The room was flooded with sunlight. Ropes lay scattered. Two ladies’ skirts overlapped, one pressed atop the other. Supervisor Pei saw this scene and was so terrified his legs went weak, nearly unable to support his body.

He’d only confined one—how did another appear?

Lu Huating walked straight in, grabbed the red-clad lady by her back collar and lifted her aside. Looking at her face, he confirmed she was the person he sought: “Yu Nu?”

Only Yu Nu seemed mentally unclear. She responded once, her face completely flushed as she grasped his sleeve. Lu Huating held a cup of Yangxian Snow Bud tea in his left hand that he hadn’t yet taken a sip of. He immediately splashed it on her face, then left her aside to regain clarity.

Half the cup remained. Qun Qing instinctively raised her hand to shield her face. Upon clearly seeing who the other person on the ground was, Lu Huating’s pouring motion abruptly stopped. Tea splashed on the back of his hand.

Qun Qing propped herself up on her arms to sit up, seeing a well-defined hand gripping a jade cup, tea dripping along the slightly curled knuckles drop by drop.

He crouched by her skirt, positioned perfectly to see her expression clearly while also blocking the people at the door. Qun Qing glanced upward. He wasn’t looking at her but turning to look at those at the door: “Get out.”

She tied her sashes with utmost speed, picked up the silver hairpin and inserted it at her temple.

Lu Huating turned his head, startled to see Qun Qing lower her hand from her head, having already recovered her usual cold demeanor.

Good news: although caught in the act, this person was an acquaintance.

Bad news: the acquaintance was Lu Huating…

The numbness still spread through her limbs. Qun Qing braced her hands against the ground. She tried—she couldn’t stand up. Lu Huating didn’t stand up either. He focused on examining Yu Nu beside them, then turned to her, asking with a smile: “You—couldn’t break free from her?”

The implication being that she could throw knives to wound guards, yet couldn’t push away a delicate lady. Their eyes met. Those pitch-black, bright eyes held shallow malice.

Qun Qing had already capsized in the gutter. This icy curiosity, or mockery, instantly ignited anger in her heart.

Lu Huating looked at her earlobes. His cold gaze shifted slightly. Though she didn’t answer, that area had already turned red.

Qun Qing could bend down. She suddenly leaned forward, pressing against his sleeve to sniff. Lu Huating usually didn’t get this close to people. He abruptly withdrew his hand, but her nose tip had already brushed the soft fabric. Only the fingers within the sleeve retreated.

“The Intoxicating Fragrance I sent—it seems Juan Su lit it for you.” Qun Qing straightened. She smelled the Intoxicating Fragrance. “The Chief Clerk’s body recovered so quickly—I should get some credit?”

She dared mention this matter, as if he didn’t know who’d forced his illness to flare? Lu Huating’s face was deathly pale. Hearing this, his gaze turned even blacker, somewhat terrifying.

“You wicked Qun Qing!” Supervisor Pei saw Qun Qing’s face clearly. Disregarding Lady Zhang’s obstruction, he rushed in. “This is the Supervisor’s main hall. This official locked the door. What were your intentions breaking in here?”

She and Lady Zhang had conspired to ruin his plans, and of all times, they ran into people from the Court of Judicial Review.

“Supervisor Pei, you bound a palace maid in your main hall with the door locked. What were your intentions?” Qun Qing sharply questioned back.

“Don’t think that just because His Majesty appointed you as palace maid in charge, your tail can reach the heavens?” Supervisor Pei’s expression changed. He pointed at her. “This official is a sixth-rank Supervisor. You’re merely a servant. Have you forgotten your status, daring to question this official? Right now I can charge you with the crime of inferiors offending superiors!”

“This lord from the Court of Judicial Review, did you see? Quickly have someone take her back for thorough investigation—see what she was really doing sneaking through windows into confidential areas!”

Qun Qing’s heart sank: Supervisor Pei had privately hidden registry records. He was at fault first—she could find reasons to exonerate herself.

But if her act of stealing the registry record spread, it would likely arouse suspicion from “Heaven” lurking in the palace.

Qun Qing turned to look at Lu Huating. He said nothing, lowering his head to straighten his sleeves, as if wanting to hear what explanation she could produce.

“Supervisor Pei, the Court of Judicial Review extracted the person yesterday evening, yet you privately detained Yu Nu in your hall, delaying the handover. The Court of Judicial Review knew early on that evidence in your hands was dangerous, and knew you’ve always been cunning.” Qun Qing sat on the ground and smiled. “If not for the Chief Clerk ordering this servant to climb in ahead, how could we catch you red-handed with both person and evidence?”

