Xiao Deyin was helped back to her courtyard by a maid.

She knew nothing, her ears only faintly echoing with “that mysterious person’s identity is unknown, every time no one can see them, some say perhaps they’re not human at all, otherwise how could their true face never be seen.”

She closed her eyes.

These past days, she had falsely claimed to be suffering from a chill and refused to leave her home—it was simply because that day at the Shen family, she had heard the familiar qin melody, developed a heart ailment, lived in constant anxiety, and hid in the manor. Who knew that today, the first day out, she would hear this news again? For a moment, she felt that thing seemed to have latched onto her, overwhelming and inescapable—how could she escape it?

The maid didn’t know what had happened and thought Xiao Deyin’s chill had worsened again, bustling about to find a physician and fetch medicine. Xiao Deyin leaned on the bed, only feeling her body gradually growing cold.

Who was that person? Human or ghost? Was it the dead Xue Fangfei or a living mysterious person? Why of all melodies did they play “Guan Shan Yue”? What would happen if everyone knew about the change of Northern Yan’s First Qin Master? She had given up marriage prospects and the opportunity to enter the palace for the sake of being the best, all for just those two words—”First.” For these two words, she hadn’t hesitated to conspire with others to murder her close friend. For these two words, she had betrayed her own heart. Yet now, could she not even preserve this one thing?

For some reason, Xue Fangfei’s face from days past appeared before Xiao Deyin’s eyes. The first time she saw Xue Fangfei, she wasn’t amazed by Xue Fangfei’s universally praised beauty. She was simply happy that regarding qin artistry, Xue Fangfei and she thought alike, had a spiritual connection. She was delighted to find a kindred spirit, but the deeper she investigated, the more alarmed she became—Xue Fangfei’s accomplishments in qin playing far surpassed her own.

Although Xue Fangfei had the reputation of a talented woman, what the world could see was only a very small part. After Xue Fangfei married into the Shen family, Madam Shen wouldn’t let her show her face in public, requiring her to manage household affairs rather than playing qin and reading books all day. Therefore, Xue Fangfei couldn’t display her qin skill, except occasionally playing a melody when together with Xiao Deyin. Xiao Deyin secretly felt fortunate—fortunately, Madam Shen stood in the way. If Xue Fangfei played qin before others, her title of First Qin Master would probably seem like a joke.

When jealousy, resentment, and anger had begun quietly growing in her heart, Xiao Deyin could no longer remember clearly. She only felt herself becoming increasingly concerned about Xue Fangfei. At every banquet Xue Fangfei attended, she followed along, fearing what she should do if Xue Fangfei played qin. She knew Teacher Ji Luo of Mingyi Hall secretly admired Shen Yurun, so she often sowed discord between Ji Luo and Xue Fangfei. She didn’t even know why she did this—she only felt that Xue Fangfei’s existence always made her anxious and uneasy.

A once-close friend had now become a source of her anxiety, and this unease peaked after Shen Yurun became Top Scholar.

With Shen Yurun becoming Top Scholar, Xue Fangfei would henceforth be an official’s wife. At official wives’ gatherings, there would occasionally be qin playing and scholarly discussions. Xue Fangfei’s talent couldn’t be hidden. She was like a gemstone—people seeing just one facet already thought it dazzlingly brilliant. If they saw it entirely, their eyes would see nothing else.

Xiao Deyin didn’t envy Xue Fangfei for having a talented and handsome husband, nor did she envy Xue Fangfei’s own stunning beauty. She cared about nothing else, but regarding qin artistry, her obsession was unmatched by anyone.

She desperately wanted to destroy Xue Fangfei.

It wasn’t that she never hesitated. After all, over more than ten years, only Xue Fangfei truly understood her qin artistry. The Startling Swan Immortal Lady came from a brothel—her qin melodies were mostly decadent sounds that Xiao Deyin looked down upon. Only Xue Fangfei’s qin melodies were clear, free, and ethereal—what she most admired.

