Zhu Wu winced in pain and decisively shouted: “Wait!”

Shi Yan had originally wanted to press his advantage and beat Zhu Wu into a pig’s head to clarify the rumor Miss Luo had heard from who knows where, but remembering Luo Sheng’s words, he reluctantly stopped despite his unwillingness.

Zhu Wu looked toward Luo Sheng and asked coldly: “What does Miss Luo want to discuss?”

Luo Sheng said with a smile: “How inappropriate to talk in the courtyard. Let’s go to the study instead.”

Hearing the words “study,” both Zhu Wu and Uncle Xing’s expressions twisted in unison.

They really couldn’t stand hearing the word “study” right now!

But the other party clearly held the initiative, so they could only talk.

“Miss Luo, please.” Zhu Wu said with a sullen face, extending his hand.

Luo Sheng nodded slightly and said to the Shi Yan brothers: “You two just guard here.”

“Miss Luo, that won’t do.” Shi Yan glanced at Zhu Wu and reluctantly spoke truthfully. “The opponent’s skills are quite good.”

Luo Sheng smiled: “I know. You can rest assured—Accountant Zhu isn’t some brute who only knows how to solve problems with fists. He won’t do anything to me.”

Shi Yan remained unmoved: “Better safe than sorry.”

“There’s no ‘sorry’ to worry about. I have money, leisure, eat well, and cherish my life.” Luo Sheng straightened her expression and said calmly, “His Highness left you two behind—wasn’t it to have you follow my instructions?”

Shi Yan opened his mouth but had nothing to say.

The master had indeed said this.

He’d also said that if they didn’t understand Miss Luo’s words and actions, they shouldn’t think too much—just obediently listen.

The implication being that their brains weren’t sufficient, so they should do more and worry less…

He wondered if the master would still say this if he knew Miss Luo was putting herself in danger?

The young guard thought resentfully, but ultimately didn’t follow inside.

As Prince Kaiyang’s personal guards, although their temperaments varied, they shared one trait: unconditionally executing their master’s orders.

In the study, because the bookshelf had been moved aside, several book scrolls were scattered on the floor, looking somewhat messy.

From hearing the knocking sounds to rushing out, Zhu Wu and Uncle Xing naturally hadn’t had the presence of mind to attend to these things.

Luo Sheng’s gaze fell on the hole chiseled in the wall, and she sat down quite openly, saying with some admiration: “I was worried you two wouldn’t hear.”

Uncle Xing sat down with a somber face.

Zhu Wu didn’t sit. His eyes darkened as he stared at Luo Sheng: “Isn’t Miss Luo afraid we’ll strike to kill? You should know that no matter how skilled the Shi brothers are, they won’t be able to save you in time.”

Luo Sheng’s lips curved in an unconcerned smile: “That Accountant Zhu can fight Shi Yan without falling behind naturally shows good martial arts skills. Of course you could instantly restrain me without problem. However, if Accountant Zhu truly tried to kill me, the consequences might be very severe.”

“No matter. Since we dare to act, naturally we’ll leave the capital afterward. Even if the Jinlin Guard’s power reaches the heavens, they may not necessarily find us uncle and nephew.” Zhu Wu said coldly.

He certainly wouldn’t strike without asking anything, but he also couldn’t stand this girl’s arrogant attitude. He’d frighten her first to see what she was really relying on.

Luo Sheng leaned back against the chair, her demeanor even more relaxed: “I know Accountant Zhu doesn’t fear the Jinlin Guard. The consequences I speak of aren’t that.”

“Miss Luo, stop being mysterious.”

Luo Sheng pointed at the hole in the wall: “I just heard quite a few shocking secrets in there. After leaving, I conveniently informed someone close to me. If Accountant Zhu tries to kill me—”

Luo Sheng’s tone paused slightly as she smiled sweetly: “In at most half an hour, the news that the Prince Zhennan’s manor—which was exterminated for the crime of treason—still has a covert force called the Vermillion Bird Guard will spread to every corner of the capital.”

