◎Night exploration of the Director’s bed chamber—do you know what crime this constitutes?◎

Luo Wanqing received news of Xie Heng’s awakening just as she was coming out of a blacksmith shop.

According to the shopkeeper’s testimony, the blacksmith shop’s proprietress frequently bought salt from him.

However, when they went there, the shop had no proprietress at all.

The owner was a bachelor who had never married.

“This can only prove there’s a problem with the shopkeeper’s testimony, but it doesn’t prove much else.” Luo Wanqing pondered, saying slowly, “To prove Luo Qushu’s wrongful conviction, we should find the personnel who handled the case back then.”

“The presiding judge was Minister Zheng,” Zhang Yiran recalled. “The two officials listed in the documents as handling the case were Prefect Zhou Chun and Jailer Sun Cui. The remaining officials involved left no name traces, so they won’t be easy to find.”

“I’ll ask people from the Supervision Department.” Luo Wanqing considered. “Supervision Department personnel were also in Yangzhou at the time—perhaps they’ll have some recollection.”

As Luo Wanqing said this, Zhang Yiran suddenly stopped walking. Luo Wanqing looked up questioningly to see Zhang Yiran gazing at the Moon Elder Temple in the distance, his eyes showing some warmth.

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help looking at Zhang Yiran: “Minister Zhang?”

“When I was young, every first day of the third month, my father would come here.”

Zhang Yiran looked at the Moon Elder Temple, smiling involuntarily: “For a while, my mother suspected my father had someone on the side and specifically brought my sister and me to catch him.”

“First day of the third month?”

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised. Zhang Yiran nodded: “Yes, and some other places—my father would go out on fixed dates.”

Then Zhang Yiran instinctively found it strange: “What’s wrong?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t speak. Looking at the Moon Elder Temple before her, she suddenly remembered that after her father came to Jiangnan, he too would come to the Moon Elder Temple on the first day of the third month. Her mother had almost thought the same thing.

In the past, she would have considered it a joke, but at this moment, she acutely realized this might not be a coincidence.

“When did your father start going to the Moon Elder Temple?”

Luo Wanqing asked curiously. Zhang Yiran didn’t understand but said, “It’s been like this since I was small.”

Since he was small…

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help asking again: “What did he come to do?”

“It seems every first day of the third month, the Moon Elder Temple gives out free peach blossom steamed buns.” Zhang Yiran recalled. “My father just coveted those peach blossom buns and came to join the excitement.”

“Oh.”

Luo Wanqing realized that perhaps her father also came to join the excitement, and nodded: “That day is indeed lively.”

“Such times will never come again, unfortunately.” Zhang Yiran smiled bitterly, looking at the azure sky and thinking: “I wonder when we’ll know my father’s true cause of death and his murderer.”

Luo Wanqing remained silent. After a while, she said, “I’ll help you ask around.”

“Hm?”

Zhang Yiran didn’t understand. Luo Wanqing was about to explain when they heard the rapid sound of horse hooves approaching, accompanied by someone calling: “Chief Liu! Minister Zhang!”

The two turned around together to see a servant urgently approaching them.

“Chief Liu!”

The servant dismounted hastily, saying urgently: “The Director has awakened and is asking for you to return now!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s eyes immediately lit up. She quickly turned to Zhang Yiran: “Minister Zhang, I…”

“Chief Liu, please hurry along.” Hearing this, Zhang Yiran bowed with his hands clasped: “We’ll meet another day.”

Luo Wanqing nodded at his words. The servant dismounted and handed the horse to Luo Wanqing, who immediately departed swiftly.

Upon entering the residence, Luo Wanqing headed straight for Xie Heng’s room, just in time to see Xuanshan leading Xiang Sizi and Qinglu out.

Seeing her, Xiang Sizi and Qinglu greeted her: “Chief Liu.”

Luo Wanqing quickly returned the courtesy. Just as she was about to say something to Xiang Sizi, she heard Xie Heng’s voice from inside the room, speaking with bland indifference: “Liu Xiniang.”

Hearing her name, Luo Wanqing turned back. Her eyes immediately took in Xie Heng reclining on a small couch. His long hair was only half-bound with a red ribbon, most of it scattered around him. He wore a white inner robe underneath and a black outer robe embroidered with golden thread in intricate branch patterns. Perhaps due to the heat, his clothing was slightly open, revealing pale skin with an unnatural flush.

