Gu Wenxiu shakily stood up with all his hair standing and gave a bow as he tried to adjust his voice, "My Lords, what brings you here?" he asked.
"Lord Gu, relax, we just want to ask you a few questions", Lv Chi said without looking up from what he was doing.
"Lord Gu, sit", Lu Qian told him again. His eyes were like daggers that had aimed for Gu Wenxiu's heart.
Gu Wenxiu nervously sat down. "My lords, what brings...."
"Lord Gu, we are not Lords but officials", Lv Chi corrected.
"Yes, yes, I was wrong. Lord Lu, Lord Lv, what brings the both of you here?" he corrected himself.
No one answered instead; Lu Qian went straight to the point.
"Lord Gu, two months ago, four days prior to the Prime Minister's demise, where were you and what were you doing?"
"Official Lu, haven't you asked this question before?"
A loud screeching sound came from Lv Chi's sword that was still sharpening.
Gu Wenxiu swallowed hard, "that day, I had visited my mother as I heard her health was frail"
"Is that why you visited Green Willow Pharmacy, Lotus Heart Pharmacy and Spring Herb Pavilion all in one day and within specific hours?"
"The medicine... the medicine my mother needed was not easily found so I had to search different pharmacies. What is wrong with that? As for the time, how could I keep track of it?"
"Then that makes me more curious. Lord Gu, you live in such a big city with three well known pharmacies here. Why did you trouble yourself to look for medicine that could be easily found here? Or where you going there for something else?"
Gu Wenxiu's eyes shifted for half a second but Lv Chi caught it.
He gave a nervous laugh, "my mother has always said the things in the village are what suits are best. She wouldn't want that"
"But that is different from what I heard. I heard before leaving you had purchased rare herbs and medicines for your mother"
"She..... she didn't like them".
"Lord Gu, during those four days and three days after, you did not return. Was it out of filial duty or were you trying to avoid something?" Lu Qian asked.
"My mother has not seen me for a long time. She asked me to stay for a while"
"The prime minister's death is a big event in the state and as an official you were busy performing your filial duties? Are you aware that is a crime?"
Gu Wenxiu immediately stood up to defend himself frantically, "no, no, information was always slow. I didn't find out about the Prime Minister's death until three days later. I rushed back immediately on hearing the news"
"The prefecture of Wei City immediately began investigating the case and you were ruled out of suspicion during those three days. What an impeccable timing"
"It's just a coincidence. A coincidence"
"Lord Gu, that is a indeed a wonderful coincidence. Brother Lu, shouldn't we take him along to visit the prefecture to discuss this wonderful coincidence?" Lv Chi asked Lu Qian.
"That is a good idea - probably the best you've ever came up with"
Lv Chi smiled, "thanks for the compliment".
He stood up and sheathed his sword, "Lord Gu, what do you say?"
"This..... this..... I haven't committed any crime. Why should I accompany you?" Gu Wenxiu stammered.
Lv Chi walked up to him and put an arm around his shoulder, "don't you want to also know how there could be such coincidences? Don't you want to figure out who's trying to slander you?"
"I.... I have never cared about rumors"
"Lord Gu if you don't follow us now, we have no choice but to treat you as an accomplice", Lu Qian said.
"I will go with you", Gu Wenxiu blurted out. He knew if he was found guilty, not even the title of the cousin of the Noble Consort could save him.
"That's good. I heard Lord Gu and Mrs. Gu are lovebirds. Brother Lu, why don't we bring her along? We don't want to tear lovers apart, right?"
[Yanxue Palace]
While the investigation was on going in Wei City, Qin Yan was with He Yan.
His presence was announced; he entered and greeted He Yan with a bow.
"Guard Qin Yan, please sit", He Yan gestured for him to sit opposite him.
"I am fine standing. Thank you for the offer", Qin Yan responded.
He Yan withdrew his hand and smiled, "you really are straightforward"
Qin Yan did not answer. He Yan stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point.
"You were assigned to accompany me to the frontier", he started and looked for any reaction from Qin Yan but there wasn't any.
He continued, "I have long heard that you have accompanied the grand consort from childhood but now, you have taken orders from the grand prince. Is it a switch of loyalty or is it double sided?"
"Where I place my loyalty is not for your Highness to worry about", Qin Yan answered.
He Yan was slightly taken aback but he quickly regained his composure and smiled again, "you are leaving your master alone in the inner palace, are you not worried?"
"My emotions are not for Your Highness worry about", Qin Yan said.
"Did you get approval from the grand consort before taking on this task?"
"That is the affair of Channing Palace, Your Highness, there is no need to probe me"
He Yan realized that Qin Yan was as hard as rock and the conversation was going nowhere. He sighed and stood up facing him.
"Do you know your duty during the upcoming period we'll be together?" he asked.
"His Majesty has assigned me to teach your highness", Qin Yan answered but that was not the answer He Yan was looking for.
"I am asking if you know your position once we leave the palace gates"
"Your highness would be my student and I would be your instructor", Qin Yan stated the facts clearly.
He Yan saw that there was no way to get through him immediately.
"Then I hope we would have a good relationship in the future", he concluded.
Qin Yan bowed and turned to leave but stopped and faced him again, "Grand Consort asked me to deliver a message to you".
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Qin Yan is my personal guard. As the prince, you should know better than to summon the personal guard of the grand consort. I let him come because I thought you would want to know him better. Your highness, do not repeat this mistake again", Qin Yan passed the message to He Yan and bowed before leaving.
He Yan watched his back as he left with no hesitation.
"Lingxi..... Qin Yan, interesting", he said.
[Channing Palace]
"Your Highness, I did it", Lingxi shouted as she hit the bull's eye.
He Yu stood up and smiled as he lightly clapped.
"Well done", he complimented walking up to her.
She faced him looking up, "since I've worked hard and gotten a perfect target, Teacher, do I have a reward?" she asked.
"What reward does your highness want?"
Lingxi thought for a while, "I can't think of anything right now but when I do, you have to give me whatever I ask."
"Okay."
There was a short pause.
"How about we have a little competition?" Lingxi suggested. She was excited.
"Your highness has only just hit the bull's eye. Isn't your highness a little impatient?" he asked.
"Don't rain on my parade. Take it", she said as she picked up He Yu's bow.
She took his hand and was about to place the bow on it when she felt his hand. It was very cold. The rainy season had not fully started yet and she could agree that the weather was a bit cold but it was not cold enough for a normal person to have such cold hands.
He Yu noticed her pause as she held his hand. He probably read her thoughts but did not say anything.
Instead he smiled, "does your highness want to hold my hand forever?"