Moreover, Xue Fangfei treated her truly with a kindred spirit’s heart. She was gentle and kind. Whenever she saw Xue Fangfei’s sincere gaze, Xiao Deyin could feel her own darkness and madness.

Until one day, someone approached her, asking if she would be willing to put something in Xue Fangfei’s cup.

At first, Xiao Deyin thought she had been too obvious—her jealousy had long been seen by others. But later she realized the other party had only approached her because she was Xue Fangfei’s good friend, making her easier to manipulate.

She pretended to decline, unmoved by gold and silver. The other party then threatened her family with blades. Xiao Deyin went with the flow, pretending to have no choice but to bear humiliation and agree.

She never allowed even a trace of stain on her reputation. Even if one day this came to light, she could say she was forced, not that she acted out of jealousy.

Xiao Deyin didn’t know exactly what the powder was. She guessed it was deadly poison. She didn’t know whom Xue Fangfei had offended, but this purpose coincided with her own.

That evening, Xiao Deyin stared at the paper packet for a long time under the lamplight.

She had never killed anyone, her hands had never been stained with blood. How could hands that caressed the qin harm people?

But then she thought, as long as Xue Fangfei died, she could end these days of constant anxiety, no longer having to worry that one day Xue Fangfei’s qin skill would be displayed and overshadow her. Otherwise, people would say: Look at that person who refused to marry and gave up the opportunity to enter the palace, only wanting to be First Qin Master, yet was still surpassed by others. How presumptuous, what a pipe dream.

She didn’t want to be mocked. She wanted to forever remain First Qin Master.

So Xiao Deyin put something in Xue Fangfei’s wine. Everything was done according to the method the mysterious person instructed. But she hadn’t expected that the powder wasn’t poison at all, but something more poisonous than poison. Even compared to what befell Xue Fangfei afterward, death would be a light matter.

Xue Fangfei was discovered having an affair with someone, her reputation completely ruined. Mixing in the crowd, she watched her good friend show a bewildered and helpless gaze, scorned and rejected by people. Xiao Deyin thought she would feel guilty about this, but she was surprised to discover that in that moment, her heart only felt satisfaction.

She suddenly understood then—yes, she hated Xue Fangfei, she was jealous of Xue Fangfei, jealous that she possessed everything, including qin artistry. Jealous that she was naturally gifted, able to become someone she could never become.

She turned and left.

From then on, Xiao Deyin never again set foot in the Shen family home. Others said it was because Teacher Xiao had lofty character and didn’t want to associate with defiled people, but only Xiao Deyin herself knew—she was simply guilty.

Xue Fangfei was exceptionally intelligent—she would soon figure out her suspicious points. She didn’t want to confront Xue Fangfei face-to-face. That would make Xiao Deyin see clearly that in her heart she was just such an unseemly, ugly petty person.

Time gradually passed, until one day news of Xue Fangfei’s death arrived. Xiao Deyin’s heart breathed a great sigh of relief. This way, no one would ever discover that she had been the one to drug Xue Fangfei. Her darkness and jealousy would disappear from the world along with Xue Fangfei’s death. She would still be that gentle and lofty First Qin Master, never having to worry about one day becoming a laughingstock.

As for who had originally instructed her to administer the drug, Xiao Deyin didn’t care. Since the other party had already succeeded, they wouldn’t pursue it further. Heaven knew, earth knew, the dead Xue Fangfei knew—no one else knew.

However, the “Guan Shan Yue” at the Shen family and today’s “Guan Shan Yue” made her remember the facts she had deliberately forgotten. They reminded her of what she had done back then. That unease of having everything taken away at any moment appeared again. Different from before, now she also carried a life debt.

For a moment, she was utterly confused, not knowing what to do.

…

At the beginning of the New Year, most people in Yanjing City were cheerful. Rarely were there people frowning and gloomy. Xiao Deyin was one, and the mistress of the Princess Manor was another.

