Though Leng Xue was as curious about Baiyi’s identity as she was, he quickly moved on and lowered his voice to ask, “What do you think we should do now? Follow the original plan to secretly leave the inn, find lodging somewhere in the capital, and secretly visit the Return to Spring Hall? Or follow Baiyi’s suggestion to seek help from Marquis Huo and temporarily leave the capital?”

Su Zhen hadn’t expected that Baiyi actually had a relationship with Huo Chang’an, and it seemed to be quite deep. Though she had only briefly interacted with Huo Chang’an that day, when it came to asking for help, he was indeed the only one among the capital’s important figures she could approach.

Leng Xue said, “Since Baiyi and Huo Chang’an have a close relationship, do you think we could directly ask Huo Chang’an for help? Directly get a seat assignment token?”

She shook her head, “No, he’s the Empress Dowager’s nephew and Lian Xin’s cousin. That he didn’t make things too difficult for us at the execution ground was already remarkable. For Baiyi’s sake, arranging our escape would already be the utmost kindness. Besides, I can’t implicate him.”

Huo Chang’an, Huo Chang’an…

A strange feeling suddenly arose in her heart, as if she had thought of something but couldn’t grasp it—staring at the letter, she casually asked Leng Xue, “What do you think?”

“That Miss Bai is right. Zhen’er, we should first find Marquis Huo and temporarily leave the capital. After some time passes, I’ll bring you back to take the constable exam—”

Before he could finish, she shoved the letter into his arms, “Keep it safe. I’m going to run a couple of laps to think about things.”

Leng Xue was speechless as she had already rushed out the door.

After three laps, she stood in the moonlight, slowly using her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her forehead, sending a big smile up to Leng Xue at the balcony railing.

Leng Xue thought something was wrong with her again and was about to vault down from the railing, but she shook her head at him and narrowed her eyes at the night sky.

Hey, Lian Xin, she hadn’t lost this round yet.

Though success was uncertain, she had thought of a way!

She wrote a reply to Baiyi.

Baiyi:

Your letter is a great kindness I will remember in my heart. I enclose one tael of silver with this letter. For the secret palace gambling ring, please secretly place a bet for Huaisu on the examination day—bet only that Huaisu can successfully take the exam. This is a ten-thousand-to-one wager. If by chance I win, all the prize money goes to Baiyi to buy hairpins.

With this parting, I hope we meet again. At that time, Huaisu will treat Baiyi to the finest wine in the capital.

Li Huaisu

In the days that followed, Su Zhen said nothing and acted as if nothing had happened, continuing to read her books. Her spending became even tighter, but surprisingly, Shi Jian proactively provided her meals, charging only lodging fees, saying she had boosted his business.

The food wasn’t great, but it was enough to keep her fed, with some wine and meat.

This day while eating, Su Zhen hopped over and quietly asked Shi Jian, “These past days, who has been paying for my meals?”

Shi Jian was obviously startled, his eyes flickering as he stared at her for a while before setting his face sternly, “Young Master Li, you really judge a gentleman’s heart with a petty person’s mind. This wine and food is clearly what this old boss is giving you.”

She said, “If you don’t tell me, I won’t stay here anymore.”

Shi Jian panicked and waved his hands, lowering his voice, “Wasn’t it that Young Master Mu from that day?”

——

Thank you all for your comments. Sorry, I had to go out on business. Updates will be slower for the next two days—one per day—then will resume normal pace.