◎Zhang Yiran, such ill fortune◎

The mingled scents of plum and pine drifted to her nose from the person so close before her.

Hearing this, “I trust you have been well,” Luo Wanqing finally confirmed that the person before her wasn’t a dream.

She instantly came to her senses, quickly put away the Qianji bracelet, and exclaimed with delight: “Young Master, how did you come here?”

Hearing her call him “Young Master,” Xie Heng raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He turned to dust off the white plum powder from his clothes, put the incense tools back in place, and explained: “The Supervision Department in Huaicheng reported your whereabouts. Guessing you’d arrive today, I came specially to meet you.”

As he spoke, he picked up a white plum branch from the table. Just as he turned to hand her the plum blossom, he saw Luo Wanqing had already pushed open the carriage door like the wind and jumped down, leaving only the words “Young Master, wait, I’ll go call the others” before running off into the distance.

Xie Heng was somewhat surprised. After being stunned for a moment, his thoughts turned and he instantly remembered something, couldn’t help but frown, and put the plum blossom back.

Luo Wanqing ran all the way to call Zhang Yiran and the others, saying happily: “Excellent! Young Master has come to meet us.”

“Director Xie is here?” Hearing this, Zhang Yiran instinctively glanced at Ji Qing, saying uneasily: “Xiniang, Director Xie…”

“Don’t worry.”

Seeing Zhang Yiran’s caution, Luo Wanqing immediately said: “I’ve informed Young Master about the Luo family case. He will help us.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran breathed a sigh of relief and immediately showed joy, quickly standing up: “If Director Xie is willing to help, then I’m at ease.” Speaking thus, Zhang Yiran walked a few steps, then remembered Ji Qing and quickly turned back to look at Qinglu and Ji Qing behind him, hurriedly saying: “Qinglu, quickly bring Mr. Ji!”

“No, no need to be polite,” Ji Qing realized what was happening. Hearing the title “Director Xie,” he was so frightened he stuttered: “Xie… Xie… Director Xie…”

“No need to thank.”

Qinglu spoke coldly, raised her hand to knock out Ji Qing and hoist him up, then raised her chin toward Luo Wanqing: “Let’s go.”

With Qinglu carrying Ji Qing and Luo Wanqing pulling Zhang Yiran, the two made several leaps to reach Xie Heng’s carriage. Luo Wanqing stepped forward and pushed open the carriage door, saying happily: “Young Master, I’ve brought everyone!”

Xie Heng sat in the carriage, his expression much colder than before. He looked up and swept a glance at the people behind her, responding coolly: “Mm.”

Seeing Xie Heng’s cold expression, Luo Wanqing finally remembered their identities and immediately restrained herself somewhat. She turned to look at Zhang Yiran and bowed: “Lord Zhang, please.”

Zhang Yiran also knew Xie Heng was Luo Wanqing’s superior, so he bowed respectfully, then led Qinglu carrying Ji Qing onto the carriage. Only after they boarded did Luo Wanqing follow, raising her hand to close the carriage door.

After the door closed, Luo Wanqing sat to Xie Heng’s left, while Zhang Yiran led Qinglu to sit on Xie Heng’s right. Xie Heng’s expression showed neither joy nor anger as he lowered his head to pack away the incense tools.

A guard’s inquiry came from outside: “Director, shall we depart?”

Xie Heng responded once, and the carriage began moving.

Everyone relaxed for a moment before Zhang Yiran remembered to express gratitude. He looked up at Xie Heng with some appreciation in his eyes: “Did Director Xie come specially to wait for me?”

Xie Heng said nothing, lowering his head to put the incense tools into a small box nearby.

Zhang Yiran felt somewhat awkward and glanced at Luo Wanqing. Luo Wanqing coughed lightly and answered for Xie Heng: “Naturally so, otherwise what would Young Master be doing here at this hour?”

“Director Xie truly has divine foresight,” Zhang Yiran said, treating Xie Heng as someone who didn’t like to talk. He turned to look at Xie Heng with some admiration: “Director Xie disguised himself and waited here, probably knowing we would need a carriage. I just don’t know how the Director knew this subordinate’s whereabouts, calculating so precisely?”

Xie Heng glanced at him coldly and placed the box containing the incense tools aside. Though the carriage was stable, it seemed somewhat bumpy for Xie Heng, as the wooden box seemed to slam against the box beside it, making a heavy thudding sound.

Seeing Xie Heng wouldn’t explain and fearing Zhang Yiran’s embarrassment, Luo Wanqing immediately explained: “You departed from Yangzhou a month ago. The Supervision Department found no news of you on the official roads, so you must have taken other routes. But after about a month, regardless of which path, you should be near the Eastern Capital. Since you carry a sachet with Fengxun incense, the Supervision Department’s Fengxun birds must have reacted, so Young Master came specially.”

