It was already nearly the latter half of the night.

The mountain wilderness stretched out in a vast expanse. Outside the ruined temple, one could vaguely still see Heavenly Doctrine people standing guard—partly to guard against surprise attacks, partly still holding some hope for those who had gone to the East City Gate earlier, thinking perhaps they would return before long.

But inside the temple, there was only this one fire pit.

Zhang Zhe’s gaze met Meng Yang’s head-on.

From his expression, one could tell the other party had misunderstood something.

But he didn’t explain. He only paced over to the fire pit and sat down a bit beside Meng Yang, picking up a section of tree branch from the side. He gently broke it and tossed it into the fire pit. The faint red firelight illuminated his face, which beyond its tranquility seemed to carry a hint of bewilderment.

At this moment, Meng Yang had actually pushed aside much of the hair that had been covering his face, revealing most of it. He showed not a trace of ferocity, but rather possessed a kind of meditative peacefulness. Looking at him, one would never think he could be someone capable of killing more than fifty members of his own family from top to bottom.

But how many truly vicious and evil people in the world actually had the face of an evildoer written plainly on them?

A trace of a smile hung at the corners of his lips.

His gaze swept over the people around who were already fast asleep. He didn’t fear others hearing him speak and used that hoarse voice like a knife scraping against his throat: “Two years ago, before I was imprisoned, I heard that under Henan Circuit’s Gu Chunfang, there was a capable official who could perceive the smallest details and had quite the ability in deciding cases. Lord Zhang’s reputation for integrity—Meng has truly admired it for a long time. I just never expected to meet you in a place like this. Even someone like you colluding with the Heavenly Doctrine, it’s truly…”

He didn’t finish the rest, but he clicked his tongue, and the meaning was self-evident.

In Meng Yang’s hand was a somewhat thicker branch. He gently stirred the fire pit with it, and little sparks flew up in the hot air.

Sitting beside it, much of the chill was dispelled.

Zhang Zhe’s gaze fell on the branch in Meng Yang’s hand. Hearing the other’s words, he remained silent for quite some time.

Only when he saw that branch also catch fire after stirring through the flames did he calmly say: “You are from Changping, from a prosperous family. At twenty, you married a beautiful wife. Who would have thought that not even two years later, your beautiful wife would hang herself at home, dying with the unborn child. Grief-stricken, you went up the mountain to become a monk with the dharma name ‘Zhanchen,’ and had essentially entered emptiness. Unexpectedly, several years later, you inadvertently learned that your late wife had been harmed by the family—firstly to seize her wealth, secondly to arrange for you to marry a high official’s daughter. In your fury, still wearing your monk’s robes, you took the precept blade used by the temple’s warrior monks and returned home. To prevent people from escaping, you first set fire to the back gate, then barred the main door, and pressed inward. You killed everyone you saw—including your father and brothers, younger brothers and nephews. The eldest was sixty-two years old, the youngest was only thirteen. After killing through half the night, the only thing left alive was a dog you’d raised years ago.”

“Crack!” The tree branch in Meng Yang’s hand suddenly snapped.

The broken piece fell into the fire and quickly caught flame.

Finally, a trace of bloodthirstiness showed in his eyes, yet he smiled with the corners of his lips pulled: “Worthy of being Lord Zhang—you even know this.”

Zhang Zhe didn’t feel anything particular about recounting these things. He had handled too many tragic cases. Even with a compassionate heart, he wouldn’t be emotionally moved or mentally affected by them. He only said: “You were held in the imperial prison awaiting trial for a long time. Originally you were to be executed after autumn, and the case file happened to pass through the Ministry of Justice. I work at the Ministry of Justice, so naturally I’ve seen your file.”

In other words, Zhang Zhe understood Meng Yang better than others did.

This was something Meng Yang had absolutely not expected.

He suddenly felt an indescribable danger and developed a wariness toward this seemingly ordinary Ministry of Justice Bureau of Review Administrator Zhang Zhe that he hadn’t felt before.

