Chapter 183: Chapter 181: What Place Do I Hold in Second Miss’s Heart?

The owner of the Turkic insignia, named Puluo, is a mid-level Western Turkic officer.

Puluo is not on the prisoner list.

Because the case files and evidence at the Ministry of Justice were lost, Tang Xiaobai went to ask her father.

Miraculously, something happened.

Her father tossed her such an insignia, as if he had prepared it in advance and was just waiting for her to ask.

“Lord Tang must have known already, but without orders from above to re-investigate the Qin Family’s old case, he hid Puluo for the safety of the witness,” said Li Mu.

The reason Puluo was not on the prisoner list was because he gave a false name.

But as soon as he heard they were looking for him, Puluo exposed himself voluntarily.

Just like Tang Shigong, he seemed to be waiting here for them to find him.

After being brought before the emperor, Puluo confessed quickly.

The letter Feng Pu brought back that year was indeed written by Puluo, and the seal was genuine too.

Exchanging a letter for a city like Qilian was very profitable for Puluo, who was just a small officer at that time.

But he only wrote that one letter, and the ones found by the Qin Family had nothing to do with him.

“Those other letters were likely forged based on Puluo’s,” Tang Xiaobai said. “Although those letters are missing, the person who forged the letters or seals can still be found!” At this point, the carriage stopped.

“Coming here to find him?” Qin Rong squinted at the bustling entrance ahead.

Li Mu jumped off the carriage and turned to help Tang Xiaobai, his eyes full of questions: why bring her?

Tang Xiaobai gave him an “I have my reasons” glance and then turned to Qin Rong and said, “The owner of Wenren Bookstore is very familiar with seals. Maybe we can find something out from him.”

Last time she came here, she found Wenren Jia’s attitude somewhat strange, with a subtle obsequiousness.

So she guessed he might know something.

That’s why she brought the complete letter today to try her luck.

As for bringing Qin Rong, of course, it was to borrow some of the heroine’s aura to increase her chances of success!

However, this time her attempt was off to a poor start.

“The owner is not in the bookstore today, please visit on another day,” the bookstore servant said respectfully.

Tang Xiaobai decided to come on the spur of the moment, so it was not surprising that they didn’t meet him.

Just as she was about to take her leave, the little ancestor beside her suddenly questioned coldly, “Wenren Jia is clearly upstairs. Why is he avoiding us?”

Tang Xiaobai was startled, then looked at the servant whose face turned red and pale, caught off guard and embarrassed, clearly hit the mark.

“Forget it,” Tang Xiaobai nodded to the bookstore servant, “If your master is inconvenient to meet guests, we will come back another time.”

There’s always a reason for not meeting, and forcing a meeting won’t provide the desired answers.

Just as she was about to leave, she was called back.

“Please wait, Second Miss Tang!”

She turned around to see Wenren Jia calmly walking down the stairs.

He approached and still greeted politely with a warm smile.

His gaze swept over Li Mu and Qin Rong, pausing momentarily on Qin Rong, his eyes flashing with admiration, “These two must be Mr. Qin and Miss Qin?”

Li Mu remained silent with a cold expression.

Qin Rong merely smiled faintly, returned the greeting, and said, “Perhaps Mr. Wenren already knows why we have come?”

Beneath her serene smile, there was a slight, fragile hope.

Wenren Jia’s gaze flickered and he nodded.

Tang Xiaobai remained silent.

Damn! She did it again!

This heroine Qin Rong is something else.

Normally, her eyes would wander randomly between her and the little ancestor, but when facing the male lead and supporting characters, she adopts a refined and elegant demeanor, appearing gentle and perceptive, with a strength that carries a touch of fragility, and a fragility that’s intriguingly enchanting.

It seems that Wenren Jia is going to join the heroine’s harem as well.

As she thought about this, she heard Wenren Jia sigh softly, his tone softer than before, “Mr. Wenren fears he is powerless to help you based on your intentions.”

Qin Rong suddenly looked up, her long lashes fluttering, her eyes rippling like the surface of a tranquil lake disturbed by a falling leaf.

Though her lips were sealed and she remained silent, the appropriate level of disappointment spread in a way that everyone could feel.

This must be talent, Tang Xiaobai thought.

Sure enough, Wenren Jia’s face showed reluctance, his eyes struggling for a long time before refusing, “Forgive my inability to assist—” He paused, then lowered his voice, “The Qin Family’s matters have already come to light, some things need not be rushed, at least not now…”

Qin Rong gazed at him for a moment, then lowered her eyes in a bow, “Thank you, Mr. Wenren.”

Wenren Jia returned the smile and the bow.

And that concluded their conversation, revealing quite a bit of information even without seeing the complete seal.

On the way out, Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but whisper to Li Mu, “Good thing I brought your sister along!”

The heroine’s capability is incredible!

I bet there isn’t a man in this book she can’t handle!

However—

She glanced at the little boy’s indifferent expression.

Hmm, there’s still someone the heroine can’t handle…

As she shook her head, suddenly, Qin Rong, who was walking in front, stopped.

Tang Xiaobai shook Li Mu’s arm to stand still and noticed someone blocking their path ahead.

The path was blocked by a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, wearing a pale water-colored silk robe with a subtle, glowing pattern, made from imperial tribute brocade.

Behind her were many attendants, including an Imperial Guard escort.

Tang Xiaobai recognized this girl as the daughter of Consort Zheng, the younger sister of Prince Jin Li Shu, Princess Runan Li Huan.

She rarely interacted with Princess Runan, even though the emperor had intended to betroth Princess Runan to Tang Ziqian.

This time, Princess Runan was not here for her—

“Are you Qin Rong?” Princess Runan demanded with a cold face, clearly unfriendly.

Tang Xiaobai recalled the rumors about Princess Runan and Wenren Jia, her heart tensed, and suddenly, her sleeve was tugged.

And then she was led away from the confrontation between Qin Rong and Princess Runan…

Such ruthless and unrighteous action even surprised Princess Runan, who watched them for a while.

Tang Xiaobai blushed under the gaze, “Aren’t you going to help your sister?” Is this appropriate? Leaving without even a word?

Li Mu calmly replied, “She doesn’t need us.”

This…

Tang Xiaobai glanced back.

Princess Runan had already looked away, continuing her confrontation with Qin Rong, seemingly still speaking.

But since she was a head shorter than Qin Rong, she had to tilt her face upward when speaking, which made her seem less imposing.

Height really matters! Tang Xiaobai sighed, and glanced at the significantly taller Li Mu beside her, suddenly worried she might not grow taller.

Li Mu saw her worried expression, thinking she was concerned about Qin Rong, and frowned, “She’s good at putting on a show, she has people to help her!” He glanced over, “See.”

Tang Xiaobai turned to see Wenren Jia already coming out of the bookstore, looking anxious as if afraid Qin Rong would be bullied.

“Tsk tsk…” Tang Xiaobai shook her head, “No wonder he’s ranked sixth among the Ten Young Masters of the Capital, his charm is really strong!” Seeing the little ancestor’s faint glance, she added, “That’s according to others!”

Li Mu turned back, seated himself, holding the reins, and in a light tone asked, “If Second Miss were to rank them, where would Wenren Jia stand?”

“If I rank them? I don’t even know him.” Tang Xiaobai laughed.

“Then what about me?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep