Chapter 167: Fickle Water Lily

Fickle Water Lily

Nie Jinxuan didn't know who the Shuncheng Emperor had ordered to investigate the Jin Qi case. But from the fact that the emperor hadn't immediately reclaimed the ledger and had let her stay in Prince Chen's residence, Nie Jinxuan was quite certain that the emperor was also using her!

Because the Shuncheng Emperor also understood that, although the ledger could serve as evidence, it still lacked sufficient force. Therefore, he used Nie Jinxuan as bait to lure the demons and specters hidden in the shadows!

However, the emperor never said it outright, yet regardless, Nie Jinxuan was willing to be used this way. In fact, it aligned perfectly with Nie Jinxuan's own plans.

Thus, Nie Jinxuan continued to live in Prince Chen's residence. As for the emperor's actions, Zuo Wei and the others felt some regret but could only accept it.

Afterwards, Nie Jinxuan hurriedly compiled Nie Jinhui's previous case into a scroll, handed it to Zuo Wei, and also informed Senior Minister Nie of these matters. Upon hearing that the Shuncheng Emperor chose not to hold a grudge, Senior Minister Nie was instantly moved to tears, his heart still sorrowful, yet he felt considerably relieved.

Two days later, the court finally made the case public. However, the report omitted any mention of Consort Tong Shupin, and even concealed Jin Jingyuan's wrongful death and Nie Jinhui's revenge for love. It merely stated that all the incidents were caused by a single rogue from the jianghu, and that the rogue, cornered during pursuit, realizing death was inevitable, leapt off a cliff to commit suicide!

The shocking case that rattled the entire capital—and even the whole Eastern Tomb—ended with the killer's death, his body never found, bringing the serial bloodshed to a close. Upon hearing the news, the citizens of the capital rejoiced wildly; some even set off firecrackers, and in an instant the lingering terror that had haunted the people vanished like smoke.

As the truth of the serial murders emerged, some insiders spread the word that Nie Jinxuan was in charge of the investigation. Consequently, Nie Jinxuan was thrust back into the spotlight; in teahouses and market alleys, wherever people gathered, the chatter erupted.

In an instant, the once-scorned, talentless, disgraced third miss of the Nie family—who had been divorced and reduced to a discarded wife—transformed into a remarkably talented lady of the realm. Even the earlier scandal at the Yun Prince's manor, which had begun with indecent and shameless behavior, had completely changed its complexion.

Some even claimed it was because the third miss of the Nie family was unparalleled in grace; otherwise, which discarded wife could receive such treatment? Perhaps Prince Chen himself had been misled, misunderstanding the third miss and, in a fit of anger, divorced her... In short, regardless of the circumstances, the third miss is truly outstanding; even if she resorts to tactics, she does so elegantly. The many disputes are merely deliberate provocations by those with ulterior motives.

…

The world works in such mysterious ways. In an instant, Nie Jinxuan became the talk of the capital after meals, basking in unprecedented fame. Yet she paid no heed to idle gossip outside. After learning about Nie Jinhui's case, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Later, Nie Jinxuan enjoyed a rare few days of leisure, sitting alone in Ningxiang Yuan, quietly watching the scenery, basking in the sun, and occasionally chatting with Prince Rui Yin Fengxiang.

Speaking of Prince Rui Yin Fengxiang, he is also a charismatic figure, but plagued by illness since childhood, he rarely interacts with the outside world. Though courteous and reasonable, he inevitably appears aloof. Since collaborating with Nie Jinxuan and others on the case, he has changed considerably. Now that the case has reached a pause, Yin Fengxiang has become a 'vagrant,' so when he has nothing to do, he comes to talk with Nie Jinxuan, sometimes seeking her advice on autopsy matters, which helps pass the time.

Thus, that afternoon, when Xiao Xiu came saying a guest had arrived, Nie Jinxuan instinctively thought it would be Yin Fengxiang. But when the guest appeared, Nie Jinxuan was startled to find it was the Duchess of Qi, whom she had previously met once at the Yun Prince's manor!

Although Nie Jinxuan and the Duchess of Qi differed greatly in age—Nie Jinxuan being a generation younger—the two got along famously. So when the Duchess arrived, Nie Jinxuan, who had been sunbathing in the courtyard, was initially stunned, but quickly rose to her feet.

"Hehe~, madam, what brings you here? As an elder, you came over especially—this really puts Nie Jinxuan in a bind... Come, come, have a seat; Xiao Xiu will fetch tea."

Nie Jinxuan warmly instructed Xiao Xiu and then went to welcome her. Upon hearing this, the Duchess of Qi smiled.