Princess Yongning sat in the hall. A maid on one side was playing qin. The melody was fairly beautiful and clear, but the more Princess Yongning listened, the more irritated she became. Her face involuntarily showed a trace of impatient agitation. Seeing this, Meixiang signaled for the maid to stop playing and quickly leave. After the maid left, the hall returned to quiet.

Fresh fruit and snacks were set on the table, yet Princess Yongning had little interest. A few days ago she attended the banquet at the Shen family, thinking to use the opportunity to grow closer to Shen Yurun. Unexpectedly, Shen Yurun not only showed no pleasure but implicitly held reproach.

She knew that rumors from the Tongxiang case hadn’t completely subsided yet, but to be so restrained and cautious because of this truly wasn’t Princess Yongning’s nature. The more cautious and careful Shen Yurun was, the more annoyed Princess Yongning became. If he truly loved her, how could he care about these things? Naturally, he should overcome all difficulties and obstacles to be with her. But looking at Shen Yurun’s manner now, he clearly wanted to wait until everything was completely safe before deciding to have her marry in.

This wasn’t up to him. Impatience showed between Princess Yongning’s brows. She wanted to tell this matter to Consort Dowager Liu, but Consort Dowager Liu didn’t value Shen Yurun much to begin with and probably wouldn’t agree. Only by telling Prince Cheng—Prince Cheng greatly appreciated Shen Yurun. If Prince Cheng helped speak on her behalf, this matter should succeed.

Thinking of this, Princess Yongning stood up. “I’m going to Prince Cheng’s Manor.”

Meixiang quickly followed.

…

Tong’er returned in the afternoon, while Baixue only returned at dusk. Having these two maids leave the manor one after another might arouse suspicion, so outwardly they said they were buying things the young lady needed.

After returning to the courtyard, Tong’er first secured the doors and windows tightly and said, “Miss, everything went smoothly. That Teacher Xiao indeed acted as Miss predicted. After hearing passersby speak this way, she immediately returned to her manor and hasn’t come out again. This servant hid in a dark place and saw maids from their manor come out to find physicians and fetch medicine—it seems Teacher Xiao caught a chill.”

Jiang Li smiled. “You did very well.”

She had Tong’er use silver to bribe some unfamiliar commoners to play “Guan Shan Yue” on the route Xiao Deyin must take when going out, then have people pretend to chat casually where Xiao Deyin could hear. With a guilty conscience, Xiao Deyin would naturally be shocked and frightened, showing her true colors. To sow discord between Xiao Deyin and Princess Yongning, first she had to make her collapse.

However, now that it was being proven step by step that Xiao Deyin had indeed helped the tyrant commit evil in her previous life’s death, Jiang Li still had some indescribable feelings. After all, she felt she hadn’t wronged Xiao Deyin in any way. Just for competing for the title of First Qin Master, to strike down a good friend so ruthlessly—Xiao Deyin truly had a hard heart. Moreover, for Xue Fangfei herself, she had never thought of competing for any title.

Although Tong’er did as Jiang Li instructed, she was somewhat puzzled. There didn’t seem to be any grievance between Jiang Li and Xiao Deyin, so she asked, “Why does Miss do this? What has Teacher Xiao done?”

“She once harmed someone,” Jiang Li said. “What I’m doing is just helping her recall the sins she committed. Otherwise, as time passes, she herself would forget, still thinking she lived a pure, virtuous, and benevolent life.”

Tong’er was astonished. “Teacher Xiao harmed someone?! You truly can’t tell!”

Indeed, who could tell? After all, a person without desires actively harming someone—no one would believe it if told. Even Xue Fangfei, her close friend, hadn’t seen it, let alone outsiders.

Just after saying this, someone knocked on the door outside. Baixue’s voice sounded: “Is Miss in the room? This servant has returned.”

Tong’er quickly opened the door and Baixue entered. She had probably been rushing about all day. Even in the dead of winter, fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. But the gaze she turned toward Jiang Li contained apology. “Miss, this servant searched all the famous medicine shops in Yanjing City but couldn’t find this medicine.” She continued, “It attracted too much attention. This servant wore a bamboo hat to cover her face and didn’t dare return directly to the manor, circling around outside many times before coming back.”

