about missing the investigation due to the heavy rain.

Even if he had been there, he wasn’t sure he could have solved the case so quickly, involving both assassination and remnants of the previous dynasty.

Although he was experienced and had investigated countless cases, he wouldn’t have thought the first victim was the mastermind. Even if he had, he wouldn’t have been able to recreate the attracting fragrance and the sequence of events under such limited conditions.

It was impossible to uncover the truth so quickly, following the clues and practically turning their organization upside down, ready to apprehend them upon returning to the capital.

The younger generation was truly formidable.

Back in the capital, Qin Yang, true to her word, recommended Tao Ning for a reward.

Saving the emperor was a great merit, worthy of a noble title, and solving the case was another achievement, making her an overnight sensation.

The Dali Temple officials had been blocked by the landslide and couldn’t reach the retreat, only joining the emperor and princess’s procession later, this couldn’t be faked.

However, there were dissenting voices, claiming she was just a palace maid, a mere servant, and being freed from servitude was already a reward, why should she receive further recognition?

This was immediately refuted by the princess’s confidants. An Shi’s case had been a miscarriage of justice, she was never a servant, so there was no “granting of freedom.”

Another official said, “How could she uncover the truth so quickly? Is she colluding with the remnants of the previous dynasty?”

This argument gained some support. They weren’t the ones almost killed by a tiger, and Chongxi, recalling the incident, was still shaken.

The princess’s confidant sneered: “Your accusations question His Majesty and Her Highness, do you want to debate this in court?”

The dissenting official said, “Debate then! Let’s see how this little girl deceives her superiors!”

He was disdainful, determined to expose this sycophant and restore order.

Half an hour later, Tao Ning, having changed her clothes, arrived at the bustling Hall of Deliberations, her first thought being: A noisy court is no different from a marketplace.

The officials looked at her, frowning in unison, This is her?

This small, thin girl seemed less courageous than their own children, how could she be so capable?

An hour later, the dissenting officials retreated, looking defeated. Never argue with that An Ning, she knows exactly how to strike a nerve.

She fights dirty!

That afternoon, Tao Ning received the imperial decree for her appointment.

Two major events recently occurred in the capital, causing much discussion.

First: The Princess Regent, appointed by the late emperor, was injured at the imperial retreat and was now recuperating in her residence.

Second: The Dali Temple had a new Junior Minister.

This position had been vacant for a long time, with no suitable candidate.

It was the princess’s territory, and many coveted the position, but an unknown person was appointed.

“An unknown person? What’s their name?”

Someone replied, “An Ning, daughter of An Shi, the top scholar of the Jianwen era?”

“An Shi? Who’s An Shi?”

“I don’t know, but I think I’ve heard the name.”

“Have you heard of him?”

“No, probably not someone of great importance, not worthy of our attention.”

Most people didn’t know who An Shi was. He hadn’t held a high position and, despite his talent, hadn’t achieved much.

Those present were mostly—the pampered sons of officials, more interested in leisure than politics. If you asked a scholar on the street, however, many would recognize the name.

They might have heard of Grand Tutor Wang, a respected figure who served two emperors, but his glory had faded after his death.

So they all assumed this was another case of nepotism, the story changing as it spread, then they heard it wasn’t just any connection.

This was someone who had saved the emperor.

The group burst into laughter: “If she’s so capable, why is the Princess Regent still ill, said to be beyond cure?”

“Exactly, she didn’t even attend court this morning.”

A seemingly clever young man in green said, “Perhaps the princess is truly ill, and this person was appointed by His Majesty to undermine her authority?”

“You mean His Majesty? He…?”

The unspoken words were understood by everyone.

His Majesty wasn’t known for his political acumen, everyone said he was controlled by the princess, a mere puppet.

The young man in green was speechless, scratching his head: “That seems to be the case?”

The others continued laughing, making him lose interest: “I only overheard this from my father, if it weren’t for meeting you for drinks, I would have asked him for details.”

A young man in a pink robe asked, “Did your father mention what this new Junior Minister looks like?”

The young man in green paused, then pointed downstairs: “Like that.”

The sound of horse hooves echoed from the street, and they all looked down to see a group of constables in black uniforms rushing through the bustling street.

Well-trained and efficient, some surrounded Rongfu Bakery, while others entered, causing a commotion.

They moved quickly, swords at their waists, their expressions serious but not menacing, yet no one dared to question them.

Because they all wore the insignia of the Dali Temple, and for them to personally arrest someone, it must be a serious crime, perhaps even treason.

Only a fool would obstruct the Dali Temple’s investigation.

Then their gazes fell on the figure leading the group on horseback, their eyes filled with surprise and curiosity.

