Chapter 61: What Are You Doing

"Princess, this doesn’t seem appropriate," Yuan Qianlü said as he looked at Si Nuosang.

The prince had given strict orders not to let the princess get too involved. That made Yuan Qianlü truly reluctant to report this matter to Si Nuosang.

"What do you mean by that?"

Judging by Yuan Qianlü’s demeanor, there was no doubt Xuanyuan Juesi had given him explicit instructions.

"Please, Princess, don’t put me in a difficult position," Yuan Qianlü pleaded, at a loss as he faced Si Nuosang’s relentless questioning. But recalling the prince’s firm command, he could only remain silent. Yes, he would rather die than speak.

"Very well, I won’t press you. I know Xuanyuan Juesi ordered you not to tell me. Then I’ll go with you to see him. That, at least, you can’t refuse," she said, looking at Yuan Qianlü. This much, surely, he couldn’t deny her.

"Very well." Though reluctant, Yuan Qianlü had no way to reject her outright. He could only grit his teeth and comply, knowing full well the prince would surely scold him later for allowing this. Still, Si Nuosang was so forceful that no one dared defy her—at least, not to her face.

Si Nuosang followed Yuan Qianlü to see Xuanyuan Juesi. The moment Xuanyuan Juesi saw them, he understood what had happened.

He shot Yuan Qianlü a look, signaling him not to say a word.

"Don’t you try giving each other looks behind my back," she snapped. "I warn you both—don’t keep things from me."

Si Nuosang glared at the two men, her arms crossed, radiating the air of someone who would destroy them if they dared deceive her.

"Fine. Yuan Qianlü, you can speak," Xuanyuan Juesi finally relented.

"Reporting to Your Highness, among the more than ten dead, five were related by blood: a husband and wife, their two children, and an elderly mother. They came here as refugees," Yuan Qianlü reported his findings.

"How do you know they were refugees?" Si Nuosang asked.

"People nearby said so. They’d only just arrived and were still looking for a place to stay. Apparently, neighbors overheard arguments suggesting someone was after them—someone wanted them dead," Yuan Qianlü replied honestly.

"Is that so? Then it seems they were targeted deliberately." Had she misunderstood? If she were on the wrong track, she needed to correct herself immediately. Since coming to this ancient world, she felt as though her intelligence had dulled.

She began to doubt the mind that, in her own era, had far surpassed Xuanyuan Juesi’s.

Now it seemed utterly useless.

"It’s possible, but we can’t rule out a random attack," Yuan Qianlü said, noting the princess’s disappointment. Perhaps, this time, the prince was right. The prince was exceptionally clever—so was the princess.

"Don’t bother comforting me. Have you continued the investigation?"

"I’ve already ordered men to watch for suspicious people in the area. But I’m not sure how effective the prince’s interrogations have been," he said, referring to those they’d captured.

Xuanyuan Juesi shot him a glare—how could he say such a thing? Clearly, Yuan Qianlü lacked tact. Perhaps it was time to reassign him.

"Why are you glaring at him? Your Highness, why are you hiding things? Tell me—why? Am I so frail that I can’t do anything? Am I supposed to lie in bed all day, asleep?" Si Nuosang’s frustration was almost palpable, her words bitten off in anger.

Xuanyuan Juesi glared again at Yuan Qianlü, who now realized he’d gotten himself into trouble. Caught between these two, it was impossible to please either.

"There you go glaring again. Yuan Qianlü, you may go," she said, wanting to give him some dignity.

Yuan Qianlü took the opportunity to leave at once, almost running, unable to bear the prince and princess’s bickering any longer. They were like children.