When disembarking, Qun Qing looked at the scene before her.

Undulating mountain ranges disappeared into the mist. Roadside buildings were low and sparse, greenery everywhere. Women carrying baskets wore silk clothing, coming and going, their manner and appearance completely different from Chang’an’s common people.

This truly wasn’t Chang’an—it was Jiangnan.

That fish-killing youth was named Yang Li. Qun Qing couldn’t help but ask: “You didn’t tell him about what happened on the cargo boat, did you?”

Yang Li: “He asked, so I answered. But this lord said that because Jiangnan Circuit is my hometown, he brought the lady here to tour, and I can serve as a guide.”

He truly began introducing things: “Lady, look—this is my hometown, Xu Zhou!”

Noticing Lu Huating walking ahead turn his head slightly, Qun Qing stopped talking.

Yet he deliberately stopped, specifically waiting for her to walk up before him, turning his head to gaze at her face: “Can the lady still manage walking? Should we continue, or rest for a moment?”

When he said this, everyone’s gazes fell on Qun Qing. As a spy, Qun Qing was extremely uncomfortable being stared at by so many eyes. She just assumed he was being deliberate and looked back expressionlessly: “The Chief Administrator has official business. Just do what you must—no need to concern yourself with me.”

As soon as these words fell, the three shadow guards rapidly exchanged glances, their expressions astonished. Just moments ago on the boat she had been half-dead, yet as soon as she set foot on land, she had even guessed their purpose for coming.

Qun Qing wasn’t as easy to fool as Yang Li.

Lu Huating dared intercept someone from the Crown Prince—how would he face Li Xuan when he returned? He must have official business and happened to retreat to Jiangnan Circuit, bringing her along conveniently.

For her, it only postponed the danger, giving her breathing room. But how to escape danger still required planning over these few days.

Lu Huating admired that even at a time like this, she remained so perceptive. Wen Su moved aside, letting Lu Huating walk beside Qun Qing.

Seeing Qun Qing remain silent the whole way, Lu Huating said: “The lady being like this makes me somewhat uncomfortable.”

Qun Qing lowered her eyes: “With my hands bound, I’m also not too comfortable.”

“Can’t be helped. I always handle prisoners this way.” A horse cart passed by. He grasped the shackles through his sleeve and gently pulled Qun Qing to his side. “The lady has martial skills. What if she runs off again with some young physician? Just up and leaving—how would I account for it?”

Their sleeves touched. The scent of ambergris from his body instantly enveloped her, giving Qun Qing a familiar yet dangerous feeling. Suddenly hearing mention of the young physician, she angrily pulled her hands free.

Lu Huating said: “Angry?”

Qun Qing said: “Whether angry or not doesn’t stop the Chief Administrator from mocking me.”

Lu Huating said: “I had no intention to mock. My apologies.”

He took the paper pinwheel from Juan Su’s hand. After a long silence with nothing to say, Qun Qing glimpsed from the corner of her eye that pinwheel spinning in his hand.

He looked down at the pinwheel and said casually: “Xu Zhou was called Wu Zhou in the previous dynasty, because within its borders lies Wu Mountain. Legend says the Queen Mother’s youngest daughter, Yao Ji, died before marriage and was buried on the sunny side of Wu Mountain, becoming the Wu Mountain Goddess. When clouds and mist envelop it, that’s when the goddess performs her magic.”

“The scenery of Jiangnan—has the lady seen it before?”

Qun Qing looked at the distant mountain ranges shrouded in clouds and mist: “I haven’t.”

Lu Huating smiled: “What did the lady do in childhood?”

Qun Qing said: “In childhood I was confined to the women’s quarters, trapped by power schemes. I never saw heaven and earth.”

Lu Huating couldn’t help but turn to look at her. Qun Qing’s expression was unexpectedly calm, gentle as a porcelain cup washed with water: “And the Chief Administrator?”

Lu Huating smiled: “In childhood I was exhausted from fleeing for my life, wandering in destitution.”

Hearing this, Qun Qing paused: “Then the Chief Administrator had it quite miserable.”

“Not as miserable as the lady—carefully plotting, only to end up in my hands.”

Qun Qing stopped talking.

She saw Juan Su, carrying silver coins with him, bought a sugar figurine and two pinwheels to hold in his hands, roughhousing and playing with Yang Li.

He even wanted to hit Zhu Su. Zhu Su’s face showed disgust as he raised his arm in resistance.

Qun Qing naturally had no mood to appreciate scenery. Yet strangely, even walking like this, the peace in her heart was better than sitting on the boat being deceived by Fang Xie.

Wind wrinkled the clothing of the group. She noticed her collar was somewhat askew, raised both hands to straighten her lapels, and raised her lashes to meet Lu Huating’s eyes: “This isn’t the end yet.”

Wind stirred ripples in Lu Huating’s deep black eyes.

Wen Su said: “Chief Administrator, Qing Niang doesn’t have silk clothing. Xu Zhou’s most prosperous silk shops are all on Jingtai Street. Why not buy two sets?”

