She hadn’t expected Leng Xue to think of the same thing she had! But if they were to change faces to completely avoid Lian Xin and take the examination again, it should be her who did it. Body, hair, and skin are received from parents—she couldn’t let Leng Xue suffer such grievance. Of course, she wouldn’t tell him now, or she wouldn’t be able to beat him to it later.

Hugging Leng Xue’s arm, Su Zhen rubbed against it affectionately.

Leng Xue’s face suddenly turned bright red.

Su Zhen was puzzled—it wasn’t hot today.

Return to Spring Hall—what kind of place would that be?

Gazing toward the distant imperial city, she smiled lightly. This road was truly difficult to walk, but no matter what, she would never give up.

Facing failure, she was beginning to learn how to face it, to think of it as just a passing shower.

Unexpectedly, returning to the inn, the situation changed again.

Shi Jian handed them a letter, saying someone had just asked him to deliver it. He carefully instructed that if there was a reply, they could give it to him, and the sender would come for it tomorrow.

Shi Jian’s shrewd eyes showed seriousness—the sender must have given him substantial benefits.

Su Zhen looked down and saw the letter was sealed with red wax, with elegant handwriting that read “Respectfully to Young Master Li.”

The letter seemed to contain an object, bulging in the middle.

This time, who could it be? She had few acquaintances since arriving in the capital, and at such a turbulent time, who would send her such a letter?

Su Zhen’s heart tightened, and Leng Xue also frowned sharply.

When asked about the messenger, Shi Jian said it was a child living nearby.

Not even sending a servant—the letter’s sender clearly intended to conceal their identity.

The two quickly returned to their room and opened the letter. A faint orchid fragrance wafted out, and an exquisite, beautiful jade thumb ring fell from the letter. The letter contained small regular script flowing before their eyes.

Young Master Huaisu, upon reading this letter:

What you did at the execution ground that day was what I wanted to do but absolutely dared not and could not do. Baiyi deeply admires you. You may not know that you have fallen into a vicious trap. It’s not just the princess’s pressure—somehow word has gotten out, and major figures in the palace have set up a gambling ring, betting on whether you will yield to the princess or not, and when you will admit defeat. This is a ten-thousand-to-one bet with no one betting that you can win. I’m shocked to hear that His Majesty has also secretly learned of this matter and has not intervened…

Meeting by chance, we felt like old friends at first sight. If you feel the same, please trust Baiyi. I’ve enclosed a jade thumb ring with this letter. You can take this item to Marquis Xiaoyao’s residence and ask Marquis Huo to help you secretly leave the capital. Marquis Huo is an old friend of Baiyi’s—seeing this token, he will surely find a way to help you.

Though you have grand aspirations, the capital is no longer a place where you can stay. I fear great disaster awaits. With this parting, we may never meet again. Baiyi wishes you lifelong peace and safety.

Baiyi

After reading the letter, Su Zhen couldn’t help but smile as she held it.

Meeting once in a tavern, parting hastily. She had given that cross-dressing young lady a name—Baiyi. Today, the other party had reservations and hadn’t revealed her real name, but unexpectedly used the name “Baiyi.”

So there really was a type of meeting in this world called mutual recognition between kindred spirits.

Leng Xue said, “Things have completely exceeded our imagination. If what Baiyi says is true, then people in the palace are all involved… I don’t know what this young lady’s identity is to know even these secrets.”

Su Zhen gripped the letter tightly, “What this letter mentions isn’t something ordinary people could know. If Baiyi isn’t a family member of the powerful, then she’s… someone from the palace!”

As she spoke, she was also secretly alarmed.

Various major figures, Lian Yu—Lian Yu was also… If what Baiyi said was true, even Lian Yu was paying attention to this matter. The development of events would be unpredictable to anyone. In the dark, she couldn’t tell whether she had entangled herself with this seat of imperial power, or whether it had long ago cast a great net to slowly tighten around her.