Jiang Li had never seen the Xue family home like this.

When Xue Huaiyuan served as county magistrate, his salary wasn’t much. Unlike previous magistrates, he didn’t have his residence renovated to be tall and grand—it was just like any ordinary common person’s home. This three-courtyard residence had been urgently sold at a low price by its previous owner who needed to travel far, and Xue Huaiyuan had bought it.

Though the courtyard was shabby, it had been kept clean and tidy—it was a home. It was in this courtyard that Xue Zhao and Xue Fangfei had grown from innocent, unknowing children into young adults.

In her memory, the Xue family residence always had cooking smoke curling up from it, full of vitality. The inexpensive flowers and plants planted by the door also added considerable charm to the residence.

However, the Xue family home before her eyes now had a dilapidated entrance, with official seals that looked especially glaring. Even the seals were covered in considerable dust, showing that no one had come to this place for a very long time.

A perfectly good home, scattered just like that.

Seeing Jiang Li suddenly shed tears, Ye Mingyu was alarmed and asked, “A-Li, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Li came to her senses, smiled, and said, “There’s too much dust here—sand got in my eyes.” She pulled out a handkerchief and said while wiping her eyes, “It’ll be fine after wiping.”

Ye Mingyu had no suspicions. In his view, Jiang Li was visiting Tongxiang for the first time—this unfamiliar residence shouldn’t make Jiang Li cry. He said, “Whose family is this? Why was it sealed by the authorities?”

“The Xue family,” Jiang Li said.

Ye Mingyu was greatly surprised. “How do you know?”

Jiang Li pointed at the seal. “It’s written right there. I suppose this must be the home of that magistrate devoted to the people that you just mentioned, Uncle Mingyu.”

Bai Xue and Tong’er were both very confused. Ye Mingyu was even more shocked speechless. After a long while, he said, “What magistrate? How could Magistrate Xue’s home be sealed? There must be some mistake? What… what happened?”

He spent years away from even Xiangyang, let alone Tongxiang. Moreover, Xue Huaiyuan’s matter hadn’t spread very far—even Qiongzhi had only learned of it through inquiries. Ye Mingyu couldn’t possibly have known.

Jiang Li smiled, her tone somewhat cold. “The heavens are unpredictable, and people face fortune and misfortune at any moment. Magistrate Xue must have encountered some trouble—even his home was thoroughly raided.”

Ye Mingyu felt there was something strange about what Jiang Li said, yet couldn’t quite pinpoint what. While several people were silent, they heard a creaking sound from nearby. Someone pushed open a door and walked out from the small courtyard next to the Xue family home.

It was a woman with a flowered cloth wrapped around her head, slightly dark skin, wearing a blue cloth skirt with a bamboo basket hanging from her elbow as she came out of the courtyard. She apparently hadn’t expected such a group of people to suddenly be standing at the already-sealed Xue family gate, and their faces were all very unfamiliar. She immediately didn’t dare move forward, only standing in place, looking at them with some alarm and uncertainty.

Ye Mingyu said helplessly, “Great, now she thinks we’re bad people?”

Seeing this woman, Jiang Li immediately felt a sense of familiarity arise in her heart.

This woman in the blue skirt was Aunt Chunfang from the neighboring house. She had watched her and Xue Zhao grow up from childhood. After so many years of not seeing her, Jiang Li couldn’t help but take several steps forward, walking toward Aunt Chunfang.

Ye Mingyu called out softly from behind, “Hey, A-Li, what are you doing?”

Jiang Li walked up to Chunfang.

Chunfang looked at Jiang Li, somewhat hesitantly clutching her own hands. These people clearly weren’t from Tongxiang. However, this young miss before her was obviously a girl from a wealthy family. Her appearance was impeccable, her smile gentle—where in Tongxiang could such a precious woman come from? No, they had produced one before—the Xue family’s Fangfei had been Tongxiang’s acknowledged great beauty, but unfortunately she had married off to Yanking City. Fortunately she had married to Yanking, otherwise if she’d stayed in Tongxiang, she would now be implicated too…

As Chunfang was thinking wildly, she saw the young miss before her looking at her, saying gently, “Excuse me, Auntie, but is this sealed residence the home of County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan?”