Zhang Zhe seemed completely unaware of this wariness. The depths of his indifferent, cold eyes reflected the firelight in the temple as he said matter-of-factly: “You killed more than fifty members of your family. Your crime is substantiated. No matter what the reason, it cannot be pardoned or forgiven by law or sentiment. When the case file first arrived at the Ministry of Justice, you were marked for execution after autumn. Unexpectedly, someone suppressed it, saying there were still doubts and discretionary aspects to your late wife’s hanging, and only had you imprisoned without immediate execution. That’s why the matter has dragged on until now, unresolved.”

Someone like Meng Yang—ten thousand deaths couldn’t atone for his crimes.

Though caught in a dangerous situation, Zhang Zhe didn’t hide his own feelings in the slightest. He finally turned his gaze to look directly at the other party: “I’m very curious to know who stands behind you, to have such great ability to suppress a matter of autumn execution.”

Meng Yang still held a section of tree branch. Though his peaceful face was somewhat dirty, illuminated by this warm red firelight, he actually looked like a Buddha sitting high in a temple hall. He actually said: “Meng became a monk at White Horse Temple. The great monk who gave me tonsure had the dharma name Yuanji at the time and had studied Buddhist teachings intensively for four or five years. Since Lord Zhang is so curious, why not guess?”

White Horse Temple, Monk Yuanji.

Wasn’t that precisely the current National Preceptor personally appointed by Emperor Shen Lang?

The tonsure matter was probably true.

But Zhang Zhe didn’t respond, because the matter wouldn’t be as simple as it appeared on the surface. If Monk Yuanji did this, it would leave too obvious a trail—all the civil and military officials of the court were watching.

After entering winter, daybreak came later.

But Xie Wei habitually didn’t sleep very well at night and was accustomed to rising early. When he opened his eyes and got up dressed, it was still pitch-black outside. Having gone out in the snowy night yesterday, he’d caught some chill and started coughing.

Hearing him rise outside, Jianshu had people come in to attend him.

Hearing him cough, Jianshu said: “The medicine Doctor Liu prescribed for you earlier worked quite well. Let me have someone prepare a dose for you.”

Xie Wei frowned slightly: “No need.”

After washing up briefly, he walked to his desk and began flipping through the matters piled there. Only these were either court documents or Heavenly Doctrine secret reports—glancing over them, each and every one was wearisome.

Jianshu had already prepared to report all matters concerning the Heavenly Doctrine, but looking up, he saw Xie Wei sitting at the desk without moving for quite some time. Unable to help feeling puzzled, he proactively said: “The prison-breaking group just left. They left a mark at the city gate—looks like they’re heading toward Yanzhuang direction. The Doctrine Leader personally ordered another group to go meet them at their temporary stopping point, but we don’t yet know specifically who went. This subordinate feared alerting the enemy and hasn’t inquired further. Should I ask?”

But Xie Wei didn’t respond. He suddenly asked: “Is there nothing else?”

Jianshu froze.

Xie Wei coughed twice more. The lamplight illuminated his pale face, and between the contours of his brows and eyes, a lingering air of illness showed through. He actually didn’t want to do any proper business. He simply pushed all the documents before him aside, stood up, and headed toward the Zhuoqin Hall in front instead. As he walked, he said: “After the festival comes the first month—it’s not many days away. There is one matter: have someone go inquire what young ladies in the capital like these days. Draft a list of birthday gifts and bring it up. I’ll consider it.”

Things young ladies like?

Birthday gifts?

Who had a birthday in the first month?

Jianshu searched through his mind but couldn’t recall anyone with a birthday in the first month. However, thinking again about Xie Wei’s use of the three words “young ladies,” he suddenly understood and secretly clicked his tongue.

He wasn’t like Lu Xian, who dared to make a fuss in front of Xie Wei. He only dared to make a fuss inwardly. On the surface, he showed nothing, acting as if he’d received a major responsibility, and said solemnly: “Yes.”

Inside the Zhuoqin Hall, it was still pitch-dark.

Xie Wei entered and lit the lamp.

On the platform by the window used for making instruments, the zelkova wood board had already been prepared according to the qin’s design, only it hadn’t been joined or lacquered yet. He placed the lamp on the windowsill and rolled up his sleeves to take a carving knife. Just as he was about to carve the finer details, his fingers paused.

