When Jiang Xuening went out, she didn’t even dare glance at Jian Shu standing outside. Taking advantage of the dark sky, she returned to her room and directly yanked off the soiled dress. It wouldn’t do to just leave it in the room waiting for the maids to collect, so she simply threw it into a water basin, soaking it until the traces disappeared before she felt at ease.

Yet lying in bed, she couldn’t fall asleep for most of the night.

The next day when the maids came in to attend to her washing up, they saw yesterday’s clothes soaking wet in the basin and couldn’t help but feel somewhat surprised. Jiang Xuening only said that she’d drunk too much last night when she returned and carelessly left her clothes there without paying attention. The maids naturally didn’t think much of it.

With the border war now ceased, You Fangying and Ren Weizhi were planning to choose a day to leave Xinzhou. However, having come all this way, the border region also had some local specialties. It wouldn’t hurt to bring some back, conducting a convenient bit of business. So early in the morning, they came to ask Jiang Xuening if she wanted to go stroll the marketplace together to see the local customs of the region.

Jiang Xuening was feeling vexed.

Originally last night she’d finally steeled her resolve with great difficulty to speak clearly with Xie Wei. Yet before they’d exchanged more than a few words, that sort of thing happened—simply absurd beyond measure! If not for waking up early this morning and still seeing that dress soaking in the basin, and the faint tooth marks still remaining on the side of her neck, she would probably think she’d been audacious enough to dare have such a dream.

But her plan had been disrupted.

She deeply understood Xie Wei’s capabilities and deeply understood her own situation. The longer she dragged this out, the more she would sink into a vortex unable to extract herself.

When You Fangying came looking for her, it happened to be the perfect opportunity to leave this General’s Manor that had somehow become somewhat stifling, to go breathe some fresh air at the marketplace, relax her mind, and think things through clearly.

So the two left together.

On the morning of the first day of the new year after the holiday, the marketplace was full of festive cheer. The shops displayed dazzling arrays of goods, and people out for leisure were everywhere.

High on the city tower, Xie Wei and Lu Xian had finished observing the military camp outside the city from afar and were walking back.

Though it was already the new year, the wind was still cold.

However, as Lu Xian spoke, he felt that Xie Ju’an’s mood didn’t seem affected by the cold wind. His features were clear and distant, his demeanor sparse and scattered. Compared to the melting moon hanging high in the sky, he was more like a light breeze floating across a willow-lined pond.

He glanced back but didn’t see Dao Qin, and couldn’t help saying, “Early this morning I heard that Dao Qin caught some girl last night, gave her quite the scolding, made her cry miserably. I heard she’ll be locked up for several days. What happened? What did she do?”

The corner of Xie Wei’s eyebrow lifted slightly.

He looked back at Lu Xian once and said, “Dao Qin has an eccentric temperament and likes to argue with people. Probably offended him somewhere.”

Lu Xian: “…”

Could the answer be any more perfunctory? Like hell I believe you!

He simply stopped inquiring. First looking around to make sure no one was nearby, only then did he speak: “Now that the court has sent Zhou Yinzhi, they’ve essentially made a move against us. What do you plan to do?”

This Shen Lang truly didn’t lack in imperial scheming techniques.

Though he didn’t use them on the proper path, using them on such crooked paths was sufficient to deal with ordinary people.

Unfortunately, Xie Wei was not an ordinary person.

He lowered his eyes to look at the city wall bricks before him, reaching out to touch the sword and blade marks left by years, saying, “Now that he’s come to offer amnesty, most of Xinzhou City’s commanders lead troops. Raising the banner of rebellion in one morning won’t be easy. Right now is not the best opportunity. However…”

Lu Xian said, “You have a backup plan?”

Xie Wei withdrew his hand, looking at the fine lines on his palm, only saying, “The Heavenly Doctrine hasn’t made their move yet. Having planned for all these years, how could Wan Xiuzi fail to seize the right moment? The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. This kind of thing can’t be rushed.”

