c84 (2/2)

As Qing Feng took it, she whispered, “This is?”

Since Shen Yao was still behind the screen, Fu Ling did not explicitly explain and just replied softly, “She let this servant pa.s.s it to you, saying that it is a gift for the Little Prince.”

Chen Zhen? Qing Feng looked at the small bag in her hands. The needlework was fine and the st.i.tches were very detailed thus the Qilin looked lifelike and had the essence of it. Only Chen Zhen’s skills would it be that realistic. Holding the small bag with her palms, Qing Feng sighed softly, “She is truly considerate.” When that little baby was born, she did not gift anything thus by comparison she was not as thoughtful as Chen Zhen.

“Yes.” Fu Ling thought of Xiao Liu Zi that she met outside Qing Feng Hall and quickly said, “Lou Furen had sent word that she and Miss Qing would like to visit you together.”

Qing Feng’s eyes were filled with joy but after some thought, she replied, “No. Let them wait till the baby is a month old then come together with Lou Xi Yan and Su Ling.”

“Yes. This servant will reply in a moment.” Mistress was definitely worried about the Empress making things difficult for her own sisters thus did not allow them to enter the Palace alone. It was really envious to see her caring and loving to her family.

Qing Feng only spoke a little with Fu Ling when there was a clear and bright cries coming from the inner chambers. Both of them looked at one another and Qing Feng helplessly smiled and spoke with a hint of pampering, “Why is this little ancestor crying again…”

Even though it sounded like Qing Feng was complaining, her legs immediately headed toward the room. After taking two steps she stopped and pa.s.sed the small bag to Fu ling, “Help me to keep it well.” Finis.h.i.+ng, she headed toward the child without pausing her steps. Fu Ling looked at the small bag in her hands and Qing Feng who was carrying the baby with a soft smile, she suddenly felt how nice would it be if the days continued like this.

****

Outside the Imperial Study, Gao Jing looked at the two person playing chess difficultly and was secretly lamenting. When the Emperor and Prime Minister Lou plays chess, if it was not of great urgency, one must never disturb them. But just before Prime Minister Lou came, the Emperor specially instructed him that if Commander Ming return, he was to immediately report it up thus placing him in such a dilemma now.

When Xiao Yu finished serving the hot tea and came out, she pa.s.sed Gao Jing and whispered, “Go in to report.” Finis.h.i.+ng speaking, she walked towards the side hall even before he could speak.

Since Xiao Yu let him enter to report, it would seem that the Emperor’s and Prime Minister Lou’s chess game was not at the most critical point. Gao Jing was secretly relief as he immediately entered the hall and spoke softly behind Yan Hong Tian, “Emperor, Commander Ming request an audience.”

Sure enough, there was no anger in the Emperor’s face as he replied blandly, “Announce.”

Gao Jing bowed as he exited out the hall and after a short while, Ming Jian quickly walked into the hall and saw the Emperor and Prime Minister Lou playing chess and was also surprise for a moment. Before he could greet, Yan Hong Tian had already asked, “How did the investigation went?”

Ming Jian faintly felt that the Emperor seemed to be a little impatient. But seeing the black piece in his hands and the firm and steady placement of the chess pieces, it did not seem like it.

“Pa” sounded as Yan Hong Tian placed the black chess piece in his hand down and produced a clear sharp noise. Ming Jian quickly collected himself and did not dare to speculate about the Emperor’s interest and immediately inform him of everything he had investigated. “In the list of a.s.sa.s.sins of the Ling Shui Alliance, currently there are three who are in the capital, two male and one female. A few days before the incident, they were spotted near the residence but they all appeared alone and never once appeared together. The two males were cautious and almost stayed indoors all the time but the female often wondered within the city. These two days she was often moving around in the vicinity of the Darens of Ministry of Justice.”

Ministry of Justice? Yan Hong Tian’s brow slightly narrowed and the chess piece in Lou Xi Yan’s hands also paused for just a little. The subtle facial expressions only lasted for a brief moment and both men focus back on the chess game as usual.

Both of them played a few more turns before Yan Hong Tian seemed to remember that Ming Jian was still standing by the side and replied, “Since they are still in the capital then monitor them closely and don’t arouse their suspicions.”

“Yes.” Seeing that the Emperor did not have any other orders, Ming Jian was just about to leave when Lou Xi Yan;s m.u.f.fled voice suddenly sounded, “The Sect Leader of Ling Shui Alliance had been famous in Jianghu since forty years ago and his age should not be average now.”

It was casually said like a whisper but Ming Jian secretly complained about it. This Prime Minister Daren was obviously saying that Ling Shui Alliance usually only had information in Jianghu but now could grasp the Imperial Court, perhaps the one in charge was subst.i.tuted and now making him identify who the person was. Even though Ming Jian’s heart darken, he still said clearly, “This official will investigate as soon as possible who exactly did the Ling Shui Alliance collude with and who is the current leader of Ling Shui Alliance.”

“You can withdraw.” Yan Hong Tian wanted to laugh at Ming Jian’s helpless voice and Lou Xi Yan’s leisurely expression and only lightly cough as he supressed his lips to arc but there was still a faint smile in his eyes.

“Yes.” Ming Jian quickly left, for fear the next moment this seemingly harmless Prime Minister would think about other situation.

The room quieten down and it seems to be quieter than usual as both of them held a chess piece. Yan Hong Tian’s black chess piece was already placed down but Lou Xi Yan’s white chess piece was not placed down for a long long time.

Yan Hong Tian waited for a long time before finally giving an inaudible sigh and spoke loudly, “Gao Jing, summon for Dan Yu Lan.”

“Yes.”

Lou Xi Yan slowly put down the white chess pieces in his hands and his lowered head finally looked up. With a calm expression and even voice without the usual gentleness, “The matter is not completely clear yet, should he be moved?”

Yan Hong Tian drew the black chess pieces into the chess boxes and coldly spit out a few words, “It is long enough.”

Twelve years. He had waited long enough.

<script>