What suddenly came to mind was this—

That little girl’s qin, though it was an ancient instrument, an old qin meant old sound. No matter how well maintained, there would inevitably be unsatisfactory aspects. The ancient saying “new is not as good as old” was probably a fallacy. Crafting a new qin as a birthday gift would probably be good, only unfortunately, he’d been too busy lately. Crafting a qin was also slow—he feared the qin wouldn’t be finished before her birthday had passed.

This thought merely flashed through his mind.

After Xie Wei’s hand paused, he bent his head to craft the qin.

Watching him, Jianshu always felt he seemed to have something on his mind, but when didn’t the gentleman have something on his mind? Though the matter at Marquis Yongyi’s estate had been fraught with danger, it could even be counted as a brilliant move, just waiting for the day it would be put to use. However, in the end, he had left that residence, left this capital city. Though the gentleman didn’t say it aloud, secretly he probably harbored too much displeasure.

He didn’t dare ask what to do about the matters piled on the desk.

He could only wait at the door, not daring to enter and disturb him.

At such an early hour, most people hadn’t yet risen.

All around was utterly quiet.

So once there were footsteps, they became particularly noticeable.

Jianshu had only been standing outside a short while when he heard such footsteps coming from the front courtyard.

It was a servant.

Coming before the Zhuoqin Hall, he said in a low voice: “Someone outside seeks an audience, saying he has urgent matters to report and requests the gentleman spare some time. The other party identifies himself as Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander Zhou Yinzhi.”

Zhou Yinzhi?

Jianshu had heard of this person, only he hadn’t left a good impression.

Hearing this, he frowned: “Did he say what matter?”

The servant said: “No.”

Jianshu guessed Xie Wei wouldn’t see him, but they’d never had contact with this person before, so he didn’t dare refuse him outright like they would others. Therefore, he went in again to ask Xie Wei.

Xie Wei indeed said: “I won’t see him.”

Court officials coming to visit him were motivated by only those few reasons. After a long time, it became tiresome. Unless there was something to scheme about, he always preferred to keep to himself and didn’t like dealing with others’ affairs.

Much less today.

Hearing this, Jianshu was about to go out and send Zhou Yinzhi away.

Only his steps had just reached the door when the carving knife in Xie Wei’s hand stopped.

He suddenly said: “Have him come in.”

Jianshu couldn’t understand why he’d changed his mind again. He paused before reacting, taking the order to have someone lead Zhou Yinzhi inside.

After most of the night had passed, Zhou Yinzhi was still wearing the same clothes from last night. His flying fish robe’s collar and hem were stained with both sweat and mist.

The moment he entered from outside, Xie Wei could tell he seemed not to have slept last night.

Otherwise, an Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander didn’t need to attend morning court—there was no need to dress like this so early.

He only asked: “Xie has never had much interaction with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. For Battalion Commander Zhou to come looking before daybreak—I wonder what urgent matter brings you?”

This was indeed Zhou Yinzhi’s first time visiting Xie Manor to pay his respects.

But what had happened last night had already far exceeded his current ability to handle. Seeing that dawn was approaching and he still couldn’t find Jiang Xuening’s whereabouts, he knew he must inform others. But should he tell Jiang Boyou first? Zhou Yinzhi truly didn’t dare. Once the matter was exposed—firstly, secretly arranging connections to let someone into the imperial prison to visit Marquis Yongyi’s estate; secondly, an official family’s young lady’s whereabouts unknown—either charge falling on him, he couldn’t bear the consequences, and it might not even solve the problem.

Sitting in that prison cell for a full half hour, he steeled his heart and simply paid respects at Xie Manor.

For no other reason—just to take a gamble!

Xie Wei was Jiang Xuening’s teacher at Fengchen Palace. Though the young lady of a noble house was not of great age, she knew many things about the court. Last time, with the matter of ransoming the letter from the Heavenly Doctrine, though he still hadn’t understood to the end what Jiang Xuening’s intention was, he vaguely sensed she had a close relationship with Grand Tutor Xie Wei.

At least he was one of the current dynasty’s “Three Preceptors.”

