Dazzled and enchanted by the rain of apricot blossoms, Jiang Zhiyi was stunned for several moments before understanding what he was saying. Her face flushed, and she flew away like a startled bird, clutching her chest as she looked at him: “…What are you saying? Who has you in their heart!”

Shen Yuance stared intently at the blush rising on her cheeks: “If not in your heart, then on your face?”

Jiang Zhiyi touched her face in alarm.

Shen Yuance: “Your ears too?”

Jiang Zhiyi touched her ears in alarm.

“Why do you keep touching wherever I point?” Shen Yuance laughed softly.

Realizing how ridiculous she was being, Jiang Zhiyi furrowed her brow and stomped her foot at him: “Are you a scoundrel?”

Shen Yuance raised his eyebrows: “When you acted like a scoundrel to me before, did I say anything?”

“Was I being a scoundrel to you? Don’t always bring up things from when my mind wasn’t clear…”

The carefree joy was suddenly extinguished. Shen Yuance’s smile disappeared as he smoothed the corners of his mouth and looked straight at her: “Even when your mind is clear, you still like scoundrels.”

“When have I ever liked scoundrels?”

“Isn’t my elder brother scoundrel enough?”

Jiang Zhiyi faltered, her gaze darting away: “…He’s only pretending to be a scoundrel, not a true scoundrel like you.”

Shen Yuance glanced at her averted eyes, then turned around and set down the bow: “Fine, I can’t compare to the moonlight in your eyes and the cinnabar in your heart.”

Jiang Zhiyi looked back, seeing his figure facing the quiver, seemingly in self-deprecation. She opened her mouth to explain something, but remembering how he had just teased her, she fell silent.

The wind had stopped, and everything was quiet, leaving only fallen petals on the ground, mysteriously adding a touch of desolation to his figure, making him look pitiable.

Jiang Zhiyi glanced at his slightly drooping head, wrinkled her nose, and walked forward, rising on tiptoe.

Shen Yuance suddenly turned around, lowering his gaze to see her fingertips pinching an apricot petal, apparently plucked from his hair.

Seeing Shen Yuance’s flickering gaze, Jiang Zhiyi cleared her throat and turned her head away, looking at the apricot petals scattered on the ground and the empty target. She mumbled softly, as if searching for something to say: “Will I ever be able to hit the bullseye…”

The smile returned to Shen Yuance’s eyes. He bent his knuckle and lightly tapped her nose: “Go back and wait.”

Jiang Zhiyi suddenly touched her nose: “…Wait for what now?”

“An arrow that will let you hit the bullseye.”

In the early evening, in the study of the main courtyard, when Mu Xinhong entered, he saw Shen Yuance sitting at his desk, meticulously polishing a small arrowhead with a whetstone. Several polished arrow shafts were scattered beside him.

“Young General,” Mu Xinhong saluted and reported, “Each corner of the city has been preliminarily checked, and no suspicious persons have been found yet.”

The reason the Young General had stayed at the manor today was that dangers in the city had not been eliminated. Even though the manor’s defenses were impenetrable, he feared what might happen to the Princess if he were absent.

When the brothers in the camp heard that the Young General had “lost a lot of blood” last night and saw that he hadn’t gone to the military camp today, they assumed he was seriously injured. They were particularly aggressive during today’s search and finished work early.

Shen Yuance continued working without pause, nodding: “Take men to search again after nightfall.”

“Yes, Young General. Also, the captured prisoner has confessed that this assassination was ordered by the Marquis of Xuande.”

At the time, the Marquis of Xuande had sought revenge for his son with a desperate determination to destroy the enemy even at great cost to himself. When he exposed the Zhong family’s embezzlement of military funds, he inevitably implicated himself in past dealings with the Zhong family. As a result, he was dismissed from office, left with only his title, spending his days at home in decline, caring for his mentally disabled child.

Later, hearing that all the Zhong family’s male members had disappeared during their exile, the Marquis of Xuande probably guessed the Zhong family had been secretly assassinated. Realizing the Young General was the true mastermind, he risked everything to arrange this assassination. Even the stage play was part of his revenge ritual.

As a father, the Marquis of Xuande could be considered a good one.

Mu Xinhong: “How do you plan to deal with the Marquis of Xuande?”

