The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 137p2

Chapter 137: Taken Home by the Princess Part 25 (2)

A simple, ordinary carriage traveled along the official road, indistinguishable from any other.

No one would guess that it carried the Junior Minister of the Dali Temple and her assistant, “Shi Qing.”

The two sat together, the fake Shi Qing leaning against the Junior Minister, unable to bear the bumpy ride.

The real Shi Qing had returned to the capital with the prisoners. The person currently with Tao Ning was the disguised Qin Yang.

Guard Li, disguised as the coachman, sat on the driver’s seat, and to avoid attracting attention, the others had already secretly departed for Yongzhou, awaiting Qin Yang’s arrival and further instructions.

Tao Ning, after listening, finally understood Qin Yang’s purpose: “You’re saying, Prince Yong is amassing troops, plotting a rebellion?”

Qin Yang nodded, gripping Tao Ning’s hand: “Yes, I didn’t believe it at first, but those sent to investigate never returned. And in recent years, Prince Yong has repeatedly withheld local taxes, claiming poor harvests due to droughts, using the funds for disaster relief. His Majesty had just ascended the throne then, and to maintain stability, I didn’t pursue the matter further, but unexpectedly…”

Qin Yang’s voice lowered: “Prince Yong, mistaking our leniency for weakness, has become even more audacious.”

The carriage wheels rumbled along the road, heading towards their destination, and Guard Li flicked the whip, squinting at the afternoon sun.

At the Guang’an County magistrate’s office, the advisor looked at the magistrate, puzzled, as he rushed around early in the morning, ordering his staff to gather all valuables, meticulously adjusting his official robes, afraid of any imperfections.

Shouldn’t they be preparing to welcome Junior Minister An from the Dali Temple and see her off after the investigation?

What was he doing?

The magistrate’s wife also didn’t understand, seeing him about to ask a maid to sew a patch on his sleeve: “My Lord, even with the Dali Temple officials arriving, there’s no need to make yourself look so shabby, is there?”

The magistrate sat down, his hands still trembling: “You think I want to? Do you know about the prefect of Dongping being imprisoned?”

Magistrate’s Wife: “You mentioned it, what about it?”

Last year, for his birthday, he had sent out invitations, and the magistrate of Guang’an had also received one, his gift a whole box of pearls, incredibly valuable, making the magistrate’s wife lament his extravagance, cursing him for his greed.

The magistrate’s beard trembled: “I didn’t understand at first, thinking he had committed some offense. Later, I had someone inquire further and learned that he was stripped of his official robes and imprisoned by Junior Minister An from the Dali Temple, for trying to curry favor with her.”

The magistrate’s wife and advisor, feeling a chill, said in unison, “Ah? She’s… that powerful?”

Just then, an announcement came from outside, the Dali Temple officials had entered the city gates and would arrive at the magistrate’s office in fifteen minutes.

The magistrate, jumping up as if his seat was on fire, rushed out.

He said hurriedly, “I’ll go welcome Junior Minister An, Advisor, come with me, my dear, prepare everything I instructed, I’ll be back soon.”

His wife also stood up, touching her clothes, wondering if she should change, this was the outfit she wore to receive important guests, barely worn.

Guang’an County, under Yongzhou Prefecture, was a prosperous land, the surrounding mountains filled with medicinal herb farms, the air always carrying a faint herbal scent.

Every year, during harvest season, merchants would come to purchase the herbs, the streets bustling with activity, and during festivals, there were lantern displays and celebrations.

Guard Li, driving the carriage through the city gates and onto the main street, said, “Junior Minister, we’ve arrived at Guang’an County, the magistrate’s office is just ahead.”

“Already?” Tao Ning lifted the curtain and looked outside, surprised by the lack of activity, the streets unusually quiet, only two or three people walking by.

The “Woman in Red” incident was so strange and terrifying that even the herb merchants avoided this place, making it much quieter than previous years.

It was already evening, and many shops had closed early, the few people on the street hurrying along, as if afraid of being out after dark.

Tao Ning, sensing something, turned her head, seeing waiters peeking out from the shops, their gazes wary, unlike their usual enthusiastic welcome for wealthy customers.

Qin Yang, sitting inside the carriage, holding a sachet of refreshing herbs, her eyes lowered, noticed Tao Ning’s reaction and asked, “Why is it so quiet outside?”

Tao Ning smoothed her wrinkled sleeve: “There have been rumors of hauntings, and the magistrate hasn’t been able to find the culprit, causing panic in Guang’an County, so naturally, it’s quiet.”

Qin Yang frowned: “Hauntings?”

Tao Ning, hearing her tone, tilted her head and asked, “Doesn’t Changyi believe in ghosts?”

Qin Yang sneered, her pale face full of mockery: “I only believe in the ghosts in people’s hearts.”

Just then, the carriage stopped before the magistrate’s office.

The sun was setting, the streets completely deserted, autumn wind swirling fallen leaves, a desolate scene.

Guard Li jumped down and stood to the side, and Tao Ning lifted the curtain and disembarked.

The magistrate bowed: “This humble official, Zhao Rong, magistrate of Guang’an County, greets Junior Minister An.”

Tao Ning: “Rise, it’s getting late, we’ll talk inside.” With that, she instinctively turned around and reached out to help Qin Yang.

Her outstretched hand was met with Qin Yang’s gaze, a silent reminder. They were in public, such intimacy wasn’t appropriate.

Tao Ning retracted her hand: “I’m here for the ‘Woman in Red’ case, and I haven’t had time to review the details during the journey, Magistrate Zhao, please elaborate later.”

Magistrate Zhao quickly said, “Of course, of course.”

Hearing the voice, he discreetly looked up, seeing a woman in simple, elegant clothes, her face bare of makeup, young, yet her demeanor graceful and commanding.

If he hadn’t been told she was an official, he would have mistaken her for a noble lady.

His surprise grew, he had heard the Junior Minister was young, but not this young.

Barely in her twenties, already a Junior Minister, while he, after several decades, was still a mere magistrate.

Tao Ning waited for Qin Yang to disembark and approach before noticing Magistrate Zhao’s gait: “Magistrate Zhao, you…”

The magistrate’s face fell: “This humble official is incompetent, while pursuing the culprit, I accidentally slipped on a tile and broke my leg.”

Tao Ning realized: “I see.”

So that’s why he was limping earlier, she had thought she was mistaken. According to Yu Dynasty law, those with disabilities couldn’t hold office.

So it was a recent injury, and he had actually chased after a “ghost” despite his old age.