"Uncle Qi, are you home? Miss Huan is here with your favorite Nu Er Hong wine and roast chicken!"
This voice was as clear and pleasant as a mountain stream. It was extremely familiar to both Ji Lingchuan and Gu Yunzheng.
It was Song Yihuan's voice.
Qi Lei didn't notice the sudden undercurrent surging in the room. He stood up in surprise and rushed outside in a hurry.
Gu Yunzheng also stood up abruptly. His face was full of surprise and the joy of seeing his sweetheart. He was about to follow Qi Lei out when he heard Ji Lingchuan say coldly:
"Lord Gu, do you want to make your relationship with her known to everyone?"
Gu Yunzheng stopped his steps abruptly. He turned around and looked at Ji Lingchuan. His expression changed several times, and finally he compromised and sat down again.
Outside, the voices of Qi Lei and Song Yihuan could be heard.
"Oh, girl, why did you come here? And you've brought so many things. You've spent so much money. You should have saved it."
"It's okay, Uncle Qi. I've taken on some jobs at the bookstore recently and earned quite a bit of silver. I bought these especially to honor you. Don't decline. Come on, smell this wine. Isn't it fragrant?"
The girl's tone was relaxed and cheerful, full of intimacy and trust in Qi Lei. But this kind of cheerful tone was something Ji Lingchuan had never heard before. He could easily imagine what kind of expression Song Yihuan would have when saying these words.
Vibrant, playful, and happy, just like a carefree little girl.
Outside the house, Qi Lei's hearty laughter came: "This is aged Nu Er Hong. The wine is really fragrant! Apart from your mother, you're the one who knows me best in this world, girl!"
Ji Lingchuan suddenly looked up, and his breathing involuntarily softened. If he heard correctly, Qi Lei had just mentioned Song Yihuan's mother?
In Qi Lei's yard, Song Yihuan watched as Qi Lei held the two jars of Nu Er Hong wine tightly and showed a bright smile on her face.
Sure enough, it was always relaxing and pleasant to be with Uncle Qi. She didn't need to worry about her identity as the concubine daughter of the Marquis Mansion, nor did she need to care about other people's cold words. Because Uncle Qi was the kindest person to her in this world.
"Oh, right. Miss Huan, you've come at just the right time. I was just talking about you." Qi Lei seemed to remember something. He put down the wine jars in his hands and gave a meaningful look at the inside of the house.
"About me? Uncle Qi, is there someone else in the house?" Song Yihuan noticed his hint and asked.
Qi Lei nodded, and Song Yihuan couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.
She had come here today not only to visit Uncle Qi but also to ask him to look into some things for her. But if there were other people here, it would be difficult for her to talk about her business.
"Do you still remember the case I told you about last time? Now the officials in the yamen have found a clue to solve the case and want me to help them catch the criminal. But you know I'm illiterate and can't even read the drawings. So I thought of you. Miss Huan, if you're willing, I'll take you in to meet the two officials?"
It was actually related to that case? Song Yihuan thought and looked forward.
Qi Lei whispered in her ear: "One of the officials promised me that if we can help them catch the criminal, there will be a generous reward."
Song Yihuan's heart skipped a beat.
If she could help solve the case and get the reward, she could save some silver, which might come in handy when she left the capital in the future.
Coincidentally, her elder sister had left the capital for the Changyue Nunnery these days, and no one was keeping an eye on her. This was a once - in - a - lifetime opportunity for her.
She nodded and replied, "Uncle Qi, I'm willing to help."
Qi Lei grinned: "That's great. Come with me!"
Song Yihuan followed Qi Lei towards the living room. As she stepped into the door, she felt two different looks fall on her. She paused, and as if sensing something, she looked up and saw Ji Lingchuan and Gu Yunzheng sitting inside, both looking at her.
Seeing the two of them in the room suddenly, Song Yihuan was so shocked that she almost cried out, but she managed to suppress it the next moment.
She never expected that it would be Ji Lingchuan and Gu Yunzheng who came to ask Uncle Qi for help!
What kind of luck was this? Even when she came to see Uncle Qi, she would run into these two!
Qi Lei didn't notice Song Yihuan's strangeness. He led her in front of Ji Lingchuan and Gu Yunzheng, bowed and said, "My lords, it's really a coincidence. This young lady is the helper I just mentioned, who has good handwriting and a good memory."
Then Qi Lei turned around and introduced Ji Lingchuan and Gu Yunzheng to Song Yihuan.
"Miss Huan, these two are the officials from the yamen I told you about. This is Lord Ling, and this is Lord Gu."
Song Yihuan looked in the direction of Ji Lingchuan following Qi Lei's gesture. Unexpectedly, their eyes met. His sharp and deep phoenix eyes made her heart skip a beat.
Uncle Qi called him Lord Ling. He didn't tell Uncle Qi that he was Ji Lingchuan, the heir of the Prince Ning. Well, the Ji surname was the royal surname. Walking around among the common people with this surname would only cause trouble. Just like her, when she was working in the bookstore and embroidery workshop, she never said that her surname was Song. Otherwise, people would immediately know that she was from the Ding'an Marquis Mansion.
When she looked at Gu Yunzheng on the other side, she just glanced at his hidden joy and then pretended that she had never met them before. She curtsied and said:
"I'm Rourou Huan. Greetings to Lord Ling and Lord Gu."
"Miss Rou, there's no need for such formalities." Ji Lingchuan said calmly.
Since she had an unpleasant encounter with him yesterday, Song Yihuan didn't say anything else after the greeting. She took a step back and stood behind Qi Lei with her eyes downcast.
Seeing her extremely dependent attitude towards Qi Lei, Ji Lingchuan's breathing became a bit heavier. He tapped the table with his fingers and said:
"Although Warrior Qi highly recommends Miss Rou to help us track down the criminal, this matter involves a murder case after all. We need to be responsible for everyone. May I ask, Warrior Qi, what's your relationship with Miss Rou?"
Gu Yunzheng had already noticed something wrong. Song Yihuan could laugh so carefreely like a child in front of Qi Lei, which meant their relationship was not ordinary. Hearing Ji Lingchuan's question, he couldn't help but look at Qi Lei and Song Yihuan and unconsciously tightened his hand.
Qi Lei smiled and said, "She's the daughter of my old friend and also my adopted daughter. Although we're not related by blood, in my heart, she's just like my own daughter. Lord Ling, please rest assured. She's also a kind - hearted girl and will surely be able to help you two."
Daughter of an old friend and adopted daughter.
These two titles instantly calmed the restlessness that had filled Ji Lingchuan's heart for days.
The frost between his eyebrows melted. Ji Lingchuan stared deeply at the charming face in front of him, with emotions in his eyes that were almost uncontrollable:
"Miss Rou, are you willing to help us catch that criminal?"