Chapter 226 - 224: A Qualified Pair of Partners (First Update)

Chapter 226: Chapter 224: A Qualified Pair of Partners (First Update)

Upon seeing Xiao Yi, Zhao Jingming felt his heart nearly leap out of his chest. Watching as the man quickly approached from not too far away, he knew he couldn’t avoid him and hurriedly hid behind Xu Jing, pleading in a low voice, "Miss Xu, please save me! If Yanci finds out I brought you here, I will surely lose my life!"

Xu Jing: "..."

They hadn’t done anything wrong after all, so there was no need to exaggerate.

Just as Xiao Yi was about to reach them, Zhao Shao Hua swiftly stepped in front and glared at Xiao Yi, saying, "Xiao Yanci, explain yourself clearly, what are you doing here?"

Xiao Yi was slightly stunned for a moment, realizing they had misunderstood. He instinctively looked over at Xu Jing, noticing the woman not far away raised an eyebrow and seemed to smile wryly, "Shao Hua, don’t be so impulsive. Xiao... Yanci must have something to do here."

Her reaction left the other three momentarily shocked. Zhao Shao Hua turned to Xu Jing, surprised, "Jing, you don’t care at all?"

If she encountered her husband in such a place, regardless of what legitimate reasons he had, she would inevitably feel a bit uneasy, and would surely prepare a laundry board to question him thoroughly when they got home.

Xu Jing coughed lightly and said, "It’s not that I don’t care, I just trust Yanci. If I didn’t trust him, I wouldn’t have decided to remarry him."

Zhao Shao Hua was momentarily speechless.

What she said sounded reasonable, but it still seemed somewhat off.

Xiao Yi looked deeply at the woman not far away, clenching his hands into fists behind his back, taking a deep breath before saying in a low voice, "I’m not here for what you think, I merely have something to do. But as for you all..."

He narrowed his eyes sharply, locking onto Zhao Jingming hiding behind Xu Jing with his piercing dark eyes, "Why are you dressed like this here? Zhang Yu, do you need to explain this to me?"

His gaze was a thousand times more terrifying than usual when he provoked Xiao Yi. Zhao Jingming groaned inwardly, trying to smile calmly, "I thought Xi and Miss Xu were quite bored, so I brought them here to unwind..."

"Nonsense!"

Xiao Yi’s brow furrowed even tighter, "Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Didn’t you visit your teacher at the Imperial College yesterday? Did you bring Jing here to have her help with investigating the Imperial College case?"

Seeing his intentions exposed, Zhao Jingming slumped down, "I’m just worried about the teacher, but I assure you I will keep Miss Xu safe..."

Noticing Xiao Yi’s face darken, Xu Jing observed him for a while before suddenly asking, "Do you not want me to get involved in this case?"

Although Xu Jing is assertive, she’s not unreasonable. Though she hasn’t formally remarried Xiao Yi yet, it’s already decreed, so in the eyes of outsiders, she’s already bound to him.

Moreover, the person in charge of this case, Wang Qilang, is clearly hostile towards Xiao Yi. If Xiao Yi, for some reason, doesn’t want her involved, she could withdraw.

If it doesn’t affect her own interests, she doesn’t mind making some concessions for Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi was taken aback, meeting the woman’s gaze, "No."

He paused for a moment, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Xu Jing’s hand, excusing himself to Zhao Jingming’s siblings, "I need to talk to Jing," before pulling her to the side.

Suddenly held by him, Xu Jing’s heart skipped a beat, and when she came to her senses, she found herself led to a secluded corner.

Only then did Xiao Yi release her hand, turning to face her, "If you want to be involved in this case, go ahead. I’ll find ways to provide more support to you."

This response left Xu Jing a bit stunned. Before she could ask, Xiao Yi continued, "Earlier, although the Holy Emperor personally commended your assistance in solving cases, many still don’t accept it because you are a woman and also due to your... past actions. Some even claimed that I exaggerated your achievements.

Lacking recognition from other court officials will make it challenging for you to participate in future cases. Now, however, is the perfect opportunity."

Steadily looking at Xu Jing, Xiao Yi’s lips curled slightly, "Solve the Ministry of Justice’s case that has been unsolved for over three months and let them witness your capability firsthand."

Xu Jing never imagined Xiao Yi would think this way.

While she worried that getting involved would cause trouble for him, he hoped she could use this case to vindicate herself.

So be it, whether or not they’re truly husband and wife, they are undoubtedly a capable team.

Xu Jing couldn’t help but smile slightly, "Alright, I’ll do my best not to let Vice Minister Xiao down. Initially, seeing your awful expression, I thought you didn’t want me involved."

Xiao Yi’s lips pressed slightly, sighing inwardly, "This place is filled with nefarious characters. Seeing you here suddenly, I couldn’t help but worry."

Lowering his gaze to the woman in front of him, an indescribable bitterness surged in his heart, he softly said, "Take good care of yourself, let me know if anything happens. I still have official matters, so I’ll leave first."

With that, he turned and shot a warning glance at Zhao Jingming from afar before leaving.

Watching Xiao Yi’s departing figure, Xu Jing found herself somewhat dazed.

Although it was for official matters, he apparently comes to such places too.

On the way back, Zhao Shao Hua listened to Xu Jing explaining Xiao Yi’s reasons for allowing her continued involvement, expressing admiration endlessly, "You and your prospective husband are truly peculiar. You don’t mind Yanci frequenting such places, and Yanci, unlike typical men, isn’t solely thinking about you becoming a housewife post-marriage. Instead, he’s focused on having the world acknowledge your talents.

Well, guess we’re ordinary folks unable to understand your perspectives. Initially, I even thought your attitude was too indifferent. After hearing Yanci’s thoughts, I suddenly feel that no matter how peculiar your intents are, it’s normal."

Xu Jing glanced amusedly at Zhao Shao Hua without pursuing the topic further, turning to Zhao Jingming, "Although Yanci said he’d create some conveniences for us, we aren’t clear on what kind of conveniences. For now, we must rely on ourselves to gather information.

The situation at Gui Xiang House could be investigated deeper. Zhao Liulang, you mentioned having a cousin studying at the Imperial College. Students there should have relevant identification proving their student status. See if you can borrow it from your cousin, and visit Gui Xiang House under the guise of being the deceased’s classmate to inquire.

As other brothels are using this incident to defame Gui Xiang House, they’re certainly wary of anyone inquiring about this case. However, asking as a classmate will lower their guard."

Zhao Jingming nodded immediately, "Tomorrow, when visiting the Imperial College, I can conveniently borrow from Jing’an."

The two agreed on the time to visit the Imperial College the next day, and Xu Jing went back to her own place.

The next day, after Zhao Jingming finished work, he went to Xu Jing’s home, accompanied by Zhao Shao Hua.

Facing Xu Jing’s questioning glance, Zhao Shao Hua, smiling brightly, linked arms with Xu Jing, "I’m here to help you guys. I’m also Jing’an’s sister. Going with Xiao Liu to visit Jing’an will avert suspicion."

Xu Jing glanced sideways at her, refraining from exposing her underlying curiosity in wishing to follow along. Taking out a small cloth bag, she opened it and placed it on the table before them, signaling them to look at the brown powder inside, "Yesterday, after bringing back this powder, I studied it for ages and could only identify sulfur due to the distinctive rotten egg smell, besides some herbs like Asarum, Fangfeng, and Platycodon. However, I have no idea what this powder’s use is, so I sent someone to ask Tianyi Hall’s Mr. Zhou."