Just as they were speaking, some commotion suddenly came from below.

The two turned to look, and it was actually Zhou Yinzhi walking up from below.

Soldiers on both sides saluted him.

But he saw Xie Wei and Lu Xian standing here with one glance. After a moment of surprise, he walked forward: “This official greets Master Xie Shaoshi. Yesterday I arrived in haste, and it happened to be the victory banquet, so there was no time to discuss proper business. I was just about to find General Yan Lin, and here I’ve encountered you.”

Xie Wei said, “You have official business?”

Zhou Yinzhi’s gaze flickered slightly, looking at him with a smile: “I heard that Grand Princess has been rescued for over a month now. Previously her body needed rest and recuperation, but now Her Highness has greatly recovered. His Majesty’s intention is to bring Her Highness back to the capital. Moreover, you and General Yan Lin’s attack on the Tartars, rescuing the princess, making the Tartars submit to our dynasty, weakening their forces, and preventing the border from years of future warfare—this is meritorious service worthy of being proclaimed throughout the realm with promotions and enfeoffments. The Ministry of Rites has already begun drafting the documents for conferment. I just don’t know when you and General Yan plan to depart?”

The border had a garrison of one hundred thousand troops, beyond the capital’s reach, but returning would mean going empty-handed back into the enemy’s belly.

Who would dare take such a risk?

Xie Wei felt Zhou Yinzhi’s words carried more of a probing quality. However, he remained neither flustered nor disordered. Instead, he first looked around at their surroundings, then looked toward Zhou Yinzhi, lowering his voice with a light sigh: “Lord Zhou, is the court truly going to let this matter pass so lightly?”

Zhou Yinzhi’s expression suddenly became somewhat frozen: “You mean…”

But Xie Wei’s face showed several points of sternness: “The Yan clan was investigated years ago for having connections with Prince Pingnan’s traitorous faction. They harbored resentment toward His Majesty and the court. This time, Yan Lin’s raising of troops at the border ostensibly rescued the princess—an righteous act praised by the people—but surely you and I both know that His Majesty never issued that supposed command? After arriving in Xinzhou, I knew something was amiss. Unfortunately, it was too late—military power had already fallen into the hands of traitors. First, to protect myself; second, for the greater situation; third, for the people—I adopted the inferior strategy of false compliance, first helping him accomplish his goals while awaiting news from the court. But Lord Zhou came alone, and yesterday at the banquet you were even laughing and chatting with him, which is quite puzzling. I wonder, what does the court plan to do?”

Lu Xian listening from the side wanted to laugh.

But Zhou Yinzhi had absolutely not expected Xie Wei to say such things.

After arriving in Xinzhou, he’d also inquired around and almost assumed from the start that Xie Wei had also participated in this border falsification of imperial edicts and rebellion. After all, based on what he knew from serving under Jiang Xuening in the past, plus the limited dealings in court over these two years, he never dared underestimate Xie Wei, and was even more wary of him than others.

Yet Xie Wei actually claimed his relationship with Yan Lin was false compliance.

Zhou Yinzhi’s mind raced rapidly. For a moment he couldn’t distinguish truth from falsehood, but having weathered ups and downs in the Brocade Guard and now being a figure of some standing, he knew how to speak human words to humans and ghost words to ghosts.

Immediately he gave a bitter laugh.

In a low tone, he said, “So Master Shaoshi also has your difficulties. I thought, His Majesty views you as his mentor, treats you as his right arm—it shouldn’t come to this. But as you said, the situation is already set, truly difficult to reverse. Better to go along with it and see how things develop. Or perhaps, you have other insights?”

Xie Wei lowered his eyes, brilliance flowing through them. Silent for a long while, he shook his head: “The enemy is strong, we are weak. I have no good strategy.”

