Chapter 247 - 245: So-Called Love Triangle (First Update)

Chapter 247: Chapter 245: So-Called Love Triangle (First Update)

Xu Jing looked into Xu Huan’an’s eyes, her lips slightly pursed, momentarily unsure of how to respond to him.

The Bixi Butterfly Peony Hairpin he mentioned had been sold by her long ago, after the original owner mistakenly believed that the Xu Family had betrayed her.

It was one of the first items she sold because her feelings for Xu Huan’an were the most complicated, and so her resentment towards him was the greatest.

However, later on, she had been tempted several times to redeem it from the pawnshop, but she held back.

She hesitated for a long time, opened her mouth to say something, but a voice suddenly came from behind her, Chunyang’s voice inexplicably careful, "Mistress... my lady, Vice Minister Xiao is here."

Xu Jing was slightly stunned, instinctively turning her head, and saw not far behind her, a man in a purple official robe standing quietly beside Chunyang, with an elegant and refined appearance, his dark eyes unblinkingly watching her, like a deep, ancient well, making it hard to see if there were any ripples within.

Xu Jing inexplicably felt a bit flustered, quickly walked over, and said, "Vice Minister Xiao, why have you come so early in the morning?"

Seeing Chunyang’s expression and tone, it was likely that Xiao Yi had overheard what Xu Huan’an had just said to her!

He had come at such an inopportune moment!

And yet, she didn’t know how to explain the situation between her and Xu Huan’an to him.

Xiao Yi looked down at the woman in front of him, noticing the rare glimpse of panic in her eyes, his gaze flickered slightly, but no matter how much he suppressed his feelings, his face only showed a faint smile, saying, "Yesterday you successfully solved the Imperial College case, and the Holy Emperor is very pleased. He said he must reward you well this time. When I met with the Holy Emperor yesterday, he asked what you might want, and since I wasn’t sure, I came to ask you."

"Ah, I see..."

Of course, Xu Jing was delighted about the reward, but in the current situation, she couldn’t find it in her to be happy.

She could feel Xu Huan’an behind her still staring at her intently, his gaze so hot it seemed to bore two holes into her back. This was the first time she had encountered such a situation, and she had no idea how to handle it. On impulse, she grabbed Xiao Yi’s hand and said, "Let’s talk somewhere else."

After speaking, she turned her head and forced a smile at Xu Huan’an, saying, "Cousin, please go inside first, I’ll be there soon."

As she spoke, she was already pulling Xiao Yi to a corner.

Xiao Yi was somewhat bewildered as he looked at the hand being held, and when passing by Xu Huan’an, he lifted his gaze to look at him, only to see his face ashen with despair, his eyes tightly following the woman pulling him away, filled with sadness and bewilderment, almost spilling over.

Xiao Yi’s hand, which was being held, subconsciously tightened, gripping her cool, soft hand firmly.

Xu Jing was a bit disoriented, not noticing Xiao Yi’s subtle actions at all, only secretly breathing a sigh of relief after distancing herself from the earlier scene of chaos. She let go and turned towards Xiao Yi, but before she could say anything, the man in front of her softly asked, "Did I come at a bad time?"

Xu Jing was slightly taken aback, quickly replying, "Of course not, that man earlier... is my cousin. My uncle’s family arrived yesterday, they have taken care of me since I was a child. It’s just that a few years ago, there was some misunderstanding between us, which was only cleared up yesterday."

She paused, adding, "The Holy Emperor has already decreed for us to remarry. Rest assured, I won’t do anything to put you in an awkward position."

If they were just ordinary friends, Xu Jing wouldn’t have needed to explain so much to him.

But since they were about to remarry, it was necessary to clarify certain things.

If Chunyang were present, she would surely cover her face and sigh again.

What was meant to be clarified only became more complicated!

After Xu Jing finished speaking, the man in front of her fell into an inexplicable silence for a while, making her curiously glance at him, only to see him lift the corner of his mouth and say, "I trust you. This is your first time publicly investigating a case, and you achieved such great results. The Holy Emperor intends to elevate your status, granting you more opportunities to participate in official investigations in the future. You should think carefully about what reward you want."

Xu Jing unconsciously stared at Xiao Yi for a while, and only when she was sure he appeared normal did she say, "The Holy Emperor rewarded me with plenty of gold and silver last time, and I have a house now..."

She suddenly thought of Guangming Hall, which had always bothered Zhou Qi.

Although he hadn’t mentioned Guangming Hall’s future supply of medicine to the military, surely it was something he couldn’t ignore.

If she took this opportunity, she could ask the Holy Emperor to allow Tianyi Hall to supply medicine to the military too...

No, that wouldn’t work, it would be like taking food from the tiger’s mouth, and the Jiang Family would definitely object. She didn’t want to elevate Tianyi Hall too high too soon.

Xu Jing thought for a long time and had no idea what reward to ask for, so she straightforwardly looked at Xiao Yi and asked, "Vice Minister Xiao, any suggestions?"

Xiao Yi knew the workings of the officialdom better, and would have more far-reaching thoughts on this matter than she did.

Just like before, when she had just started on the Imperial College case. While she was contemplating whether to get involved, he had already envisioned how she could use this case to establish herself as a renowned female detective, dispelling all sorts of bizarre rumors about her.

"I do indeed have a suggestion."

Xiao Yi said, "Jing could take this opportunity to have the Holy Emperor appoint you as an external advisor to the Western Capital’s government office, allowing you to openly participate in their investigations."

External advisor?

Xu Jing was slightly taken aback.

Xiao Yi patiently explained, "It’s not uncommon for local government offices to seek the help of outsiders, and some even regularly collaborate with certain external individuals, like many forensic doctors do.

However, they usually don’t have an official title and act according to the local government office’s initiative.

Since you are a woman, even if you leveraged the Imperial College case to demonstrate your investigative skills, other offices might be reluctant to involve you in their investigations. But if the Holy Emperor appoints you as an external advisor to the Western Capital government office, you’ll have a legitimate reason to continue investigating cases."

Many minor cases in the Western Capital are handled by the local office, while only significant ones or those involving officials and nobility are passed to the Ministry of Justice.

Xiao Yi paused, saying, "Of course, while you could continue investigating under such an arrangement, it would surely attract attention, not all of which would be positive. There might be people like Wang Qilang who envy and resent you, potentially setting obstacles in your way."

If you’re unwilling...

"I am willing."

Xu Jing’s voice was calm yet firm as she interrupted Xiao Yi, looking at the man in front of her with a smile, "I truly appreciate Vice Minister Xiao’s sincere intentions. By making me an external advisor to the Western Capital government office rather than the Ministry of Justice, you seek to keep me from being too conspicuous and drawing too much envy.

In the past, I was indeed concerned that if I stood out too much, I wouldn’t be able to protect myself, but now..."

Xiao Yi’s dark eyes tightened, unconsciously gazing intently at her, his voice deepening a little, "How about now?"

Now that you’re by my side, I suddenly feel there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Such words, Xu Jing was inexplicably embarrassed to say, so she lightly coughed and said, "Nothing, just do as Vice Minister Xiao suggested, and please convey it to the Holy Emperor for me.

My uncle and his family are still waiting for me, so I must return."

After finishing, she turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yi felt an emptiness in his heart, and before realizing it, he had already grabbed the woman’s hand in front of him.