Luo Wanqing could tell at a glance that Xie Heng had recently used mandala incense and was in the process of dispersing its effects. Ordinary people would be in high spirits at this time, but Xie Heng maintained a calm demeanor throughout, quietly observing her. Like a deity touched by rosy clouds, one glance made hearts skip a beat.

Luo Wanqing didn’t dare look more, quickly lowering her head and removing her shoes to step onto the soft carpet, entering Xie Heng’s room.

The moment she entered, Zhuque closed the door behind her. The room instantly dimmed, and Xie Heng’s presence immediately filled the entire space.

Luo Wanqing’s heartbeat involuntarily quickened. Suppressing her emotions, she approached and bowed respectfully: “I greet Young Master.”

Xie Heng sat on the couch, looking down at her. The two were positioned at a moderate distance from each other, yet Luo Wanqing felt inexplicably flustered.

She had imagined countless times what Xie Heng would look like when he awakened, but when he opened his eyes and sat before her, she felt far more at a loss than she had imagined.

Outside the door were the voices of Xuanshan and others conversing, while inside the room was particularly quiet. These conversations constantly reminded her of her position. She desperately suppressed all potentially inappropriate words, playing the role of an exemplary subordinate, respectfully kneeling before Xie Heng.

She was terrified others might notice something unusual, making her particularly anxious.

Xie Heng quietly observed her for a long time. Seeming to also sense her distance, he didn’t say anything else and went straight to the point: “I heard you’ve been awake for three days?”

“Yes.”

“Are you well?”

“Thanks to Young Master’s fortune,” Luo Wanqing answered cautiously, word by word. “This subordinate has largely recovered.”

Xie Heng should have already understood her physical condition, so after asking, he said nothing more. After a moment, he continued: “When I awakened earlier, I had already interrogated Xiang Sizi and Xing Ling and obtained some information. I need your help.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing immediately responded seriously: “Please instruct me, Young Master.”

“I need you to find three characters. These three characters come from the twenty-two characters of the heavenly stems and earthly branches, with no order or pattern. The clue should be something your father left you—some words, or some special event, some special object.”

Xie Heng’s request came abruptly. Luo Wanqing couldn’t help speculating: “What specific information did Young Master obtain?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng’s eyelashes lifted slightly, his gaze settling on Luo Wanqing as he asked: “In what capacity are you questioning me?”

Luo Wanqing’s heart trembled, instantly understanding Xie Heng’s meaning.

If she were a subordinate, she should do whatever Xie Heng said—questioning would be overstepping.

If she were asking based on their private relationship, then she would have the right to ask.

Luo Wanqing fell silent. Distant sounds of Zhuque greeting people reached them. Luo Wanqing became more alert and immediately said: “If this is something this subordinate shouldn’t know, please forgive this subordinate’s transgression.”

Xie Heng didn’t speak. Under his gaze, Luo Wanqing felt somewhat anxious. After a long time, he said coldly: “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”

Anything to say?

Luo Wanqing was startled. Suppressing her chaotic thoughts, she brought up something she had been concerned about: “This subordinate wishes to request Young Master’s permission for one matter.”

“What matter?”

“It’s like this,” Luo Wanqing considered her words. “This subordinate heard that our department has found Xiang Sizi. Minister Zhang’s investigation into his father’s wrongful case has reached an impasse. Xiang Sizi is a key figure. This subordinate wishes to request a favor for Minister Zhang—to let Minister Zhang meet with Xiang Sizi once to find some clues.”

“Just this?”

Xie Heng’s tone seemed to be restraining something, and his gaze upon her made her feel increasingly tormented. Luo Wanqing hurriedly said: “Just this one matter. This subordinate is only boldly making this request. If Young Master agrees, that would be most wonderful.”

“What if I don’t agree?”

“Then…” Luo Wanqing hadn’t expected Xie Heng to refuse. This wasn’t a major matter, but if Xie Heng refused, he must have his reasons. Luo Wanqing could only say: “Then this subordinate will help Minister Zhang find other leads.”

Xie Heng remained silent for a long time. Luo Wanqing didn’t dare say more. After waiting for ages, she heard him stand up and walk toward her.

