The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 142

Chapter 142: Taken Home by the Princess Part 30

The specialist finally finished chanting, shouting, “By the power vested in me, reveal yourself!”

Just then, Li Ji activated the mechanism, sending the puppet flying into the formation with a surge of internal energy.

As if confirming the Daoist priest’s earlier claims of a mystical net, the red figure burst into flames upon landing.

Screams of shock and terror echoed from the hall.

The red-clad figure burned fiercely in the center of the formation, its mechanisms still functioning, seemingly trying to escape, its limbs twisting and turning before being reduced to ashes.

The mournful wails gradually faded, as if a restless spirit had finally found peace.

The burning wedding dress reflected in Qi Jing’s eyes, her love and hatred seemingly consumed by the flames.

Li Ji: “I forgot to mention, burning this is just a temporary solution, you can make another one, right?”

“…” Qi Jing replied, “Of course I can.”

Li Ji breathed a sigh of relief: “That’s good, that’s good.”

Qi Jing: “…”

Meanwhile, Tao Ning, holding the now quiet Mao Mao, pulled Qin Yang away from the shadows: “Let’s go, time for our entrance.”

That night, the people of Guang’an, anxiously awaiting good news from the Qian residence, heard a commotion, even cheers from the servants, and knew the ritual had succeeded.

But before they could celebrate, heavy footsteps echoed through the streets, torches illuminating the path, turning night into day.

“What’s happening?”

Those brave enough peeked through their windows, seeing two groups of constables rushing through the streets, torches in hand, looking menacing, as if about to arrest someone.

“What are they doing?”

“It seems… they’re heading towards Squire Qian’s residence.”

The captain led his men to the Qian residence, banging on the gate: “Open up!”

“What is it?” The gatekeeper, startled, opened the gate, then jumped back in fright as a Dali Temple token was flashed before his eyes.

The gatekeeper, seeing double: “Huh?”

“Dali Temple investigation, unrelated personnel step aside.”

Tao Ning, dressed in her crimson official robes, stepped forward, the torchlight illuminating her face, her eyes cold and sharp.

She said, “Where is Qian Duocai? Someone has accused Squire Qian of murdering Zhou Yan.”

Qian Duocai, emerging from the house, heard these words and quickly asked, “May I ask who has accused me, Your Excellency?”

Tao Ning frowned slightly, reluctantly saying a name: “Zhou Tianbao.”

Steward Qian, following behind, immediately said, “Impossible! Not Zhou Tianbao! What did he say?”

Before Magistrate Zhao could speak, the advisor quickly said, “Insolent! This is Junior Minister An from the Dali Temple, do you think we need to explain our investigation to a suspect?”

Waving his hand, he continued, “Everyone in the Qian residence is a suspect, seal off the premises, no one is allowed to leave without permission!”

“Yes!” The constables swarmed in, quickly apprehending Squire Qian.

Screams came from inside, followed by a roar, as Qian’s second son also rushed out, threatening to report them to the prefect.

Magistrate Zhao covered his face with his sleeve, embarrassed to continue listening.

Tao Ning, seeing this, said calmly, “Obstructing justice, resisting arrest, since you’re so concerned about Squire Qian, you must be an accomplice, take him away too.”

The constables acted quickly, arresting both of them before they could react.

Qian’s second son, held down by several constables, struggled like a fish out of water: “You’re framing innocent people! This is lawless!”

“Oh, the injustice!”

Seeing Mrs. Qian also about to kneel and cry, accusing Tao Ning of abusing her power and framing innocent people,

Tao Ning said calmly, “Think carefully, they’re being taken away, you’re the only one left who can speak for this household, if you’re also arrested, there will be no one to save them.”

These words were like a magic potion, and Mrs. Qian immediately stopped crying.

“…”

The onlookers wanted to laugh but didn’t dare. They hadn’t expected the usually gentle Junior Minister to be so sharp-tongued.

The constables efficiently took away Squire Qian, his son, and the steward, the Qian residence briefly lively, then quiet again.

A Daoist priest, holding a peachwood sword, trying to maintain his dignified demeanor, bowed to Tao Ning.

Tao Ning glanced at him, thinking his costume was quite complete, and nodded seriously: “Daoist Qingxu, you’ve worked hard.”

Daoist Qingxu quickly said, “I was only fulfilling my duty, but I didn’t expect this outcome. It must be because of their sins that they attracted such a powerful vengeful spirit. I was too naive, what a sin…”

With that, he shook his head, his belongings slung over his shoulder, and disappeared into the night.

Many people heard his words, and the constables instinctively looked at Squire Qian, whose expression changed, his beard trembling.

Even his second son’s face turned pale.

Magistrate Zhao, true to his name, seeing Squire Qian’s reaction, felt a pang of fear, wondering if the old man was truly guilty.

After everyone dispersed, Li Ji brought Qi Jing down. Seeing the three key figures of the Qian family arrested, Qi Jing felt a sense of satisfaction.

But it was only a small comfort, she would rather have Zhou Yan alive and well.

Li Ji bowed respectfully to the figure standing in the shadows: “Miss, the task is complete.”

Qi Jing, snapping back to attention, saw Qin Yang emerge from the shadows. This was the closest she had ever been to her, not knowing her name, having never spoken to her.