Slender, tall, with delicate features and bright eyes, dressed in a crimson official robe, yet not overshadowed by it.

Instead, she seemed naturally noble.

The person on horseback was An Ning, the newly appointed Junior Minister they were so curious about.

Those who had been chatting excitedly fell silent upon seeing her, staring along with the commoners on the street.

A white horse and a crimson robe, a striking figure.

Tao Ning dismounted and walked towards the entrance of Rongfu Bakery.

Cries came from inside: “What is this? What are you doing? That’s the kitchen and our living quarters, there’s nothing there…”

And a few gasps of fear.

Caught off guard, Tao Ning had leaked the news of the princess’s illness, sending people to investigate Rongfu Bakery secretly at night, and then arriving during business hours.

True or false, rumors were flying, and before anyone could verify them, the Dali Temple officials arrived.

“Junior Minister.” The constables guarding the entrance made way for her.

Tao Ning entered, her gaze sweeping across the crowd, a smile on her face that didn’t reach her eyes.

There were many people inside, mostly servants from various households, their masters all well-known figures. While scared, they weren’t terrified.

If it were just the constables, they would have demanded to be released, even if it was the Dali Temple under the princess’s control, they couldn’t be wrongly accused without reason.

But now, the Junior Minister herself was here, tall, slender, and young.

Taking in their expressions, Tao Ning smiled: “This is a Dali Temple investigation, unrelated personnel should leave, but since you’re all here, this matter is serious, please wait a moment before leaving.”

Everyone: “…”

Although her smile was gentle and polite, it was hard to refuse.

Their protests died in their throats.

“Junior Minister? This is the Junior Minister?”

The bakery owner, held to the side, his usually jovial face now full of worry, asked, “What is this about, Master? We’re just a small business…”

He couldn’t finish his sentence, interrupted by Tao Ning: “Save your testimony for the Dali Temple, think carefully before you speak, any discrepancies will be punished.”

Bakery Owner: “…”

Her calm, almost gentle tone, was strangely intimidating, and the owner, despite his years of experience in the capital, averted his gaze, not meeting her eyes.

Those eyes were too sharp, like mirrors.

And she seemed… confident.

His anxiety, which had been building for days, reached its peak. The princess hadn’t died, but she was ill, said to be dying, which meant the plan had succeeded.

A while later, a commotion came from the back, and two constables dragged a man into the main hall.

Curious gazes turned towards him. He looked like a scholar, why was the Dali Temple making such a fuss?

The bakery owner collapsed on the ground, drenched in sweat, thinking—It’s over.

The scholar struggled and shouted, but a constable kicked the back of his knee, forcing him to kneel, his shoulders held down by several hands. The constable shouted, “Behave!”

Then a few more people were brought out, seemingly bakers and their assistants, one with flour on his hands.

Tao Ning pointed at the scholar on the ground: “Where did you find this one?”

Constable: “Your Excellency, we found him in the cellar, he was about to escape through a secret tunnel.”

“Cellar?” Tao Ning nodded, “Not surprising, typical of their methods.”

The captured scholar shouted, “I’m just a scholar staying with relatives while preparing for the imperial examination, why are you arresting me?! This is outrageous! I demand to see an official!”

Tao Ning said calmly, “I am an official, state your grievance.”

Scholar: “…”

Everyone: “…”

Tao Ning waited for a moment: “If you won’t speak, we’ll discuss it at the Dali Temple.”

The scholar and the bakery owner exchanged glances, unsure why they were being arrested.

They had a suspicion, but they didn’t dare think about it.

That matter shouldn’t have been discovered, if it was, wouldn’t the Young Master also be implicated?

The captured scholar cursed, “Bah! Just a lapdog of Princess Danyang, I heard she’s ill, dying! You won’t be so arrogant for long!”

When the late emperor was still alive, Qin Yang’s title was Princess Danyang, due to her fief. To grant her regency, the late emperor’s edict bestowed upon her the title of Princess Regent.

So, except for those who were dissatisfied, no one used her old title, essentially not recognizing her current authority.

Tao Ning: “Indeed, you know I’m the princess’s lapdog, then guess why she sent me here?”

The scholar continued cursing, “That treacherous seductress, she deserves to die!”

Tao Ning’s smile vanished, and she waved her hand: “Rongfu Bakery is harboring remnants of the previous dynasty, a serious crime! Those who dare assassinate His Majesty deserve to have their entire clan executed! Take them away!”

The scholar was shocked: “On what grounds?!”

Before he could finish, a constable covered his mouth, his arms twisted behind his back as he was dragged away.

The group arrived with a commotion and left efficiently. Within fifteen minutes, Rongfu Bakery was sealed, the Dali Temple’s seal placed on the door.

The crowd was in an uproar, and after the Junior Minister left, the discussions exploded.