Lu Huating took out a money pouch from his sleeve and tossed it to Wen Su.

Xu Zhou produced abundant silk. The silk shops on this street were continuous and unbroken. Qun Qing hadn’t forgotten they came with a purpose. She didn’t refuse and followed Wen Su into a shop.

Though business was supposedly thriving, inside there wasn’t a single person.

Wen Su immediately began selecting fabrics upon entering. Qun Qing’s gaze swept over the hanging silk fabrics and those displayed on the counter—full of gaudy colors. She really couldn’t help but speak up when Wen Su was preparing to pay: “You’re overpaying.”

With that, Qun Qing walked straight out of the shop. Wen Su hurried after her, saying quietly: “I was also thinking, how could those silks be dyed so garishly? So they’re not worth that price. Fortunately the lady knows about these things, or we’d have been cheated.”

The two entered the adjacent silk shop. This shop was also empty of people. The shop owner leaned in a rattan chair and didn’t greet customers even upon seeing them. Qun Qing raised her finger to touch the silk—inferior grade. She walked out.

Three shops in a row were like this. Qun Qing only reluctantly selected one set of dress at the fourth shop. After Wen Su paid, Qun Qing suddenly called her back: “My silver coins are in the bundle. Take them and go buy a set of clothing at the first shop.”

After coming out, Wen Su reported: “They say Jingxuan Street produces excellent silk and the silk shops are packed with people. But this subordinate saw the silk quality was insufficient—it can’t even match the scraps from Chang’an’s ready-made clothing shops. It truly doesn’t match the reports.”

Hearing this, Lu Huating said: “Why not keep evidence?”

Wen Su placed that set of garishly dyed round-collared robe in Lu Huating’s hands and ran off: “Qing Niang bought it for you.”

Lu Huating lowered his eyes for a look. His expression changed.

The evidence kept happened to be men’s clothing—a bright red round-collared robe.

He raised his eyes, looking at her almost oppressively.

Yet Qun Qing’s expression remained calm: “My dress has already been bought. This garment is for the Chief Administrator’s official business. Consider it a thank-you gift.”

After a day and night of rushing about, Wang Xiang rode back to the Eastern Palace wanting to report to Li Xuan, but was stopped by Shouxi: “Your timing is unfortunate. His Highness is with Prince Yan and Prince Zhao meeting the Emperor in Zichen Hall.”

The Crown Prince handled myriad affairs daily—imperial audiences were the most serious matters. Wang Xiang could only bow his head and wait outside the hall doors, hearing the Crown Prince and Prince Yan arguing.

Li Xuan had already received reports: “I heard San Lang’s manor’s Chief Administrator intercepted a spy from the Eastern Palace’s Chief Clerk and fled directly to Jiangnan Circuit. Is this true?”

Li Huan said to Emperor Chenming: “Whether there’s truly a spy I don’t know, but the Chief Administrator going to Jiangnan Circuit was on your son’s orders. Your son gave him an urgent command—he probably didn’t have time to return to the palace, so…”

Emperor Chenming propped his head with his hand. Years of headaches had worn fatigue into his face: “What’s he doing going to Jiangnan Circuit?”

Li Huan said: “Your son has recently been organizing autumn merchant taxes and discovered… something seems off about Jiangnan Circuit.”

He explained: “Suzhou and Hangzhou, especially Xu Zhou, are prosperous lands, homes of silk. The autumn merchant tax compared to previous years has only decreased, not increased. After your son investigated, he discovered that on Jingtai Street, large numbers of old silk shops collapsed and were replaced by new shops within a year or two.”

Prince Zhao Li Pan said: “San Lang fought wars for so many years and only just started handling governance. Every account he looks at was probably taught to him hand-in-hand by the princess consort, right? Doesn’t business naturally have ups and downs? One street’s new shops replacing old ones—what’s strange about that?”

Li Huan said: “These new shops were all opened by someone called Song Wen. This Song Wen isn’t some commoner either—his father-in-law is the current Vice Minister of War, Shen Fu. Is this also very normal?”

Li Pan was struck speechless and couldn’t help but look toward Li Xuan. Li Xuan’s hand gripping the jade tablet tightened, because this Shen Fu happened to be Chancellor Meng’s man.

Li Xuan’s expression remained composed and gentle: “Officials’ family members engaging in commerce isn’t without precedent. Speculation based only on this can’t prove anything. If San Lang has suspicions, investigating thoroughly is also good for loyal subjects.”

Emperor Chenming looked at the Crown Prince, then turned toward Li Huan, showing gratified expression: “I didn’t expect San Lang to take national affairs to heart—surprisingly showing careful attention to detail. Investigate.”

All three withdrew from Zichen Hall and indeed walked in two directions. Li Huan departed quickly. Li Xuan asked Li Pan: “What’s this about Song Wen in Jiangnan Circuit? Do you know?”

“If imperial brother doesn’t know, how could I know?”