This was within Jiang Li’s expectations. She said, “So, thank you for your hard work.”

“Miss, should we look elsewhere? If medicine shops don’t have it, perhaps this medicine is in the hands of some famous physicians. After all, it’s a folk remedy…”

“Folk remedies haven’t been verified and lack guarantees. If there’s loss of life, someone will certainly investigate thoroughly. If it traces back to us, that would be improper.” Jiang Li shook her head. “It’s fine. I’ll think of another way for this matter. Leave it for now. Baixue, you’ve been rushing about all day—hurry and rest.”

Baixue nodded. Tong’er curiously looked at Baixue, then at Jiang Li. She didn’t know what task Jiang Li had assigned Baixue, but she didn’t ask much and soon withdrew from the room together with Baixue.

Jiang Li remained alone in the room and sighed. Things on Tong’er’s end had gone smoothly, but Baixue’s end was very difficult. That was right—these matters were inherently complicated to handle. She couldn’t casually use the Jiang Manor’s resources either, otherwise Jiang Yuanbai would discover what she was doing. If he questioned her, she wouldn’t know how to answer.

Jiang Youyao still hadn’t been found. Jiang Yuanbai’s mood was already very poor. She couldn’t cause Jiang Yuanbai more trouble at this critical juncture—that would be disadvantageous to herself.

Lost in thought, before she realized it the sky had darkened. Jiang Li looked at the sky—it was already night. There were no voices outside. She wanted to reach out and close the window, lest wind extinguish the lamplight on the table, when she suddenly heard someone’s footsteps.

In the complete silence, these footsteps were neither light nor heavy, neither fast nor slow, seeming to carry magic that involuntarily made people follow the sound with their gaze.

A soul-stealing face appeared at the window, his red robes covered with black and gold butterflies—gorgeous yet sinister.

“Duke?” Jiang Li looked at him with surprise, but this surprise no longer held the initial panic. Like discovering a wild beast that had mistakenly entered the room at night—surprised for a moment, then it passed.

He walked to the window, and the next moment appeared inside the room. Jiang Li couldn’t even see his movements clearly—she only felt red robes flash before her eyes. She instinctively reached out and secured the window tightly, fearing others might see or hear movement here and become suspicious.

The young man sat down at the small table in the room as if very familiar with it, pouring tea, drinking tea, and incidentally asking, “I heard your maid searched all of Yanjing City today for medicine that could induce false pregnancy. What, who do you plan to use it on?” He looked Jiang Li up and down, his tone teasing. “You probably can’t use it on yourself.”

Jiang Li paused, thinking “so fast” in her heart. After Baixue returned, only a few hours had passed, yet Ji Heng’s people immediately knew. In this world, using Ji Heng’s resources was clearly the simplest approach. Why must she struggle to do it herself? But there was no helping it—she still had her pride and was too embarrassed to ask Ji Heng for help again and again.

“It’s to be used on Princess Yongning.” After a pause, Jiang Li finally said.

Ji Heng’s tea-drinking motion paused as he looked at her. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

“I know.” Jiang Li smiled slightly. “I’m clearer than anyone. I believe the time has come now. If I delay like this any longer, I won’t be able to wait. I truly want to conclude this matter quickly. Princess Yongning deeply loves Shen Yurun. No matter how dissatisfied she is inside, in the end she’ll still back down for Shen Yurun, or rather, Shen Yurun can deceive and coax her this far. If this continues, I’ll have to wait several more years.”

“This won’t do—I must help them along.” Her voice was calm yet gentle.

Ji Heng looked at her. Previously she had concealed much, but now toward him, she hardly concealed anything. Aside from that secret in the depths of her heart, everything else she could be said to have disclosed completely, as if trusting him greatly.

“Oh, so have you found the medicine you’re looking for?” Ji Heng asked.

Jiang Li shook her head. “No. This matter isn’t easy.”

