Jinglan paused abruptly as she painted, raising her eyelashes in surprise to look at the newcomer. Amidst her surprise, a strange emotion flashed through her heart.
To cover her embarrassment, An Xin stepped forward familiarly and walked up to Jing Lan, saying, "Everyone says that your talent is unparalleled in the world, and seeing you today, it is indeed true!"
She suddenly approached and commented on his painting with great familiarity, which made Jing Lan even more stunned. Feng Yi, however, respectfully said from the side, "Please forgive me, sir. I met Xin'er on the way and took the liberty of bringing her here."
Jing Lan snapped out of her reverie and smiled faintly, saying, "Miss An made a great contribution to Duanfeng Mountain this time and is a meritorious person. I couldn't be happier for her to come."
An Xin noticed that Jing Lan's "I" had become "Ben Xiang" and the "Xin'er" she had called her had become "Miss An," as if nothing had happened between them in the cave.
Feng Yi naturally knew about the matter at Duanfeng Mountain. He was eager to come, but due to the internal strife at home, he had to delay. He glanced at An Xin, but his eyes were smiling as he said, "Xin'er has always been intelligent." These words carried an undisguised pride and arrogance, which made Jing Lan take another look at Feng Yi.
An Xin, overwhelmed by their praise, said, "Stop flattering me. To be honest, I'm just here to freeload. I hope you won't mind." She smiled and turned to look at Jing Lan, her eyes crinkling in a friendly and natural way, which made Jing Lan pause for a moment.
She rarely smiled like this in front of him. Sometimes she was surprisingly cold, polite, and distant, and other times she would joke and tease him. Now she was as friendly as if they had known each other for many years... He really couldn't guess what kind of person she was, but seeing her smile like that, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, and even his eyes seemed to be filled with spring flowers and autumn light. He smiled and said, "With the capital under lockdown, how have you been coping these days, Miss An?"
An Xin sighed, "It's unbearable to recall!"
Jing Lan smiled and said, "If you really have nowhere to go, you can stay at the Left Prime Minister's residence for a few days. Feng Yi happens to be here as well." He paused before adding the last sentence.
An Xin paused abruptly, but Feng Yi didn't think much of it. He knew that the Left Prime Minister was compassionate and couldn't bear to see others suffer. Besides, if An Xin could come, he could stay with her longer. So he said, "Xin'er, I came to the capital this time to investigate this case. If we work together, we might be able to solve it faster."
An Xin was actually quite short of money. Because it was summer, the food in the mansion had spoiled, and there was nowhere to eat in the capital. Although she was somewhat reluctant to come to the Left Prime Minister's mansion for a meal, it was better than starving to death. Besides, she was prone to overthinking when she was alone, and it was more lively when there were many people. Although she was not afraid of the headless corpse, being constantly haunted by it would make anyone feel unhappy. So she said, "In that case, I will have to trouble you for the next few days, sir."
Jing Lan smiled faintly and said, "Miss An, you're too kind." Her heart suddenly rippled with emotion. Her already beautiful face, with that smile, even made An Xin feel her heart surge violently.
Most of the people from the Prime Minister's residence were dismissed from the city. Those who remained were mostly guards who looked ordinary but were actually incredibly strong. For example, this little maid who served tea and water looked ordinary and was very obedient. An Xin's cup slipped in her hand, but it was caught in the next moment, and then the little maid respectfully presented it to her.
The Right Prime Minister's residence was more ornate, with all its daily necessities being luxurious, while the Left Prime Minister's residence was more understated, with even the drinking cups being just ordinary ceramic cups.
An Xin couldn't help but purse her lips. Yan Zhen, that bastard, seemed to want everyone to know how extravagant his life was.
"Xin'er, have you seen the headless corpse?" Feng Yi's voice brought An Xin back to her senses. An Xin nodded. "Not only have I seen it, but it seems like I'm being targeted by the headless corpse. Every night when the moon is high in the sky, the headless corpse will appear in front of my window and then lead me to Dongsi Hutong in the capital."
Feng Yi's expression changed: "Every night, at times like this, why do you still follow them? What if you encounter danger?"
Jing Lan paused slightly in her cup-holding fingers, then raised her eyelashes, glanced indifferently at Feng Yi, and turned her gaze to An Xin, but said nothing.
