The Heroine Pays Me to Fall in Love (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 27

When A’ning arrived at the main hall, Sun Jin had already been waiting for quite some time.

He seemed tense, his brows drawn tightly together, lost deep in thought. So lost, in fact, that he didn’t even notice A’ning until she was already standing right in front of him.

“Minister Sun,” A’ning said with a faint smile, breaking his reverie. “On such a snowy day, what brings you here all of a sudden?”

“I.” Sun Jin’s lips pressed together. His Adam’s apple bobbed a few times as he hesitated, words on the tip of his tongue but unspoken. “There’s something I’d like to ask of you.”

“Please, go ahead.” A’ning nodded and picked up the cup of tea beside her, sipping leisurely, her expression calm and unhurried.

Yet even after she spoke, Sun Jin remained silent for quite a while.

A’ning didn’t rush him. Instead, she quietly shared the stillness, sipping her tea as she waited.

At last, Sun Jin spoke, “Lady Inspector, would you come with me to the prison to interrogate Jiang Heng?”

The “Jiang Heng” he referred to was the former Governor Jiang, who had been imprisoned for corruption and bribery. For the past few days, Sun Jin had been questioning him—pressing about the source of the illicit silver and the names of his accomplices.

Over time, Jiang Heng had confessed to quite a lot.

But when it came to the whereabouts of Jiang Chengxuan and Jiang Yu’an, he refused to say a single word.

Lately, Sun Jin had unearthed several suspicious details and had begun to suspect that A’ning’s connection with the Jiang family was not as simple as it appeared. Thus, he deliberately invited her to accompany him to the dungeon, hoping to observe Jiang Heng’s reaction upon seeing her.

Perhaps it could serve as a breakthrough in the case or at the very least, confirm the troubling suspicion that had been gnawing at him for days.

With that in mind, he studied A’ning’s face, waiting nervously for her reply.

“All right,” she said with surprising ease, as though the matter had nothing whatsoever to do with her.

Sun Jin blinked, caught off guard.

“Did you encounter any difficulties during the interrogation?” A’ning asked mildly, her expression composed as ever. “You can tell me, Minister Sun. The more I understand beforehand, the better I can assist once we’re there.”

“Very well.” Sun Jin nodded, giving her a brief account of the situation—but he was careful not to reveal too many details.

A’ning listened with a faint, knowing smile, occasionally offering a few words in response. The conversation flowed smoothly, even pleasantly.

“So,” she concluded after a moment, “you still haven’t found either of the missing two, nor uncovered decisive evidence to close the case. Is that right?”

“Yes,” Sun Jin confirmed with a nod.

“I see.” A’ning smiled and turned her head toward the servants. “Prepare two baskets of pastries. Minister Sun and I will pay a visit to Governor Jiang.”

“After all, he was once a governor. Even if he’s now a prisoner, proper courtesy should still be observed.” Her smile lingered as her gaze swept toward Sun Jin. “Wouldn’t you agree, Minister Sun?”

“Yes.” Sun Jin nodded.

When the pastries were brought in, A’ning deliberately lifted the cloth to let Sun Jin inspect them.

He peered inside and saw nothing unusual—just ordinary pastries, nothing more.

A’ning covered the baskets again. The two donned their cloaks and, without further conversation, stepped out together.

Outside, the wind and snow had grown fiercer. Though they sat inside the sedan chair, the cold gusts occasionally blew in, scattering flakes that dampened their hair.

“This snow is relentless,” A’ning murmured, unfazed, her voice soft as she coughed lightly. “I wonder when it will stop.”

Sun Jin glanced at her, worry clouding his features. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” A’ning shook her head, pulling out a handkerchief to cover her lips. “Still, you’d best sit a bit farther away, Minister Sun. I’d hate for you to catch whatever I have.”

“I understand.” Sun Jin nodded, but his gaze lingered on the handkerchief in her hand.

It was pure white, embroidered with a lifelike koi swimming amid blooming lotus flowers—so delicately made that one could tell, even at a glance, that the embroidery had been done by a skilled hand.

“Where did you get that handkerchief?” Sun Jin asked curiously. “I’ve never seen you carry one before—it’s quite beautiful.”

