The young lady outside the door maintained a peaceful expression with a faint smile.

Lady Li gripped the door tightly, her expression guarded: “What is it?”

Jiang Si tried to appear as gentle and harmless as possible: “My brother and friend went for tea. Since we’re the only two ladies in the temple, I thought we might chat.”

“Sorry, I’m not feeling well.” Lady Li’s face showed not a trace of a smile as she moved to close the door.

The young lady outside pushed the door and walked in confidently, leaving Lady Li stunned for a moment before hurriedly closing the door.

“What are you doing?”

Jiang Si casually sat down by the table and poured herself a cup of tea.

She held the white porcelain teacup in her hand, her jade-like fingers even more delicate than the porcelain.

“If you don’t leave, I’ll call for help!” Lady Li, somewhat emboldened by Jiang Si’s youth, appeared rather flustered.

“Why so angry, Lady Li? I just want to talk.”

“I don’t know you!”

Jiang Si remained calm, glancing lightly at Lady Li, and asked: “Then do you know Lady Chi?”

Lady Li’s pupils suddenly contracted, but she quickly denied: “No, get out now!”

Jiang Si smiled gently, rotating the teacup in her hand: “Lady Li, coming from a scholarly family, such an attitude toward a guest only makes me think you have something to hide—”

Lady Li’s face paled, trembling with anger: “Stop talking nonsense! We’re strangers with no connection. You barge in here and expect me not to be angry?”

“Anger is justified, but if Lady Li doesn’t want to discuss Lady Chi, perhaps we could talk about Liu Sheng?”

Lady Li’s face drained of color as she kept backing away, her composure crumbling: “Get out!”

Jiang Si rested her chin on her hand, completely at ease: “Surely Lady Li doesn’t think only the County Magistrate figured out your relationship with Liu Sheng?”

“You… what are you trying to accomplish by spreading such gossip?” Lady Li trembled like a flower in the wind, then, seeming to think of something, forcefully pushed down her gold bracelet. “Are you after something? Tell me, how much do you want!”

Jiang Si laughed: “Lady Li, you’re far too nervous. I’m not from around here, and I’ll leave once the rain stops. I have no interest in gossip. I’m only interested in some things you know about, and once I understand them, I’ll never bother you again.”

Jiang Si knew her approach was unlikeable, but given Lady Li’s current state, if she maintained the facade of a gentle young lady, there would be no hope of learning about Lady Chi.

Compared to exposing that beast of a Marquis Changxing’s heir, what did being unlikeable matter?

Lady Li stared intently at Jiang Si, her expression constantly shifting, before finally biting her lip and asking: “You truly won’t bother me again?”

Jiang Si relaxed slightly, showing a sincere smile: “I’ll keep Lady Li’s matters in strict confidence.”

“Fine, ask your questions.” Lady Li sat down at some distance from Jiang Si, pouring herself tea with still-trembling hands.

“The last time you came to Lingwu Temple, did you meet a young lady surnamed Chi?”

“Yes.” Lady Li clutched her teacup tightly.

“Please tell me everything you know about Lady Chi in as much detail as possible.”

Lady Li furrowed her brow in thought for a moment before speaking: “At the time, Lady Chi came to the temple dressed as a man. I saw through it immediately, as did the monk arranging accommodations, so they placed her in the room next to mine. Lady Chi was very cheerful and young; I quite liked her. We became familiar quickly. She told me her father was a merchant who often traveled far away, so she would secretly slip out to play…”

“A young lady slipping out to play alone had no servants? Wouldn’t her family search for her?”

“I asked her these questions too. Lady Chi said she knew martial arts, so ordinary people couldn’t harm her. Her father wasn’t home, her mother had passed early, and she was used to sneaking out to play. She’d return after a few days, and though the household servants could never find her, they’d grown accustomed to it.”

“Did Lady Chi tell you where she lived?” Jiang Si couldn’t help but grow tense as she asked this question.

This was crucial for finding Lady Chi’s family.

Lady Li quickly gave her a pleasant surprise: “Yes. We got along well and agreed to meet again, so she told me where she lived. Lady Chi is from Baoquan County in Beihe City and lives in Xiayanzi Town in Baoquan County. Her father would travel for business every spring and summer, returning home for family reunions in winter. I remember clearly, that she said she would stay properly at home all winter, telling me to visit during that season if I wanted to see her.”

“Baoquan County in Beihe City—” Jiang Si murmured, having no real conception of the place.

In her previous life, she hadn’t left the capital until she fled south, and after returning to the capital with a different identity, traveling freely was even less possible.

However, having learned this much was already quite fruitful. Not wanting to pressure the young woman further, Jiang Si smiled and stood up: “Thank you, Lady Li.”

“Don’t mention it.” Lady Li looked at Jiang Si with unspoken words.

The meaning was clear: I’ve said what needed to be said, please leave now.

Jiang Si suddenly turned back at the door, startling Lady Li into tension as she trembled: “Is there something else?”

Jiang Si gave Lady Li a formal bow: “I apologize for my rudeness earlier. I hope you won’t take it to heart. As for the matters at Lingwu Temple—”

She looked at the haggard young lady with sincere feeling: “Forget them all.”

Lady Li’s expression shook, her eyes unexpectedly growing wet.

She hurriedly wiped her eyes, at a loss for words to say to Jiang Si.

Jiang Si bowed again and pushed open the door to leave.

“Sister—”

The voice outside suddenly stopped. Jiang Si saw Young Master Li’s startled face, nodded slightly, and passed by.

Young Master Li couldn’t help but look back, waiting until Jiang Si entered her room before pushing open the door and entering excitedly: “Sister, how did you become acquainted with that lady?”

Lady Li frowned, her tone cold: “We’re not acquainted.”

She was naturally still displeased about how Jiang Si had pressured her earlier.

Young Master Li felt as if cats were scratching at his heart: “With such heavy rain, we can’t leave anyway. It would be nice for you to spend time with her for company.”

“That lady is strikingly beautiful, has an extraordinary bearing, and from her accent is clearly from the capital. Brother, don’t get any ideas.”

“Sister, what are you thinking?” Young Master Li wouldn’t admit he was attracted to Jiang Si’s beauty, but his heart had indeed stirred with this chance encounter.

After leaving his sister, he went to find Jiang Zhan, arriving just as Jiang Zhan and Yu Jin were returning and preparing to retire to their rooms.

“Brother Jiang.” Young Master Li clasped his hands in greeting, warmly taking the initiative, “It’s a rare chance for us all to be gathered here. I’d like to invite Brother Jiang for tea.”

Jiang Zhan loved making friends, and although he had just drunk his fill of tea at the County Magistrate’s, he didn’t think to refuse: “Excellent! Such a rainy day is indeed dreary. Please come in, Brother Li.”

Yu Jin paused in the act of pushing open his door.

Inviting Jiang Zhan for tea? Could this bastard be after A-Si?

Hmph, truly courting death!

Yu Jin strode toward the two men.