Chunfang was startled and looked Jiang Li up and down before saying, “Yes, do you know the Xue family?”

“I don’t,” Jiang Li shook her head. “I’m just somewhat curious. May I ask why this Magistrate Xue’s home was sealed?”

Chunfang was stunned, then shook her head. “I… I don’t know…”

“He’s a local official, your county magistrate. A perfectly fine official’s residence being sealed must have a reason. How could you not know, Auntie?”

Perhaps it was because Jiang Li’s gaze was too cool, or her tone was quite pressing, but Chunfang actually unconsciously retreated a step. She spoke somewhat incoherently, “Don’t… don’t know means don’t know… You should go ask someone else.”

Jiang Li said, “Auntie, do you not know, or are you unwilling to say?”

Chunfang raised her head to look at Jiang Li and mustered her courage to say, “Why are you inquiring about Lord Xue’s affairs? Who are you?”

With Jiang Li pressing so hard, no one would believe she was just asking out of curiosity. But Chunfang avoiding the topic so much was actually revealing more than hiding. Jiang Li smiled and said, “Who I am isn’t important. What’s important is that I want to inquire about the Xue family matter—whether or not you’re willing to speak, Auntie.”

Jiang Li knew Chunfang. After being neighbors for so many years, she was a warm and kind person. Jiang Li believed that if she weren’t too frightened, Chunfang would never stand by and watch her father imprisoned. The common people of Tongxiang were the same. But she didn’t know what kind of threat could make these common people all afraid to stand up.

Just then, Chunfang’s courtyard door creaked open again, and Chunfang’s husband’s voice drifted over from afar. “Ah Fang, why aren’t you leaving yet? What are you doing?”

“I’m going to sell embroidery,” Chunfang said, pushing past Jiang Li as if she’d found an excuse, hurrying to escape. But halfway there, she hesitated, turned back, and said, “Miss, seeing as you’re newcomers, I’ll give you a warning too. In front of outsiders, don’t mention the Xue family matter anymore to avoid bringing trouble upon yourselves. You… shouldn’t be too conspicuous.” Having said this, carrying her bamboo basket, she didn’t look at Jiang Li again, as if something terrifying was chasing her, and quickly disappeared.

Ye Mingyu walked forward, standing beside Jiang Li who was staring at Chunfang’s retreating figure in a daze, complaining, “Really, A-Li spoke so kindly, yet she acts like she’s seen a ghost, scared to death.” He looked at Jiang Li again. “I just heard you talking about the Xue family—what do you mean? A-Li, what are you trying to do?”

Jiang Li had come to Bluestone Alley for no apparent reason, lingered so long in front of the sealed Xue family home, and questioned a strange woman about matters related to the Xue family. Ye Mingyu could tell this was definitely not coincidental or done on a whim—Jiang Li’s purpose for this trip was related to the Xue family.

“Uncle Mingyu,” Jiang Li said, turning her head to look directly into Ye Mingyu’s eyes. This allowed Ye Mingyu to see clearly the determination in her eyes. She said, “I came to Tongxiang for this very reason. Uncle, I want to overturn the Xue family’s wrongful conviction.”

Ye Mingyu was stunned. Tong’er and Bai Xue were stunned too.

No matter how one looked at it, Jiang Li was the daughter of Yanking’s Chief Minister, while Xue Huaiyuan was just a county magistrate in Tongxiang. These two people had never had any connection. With Jiang Li suddenly saying this, Ye Mingyu didn’t know how to respond.

After quite a while, Ye Mingyu finally found his voice. He said, “You… what did you say?”

“I can’t tell you why I must do this,” Jiang Li said apologetically. “It’s a long story and can’t be explained in a few words. But the Xue family’s Magistrate Xue was indeed wrongly imprisoned by someone. I’ve been entrusted with this task—to thoroughly investigate this matter and return Magistrate Xue’s innocence.”

“But how do you know Magistrate Xue is innocent? You’re just a young girl—how can you investigate clearly, how can you help him overturn the conviction? A-Li, this absolutely won’t do!”

