“Do you know the process of solving a case?” Xu Qi An began with a topic he was well-versed in:

“Observe the scene, collect clues, then make bold hypotheses and carefully verify them. Gradually unravel the mystery to uncover the truth of the case.”

The flickering candlelight illuminated Second Uncle Xu’s bewildered expression.

Xu Erlang frowned in contemplation.

Xu Qi An continued confidently: “What we need to consider isn’t how to scheme against Zhou Li, but to observe him, gather information, then compile it all, boldly formulate a plan, and carefully scrutinize the process to judge its feasibility.”

His words were clear and logical, leaving Xu Erlang speechless and internally agreeing that his elder brother’s approach was correct.

So Ning Yan is also a child with wisdom and reliability… Xu Pingzhi felt quite gratified. He had previously worried that his nephew’s stubborn personality might cause him trouble in the future.

Seeing that neither of them objected, Xu Qi An continued: “Cixiu, with your xiucai degree, you can interact with scholars and learn some information about official circles. Go collect intelligence on Zhou Li, no detail is too small, don’t miss anything.

“Second Uncle, Zhou Manor is in the inner city. The Imperial Blade Guards are responsible for night patrols in both the inner and outer cities. You’re in charge of monitoring the activities at Zhou Manor. Don’t do it yourself, find trustworthy subordinates to keep watch.

“I want to know where Zhou Li goes each day, what he does, and who he meets.”

Father and son nodded, then suddenly thought of something and stared at Xu Qi An: “What about you?”

Xu Qi An smiled mysteriously: “I’m going to secure a backup plan for the Xu family. Cixiu, we’ll discuss the details later, and I’ll also ask you about some things. Tonight, I’ll stay in your room.”

…

Drip, drip…

The sound of the water clock echoed in the quiet room.

“Elder Brother, are you asleep?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

…

“Elder Brother, are you asleep?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

…

“Elder Brother, you’re poking me…”

Xu Qi An was startled, then heard Xu Xinnian say: “Move your elbow.”

“Oh, oh…”

After another moment of silence, listening to each other’s breathing, Xu Qi An asked: “Can’t you sleep?”

Xu Xinnian made an affirmative sound: “I’m not used to it.”

Me neither… Xu Qi An sighed: “How long has it been since we slept in the same bed?”

Xu Xinnian thought for a moment and replied: “After you turned ten. Since you started spending a hundred taels each year on martial arts training and your relationship with my mother soured, we grew distant too.”

I thought you’d come back with a tsundere response like ‘We’ve never slept together before’… Now we can still sleep together, but it’s impossible with Sister Lingyue forever… Recalling the original owner’s childhood memories, Xu Qi An sighed:

“It’s not Aunt’s fault. The Imperial Blade Guard position doesn’t bring in much extra money. Even with Second Uncle’s utmost efforts and his salary, it’s only about two hundred taels a year. Half of that went to me. The other half was for your family’s expenses. Understandably, Aunt harbored some resentment.”

Xu Xinnian changed the subject: “If we can’t get through this crisis, the Xu family might be finished.”

If Minister Zhou doesn’t fall, after the imperial examination, disaster will befall the Xu family.

“I’ll arrange a backup plan. Worst case, after the examination, our whole family will leave the capital. Second Uncle and I have good martial skills, we won’t lack for a livelihood anywhere,” Xu Qi An said regretfully:

“It’s just that you, Erlang, have studied hard for ten years to become a xiucai.”

Xu Xinnian scoffed, “Fame and fortune are fleeting. I’m a scholar, I study the classics and cultivate the way of the sages. How could I care about mere titles?”

Xu Qi An expressed deep agreement: “If heaven hadn’t born Xu Xinnian, Great Qi would be in eternal darkness.”

The boat of friendship capsized. Xu Xinnian’s breathing quickened for a moment, and then he suddenly rolled over, taking the blanket with him, and pretended to sleep without a word.

“Hey, Cixiu, share some of the blanket. It’s the dead of winter, even if Elder Brother is at the Qi Refinement realm, it’s still uncomfortable.”

Xu Cixiu curled up, wrapped tightly in the blanket, ignoring him.

…

In Xu Lingyue’s boudoir, last night’s roaring charcoal fire had already died out, leaving the room filled with stagnant air heavy with carbon dioxide.

A window left slightly ajar allowed fresh air to flow into the room.

Xu Lingyue’s porcelain-like, exquisitely beautiful face twitched, her eyelashes fluttering like small brushes. She opened her eyes, staring blankly at the bed canopy above for a moment. A few seconds later, her vacant eyes regained their focus, and she supported herself to sit up.

She lazily stretched, the thick cotton quilt sliding down, revealing a thin white undergarment that wrapped her delicate figure, her chest swelling prominently.

Her fair neck had a beautiful curve, and her disheveled, fluffy hair framed her delicate and pretty face.

Xu Lingyue covered her rosy little mouth with her slender hand, yawning.

The maid sleeping on the opposite couch woke up startled, calmly getting dressed and rising.

“The air in the room is stuffy, open the window,” the young lady instructed, rubbing her brow.