“Of course it is.” A’ning smiled faintly. “No matter how capable Lady Wanyan might be in her official duties, she is still a woman. It’s not so strange for her to have a few feminine things about her.”

“And naturally, she knows a bit of embroidery too.”

“So, you embroidered it yourself?” Sun Jin asked, catching the implication in her tone.

A’ning only smiled, offering no direct answer.

By the time they finished their brief exchange, the sedan chair had arrived at its destination.

A’ning stepped out first, followed closely by Sun Jin. Guided by several guards, they descended deep into the dungeon.

The air inside was dark and damp, lit only by flickering torches along the stone walls. The sound of whips and groans echoed faintly through the corridors.

A’ning frowned slightly at the grim scene.

“This way, my lords,” the jailer said briskly, accustomed to such surroundings. He led them through several narrow passages until they reached the cell that held Jiang Heng.

He was a far cry from the dignified governor they once knew. Dressed in filthy prison garb, his hair hung loose and matted; his face and body were smeared with blood and grime. He slumped against the wall, eyes closed, a hollow shell of his former self.

“Wake up!” The jailer barked, pushing the door open just enough to slip inside before dousing Jiang Heng with a bucket of cold water. “Our honored guests have come to see you!”

The icy water jolted him awake. Jiang Heng’s brows furrowed, and after a moment, his cloudy eyes flickered open.

“You wretch!” the jailer spat, clearly not satisfied. He kicked Jiang Heng’s wounded side several times. “Show respect to Lord Inspector and Minister Sun!”

“Heh.” Jiang Heng’s lips curled in a faint, disdainful smirk, utterly unmoved.

Seeing that, the jailer raised his leg to strike again.

“Enough. Don’t be rude!” Sun Jin stopped him just in time, keeping the blow from landing.

A’ning’s lips curved faintly. She crouched down gracefully, meeting Jiang Heng’s eyes through the iron bars.

“Governor Jiang,” she said softly, her tone perfectly polite. “This is the first time we’ve spoken face to face. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

It was true—though she held the rank of Imperial Censor, A’ning rarely attended court sessions, spending most of her time handling confidential tasks for the emperor.

Even when she did appear at court, she and Jiang Heng had never interacted. A proud veteran official favored by the emperor, Jiang Heng had always looked down upon younger ministers like her. He had never spared her so much as a glance.

Thus, despite her three years in court, Jiang Heng had never truly recognized her.

But this time was different.

This time, A’ning had come precisely so that he would.

“Pah!”

After being tortured in prison for so many days, Jiang Heng had long grown to resent everyone—A’ning included.

That was, until he suddenly realized that the person before him looked rather familiar.

The more he looked, the more certain he became that he’d seen her somewhere before—someone who’d left a strong impression on him.

But where exactly?

Frowning, Jiang Heng searched his memory for a moment before it hit him—wasn’t this the maid who had always lingered by his daughter’s side years ago?

Back then, Yu’an had seemed to like her very much—so much that she had once knelt down to plead for the girl’s sake.

And yet now, this same girl was living such a comfortable life!

Jiang Heng couldn’t make sense of it. For a long moment, he simply glared at A’ning, eyes wide and lips pressed tight, saying nothing at all.

A’ning, seeing his expression, knew instantly that he had recognized her.

“Governor Jiang,” she said with a light smile, her tone even and calm, “let’s not beat around the bush. Would you be willing to tell me where your second son and daughter are now?”

As she spoke, she raised a handkerchief to her lips and gave a soft, deliberate cough.

It was a gesture meant for him to see.

Though Jiang Heng was old, his eyesight remained sharp. He noticed the handkerchief in her hand at once.

There was no mistaking it—it was his daughter’s embroidery!

For years, every time the New Year or a festival came around, Jiang Zhinan would always make small embroidered gifts for her father and her two brothers. Over time, even Jiang Heng, who knew nothing about needlework, could recognize his daughter’s stitching at a glance.

He never would have imagined that today, he’d see one of her handkerchiefs in A’ning’s possession.

And the fabric looked new—clearly made only recently, showing none of the wear of an old item.

