As Nangong Ya walked out of Jiang Ning's courtyard, Old Zhong and Xiaoru were waiting outside, along with Jin Yao.
"The Third Miss has gone to bed. Go in and attend to her well, prepare food and don't let her go hungry. If she needs anything, ask Old Zhong directly and try to fulfill her requests," Nangong Ya said to Xiaoru.
Xiaoru nodded and replied "Yes," then curtsied to Nangong Ya before turning to enter the courtyard, waiting outside the door.
"From now on, you'll be the mansion's steward. You may go about your duties now," Nangong Ya said, dismissing Old Zhong. Then he turned to Jin Yao and said, "To the study."
"My Lord, the Third Miss, she—" Jin Yao began eagerly as soon as they entered the study, wanting to understand clearly. Just yesterday, Ma Steward had said Nangong Ling was as good as dead, with a ruined face and severed limbs, sold off to some distant place. How had she returned perfectly fine today?
Nangong Ya cut off Jin Yao's words and asked, "Did you find out anything on Late Winter Road?"
Jin Yao nodded, "There was indeed a human trafficker there called Wei Fangxiong, but he fled the capital last night. Our men caught up with his carriage this morning and interrogated him. What Ma Steward said seems to be true. But Wei Fangxiong claims he handed the Third Miss over to a blind man named Yang in Qushui City. He doesn't know anything beyond that."
Jin Yao paused, then continued, "I was about to return and gather more men to go to Qushui City when Old Zhong told me the Third Miss had returned. So I didn't give the order, wanting to seek your decision, my Lord."
Nangong Ya remained silent for a long while. Jin Yao asked again, "My Lord, shall we continue the investigation?"
"Ah~" Nangong Ya sighed, waving his hand. "No need. We're short on manpower lately anyway. Let's end it here."
Most importantly, the situation had become clear – it was his second daughter who, out of jealousy, had brutally harmed her own sister.
Even now, Nangong Ya was unwilling to believe that Nangong Muyan, who had always been well-mannered, clever, and sensible, could be such a vicious person behind closed doors.
"When will the Madam's carriage arrive home?" Nangong Ya asked Jin Yao.
Jin Yao thought for a moment and said, "They left after lunch yesterday, traveled for half a day. Jin Hui rode fast to catch up with them, so he should have reached them by now. They're expected to arrive tomorrow morning."
Nangong Ya pondered for a moment, then said, "When they arrive tomorrow, don't mention that the Third Miss has returned. Bring the Madam and Second Miss directly to the study."
Nangong Muyan had committed the grievous sin of harming her own sister. He couldn't pretend nothing had happened. As a father, he had failed in raising his daughter properly. He would take this opportunity to discipline her thoroughly.
"Yes, sir," Jin Yao acknowledged.
"The Third Miss has forgotten many things. She doesn't remember who harmed her. I only told her about Ma Steward and Dongmei. Be careful not to let anything slip. Warn the others who know as well. Not a word of this must leak out."
Nangong Ya spoke gravely. He had lied to Nangong Ling to prevent the situation from escalating and to avoid damaging Nangong Muyan's reputation if word got out.
After all, she was the daughter he had doted on since childhood. Even if she had made a mistake, it was enough for Nangong Ya to discipline her himself and make her mend her ways. Family shame must not be known to outsiders.
As for Nangong Ling, he would treat her better from now on. He admitted to himself that he had neglected her before. He would find her a good husband in the future and ensure her a life of wealth and prosperity.
After Jin Yao left, Nangong Ya slumped into his chair, gently massaging his temples with his fingertips. He felt utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally.
There were too many questionable points about this incident that he couldn't wrap his head around, no matter how hard he tried.
First was Ma Steward. Why did he suddenly confess? Why was he so certain that Nangong Ling was dead? How did he end up covered in blood without any visible wounds?
Then there was Nangong Ling's return today. How coincidental that just last night he had learned the truth, and early the next morning Nangong Ling had returned unharmed?
Severed hands and feet, poisoned mute, a ruined face – could all these be cured within a few months? Was there really such miraculous medical skill in this world?
Who was this so-called "kind-hearted person"? Saving the Prime Minister's daughter was no small favor. Even if they asked for an official position, Nangong Ya would have agreed. Yet this person hadn't appeared. Didn't they want to seek any benefit for themselves?
Nangong Ya's mind conjured up Nangong Ling's image again. The former timid, fearful, and shy girl, and the current composed, indifferent, and aloof one – the two versions of Nangong Ling alternated in his mind. He couldn't help but question himself: Could someone's personality change so drastically that not a trace of their former self remained?
Nangong Ya felt a headache coming on. One question after another tangled in his mind like a knotted ball of thread. He prided himself on his intelligence, yet he couldn't see through the intricacies of this situation.
But a voice in the depths of his heart told him: A storm is brewing!
He felt an inexplicable unease, though he couldn't pinpoint its source.
"Ah~"
He would have to take things one step at a time. He hoped he was just being overly cautious.
On the other side of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Jiang Ning, who had gone to bed in front of Nangong Ya, got up shortly after he left.
Xiaoru, hearing movement, came in to inquire, "Third Miss, would you like to eat?"
Jiang Ning made an affirmative sound, and Xiaoru went out, returning shortly with a food box containing three dishes and a soup.
After finishing the meal, Xiaoru cleared away the bowls and chopsticks and took them back to the kitchen. When she returned, she heard Jiang Ning ask, "Have Second Sister and Madam returned?"
"Not yet," Xiaoru answered.
They haven't returned yet. That's a bit troublesome, Jiang Ning thought.
She was isolated in the mansion with no one to give her inside information. It seemed she would have to go "stake out" herself.
Jiang Ning thought for a moment and said, "Then accompany me on a walk around the mansion."
She would scout out the layout first, which would be convenient for her plans later.
This maid called Xiaoru was quite honest. She answered all of Jiang Ning's questions, and even though she seemed puzzled by the Third Miss's unfamiliarity with the Prime Minister's Mansion, she only showed it on her face without asking anything.
Jiang Ning was quite satisfied with this.
The two wandered around the mansion for nearly an hour. Jiang Ning secretly noted the locations of various courtyards and learned about the distribution of servants from Xiaoru's words.
Interestingly, Nangong Ling's courtyard was isolated on one side, while Nangong Muyan's and her elder brother's courtyards were adjacent to the main courtyard. This layout clearly showed the family dynamics: a family of four, plus Nangong Ling as an afterthought.
Along the way, they constantly encountered other servants who would bow their heads and call out "Third Miss" to Jiang Ning. After passing by, however, they would cast curious glances at her, mixed with a few whispered comments.
Jiang Ning couldn't be bothered to care. As they walked along the path leading from the main gate to the study, she spotted a stone table in a nearby plum blossom grove. She knew this was the place she had been looking for.
When Nangong Muyan returned, whether she went to the study or her own courtyard, she would have to pass through this section. This inconspicuous stone table deep in the plum blossom grove was the perfect stakeout spot.
Jiang Ning walked over, the faint fragrance of plum blossoms lingering in the air, fallen petals scattered on the ground.
"The environment here is quite nice. Xiaoru, go to my room and bring the book on the table. I'll sit here for a while."
Xiaoru responded with a "Yes" and turned to leave.
Jiang Ning brushed the petals off the stone bench and sat down by the table, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed towards the main gate, her eyes filled with a cold light.
She was truly eager to meet this Nangong Muyan.