Zhou Yinzhi continued, “Then regarding the return to the capital…”

Xie Wei glanced toward the arrow tower built on the barbican inside the city wall, saying, “Prince Yan has just gathered all the commanders in the city at the arrow tower for a meeting. However, I’m merely a civil official, inconvenient to presumptuously listen in. Lord Zhou’s arrival is well-timed. Why not go probe the atmosphere first, then we can discuss strategy?”

Zhou Yinzhi also looked toward the arrow tower but couldn’t help pondering.

He didn’t dare believe even thirty percent of Xie Wei’s words.

He only feared that believing one more percent would lead to eternal damnation, and even more feared falling into someone’s trap, or accidentally revealing secrets he shouldn’t speak of, bringing fatal disaster upon himself.

Lu Xian, however, was clear as a mirror. Naturally he knew not a single sentence of Xie Wei’s words was true—merely confusing Zhou Yinzhi. He found it amusing. But seeing that Zhou Yinzhi seemed wary of having others nearby when speaking, he moved aside, about to step away.

Unexpectedly, having just moved one step, he saw figures below.

At that moment he instinctively blurted out: “Miss You?”

You Fangying was accompanying Jiang Xuening to look at a local Xinzhou tea shop, having just bought two taels of tea leaves planning to go back and see if there was any difference from what her own family managed. How could she have expected to suddenly be called out to?

The two followed the sound and looked up, only then seeing Lu Xian.

Along with him, they also saw Xie Wei and Zhou Yinzhi on the city tower.

Jiang Xuening was immediately startled.

Xie Wei was also slightly surprised. However, when he saw Jiang Xuening, he also saw her newly changed outfit today—a light blue pleated skirt, with a fluffy scarf tied around her neck, covering that slender neck completely and tightly. Somehow, his mind brought up those things from last night.

A rare discomfort made him stiffen for a moment.

After all, that kind of thing… self-gratification…

Jiang Xuening looked toward him.

Though Xie Wei didn’t avoid her gaze, the tips of his ears unavoidably became tinged with a slightly suspicious red.

However, everyone else’s attention was on the area below, so no one noticed him.

Zhou Yinzhi, seeing Jiang Xuening together with You Fangying, his gaze flickered slightly again. He actually took the initiative to strike up conversation with her: “Is Second Miss busy with business together with Boss You?”

Jiang Xuening withdrew her gaze that had been fixed on Xie Wei.

After all, she wasn’t the one who’d done that disgraceful thing, so she was instead extraordinarily composed, even with a smile hanging at the corner of her lips, saying, “Not at all, just strolling the streets.”

Since they’d started talking, it naturally wasn’t convenient to just leave.

Moreover, she had always been suspicious of Zhou Yinzhi.

Since they’d encountered each other, she told You Fangying she would go up to the city tower. But You Fangying shook her head, glanced at the people standing on the city tower, and said she would just wait for her at a nearby tea seat, not going up together with Jiang Xuening.

Jiang Xuening glanced at Lu Xian above and understood in her heart. Not saying anything, she nodded, then lifted her skirt and went up the steps below the city tower to reach the top.

Xie Wei seemed rather uncomfortable and didn’t speak.

Lu Xian, seeing You Fangying hadn’t come up, was somewhat displeased and also didn’t open his mouth.

Instead, Zhou Yinzhi appeared quite familiar, exchanging pleasantries with Jiang Xuening. Seeing she still held two taels of tea leaves in her hand, he couldn’t help saying, “I’m afraid the tea leaves from the marketplace in this region can’t compare to the capital’s. After all, the good ones are either in Jiangnan or sent into the palace.”

Jiang Xuening’s business ventures over these years had been quite extensive. In her early years she’d also managed the imperial harem, knowing how various regions paid tribute to the court—how could she not be clear about this?

However, Zhou Yinzhi back then had no such understanding of tea.

Thinking back to when she’d gone to Zhou Yinzhi’s home, only Yao Niang served them. What was carefully brewed and brought to entertain her was naturally the best tea in the house, but it was merely premium grade Dongding Oolong from that year.