Shen Yuance gently blew away the debris from the arrowhead, treating it like a treasured possession. Though his voice was distracted, his eyes were cold: “Kill him.”

“Will we do it ourselves, or—”

“It’s time to let our Emperor play the villain.”

Mu Xinhong fell into contemplation. The last time, with the Zhong family’s embezzlement case, someone at court had cited the Earl of Kangle’s military achievements and his leg lamed in battle, influencing the court’s opinion. The Emperor, always displaying his benevolence toward meritorious officials, had spared the Earl of Kangle from the death penalty.

“Will the Emperor deal harshly with him for you this time?”

“Since they want to use me against Hedong, they must show some sincerity.” Shen Yuance attached the arrowhead to the shaft and glanced up.

“I understand.” Mu Xinhong nodded. “By the way, Young General, regarding what you asked last night about your dietary restrictions and birthmark, I’ve confirmed that no one else should know both these things simultaneously.”

Shen Yuance frowned slightly. Among all the troublesome matters, the problems brought by Jiang Zhiyi were the most difficult.

“Understood.” Shen Yuance placed the new arrows in a box, gently closed the lid, and left the study with it.

Jiang Zhiyi had just sat down at the dining table, ready to pick up her chopsticks, when she saw the person she had been waiting for all day stroll in.

Shen Yuance pushed a narrow, flat wooden box about half a foot long across the dining table, placing it before her eyes.

Jiang Zhiyi looked at the unremarkable little box, blinking in confusion: “Is this the arrow that will let me hit the bullseye?”

“What, you look down on it because it’s small?”

Jiang Zhiyi curiously opened the lid and saw a delicate, small bronze cylinder. Her eyes brightened: “Is this—a sleeve arrow?”

“Made for those thin arms of yours.”

“You made this?” Jiang Zhiyi picked up the sleeve arrow, surprised as she weighed it. “It looks heavy, but feels so light. How do you use it?”

Shen Yuance took out a thin arrow and demonstrated the loading process, then pointed to the mechanism: “Press here and…”

Before he could finish, Jiang Zhiyi suddenly pressed it. Both Shen Yuance and Jing Zhe in the room swiftly dodged.

They watched as the arrow shot out, traveling several zhang to the courtyard outside, where it struck a pillar with a thud.

“Wow, so far, so powerful…” Jiang Zhiyi looked at her hand as if it had been granted divine power. Turning her head, she noticed the defensive postures of the two, who had jumped away as if avoiding a fierce beast. She frowned, “Why are you panicking? I was watching the direction!”

Jing Zhe smiled awkwardly, returning to the table.

Shen Yuance clicked his tongue lightly: “Two hours to make one arrow, and you waste it in the blink of an eye.”

“You made these arrows, too?” Jiang Zhiyi looked at him in surprise.

“How else would they have such killing power?”

“If you had told me earlier, I would have used them sparingly…” Jiang Zhiyi quickly examined the remaining arrows, regarding them as her precious few treasures.

Seeing her appreciative gaze, Shen Yuance sat down casually across from her, curving his lips: “No need. It’s just a matter of two hours. I’ll make more when you run out.”

“Since you’re rarely at the manor, why not hurry and—”

Shen Yuance pointed at the sleeve arrow in her hand: “Jiang Zhiyi, I’ve paid for my meals here. Aren’t you going to show some hospitality?”

…He had timed his arrival to mooch dinner, yet he made it sound as if she were being impolite.

Jiang Zhiyi carefully put away the sleeve arrow. Considering how perfectly it suited her, she nodded toward Jing Zhe: “Get him a bowl and chopsticks.”

Shen Yuance wiped his hands with a damp cloth, recalling Mu Xinhong’s report earlier, and spoke more seriously: “About what you asked last night, I’ve confirmed that only the three people I mentioned know.”

Jiang Zhiyi’s attention was drawn away from the sleeve arrow: “And there’s no possibility that these three people have revealed it to others?”

“Absolutely none,” Shen Yuance shook his head. “I’ve answered your question, now you should answer mine. How did you come to know these things?”

“Actually, before last night, I didn’t know…”

After their disagreement last night, Jiang Zhiyi had intended to bring up the matter again during the day. But when she thought about explaining the novel to him, it seemed overwhelmingly difficult. Wouldn’t that be like admitting her lie and telling him that she never actually liked his elder brother?

