Hearing this, Qingzhai stepped forward and raised her hand to deliver a harsh slap across Sumian’s face.

“Are you sober now? You’ve served by Second Master’s side for so long—do you still not understand Second Master’s heart? Do you want to soil the reputation Second Master has carefully guarded for many years, or do you want to ruin that person?”

“Since you’ve spoken these words today, it shows you’re no longer suitable to serve by Second Master’s side.”

Taking the deed of sale from the study, Qingzhai threw it before Sumian. “For the sake of what sisterly affection we once shared, leave.”

“Sister Qingzhai, I was wrong. I was possessed by ghosts.”

Sumian wiped her tears, crying even more sorrowfully.

She only felt heartache for Second Master and couldn’t bear to see his sincere devotion go unknown. Second Master had done so much for that person, yet she didn’t know any of it…

Just thinking of this made Sumian feel as if her heart was being cut by knives, feeling her master was wronged.

But she also knew Qingzhai was right. If she truly made a clamor about Second Master’s feelings, not only would it harm an innocent woman, it would also damage Second Master’s reputation.

After all, Second Master’s only wish was merely to be a gentleman in that person’s eyes.

“Leave. You’re no longer suitable to remain by Second Master’s side.”

Sumian clutched the deed of sale in her hand. After a long silence, she finally nodded.

Marquis Chengyang’s manor had been busy recently and hadn’t noticed that Yuling Studio was missing a maid. However, Shen Qianyu had kept people watching the marquis manor and learned that Sumian had been released from the manor.

“This woman can be considered loyal and devoted, but keeping her in the capital might cause future troubles. Have someone escort her to Jiangnan and buy her a residence to settle in.”

Wan Xiao nodded and passed this matter to his subordinates to handle.

Shen Qianyu sat in Cuiwei Tower, his eyes showing some impatience.

The palace was heavily guarded. The Empress, Imperial Consort Jiang, and Imperial Consort Yun might already suspect him, so he hadn’t been able to return to the palace for many days.

Though Wan Xiao could enter and exit the imperial palace, at this critical juncture, frequently entering the palace without proper reason would also arouse suspicion.

“Ji Rong will likely suffer some hardship these days.”

“Master need not worry. I’ve already had Dong Chang’s secret agents watch the Eastern Palace. If necessary, they will ensure Ji Rong’s life is safe.”

Shen Qianyu nodded. He truly hadn’t anticipated that on the day of the Lantern Festival, three parties would all strike simultaneously.

According to his original plan, he intended to frame someone else in the palace for shooting the First Prince so he could continue quietly plotting for opportunities.

Who would have thought that everyone had consulted the almanac that day and knew it was an auspicious day to act?

“The capital has been under martial law these past days. You needn’t come here anymore to avoid anyone seeing that we two are connected. When I find an opportunity to return to the palace, I’ll naturally send you word.”

Wan Xiao agreed. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly received a carrier pigeon message from his subordinates.

“Master, news from Old He.”

Shen Qianyu took it and held it in his palm for a moment of silence before opening it.

The writing contained only a few words, yet he read them for a long while.

Wan Xiao only saw his master’s eyes reveal regret before he said, “Return first. I have matters to attend to.”

Shen Qianyu sat in the room, looking at the full hall’s worth of incense displayed in the side room. He suddenly frowned, then stepped forward, filled a cup and drank it all in one gulp, and left Cuiwei Tower with a slight hint of intoxication.

The Lantern Festival incident had caused heavy losses in the capital. Nearly every household hung white silk and white lanterns at their doors. Walking to the main street, Shen Qianyu stopped below the burned Dengtian Tower.

“Granny, eat candy…”

Beside him, a child with hair tied in red cord buns held a package wrapped in oil paper. The red seal on top appeared exceptionally glaring against the street full of plain white.

Shen Qianyu looked for a long while, then turned and walked back.

Liu’s shop had not a single person inside. The shopkeeper was idly folding oil paper. Seeing him enter, he hurriedly smiled and said, “What does the customer need?”