"Hehe~, there's nothing to be embarrassed about; third miss is truly courteous—it's I who have disturbed third miss's leisure, after all~"

The Duchess, being easygoing, led both of them to sit in the courtyard. As soon as they sat, Nie Jinxuan's gaze shifted to the young girl standing beside the Duchess.

In fact, when Nie Jinxuan first saw the Duchess, she had already noticed the girl beside her—a fifteen- or sixteen‑year‑old with thick brows, large eyes, striking features, and especially bright, lively eyes that occasionally flashed with vigor, making her remarkably eye‑catching.

Seeing the resemblance in eyebrows and eyes between the girl and the Duchess, Nie Jinxuan instantly recognized her identity.

At that moment, noticing Nie Jinxuan looking at her side, the Duchess smiled again, grabbed the young girl, and said directly to Nie Jinxuan,

"Hehe~, I've been so busy chatting with third miss that I almost forgot... Actually, third miss, I came today because someone urged me. This is my daughter, Ping Ting, my little girl. She's been wild and doesn't listen to anyone. A couple of days ago, hearing about third miss, she became obsessed, insisting on meeting you..."

When the Duchess spoke of her daughter, Qiu Ping Ting, a smile spread across her face. But before the Duchess could finish, Qiu Ping Ting pouted and shouted,

"Mother, how can you talk about your daughter like that?! She's become much more restrained now, okay!"

Qiu Ping Ting complained angrily, and before the Duchess could respond, she lifted her eyes and bowed to Nie Jinxuan.

"Ping Ting has met third miss; third miss, don't listen to my mother's nonsense. I'm actually very honest, not as wild as mother says."

At that youthful age, it was clear Qiu Ping Ting, like the Duchess, had a straightforward temperament. So upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan laughed, then asked Shui Yun to bring a chair over while saying to Qiu Ping Ting,

"Hehe~, Ping Ting, you were born well—so what if you're a bit wild? A daughter can be gentle, that's fine, and lively, that's wonderful. And I actually love a lively girl like you~! Come, sit down quickly!"

Having been here for such a long time, Nie Jinxuan rarely met people she got along with, so she was unusually sociable today. Hearing this, Qiu Ping Ting beamed, promptly sat down without hesitation, and added a couple of remarks.

"See, mother? It's third miss who has insight; unlike you and father, who never praised your daughter~!"

Qiu Ping Ting, being lively, chatted nonstop after those two sentences with Nie Jinxuan, her straightforward and charming demeanor endearing everyone; even the usually composed Shui Yun twitched the corner of his mouth, and Xiao Xiu laughed softly from time to time.

Thus, on a bright afternoon, Nie Jinxuan, the Duchess of Qi, and Qiu Ping Ting laughed and chatted in Ningxiang Yuan, the atmosphere less tranquil than before but more relaxed and pleasant... Yet as their conversation peaked, a sudden shout rang in from outside.

"Nie Jinxuan, come out now!"

…

The shrill shout dripped with arrogant swagger. At that moment, everyone in the courtyard froze, and before they could recover, a figure burst in at a galloping stride.

Looking toward the voice, they realized the newcomer was His Highness Prince Gong Yin Fengxuan!

At that moment, Yin Fengxuan stood with a fierce aura at the Moon Gate entrance of Ningxiang Yuan, his usually pale face full of anger.

Seeing this, the Duchess and her daughter were momentarily speechless, while Nie Jinxuan, seated, narrowed her eyes slightly and pressed her lips together.

"I was wondering who it was—so impolite. So it's His Highness Prince Gong! What brings you to seek Nie Jinxuan today? Is there something?"

She shed the earlier warmth, returning to her usual composure. The already inflamed Yin Fengxuan, seeing Nie Jinxuan so unflustered, became incensed and, in a few swift strides, approached her.

"Nie Jinxuan, you really are something! After being divorced by your fourth brother, you still have the nerve to move back in! I bet across the world there's no woman as shameless as you!"

His eyes widened as Yin Fengxuan shouted at Nie Jinxuan; hearing this, the Duchess of Qi instantly furrowed her brows, and Qiu Ping Ting's face also...

"Prince Gong, how can you speak of third miss like that? Third miss came to Prince Chen's residence for a reason... Moreover, this isn't Prince Gong's manor, so what right do you have to command here?"

Qiu Ping Ting, being straightforward and intolerant of such remarks, and admiring Nie Jinxuan, saw Yin Fengxuan's arrogance and flushed with anger. Yet Yin Fengxuan glanced at her and, without hesitation, shouted,

"You wild little girl! Get out of here, you have nothing to do!"

Yin Fengxuan knows the Duchess of Qi but does not know Qiu Ping Ting. At this moment, his gaze was fixed solely on Nie Jinxuan, ignoring the girl entirely.

Yin Fengxuan's words were rude, and Qiu Ping Ting, never one for a gentle temper, was instantly enraged. Just as she was about to retort, Nie Jinxuan seized her hand and slowly rose.