“Uncle Mingyu,” Jiang Li’s voice was very calm, as if this matter was a prudent decision made after deep consideration, not allowing a trace of doubt. She said, “Whether or not Magistrate Xue is innocent can be known through investigation. Though I’m a young girl, I’m also the Chief Minister’s daughter and not without authority. Doing what one knows cannot be done isn’t for the sake of pride, but for the sake of fairness.” Jiang Li said, “In this world, when black and white are confused and right and wrong unclear, it’s truly unfair. Moreover, the person I want to help is someone who has shown me kindness. Just consider it my way of repaying a debt of gratitude. Don’t jianghu people value repaying grudges and grievances? I know this matter is of great importance, and I don’t wish to implicate you, Uncle. If Uncle feels this is inappropriate, you can withdraw now. I alone am sufficient.”

These words, which should have sounded petulant, were spoken by Jiang Li with perfect composure. Ye Mingyu stared into Jiang Li’s eyes. He knew his niece always had her own mind, but at this moment, he finally understood—when Jiang Li did things, she always walked each step with great determination. She wasn’t oblivious to the possible troubles and terrible consequences, but nothing could shake her resolve to take each step.

Let alone him as her uncle. In a sense, whether or not she had him as an uncle wouldn’t hinder Jiang Li from doing what she needed to do.

Thinking it over, if even a young girl like Jiang Li understood the principle of “doing what one knows cannot be done,” while he constantly styled himself a hero and gallant man yet couldn’t match even a young girl, being timid and hesitant—he suddenly felt a surge of solitary courage and said, “Through blades and flames, I’ll accompany you to the end!” He patted Jiang Li’s head affectionately and said, “How could I not—I’m your real uncle!”

Jiang Li was speechless.

“Then Uncle,” Jiang Li said, “once we’re settled, there’s something I’d like Uncle to help with.”

“Tell me!” Ye Mingyu readily agreed.

“Please have these guards and your people find a way to loudly inquire about the Xue family’s sealing at Tongxiang’s most bustling places—whether wine shops or teahouses. The more attention it attracts the better, ideally so everyone can hear.”

“Miss?” Tong’er said softly, “Didn’t that auntie just say not to mention the Xue family matter in front of outsiders to avoid bringing trouble? Why… why deliberately let people know?”

Jiang Li smiled. “Because I want to alert the enemy.”

Ye Mingyu didn’t understand.

“If I can’t find the snake, I’ll make the snake come find me.” She smiled faintly.

Yongning’s people had someone frame Xue Huaiyuan and imprison him, but the common people all saw it clearly—after all these years, what kind of person Xue Huaiyuan was, no one understood better than Tongxiang’s common people. To prevent the people from speaking carelessly and destabilizing popular sentiment, they simply used certain methods to forbid people from discussing this matter.

One could imagine that when suddenly such a group of people openly and brazenly inquired about Xue Huaiyuan’s matter, it would naturally attract the other party’s attention. Before long, the other party would come looking for them.

She was too lazy to inquire one by one about who the other party’s people were. She would just sit here and wait for them to walk into her trap.

And she would settle accounts with them one by one. Everyone would get their share. No rush.

…

The peaceful lives of Tongxiang’s common people were completely shattered one afternoon.

In the afternoon, a group of outsiders appeared from who knows where, wandering everywhere in teahouses, wine shops, and even on the streets. What they were saying and doing was inquiring everywhere among passersby about the sealed home of Magistrate Xue.

Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu sat inside the wine shop—this was Tongxiang’s most bustling wine shop. In days past, whenever something new happened in Tongxiang, people always liked to discuss it animatedly in this small wine shop. Xue Zhao had liked to bring her here to eavesdrop, sometimes hearing quite a few interesting stories.

But today was truly very different.

The common people had originally been examining their group with great interest as unfamiliar faces from elsewhere. But when Ye Mingyu’s guards asked about the Xue family matter, panic immediately showed on these people’s faces. They scattered in all directions as if fleeing from something. Otherwise they kept their mouths shut, shaking their heads desperately.

