Ning Shu had been "released" from prison. She didn't need to use the identity of a little guard of Prince Nanping's Mansion to deceive people. Naturally, she would return to Duke Xing's Mansion.
She Yan stopped the carriage. Before getting off, Xiahou Qing said, "E 'er's family will be sent to you tomorrow morning."
"Well, thank you, Your Highness." Ning Shu didn't stand on ceremony with him. She pulled her robe and jumped off the carriage. Xiahou Qing's voice came from behind again, "Wait."
"Hmm?" Ning Shu looked back in confusion.
The voice in the carriage stopped. After a while, he said casually, "I didn't touch that bowl of food."
Understanding which bowl of food he was referring to, Ning Shu's feather-like eyelashes fluttered. She couldn't help but smile in her eyes. She said softly, "I know."
Xiahou Qing kept his word. The next morning, E 'er's family was taken to the Supreme Judiciary. In the center of the court, the mother and daughter hugged each other tightly like two frightened quails. They didn't dare to raise their heads. It seemed that the people standing around them were not officials, but ferocious ghosts. Or maybe there was no difference between the two in their eyes.
E 'er's father was a lame man with a crutch. He looked sloppy. He directly shrank in the corner and didn't dare to move. He only dared to scold his daughter. He was full of words like "money-losing goods", "shame on the ancestors", "unlucky" and so on.
Hearing her father's curses, Li E 'er's face became more bleak. She was like a flower that had been hit by frost. She was almost withered. Her eyes were full of tears. Until a yamen runner came to her and took her into a side hall next to the court.
There was a person sitting inside. He didn't wear the uniform of an official. Instead, he was like a guard's uniform. He was thin and had a kind face. He was vaguely familiar.
As soon as he saw her come in, the person immediately showed a warm smile. He poured a cup of tea for her and told her not to be afraid, "Hello, Miss E 'er. I didn't ask you to come here today to embarrass you. I just want to ask you something. Do you still remember me?"
Li E 'er hesitated and said, "You are …"
The man smiled and gave a hint: "May 9th, Chaobai River."
Li E 'er finally remembered, "Are you Young Master Ning Ping?"
Ning Shu nodded with a smile, "Yes, it's me. Miss E 'er has a good memory."
In such a terrible place, she met a familiar person who had saved her life. Li E 'er's heart was full of fear and vigilance. She lowered a lot at once, "You're my benefactor. How can I forget you? But why are you looking for me … specifically … for what …"
"It's about a case. I don't know if you've heard about the sudden death of the Southern Yan Kingdom's envoy before dawn yesterday?"
Hearing the question, Li E 'er's body stiffened, and she immediately shook her head and said, "No, never! I don't know anything! "
When ordinary people heard the question, no matter whether they knew the answer or not, they would think for a moment first. She answered so quickly that she blurted it out without thinking. Instead, she revealed an obvious flaw. Ning Shu was not in a hurry to expose her, but continued, "Well, I heard that Miss E 'er often sells flowers there last time, so I want to ask if Miss E' er knows the surrounding situation better. Maybe you can help us find some clues."
Li E 'er said like a frightened bird, "Not often. I usually sell flowers in Shui City. I only go there occasionally, so I don't know."
Ning Shu stared at her and said slowly, "I didn't say where the envoy of the Southern Yan Kingdom died, nor did I say where it was. Why does Miss E 'er seem to know it so well?"
Li E 'er's face changed. She pinched her palm hard and didn't dare to look at her eyes, "It's me … It's a misunderstanding. Because I often walk in Shui City, and there are many people coming and going in Shui City. It's a place where peddlers like us wander and peddler. The envoy certainly didn't die there. I don't go to other places much, so … so …" She hesitated for a long time, pinched her palm harder, gritted her teeth and said, "And I went out of the city with my parents the day before yesterday and went back to my hometown. I don't know what happened after that. If benefactor has other things to do for me, I will do my best. But I really don't know anything about this matter. "
Listening to her flawed defense, Ning Shu's pupils reflected her trembling, delicate and helpless figure. It was hard not to have a trace of pity in her heart. She hadn't seen her for a few days, but this young girl who had been torn apart by the wind and rain had lost a lot of weight. Her face was pale without a trace of blood. Just sitting there, her body seemed to be full of sadness. But before the case, all emotions must be put aside.
So she had to harden her heart and continued, "When was it the day before yesterday?"
"At noon … the uncles and aunts in the square can testify for us …"
Ning Shu shook her head gently, "Since you left the city at noon, why did people see you wandering in front of the Fang Seeking Platform in the evening?"
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