◎The hairpin that deceived Biyue away, it belongs to His Highness, doesn’t it◎

After killing Zhao Yan, Luo Wanqing swam urgently forward through the water.

While she was swimming upstream against the current, Zhang Yiran was getting dressed in his official robes and boarding a carriage from his home.

He had now returned to the Censorate, holding the position of Fifth Rank Inspector. The Censorate had too many enemies, so officials were generally assigned special guards to protect their personal safety and independent carriages.

Zhang Yiran sat in the carriage, preparing to attend morning court.

He used to walk, and since his residence was some distance from the imperial city, he always rose early and left early. Though he now had a carriage, he still maintained his past habits.

Sitting in the carriage, he lifted the curtain to look outside. Previously, when walking, he could see many neighborhood residents, but now, sitting in the carriage, he could only roll up the curtain to watch people.

The curfew had just been lifted. According to experience, small vendors should start preparing.

Master Zhang’s family bun stand should have already set up their stall and prepared the charcoal fire.

Wang Qiniang’s soy milk and tofu brain shop should have placed their long benches on the street.

And Elder Li’s pork stall…

However, after watching for less than half the journey, he felt something strange.

Because none of these people were there.

Not only were they absent, but there were also figures in black clothing flashing through the alleys—not ordinary people.

Zhang Yiran’s heart tensed. He immediately called for the carriage to stop, then said: “Turn back. I’m going to buy some tofu brain.”

The guard was startled and somewhat confused—there were no vendors on the street, where could he buy any?

But Zhang Yiran was the superior, and if he wanted to turn back, they could only turn back. Zhang Yiran returned to Wang Qiniang’s shop front and knocked on her door. Wang Qiniang opened it and was quite surprised to see Zhang Yiran: “Master Zhang? Why are you here?”

“Why aren’t you setting up your stall today?”

Zhang Yiran was somewhat puzzled.

Wang Qiniang sighed helplessly: “The Eastern Capital Prefecture sent word saying they’d be cleaning the streets today, telling us to set up stalls only after noon.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran nodded. Eastern Capital would periodically wash the streets at set intervals, which was normal enough.

Zhang Yiran thanked Wang Qiniang and returned to his carriage, continuously thinking about the black-clothed figures he’d seen earlier.

Street cleaning was normal, but having these assassins here was wrong.

Moreover…

Yesterday, His Majesty had summoned him to the palace, asking his opinions about some court officials. He asked about many people, seeming to consider relocating them to different positions.

This wasn’t the time when official evaluation results came out, so logically, there shouldn’t be so many personnel changes. The only thing that would cause such major changes would be the Crown Prince’s case… and that case was being handled by Liu Xiniang…

Thinking of this, Zhang Yiran’s heart tensed. He lifted the carriage curtain and whispered urgently: “Go to the Supervision Department, quickly.”

Hearing Zhang Yiran’s serious tone, the driver didn’t dare ask questions and quickly led Zhang Yiran to the Supervision Department. Upon reaching the entrance, Zhang Yiran immediately knocked loudly on the gate. The gatekeeper came out, somewhat surprised: “Master Zhang?”

Zhang Yiran was puzzled, but the other smiled: “I’m Fang Yuan. I secretly protected your household for a period before. You don’t know me, but I know you. What brings you here?”

“Oh,” Zhang Yiran came to his senses and hurriedly said, “I’m looking for Chief Inspector Liu. Is she here?”

“She’s not here,” Fang Yuan replied directly. “Chief Inspector Liu had a mission tonight. They say she went to Purple Cloud Mountain.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran’s heart sank, then he asked: “When will Chief Inspector Liu return?”

“Soon, I suppose,” Fang Yuan pondered. “Chief Inspector Liu has to attend morning court today, so she’ll return early.”

Attend court? What is she attending court for?”

Zhang Yiran frowned. Fang Yuan scratched his head: “Seems like the Crown Prince’s case is concluding, and Chief Inspector Liu is the investigating officer, so she’s going to the court hall to read the verdict.”

Read the verdict.

In an instant, Zhang Yiran immediately realized what those assassins in the alleys were for.

He hurriedly said, “Quick, Chief Inspector Liu is in danger. Right now, there must be people ambushing her everywhere. You must go rescue her quickly.”

Fang Yuan was stunned, not understanding Zhang Yiran’s words. Seeing this, Zhang Yiran anxiously pulled Fang Yuan inside, saying urgently: “I just saw assassins on the road. If she dares to go out when she has to read a verdict today, she’s a target! The Eastern Palace case involves so many noble family children—their families are all watching Chief Inspector Liu. They’re waiting for her on the court road and absolutely won’t let her attend. Hurry!”

With that, Zhang Yiran turned and said, “I’ll go wait for her at the city gate. You hurry!”

Zhang Yiran returned to his carriage, cut the carriage reins directly, and rode away on horseback.

Fang Yuan stared blankly at Fang Zhi, then turned back: “What are you standing here for?! Go find the Azure Dragon Envoy for mission tokens!”

“Can’t go,” Fang Zhi opened his eyes. “If Zhang Yiran knows this information, then the Department knows. If there’s no mission, then it’s not our mission.”

Hearing this, Fang Yuan was somewhat dazed. Just as he hadn’t reacted yet, he heard a cold voice speak: “Excuse me.”