The maid immediately ran to open the window.

Xu Lingyue lifted the quilt and got out of bed, walking to the window to breathe in the cold air from the courtyard.

The young lady from a military family wasn’t so delicate. Back when Xu Pingzhi was teaching Xu Qi An to train his body, he liked to bring Xu Erlang and Xu Lingyue along.

The siblings had built a solid foundation then, and their physical fitness was very good.

It was only when they grew a bit older that their aunt no longer allowed her children to practice martial arts with their unfortunate cousin. After all, by then, the head of the family, Xu Pingzhi, had decided that his nephew would practice martial arts while his son would study.

For a scholar to practice martial arts was considered frivolous.

And a daughter practicing martial arts was even more out of the question. How could she marry if she developed unsightly muscles?

As Xu Lingyue was enjoying the fresh air, she suddenly saw a figure pass by the window, wearing a constable’s uniform with a black base and red trim on the sleeves and collar.

The siblings silently gazed at each other through the window for several seconds.

Xu Qi An lowered his head to glance at his sister’s well-developed chest.

Xu Lingyue let out a scream and slammed the window shut.

“My little sister has grown up!” Xu Qi An thought contentedly.

Although I didn’t raise her myself, I’ve watched her grow up… To think she used to be just a little girl… But she’s fully dressed, there’s no need for such a big reaction.

Inside the boudoir, Xu Lingyue crouched on the ground, her face flushed as she hugged her chest.

The maid muttered: “Young Miss, you should change this habit. You should be properly dressed and groomed before opening the window. See, you were seen by the Young Master. Luckily it was your brother. If an outsider had seen, how would you face the world?”

“You’re still talking!” Xu Lingyue said indignantly.

Usually, Xu Xinnian didn’t come this way, and her parents’ main house wasn’t in this direction either. So, opening the window first thing in the morning had always been safe.

Why is Elder Brother in the inner courtyard… Xu Lingyue was full of confusion as she sat at her dressing table.

The maid stood behind her, helping her with her makeup and hair. Finally, after rummaging through the jewelry box, she complained: “Young Miss, you don’t have any pretty hairpins or combs.”

Xu Lingyue didn’t answer, just sighed. The family had suffered great misfortunes, and their savings were depleted. With seventeen or eighteen mouths to feed, including the servants, the expenses for food, clothing, and daily necessities were enormous.

Where would they find money for jewelry?

“The hairpins at Bao Qi Xuan are very beautiful. I went in to look yesterday and didn’t want to leave. If one were in your hair, it would definitely… definitely… shine brightly together.”

“It’s ‘complement each other brilliantly,'” Xu Lingyue corrected. A flash of longing appeared in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

The maid continued talking to herself: “It’s just too expensive, ten taels of silver for one. Unless you can solve the word puzzle in the shop, then the owner might give a discount.”

Xu Lingyue listened absent-mindedly, then suddenly asked: “Lan’er, do you think Elder Brother has changed a lot recently?”

The maid called Lan’er was taken aback, then her face immediately lit up with a smile:

“The Young Master has become gentler, more interesting, and more capable than before. He used to always have a stern face and wasn’t very nice to you or Second Young Master. He only smiled when talking to the Master.”

Xu Lingyue seemed very satisfied with the maid’s answer. Her pretty face blossomed into a smile, “It wasn’t his fault. It was Mother who always disliked him.”

Xu Lingyue enjoyed the feeling of the siblings’ relationship warming up. It was like a spring breeze, making her mood cheerful.

Her elder brother used to be rather unsociable and uninteresting, but now he’s very amusing and says such nice things.

…

Xu Qi An arrived at the door of Xu Lingyin’s room. She wasn’t old enough for the separation of men and women yet, so he didn’t need to knock and just pushed the door open. He saw Xu Lingyin squatting on the ground, her little paws gripping a boar bristle toothbrush, her face serious as if she were undertaking a major project.

The maid in the room was making the bed.

“Good morning, Big Brother…” She looked up, her mouth full of foam, mumbling unclearly.

“Why are you brushing your teeth by yourself?” Xu Qi An asked, glancing at the maid.

“Father says a man must be self-reliant to practice martial arts well.”

“Do you… know you’re a girl?” Xu Qi An asked carefully.

“Of course I do.” The little one tilted her head, looking innocent.

No, you don’t… Xu Qi An said: “Then do you know the difference between boys and girls?”

“Big Brother, I don’t know,” the little one answered honestly, then asked: “What’s the difference?”

This touches on biology lessons, and a long explanation would be endless, and Lingyin might not understand… Xu Qi An, drawing on his deep foundation of nine years of compulsory education from his previous life and excellent upbringing, summarized a universally accessible and easy-to-understand explanation:

“Simply put, um… boys grow up to be silly, girls grow up to be troublemakers.”

Xu Lingyin had a sudden realization and said happily: “No wonder Mother always calls me a troublemaker.”

She ran around the room in circles, shouting happily: “I’m a troublemaker, I’m a troublemaker…”

Xu Qi An quietly closed the door. He decided not to have breakfast at home today.