The couple teased the two little ones for a while, and seeing that they were both sleepy, they then held and gently patted them to sleep.

After putting both children down, Ran Yan and Xiao Song rose to take a walk under the gallery next to them.

Xiao Song looked back at the three children and quickly reached out to take Ran Yan's hand.

"They don't understand; you worry for nothing," Ran Yan said with a wry smile.

Xiao Song said, "But in front of the children... one should act like a father."

Ran Yan gave no answer, simply grasping his hand in return.

"I promised long ago to take you to Guanshan, yet I have not yet kept my word." Xiao Song always felt guilty about this matter, but every time there were issues that prevented him from doing as he wished.

"There's plenty of time, and it would be even better for the whole family to go together in the future," Ran Yan thought that Xiao Song was already doing very well. Many husbands in the Great Tang were afraid of their wives, but not all could be as considerate and attentive as Xiao Song. Ran Yan was content and cherishing the present.

"Yes." Xiao Song replied with a smile.

Ran Yan then asked, "Is it really safe to return to Lanling?"

"With the Lady of the East gone, the main family has no threat to you and the children, and besides, with my father there, no serious trouble can arise. It's just that it might be hard on you," Xiao Song said apologetically.

Going back to her family, Ran Yan would inevitably have to juggle caring for the children and serving her parents-in-law. Even though Duke Song and Duchess Dugu didn't require her to serve them tea and water, the obligatory morning and evening greetings were unavoidable. With the large family came strict rules, and especially Duchess Dugu was particularly meticulous about such matters.

Duchess Dugu was strict with herself and even stricter with others. Take the three years of mourning she had to observe, for example. Even though she had been at odds with the Lady of the House behind the scenes for decades, she would still relinquish her household duties to carry out her mourning sincerely, altogether abstaining from meddling in family affairs. Otherwise, how could an opportunity for other women to become concubines have arisen while Ran Yan was pregnant?

"I was just slacking off in Chang'an anyway, and it is my duty to serve my parents. Besides, they gave birth to you, and for that, I must be grateful," Ran Yan said ordinarily, speaking her mind without any conscious attempt at sweet talk.

Despite this, Xiao Song felt as if his heart had been dipped in honey, and some part of him couldn't help but flutter as he looked down and said in a low voice, "My lady, let's move the children to the next room tonight..."

Such an overt hint made Ran Yan blush slightly, and she gave a noncommittal hum in response.

With a pleased smile, Xiao Song extended his hand to encircle her waist.

The scent of light peony from Ran Yan's body mixed with the smell of milk created a wonderful fragrance as Xiao Song pulled her closer into his embrace.

The breeze stirred by the lotus pond caused ripples to shimmer.

Ge Lan watched the couple in the gallery, hesitant to interrupt, she lingered for a while before approaching with a light cough, her head lowered as she said, "My lord, my lady, someone from the palace has arrived, summoning the lady to an audience."

Xiao Song frowned slightly, his voice grave, "Do you know what it's about?"

"I've inquired around, but that eunuch knows nothing of the matter," replied Ge Lan.

Xiao Song had a bad feeling. The Princess of Jinyang was much better now; he had even seen Su Fu taking her to view the scenery from the city walls when he returned. It shouldn't be that she had fallen ill so suddenly.

Just then, Liu Qingsong hurried in from the other end of the corridor, his complexion not looking good, "Jiulang!"

"It's bad!" Liu Qingsong saw the child sleeping on the Water Pavilion and quickly lowered his voice, not bothering to wipe the sweat off his forehead, "I heard that another death has occurred in the Eastern Palace, and this time it's inside the palace! The Emperor has ordered a lockdown on the news and summoned me to examine the body!"

Today was Liu Qingsong's day off, and it was clear that he had just received the news. He had rushed to change into his green official uniform, which he had not even properly fastened, appearing disheveled like a vegetable leaf frosted in early autumn.

Xiao Song's expression changed slightly. He remembered that Ran Yan had once performed an autopsy in front of He Sizheng, and he clenched his teeth in anger. Damn He Sizheng! It was bad enough that he was dragged into this mess, but he didn't even spare the women!

However, Xiao Song was all too familiar with the ways of the political arena. To solve problems, using a woman as a stepping stone was not surprising, let alone a group of women.

Ran Yan also realized the purpose of her summoning to the palace.

Since the Emperor had summoned them, they couldn't refuse. Xiao Song immediately instructed Liu Qingsong and Ran Yan, "You only need to conduct the examination truthfully. Don't talk too much about the case. If you can control the situation, just give them fifty percent of the clues. Kick the ball back to He Sizheng. He's in charge of the case, and he won't get off so easily without taking responsibility."

He paused, then added, "It's good that you're going to perform the autopsy."

Xiao Song's gaze grew solemn, pondering in his heart. As long as Ran Yan and Liu Qingsong could uncover the key clue but keep it hidden for now, he would find a way to expose the clue in front of the Emperor and He Sizheng, forcing He Sizheng to close the case quickly so that he wouldn't have to be involved.

"Remember, keep the key clues hidden," Xiao Song charged them.

Ran Yan was aware that getting involved meant becoming cannon fodder. There was no justice to be spoken of in this affair, so she agreed with Xiao Song's cautious assessment.

Reassured by Xiao Song's words, Liu Qingsong seemed much more composed. He straightened his official uniform. Once Ran Yan had changed into her ceremonial robe, they got on a carriage at Inner Gate and hurried to the palace.

In the carriage, Ran Yan began to ponder over the perpetrator of this case. Was it Li Tai? Or Li Ke? Or possibly...

"Ran Yan, this matter is recorded..." Liu Qingsong's demeanor was extremely serious at this moment. He dipped his fingers in a pot of cool tea on the table and wrote two words: Crown Prince. Then he quickly wiped them away.

Ran Yan was not aware of these details, but the historical records did mention that Li Chengqian was displeased with the courtiers and often plotted against them. As for how he "harmed" them or whether it cost anyone their life, it was not stated. But now, it seemed that they had found the answer.

That was why Liu Qingsong was anxious. What if the clues pointed directly towards the Crown Prince, but He Sizheng was too afraid to take up the responsibility and thus pushed the matter onto them...

"No need to worry too much. If He Sizheng can do it, so can we," Ran Yan meant that if He Sizheng could conceal the truth, there was no reason why they couldn't. Besides, since Xiao Song hadn't considered this, he must be confident that the case wasn't that simple and hiding the results they found wouldn't be hard.(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for a monthly ticket or recommendation ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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