Night slowly descended.
After dinner and washing up, Jiang Ning was about to show Liu Ming'an the letter sent by Yuwen Yan when she was suddenly lifted up.
"What are you doing?" Jiang Ning asked, her arms around Liu Ming'an's neck, confused.
Liu Ming'an looked at her in the dim candlelight, his voice carrying an indescribable tone: "Ning, it's dark now."
"So what if it's dark?" Jiang Ning didn't understand.
Liu Ming'an was even more confused: "Weren't you impatient earlier? Just now in the courtyard..."
Before Liu Ming'an could finish, Jiang Ning suddenly understood everything, and her face flushed bright red.
"Liu Ming'an, what are you thinking?! I just wanted to kiss you! Nothing else!"
Jiang Ning was exasperated by Liu Ming'an's train of thought. How could he think of her as so... so lustful!
"Oh? Just that..." Liu Ming'an said, somewhat disappointed, putting her down as she wished.
Jiang Ning's face was burning red. She quickly stepped back, but Liu Ming'an pulled her close by the waist.
Liu Ming'an lowered his head slightly, looking at Jiang Ning who was so close, his lips curling into a smile: "Ning, didn't you want to kiss me? Come on then!"
With that, Liu Ming'an obediently closed his eyes, looking like he was waiting to be favored, making Jiang Ning's heart race.
"No, no, not anymore. Liu Ming'an, don't, don't be like this..." Jiang Ning felt like she was stuttering.
Hearing this, Liu Ming'an opened his eyes and chuckled softly. His voice was low, unexpectedly stirring in this moment.
"But Ning, I want to kiss you."
Jiang Ning only heard this sentence before the hand on her waist tightened, pulling her into Liu Ming'an's embrace. Her chin was lifted, and a warm kiss followed.
Jiang Ning closed her eyes, her heart beating uncontrollably. A vague thought flashed through her mind: she had been teased by Liu Ming'an!
After a long while, the kiss reluctantly ended. Liu Ming'an pulled away, looking at Jiang Ning with a tender, lingering smile.
"Ahem, now that we've kissed, let's get to business," Jiang Ning said, averting her eyes and trying to appear composed. She then walked to a nearby box, pretending to rummage through it, and handed Liu Ming'an the letter that Yuwen Yan had sent earlier.
Liu Ming'an took it, walked to the candlelight, unfolded the letter, and quickly scanned it. The more he read, the more serious his expression became.
"Ning, are you going to find your mother?" Liu Ming'an asked after a moment, putting down the letter.
Jiang Ning nodded, then asked Liu Ming'an, "Do you remember Aunt Lan, who was selling osmanthus cakes when we set up our stall at the Universal Blessing Temple in Qushui City?"
Liu Ming'an seemed to realize something, looking somewhat incredulous: "Could she be..."
"Yes, she's my birth mother," Jiang Ning confirmed Liu Ming'an's guess, then continued, "That time when we were wandering around the Universal Blessing Temple, you went to circle the main hall to pray for blessings. I was bored and walked into the Hall of Longevity. I happened to see her dedicating a longevity tablet to Nangong Ling and lighting a longevity lamp..."
Jiang Ning paused, with some emotion: "But at that time, I didn't know I was Nangong Ling. I didn't recognize her, and she didn't recognize me. She even prayed for my safety year after year..."
Liu Ming'an stepped forward and embraced her, saying firmly, "Ning, I'll go with you."
Qushui City was a four-day journey from the Capital City, and there were still more than forty days until the March imperial examinations. There was plenty of time.
Jiang Ning smiled and agreed with a "Okay."
She didn't want to stay in the Capital City, this place of right and wrong, anymore. On one side was the Lou family, on the other was the Prime Minister's Mansion. Who knew when many troublesome matters would arise? Going to Qushui City with Liu Ming'an for a peaceful period was just right.
The two hugged quietly for a while, then Liu Ming'an picked up the letter, looking at the last page curiously: "Ning, who is this person calling himself 'Little Prince'? Which prince do you know?"
"Prince Xiang, Yuwen Yan, the sixth prince of Great Liang. He's the one we rescued in Jinzhi City."
"Oh, so it's him!" Liu Ming'an suddenly understood, and then remembered he still had a jade pendant left by Yuwen Yan: "No wonder the jade pendant he left us has the character 'Yan' on it."
"So Ning, when shall we depart?" Liu Ming'an asked again.
Jiang Ning thought for a moment and said, "I want to go as soon as possible. Tomorrow we'll prepare dry food and find a good carriage. Then you can go and inform Brother Zhou. How about we leave the day after tomorrow?"
"Alright," Liu Ming'an had no objections.
So the next day, they proceeded according to plan.
Jiang Ning stayed at home to knead dough and make pancakes, preparing food for the two-day journey to Jinzhi City. Liu Ming'an left early in the morning for the market to find a carriage heading to Jinzhi City.
They still chose to go to Jinzhi City first, then take a boat to Qushui City.
However, what Liu Ming'an didn't know was that while he was looking for a carriage, Jin Hui and Li Jiu, who had come from the Prime Minister's Mansion, had found the deed to the house where he and Jiang Ning were living on Late Winter Road at the Capital City Prefecture Office.
Nangong Ya had just returned from court and entered his mansion when he noticed Jin Hui and Li Jiu looking at him anxiously, as if they had something to say.
Thinking of the task he had assigned to the two, Nangong Ya frowned and said, "Let's talk in the study," leading Jin Hui and Li Jiu towards the room. Jin Yao hurriedly followed.
"What have you found out?" Nangong Ya asked urgently as soon as he entered the study, not even taking time to sit down.
"Sir, we went to the Capital City Prefecture Office to check the property deeds. We found that the owner of the house where the Third Miss is currently living is named Liu Ming'an. He's not from the Capital City. The husband the Third Miss mentioned should be this person."
"Liu Ming'an..." Nangong Ya repeated the name, searching his memory for a moment, confirming that he had never heard of this person before.
"What does he do? How old is he? Does he have any concubines? Where is his home? Who are his parents..." Nangong Ya followed up with a series of questions, but Jin Hui and Li Jiu shook their heads: "Sir, time was pressing, we haven't found out these details yet."
"Then what use is it if you've only found out his name?" Nangong Ya was somewhat angry.
"Sir, while investigating Liu Ming'an, we discovered he has a connection with the Lou family," Jin Hui quickly shared the important information, seeing the situation wasn't good.
"The Lou family?" Nangong Ya looked surprised.
"Yes, the Lou family. The house originally belonged to the Zhou family, but the Lou family bought it and changed the owner to Liu Ming'an. So as soon as we heard this news, we hurried back to report," Jin Hui said seriously.
Nangong Ya's expression became grave. The Prime Minister's Mansion and the Grand Preceptor's Mansion were two major forces in their own right, each minding their own business.
Now, with undercurrents surging in the court and various factions openly and secretly contending, at this crucial moment, the Lou family had interfered in his family's affairs. Could this whole thing be a trap set by them?
"Jin Yao, Jin Hui, quick, prepare. Come with me to bring Ling back!" Nangong Ya was somewhat panicked, but more so furious: "If the Lou family dares to extend their reach here, they shouldn't expect to get away unscathed!"
Meanwhile, in the Lou mansion, a guard hurriedly entered the study: "Old Grand Preceptor, Grand Preceptor, Young Master, news from the Capital City Prefecture Office - Nangong Prime Minister's people are investigating Young Master Liu's affairs!"
"What?" Lou Yuhuan slammed the table and stood up angrily: "What does that old fool intend to do with Ming'an? How dare he!"
Lou Baili stepped forward to support his father, patting his back to calm him: "Father, don't be anxious. We'll go find Ming'an immediately and settle him safely. We absolutely won't give Nangong Ya any opportunity to take advantage!"
"Grandfather, Father, I'll go too," Lou Lianyu chimed in.
"Good, the three of us will go together!" Lou Yuhuan said gravely.