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help feeling nervous, watching him bend down and approach her side. The scent of mandala permeated his breath, and Luo Wanqing unconsciously tensed her muscles.

Beside her, he lightly sniffed, then seemed to detect something and looked up at her.

Luo Wanqing didn’t dare meet his deep, questioning gaze and pretended to know nothing, staring straight ahead.

Xie Heng stared at her for a moment. Seeing no reaction from her, he finally straightened up, turned, and said: “Go rest first.”

“Yes.”

Luo Wanqing quickly got up and fled.

Just as she walked out the door, she heard a loud crash of books falling behind her.

Turning back, she saw Xie Heng standing among scattered scrolls. Noticing her gaze, Xie Heng coldly glanced back at her once, then without saying a word, turned and walked away.

“Young Master has quite a temper.”

Zhuque, standing at the door, spoke with some surprise, then turned to look at Luo Wanqing: “What’s wrong with him?”

“I don’t know either.”

Luo Wanqing waved her hand and quickly returned to her room.

But just as she closed the door, she heard intense coughing from next door. She was about to open the door to check when she heard many voices outside—it seemed Wei Qianqiu had arrived.

She froze at the door, hesitating for a long time before finally releasing her hand from the door handle.

There were too many people. Going there would only expose her without much meaning.

Luo Wanqing could only lean against the door, listening to the sounds outside and their discussion of Xie Heng’s condition.

From their conversation, it seemed Xie Heng’s injuries had some complications. Thinking of this, Luo Wanqing became restless and couldn’t think of anything else. Worrying about Xie Heng’s condition until nightfall, when night came, Luo Wanqing lay in bed but couldn’t sleep. Closing her eyes, all she heard was Xie Heng’s final coughing.

His complexion seemed a bit paler. He was still using mandala—she didn’t know how much it would affect his body.

His condition should be very poor, but last night his pulse was fairly stable. Today shouldn’t have such an urgent coughing—why was this happening?

Luo Wanqing’s mind was filled with miscellaneous thoughts. After hesitating for a long time, she gritted her teeth and finally decided not to overthink it. She simply got up and, like the previous nights, carefully explored his room.

Xie Heng seemed to have already gone to sleep. Without disturbing anyone, she tiptoed to the bedside and saw that Xie Heng had one hand resting outside the bed curtain.

Luo Wanqing hesitated for a moment. Regardless of whether he would wake up, she boldly reached out to check his pulse. After confirming his pulse was stable, she breathed a sigh of relief and got up to leave.

However, just as she turned around, a hand suddenly reached out from within the bed curtain and yanked her forcefully inside!

Xie Heng’s presence came overwhelming within the bed curtain. Luo Wanqing instinctively blocked, but her move was dismantled by her opponent. After rolling over, a sharp dagger pressed against her neck, and he straddled her body.

“Chief Liu.” The cold dagger’s smooth surface gently caressed her skin, like another more stimulating form of touch in the darkness. Luo Wanqing’s breathing involuntarily became heavier. Xie Heng’s gaze followed the dagger downward, his tone carrying no emotion, as if he were truly interrogating a crime, speaking methodically: “Night exploration of the Director’s bed chamber—do you know what crime this constitutes?”

Author’s Note:

[Little Theater – Xie Heng’s Hidden Meanings]

Xie Heng: “Xiniang, I heard you’ve been awake for three days? Did you come to see me? How is it that as soon as I wake up, you run off to play with others? Is this how you love me?”

Luo Wanqing: “…”

Xie Heng: “Xiniang, in what capacity are you questioning me? Say it—you’re my wife, and I’ll tell you everything.”

Luo Wanqing: “…”

Xie Heng: “Is there anything else you want to say? I’m giving you one last chance to win me back.”

Luo Wanqing: “That… could you help Minister Zhang?”

Xie Heng: “What if I don’t help? Do you choose me or him?”

Luo Wanqing: “Then I’ll help Minister Zhang find leads.”

Xie Heng: “…You’re finished. You smell like his cologne—that’s the inferiority you’ve given me. Just go.”

Luo Wanqing: “Oh, I’m leaving then.”

Xie Heng: “Flipping tables!! You left!! I’m angry!!!”