Seeing how often he mentioned his elder brother lately, she wondered whether he would be pleased that she didn’t like his brother, or if he would be angry with her for lying…

“It’s been nearly half a year since it happened, and it won’t make a difference to wait until after dinner. Let’s eat first.” Jiang Zhiyi wiped her hands with a worried expression.

After many days, they were dining together again. After cleaning their hands, they both picked up their chopsticks, then simultaneously paused as they recalled the circumstances of their last meal together at this table.

Jiang Zhiyi held her chopsticks, secretly glancing up at Shen Yuance.

Last time, at this very dining table, Shen Yuance had peeled a shrimp for her, but she had refused to eat it because she thought it was dirty. Then he had started “acting drunk” and become upset…

Jiang Zhiyi lowered her eyes to scan the dishes before her. How coincidental that the kitchen had prepared a plate of saltwater shrimp today.

Their gazes fell simultaneously on the plate of shrimp. Jiang Zhiyi guiltily looked away, while Shen Yuance kept staring at the shrimp: “You wouldn’t eat the shrimp I peeled. Would my elder brother peel shrimp for you? Would he make sleeve arrows for you?”

“…”

Jiang Zhiyi glared at him: “Just eat your meal. Why bring up old grievances?”

“Then let’s not bring up old grievances. If I peel one for you today, will you eat it?”

“I have Jing Zhe here. Why would I need you to do anything?”

Shen Yuance tugged at the corner of his mouth, spreading his hands: “Fine, now it’s not an old grievance—you wouldn’t eat the shrimp I peeled. Would my elder brother peel shrimp for you? Would he make sleeve arrows for you?”

…Was he stuck in a loop?

Jiang Zhiyi took a deep breath: “Your elder brother wouldn’t peel shrimp for me, and he wouldn’t make sleeve arrows for me. So what!”

“I would.”

“So what if you would! Do I have to choose between you two brothers?”

Shen Yuance sat up straight: “You can’t be with my elder brother, so naturally, I’m the best choice apart from him.”

Like a self-promoting peddler, Jiang Zhiyi gritted her teeth: “What if I never wanted to be with your elder brother in the first place?”

“If you say that, would my elder brother believe it?”

“Why wouldn’t he believe it? In this whole world, only you believe I like your elder brother!” Jiang Zhiyi threw down her chopsticks in frustration.

Shen Yuance looked at her questioningly, his expression faltering: “…What do you mean?”

“I, Jiang Zhiyi—” Jiang Zhiyi pointed to the tip of her nose, “—the person I most despise, most disdain, most unlikely to ever be with, even if I remain alone for life, the last person I would ever look upon favorably—is your elder brother, Shen Yuance! Though you and Miss Pei may treasure him, I consider him mere grass. Your elder brother and I, inside and out, outside and in, are dead enemies, as dead as can be!”

Shen Yuance was stunned by her impassioned declaration. He blinked, as if unable to believe what he had heard. After a moment of silence: “Can you—say that again?”

Jiang Zhiyi clutched her waist with effort: “Back then, it was only because I saw that you thought I liked your elder brother that I played along with the deception to convince you to let me go!”

A tumult of thoughts rushed through his mind. Shen Yuance stared at her unblinkingly, processing her words. After a long moment, he slowly put down his chopsticks. His Adam’s apple moved slightly as he said hoarsely: “Jiang Zhiyi, you’re quite something.”

Jiang Zhiyi grabbed the sleeve arrow beside her hand, holding it defensively before her: “What—what are you doing? Are you going to turn against me?”

Shen Yuance turned his head away, closing his eyes to calm himself. When he turned back, he narrowed his eyes: “Before I turn against you, I want to know: if you don’t like my elder brother, where did all those jumbled thoughts in your head come from?”

Jiang Zhiyi, seeing his cold gaze, nervously shrank back. She glanced at Jing Zhe, who knew about the matter, and gestured with her chin for her to respond: “Jing Zhe, over to you.”

Two hours later, after explaining the origins of the novel, the room fell into complete silence as Jiang Zhiyi and Jing Zhe both watched Shen Yuance, who was deep in thought.

