With Sheng Sanlang, Luo Chen, Xiao Qi, and Luosai Huzi all gone, Youjian Tavern became much quieter.

In the bright hall, Hong Dou cracked sunflower seeds and sighed. “Without Young Master Biao, it really feels quite desolate.”

“Yes, when someone you see every day suddenly isn’t there anymore, it feels strange.” Kou’er agreed.

Shi Yan silently rolled his eyes.

These two young ladies used to see their master every day too—how come they never said such things after he left the capital?

Thinking of this, Shi Yan sighed inwardly: Who would have thought his master’s status was inferior to Sheng Sanlang’s? How pathetic.

Just then a voice called out, “Is Miss Luo here?”

Because the weather was fine, the tavern’s main doors stood open. Hearing the voice, everyone looked over to see Second Miss Wang standing alone outside the door, looking much more haggard.

Hong Dou spat out a sunflower seed shell and rose to greet her. “Oh, it’s Second Miss Wang. Our miss is here—please come in.”

Kou’er went to the back to announce the visitor.

Everyone knew about First Miss Wang’s disappearance and naturally felt sympathy for Second Miss Wang.

Hearing that Second Miss Wang had arrived, Luo Sheng had Kou’er invite her to the rear courtyard.

The courtyard was filled with sunlight, with a cluster of forsythia in full bloom spreading brilliant gold in the corner.

Yet the young woman following Kou’er silently was thin and pale, as if she still remained in that snowy winter day.

Walking before Luo Sheng, Second Miss Wang lowered her eyes slightly and curtsied. “Miss Luo, I’ve come to trouble you again.”

Luo Sheng reached out to grasp that slender, ice-cold hand. “Second Miss Wang, please sit first.”

The cold stone bench was covered with a soft, thick cushion. Sitting in the bright courtyard, enjoying the spring breeze and sunshine should have been comfortable and carefree, yet Second Miss Wang’s mood was dark—neither the sunlight nor spring breeze could enter her heart.

As soon as she opened her mouth, her eyes reddened. “Miss Luo, is there any news of my sister?”

She waited every day, from morning till night, yet still couldn’t wait for an answer.

But her grandparents had already discussed it—in a few more days they would depart from the capital.

She thought that her grandparents also loved her sister. These days they had never stopped searching for her, but this love ultimately wasn’t enough.

To her grandparents, her sister was just one among their granddaughters; but to her, that was the sibling she depended on for survival, an irreplaceable existence.

The sorrow and pain accumulated over the days surged up, causing her to cover her face and weep before this young woman she wasn’t very familiar with.

Luo Sheng gently patted Second Miss Wang’s back without speaking.

After crying for a while, Second Miss Wang looked directly at Luo Sheng.

Luo Sheng’s heart was heavy too, and she couldn’t tell Second Miss Wang the truth.

Should she say your sister is already dead, the one who killed your sister was my father, and the one who wanted your sister dead was His Majesty?

To hate her, to hate Grand Commander Luo—that wasn’t so difficult. But to hate the ruler of a nation would probably only plunge this young woman into despair.

Her heart turned over a hundred times, yet she could only tell well-meaning lies.

“There’s no news of your sister yet. According to Lord Lin’s information, it’s very likely that a group of human traffickers has been active…”

“Human traffickers?” Second Miss Wang grabbed Luo Sheng’s hand, her lips trembling. “What will those people do to my sister? Is my sister still alive?”

Luo Sheng comfortingly patted the back of Second Miss Wang’s hand and said in a hoarse voice, “Human traffickers generally don’t take lives.”

Second Miss Wang cried, then laughed—a somewhat miserable laugh. “As long as she’s alive, that’s good. Being alive is always good. Miss Luo, if Lord Lin gets any news of my sister, please be sure to tell me right away.”

“Second Miss Wang can rest assured.”

Second Miss Wang wiped her tears and forced a smile. “I’ve made you laugh at me, Miss Luo. I won’t disturb you further.”

Luo Sheng silently saw Second Miss Wang to the tavern entrance.

The street was still crowded with people, and several sparrows hopped about in front of the door.

Luo Sheng stood watching for a long while before turning to walk back into the tavern.

Near evening, Lin Teng came to the tavern.

He didn’t look well, his expression appearing even more serious than usual.

“Young Master Lin has come early.” Hong Dou swept him with an appraising gaze and secretly nodded.

Among Miss’s male attendants, there didn’t seem to be anyone like Young Master Lin yet.

Kou’er also swept Lin Teng with an appraising gaze, secretly comparing him with Wei Han.

Each had their merits—how difficult to choose!

Being scrutinized by the two maids left Lin Teng baffled, and he even forgot to maintain his heavy mood, left only with confusion: Could it be that because he brought friends from the Ministry of Revenue last time and put the meal on account, the two maids secretly despised him for not paying yet?

Young people were thin-skinned and couldn’t match Secretaries like Zhao who put things on account with such ease. Thinking this, he couldn’t help feeling a bit embarrassed.

Fortunately, Luo Sheng spoke up to resolve the situation. “Is Lord Lin here to drink, or do you have business with me?”

Lin Teng was silent for a moment, then said, “To drink.”

Luo Sheng smiled. “The tavern hasn’t opened yet. If Lord Lin wants to drink—why not sit in the courtyard?”

At this time, looking like this, it probably wasn’t purely about wanting to drink.

Lin Teng agreed and walked toward the back with Luo Sheng.

Shi Yan threw his cleaning cloth on the table and lifted his foot to follow. Before he even reached the door leading to the courtyard, he heard the discussion between the two maids behind him.

Kou’er spoke first. “Did you see? Miss and Young Master Lin went to look at the persimmon tree again. I told you the person discussing marriage with Miss is Young Master Lin.”

“But Prince Kaiyang also used to look at the persimmon tree with Miss often.”

“True, thinking about it, it’s quite hard to choose. Young Master Lin is excellent, and Prince Kaiyang is excellent too.” Kou’er said with difficulty.

Shi Yan slowed his steps, very much wanting to turn around and argue.

These two young ladies were usually quite clever—how could they be so confused now? Their master was much better than Lin Teng. If nothing else, at least he didn’t need to put meals on account when drinking.

Then he heard Hong Dou say crisply, “Choose what? If you like them both, you can have them both.”

Shi Yan abruptly turned around and strode back with a serious expression. “Sister Hong Dou, let’s have a chat.”

He absolutely had to correct Sister Hong Dou’s greedy thinking, lest she lead Miss Luo astray.

In the courtyard, a wine pot was placed on the stone table. Lin Teng drank cup after cup without stopping.

“Second Miss Wang came today.”

Lin Teng’s hand holding the wine cup paused. After a long silence, he said, “Five more women have disappeared.”

He looked at the young woman across from him, very much wanting to ask: Can your honored father stop?

But even with the aid of alcohol, he couldn’t ask this question. Because they both knew who the true wielder of that butcher’s blade was.

“Miss Luo, what do you think it would take for this to end?”

In the Imperial Study, Emperor Yong’an looked at the victory report from the east and broke into a smile.

Among the generals he had dispatched, Prince Kaiyang was indeed the one who gave him the most peace of mind.

Just then, Zhou Shan walked over quickly and said softly, “Your Majesty, the National Teacher requests an audience.”

“Show him in.”

Shortly after, the silver-haired Taiguang Zhenren walked in, his expression as cold and severe as his white hair.

After performing the courtesy, Taiguang Zhenren said gravely, “Your Majesty, this humble priest’s judgment from some days ago was in error.”