Faced with Han Xiling’s accusation, Shi Ting’s expression remained unmoved. “Every person I have ever arrested was not innocent.”

“But he is the Minister of Finance. Whatever he has done — is it really beyond forgiveness? It’s just a bank president who died. The Han family is willing to pay compensation — whatever amount they name, we’ll pay it.” Han Xiling carried herself with her characteristic arrogance.

Shi Ting responded with cold contempt. “I’ve heard that Miss Han studied criminology abroad. Surely the law books you read there stated that all are equal before the law. If a human life can simply be purchased with money, then I’d like to buy Miss Han’s life — name your price.”

“Shi Ting, I have no interest in discussing law with you right now. I only want you to release my father.”

“Han Qiren conspired with bandits to rob the railway construction funds — a crime of this gravity is beyond what our military police bureau can handle. If you wish to clear Han Qiren of his crimes, you should go to the Commander. Perhaps he will spare Han Qiren’s life out of years of past loyalty.”

With Han Qiren’s downfall, the politicians who had once been on close terms with him shuttered themselves inside their homes one by one, each afraid of being dragged down with him. Han Xiling sought out several close friends from her social circle, but they either made excuses or refused to see her at all — clearly eager to distance themselves from her. When Han Qiren was at the height of his power, visitors had flocked to the Han residence without end. Now that he had fallen from grace overnight, the gates stood desolate, not a single caller in sight — even relatives and old friends had shut their doors and turned away.

Who could withstand the Commander’s wrath?

“Shi Ting, I’m begging you.” Han Xiling set her jaw and suddenly dropped to her knees before him. The once-proud young woman bowed her head, though barely concealed resentment still smoldered beneath the surface. “Please help me. You are the only person I can turn to. Go and say a few words for my father before the Commander. I am willing to offer every last possession of the Han family in exchange for my father’s safety.”

“Miss Han, do you honestly believe that after committing such a grave crime, the Han family’s wealth still belongs to you?”

Han Xiling stared at him in shock, her expression one of pure disbelief.

“Miss Han, please go home. This is something I cannot help you with.” Shi Ting looked away from her and turned toward the window.

“Miss Yan.” Han Xiling suddenly noticed Yan Qing standing to the side and hurried over on her knees. “Miss Yan, please help me. I’m begging you. Will you help me?”

Yan Qing was taken aback — what could she possibly do to help her?

Shi Ting frowned, displeased that she had disturbed Yan Qing. “Miss Han, you know perfectly well in your heart that there is no solution to Han Qiren’s situation. Why must you put others in such a difficult position?”

“If you hadn’t arrested him, how could things have come to this?” Han Xiling leapt to her feet, fury blazing in her eyes. “Shi Ting, remember this — I will have my revenge.”

With that, she turned and strode out.

Shi Ting had no wish to look at her and kept his face to the window. Threats from the families of criminals had long since become a routine part of his life. They raged, they despaired, and in their anguish said things they didn’t mean — but this was the price of crime. In the end, those who broke the law destroyed not only themselves but everyone who loved them.

Han Xiling had taken a few steps when her eyes fell on the coffee table, where a heavy glass ashtray — large and solid — sat within reach.

Driven by hatred, her mind had no time to catch up with her body. Before she could think, her hand had already seized the ashtray. She spun around and hurled it with full force at Shi Ting.

“Watch out!” Yan Qing saw the ashtray flying through the air. A strange surge of energy spread through her entire body in an instant. She pushed herself up from the wheelchair and took two steps forward, throwing herself over Shi Ting and bringing him down.

The ashtray smashed into the window. Glass shattered with a crash, scattering across the floor.

At the sound, the officers outside came rushing in. Han Xiling stood frozen on the spot, staring at her own hands in stunned disbelief.

Two officers grabbed her without a word, one on each side, and dragged her out.

Yan Qing was still lying on top of Shi Ting, her heart pounding.

Shi Ting looked up at her, his eyes filled with astonishment.

A moment ago, there had still been a short distance between them — a distance she could not have covered from her wheelchair. To bring him down, she would have had to take at least two steps forward.

“Yan Qing.” He moved his lips, unable to believe what had just happened. “How did you get to me?”

Yan Qing was also somewhat confused. When her mind finally steadied, she replayed what had happened in those terrifying few seconds.

“I think I… walked two steps.” Even as she said the words, she could hardly believe them herself, so she added two more: “I think.”

“At that distance, there’s no way you could have reached me without taking two steps.” A look of delighted surprise spread across Shi Ting’s face. “The last time you heard I was in danger, you were so alarmed that you stood up. This time I was in danger again, and you actually walked two steps. If we recreate the same situation a few more times, could you stand up completely?”

“Who told you to keep gambling with your life?” Yan Qing was a little cross. “If that ashtray had actually hit you, it could have broken bones. And if it had struck your head, you’d be needing stitches.”

What Shi Ting did not say was that he had already seen Han Xiling’s movement reflected in the window glass. Even if Yan Qing had not tackled him, the ashtray would not have hit him. But if it meant getting Yan Qing to take two steps, he would rather not have dodged at all.

“All right, I was wrong.” Shi Ting conceded.

It was only then that Yan Qing realized she was lying across his chest, the position unmistakably intimate. Flustered and embarrassed, she moved to get up.

“Let me hold you for a moment.” Shi Ting pressed his palm against her back, and she tumbled back down against his chest, the tip of her nose almost grazing his.

“Shi Ting…” Yan Qing was starting to feel genuinely annoyed.

He tilted his head slightly and nuzzled the tip of her nose against his, his deep eyes holding something like a still pool of water — filled to the brim with quiet, layered emotion.