Looking at Zhu Wu’s ashen face, the young woman blinked: “Once the news gets out, it might cause even more of a sensation than the top scholar riding through the streets.”

“You dare!” Zhu Wu shouted sternly, clenching his fists tightly.

These consequences were indeed very severe—severe to a degree that neither he nor Uncle Xing could bear.

“Zhu Wu, sit down.” Uncle Xing finally spoke.

Zhu Wu wanted to say something more, but Uncle Xing glared at him: “Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”

Zhu Wu closed his mouth.

Luo Sheng observed this and found it somewhat amusing.

Zhu Wu was approaching his thirties, yet before this Uncle Xing he acted like a youth.

“Miss Luo, tell us your purpose.” Uncle Xing said calmly.

For a young lady to get involved in this for no reason, naturally she had something she wanted.

This fool Zhu Wu had clearly been targeted long ago.

Zhu Wu obviously thought of this point as well. Recalling how he’d walked into the trap by seeking refuge at Youjian Tavern, his feelings grew complicated.

He’d never thought himself this foolish before…

At this point, Luo Sheng naturally stopped being mysterious. Her gaze turned to Zhu Wu: “I want the ledger recording those who hired assassins.”

The Vermillion Bird Guard she naturally wanted, but it was better to be realistic as a person. Without the Vermillion Bird Token in hand, even Bao’er couldn’t bring the Vermillion Bird Guard under his control, let alone the daughter of the Jinlin Guard Commander.

As for where that half of the Vermillion Bird Token had ended up—Luo Sheng could only make some guesses.

One possibility was that when the court caught Prince Zhennan’s manor off guard that year, Father hadn’t had time to give the Vermillion Bird Token to anyone, and it was lost when the manor was destroyed, lying forgotten in that abandoned residence.

Another possibility was that Father had given the Vermillion Bird Token to Bao’er—or rather, to whoever had rescued Bao’er.

Could the Vermillion Bird Token… be in Grand Marshal Luo’s hands? Or worn as a significant ornamental piece close to Luo Chen’s person?

All this Luo Sheng could only investigate later. What needed to be done now was to first get her hands on the ledger.

“Accountant Zhu gives me the ledger, I keep your secrets sealed, what do you two think?”

Uncle Xing frowned slightly: “Isn’t Miss Luo afraid of falling into endless assassinations afterward? You should know that only people who can’t speak can give others peace of mind.”

Through the matter of the hidden chamber, he didn’t believe this young lady before him couldn’t consider this point.

Luo Sheng smiled coolly: “Why must you two create trouble for nothing? Right now you can’t do anything to me. Do you really think that later you’ll silence both me and whoever I informed? Can Accountant Zhu be certain who I told? People can never all be killed. Relying on murder can’t solve problems—instead, troubles snowball and grow larger, ultimately leading to self-inflicted consequences.”

Speaking to this point, Luo Sheng looked meaningfully at Zhu Wu: “For example, Accountant Zhu’s assassin organization that was captured in one net—in the end, wasn’t it all for nothing? And it dragged you down so you could only take refuge in a tavern as an accountant.”

Zhu Wu’s lips trembled as he forcefully restrained himself from rebutting.

Who said it was all for nothing? The bounties that assassin organization earned over the years supported how many Vermillion Bird Guards—did this little slip of a girl know!

Uncle Xing’s glare shot over.

He’d said they shouldn’t mess around recklessly. Sure enough, this fool didn’t see as clearly as a young lady.

“Moreover—” Luo Sheng drew out the syllable and spoke again.

Zhu Wu and Uncle Xing both looked at her, their hearts unconsciously rising.

Luo Sheng lowered her voice, yet every word was clear: “Moreover, I’ve seen the person who holds the Vermillion Bird Token.”

Uncle Xing braced his hand on the table between them, his gaze sharp: “What did you say?”