The novel’s source was unknown, and it involved many of the Shen family’s secrets. Shen Yuance was simply trying to process everything. The fact that he could sit quietly thinking instead of erupting in anger showed his exceptional composure.

The two exchanged glances, neither daring to speak.

After who knows how long, Shen Yuance’s expression changed from blank to a furrowed brow, finally showing a shift in mood.

Only then did Jiang Zhiyi hesitantly interject: “I thought about it last night. Whoever wrote the novel certainly doesn’t harbor ill will toward your family. Otherwise, any one of those secrets could have… Besides, the novel has been in my possession for over half a year, and there hasn’t been any stirring in Chang’an.”

Shen Yuance sat with his hands clasped, not responding.

“Since the people who know your secrets couldn’t have revealed them, I’m more suspicious that there’s something strange about this novel…” Jiang Zhiyi glanced up as if looking toward some unseen deity above, then lowered her voice to share with him, “See how everything I read came true. When Yiyi in the novel had misfortune, I also had misfortune. Even my cousins and aunts’ plots matched. This novel is truly eerie…”

“Have you considered,” Shen Yuance paused, then raised his eyes, “that your sedan chair breaking might have been sabotage, your tailored clothes might have been stolen, and when you tried to test if the novel was always accurate by accepting gifts from those noble sons, you didn’t find a dead rat? This isn’t the novel selectively manifesting; it’s that this person couldn’t manipulate things belonging to the powerful.”

A cold shiver ran up Jiang Zhiyi’s spine: “You mean—”

“According to you, the novel’s female protagonist suffered eighty-one hardships from her aunt. So the novel’s author only needed to orchestrate certain events after you received the novel. The timing didn’t need to precisely match your reading of the novel. As long as you read about similar events in the novel, whether they happened shortly before or after your reading, you would suspect the novel was manifesting itself.”

Jiang Zhiyi shuddered, realizing he was right.

Her sedan chair had broken on the main street, her clothes had disappeared in the shop—both places with many people, convenient for someone to act…

“But why would this person go to such lengths…” Jiang Zhiyi recalled in a daze, swallowing nervously, “If I hadn’t believed the novel would manifest, I wouldn’t have investigated my cousin’s sachet. Is this person trying to warn me to avoid my cousin and aunt’s plot?”

Shen Yuance nodded slightly.

“If this person meant me well, why not tell me directly?” Jiang Zhiyi’s eyes widened in incomprehension.

Shen Yuance thoughtfully rubbed his fingers: “Perhaps—there’s something difficult to explain, or perhaps there’s an even greater purpose.”

A greater purpose—like a hand manipulating a chess game, placing her and Shen Yuance like jade pieces on a complex board, causing them to follow a path of coincidences…

Shen Yuance raised his eyes to look at Jing Zhe, who was also shivering: “Tell San Qi to immediately summon Mu Xinhong and Li Dafeng to see me.”

Jing Zhe quickly acknowledged and left the room.

With only the two of them left, Jiang Zhiyi’s head was spinning, overwhelmed with information. She stared blankly at the food before her, unable to recover.

Suddenly, she heard Shen Yuance speak: “Finish your meal first.”

“You still have the heart to eat…” Jiang Zhiyi looked at him with pouting lips, shivering repeatedly. Just earlier, she had been urging Shen Yuance to stay calm, but now she was nearly frightened to death.

“Didn’t you just say that, at least for now, this person seems to harbor no ill will toward you or me? Until we find out who it is, there’s no use in panicking,” Shen Yuance pointed to the chopsticks beside her hand. “Eat your meal. After that, I’ll settle accounts with you.”

Jiang Zhiyi responded with a faint “oh,” picking up her chopsticks absent-mindedly. As she extended them to take some food, they froze at the edge of the dish. She suddenly raised her head: “What? Aren’t we in the same boat now? Why do you still need to settle accounts with me?”

“Being in the same boat makes it easier to settle accounts, doesn’t it?” Shen Yuance’s eyes fixed on her as he pulled the plate of shrimp in front of himself and began peeling them leisurely.

Though he was peeling shrimp, his smiling eyes made her feel as if he were methodically peeling her skin—

“First, as punishment, you must eat all of these shrimp.”