Chapter 130

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."

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.