The men from the Five Cities Infantry Guard left with alacrity, and the number of people in the courtyard was immediately halved.
Thousand-Household Gao directed his subordinates, the Jinyiwei riders, to take the men in black back to the Northern Administrative Office for interrogation. He then sent men inside to inspect the premises and question the innkeeper, staff, and guests. Only after giving these orders did he stroll toward Xie Wu and her two companions.
"Miss Xie?" Thousand-Household Gao asked, flipping through a small ledger handed to him by a subordinate.
Xie Wu nodded. "That is correct."
"From Shu, checked into the inn yesterday afternoon. The room was booked by a steward from the Prince of Shu’s manor." Thousand-Household Gao scrutinized Xie Wu as he spoke, then asked, "What brings you to the capital? Who do you think wants you dead?"
Xie Wu replied, "I arrived in the capital on the twenty-fourth of the second month, accompanying Prince Xin and Prince Rong. I stayed at the Chunhui Villa outside the city for three days. Because I had matters to attend to within the city and found it inconvenient to travel back and forth, I checked into the inn recommended by the Prince of Shu’s steward. As for who would want to kill me, I have only just arrived in the capital and have made no enemies along the way. I truly do not know."
When she mentioned Prince Xin and Prince Rong, Thousand-Household Gao’s eyelids twitched.
Although he was busy with official duties, a large part of the Jinyiwei’s responsibility was monitoring officials and gathering intelligence. He had naturally heard of the commotion surrounding the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke of Ying’s manor that had been sweeping the capital these past few days.
"You are the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke of Ying’s manor?" Thousand-Household Gao asked.
"I am," Xie Wu nodded.
"If that is the case, why did you not return home upon arriving in the capital?"
Xie Wu said, "Prince Xin asked me to stay outside the city temporarily; he intends to discuss matters with the Duke’s manor before coming to fetch me."
Thousand-Household Gao swallowed the "discuss what" that had reached his lips, observing Xie Wu in silence.
His gaze soon fell upon Qiu Ming, who stood behind her. "Did you injure those men? It seems your skills are quite good."
Xie Wu smiled faintly. "These are guards specifically sought out for me by my mother and brother back home because they were worried. They do indeed have some skill."
Thousand-Household Gao quickly shifted his gaze back to her, nodded, and asked, "Miss Xie mentioned earlier that you had business to attend to in the city. May I ask what that is?"
Xie Wu said, "My foster family is the Shen clan of Shu. My foster father has passed away, and my brother took a merchant caravan to the Western Regions last year. Therefore, I am here this year to audit the accounts of the family’s properties in the capital."
"Oh?" A flash of surprise crossed Thousand-Household Gao’s eyes. He knew of the Shen family of Shu, but he had not expected this elegant and beautiful young lady to be in charge of their business.
These were all things easily verified, so he was not worried that Xie Wu was lying to him.
"Then, Miss Xie, do you think these people could be related to the Shen family’s business?"
A look of appropriate confusion appeared on Xie Wu’s face. She shook her head and said, "The stewards and managers have been diligent and upright all these years; there have been no issues. Why would they... Even if there were rivals, I am only here to audit the accounts. The Shen family’s business is still under my brother’s direction."
Thousand-Household Gao narrowed his eyes. "I understand. It seems this room is no longer habitable. Does Miss Xie intend to find another place, or shall I have you escorted back to the Duke of Ying’s manor?"
Xie Wu smiled helplessly. "I would not dare trouble you, my lord. My family originally had a residence in the capital, but it is currently undergoing renovations and is not yet finished, which is why I am staying at the inn. I imagine that with the Jinyiwei here to act as a deterrent, those scoundrels will not dare return. I shall simply ask the innkeeper for another room."
"You still intend to stay here?" Thousand-Household Gao was genuinely surprised this time. This young lady had just been targeted for assassination here; even if she wasn't afraid, wouldn't she be disgusted?
Xie Wu said, "My lord, do not worry. I have traveled north and south with my father and brother since I was young and have been to many places. My courage is not so small."
"..."
"The Commander is here!"
