Chapter 1166: Chapter 1139: Cannon Fodder in the Demon Hunting Novel (Part 3)

Anning had dinner with Mrs. Luo and returned to her room.

She felt a bit full after dinner, and walked around the yard with Yue Niang to aid digestion.

After a few laps, she didn’t feel as bloated, so she returned to the room to wash up and prepare for sleep.

Anning washed her face and rinsed her mouth, while Yue Niang sat under the lamp embroidering shoes for Anning.

Anning went over to take a look; Yue Niang’s craftsmanship was excellent, the shoes were beautiful, made with quality materials, adorned with gold threads and a small pearl flower sewn onto the shoe’s surface.

"I have plenty of shoes, Yue Niang, why trouble yourself with such labor?"

Yue Niang looked up and smiled: "I’ve nothing else to do, might as well make clothes and shoes for Miss to pass the time."

Anning lay on the bed, unable to sleep immediately, so she chatted with Yue Niang: "Yue Niang, the other day I went to Fourth Uncle’s house, and played with Rong there. I noticed some items in Rong’s room that seemed familiar, like the ones your sister had sent to me. I suppose those were gifts from your sister to Rong?"

Yue Niang paused: "That shouldn’t be, our Miss probably wouldn’t send things to Fourth Old Master’s house."

"Why not?"

Anning was slightly confused. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Yue Niang set down her work: "You’re young and unaware of many things. Long ago, the Prime Minister and Fourth Old Master didn’t get along. While the Prime Minister was alive, he scolded Fourth Old Master several times. Miss was always dutiful to the Prime Minister, knowing these things well. When the Prime Minister passed away, Fourth Old Master caused quite a scene at the funeral, and Miss was consistently obedient to the Prime Minister, so it’s unlikely there’d be any interactions with Fourth Old Master’s family."

"But, the items in Rong’s room really seem to be from your sister." Anning looked puzzled: "Could it be that your sister has started interacting with Fourth Uncle’s family or maybe your brother-in-law is in touch with Fourth Uncle?"

Yue Niang was visibly unsettled by this.

"Perhaps Miss saw wrong."

She tucked Anning in: "Miss should sleep now, I’ll step out for a bit."

"You go ahead, sister."

Anning obediently closed her eyes.

Yue Niang smiled, lowered the bed curtain for Anning, and instructed the little maid to be attentive, ensuring Miss doesn’t kick off the covers and catch cold.

After finishing her instructions, Yue Niang left Anning’s courtyard and went straight to Mrs. Luo’s room.

When she arrived, Mrs. Luo was sitting at the dressing table applying ointment to her face.

Sixi, seeing Yue Niang enter, quickly informed Mrs. Luo.

Mrs. Luo rubbed ointment on her face and hands, then turned to Yue Niang: "Did Second Miss ask you to come over?"

Yue Niang curtseyed: "Second Miss is already asleep; I came on my own accord. I heard Second Miss mention that Miss Rong from Fourth Old Master’s house seems to have items from our Miss, which I found odd, so I came to inform Madam."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Luo’s expression turned sour.

"Li Pengcheng, such a betrayer!"

Yue Niang was startled, anxiously watching Mrs. Luo.

Mrs. Luo waved her hand: "I know, you go attend to Miss."

Yue Niang bowed and left.

Sixi approached to massage Mrs. Luo’s shoulders: "No need to be angry, Madam. Even though the son-in-law interacts with Fourth Old Master’s family behind Miss’s back, he probably has some matters to discuss with Fourth Old Master. It’s not worth getting upset over such things."

Mrs. Luo’s expression softened: "You all are still young, unaware of the severe implications involved."

"I don’t quite understand,"

Sixi whispered softly.

Mrs. Luo sighed: "If Miss could manage the inner court and the household staff were truly loyal, how wouldn’t she know if Li Pengcheng sent gifts to Fourth Old Master’s family? If he could let the staff who sent items to our Second Miss also deliver them to Fourth Old Master, it shows Miss’s situation isn’t favorable. She probably had become betrayed by the attendants she took upon her marriage."

