After walking a few steps, she smiled and started counting on her fingers again. “First Young Master has a gloomy face all day, Third Young Master only knows martial arts from morning to night, I haven’t seen Fourth Young Master, and Fifth Young Master is still young. Looking around, Second Young Master is undoubtedly the most outstanding. It’s a pity Second Young Master is already engaged, otherwise those matchmakers would wear down the Governor’s mansion’s threshold.”

Someone said in Jiang Caiping’s ear, “When you say Third Young Master only knows martial arts, you mean he’s brave but lacks strategy, right?”

Jiang Caiping replied without thinking, “That’s right! Third Young Master is capable in martial arts but not in literature, brave but lacking strategy. Compared to Second Young Master, he’s far inferior.”

Yunyi had been tugging at Jiang Caiping’s sleeve, but unfortunately the latter didn’t react, so she had to curtsy herself, saying, “Greetings to Third Young Master!”

Hearing these words, Jiang Caiping was greatly startled. Looking up, by the moonlight that had already climbed the treetops, she indeed saw Li Xuanba and his sinister smile. He was the one who had just asked her.

This was terrible! She had actually said to Li Xuanba’s face that he was capable in martial arts but not literature, brave but lacking strategy. Wasn’t that seeking death? What should she do? She didn’t know how Li Xuanba would scold her, or if he would directly throw her out of the mansion? Unfortunately, Second Young Master wasn’t here, otherwise he could have said a few good words for her.

She braced herself and said, “Greetings to Third Young Master, may Third Young Master be well.”

Li Xuanba walked around her in a circle and said coldly, “What’s your name?”

Jiang Caiping said tremblingly, “Jiang… Jiang Caiping!”

Yunyi said from the side, “Third Young Master, Caiping’s words just now were unintentional. Please don’t blame her.”

Li Xuanba sneered, “I think she’s quite bold. Just a mere dancer, yet she comments on us brothers. Should I call Fourth Brother back from Zhongnan Mountain so you can evaluate him too?”

Jiang Caiping didn’t dare lift her head and whispered, “I… I won’t dare do it again. Please forgive me, Third Young Master!”

Li Xuanba snorted coldly, “There’s a next time?”

Jiang Caiping realized she had said the wrong thing and hurriedly waved her hands, “No, no next time. I’ll never dare again.” She was truly suffering inside. She should have just praised Second Young Master properly – why did she have to drag Third Young Master into it? Now she didn’t know how to get through this situation.

Li Xuanba stared at her for a long while and said, “I heard that today a dancer surnamed Jiang first escaped from Yuxiu Pavilion, then broke into Jingji Pavilion. That must be you. It seems your courage is indeed quite remarkable.”

“At the time… I was only doing that to save someone, not intentionally.” At this point, she looked up and said, “The facts proved that Sister Wu was indeed wronged. Fortunately, Second Young Master cleared her name.”

“So you think you were justified?” When he asked this, Jiang Caiping quickly lowered her head again. After a while, she said ingratiatingly, “I was just talking nonsense earlier. Actually, Third Young Master, your martial arts are exceptional and your appearance is handsome – you’re just as outstanding as Second Young Master.”

Li Xuanba glanced at her and said, “Since you’re so good at making judgments, why don’t you evaluate yourself and see if you’re better than me?”

“Me?” Jiang Caiping pointed at herself in surprise. After Li Xuanba nodded, she tried hard to speak badly of herself, “My handwriting is ugly – Mother often says my characters would fall over if the wind blew on them. My dancing isn’t as good as others’, and my eyes are different sizes. In short… I’m not good at anything, how could I dare compare myself to Third Young Master?”

A trace of amusement crossed Li Xuanba’s face. He cleared his throat and said with a stern expression, “Since you’re not good at anything, it seems there’s no reason to continue letting you stay in the mansion.”

Jiang Caiping was frightened by his words and hurriedly said, “Third Young Master, please don’t send me away. I… I’ll study dancing and music properly. Oh right, I can play the pipa – my mother taught me. Why don’t I play for you right now? Please don’t send me away, I beg you.”

Li Xuanba pondered for a moment, “Fine, considering you have some use after all, I’ll let you stay for now. But from now on, you’re not allowed to gossip anymore.”

Jiang Caiping repeatedly agreed. After Li Xuanba left, she patted her chest and let out a long breath, “Thank goodness I wasn’t thrown out, otherwise it would have been a huge loss.”

Yunyi smiled and said, “Silly girl, Third Young Master was just playing with you.”

Jiang Caiping opened her almond eyes wide in surprise, “Playing? But I saw Third Young Master he…”

“You were too worried to notice Third Young Master’s smile just now. I could see that he was angry at first, but later he was just playing with you. He’s not as petty as we thought.”

After hearing Yunyi’s words, Jiang Caiping said angrily, “I was so worried just now, but he was doing it on purpose! He’s such a grown man, yet he deliberately tricks people like this – how hateful!”

“Alright, stop talking. Be careful Third Young Master comes back – then you’ll really be crying.” With Yunyi’s warning, Jiang Caiping quickly covered her mouth and looked around nervously, afraid Li Xuanba would suddenly appear again.

At a considerable distance from them, Li Xuanba’s smile kept growing wider. That dancer was quite interesting – saying her eyes were different sizes was quite creative. Speaking of which, not only were her eyes not different sizes, they were quite spirited and beautiful too.

Since they had returned and Second Brother was back at the mansion, he should be meeting with Father right now. He needed to hurry over.

When Li Xuanba was heading to Songtao Residence, Li Shimin had already arrived. Upon entering, he saw Wan Shi talking with Li Yuan. He bowed and said, “Shimin greets Father and Second Mother.”

Li Yuan looked at him and said, “How did Wu Meixue’s case turn out?”

Li Shimin lowered his eyes and said, “Reporting to Father, it’s been thoroughly investigated. Feng Chunxiu died accidentally and had no connection to Wu Meixue. County Magistrate Qin has already released her in court.”

Wan Shi twisted the jade ring on her index finger and said, “I heard Second Young Master today not only sealed off streets but also set off firecrackers – quite lively. I suppose the entire case was investigated by Second Young Master personally?” Seeing Li Shimin remain silent, she said to Li Yuan, “Governor, although Second Young Master is exceptionally talented, he ultimately holds no official position. It’s quite improper for him to rashly interfere in county yamen case proceedings. Even if he truly felt there were problems with this case, he should have reported to the Governor for handling rather than interfering privately. Fortunately, Wang Wei and his companion have already left the city, otherwise if they knew about this and reported it to His Majesty, it would be no ordinary trouble.” Given Li Shimin’s current situation, he could help Li Yuan handle documents and cases within the mansion, but he couldn’t directly step forward publicly since he held no official position.

Li Yuan nodded and said to Li Shimin, “You heard what your Second Mother said. Don’t act so rashly in the future.”

Li Shimin didn’t argue and agreed, “Your son understands. Your son will be more careful in the future.”

Wan Shi glanced at Li Shimin and said, “Governor, although Wu Meixue didn’t kill anyone, she and Jiang Caiping both told lies and should be punished. She said she went to the back garden on the night of the ninth, but in such cold weather, how could she stay in the back garden alone until the fourth watch? It’s clearly a lie.”