After waiting a while at the Governor's residence, they saw Zhao Ling'er dressed in official robes.
She wore a round-collared, narrow-sleeved robe, with square rank badges on her chest and back, each embroidered with a crane.
This was a style reserved for first-rank officials.
"Sir... what brings you to Nantong?"
"I was just wandering through on my way."
Someone brought tea, and Zhao Ling'er specially ordered plenty of pastries for Kitten.
"Thank you."
Kitten had met Zhao Ling'er before at the Jing Residence.
Now, she cupped her hands in greeting.
"I heard you were ill?"
"It's nothing serious. After reporting on my duties in the Capital City, I began feeling something unusual in my body from time to time.
"I probably encountered some problem with my cultivation. It's nothing to worry about."
With Zhao Ling'er's level of cultivation, she essentially never fell ill.
Even if she did, it would likely be an illness of the heart.
But since her complexion seemed normal, Li Ping'an did not ask further.
Seeing another child beside Li Ping'an,
Zhao Ling'er could not help asking, "Sir, this child is...?"
"This is precisely why I came today."
Li Ping'an explained everything from beginning to end.
The newly appointed Prefect had died under mysterious circumstances, leaving only his sole son behind.
Zhao Ling'er frowned. "I've been recuperating at home these past two days. I never imagined something like this would happen.
"Rest assured, sir. I will get to the bottom of this."
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
"It's only my duty."
The matter was settled that smoothly.
As for what followed, that was a matter for officialdom.
A Prefect was no random person off the street.
He had been killed mere days after taking office.
Even if the local authorities did not investigate thoroughly, the Capital