“I see.”

Zhang Yiran understood and immediately expressed thanks: “Thank you for Director Xie’s trouble.”

“The Director values you, Lord.”

The two went back and forth with official pleasantries before Xie Heng.

After talking for so long with Xie Heng never speaking, even someone as slow as Zhang Yiran noticed the atmosphere wasn’t right and fell silent. Seeing his embarrassment, Qinglu pushed water toward him from the side, reminding, “Drink some water. You talk too much—you must be thirsty.”

“Indeed.”

Zhang Yiran felt this glass of water came at just the right moment and turned to take a sip.

After putting down the cup, the carriage stopped, and the cold shouts of city gate guards came from outside: “City gates under martial law! Orders to inspect carriages! Everyone in the carriage gets out!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran exchanged glances, both looking toward Xie Heng.

Xie Heng lowered his head to drink tea, and they heard the coachman outside say coldly: “You’re inspecting Supervision Department carriages too?”

“Supervision Department?!”

The guards outside seemed to whisper among themselves for a while after hearing this.

After a moment, one guard replied: “Inspector, we’re also following orders. Please cooperate.”

“Following orders?” The coachman laughed coldly. “Whose orders?”

As soon as he finished speaking, a cold voice responded: “Mine.”

Hearing this voice, Xie Heng’s movements paused slightly. Footsteps approached from far to near, and that voice appeared at the door, seemingly tapping the carriage door with some weapon, saying coldly: “Who’s inside?”

“Me.”

Xie Heng spoke, and Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but look over.

Xie Heng’s attire today was presumably to avoid attention and shouldn’t be casually revealed. The Supervision Department only needed a carriage, which these city gate guards wouldn’t dare stop. But now that this person had come, Xie Heng directly revealed his identity, suggesting the other party’s status was extraordinary.

Hearing Xie Heng’s voice, the other party was silent for a moment, then said coolly: “So it’s Director Xie. Is the Director traveling today?”

“Move aside.”

Xie Heng didn’t waste words, speaking coldly with an unfriendly tone.

Hearing this, the other party chuckled lightly but said, “I’m under orders today to capture criminals and didn’t expect to encounter Director Xie on an outing. Fragrant carriage and fine horses—somewhat reminiscent of Xie Qi in his day, but not what Director Xie should be doing now. Director Xie, please don’t make this difficult.”

“Zheng Bikui,” hearing the other party’s implied criticism, Xie Heng directly called his name and tapped lightly in warning, “If border military affairs aren’t keeping you busy, would you like to come to the Supervision Department for tea and let us help audit the military accounts?”

The voice outside fell silent. Luo Wanqing, Zhang Yiran and the others all held their breath. After a moment, they heard Zheng Bikui laugh, obviously much more polite: “Director Xie jests. Military accounts are monitored by the Ministry of War—no need for Supervision Department assistance. Director Xie, please proceed with your business.”

With that, they heard Zheng Bikui outside ordering the way cleared.

The carriage began moving again. It was exceptionally quiet outside. Luo Wanqing listened to the carriage wheels rolling through the long passage of the city gate tunnel. When light returned, Zhang Yiran immediately frowned and spoke: “Zheng Bikui has returned?”

“Who is Zheng Bikui?” Qinglu was somewhat puzzled.

But hearing this name, Luo Wanqing immediately reacted. Her hand unconsciously rubbed the scabbard as she answered in a deep voice: “Commander of the Southern Palace Sixteen Guards, Zheng Pingsheng’s eldest legitimate son, Zheng Bikui, courtesy name Tianwu.”

“You remember quite clearly.”

Xie Heng glanced at her, his tone unreadable, but Luo Wanqing inexplicably felt somewhat cold.

She realized her tone had been too heavy and coughed lightly, trying to sound more relaxed, as if discussing someone unrelated, speaking casually: “But I heard he went to the border for training two years ago. How has he returned now? When did he come back?”

The Southern Palace Sixteen Guards were composed of aristocratic family descendants, but twelve guards were stationed outside, with only four remaining in the Eastern Capital to guard the imperial city.

The first thing she did upon entering the Supervision Department was thoroughly investigate the Zheng family. Zheng Pingsheng had three sons and two daughters. The most notable was Zheng Biyue, famous for her beauty, but when discussing the core figure of the Zheng family’s younger generation, it had to be Zheng Bikui.

Zheng Bikui was the personal disciple of Zheng Daochu, one of the former Eight Grandmasters. Born in military camps, in the border battle six years ago, the Wang and Zheng families produced many famous generals. The Wang family sent the Eastern Palace Six Rate to guard Heyu Pass, while the Zheng family’s checkpoints were unified under the command of the then nineteen-year-old Zheng Bikui.