An Xin said, "That headless corpse is clearly trying to lure me there. If I don't go, it will stay outside my window all night. If you were sleeping with a headless corpse standing outside your window, could you sleep?"
Even though Feng Yi was a man, he couldn't help but shudder and asked, "Why did that headless corpse lead you to that alley? What's so special about that alley? And why did it specifically lead you there?"
An Xin frowned and said, "I've been thinking about this too. If the problem is with the alley, that's fine, but if it's related to me, then it's a real headache!"
****
Jinglan gave the order to prepare a guest room in a corner of the garden for Anxin to stay temporarily. The courtyard was quiet and elegant, and full of green bamboo. Anxin had never understood romance and lacked appreciation for beauty. She was very satisfied with the comfortable courtyard.
“It’s not far from here. If you need anything, Miss An, just call out.” Jing Lan maintained her distance but smiled politely and gently.
Feng Yi laughed and said, "Xin'er, I'm right next door. If that headless corpse reappears, I'll catch it with you."
An Xin laughed and said, "With an adult here, I'm afraid that headless corpse won't come..."
Just then, Qingran appeared outside the door, glanced at An Xin, and stepped forward, saying, "My lord, the seawater has arrived in the capital. The Right Prime Minister requests that you come with him."
An Xin paused, then glanced at Qing Ran. Yan Zhen… Why was she becoming more and more sensitive to this name?
Jing Lan said calmly, "Prepare the carriage."
An Xin suddenly stepped forward and said, "I'll go too."
Jing Lan's eyes flashed, and she looked at An Xin, asking, "Miss An, are you sure you want to go?"
An Xin felt that Jing Lan's question was strange, and that there was something she was unsure about.
Jing Lan smiled faintly and said, "Very well, it's good that the Right Prime Minister has reunited with his old friend after so long. We should congratulate him."
An Xin suddenly stopped.
Chapter 81 Let's not throw it away.
Chapter Title: Chapter 81 Don't Throw It Away
An old friend? Those woman's hands?
An Xin rubbed her temples. When would she be able to change this habit of reasoning? In the past, she wouldn't even bother to think about things that weren't related to the case. What's wrong with her now!
"A long-awaited reunion is a joyous occasion, of course I must congratulate you!" An Xin said with a smile, "Thanks to the Right Prime Minister, I was given a dust-repelling pearl. When seawater flows into the lake, some poisonous gas will surely overflow. I am with you, so I can protect your safety."
Jing Lan looked lightly into An Xin's eyes, their dark, clear color revealing no other emotion, and chuckled softly, saying, "That's fine too."
Feng Yi was naturally unwilling to stay alone in the mansion, so he accompanied him all the way.
****
To facilitate the transportation of seawater, a new ramp was built on Duanfeng Mountain. This project must have been undertaken by Jing Lan. Although the road is a bit steep, it has reduced a lot of trouble.
As the weather gradually warms up, it is said that one autumn rain brings a chill, and in summer, one summer rain brings warmth. After the storm, the weather quickly became hot. As soon as Jing Lan got out of the car, a servant held up a Yang Qing paper umbrella to shield him from the scorching sun.
An Xin shaded her eyes with her hand and looked towards the mountaintop. Just then, a cool shade fell over her head. An Xin was startled and turned her head, only to see Jing Lan take the umbrella and put it over her head.
Was she going to say something? She rarely spoke politely, but she had said quite a few impolite things. With an umbrella over her, Jing Lan looked absolutely stunning and peerless, while she herself seemed so pretentious! But if she declined directly, Jing Lan would definitely feel awkward. After thinking about it, she decided to be a little pretentious instead.
Feng Yi secretly regretted not bringing an umbrella. He imagined how joyful it would be to share an umbrella with An Xin! But the one holding the umbrella was the polite and humble Left Prime Minister, so he couldn't say anything he wanted to say.
"Those corpses in the capital were all disposed of by the adults, right?" An Xin looked at Jing Lan. The light blue umbrella instantly brought the two of them closer. When An Xin looked up, she could see his overly long eyelashes. Every time he smiled, they were like butterfly wings spreading out. So the light, lotus-like fragrance from his clothes also lingered around her nose, making it impossible for An Xin to ignore.
"It's more accurate to say that the western district suffered heavy losses than the capital." Jing Lan's eyelashes drooped slightly, and although his expression was not visible, the Left Prime Minister was always concerned about the country and its people, and he must be feeling extremely guilty.