"His Highness Prince Gong, since we last partied at Zuixiashanzhuang, how have you been?"

It turned out that after the Spring Festival ceremony at Zuixiashanzhuang ended, Prince Gong Yin Fengxuan didn't even return to the capital; he went straight to the Qinhuai River banks to have fun. He stayed away for over a month, only just entering the city early this morning.

When he finally returned to the manor, he heard the steward say that Nie Jinxuan had been divorced; Yin Fengxuan was overjoyed. But to his great surprise, Nie Jinxuan had moved back into Prince Chen's residence... In an instant, his anger flared; after a quick freshening up and lunch, he rushed over to settle scores with Nie Jinxuan.

At this moment, Nie Jinxuan remained calm... even speaking gently, but then abruptly shifted her tone.

"But, His Highness Prince Gong, I don't understand what you just said... You keep calling me shameless; may I ask how I've become shameless?"

"Hmph! Nie Jinxuan, you know well how you are. A woman divorced and then moving back in—how is that not shameless? Moreover, I heard about the incident at the Yun Prince's manor a couple of days ago... Hmph, calling you a fickle water lily isn't an exaggeration!"

"Indeed, I'm a fickle water lily! But even if that's true, what does it have to do with His Highness Prince Gong?"

Nie Jinxuan remained composed. Hearing this, Yin Fengxuan was momentarily stunned. Seeing this, Nie Jinxuan curled the corner of her mouth in a cold smile, then stepped forward toward Yin Fengxuan.

"His Highness Prince Gong, since the Duchess of Qi is present today, I won't argue further! But please remember, even if I, Nie Jinxuan, am condemned by thousands, you need not meddle. Moreover, if you champion anyone's cause, you should be cautious; some matters aren't yours to handle, better leave them alone, lest you cause more trouble and end up with a mess!"

Nie Jinxuan knows exactly who Yin Fengxuan is. He indeed has a close relationship with his brother Yin Fengzhan, but even with such ties, he wouldn't travel all the way to a princely manor just to pry into his brother's affairs!

Yet now, looking at Yin Fengxuan, although he has changed clothes and is neatly groomed, he still carries a hint of dust‑laden travel. It must be that he just returned to the residence, his butt hadn't even warmed up before he ran here, and with all the twists and turns, Nie Jinxuan need not think it over; she already knows what's happening!

Of course, if this were the old days and Yin Fengxuan said that, Nie Jinxuan would not hesitate to push back, but she would also pack up and leave. However, now, once she leaves Prince Chen's residence and returns to the Nie residence, it would surely give those who had previously tried to move against her the false impression that Nie Jinxuan has already handed over the account books, so she has nothing to worry about and therefore returned to the Nie residence. Thus, at this critical moment, Nie Jinxuan cannot, under any circumstances, leave Prince Chen's residence.

Nie Jinxuan's words were sharp, her expression calm. Listening, Qiu Pingtian beside her lit up, almost clapping her hands in approval. But Yin Fengxuan's face instantly turned ashen, and he couldn't help but shout

"You… you say I'm meddling in other people's affairs?! Let me tell you, Nie Jinxuan, my fourth brother's matter is my matter, so you'd better be sensible, or else…"

"Or what?"

Stepping forward again, Nie Jinxuan instantly unleashed her full aura, standing just half a step away from Yin Fengxuan, then slightly raising her head to stare directly into his angry eyes.

"Your Highness, you just said Prince Chen's matter is your matter, so that means Yin Fengzhan's woman is also your woman, and you should intervene as well?!"

"Nie Jinxuan, what did you say?! You…"

"What did I say? Prince Gong, Your Highness, knows, so if Prince Gong doesn't want this talk to spread like a storm across the city tomorrow, then please, Prince Gong, simply shut your mouth!"

"You… you… are you threatening me? Let me tell you, I'm not afraid!"

At that moment, Yin Fengxuan, furious, wanted to swallow Nie Jinxuan whole. Yet, seeing the situation, Nie Jinxuan merely gave a faint smile.

"Yin Fengxuan, I know you're not scared. But let me tell you, the fact that I, Nie Jinxuan, can still reside in Prince Chen's residence today is because the Emperor has granted it. If I were to rush into the palace right now and broadcast your recent words, how do you think the Emperor would react?! …Of course, you are the Emperor's son, so he wouldn't punish you severely, but don't expect any benefit from it!"

"Therefore, Yin Fengxuan, my warning today is out of respect for your fourth brother Yin Fengzhan and the Noble Consort. Otherwise, just you, Yin Fengxuan, I will make sure you can't walk away unscathed!"