Fang Yuan and Fang Zhi both looked over to see Xing Ling standing at the entrance. Both were startled, then Fang Yuan hurriedly said, “Chief Inspector Xing Ling, when did you arrive?”

“Just now.”

Xing Ling spoke calmly. Fang Yuan nodded hesitantly.

Xing Ling stepped outside. After taking two steps, she turned back to look at them.

“I’m going to help Liu Xiniang. Are you coming or not?”

Both were startled. Fang Yuan hurriedly said, “You go. I won’t leave first.”

Xing Ling nodded, understanding.

But after only a few steps, they heard Fang Yuan shouting: “Brother, big brother, Chief Inspector Liu is in trouble! The Department won’t let us help. Are you going or not? If not, I’m leaving!”

While chaos erupted in the suburbs, Eastern Capital city was extremely quiet.

After offering incense to Luo Wanqing that morning, Li Guiyu left home and boarded a carriage.

This had been his consistent habit since news of Luo Wanqing’s death arrived. He didn’t know what he was maintaining by keeping this habit.

On one hand, he suspected—could even say he was certain about—Liu Xiniang, while on the other hand, he continued to worship Luo Wanqing’s memorial tablet. In recent days, he often recalled Liu Xiniang’s questions.

Was it because she resembled Luo Wanqing too much, or because he hoped Luo Wanqing was alive too much?

But if he hoped Luo Wanqing was alive, he wouldn’t be worshipping her at home.

He wasn’t clear what he wanted to do, whether that person should live or die—he didn’t know either.

He supported his forehead, dazed in the carriage. The carriage hadn’t traveled far when it was stopped.

“Your Highness,” Zitang’s voice came from outside, “it’s Prime Minister Wang’s carriage.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu opened his eyes. He seemed to understand everything already, saying calmly: “I know. Pull to the side.”

With that, Li Guiyu lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down.

After getting out, Li Guiyu walked to the front carriage and respectfully bowed: “Uncle.”

“Come up.”

An elderly voice came from inside. Li Guiyu complied and entered the carriage, where he saw Wang Shenfeng and Zheng Pingsheng sitting together.

Li Guiyu was startled, somewhat surprised, and couldn’t help saying: “What is Master Zheng doing here?”

Zheng Pingsheng’s expression was rather unpleasant. Wang Shenfeng picked up tea and said calmly: “Tonight the Eastern Palace Six Commands joined with the Zheng family to intercept and kill Liu Xiniang, but they failed. Word came that she has an expert beside her. You go kill her.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu thought for a moment, only asking: “Why would Master Zheng participate in this matter?”

“Isn’t it because of you!” Zheng Pingsheng gritted his teeth. “Biyue only thought to get involved with the Eastern Palace Six Commands because of you. Now that she’s in trouble, you must kill Liu Xiniang to protect her! Go quickly!”

But Li Guiyu didn’t move upon hearing this. Wang Shenfeng frowned: “The person will reach the city entrance soon and you’re still not going?”

“Uncle, there’s no need.”

Li Guiyu said calmly, “Can’t you see it yet? From beginning to end, the Supervision Department has been scheming against the Eastern Palace Six Commands. If I go now, I’m just walking into a trap and getting myself caught. A prince, along with the Eastern Palace Six Commanders, assassinating a Sixth Rank Chief Inspector of the Supervision Department—if we fail, Uncle, have you considered the consequences?”

Wang Shenfeng paused. Li Shangwen was already dead, and Li Guiyu was now the Wang family’s greatest hope.

Seeing Wang Shenfeng hesitate, Li Guiyu frowned and continued: “I’ve warned repeatedly before that Lu Lingchan must already be dead. Uncle, why do you still want to assassinate Liu Xiniang? Don’t you trust me, or is there another reason?”

Wang Shenfeng didn’t speak. When Li Guiyu asked this, he felt some regret.

Previously, he indeed didn’t trust him, but seeing the results now, he couldn’t help but waver. However, the deed was done, and there was nothing to regret. He could only say: “Now investigating the reasons isn’t important—solving the matter is what’s good. You indeed shouldn’t show yourself again. I’ll have Qingfeng go. Today, Liu Xiniang must die.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu’s eyelashes trembled slightly. He lowered his eyes and only said: “Then I’ll still go myself.”

Wang Shenfeng was startled. Li Guiyu stood up: “The Wang clan doesn’t have only me as a prince. The Grandmaster must guard Uncle’s safety. If I fall into the Supervision Department’s trap this time and die at their hands, Uncle can use this as a reason to eliminate them.”

“Guiyu?” These words surprised Wang Shenfeng. He hadn’t expected Li Guiyu to have such considerations, and couldn’t help saying: “You…”

“Family prosperity always requires someone’s blood sacrifice.” Li Guiyu seemed to understand Wang Shenfeng’s meaning, saying calmly: “Guiyu is willing to go. Moreover, for Biyue’s sake, Liu Xiniang should be killed.”

Hearing this, Zheng Pingsheng couldn’t help but look at him more closely, saying: “I thought… Your Highness couldn’t bear to.”

“Why does Master Zheng say this?”

Li Guiyu seemed somewhat strange. Zheng Pingsheng sighed and took out a wooden hairpin from his sleeve.

The moment he saw the wooden hairpin, Li Guiyu’s expression instantly turned cold.

“Your Highness,” Zheng Pingsheng said somewhat helplessly, “this hairpin that deceived Biyue away—it belongs to Your Highness, doesn’t it?”