Jiang Li had lived in Tongxiang for so many years and knew the common people were quite warm and hospitable. But obviously, Ye Mingyu’s people had frightened these common people—not a single person dared approach them. They were even like a plague. In just a short afternoon, when people on the street saw them they would take detours, or else whisper secretly about something.

By the time they sat down in this wine shop, there wasn’t a single customer left in the establishment.

The shopkeeper was the same. Seeing Jiang Li and her group arrive, he probably wanted to close the shop but feared provoking the knife at Ye Mingyu’s waist, so he simply handed the shop over to the young waiter and fled. That waiter was even more amusing—he served tea trembling with fear. When Ye Mingyu wanted him to bring some fruit to moisten Jiang Li’s throat, the moment Ye Mingyu opened his mouth, the waiter fled in a flash as if afraid something terrifying might emerge from Ye Mingyu’s mouth.

“Hey, this is really strange,” Ye Mingyu said, both angry and amused. “What did we do? These people act like mice seeing a cat—could they run any faster? Even when I had a big beard and traveled the jianghu, I never saw people this frightened!”

Jiang Li smiled faintly. “Because you mentioned the character ‘Xue.'”

“The character ‘Xue’ isn’t some forbidden word. What, can’t it even be mentioned?” The more Ye Mingyu talked, the angrier he got. “A-Li, I think what you said is right—this Tongxiang is strange, and these common people are strange too. If Xue Huaiyuan really had no issues, why make it so mysterious and secretive? This is practically revealing more by trying to hide! I think there’s an eighty percent chance Xue Huaiyuan was framed. Who the hell is scheming against the Xue family behind the scenes?”

Just as he finished speaking, a clanging sound came from downstairs, as if the young waiter hadn’t held his abacus steady and accidentally dropped it on the ground. Jiang Li glanced down. The young waiter was sitting by the wine shop’s entrance, as if trying his utmost to stay far from Jiang Li.

“Communicating only with glances,” Jiang Li said.

“What?” Ye Mingyu didn’t understand.

Jiang Li slowly recited, “In the thirty-fourth year, the King ruled severely. The people of the state dared not speak, communicating only with glances on the roads.”

“In history there was a monarch whose governance was brutal. Influenced by favored ministers, he changed court systems, making many industries common people relied on for livelihood the property of the royal house. For a time, people’s livelihoods were difficult and popular resentment boiled over. Not only did the monarch not listen to admonitions, he even sent people to hire many shamans who ceaselessly patrolled the capital’s streets and alleys, eavesdropping on people’s conversations. Anyone they identified as rebellious or slanderous was immediately imprisoned and executed. In this way, throughout the entire nation no one dared comment on state affairs anymore. Even when meeting each other, they didn’t speak carelessly but communicated only with glances on the roads.”

Ye Mingyu said, “You’re saying Tongxiang is being monitored, with people eavesdropping on conversations? Once they discover anyone discussing the Xue family matter, they order execution—that’s why the common people react so strongly to mentioning the Xue family, viewing us as a terrible threat?”

Jiang Li said, “Precisely.”

“This is too…” Ye Mingyu said, “This is too arrogant! Who in Tongxiang dares act like such a tyrant, trying to be a local despot? Even Xiangyang’s Tong Zhiyang still has to worry about what people say. Who dares to be so bold? Who gives them such great power?”

Jiang Li sneered inwardly. Those doing these things naturally had great audacity, because backing them was Princess Yongning, the current Prince Cheng’s own sister. The court situation was unstable—whether Emperor Hongxiao could sit firmly in his position was still unknown. Following Yongning might bring future wealth and glory. Never mind the future—even now, there was no shortage of people eager to please Yongning.

Naturally they acted without fear. Naturally they dared make Tongxiang “communicate only with glances.”

“Ah, I understand now!” Ye Mingyu suddenly slapped the table. “No wonder you had us openly discuss the Xue family so brazenly, A-Li! If those people are mixed in the crowd eavesdropping on people’s conversations, the other party will definitely know and will come find us themselves!”