If Xie Wei was willing to act, it would surely be more reliable than thinking of solutions himself.

Zhou Yinzhi’s knife-carved brows were full of gravity, even carrying a few traces of throwing caution to the wind as he bowed to Xie Wei. At the same time, he closed his eyes and said: “The Heavenly Doctrine rebels broke into the prison. Second Miss Jiang was in the imperial prison at that time. Her whereabouts are now unknown.”

“Scraaatch!”

In the silent Zhuoqin Hall, a jarring light sound rang out—the carving knife in his hand had actually scored a rough mark on the qin board, deeply embedded into the wood, even scraping the skin of his right index finger slightly, causing blood to seep out.

This qin couldn’t be completed.

This thought suddenly surfaced in Xie Wei’s mind. His gaze stopped on that deep mark for a moment, then slowly turned toward Zhou Yinzhi, staring at him as if he hadn’t heard clearly, asking softly: “Who did you just say?”

It was also early morning.

The crowd resting in the ruined temple also successively awakened.

The fire in the fire pit had also gone out, leaving only a bit of reddish embers.

Pale mist submerged the surrounding mountains, turning distant peaks and nearby shadows all into shades of black, white, and gray. However, through the thick mist, the sound of horse hooves could be heard.

Those keeping watch outside the temple had already been waiting for a long time.

Hearing the horse hooves, they called out: “They’re here!”

Everyone heard and immediately became energized.

Jiang Xuening had slept well through the night and had just woken not long ago. Opening her eyes and sitting up, she felt an outer robe slide off her body. Only then did she notice Zhang Zhe had long since left the room, and this garment on her was clearly the outer robe he’d worn yesterday.

That robe carried a bit of clear, crisp air.

She was dazed for a moment, gently stroking the fine stitching at the robe’s collar and sleeves. She only felt her heart leap forcefully, both sour and astringent. Living this life again, being able to see him well and safe was already very joyful, but Heaven was too good to her—it even gave her the opportunity to share hardships with him…

Jiang Xuening suddenly smiled. Though she’d slept until her whole body ached, she still nimbly got out of bed, folded the garment in a few motions, and walked out of the room.

But at this moment, everyone was standing outside the ruined temple.

With one glance, she saw Zhang Zhe still standing inside the threshold, only also looking outside. That Meng Yang, who yesterday seemed to have caused a stir of shock, was still leaning in the corner sitting, even in almost the same posture—she didn’t know if he hadn’t moved all night or if he’d moved and then sat back down.

In any case, Jiang Xuening didn’t care.

She walked directly past this person and arrived beside Zhang Zhe: “Lord Zhang, your clothes.”

It seemed the people from the Heavenly Doctrine had arrived to meet them.

Zhang Zhe was just wondering who might have come when he heard the voice and turned his head, only to see the girl who had just awakened was already standing beside him. Probably because last night’s bed was uncomfortable and her sleeping posture not very good, the left side of her face still bore a faint red sleep mark, like a red impression left by the pillow or his collar.

He paused before receiving the robe.

Only this robe had now been stained with the sweet fragrance the young girl carried. He held it in his hands but didn’t put it on himself.

Outside the temple, in that patch of thick fog, the newcomers finally revealed their forms.

They were actually a team of capable riders.

A group of over twenty horses, two in the lead at the front, could be called swift as wind and lightning as they stopped before the temple.

Huang Qian immediately went forward to meet them: “Left Prime Elder, Master Dingfei, we’ve been waiting for you.”

Those two lead riders were one old and one young.

The old one had white hair and wrinkled skin, dressed as a wandering physician of the jianghu. His name was Feng Mingyu. He was dispatched to the Tongzhou branch headquarters by the Jinling main headquarters to serve as the Hall Master, overseeing branch affairs. Within the Doctrine, most people would call him “Left Prime Elder.” “Left Prime” meant Left Prime Minister, while “Elder” was a common jianghu term—enough to show this person’s high status.

The young one had a handsome face with striking features, wore brocade clothes, wore a treasured sword at his waist, possessing the bearing of a romantic wandering hero. A pair of peach-blossom eyes that could bewitch souls—just the flowing light at the corners of those eyes would make any maiden’s face flush and heart race upon seeing them.