Thinking of Yao Niang, Jiang Xuening couldn’t help but think of Zhou Yinzhi and Chen Shuyi’s marriage, and couldn’t help asking, “How is Yao Niang doing?”

Zhou Yinzhi was startled, seeming not to expect she would ask about Yao Niang.

How could he know how well Jiang Xuening understood him?

In her past life, though Zhou Yinzhi married Yao Xi, his household had many concubines. Though Yao Niang’s appearance wasn’t the finest and she wasn’t the most favored, she was the longest-lasting one in his inner quarters. Later when Yao Xi mysteriously died, though Jiang Xuening didn’t concern herself with Zhou Yinzhi’s household private affairs, she’d roughly heard some vague rumors saying that Yao Xi had wanted to deal with Yao Niang, which led to the incident.

So she paid particular attention to this graceful woman she’d only met a few times.

Zhou Yinzhi was somewhat cautious: “Why do you ask about her?”

Jiang Xuening said, “Just mentioning tea reminded me of her. In the past when she brewed tea for me, though the tea wasn’t very good, her tea-brewing skill was quite excellent. Now that you’re about to bring Chen Shuyi through your door, don’t mistreat her, will you?”

Zhou Yinzhi suddenly became somewhat silent.

After a moment he smiled: “In her early years she was a tea farmer’s daughter. Only after her family fell on hard times did she follow me—she truly does love tea. Before I left the capital for Xinzhou, autumn tea had just been bestowed from the palace. She particularly favored Dianhong. Second Miss’s concern—I’ll certainly convey it to her when I return.”

Jiang Xuening suddenly raised her eyes, looking at him fixedly.

That gaze was too bright for an instant.

Zhou Yinzhi suddenly felt a trace of unease: “Is something wrong?”

However, that gaze instantly returned to normal. Jiang Xuening nonchalantly said “oh” and smiled: “Never mind, why should I concern myself with Lord Zhou’s affairs? It just suddenly came to mind. Please don’t take it to heart, Lord. I was presumptuous.”

Zhou Yinzhi hurriedly said, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Xie Wei standing nearby had already witnessed them exchange pleasantries for quite a while, listening sentence by sentence as if they were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in ages. Feeling blocked and displeased, he coolly interjected: “Lord Zhou, if you don’t leave soon, the meeting at the arrow tower will be over.”

Only then was Zhou Yinzhi startled. He also detected a hint of “seeing a guest out” in Xie Wei’s words and immediately sensed something. So he stopped conversing with Jiang Xuening and bowed: “Look at me, nearly forgot the proper business. I’ll take my leave first to see General Yan.”

After finishing, he gave salutations one by one and went along the winding city wall toward the distant arrow tower.

But Jiang Xuening watched his retreating figure, her brows tightly furrowed.

Xie Wei asked with a half-smile: “You’re quite familiar with him?”

Jiang Xuening felt a chill in her heart, actually saying, “Zhou Yinzhi is not right.”

Xie Wei was startled.

But Jiang Xuening’s mind was racing rapidly. She turned around, lowered her voice, looked toward Xie Wei, speaking rapidly: “Dianhong tea is produced in Yunnan. The autumn tea harvest in the southwest has always been late, the route even more distant. Tribute arriving at the palace has always been mid-November, with snow and wind making differences of no more than ten days before or after. When the emperor bestows it upon favored officials, it’s roughly late November or early December. He claims that when he departed for the border, autumn tea from the palace had just been bestowed. From the capital to Xinzhou by fast horse is only nine or ten days’ journey—why was it delayed until yesterday, New Year’s Eve, before he entered Xinzhou?”

Xie Wei’s pupils contracted slightly.

Jiang Xuening stated decisively: “Either he lied about when he departed, but there’s no need for that; or, the time missing in between—he went somewhere else, with other schemes!”