Standing by the window, Liang Yuan stared unblinkingly at the opposite side.

Not knowing what was actually in the room, the servant went in for a moment then ran back.

“Second Young Master, there’s nothing inside!”

“What? I clearly saw him go in. Where is he?”

“Really, there’s nothing at all!”

Liang Yuan pushed past the servant and strode quickly toward that room.

When he entered, indeed there wasn’t a single person inside.

He went to the window and looked down. This was the second floor and quite high – jumping down would be somewhat difficult for him, but for Liang Zhe, it would be child’s play.

“Damn! He actually dared to toy with me!”

After examining the room thoroughly from front to back, Liang Yuan said: “Return to the manor!”

At this moment, Liang Zhe was drinking tea at Songtao Residence.

After the earthquake, Emperor Delong had stayed one night at the traveling palace before returning to the capital.

Therefore, Liang Zhe continued as his guard captain.

There wasn’t much happening in the palace, but Emperor Delong had entrusted him with the Blue Eagle matter. Though he appeared unbusy on the surface, secretly he had many tasks to handle.

Not only that, Emperor Delong had also given him a force – though only about twenty men, each could handle ten opponents and was extremely experienced. Managing these people and coordinating them properly required much of his daily attention.

This morning, he had originally planned to use Qin Shuying’s shop inspection as an opportunity to meet with her, asking some questions about foreign languages while also investigating clues.

But Qin Shuying had stood him up, so he went directly to investigate clues.

The trail went cold at Cuihong House.

When Liang Zhe was at the frontier, he wasn’t some naive fool who understood nothing – he had visited brothels too. Back then, everyone had few entertainments, so going in to listen to music and watch performances was normal.

He happened to encounter one or two incidents, and when word got back to the capital, it somehow became a story about him being a demon who could kill concubines and still drink and eat without batting an eye.

What concubines? They were spies – beautiful serpents whose hands were stained with the blood of countless innocents!

No one thought about the reasons or impossibilities, only spreading word that Liang Zhe killed without blinking.

At Cuihong House.

Liang Zhe had lost the trail but discovered someone following him – it was Liang Yuan.

Liang Zhe had no mood to greet him and knew what he wanted to do, so after entering a private room, he went out through the window.

Returning to the first floor, he gave the shop attendant some money, asking him not to assign anyone to that room.

There weren’t many customers at noon, so whether that room was assigned to anyone didn’t matter. The attendant happily agreed after taking the money.

Then…

Liang Yuan returned to Liang Manor, angrily telling his younger brother Liang Jie: “Damn it, he actually dared to toy with me! No, I have to go find him!”

Liang Jie winked: “Second Brother, since Big Brother entered Cuihong House, he must be really craving women. You’re a man – why join in the excitement?”

Liang Yuan knew his younger brother always had clever ideas: “Do you have a good plan?”

“Have the one from Dongqing Courtyard go! What Big Brother lacks now is her, not you.”

Liang Yuan snorted: “She’s also useless – hasn’t even touched his bed.”

“Before, she lacked a sense of crisis. Now that sister-in-law is about to enter the family, if she doesn’t work harder, she’ll have even less place in this household. So don’t worry, she’s more anxious than we are!”

Liang Yuan sneered: “If she still can’t accomplish anything, Mother… why not show more concern for Big Brother and arrange several more concubines for him?”

Liang Jie said: “Don’t worry, Mother has already made her selections. Big Brother really has good fortune. Do you know what kind of people Mother chose?”

“What kind?”

“Two slender horses!”

“What?!”

Liang Jie said: “Second Brother, tell me, are we the biological sons, or is Big Brother the biological one? Mother only arranged concubines for us at the beginning of the year, and you only got one, I also only got one. But what about Big Brother? Two slender horses at once – with such generosity, which mother is so thoughtful?”

Liang Yuan looked at him and burst into laughter. Liang Jie also laughed – everything was understood in their laughter.

After laughing, Liang Yuan still felt regretful: “Two slender horses – just thinking about it makes one drool!”

Liang Jie laughed heartily: “Second Brother, what’s the big deal? Getting a taste later won’t be difficult. We’re all brothers – helping Big Brother relieve his worries, isn’t that our duty?”

“Hahaha…”

…

That Luo Meixiang had acquired two slender horses wasn’t a secret. Because slender horses were rare, and each one was seductive and charming – just their walking posture made even the serving maids gasp involuntarily.

So beautiful!

The maids couldn’t catch their breath.

Word spread from one to ten, ten to a hundred, until everyone in Liang Manor knew that Madam Liang had prepared two slender horses for the eldest young master.

This made the men drool with envy, all sighing about Liang Zhe’s good fortune.

Liang Zhe naturally learned of this quickly. Liang Yanjun laughed so hard he nearly fell over: “Young Master, Madam Liang truly has devoted her heart and soul to you!”

“Mm. I’ll accept them.”

Liang Yanjun’s eyes widened: “What? Master, Master, Master… you’re not serious, are you?”

“Serious.”

“Aren’t you afraid of the Madam’s fury?”

“Why should I be afraid? I’m giving them to you!”

“What? Young Master, spare me, spare me! It’s all my fault for running my mouth!”

Liang Zhe glanced at him sideways: “Too late!”

“Ah…” Liang Yanjun’s eyes rolled back.

“Oh, you still owe me fifty taels of silver from that bet. When will you repay it?”

Liang Yanjun straightened up: “Young Master, look, my monthly salary is only a few taels of silver. Please be magnanimous and forgive me!”

“Redeem yourself through service!”

Liang Yanjun thought for a moment: “Seventh Miss Qin is very concerned about the Blue Eagle matter. Using this to invite her, she probably won’t refuse.”

Liang Zhe tapped the table: “There’s still hope for you – you actually thought of the same thing as me.”

“Well, this subordinate also wants to see Miss Ziteng!”

The next day, upon hearing the message Ziteng delivered, Qin Shuying rubbed her forehead.

Standing under the eaves, she looked up at the sky and heard the damn parrot squawking: “Madam, Madam, have you finished eating?”

Ziteng quickly took down the birdcage and brought it inside.

“Damn parrot, I let you out for some fresh air and you dare squawk randomly. I’ll skin you alive!”

“Sister Ziteng, please forgive me!”

Qin Shuying couldn’t help but laugh, pointing at the parrot: “What was the name I gave you yesterday? Say it yourself.”

“Rainbow, Rainbow.”

Ziteng made a face and muttered quietly: “Look how tacky you are, so I gave you such a tacky name.”

Rainbow didn’t hear Ziteng’s grumbling but began showing off: “Madam, Rainbow greets you!”

Qin Shuying smiled: “I told you to call me Miss. How did you forget again?”

Rainbow shook its head: “Since you’re going to marry the young master, how can you still be called Miss? Madam, the young master is waiting for you. Hurry and go – if you keep the young master waiting, he’ll lose sleep and appetite. What a sin, what a sin!”

“You… Ziteng, we’ll teach it properly when we return!”

This damn parrot spoke such nonsense that Qin Shuying didn’t dare let others care for it.