While He Rui was trying to solve his case, Lingxi, on the other hand, was figuring out the right position to hold her bow and arrow properly.
"Stand sideways and place your right foot forward," He Yu instructed.
Lingxi did as she was told.
"Not too far apart," He Yu corrected.
She adjusted her position.
"Relax your knees; don't be tense," He Yu added.
She nodded and relaxed herself.
"Stand straight," He Yu said.
He wanted to help her, but decided against holding her.
She adjusted herself. "What else?" she asked.
"Draw the bow."
She drew the bow. He stood in front of her and lightly pressed her shoulders downward.
"Relax your shoulders," he said.
She did. He dropped her arms.
"Your arms must be at the same level as your shoulders," he corrected. She nodded.
He studied Lingxi for a while. Her breathing was steady and her stance well maintained, too maintained for someone with mere self-defense skills.
He smiled to himself and stood behind her. He held her hand holding the bow and arrow; their bodies so close were separated by a hair's breadth.
He helped aim at the target, "first, aim at the target. Next...." He said pulling the string backwards, "release the arrow".
The arrow flew directly and hit the bull's eye. Lingxi smiled amazed, "that's amazing. Let me try", she said.
He Yu let go of her and she decided to do it on her own. However, on the first try, she missed the target. He Yu could not help smiling a little.
Lingxi turned to see him, a bit embarrassed, "why are you laughing? This was just my first try. I'll get better", she feigned anger.
"I'm not laughing", He Yu composed himself but the gleam in his eyes was unmistakable.
Lingxi ignored him and went on trying.
[Ministry of Justice]
Liu Ying had only just gotten the information from the judicial office and was thinking of what the answer could be.
"Miss Liu, are you still thinking of the case?" Lv Chi asked, tossing her a peach as he came in.Liu Ying caught it.
"Aren't you?" she asked, taking a bite from the peach before commenting, "I'm surrounded by peaches today."
Lv Chi sat on her table, "I've been racking my brain day and night with the little clues we have, and now that we have a direct clue, it's even more difficult."
"I also thought getting a significant lead would be the end of the case, but this case is testing my mental health," she added.
"Liu Ying, what would you do if you were the killer?" Lv Chi asked.
"If I were the killer, I would probably poison their food, but that is not possible in this case because no poison was found in their body and there is no way they could have all had the same food. Even if they did, someone may not eat it," Liu Ying said.
"Liu Ying, I never knew you had such a dangerous mind. I have to be careful about what I eat around you now," he joked before going to his own workspace.
[Yanxue Hall]
The officials at the Ministry of Justice were not the only ones cracking their brains. He Yan too was also deep in thought.
What should he give He Yu in exchange for his agreement? He couldn't think of anything close to value of the military token He Yu was holding.
"Eunuch Wang", he called the young eunuch, about his age beside him.
"Yes, Your Highness?" Eunuch Wang answered.
"Granduncle's token controls the frontier troops. Do you think there is any gift that can match up to that?" He Yan asked.
"About that, Your Highness, why don't you go ask His Highness what he wants in exchange instead? That would give you less trouble?" Eunuch Wang suggested.
"That is a good idea but I know granduncle. He is not simple. He didn't see me before so I don't think he will want to see me now", He Yan said.
"Then, why don't Your Highness meet with his consort instead?"
He Yan thought for a while. He had indeed secured a little relationship with Lingxi.
[Grand Prince Residence]
Lingxi had been trying over and over again. She was sweaty and her arms were tired but she refused to give up.
"Take a break," He Yu advised.
"Repetition is the key to learning," she said as she picked up another arrow and aimed at the target.
This time the arrow hit the board, but not the main point; at least she did not miss. She looked happy as she wiped off her sweat with her sleeves and pointed at the board.
"See? I hit the target," she said victoriously.
He Yu nodded in acknowledgement.
"After a few more tries, I'll be able to hit the bull's eye," she said, ready to aim another shot, but He Yu held the bow and set it down slowly.
"Patience is the key to learning. Rest and practice later," he said.
Lingxi blinked twice and shifted even closer to him, causing him to take a step backward because of the distance between them.
"Is Your Highness worried about me?" she asked with a smile.
"A teacher should be concerned about his student's health", He Yu answered.
"In that case, Teacher, my legs are quite weak. Would you be willing to carry me back to my room?" she asked.
There was a short pause as they stared into each other's eyes.
"If Your Highness finds her legs rather weak, how about exercising some more? Since you are practicing archery, your arms and legs must be quite strong. You may run five laps around the field before practice", He Yu smiled.
"Aah?" this was not the reaction Lingxi was expecting, "no, Your Highness, I'm actually quite fine. My legs have never been better", she said jumping.
"That's a pity. It's an order", he said and turned to leave.
Lingxi stiffened. She no longer found his smile unreadable but devilish.
*****
Qin Yan soon came to her.
"What's going on?" she asked him.
"I have checked what you asked me. There are no osmanthus flowers in the palace, well, except here", Qin Yan told her.
The previous day she had asked him to investigate He Yan's smell after figuring out the reason behind He Yu's absence from court and she had to say - He Yu was undeniably intelligent.
"What about outside the palace?" she asked.
"Osmanthus flowers are popular in almost every household. It is hard to say which one"
"Okay, anything else?"
"He Rui has figured out a lead on the case", he said and explained the situation.
"He at least has some sense", she commented.
"He Yan is also here to see you", Qin Yan said.
"He's already here?"
"He should be"
"Let's go"
******"
"Grandaunt", He Yan bowed.
"Your highness is visiting me quite often. What brings you here this time?" Lingxi asked.
"I would like to have a chat with grandaunt. I brought some rare chrysanthemum tea. Would Your Highness like to try it?" He Yan asked.
Lingxi looked up, "I've been cooped in the mansion all day. It wouldn't hurt for me to spend some time outside", she said.
Of course He Yan understood that was just her nice way of saying he was not welcome into the residence but he did not mind, "please", he said stepping aside.
She walked past him with Qin Yan following behind.