Mrs. Luo began to cry: "I thought Ning’er was merely missing her sister, hence the dream. But now, thinking back, the dream might have been a forewarning."

She wiped away her tears: "If the Prime Minister were here, I wouldn’t be in such a predicament. Back then, Li Pengcheng pursued my daughter, likely thinking us alone and weak, and thus easily manipulated; his sole intention was to ruin her reputation, forcing her to marry him. Just from this, one can discern his feral nature, not a person of good. Yet, I was compelled to let my daughter be wed to him. I hoped after all my daughter’s support, he’d be more considerate towards her, however, some people’s ambition only grows."

Anning sensed Yue Niang’s return and began to rest peacefully.

Today, she intentionally spoke of certain matters to remind Mrs. Luo to thoroughly investigate Li Pengcheng’s affairs.

In truth, the matters between Li Pengcheng and Chunniang weren’t meticulously hidden. If someone were to check, they might uncover the truth.

However, Mrs. Luo probably never imagined Chunniang would betray her, nor expected Li Pengcheng would dare to attempt such a deceit.

To be honest, Li Pengcheng and Chunniang had their eyes on Luo Anqing precisely because the Luo Family lacked a man.

With Prime Minister Luo gone, he left behind numerous connections, and without a son to inherit, these connections naturally belonged to the son-in-law.

Moreover, the Luo family’s lack of male descendants inherently weakens its position, and with Li Pengcheng pestering Luo Anqing, Mrs. Luo finds herself helpless.

If Prime Minister Luo were still alive, even with tenfold courage, Li Pengcheng wouldn’t dare engage with Luo Anqing.

He’s simply choosing the softest of targets and bullying the naïve.

With matters on her mind, Mrs. Luo instructed Wufu to visit Constable Geng’s house the following day.

By the evening, Constable Geng visited with gifts in tow.

Mrs. Luo asked Sixi to invite Anning over.

This was the first time Anning met Constable Geng.

Previously, she had heard of Constable Geng’s name, known as the renowned detective of Yang City, well-regarded among the populace, yet she had never seen him in person.

Upon meeting him, Anning curiously scrutinized Constable Geng.

Constable Geng appeared to be in his thirties, tall, with an impressive appearance. His face was slightly flushed, his hair not purely black but rather brownish.

Standing there, he exuded a strong presence.

"Greetings, Lady."

Constable Geng entered with a bow.

Mrs. Luo quickly said: "Take a seat, with how close our families are, such formalities aren’t necessary."

Constable Geng smiled, revealing slightly yellow teeth: "My mother insisted that whenever I meet you, I must bow, or else she won’t let it go."

Mrs. Luo laughed: "Your mother, always the same, adhering stubbornly to her principles. How is she lately? Give her my message, invite her over whenever she can spare time. With such relentless heat, she shouldn’t be cooped up at home."

"With your invitation, she’ll surely come."

Constable Geng chuckled and took a seat.

Anning stood and bowed gracefully to Constable Geng: "Greetings..."

She tilted her head toward Mrs. Luo: "Mother, how should I address him?"

Mrs. Luo replied: "Call him brother."

Anning bowed again: "Greetings, brother."

Constable Geng cheerfully handed Anning a small dagger: "Take it, it’s for fun."

Anning accepted it and thanked him.

Sixi and Wufu served tea and snacks.

Mrs. Luo said: "You’ve come straight from the government office, you must be hungry by now. Please have some snacks to settle your stomach."

Constable Geng was unreserved, immediately taking some snacks to eat.

While he enjoyed the snacks, Anning eagerly inquired about Mr. Ou. Constable Geng shared a few entertaining anecdotes, bringing delightful laughter from Anning: "Really? Mr. Ou sounds delightful; if I go to the Capital, I’d certainly find a way to meet him."