Supervisor Pei’s face turned white. These two… these two were working together, playing diversionary tactics against him!

Lu Huating also couldn’t help but look at Qun Qing, stunned by this person’s shamelessness. She was already disheveled sitting on the ground, yet in less than a quarter hour, she’d strung together everything seen and heard into a seamless story, speaking so righteously she’d actually intimidated Supervisor Pei.

The next moment, Qun Qing turned to meet his eyes, looking at him and saying: “I’m not feeling well.”

Her hands braced the ground, her skirt spread out. Light and shadow flowed pitifully in her eyes. Her pale cheeks were nearly transparent as cicada wings, as if truly one could see through with a glance, crush with a finger.

She was showing weakness.

Lu Huating gazed at her quietly. Previously when Qun Qing saw him, she avoided him desperately—even burning his handwriting, giving away his things. She had one characteristic: she’d rather die than beg for mercy. Her current appearance seemed more like an invitation, enticing him to walk into a trap.

Qun Qing felt her heartbeat pounding in her throat. She intuited this move was useful. If she were in his position, she too would have some interest in pursuing. Only she’d never played such a role before, inevitably feeling extremely nervous.

Lu Huating gazed at her for a long while before slowly articulating: “How does the lady’s discomfort concern me?”

Qun Qing closed her eyes. Shame surged to her temples, heated by sunlight, but her heart settled back down.

As expected, she wasn’t skilled at this.

Supervisor Pei looked at Lu Huating, then at Qun Qing. A flash of viciousness crossed his eyes: “Lord Lu, don’t listen to her sophistry. This servant is skilled at honeyed words and reversing black and white! Someone…”

Lu Huating suddenly smiled, his smile like spring breeze, interrupting him: “Supervisor Pei, I was just joking with Miss Qing. You actually believed it?”

Supervisor Pei stood dumbfounded. Lu Huating had already stood up, saying seriously: “Supervisor Pei, come with me for a moment. Someone—take Yu Nu away. Help Miss Qing up.”

“Wait.” Qun Qing caught her breath, hurriedly calling to him. Lu Huating actually stopped to listen. “Supervisor Pei fed Yu Nu Harmony Powder. She’ll die. Help her detoxify first before leaving.”

Hearing this, Lu Huating’s expression became strange. He turned to Supervisor Pei: “Harmony Powder causes death?”

“No, no…” Supervisor Pei’s body was already trembling. “It’s just an aphrodisiac—how could it cause death! She was being difficult. This official was threatening her. This official would never dare poison a palace maid to death!”

“Hear that, Yu Nu?” Lu Huating looked at his finger bones, smiling slightly. “Don’t listen to others’ threats. You won’t die—at most just ‘a bit uncomfortable.’ Endure and it will pass.”

His words had pointed meaning. Qun Qing’s fingers clenched tight. Lu Huating’s figure had already disappeared beyond the door.

—

Two minor officials from the Court of Judicial Review entered and dragged Yu Nu up. Lady Zhang also rushed over, helping Qun Qing up: “What on earth is going on?”

Qun Qing had no time to answer Lady Zhang.

She saw Yu Nu struggling fearfully. She said to her: “Yu Nu, there are many upright officials in the Court of Judicial Review. You needn’t be afraid. It’s far safer there than here. Whatever they ask, just answer.”

Yu Nu froze at these words. She suddenly broke free from the two minor officials and grabbed Qun Qing’s wrist.

Her clothes were torn, but her face was very clean. A pair of almond eyes held a purely innocent quality inconsistent with her age, full of confusion: “Have we met before? Do you know me?”

Qun Qing extracted her hand. After a long while, she said expressionlessly: “I’ve never seen you. I don’t know you.”

Yu Nu felt lost and bewildered. Then why would she treat her so well?

In her experience, people treated her with respect at first meeting. After becoming familiar, beating, kicking, insults and scolding became the norm. Aside from Sister Chun Niang, no one had shown her such care. Moreover, she’d just implicated this lady, yet she still spoke words of comfort.

Qun Qing suddenly embraced Yu Nu, borrowing the opportunity to whisper in her ear: “What you entrusted, I’ve accepted.”

Yu Nu’s pupils contracted. Just as she was about to speak, Qun Qing had already pushed her away: “Take her.”

Qun Qing stepped back, watching Yu Nu being led away by the minor officials. She recalled when the two rolled on the ground together—everything Yu Nu had said intermittently in her ear about “Chun Niang.”

The blade hidden in hand was taught by Chun Niang. Every move was Nan Chu assassination technique, the same as what she’d learned.

