Of course, Chi Can wouldn’t mention Qiao Zhao, answering lazily: “Don’t know—just a chance encounter.”

The Eldest Princess Changrong didn’t believe her son’s words, her brightly painted lips curving in a cold smile: “A chance encounter, and you’d ask him for help?”

She understood her son’s character—he would never ask for assistance unless he truly trusted someone.

Meeting the Eldest Princess Changrong’s half-smiling gaze, Chi Can suddenly felt annoyed and threw out: “If Mother doesn’t believe it, so be it,” then turned to leave.

He hadn’t asked for help—that girl had been the one pursuing the matter.

Staring at her son’s sleeve corner disappearing at the study doorway, the Eldest Princess Changrong’s smile faded. Suddenly, she raised her hand and, with a sharp ripping sound, tore the Duck Frolic painting before her.

Female official Dongyu, who had been standing in the corner and was accustomed to the Eldest Princess Changrong’s unpredictable temperament, couldn’t help crying out: “Your Highness—”

In the corridor outside the study, Chi Can’s steps halted. He suddenly turned and strode back into the study.

He stood at the entrance, his face masked with ice as he stared at the half-torn painting in the Eldest Princess Changrong’s hands, cold air emanating from within.

Young servant Taosheng, following closely behind, silently retreated several steps and played dead.

Chi Can said nothing, just staring directly at the Eldest Princess Changrong.

His features were exquisite as a painting, maintaining stunning elegance even in fury.

Seeing this only pained the Eldest Princess Changrong’s heart. She threw the ruined painting at his feet and said coolly, “Since it’s a fake, no matter how realistic, I have no use for it. Can’er should understand.”

Chi Can stood for a while, his pale face gradually gaining some color from anger. He bent to pick up the painting at his feet and said flatly: “Yes, your son understands.”

He gripped the painting tightly, turned, and left. The forceful slamming of the door echoed with a loud bang, shaking even the carved rosewood brush holder on the study desk.

The atmosphere in the room was deathly silent. After a long while, female official Dongyu carefully spoke: “Your Highness, why must you do this?”

In all the vast Eldest Princess’ residence, only Dongyu dared say such words.

The Eldest Princess Changrong remained silent for a long time, her lowered eyelashes trembling as she asked: “What, are you feeling wronged on his behalf?”

“This servant wouldn’t dare. It’s just that you care deeply for the young master—” Why make the mother-son relationship so tense?

Dongyu didn’t dare voice the rest.

The Eldest Princess Changrong waved her hand listlessly: “You may go. I wish to be alone.”

Dongyu curtsied and left, gently closing the door behind her.

Chi Can strode back to his quarters and swept a gold-painted beauty vase off the side table with his hand.

Taosheng, following behind, leaped to catch the valuable beauty vase in his arms, secretly sighing with relief. He carefully placed the rescued treasure as far from Chi Can as possible before returning, putting on a fawning smile: “Young Master, would you like some tea?”

“No!” Chi Can walked to the writing desk and sat down, spreading out the painting he’d been clutching.

The Eldest Princess had torn the painting without mercy. Such a Duck Frolic that could fool experts would be worth a fortune outside, yet now it was torn to pieces like being drawn and quartered.

Chi Can carefully piece together the torn fragments, gently stroking the torn edges.

Taosheng stood to one side, clearly sensing his master’s unhappiness. He sighed quietly and suggested: “Young Master, if you like it, this servant could search the antique markets—perhaps we might find an authentic work by Master Qiao.”

“No need.” Chi Can refused decisively, his gaze falling on the broken bridge in the painting, deep and dark, emotions unreadable.

Taosheng craned his neck to look at the ruined Duck Frolic, secretly feeling wronged for his master: The Eldest Princess was too unreasonable. The young master had accidentally soiled Master Qiao’s painting and, fearing the Eldest Princess would be unhappy, specially went to Jia Feng to seek a replacement. The painting was obtained, yet the Eldest Princess tore it without hesitation.

Tsk tsk, what mother had such unpredictable moods?

Taosheng secretly glanced at Chi Can, thinking: No wonder the young master’s temper was becoming increasingly unpredictable too—this was the influence of bad company.

“What a pity,” Chi Can murmured.

Taosheng carefully studied Chi Can’s expression and suggested: “How about you find that master who painted this to create another one?”

“Master?” The previously cold-faced Young Master Chi’s expression suddenly changed as he raised an eyebrow at Taosheng.

That glance made Taosheng’s legs go weak.

Young Master, those beautiful eyes aren’t suitable for looking at people like that!

A certain servant, still unable to resist his master’s beauty, smiled dazedly: “If Young Master tells this servant where that master is, this servant will handle it for you!”

“You want to go?”

Taosheng nodded vigorously to show his loyalty.

“Don’t even think about it!” Not knowing what he was thinking, Chi Can suddenly smiled. When his gaze touched the fragmented Duck Frolic, his smile vanished again. His expression finally softened somewhat as he said lightly: “Bring a fine box.”

“Yes, sir.” Having enough sense to serve as Young Master Chi’s attendant, Taosheng quickly brought a rosewood long box.

Chi Can took one last look at the Duck Frolic and placed the painting in the box.

Taosheng extended his hands, waiting for his master to place the box in them, only to find his master standing up and putting the box away himself.

Meeting the servant’s blank expression, Chi Can’s face darkened: “Don’t mention this to anyone.”

After a pause, he added: “Especially not to Zhu Wu and Yang Er.”

Taosheng placed his hand over his mouth, making a lip-sealing gesture and loudly declaring his determination: “This servant would die before speaking!”

Chi Can: “…”

With such a foolish servant, his mood inexplicably improved a bit.

Hmm, perhaps in the future there might be a chance to have that girl paint another one—after all, the painting was ruined.

On the official road in the capital’s outskirts, a white-robed young man galloped on horseback. The lush flowers and trees on both sides retreated rapidly, as if even the most beautiful scenery couldn’t linger in his heart.

Reaching a turn, he suddenly leaped from his horse’s back, drawing the long blade from his waist and striking toward a certain spot.

Accompanied by the white horse’s long neigh and the crisp clash of blade against sword, a man in dark robes emerged from behind a tree.

The white-robed youth’s eyes were dark and brilliant like black gems moistened by mountain snow water, bright and clear. They fell on the suddenly appearing man in dark robes as he asked: “Who are you, sir? You seem to have been following me since leaving the city gates?”

The dark-robed man sheathed his sword and smiled: “Sir, you misunderstand. I was merely passing by—pure coincidence.”

The white-robed youth’s gaze fell on the hand with which the dark-robed man sheathed his sword. His thin lips pressed together as he raised an eyebrow: “Jinlin Guards?”

The dark-robed man was quite surprised. Seeing the white-robed youth’s calm expression, he knew that lying would be beneath him, so he simply smiled frankly: “The General has keen eyes. How did you recognize my identity?”

“The way you grip your blade.” Shao Mingyuan’s gaze calmly swept over the long sword at the dark-robed man’s waist. “Though you’re carrying a sword, the angle and position of drawing it—only one weapon would be most suitable: the Embroidered Spring Blade.”

After speaking, Shao Mingyuan looked deeply at the dark-robed man: “Now can you explain your purpose for following me?”