She deliberately lowered her voice; apart from Yin Fengxuan, no one knew what Nie Jinxuan had actually said. As soon as the words fell, Nie Jinxuan quietly glanced at him again, then turned and sat back in her seat.

In the vast courtyard, silence instantly settled. After an indeterminate span, Yin Fengxuan finally snapped back to his senses, raised his hand in a furious gesture toward Nie Jinxuan but said nothing, and a moment later turned and stormed away.

……

Yin Fengxuan hadn't expected that today he would bring up the iron board and even be reprimanded by the very Nie Jinxuan he despised. So, once he left Ningxiang Yuan and walked along the path to the front courtyard, he couldn't help but stop at a shady spot and harshly tugged at the adjacent wall.

"Dammit, that damned Nie Jinxuan! I'm not finished with you!"

Yin Fengxuan was holding his breath, his anger still smoldering. At that moment, as he vented his fury, a graceful figure slowly emerged from the corner of the path and leisurely approached his side.

"Since Prince Gong, Your Highness, hates Nie Jinxuan, why not do me a small favor? I guarantee that as long as Prince Gong lends a hand, Nie Jinxuan will be at Prince Chen's residence first thing tomorrow!"

The speaker was a woman, her voice soft and alluring. Hearing this, Yin Fengxuan was startled, turned his head, and involuntarily squinted.

"…You?!"

"It's me! So, Prince Gong, Your Highness, can you help?"

"…How do you want me to help you?"

He frowned at the woman before him, a hint of doubt and confusion in Yin Fengxuan's eyes. The woman merely smiled sweetly, then suddenly leaned close and whispered into his ear…

Although the afternoon's incident had briefly tangled Yin Fengxuan, it did not dampen Nie Jinxuan's good mood. The Duchess of Qi and her daughter, having once again witnessed Nie Jinxuan's boldness, could not help but praise her. Especially Qiu Pingtian, whose eyes sparkled as if Nie Jinxuan were an idol.

So afterwards, Nie Jinxuan chatted leisurely with the Duchess of Qi and her daughter, and after they all finished dinner together, the Duke of Qi finally left with his daughter.

The afternoon's commotion left Nie Jinxuan in good spirits, and as night fell, she casually asked where Yin Fengzhan had gone. She then learned that that evening, Yin Fengzhan had been taken away by Yin Fengxuan to drink, and would likely return very late.

Hearing this, Nie Jinxuan raised an eyebrow, and the attendant Xiao Xiu beside her couldn't help but say

"Miss, what's up with Prince Gong today? He's acting like a madman; I really have no idea what's on his mind all day."

Xiao Xiu is timid, so although the afternoon incident was ultimately settled by Nie Jinxuan, Xiao Xiu still feels lingering fear.

"Also, Prince Gong said he'll never be done with you… Miss, do you think Prince Gong will keep troubling you forever?"

Xiao Xiu frowned anxiously, while Nie Jinxuan, seated at the dressing table brushing her hair, gave her a slight glance.

"So? So you think I'm going to turn into a turtle that hides its head?"

"Uh… I didn't mean that…"

"Enough, stop the chatter, get to work quickly, and then go rest early."

Smiling, she said a line to Xiao Xiu, then Nie Jinxuan turned her head back to continue brushing her hair. Xiao Xiu pursed her lips slightly, then bent down to replace the nearly spent candle and lit it…

Instantly, the newly lit candle cast a dazzling yet gentle glow. At that moment, Shui Yun, who was wiping the table on the other side of Xiao Xiu, furrowed her brows and turned her gaze to the candle Xiao Xiu had just lit.

"The candle's got a problem."

Shui Yun whispered, and as she reached out to blow out the candle, Nie Jinxuan's eyes flashed, and she swiftly stopped her.

"Wait!"

Squinting slightly, Nie Jinxuan spoke, then fell silent, watching the flame, and whispered

"Xiao Xiu, where did this candle come from?"

"Uh, it just came from the steward's side."

"So, it was also issued to your and Shui Yun's room?"

"Yes."

Xiao Xiu did not dare to speak much at this moment. Upon hearing this, Nie Jinxuan, who had been staring at the candle flame, slightly lifted the corner of their lips, and after a brief pause, suddenly said.

"Since that's the case, I'll rest a bit earlier today. Xiao Xiu, Shui Yun, you both as well—return to your rooms and rest early."

"Uh… yes."

Though they didn't understand what Nie Jinxuan meant, Xiao Xiu and Shui Yun respectfully replied. Afterwards, Nie Jinxuan quietly watched the candle flame, then pressed her lips together.

Later that night, all was silent. Yet in the darkness, a side chamber of an courtyard in Prince Chen's residence suddenly burst into flames, and in the blink of an eye the fire shot up to the heavens…

Today is still a combined second watch; see you all tomorrow~