Chun Niang played pipa at Siye Building. At night she worked for others, often returning late at night, her behavior mysterious.

Before her death, Chun Niang gave Yu Nu something. If she died, Yu Nu was to pass it to someone who knew her. The verification method—the three moves An Lin had taught.

All this was enough for Qun Qing to speculate. This unfortunate deceased Chun Niang’s identity was most likely the same as hers—a Nan Chu spy, a small chess piece in wind and rain.

Last time leaving the palace, An Lin had told her in a flat tone: an “Assassin” he’d planted inside Siye Building in Pingkang Ward had just been lost due to mission failure.

Qun Qing opened her hand. In her palm lay a wax pill. Yu Nu had just grasped her hand and used the opportunity to press it into her palm.

—

In the side hall, Supervisor Pei knelt down before Lu Huating could speak.

Lu Huating didn’t immediately erupt but avoided others’ eyes and ears for private conversation. Supervisor Pei had long mixed in officialdom. He understood this was precisely giving him an opportunity.

However, Lu Huating’s next sentence shattered his fantasy: “Abusing palace maids—I don’t know what crime that is. But attempting to destroy human evidence—this matter is enough to exile you. In such matters, I’ve always preferred harsh punishment. Since Miss Qing and Yu Nu provide complete evidence, how about—beaten to death with rods?”

The Prince of Yan’s mansion handled matters decisively, and he held the Court of Judicial Review Minister’s fish tally. Supervisor Pei was frightened into crying injustice: “The Court of Judicial Review extracted the person. This official saw Yu Nu was beautiful and had improper thoughts. This official is a eunuch—incapable of harming Yu Nu’s chastity. The Chief Clerk knows this! Moreover, nothing had time to happen yet. What destruction is there to speak of?”

Lu Huating looked at him for a while before saying: “A Lateral Courts Supervisor—a minor peripheral official—lustful to this degree. You wouldn’t detain the witness before she goes to the Court of Judicial Review to make your move. Aren’t you afraid the first thing Yu Nu does upon reaching the Court of Judicial Review is file charges against you?”

Supervisor Pei sweated profusely: “This official…”

“Or perhaps, you were very clear in your heart that Yu Nu simply wouldn’t reach the Court of Judicial Review, nor would she speak.” Lu Huating stroked a leaf of an indoor orchid. “Did someone order you to kill Yu Nu before interrogation?”

These words struck like thunder, causing Supervisor Pei’s expression to change dramatically. He never expected Lu Huating could directly guess the reason behind this.

“You see, was I wrong saying you destroyed evidence?” Lu Huating said. “The Court of Judicial Review can verify cause of death. Even if you find her a reason to die suddenly, you still can’t escape responsibility. If Yu Nu dies in the Lateral Courts, you’re the Lateral Courts Supervisor. If you don’t bear the final responsibility, should your superior bear it?”

Understanding this reasoning, Supervisor Pei hastily said: “This official was also following orders, confused for a moment. That person indeed told this official to dispose of Yu Nu. This official saw she had some beauty—such a waste to just kill her. Better to let this official enjoy her first. Had I known she was so important, this official wouldn’t have agreed no matter what… Speaking of which, this official actually preserved Yu Nu’s life!”

“Following whose orders?” Lu Huating pressed.

“Don’t make things difficult for this official, Chief Clerk…”

“I sincerely want to point you toward a bright path. Let’s see if you’re clever enough.” Lu Huating’s eyes floated with mist-like disgust. Hearing this, he wasn’t surprised but instead leaned against the cabinet. “Let me guess—the person who told you to kill Yu Nu, was it the elder Meng or the younger Meng?”

If Supervisor Pei had only been fearful before, now his face was deathly pale. Lu Huating had tricked out of him that he was the Meng family’s man. As a political enemy who’d seized this, how could he easily let go?

“This official doesn’t understand. Aren’t those two… from the same family?” He couldn’t help asking.

“Brothers still mutually destroy each other. Between father and son, how could there be no grudges?” Lu Huating perceived Supervisor Pei’s ears pricking up and smiled. “This Yu Nu is Meng Guanlou’s beloved concubine. According to my understanding, Meng Guanlou treats the women he loves very tenderly—generally reluctant to kill them. Then it must be Premier Meng. If you listen to Premier Meng and kill Yu Nu, do you think Meng Guanlou will hold a grudge? He doesn’t dare defy his father, but can’t he kill a eunuch like you?”

“Premier Meng is at his zenith now, but he’ll always have a day of growing old, a day of dying. Then all his power will pass to Meng Guanlou. From the moment you agreed to this matter, you were already facing death on all sides!”