This woman was asking about Jiang Zhinan’s whereabouts while holding something that belonged to her. Wasn’t that a contradiction in itself?

Unless, she was doing it intentionally.

That thought took root. When Jiang Heng looked at A’ning again, his eyes carried a subtle, unreadable emotion.

“It would be best if you could tell me soon,” A’ning said softly. “I don’t have much time. If I return too late, there are people at home who won’t be pleased.”

After speaking, she once again raised the handkerchief to her lips and coughed lightly.

To an outsider, her gestures would have seemed insignificant—but to Jiang Heng, they carried a hidden message he quickly understood.

He couldn’t be certain, not completely, but all signs suggested that his daughter was still alive—likely hidden somewhere safe by the woman before him.

That handkerchief, those carefully chosen words—they were proof.

And after so many years in government, Jiang Heng had become an expert in reading people. He could tell that A’ning and Sun Jin, the official standing behind her, were not truly on the same side.

He weighed this in his mind for a long while before finally standing up, slowly walking toward her.

“Very well,” he said with a faint smile, gesturing for her to come closer. “Come, I’ll tell you.”

“Understood,” A’ning replied. She rose to her feet and stepped forward until the two were separated only by the cell door.

She tilted her head slightly to listen.

Jiang Heng leaned forward, his breath close—then suddenly lunged, sinking his teeth viciously into her ear.

“Hey!”

Sun Jin and the jailers panicked instantly, rushing forward to pry them apart.

Jiang Heng had bitten with full force; blood welled from A’ning’s ear, sliding down her pale neck in a crimson streak.

“Lord Ying!” Sun Jin cried, sending someone to fetch medicine, his face drawn tight with worry. “Are you alright? Does it hurt?”

“I’m fine.” A’ning hissed, drawing in a sharp breath. Her lips had gone pale, and her condition was clearly poor.

“Adjourn the questioning!” Sun Jin snapped, stamping his foot in frustration. He ordered the jailers to lock the cell again, then helped A’ning out of the dungeon and back into her sedan chair, where he began dressing her wound himself.

“I’m ashamed,” A’ning murmured weakly, her face white with pain. “I didn’t manage to help at all.”

“Don’t say that!” Sun Jin’s voice was tight with guilt. “It’s my fault. I knew Jiang Heng was too cunning to handle easily. I shouldn’t have brought you to question him with me. This is all on me.”

“It’s fine,” A’ning interrupted, shaking her head. She leaned back with her eyes closed, exhaustion settling over her like a shroud. “Just take me home.”

“All right.” Seeing that she was tired, Sun Jin said no more, only urging the porters to move faster.

A’ning stayed silent the rest of the way, listening to the creak of the sedan’s poles. After a while, the corner of her mouth curved—just barely—a quiet, imperceptible smile.

This case had stalled for so long. That could only mean one thing: a crucial piece of evidence was still missing.

Jiang Heng had been an official for many years—he understood better than anyone the wisdom of leaving a way out for oneself. If he had dared to embezzle, then he surely had hidden safeguards, something that could preserve his life even in downfall.

Perhaps not enough to save everything—but enough to keep him alive, dragging things out, surviving by a thread.

That was precisely what A’ning had come for—to find out where that safeguard was hidden.

She had shown him the handkerchief on purpose: partly to win his trust, partly to stir his fatherly conscience.

In truth, she hadn’t been certain she could get anything from him today. That was why she had hidden poison inside the basket of pastries she’d brought along.

The dose was small—not enough to kill immediately, but enough to make sure Jiang Heng would not live to see the next sunrise.

If no clues could be pried from him, then ending his life—and taking the secrets to his grave—would have been the simplest solution.

Fortunately, the pastries had remained untouched.

Jiang Heng might not have been a good official, but he was a good father.

Before he had bitten her, he had leaned close and whispered a few faint words.

No one else had noticed, for they were standing too near each other, and the dungeon’s dim light hid all.

Those few words were: City God Temple.

As A’ning recalled this, her injured ear throbbed again, a sharp ache that made her clench her teeth.

He’d bitten hard indeed.

But still, it gave her one more reason to seek comfort—and sympathy—from Jiang Zhinan later.