Zheng Bikui had military merit and family background. After returning to the Eastern Capital, he smoothly became Commander of the Southern Palace Sixteen Guards. When she arrived in the Eastern Capital last year, because he was too young, His Majesty was uneasy and sent him to the border for training—originally planned for two years. How had he returned early?

Luo Wanqing was puzzled, and Zhang Yiran also didn’t understand, but this matter wasn’t very important to him. He shook his head: “Never mind. If he’s back, he’s back. It doesn’t relate much to the case. What’s most important now is how to settle Ji Qing.”

“Ji Qing?”

Xie Heng turned to look at the person lying on the floor, and immediately understood: “You ran off from Yangzhou without a word just to bring this person back?”

“Yes.” Zhang Yiran said seriously, “This is a key witness in the Luo family case. No mistakes can be allowed. Fearing alerting the enemy, I asked Qinglu to accompany me in bringing him back.”

“The Luo family case?” Hearing this, Xie Heng lightly tapped the table, understanding, and pondered: “You plan to overturn Luo Qushu’s case?”

“Yes…”

“I’ll take this case.”

Before Zhang Yiran could finish, Luo Wanqing immediately spoke.

Everyone looked over to see Luo Wanqing looking at Xie Heng with some pleading: “Young Master, since joining the Supervision Department, I haven’t handled a case from start to finish by myself. I ask Lord Zhang,” Luo Wanqing nodded toward Zhang Yiran, then looked at Xie Heng, “and Young Master, to give me this opportunity to make merit.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran was somewhat stunned. After reacting, he didn’t mind and nodded: “If Inspector Liu wants this case, I naturally have no objection.”

Seeing Zhang Yiran’s confirmation, Luo Wanqing looked toward Xie Heng.

Xie Heng lightly tapped the table, quietly staring at her.

He seemed to understand her thoughts, his expression unreadable, but Luo Wanqing inexplicably felt somewhat chilled.

The sound of tapping the table echoed in the carriage. Seeing Xie Heng not responding for a long time, Zhang Yiran couldn’t help saying, “What does Director Xie think?”

“What’s the rush?”

Xie Heng replied to Zhang Yiran but kept his gaze on Luo Wanqing—unclear whether the words were meant for whom.

After speaking, Xie Heng didn’t respond further, only turned aside, pulled open a nearby drawer, took out two boxes of chess pieces, placed them on the table, and said casually: “It’s been a long time since I played chess with Xiniang. Let’s play a game.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing didn’t understand what game Xie Heng was playing. With Zhang Yiran and Qinglu present, she couldn’t say much and could only step forward to comply.

Xie Heng arranged the chess pieces and said casually, “Choose black or white.”

“Director Xie shows such refined taste,” seeing Xie Heng start playing chess so casually, Zhang Yiran worried about the case and couldn’t help saying: “but about what we just discussed, it seems we haven’t finished…”

“Lord Zhang,” Xie Heng interrupted Zhang Yiran, holding a chess piece as he looked up at him, “do you only know how to talk about cases?”

Zhang Yiran was startled. Seeing Xie Heng seemed displeased, he felt somewhat awkward. Thinking that Xie Heng had come to help, he shouldn’t say more, so he just smiled and looked around for a topic: “Director Xie… that vase looks quite nice.”

Xie Heng said nothing. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly became gentle and quite polite: “That contains mugwort water I specially had prepared.”

This statement surprised everyone. Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but become alert, watching as Xie Heng took that slender vase, removed the plum blossom from it, and lightly sprinkled it on Luo Wanqing, saying sincerely: “A welcoming ceremony for the Inspector.”

Then he stood up, walked to Qinglu, raised his hand to sprinkle: “To ward off evil.”

Then he went to Zhang Yiran and sprinkled again: “To dispel ill fortune.”

This series of actions left everyone bewildered. Luo Wanqing was also somewhat puzzled. She watched Xie Heng walk back to his seat and sit down. Just as he picked up a chess piece again, two thudding sounds came from beside her.

Luo Wanqing was startled and instinctively looked at Xie Heng. Xie Heng spoke in a business-like tone: “Don’t worry, Xiniang. Just some simple sleeping medicine. I have some matters to discuss with you—convenient for just the two of us to talk.”

With that, Xie Heng placed the chess piece on the board, his tone hiding some lightness, though his face remained calm, placing the piece: “Xiniang, make your move.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater] Xie Heng: “Zhang Yiran, such ill fortune!”

[Mini Theater] Luo Wanqing: “Young Master, why did you drug them unconscious?” Xie Heng: “Oh, some official business, couldn’t be helped.” Luo Wanqing: “But… why are you smiling?” Xie Heng: “Ah? Am I smiling? You noticed? Can’t help it—he shut up, so I’m happy inside.”