“Even if you found it, approaching Yongning and having her take the medicine also isn’t easy.”

Jiang Li smiled. “I naturally know this, so I’m still considering strategies.”

“You should know,” he toyed with his folding fan, his expression neither smile nor frown, “I can help you.”

Jiang Li paused slightly, then smiled, shaking her head. “The Duke has already helped me greatly. This matter also carries risk. Behind Princess Yongning is Prince Cheng. If investigation traces back to the Duke…”

“Then you underestimate me,” his tone held faint mockery. “If I do it, no one will discover it.”

“Then what price must I pay?” Jiang Li’s smile was sincere. “I’ve thought about it—I have nothing on me worth the Duke’s scheming. This transaction isn’t worthwhile for the Duke. If the Duke helps me, what you give exceeds what you receive. I truly have no face to take advantage of you again.”

These words were truly quite high-sounding, to the point that Ji Heng couldn’t find words to refute them. He stared at Jiang Li’s eyes, his beautiful pupils narrowing. “I’ve discovered you’re unsuited to be a treacherous merchant. Your conscience is truly useless.”

“Could it be that in the Duke’s eyes, I’m a person without conscience?” Jiang Li also smiled.

“At first I thought so, but looking now, it seems I was wrong.” Ji Heng said leisurely. “You can actually be counted as a good person.”

When he first met her, it was at the nunnery on Qingcheng Mountain. He watched her arrange everything thoroughly, deceive everyone, raise an innocent face, speak a few soft, weak words, shed a few tears, and achieve her purpose. A teenage girl, her scheming and planning not the least bit lacking, as if she had fought her way out of swords and shadows. Then he knew—the little girl was no善类 good sort.

Afterward, everything happened by chance. Returning to Yanjing, he watched her deal with her stepmother, deal with her concubine-born sister, deal with her treacherous fiancé. Completely fearless, always smiling slightly while disrupting others’ plans. She returned to Tongxiang, handled the Xue family case through various means, faced Feng Yutang’s interrogation, faced Princess Yongning’s pursuit and assassination, doing nothing but luring others into traps.

He could see the cold heart beneath her gentle exterior, but sometimes Ji Heng also felt Jiang Li wasn’t a heartless, unfeeling girl. She could help Xue Huaiyuan, could argue forcefully for others’ matters. Her soft blessing and protection on New Year’s Eve, and now her retreat due to guilt, unwilling to let others pay endlessly.

Sometimes Ji Heng could feel her goodwill. Her gentleness and her coldness combined made her entire person contradictory yet attractive, making people unable to help but notice her. She seemed to desperately try to cast off certain things, making herself grow into another person, but the brand in her bones remained deeply imprinted.

She herself probably hadn’t noticed the changes in herself.

“The Duke saying this actually coincides with my thoughts.” She looked at Ji Heng, smiling slightly. “At first I also thought the Duke was very heartless, but looking now, it seems I was wrong.”

“No one in the world has called me a good person.” Ji Heng raised an eyebrow.

“Then I’ll be the first.” She smiled in response.

For some reason, she now seemed even more composed than before. A flash of surprise crossed Ji Heng’s heart. He said, “Situ’s medicine-making skill is unmatched. The false pregnancy medicine you mentioned—she can make it.”

Jiang Li’s eyes lit up. Then she heard Ji Heng continue, “I can also have someone act—Yongning can take this medicine. However, there are no free gifts in this world.”

Jiang Li said, “The Duke may speak freely.”

“Prince Cheng will probably raise his rebellion soon. When that happens, the Jiang family needs to divert part of Prince Cheng’s attention.”

Jiang Li was startled. “So soon?”

“Soon?” Ji Heng smiled. “For him, it’s already very late.”

Jiang Li answered, “I understand. Even without the Duke’s instruction, once Prince Cheng raises rebellion, Father will also oppose Prince Cheng. Prince Cheng already views the Jiang family as a thorn in his side. Once he succeeds, he’ll certainly settle accounts with the Jiang family. For self-preservation, Father won’t stand idly by.”