Each statement struck like cold arrows, nearly causing Supervisor Pei to collapse completely. He’d never imagined being used to this extent. He repeatedly begged Lu Huating to give him a way to survive, promising future repayment.

“The Meng family and the Prince of Yan’s mansion are incompatible as fire and water. Since you’re the Meng family’s man, if I help you, wouldn’t I be harming you?” Lu Huating smiled. “Since you accidentally preserved Yu Nu, consider it your ‘merit.’ Today when I return, I’ll memorialize to remove your office and demote you to Lateral Courts servant. When the Meng family learns I interfered, they probably won’t make things difficult for a small pawn like you. You can first spend a few days emptying chamber pots in the Lateral Courts. How about that?”

Compared to being beaten to death or exiled, Supervisor Pei actually felt emptying chamber pots was an acceptable outcome. He kowtowed until his gauze cap rolled off, revealing graying temples.

Lu Huating used his toe to move the gauze cap from the path, walking past him with disgust: “Pack up your things. Vacate your position.”

—

Juan Su said: “The Chief Clerk is so formidable—a few words and you removed his office. He still has to be grateful.”

But Lu Huating suddenly stopped. Juan Su nearly collided with him.

Under the eaves stood a plain figure with her back to them.

Qun Qing truly hadn’t left.

“You return first.” Lu Huating said.

Qun Qing heard footsteps approaching. She lifted her feet to walk.

She looked down at the shadows on the ground. Sunlight stretched the shadows long and slanted. Two shadows, one before one behind, with a distant gap between them. Lu Huating continuously followed behind her.

Qun Qing’s skirt hem meandered through the corridor pavilion, passing through the verdant garden trees. Light clinking sounds continued not far behind. That was the sound of the fish tally and dagger hanging from Lu Huating’s ornamental belt colliding.

She knew Lu Huating always had patience for playing cat and mouse games. But only today did she experience that being the person holding the string, her heart surged equally with tumultuous waves.

With a flash, Qun Qing disappeared.

Lu Huating looked at the towering Taihu stone artificial mountain before him.

He stood still for a moment, lowering his head and bending to enter the stone cave.

Inside was another world—an extremely small stone chamber. The instant he stepped in, an extremely sharp silver hairpin pressed against his throat.

“The lady seems much better now.” Lu Huating spoke after a long while, his tone carrying coldness. Already threatened, he didn’t struggle but instead relaxed against the stone wall.

The light was truly glaring. He couldn’t help but turn his face aside. The place Qun Qing had found was ingeniously chosen. A beam of light shone in from the opposite cave, illuminating him in complete detail while she remained hidden in shadow, unclear.

Qun Qing half-leaned against the stone wall. Her raised arm was still somewhat limp, could only borrow force from behind. Before her, Lu Huating’s hair bathed in golden light. This face appeared startlingly beautiful, giving her the tense feeling of restraining a magnificent tiger.

Qun Qing was unwilling to waste time: “Chief Clerk, last time you said you and I have no relationship, no reason to give me face. Qun Qing remembers this clearly. Only, Chief Clerk, at the West Market you also borrowed my influence. There’s no such thing as borrowing for nothing. Today’s matter—consider us even.”

After all that talk, she was actually severing ties.

A trace of darkness floated in Lu Huating’s eyes.

“So the words I spoke, the lady remembers so clearly.” The corner of his mouth curved in a cold smile.

“If we calculate this way, you deliberately wanted me dead—how should that be calculated?” He actually pressed his throat against the sharp silver hairpin. “Shouldn’t you also compensate me?”

His pitch-black eyes drew near. Qun Qing’s hand didn’t loosen. The silver hairpin pierced flesh, a crimson thread of blood trickling down.

“You’re investigating Yu Nu to find something of Chun Niang’s? Yu Nu told me the location of that item. Is this information worth me stabbing the Chief Clerk like this?” In the darkness, Qun Qing’s voice was like cold rain striking jade.

She wasn’t Yang Fu, who’d drop her hairpin in fright.

Whether from pain or surprise, Lu Huating’s lashes trembled. He moved no more.

“The Chief Clerk wants to say, going back to interrogate Yu Nu would yield the same information? She only knows this much. If you don’t believe me, you can try.” Qun Qing spoke while unfolding a paper slip—precisely the information hidden in the wax pill.

*Ninth month hibiscus flowers, eighteen marries four families.*

Lu Huating saw the incomprehensible nursery rhyme written there.