Yan Qing looked into his eyes. Within them, waves surged as though a great whirlpool had formed, drawing her in. She didn’t even notice when his lips began to slowly drift toward hers.

“Seventh Brother…” Bai Jin burst through the door. “Seventh Brother, are you all right…”

Taking in the two of them lying tangled on the floor, Bai Jin swallowed hard and quietly finished his sentence in a near whisper: “…right?”

Startled by Bai Jin’s intrusion, Yan Qing scrambled up from Shi Ting’s chest at once. Bracing herself against the side of the desk, she made her way back into her wheelchair.

Bai Jin cried out in surprise. “Miss Yan, can you stand now?”

Yan Qing’s face went red. She said nothing and shot a silent glare at the one responsible.

Shi Ting got to his feet unhurriedly, brushed the dust from his clothes, and gave Bai Jin a measured look.

Bai Jin had the strange sense that Seventh Brother’s gaze just then had carried a faint edge of killing intent — which sent an involuntary shiver down his spine.

Good heavens. What had he done wrong now?

“Seventh Brother.” Zheng Yun had heard the commotion and came hurrying in after.

Bai Jin turned to him. “Nothing happened. That Han Xiling went berserk and tried to hit Seventh Brother with an ashtray. Naturally, with Seventh Brother’s quick thinking, she never had a chance.”

“Han Xiling has had quite a shock today. Should we have someone keep watch on her?”

Shi Ting shook his head. “No need.”

Bai Jin caught Zheng Yun’s eye. “Zheng Shushi, didn’t you say you had a file to show me?”

Zheng Yun had no idea what Bai Jin was talking about, but sensing something was off about the atmosphere in the room, he caught on immediately. “It’s in my office. Come on.”

The two of them went out, sensibly pulling the door shut behind them.

“I’m leaving as well.” Yan Qing began wheeling herself toward the door.

Shi Ting stepped forward and stood in her way, looking down at her. “Shall we pick up where we left off just now?”

“Shi Ting.” The composure Yan Qing had only just recovered vanished again as her cheeks flushed crimson.

Shi Ting smiled and gently pinched her cheek. “I was only teasing. Don’t glare at me.”

“I really do need to go.” Yan Qing could not match his shamelessness. “In a few days there’s a celebration at the house, and everyone is busy preparing. I should lend a hand.”

Saying this, she couldn’t help feeling a quiet pang of reflection. Had it not been for all these unexpected turns, she would have been the one marrying Shi Guang that day.

She looked at Shi Ting again, and her heart filled with a sense of pure fortune — how lucky she was, in this lifetime, to have had the chance to meet him.

“I’ve heard your Fifth Sister is not willing to marry into our Shi family.”

“That’s right.” Yan Qing teased him with a smile. “Because Yan Qin is in love with someone, you see.”

“Someone?” Shi Ting feigned ignorance. “That’s a rather unusual name.”

Yan Qing sighed. “Born into this era, women have no say in their own marriages. How many of them get to marry the one they actually love?”

“You do.” Shi Ting said it with complete certainty. “You may marry whoever you wish.”

Yan Qing gave him a reproachful look. “I’m talking about Yan Qin right now.”

—

Yan Qin watched as the maids moved in and out of her courtyard, their arms full — carrying, lifting, all of it in bright, vivid red.

Red was the color of celebration. But to her eyes, it was nothing but an assault.

“Enough, enough.” Yan Qin snapped at the wedding attendants beside her, her brow furrowed. “Can you stop smiling? What is there to smile about? And another thing — this bridal gown is hideous, both the color and the style. I refuse to wear it.”

The two wedding attendants stared at her in bewildered silence.

Between them, they had been working as wedding attendants for over ten years and had overseen countless ceremonies. They had seen their share of downcast brides — usually women being married into difficult households or as concubines — but this Fifth Miss was being wed to the Second Young Master of the Shi family, the future lord of Bei Di. What on earth was she making such a fuss about?

“I’m going for a walk,” Yan Qin said, standing up. “Looking at you all is making me irritable.”

One of the wedding attendants stepped forward. “Fifth Miss, the Madam said that until the auspicious day arrives, you are not to go anywhere.”

“If you’re worried, then follow me. Am I going to run away?” Yan Qin stamped her foot in frustration. “Being cooped up in this courtyard day after day will be the death of me. If something actually does happen to me, you won’t be working as wedding attendants anymore.”

The two exchanged a glance, and one of them said, “All right, then. I’ll accompany the Fifth Miss for a walk.”

Yan Qin let out a dismissive huff. “Let’s go.”

Having been confined to the courtyard for so long, Yan Qin had been going half mad with boredom. Now that she had a chance to get out, she was genuinely happy.

The wedding attendant followed a step behind, watching her with careful eyes, terrified she might sprout wings and fly away.

In Shun Cheng, late September had already given way to autumn. Along the lakeshore, apart from the evergreen trees, several willows had turned yellow, their drooping branches tinged with gold. The surface of the clear lake was scattered with fallen leaves, drifting like tiny, wayward boats.

From a distance, Yan Qin spotted someone seated by the lake — a figure in a wheelchair, a small box in hand, scattering food for the fish.

Noticing no one else nearby, Yan Qin turned back to the wedding attendant and said, “I’m going down to the lake. Whatever you see, keep your mouth shut.”

The wedding attendant looked at her, puzzled.

“You know very well — in just a few days, I’ll be the Second Young Mistress of the Shi family. After that, if I want you to live, you live; if I want you to die, you die. Do you understand?”

The wedding attendant gave a frightened nod, watching as Yan Qin walked toward the lake.

—