After leaving Nangong Ya's study, Jin Yao went straight to the side courtyard where the guards of the Prime Minister's Mansion resided.
The law stipulated that officials could have guards in their households for protection, but the number was strictly limited. As the Prime Minister, Nangong Ya was only allowed eight guards. Besides him and Jin Hui, there were six others.
However, eight people were far from enough. Where there's a policy, there's a countermeasure. The Prime Minister's Mansion officially had only eight guards, but the actual number was anyone's guess.
Jin Yao found Sheng Jing, who was drinking, and got straight to the point: "The Prime Minister has ordered an investigation into the Third Young Miss's whereabouts and experiences during her months of disappearance. You should leave for Qushui City tomorrow with two others."
Sheng Jing had been part of the team that pursued the human trafficker Wei Fangxiong last time, so he was the perfect choice to lead this mission.
Sheng Jing didn't say much, just nodded in agreement.
"We need to find out where the Third Young Miss was ultimately sold, who she encountered along the way, and how she finally returned to the Capital City... Everything, no matter how trivial, must be uncovered," Jin Yao instructed seriously.
"Don't worry, boss. I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning. I'll take Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu with me. We'll send word as soon as we find any useful information," Sheng Jing replied, then drained his cup of wine in one gulp.
Jin Yao grunted in acknowledgment and turned to go to the next room to find Jin Hui.
"Brother, what's the matter?" Jin Hui was about to go to bed but quickly scrambled up when he saw Jin Yao enter.
"The Third Young Miss climbed over the wall and left the mansion tonight. It doesn't look like she'll be coming back. Take a few men tomorrow to find her."
"Cl-climbed over the wall?" Jin Hui doubted his ears.
"Yes, right in front of me. She climbed faster than I could," Jin Yao admitted reluctantly. It was a fact that the Third Young Miss was more agile at wall-climbing than he was.
Ignoring his brother's shock, Jin Yao continued, "Sheng Jing, Xiao Wu, and Xiao Liu have been assigned to go out. I can't leave, and at least two people need to stay with the Prime Minister. That means besides you, there's only one more person available to search for the Third Young Miss."
"Who knows where the Third Young Miss might have gone? How are we supposed to find her with just two people?" Jin Hui felt overwhelmed.
This question stumped Jin Yao as well. After some thought, he said, "For now, search within the Capital City. The Third Young Miss probably hasn't left yet. As for manpower, you two will have to manage. Do your best. Remember to keep a low profile and don't make a big fuss. Many eyes are watching the Prime Minister right now."
After arranging everything, Jin Yao left the room and headed towards his own quarters. Halfway there, a fine drizzle began to fall from the dark gray clouds.
Passing by the ancestral hall, Jin Yao noticed a figure carrying a large box and holding something in their arms entering the hall. Squinting to get a better look, he realized it was Aunt Ying, Luo Siyi's maid.
The two servants at the entrance of the ancestral hall tried to stop her, but they lowered their hands as soon as they raised them, watching as Aunt Ying pushed open the door and went inside. The two men stood under the corridor, looking at each other in bewilderment.
Jin Yao smiled at this scene, the phrase "A doting mother spoils her child" flashing through his mind.
The Second Young Miss's ruthlessness and cruelty were ultimately the result of Luo Siyi and Nangong Ya's excessive indulgence.
But none of this was his concern. As the rain grew heavier, Jin Yao wiped his face, withdrew his gaze, and hurried back to his room.
Inside the ancestral hall, Nangong Muyan watched Aunt Ying enter, discreetly looking her up and down, matching her to the description of "Aunt Ying" that Jiang Ning had given her.
"Second Young Miss, the Madam sent me," Aunt Ying said softly as she stood beside Nangong Muyan, who was kneeling on a prayer mat. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions.
Nangong Muyan stopped writing and looked up at her with a faint smile. "How is my mother?"
Aunt Ying sighed, crouched down beside Nangong Muyan, and opened the box she was carrying. She took out a small bowl containing fragrant chicken soup with rice.
Nangong Muyan hadn't felt particularly hungry before, but now, smelling the aroma, she suddenly felt ravenous.