“Deciphering it will take you time. I imagine the Chief Clerk just recovered from serious illness to investigate cases—you must be pressed for time?” Qun Qing said considerately. “I can decode it.”

“What’s your relationship with Chun Niang?” Lu Huating asked after a long while.

“Don’t know her.” Qun Qing fabricated freely. “But I know Yu Nu. She was an official’s daughter. As a child, she entered the palace with her father. Seeing my plight, she helped me carry water buckets. Meeting today, she gave me the information, begging me to help seek justice for her Sister Chun Niang. If this case is solved quickly, she can gain her freedom sooner, right? This repays my debt. This happens to be a Chu state palace nursery rhyme. Since childhood in the Lateral Courts, I heard the nurses recite it, so I can try.”

This explanation sounded sincere. Lu Huating sneered coldly. The debt repayment was probably false—the Nan Chu mission was true. He just hadn’t expected she’d have the audacity to negotiate with a tiger: “You want to cooperate with me. What are your conditions?”

“First, when searching for evidence, I must go with you to Siye Building. I promised Yu Nu I’d retrieve it personally. You should be able to arrange this. Second, palace rules are strict. I don’t want to alarm others leaving the palace. Since you manage passes, I entrust the Chief Clerk to give me temporary passes for two days. Third, after the matter concludes, send Yu Nu somewhere Meng Guanlou can’t find her.”

“Agreed.” Unexpectedly, Lu Huating agreed without hesitation.

Things went more smoothly than expected. He neither interrogated nor entangled. It seemed this item was truly very important to the Prince of Yan’s mansion. He was eager to obtain results, and her conditions weren’t significant.

Since their goals aligned, cooperation was the most efficient method. Lu Huating understood this principle.

Her objective was achieved. Now she had a way to go to Siye Building to retrieve the account book.

Her arm ached terribly. Qun Qing slowly moved the silver hairpin away. Who knew this hand would be seized by Lu Huating without warning? Qun Qing’s expression changed. He used his left knee to pin down her other hand. He moved extremely fast. His left hand gripped a dagger drawn from who knows where, slicing off a section of draped silk with a “swish.”

Qun Qing grabbed the silk. Then his entire body pressed down, suddenly pinning her against the cold stone wall. She only felt a fragrant flood overwhelm her. Both hands were already tightly bound together by the silk, then pinned by his raised knee.

Their breathing overlapped urgently, mixed with a hint of bloody scent. Qun Qing heard his voice sound by her ear: “My apologies. I’m truly unaccustomed to being held at knifepoint during conversation.”

His hand wrapped the silk round and round. Then it fastened on her neck. His fingers didn’t apply force, yet Qun Qing felt as if a cold venomous snake climbed upon her, pressing the back of her neck against the cold stone wall.

With no one here, killing intent could easily pour out. Because of Yearning Inducer, Lu Huating’s heart probably hated her to death? This person was originally a ruthless official. If he intended to settle accounts, now she couldn’t resist…

Qun Qing could only look toward her hidden button.

Nothing was in that button, but Lu Huating followed her gaze. His eyes showed wariness, his hand tightening.

Memories from her previous life’s death surged. Qun Qing’s cold sweat poured down, but no sharp pain struck her waist and abdomen. From her right hair bun came a line of tension, seeping from scalp into spine. That silver hairpin was being pushed bit by bit into her hair bun.

Then all restraints suddenly receded like a retreating tide.

Lu Huating looked down at his hand, fingertips cold and damp.

He hadn’t even applied force, yet his fingers were again soaked by her cold sweat.

This muddled feeling also made him feel very unwell, but there was no handkerchief here.

Qun Qing finally caught her breath, only hearing Lu Huating inexplicably say: “You don’t just fear the Prince of Yan—you fear all men.”

Hearing these words, Qun Qing broke through the silk and forcefully pushed him away. Lu Huating was completely unprepared. His spine struck the craggy stone wall—it must have hurt badly. But she couldn’t care about that, quickly walking out of the cave.

She urgently needed to leave this place.

Outside remained the refreshing autumn day. Wind blew the garden’s paulownia leaves rustling, blowing across Qun Qing’s burning cheeks and neck.

Walking further forward, she felt a pulling force behind her, delicately restraining her.

Looking back, the draped silk on her arm seemed caught in a stone crevice.

Qun Qing turned back. In the darkness, Lu Huating leaned against the stone wall, both sleeves hanging down, covering the backs of his hands. Qun Qing saw one corner of the silver-red silk caught between his two fingers.

“Just now I only hastily restrained the lady—no other intent.” Seeing her return, Lu Huating said.

His words were earnest—actually an explanation.