Li Xuan said: “Chancellor Meng hasn’t informed this palace of his actions for quite some time.”

“Imperial brother, be at ease. Whatever the Grand Tutor does, it’s all for imperial brother’s position.” Li Pan said. “Now all ministers submit and common people bow in worship. Don’t you feel like father’s breath is weakening? Seeing him today, father’s hair has turned completely white—it really startled me. Noble Consort Han also says father grows increasingly irritable. Some matters require early planning. Look at today—the way father looked at San Lang was just like when you went missing back then…”

“How many lives do you have to dare such wild talk here?” Li Xuan said coldly.

Li Pan said: “Imperial brother is overly cautious. Don’t you trust the Grand Tutor’s schemes? With just one Lu Huating, he can’t stir up storms.”

Mentioning Lu Huating, Li Xuan thought of Qun Qing in his hands, feeling indescribable irritation. He dismissed Li Pan and led Wang Xiang back to his sleeping quarters.

As soon as Wang Xiang entered, he knelt to request punishment.

“You didn’t look carefully, did you? Was the written decree Prince Yan gave Lu Huating ordering him to arrest someone, or commanding him to go to Jiangnan Circuit to investigate the silk shop matter?” Li Xuan said.

Wang Xiang reacted, sweat pouring like rain.

Li Xuan helped him up: “You’re a military officer who only recently took office. You can’t outplay Lu Qi Lang at bluffing.”

Wang Xiang refused to rise: “He may bluff, but when he returns he’ll have his suffering. But the question is, why must he risk bringing a spy away? I heard this woman was previously valued by Your Highness. This subject fears that with her in Lu Huating’s hands, under severe interrogation, she’ll reveal Your Highness’s secrets…”

Li Xuan gripped his arm tightly, gripping until Wang Xiang felt pain: “What this palace wrote in memorials holds no secrets. Even if San Lang knows, he can do nothing. If she truly betrays even this palace, then she can only be a discarded piece.”

“She’s just a servant girl. Why expend such effort? Your Highness, why not issue a kill order now and simply…”

Li Xuan grew irritable: “Don’t you understand words? All these years, this palace has never misjudged people. I want her alive, to find out clearly whether she’s truly a spy. If she really is, this palace naturally won’t let her off easily.”

“He just wants a written decree? This palace will give you a written decree now.” As Li Xuan spoke, he immediately wrote an edict. “Lu Huating cannot remain in Xu Zhou. Take people to deliver this decree. If within seven days he cannot bring Qun Qing back, this palace will charge him with grave disrespect.”

Having such an opportunity to atone for his failure, Wang Xiang accepted the order and departed quickly.

Li Xuan sat in his chair and breathed a sigh of relief. Fragrant smoke wafted from the incense burner, easing his headache, but this empty sleeping chamber made his mood even worse.

Shouxi watched and carefully said: “Then how does Your Highness plan to confirm Qing Niang’s identity?”

“She still has a father, Qun Cang, still in prison. Bring him out. One’s own daughter—surely he can recognize her.” Li Xuan added, “Why was this person convicted in the first place?”

“This Qun Cang was a censorial official back then. He persisted in denouncing the previous dynasty’s noble Lu family to Emperor Huang for colluding with Northern Rong. Not being believed, he offended the Lu family and thus entered the imperial prison together with several others.”

Hearing this, Li Xuan sneered coldly: “An official who dares remonstrate unto death must be a tough bone. Surely he wouldn’t give false testimony?”

In the evening, the group stayed at an inn.

Qun Qing naturally shared a room with Wen Su, who personally supervised even her changing clothes. Before Qun Qing could react, Wen Su grew shy first and blew out the candle.

As soon as Qun Qing lay in bed, she fell silent.

Outside the window came the faint sound of jingling bells. Wen Su said: “Must be a traveling physician.”

It was indeed a traveling physician’s bell. In the past, Physician Li and Fang Xie had both shaken such bells when practicing medicine outside.

Wen Su felt the bedding and helped cover her with the quilt: “Does the lady feel unwell anywhere?”

Right now Qun Qing needed to conserve her energy: “It’s fine. I can sleep anywhere.”

“How can anywhere be fine? The Chief Administrator instructed…” She knew she had misspoken. “He told me to watch over you well.”

Qun Qing’s eyelashes trembled.

In the moonlight, Wen Su gazed at her face again: “Lady, your face seems very red.”

Qun Qing closed her eyes: “No, you sleep quickly.”

The two lay in bed. Qun Qing silently endured the pain on her face. When the jingling bells sounded again, she couldn’t help but sit up and look down through the window.

An old person carrying a medicine box walked past, the figure familiar, making Qun Qing’s heart leap high. But looking more carefully, that person had already walked into the shadows and could no longer be seen.

Qun Qing shook Wen Su awake: “I want to bathe. Could you make it convenient?”

Wen Su hesitated: “That’s fine. I’ll go ask the innkeeper for water right now.”