“Pick some things women like to eat.”

The shopkeeper smiled and selected many varieties of malt sugar and soft candies. Seeing that Shen Qianyu didn’t inquire further and seemed not to care whether the gift recipient would like them, he picked three to five pieces of each kind.

Taking the two full packages of candies, Shen Qianyu left two taels of silver and departed.

Just as he was carrying the candy and preparing to leave the city, he heard someone calling him from behind.

“Brother Xiao, it’s been a long time.”

“Minister Qian?”

Shen Qianyu looked at the person before him with some puzzlement.

This man was the Left Deputy Commander of the Patrol Battalion. They had previously had a few encounters at Cuiwei Tower. He just didn’t know why this person had stopped him today.

Shen Qianyu halted his steps and cupped his hands in greeting.

“Carrying candy… what is Brother Xiao about to do?”

“Delivering something for a friend. What business does Minister Qian have?”

Qian Chao smiled. “I do indeed have some matters I wish to discuss with Brother Xiao, but it’s inconvenient to talk here. Would it be possible to converse at this official’s residence?”

Seeing Shen Qianyu’s lack of interest, Qian Chao added, “The matter Brother Xiao entrusted this official with last time has made progress. Why put off until tomorrow what can be done today? Shall we brothers share a cup?”

“After Minister Qian.”

Though Shen Qianyu felt disgusted inside, he could only leave with Qian Chao.

In earlier years when he still lacked foundation and wanted to earn some silver to win people’s hearts, he had dealt with this man quite often. These past few years, the friendship had faded.

Today, with his invitation, it wasn’t appropriate to decline.

Following Qian Chao to the Qian family’s separate residence, the two sat in the main hall tasting wine and dining.

Shen Qianyu looked at the ivory chopsticks and jade cups before him, along with the luxurious displays of bronze vessels and precious stones all around, and couldn’t help but lower his eyes as murderous intent arose in his heart.

For a mere sesame-seed-sized official to have amassed so much wealth showed he usually spent his days feasting gluttonously and exploiting the common people.

“This official invited Brother Xiao here today because there’s something I wish to ask.”

“If this official remembers correctly, Brother Xiao is from Nanqing, correct?”

In earlier years, his Nanqing accent had been quite heavy, so wherever he went, he directly identified himself as someone from Nanqing. Though he no longer mentioned it these past few years, people like Qian Chao who knew him before still had some impression of this.

Shen Qianyu couldn’t refute it and could only agree.

“Brother Xiao surely knows about what happened at the Lantern Festival some time ago?”

“Now there are orders from above for the Five City Military Commission and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to capture Nanqing spies…”

Seeing Shen Qianyu’s eyebrows raise slightly as he looked at him with a half-smile, Qian Chao laughed heartily. “This official naturally knows Brother Xiao is a proper merchant. After all, you and I have been acquainted for many years—I still have that degree of trust.”

“However…” Qian Chao paused. “This official doesn’t count for much in the capital. This official knows Brother Xiao is clean and innocent, but others don’t know that.”

Shen Qianyu placed the candy package in his hand on the table and sneered. “Minister Qian can speak directly. All this beating around the bush annoys me.”

“Ha ha ha! Brother Xiao is straightforward—this official greatly likes this temperament of yours.”

Qian Chao laughed, then said, “To be honest, those above are pressing hard now. This matter of capturing Nanqing spies is urgent. If not this official today, others from the Five City Military Commission would also seek out Brother Xiao.”

“It’s just that with our brotherly friendship now, this official will let you off and won’t use you to fill the quota for spies.”

“But this official still has superiors above him, and this matter of greasing palms…”

Shen Qianyu scoffed and interrupted him. “How much?”

Qian Chao rubbed his hands together. “Brother Xiao’s life-buying money should at least equal one Cuiwei Tower, right?”

As soon as the words fell, Shen Qianyu snorted coldly. “I never imagined that though your brain isn’t very large, your appetite is quite considerable. Aren’t you afraid of choking to death in one bite, you fool?”