“Yes,” Jiang Li said. “This also saves considerable time.”

Seeing Jiang Li sitting properly without a trace of fear or unease, Ye Mingyu couldn’t help but ask, “But A-Li, aren’t you afraid?”

“I’m not afraid,” Jiang Li said lightly. “In terms of conscience, I have a clear conscience and don’t fear false accusations. In terms of authority, my father is the foremost among scholars. I’m not afraid of anything—the only thing I fear is that they won’t come. But fortunately,” the corner of Jiang Li’s mouth lifted, and for a moment Ye Mingyu felt her smile carried some mockery, “they’ve come.”

Ye Mingyu looked downstairs.

He saw that outside the wine shop, a group of soldiers on horseback suddenly surged forward. The young waiter was so frightened he nearly fell off his chair, his entire body shaking like a sieve. The lead soldier shouted, “Where are the people who were just discussing the Xue family?”

“I’m right here!” Ye Mingyu arrogantly slammed his cup on the table and stood up. With his tall stature, he had quite an imposing presence. He strode down the stairs with great steps.

Jiang Li set down the teacup in her hand and followed Ye Mingyu downstairs. Tong’er and Bai Xue were somewhat worried and followed Jiang Li closely, step by step, afraid she would suffer.

Ye Mingyu’s people who had been sent out had now all returned to the wine shop and were being surrounded by those soldiers. At this tense moment, Ye Mingyu still unhurriedly descended the wooden stairs of the wine shop. The sound of his footsteps made the stairs creak loudly, making his steps seem even heavier and more solid.

He was tall and imposing, with a knife at his waist and a scar on his face, full of bandit-like ferocity—for a moment he was quite intimidating. Behind him, the young girl descended the stairs gracefully, her smile gentle and warm, clear and luminous.

Hero and beauty—the scene was strangely harmonious, but the lead soldier felt that although the beauty wore a smile, she seemed to carry more murderous intent than the hero, her expression colder.

Perhaps it was his own misconception.

Steadying himself, the soldier chief asked, “You’ve been inquiring everywhere about the criminal minister Xue Huaiyuan—what are your intentions?”

Right off the bat, a label was slapped on them. The way he said it made it sound as if Jiang Li and her group were accomplices of a criminal minister—they could define a crime and arrest them all together.

Ye Mingyu didn’t think twice before saying, “Bored, wanted to inquire so we inquired. What about it? Does your Tongxiang also control common people’s idle chatter? Your authority reaches pretty far—do you also manage people’s eating, drinking, and relieving themselves?”

The soldier flew into a rage. He apparently hadn’t expected Ye Mingyu to also be so difficult, and immediately moved to draw the sword at his waist and point it at Ye Mingyu. But Ye Mingyu’s eyes widened, and with one motion he drew the long knife from his waist, revealing his fierce nature.

Those who roamed the jianghu didn’t rely on soft-heartedness or gentle kindness—everyone was a ruthless character.

These soldiers all drew their weapons. Ye Mingyu’s people all drew their weapons. The two sides faced off, frightening the waiter into hiding under a table.

In this tense standoff, the beauty laughed softly. Jiang Li walked forward. She extended one finger and gently, gently pushed aside the sword point the soldier chief was aiming at Ye Mingyu.

Her slender finger, white and soft like a green onion shoot, rested on the cold, hard, silver-gleaming sword point. Not only did it not appear fragile, it instead carried a clear, cold intent. Her smile was completely different from the sword point’s warmth—not at all afraid of the soldiers. She said with a faint smile, “Uncle, stop joking. Officer, we’re not looking for the criminal minister Xue Huaiyuan.” She emphasized the words “criminal minister” heavily, paused, then said, “What we’re looking for is your superior.”

“Our superior?” The soldier chief frowned. “What do you mean?”

“It’s very simple,” Jiang Li said. “I don’t know where your superior is, I don’t know how to invite him here, and I don’t know how to let him know we’ve arrived. I heard that as long as we mention the Xue family matter here, your superior will appear. So I mentioned it—how miraculous, and here you are.”

