Every part of Jiang Yiner's bow was perfectly proper, and her expression was earnest when she spoke, though she was also a little awkward and nervous. "Thank you, Brother Pei."
The darkness had indeed thinned a little, and the stars were fading. They left Xunfang Garden, and Pei Ye tied up the loose ends with Li Zhao and Xie Chuantang and took back Little Cat.
With the prime minister of Great Tang involved, the matter naturally lay far beyond Jingzhao Prefecture's authority. The newly appointed Lord Di was only a third-rank official, after all. In other words, what they had uncovered was not some hidden hand behind the scenes, but the entire canopy of heaven. Why the Transport Commission had professed complete ignorance, why the Sixteen Guards had refused Jingzhao Prefecture's deployment orders... it had all been within the Southern Office.
At this point, the investigation had probably reached a dead end-or rather, leaped to another level, a height that "investigating a case" could no longer reach.
Naturally, they would still have to consult the woman on the Small Tower's top floor about how to play the next moves. But Jingzhao Prefecture would report to her now, so Pei Ye left that alone. He bade the two farewell and returned to the warm carriage.
Only then did he see that Jiang Yiner was alone.
Her back and waist straight and graceful, she sat properly on the cushioned seat with her bundle and sword on her knees.
Pei Ye found that the girl's every movement was pleasing to the eye. It was not the meticulous propriety of rigid etiquette, however, but the bearing Daoist meditation and training had cultivated since childhood. In fact, it felt rather easy and natural.
But now his gaze swept around twice. "...Where are the other two?"