“Besides this, the Jiang family needs to direct their spearhead at the Emperor, making various moves to make people believe the Jiang family is dissatisfied with the status quo and harbors ambitions.”

This time, Jiang Li was truly stunned. She asked, “Why is this?”

“You’ll naturally understand when the time comes. For now, just do this.” Ji Heng suddenly smiled. His smile contained something ambiguous, yet made his entire face vividly handsome. He said, “This time, I’m inviting you to watch a play.”

Jiang Li stared at him, vaguely feeling that what Ji Heng was about to do wasn’t any less shocking than her dealing with Yongning. Only she also knew well not to ask too much—this wasn’t something she could inquire about.

“Your roasted venison was very good,” Ji Heng said. “When you have leisure time, you can come to the manor and roast more.”

Jiang Li: “…”

She truly wanted to say no, but having just received someone’s help, refusing them this way wouldn’t make sense either. She could only say “alright” with a heavy head.

Ji Heng seemed amused by her attitude. Jiang Li looked at his smile and suddenly remembered another matter, quickly saying, “Speaking of which, does the Duke know about Jiang Youyao escaping from the manor?”

“Jiang Youyao?” Ji Heng’s brow furrowed slightly. “I don’t know. I don’t care.”

That’s right—for someone like Ji Heng, matters he didn’t care about naturally didn’t need special inquiry. Jiang Li then said, “The maids around Jiang Youyao said she escaped to go to the Ji family. But the Ji family claims Jiang Youyao never went there—the Ji family has no reason to lie about this. Father also went to the Marquis Ningyuan’s Manor to inquire. Jiang Youyao isn’t at the Marquis Manor either. Officials have been notified, though it hasn’t been widely publicized. The search has never stopped, but after so long, there’s been no news.”

Hearing this, Ji Heng already understood. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “You mean you want me to help find Jiang Youyao’s whereabouts.” He glanced at Jiang Li. “You’re kind-hearted to this extent?”

“Not at all,” Jiang Li only found it amusing. “Although I’m not a bad person, I’ve never had thoughts of repaying evil with virtue. I just want to know Jiang Youyao’s whereabouts. If she’s doing fine and doesn’t involve the Jiang family, I’m too lazy to search. If she might bring disaster to the Jiang family, it’s better for Father to quickly bring her back. With her ability to cause trouble, I think letting her wander outside isn’t a wise matter.”

This was true. With the current situation so complex and intricate, if someone used Jiang Youyao as a pawn to attack the Jiang family, it would truly be an unexpected calamity. Jiang Li thought, since she had already asked Ji Heng to help with Yongning’s matter, she might as well ask Ji Heng to help with this matter too.

“Fine,” Ji Heng nodded. “If there’s news of her, I’ll have Zhao Ke inform you.”

“Thank you, Duke.” Jiang Li expressed her thanks.

“No need to thank me. Oh yes,” he said, “that maid called Haitang—her face has completely healed. This appearance isn’t suitable for moving about outside, otherwise it’s easy for Yongning’s people to discover her. If you want to see her, come to the Duke’s Manor. If you have anything to say, have Zhao Ke relay it.”

Hearing this, Jiang Li was instantly overjoyed. This was truly good news. Haitang had recovered her appearance! This maid who had suffered this calamity because of her had finally recovered one thing she’d lost. This greatly reduced the guilt in Jiang Li’s heart.

The joyful expression on her face was difficult to conceal. Ji Heng took it all in. His lips curved. “You’re very happy?”

“Extremely happy.” Jiang Li said, “I’m truly very grateful to the Duke. I’d like to go see Haitang tomorrow. May I?”

Her pair of clear eyes looked at Ji Heng with longing, revealing genuine anticipation. Ji Heng turned his head away. “You may.”

After a pause, he added, “You can also see Little Red.”

Little Red? Jiang Li was startled. Who was Little Red? She had never heard this name. Was it someone she knew?

Before she could ask, Ji Heng had already stood up and left through the window.