Chapter 437 - 435: She Really Likes Miss Xu (First Update)

Chapter 437: Chapter 435: She Really Likes Miss Xu (First Update)

Xu Jing glanced at Dongyang.

So, like Shuangrui and the others, she had only been summoned to their side after Prince Ling and his entourage went to Qi State.

It made sense. When Prince Ling was in the Western Capital, he was often constrained and those around him had countless conflicting interests. Once he went to his fiefdom and gained full autonomy, his priority was naturally to cultivate a group of his own trusted followers.

Xu Jing asked again, "Since Dongyang cannot speak, how does she communicate with others on a daily basis?"

The Princess Consort Ling replied, "After I brought this child to my side, I arranged for someone to teach her reading and writing. For simple matters, she uses gestures to communicate, and for complex ones, she writes them down.

Dongyang has been at the Prince Mansion for many years now, and although she doesn’t speak, most people here can understand her intentions."

Xu Jing’s eyes flickered slightly as she looked at Dongyang and said, "On the night Princess Ling was murdered, Dongyang stayed in her room for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. During that time, she couldn’t have just been discussing simple topics, right?"

Dongyang met Xu Jing’s gaze, her expression slightly cool.

Xu Jing found that she was only particularly gentle when facing the Princess Consort Ling; with others, she carried a hint of the Consort’s regal aloofness.

Suddenly, Dongyang took out a small notebook from her chest pocket and a piece of finger-thick charcoal wrapped in oiled paper. She opened the notebook, wrote a line of text, and showed it to Xu Jing: That day, when I went in, Princess Consort Ling had just finished bathing and, having nothing to do, chatted with this servant about home.

Her handwriting wasn’t particularly beautiful but was legible and clear, making it easy to read.

She then flipped forward two pages in the notebook, handed it to Xu Jing, and motioned for her to look.

Xu Jing took it and saw that it clearly documented her conversation with Princess Ling that day.

Then Dongyang held up two fingers, and the Princess Consort Ling smiled and said, "Dongyang means that these two pages were written while she was chatting with Princess Ling."

Xu Jing raised her eyebrows slightly and carefully read the text in the notebook, finding that the previous section mainly discussed Dongyang’s own situation, how she was adapting, and that with the Consort and others there, she wasn’t too afraid and so on, indicating that Princess Ling was probably inquiring about her recent situation.

The following section was a lengthy discussion about Princess Ling’s family, how Mr. Zhou and Mrs. Zhou surely missed the Princess, and how she could go home for a few days after returning to the capital, suggesting Princess Ling was chatting about her family affairs.

And they talked quite a bit.

Nanny Lu then said, "After Dongyang returned, she said the Princess talked a lot about her own family, and it seemed like she was eager to return to the capital, so this old servant told Governor Zhang that the Princess was in a good mood that day, likely because she could return to see her family."

The final entry in the notebook was about Dongyang enquiring about customs and traditions of the Western Capital, which according to Nanny Lu, Dongyang had never been to, while Princess Ling grew up there; Dongyang’s curiosity led her to ask a few more questions.

It all seemed unproblematic.

Even... too normal.

Moreover, the conversation was extensive, indicating that Dongyang spent the entire time chatting with Princess Ling.

Xu Jing studied it carefully for a moment, returned the notebook to Dongyang, and said, "I understand now. You can put the notebook away."

Then she glanced at Nanny Lu and the Princess Consort Ling, saying, "I have one more question for Nanny Lu. When I went to see Prince Ling earlier, Shuangrui mentioned that you initially selected eight attendants for Prince Ling, but only four were kept. What happened to the other four?"

Nanny Lu seemed a bit puzzled by Xu Jing’s sudden question, glanced at the Princess Consort Ling, and replied, "Well... those four weren’t eliminated. I just felt they weren’t suitable to serve His Highness, so I moved them elsewhere. Shuangrui might not have explained this clearly to Miss Xu.

Actually, His Highness didn’t need so many attendants. Aside from the attendants, there were also maids serving him. Initially, this old servant selected a few more so that we could choose the best for His Highness’ service."

It didn’t sound unreasonable.

Xu Jing nodded and said, "I have no further questions for now."

Governor Zhang immediately understood Xu Jing’s intention and bowed to the Princess Consort Ling, saying, "In that case, Miss Xu and I won’t disturb the Consort’s rest any longer. We’ll take our leave now."

As Xu Jing and Governor Zhang were about to leave the chamber, the Princess Consort Ling suddenly said, "I heard it was Miss Xu who found the murderer of Yanxia?"

Xu Jing paused and turned towards the Consort on the long couch, nodding, "Yes."

The Princess Consort Ling was silent for a moment, then said, "Yanxia was the niece who resembled me the most, and I always adored her the most. If possible, I hope we can get along well, Miss Xu.

Knowing that there are people like Miss Xu in the Western Capital makes me feel that returning there won’t be such a difficult ordeal. If you have time, Miss Xu, feel free to come and chat with me more often."

Xu Jing looked at her for a moment, nodded, and said, "If the Consort wishes."

After leaving the room, Governor Zhang sighed deeply, looking at Xu Jing with admiration, "Miss Xu, it’s quite rare for the Consort to take a liking to you. She usually prefers to keep her distance. Since taking this case, she’s spoken to me less than ten times. General Han also mentioned that the Consort is particularly aloof and doesn’t like to engage with people."

Walking beside Xu Jing, Chen Hu said, "Given the circumstances, the Consort probably doesn’t feel like talking to anyone. It seems she has some old grudges with the Jiang Family, really dislikes them.

Miss Xu, is it possible that those who died were targeted by Jiang Family members lying in wait, trying to coerce the Consort and Prince Ling?

I have a feeling that the Jiang Family members around Prince Ling are more than just the two the Consort mentioned."

The old grudges between the Princess Consort Ling and the Jiang family are palace secrets; it’s normal that they are not known.

Xu Jing nodded, "I also believe that there are more Jiang Family members than just those two. Governor Zhang, could you pass along the Consort’s words to General Han, and see if we can extract more from them?"

The current situation for the Jiang Family is not optimistic. From every angle, they desperately need Prince Ling.

With Prince Ling in their grasp, the Pinglu Jiedu Envoy Zhou Guangsheng might be more willing to submit to the Jiang Family. Having a royal family member with them in defiance could inspire confidence in their troops.

Governor Zhang nodded gravely, instructed an official by his side to fetch General Han, and then led Xu Jing and the others to Consort Fang’s room.

This was the last suspect potentially involved in the murder of Princess Ling and the others.

Governor Zhang approached and knocked on the door, introducing himself and explaining their purpose. This time, the person inside didn’t come to open the door. Instead, a delicate female voice called out, "Come in."

The voice was soft and gentle, such that hearing it alone could melt one’s heart.

Governor Zhang acknowledged and gently pushed the door open, entering.

Xu Jing followed closely behind him, barely entering the room before being slightly taken aback.