Qin Yang wasn’t unfriendly, but her presence exuded an aura of authority, making people cautious, even though she was dressed in simple clothes, not in her official attire.

Qi Jing, only seventeen, didn’t understand this feeling, having only ever met the magistrate before.

Now, there was also Tao Ning, the Junior Minister of the Dali Temple.

Qin Yang acknowledged Li Ji, then turned to Qi Jing, who looked like a delicate flower on a branch, about to be blown away by the wind.

Qin Yang said to her, “You can’t stay in Yongzhou, come with me to the capital, with your talent, the Ministry of Works is more suitable for you.”

Hearing the first part, Qi Jing was resigned, knowing her actions were against the law, but she didn’t understand the rest.

Her eyes, already large and innocent, widened further, her face thinner from recent anxiety and lack of appetite: “Huh?”

Qin Yang, never considering the possibility of her orders being disobeyed, simply instructed Li Ji to take care of Qi Jing and turned to leave.

Qi Jing’s gaze followed her, her mind a mess.

Being with the Junior Minister, also from the capital, and with such an aura, she must be someone important, right?

Tao Ning, who had been observing the arrests, walked over, and they left together.

The two figures, walking side by side, seemed harmonious.

Taking advantage of the quiet night, Tao Ning reached for Qin Yang’s hand. Qin Yang instinctively pulled back, then seeing no one around, relaxed, her fingers intertwining with Tao Ning’s beneath her wide sleeve.

They walked slowly, hand in hand.

Tao Ning swung their joined hands playfully, like children, and suddenly asked, “Have you ever thought about the future, Your Highness?”

Tao Ning had thought about it. Initially, she hadn’t planned to stay long, having acted rashly, but after learning she couldn’t leave, she had to restrain herself, becoming more serious.

She was always like this, either not doing something at all, or seeing it through to the end.

But recently, she had noticed something amiss.

Qin Yang remained silent for a moment, then said, “Let’s go to Danyang, it’s my fief, I’ve never been there. It’s said to be a prosperous land with distinct seasons, we can watch the peach blossoms in spring, admire the lotus flowers in summer, enjoy the maple leaves in autumn, and appreciate the plum blossoms in winter, a carefree life.”

After saying that, she realized Tao Ning had achieved success in the capital, asking her to give it all up and live a quiet life in her fief was a bit much.

Qin Yang’s grip tightened slightly, and she looked at Tao Ning: “Are you willing?”

She hadn’t considered what she would do if Tao Ning refused, she couldn’t imagine it, and she wouldn’t force her.

Tao Ning pulled her into a side alley, Qin Yang’s back against a wall, her head supported by a hand as Tao Ning leaned in for a deep kiss.

Qin Yang’s legs felt weak, and she had to wrap her arms around Tao Ning, her hands clasped behind her neck, returning the kiss.

The warmth in her heart intensified, and when Tao Ning pulled away, Qin Yang’s eyes were hazy, as if unhappy with the separation.

Tao Ning licked the spot where their lips had accidentally collided, and Qin Yang, noticing the small cut she had inadvertently inflicted, gently licked it, eliciting a soft hiss from Tao Ning.

Their lips almost touching, their bodies pressed close, Tao Ning said, “Of course I’m willing.”

Returning to the magistrate’s residence, they found it brightly lit, everyone awake.

Li Ji and the others, who had left later, had already arrived. Qi Jing saw Zhou Yan’s brother, Zhou Tianbao, who begged her to spare him for Zhou Yan’s sake, but she left without a word.

They hadn’t spared Zhou Yan when she begged them, he deserved this.

Seeing the two arrive and enter the inner courtyard, Qi Jing stood there, lost in thought.

Li Ji walked over, munching on a peach: “What are you looking at?”

Did she have something else to tell Junior Minister An?

Qi Jing suddenly said, “It’s dry in autumn, the Junior Minister seems to have too much internal heat.”

She had just seen it, the corners of Tao Ning’s mouth were chapped and swollen.

Li Ji choked on a piece of peach, earning a curious look from Qi Jing, and she coughed, her face red, waving her hand: “I’m fine, just don’t give her any cooling tea, it will only make it worse.”

Qi Jing asked, puzzled, “Why would I give the Junior Minister cooling tea?”

Li Ji, thinking of Shi Qing from the Dali Temple having given her some, said seriously, “If you see it, just pretend you didn’t, Junior Minister An is young and healthy, it’s normal for her to have a bit of excess heat.”

“…” Qi Jing, “Oh.”

Tao Ning, the Junior Minister who had orchestrated the events at the Qian residence, nuzzled against Qin Yang, who, unable to resist, stroked her hair gently.

Tao Ning lifted her head and asked, “Did Your Highness also pick up strays like this before?”

Qin Yang’s eyes flickered, glancing to the side: “I suppose…”

Tao Ning counted on her fingers: “Guard Li, rescued from an assassination attempt, Meng Chun, almost sold to a brothel by her brother, He Yue, almost starving to death, and now Qi Jing.”

Counting them, Qin Yang had saved quite a few people, even she herself had been picked up by the princess.

“So I wasn’t the first one you rescued.”

Tao Ning felt a pang of jealousy, like she had eaten a pound of sour apricots.

Outside, under a tree, Li Ji sneezed several times, rubbing her nose, puzzled. I didn’t catch a cold, why am I sneezing?