Just as Thousand-Household Gao was about to let Xie Wu go and rest, a voice came from outside.
Under the dim firelight, a man with a long, slender build, a face like polished jade, and a swift, light gait walked in, hand on his saber. Who else could it be but Shen Que?
"Commander." Thousand-Household Gao turned and bowed, showing extreme respect to his superior, who was more than ten years his junior.
Shen Que nodded slightly without speaking, his gaze falling directly on Xie Wu.
Thousand-Household Gao hurried forward, whispering into Shen Que’s ear to explain Xie Wu’s identity and background.
After hearing the report, Shen Que showed no surprise. Instead, he asked, "Who dealt the knife wound to the assassin’s abdomen?"
Liuyue wanted to step forward, but Xie Wu reached out to stop her.
Xie Wu said, "Reporting to my lord, it was I."
"You know martial arts?" Shen Que narrowed his eyes slightly, observing the young lady before him.
This girl possessed a bright, almost bewitching beauty, yet her temperament was dignified and cold. She looked nothing like someone who had been lost for over a decade; in fact, she looked more like someone raised in the capital than those in the Duke of Ying’s manor.
Xie Wu said, "I have learned a little."
Shen Que suddenly raised his hand and struck a palm toward the woman standing before him.
"Miss!"
Liuyue and Qiu Ming were both startled. Qiu Ming raised his hand, ready to draw his sword.
"Do not be rude," Xie Wu said in a low voice, simultaneously sidestepping Shen Que’s sudden strike.
Shen Que’s eyes sharpened slightly. He sent a flat, slicing palm strike toward her, and Xie Wu spun away to retreat. The two exchanged five or six moves before coming to a stop.
"What is the meaning of this, my lord?" Xie Wu asked coldly.
She naturally knew that Shen Que was only testing her and had not used his full strength. Although the Jinyiwei Commander was young, his martial arts were ranked in the top five in the capital. As for Xie Wu, while she had practiced for many years, she had suffered an injury in her youth, and her strength was far inferior to Shen Que’s.
"The Li family of Northern Border, the Falling Leaf and Flying Flower Palm," Shen Que said indifferently.
Xie Wu nodded. "Correct. I learned it from the eldest daughter of the Li family. I have the consent of the Li family head; I did not steal these techniques."
The Jinyiwei did not care about stolen techniques.
Shen Que said, "Of these four men, two entered the room using incense and were taken down by Miss Xie. The other two were outside pouring oil and were taken down by Miss Xie’s guards. Is Miss Xie highly vigilant, or did you know in advance that someone was coming?"
Xie Wu raised an eyebrow. "Is my lord suggesting that I staged this myself, a thief crying 'stop thief'?"
Shen Que did not answer.
Xie Wu’s expression turned cold. She said in a low voice, "My lord, I fear you overestimate me. My Shen family has conducted business honestly in the capital all these years; we would not dare store dangerous items like kerosene privately, let alone commit arson. If you suspect me, please state your reasons. Or... perhaps I have inadvertently offended someone? I would ask for your guidance on that as well."
Thousand-Household Gao secretly gasped, his eyes widening as he looked at the young lady, who appeared exceptionally slender wrapped in her heavy cloak.
This girl was implying that their Commander had been bribed by the mastermind and was intentionally trying to frame her.
What audacity!
Was this the confidence of the Duke’s eldest legitimate daughter?
Shen Que, however, did not get angry. His gaze swept over Xie Wu calmly. "Miss Xie takes my words too seriously. I was merely curious. The Jinyiwei has taken over this case. Please rest assured, Miss Xie; I will certainly give you an answer." With that, he turned and left. Thousand-Household Gao looked at the still-composed Xie Wu and hurried to follow.
The Jinyiwei soon withdrew, and the courtyard fell silent, though many hidden, prying eyes remained fixed upon them.
"Miss! That so-called Commander is too much!" Liuyue said indignantly. "We were the ones harmed, what right does he have to suspect us!"
Xie Wu turned to her and smiled. "He is no one to us; why shouldn't he suspect us? Don't be angry. Go ask the innkeeper for another room; it will be dawn soon."
"Oh."