Others seeing him couldn’t help but secretly think “what a fine-looking talent.”

At first sight of him, however, Jiang Xuening’s complexion suddenly changed. A chill shot up from the soles of her feet straight to the back of her head, and the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but twitch slightly: Oh no, how could it be him!

This young one was none other than the Xiao Dingfei she’d known in her previous life!

Feng Mingyu held a higher position, and his old bones couldn’t withstand such bumpy horse riding. When he dismounted with support from someone beside him, his complexion wasn’t very good. He only said breathlessly: “If not for the Doctrine Leader’s order, who would risk this old bag of bones coming to this dangerous place. How is it? Where is Master Gongyi?”

Only now did he have time to sweep his eyes around.

However, with this one look, he saw the situation was somewhat amiss. Besides their own Heavenly Doctrine people, there were many others still wearing dirty prison clothes.

Huang Qian knew the matter was thorny and quickly moved forward to quietly explain last night’s situation to Feng Mingyu in detail.

Xiao Dingfei also dismounted and very naturally stood beside to listen.

Jiang Xuening stood beside Zhang Zhe. She clearly saw that as Huang Qian spoke, his eyes looked toward Zhang Zhe’s direction several times. Her heart began to race wildly: In her previous life, she had known Xiao Dingfei had countless connections with the Heavenly Doctrine. Who would have thought that in this life, she would see it with her own eyes! This person would “return” to the Xiao family in the future—his position was so important. Did he know the true identity of “Master Gongyi the Recluse”?

After listening, Feng Mingyu’s two gray-white eyebrows furrowed tightly, and he instinctively also looked toward Zhang Zhe in the back of the crowd.

Xiao Dingfei had also heard everything clearly.

However…

Master Gongyi the Recluse?

His slanted, flying long brows raised slightly. Casually pressing the long sword at his waist, he took a couple of steps and actually walked to the front of the temple, looking Zhang Zhe up and down. At the corners of his lips hung a frivolous, worldly teasing smile: “You’re our Doctrine’s ‘Master Gongyi the Recluse’ who shows his head but never his tail?”

The moment Zhang Zhe heard Huang Qian call out “Master Dingfei,” his brows had furrowed tightly. Taking another look at that figure emerging from the thick mist, every word and action, every gesture and movement matched perfectly with his memories from the previous life of that heir who later returned to the Xiao family. His eyelids jumped slightly.

How could this person appear in the Heavenly Doctrine?

His brows furrowed lightly as he wanted to say something. However, at this moment, Jiang Xuening standing beside him suddenly without warning grabbed his sleeve and tugged.

He instinctively held back the words about to leave his mouth.

This motion couldn’t be considered large, but when the surroundings were solemn, it also couldn’t be considered small.

Xiao Dingfei stood nearby and easily noticed it.

He couldn’t help but glance to the side. Unexpectedly, if he didn’t look, he wouldn’t know, but looking at this “young man” standing beside, though his face was dirty, his features were extremely beautiful. That small section of fingertips reaching out were fair and white, the nails pink and translucent. Inside the loosely fastened collar, snow-white skin looked like it could break at a blow, making one taste it carefully and actually imagine a few traces of soul-enchanting flavor.

A woman?

Xiao Dingfei was no proper gentleman. Upon seeing this, he threw all important matters to the back of his mind. A trace of interest floated up in his pair of beautiful peach-blossom eyes, and his gaze actually settled on Jiang Xuening without turning away: “I didn’t expect at such a life-threatening time, you could still bring a woman along. I wonder how this young lady is called?”

Yesterday, someone had noticed something amiss about the person beside Zhang Zhe—either a young lady or a pretty boy.

But they were all old jianghu hands—no one exposed it.

Who would have thought this Heavenly Doctrine “Master Dingfei” of unknown origins would directly pierce through the truth with one sentence, declaring the other party was female, and even directly strike up a conversation asking for her name?!

Jiang Xuening suddenly thought: This scoundrel should immediately be sent back to the Xiao family so that whole clan could learn what “retribution” means!