Being appointed as Junior Minister, leading the investigation of the assassination attempt, and favored by both the emperor and princess, her future seemed bright.

However, this promising Junior Minister was currently facing a predicament: she had no place to live.

She had spent last night at the Dali Temple, but it wasn’t a suitable long-term residence, the room too simple.

Cold in the winter, hot in the summer, barely a place to rest.

Shi Qing was invited by Physician Xu’s wife to stay at their residence. Knowing the past grudges, and learning that Kang Si had an adopted daughter, she felt sympathetic towards Shi Qing.

The emperor, in his reward, only gave Tao Ning gold and silver, which couldn’t be sold and had to be kept in the treasury, not a house.

Even a small courtyard would have been fine.

Because housing in the capital was expensive.

Even renting was expensive, and most officials rented their residences.

The emperor’s rewards couldn’t be easily sold, otherwise, she would have pawned them.

Actually, as Grand Tutor Wang’s descendant, Tao Ning should have inherited his residence.

But the Grand Tutor’s mansion had been neglected for years, overgrown with weeds, desolate and practically haunted, uninhabitable.

If Tao Ning wanted to live there, she would need a large sum of money for renovations.

Tao Ning, holding the gold and silver, pondered for a moment, then took out a cloth bag and placed all her belongings inside.

The gold bestowed by the court, her official seal, tokens, uniform, and even the handkerchief embroidered with pomegranate flowers, were all packed.

Then she slung the bag over her shoulder and headed towards the princess’s residence.

It’s already dark, why is she going out? 520 quickly stopped her: [Where are you going? You can’t just take the imperial gifts with you, you’ll be punished if you lose them.]

Tao Ning said seriously, “This place isn’t suitable for long-term residence, the window was drafty last night, I kept sneezing.”

The room had been hastily prepared by the Dali Temple, and even if it was broken, there was nothing they could do, repairs would take time.

Tao Ning didn’t want to wait, preferring to take action.

520: [Ah? Are you going to stay at an inn?]

Tao Ning looked surprised: “Of course not, inns in the capital are expensive too.”

520, confused, watched as she approached the wall of the princess’s residence, bag slung over her shoulder, stretching and assessing the wall’s height.

The Princess Regent’s residence, built according to the specifications of a first-rank prince’s residence, had tall walls, not easy to climb.

Tao Ning looked around for something to use as a foothold, but unfortunately, the area outside the wall was clean, nothing available.

520 watched nervously. Although it wasn’t the one climbing the wall, it was worried the princess’s guards would shoot her on sight.

A residence of this size must have many skilled guards, right?

And the residence was so large, how long would it take the host to find the princess?

520 asked, [What excuse will you use to convince the princess?] So she wouldn’t be thrown out.

Tao Ning replied casually, “No excuse, it’s dark, I can’t find a rental agency, so I’m asking the princess for shelter.”

520: […]

It almost forgot, the princess liked straightforward people, she might actually agree.

In the end, Tao Ning gave up on climbing the wall.

Not because she couldn’t, but because she felt it wouldn’t look good, carrying her belongings and climbing a wall, damaging her image in the princess’s eyes.

And she also remembered that Qin Yang wasn’t at the residence, having secretly entered the palace early this morning and not yet returned.

If it was a secret visit, she wouldn’t use the main entrance upon returning.

A thought crossed Tao Ning’s mind, and she turned towards the back gate of the princess’s residence.

As the lamps were lit, a simple carriage emerged from the palace, taking a detour before arriving at the back gate of the princess’s residence, the horse’s hooves clicking softly.

Qin Yang sat inside, dressed in plain clothes, her hair simply styled with a few pearl hairpins, her fingers beneath her wide sleeves rubbing the ring on her thumb.

Today was her mother’s death anniversary, and she usually spent the entire day in the palace, only leaving after nightfall.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped, and a guard’s puzzled voice came from outside: “Who are you?”

The guard was from the princess’s residence, not having gone to the retreat, but the token on the person’s waist looked familiar.

A voice replied, muffled and indistinct through the carriage wall.

Qin Yang slowly opened her eyes, thinking she heard a familiar voice.

Leaning forward and lifting the curtain, she saw a figure at her back gate.

The newly appointed, fresh-faced, young Junior Minister of the Dali Temple sat on the steps, chin resting on her hand, counting ants.

Seeing Qin Yang in the carriage, Tao Ning said pitifully, “Your Highness, I’m homeless.”

Just then, a stray cat perched on the wall let out a mournful meow, a perfectly timed soundtrack.

Qin Yang: “…”

Tao Ning’s voice continued, soft and mournful: “Your Highness, please take me in, I can’t afford to rent a house.”

Qin Yang: “…”