Aunt Ying moved the paper and pen on the altar table to one side, then placed the small bowl in front of Nangong Muyan and handed her a spoon.
"Second Young Miss, please eat. The Madam instructed me to make this for you. Eat while it's hot; it doesn't taste as good when it's cold."
Nangong Muyan nodded repeatedly, saying "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm," and began eating with the spoon.
Aunt Ying pulled over a prayer mat and sat beside Nangong Muyan, watching her eat large mouthfuls with her head bowed. Knowing she must be starving, Aunt Ying couldn't help but sigh again.
"The Madam fell ill from anger. The doctor prescribed some calming medicine, and she's still resting in bed now."
Nangong Muyan paused her chewing for a moment, then heard Aunt Ying continue to chatter, "I don't know exactly what mistake you made, Second Young Miss, but the Prime Minister has always loved you the most. For him to punish you like this, and for even the Madam not to speak up for you, you must have done something really out of line this time..."
"Indeed, I deserve it," Nangong Muyan said, then continued eating.
Now that she had become Nangong Muyan, she had to enjoy the benefits of this identity and also bear the consequences of her previous sins.
It was a fair trade.
"Ah, well... Even though the Madam isn't pleading on your behalf, she still worries about you. The Prime Minister ordered that you go hungry for two days, but the Madam couldn't bear it. That's why she sent me to bring you food."
Nangong Muyan finished her last bite, wiped her mouth, and replied with a smile, "Please thank my mother for me."
"There's no need for such formalities between mother and daughter," Aunt Ying said as she tidied up the table. "The Madam only hopes that you truly realize your mistakes, reform yourself, and don't do anything wrong again."
"Mm-hmm, alright," Nangong Muyan agreed obediently.
Aunt Ying then took out a small jar about the size of her palm from the basket. She opened the lid to reveal a grass-green ointment that smelled medicinal.
"Second Young Miss, come, take off your clothes. I'll apply the medicine for you," Aunt Ying said, looking at Nangong Muyan.
"This... is it necessary?" Nangong Muyan hesitated. It was just a small injury, did it really need medicine?
Aunt Ying assumed Nangong Muyan was just being shy. She put the jar aside and reached out to undo her clothes.
Nangong Muyan was startled. "!"
Were they really this close?
"I'll do it myself!"
They were both women, so it wouldn't matter if she saw.
Nangong Muyan obediently took off her clothes until only her undergarment remained, then lay face down on the table, revealing the red marks on her back, waist, and arms. The sight made Aunt Ying's heart ache.
"The Prime Minister was too heavy-handed. It even broke the skin. Really..."
Aunt Ying gently blew on the wounds, then scooped up some ointment and applied it softly.
The wounds had been burning before, but as soon as the ointment was applied, they felt cool and quite comfortable.
Nangong Muyan shifted her body to lie more comfortably, then turned her head to look at Aunt Ying's tearful expression, unable to understand.
Was this what they called "the beating falls on you, but the pain is in my heart"?
Aunt Ying continued to give thoughtful reminders: "Second Young Miss, if the wounds itch, you absolutely must not scratch them. It would be terrible if they left scars. You're getting married in a few months, after all."
"Married? To the Prince of Rui?" Nangong Muyan's body suddenly stiffened. She seemed to have forgotten about this.
"Yes, last year the Emperor arranged the marriage for you. They're just waiting for you to turn eighteen, then the imperial edict will be issued. You'll be a princess then, so you can't cause trouble like this anymore..."
"That's good," Nangong Muyan replied with a smile, her response seemingly unrelated to the topic. Her expression was thoughtful.
Aunt Ying finished applying the medicine to all the wounds and watched as Nangong Muyan got up and put her clothes back on. She then handed her another package.
"The nights are cold. The Madam asked me to bring you this cloak. Use it as a blanket when you sleep so you don't catch a chill."
"Alright."
The door opened and closed as Aunt Ying left with the wooden box.
Nangong Muyan held the thick fabric in her hands for a long while before chuckling softly, "Now that's a real mother... I've hit the jackpot..."