She smiled sweetly, but the sarcasm in her words made these soldiers feel stifled. Their faces turned red then pale, yet they couldn’t refute Jiang Li’s words. To refute would be protesting too much—how frustrating.

“Enough nonsense!” The lead soldier was somewhat embarrassed and angry. “What do you want with our superior? What are you scheming?”

“Actually, even if I didn’t come find your superior, once he learned I came to Tongxiang, he would definitely come invite me himself,” Jiang Li said nonchalantly. “But we’re pressed for time on this trip, so we’re in such a hurry to see him.”

Ye Mingyu said impatiently, “A-Li, why waste so many words on them? Quickly lead the way and let us meet this so-called superior!”

The soldier chief had probably never encountered people who regarded them so lightly before. He sneered coldly and said, “You want to see our superior so you can see him? Who do you think you are? You talk big, but we still don’t know what relationship you have with the criminal minister Xue Huaiyuan.” He waved his hand. “Take them all away!”

Jiang Li smiled and asked back, “Are you certain you want to do this?”

The soldier chief looked at her disdainfully, about to say something, when he suddenly noticed a jade earring by Jiang Li’s earlobe and abruptly shut his mouth.

The jade earring was entirely emerald green, so tender it seemed to drip, obviously worth quite a fortune. He remembered that the most favored concubine of the current superior had a bracelet of inferior quality to this, and even that bracelet had cost the superior a great deal of money to acquire.

This girl was only fifteen or sixteen years old, yet her dress was very refined, especially the gentle spiritual energy between her brows—she had a kind of nobility cultivated by wealthy families. Even walking on the streets in Tongxiang, she would be an extremely eye-catching presence. And there was the tall man beside her whom she called “Uncle”—clearly a rough man, yet on his long knife’s handle was a ruby the size of a pigeon’s egg.

This group had extraordinary status—at least they weren’t from ordinary families. The soldier’s heart skipped a beat, and when he looked at Jiang Li again, he felt somewhat uncertain.

But in front of so many people, especially with his subordinates present, to back down like this seemed too face-losing. After quickly weighing things in his mind, the soldier chief still decided to issue some more threats. But before he could speak, he saw the girl before him looking at her fingertips, saying quite casually, “If I were you, I’d lead the way while I’m still speaking nicely. Otherwise…” She raised her head and gave him a brilliant smile. “The one who’ll be unlucky definitely won’t be us.”

Her appearance was clearly gentle and harmless, but in that instant, the lead soldier indeed glimpsed the malice in the girl’s smile. He had an intuition that if he really didn’t do as Jiang Li said, in the end, the result would very likely be as she described.

He didn’t want to be unlucky.

He looked Jiang Li and her group up and down several times, kept a stiff face, and rigidly spat out a sentence: “Take them to see the superior!” Probably feeling he’d lost face, he quickly walked to the front of the formation, unwilling to look at Jiang Li again.

Perhaps he also felt that even if he continued looking, he wouldn’t have the upper hand. In any case, in terms of presence, he couldn’t shake this delicate girl.

Ye Mingyu gave Jiang Li a meaningful look and said in a low voice, “Not bad, A-Li! That composed demeanor even when Mount Tai collapses before you—very much like my style back in the day. Excellent!”

Tong’er patted her chest. “Miss, you scared this servant to death. Those soldiers were so fierce… Yet you still dared to confront them directly.”

Jiang Li smiled faintly. “Paper tigers, that’s all.” Growing up with Xue Huaiyuan, she’d seen plenty of soldiers. Those uncles and brothers, once they took off their official uniforms, were just the most ordinary common people. They would buy her candy and pat her head before going to fight the bullies who picked on her.

Jiang Li had originally been most familiar with people in official uniforms.

But the soldiers who came today weren’t the uncles and brothers she was familiar with—every face was completely strange. Without doubt, Xue Huaiyuan’s people had all been purged and replaced. What remained now were all people who obeyed the current “superior.”

She wanted to see just what kind of sacred personage dared to act tyrannically in Tongxiang, creating a situation of “communicating only with glances,” eagerly serving as Princess Yongning’s watchdog—this so-called “superior.”