When Wen Yu received the rouge Hou Xiao’an had bought back, she did find the little box quite exquisite, but in the past at the Prince’s Manor, the rouge and powder she used were all tribute-grade quality, with boxes inlaid with gold and jade.

By comparison, the box before her seemed rather plain and unremarkable. She didn’t suspect anything amiss with the rouge at all and simply thanked Hou Xiao’an.

Hou Xiao’an seemed to hesitate as if wanting to say something. Wen Yu noticed and asked him what was wrong.

Being questioned, he held it in for quite a while before only managing to squeeze out: “I think this box of rouge really suits you, Sister A’Yu. You should use it more often.”

Wen Yu felt the boy was acting strange after going out, but on such an inconsequential matter, she didn’t like to probe to the bottom of things. She simply smiled in agreement and then began her embroidery work.

Leaving Hou Xiao’an alone to continue feeling troubled.

He didn’t know what Second Brother was thinking—giving him money to pick the best rouge to buy, but then telling him not to tell Sister A’Yu.

Hou Xiao’an didn’t dare speculate wildly, but still couldn’t help secretly stealing glances at Wen Yu beside him who was focused on embroidering the fan. He thought to himself that if you didn’t look at appearances, Sister A’Yu and Second Brother were quite well-matched…

Just as this thought emerged in his mind, he quickly slapped his own face to clear his head.

Second Brother probably didn’t have any such intentions at all. Perhaps seeing that Sister A’Yu had given him the money to buy the quilt and had no money left to buy rouge, he gave money to buy a good one.

As for not letting Sister A’Yu know… probably because he thought young women were thin-skinned?

After all, him being a grown man giving someone rouge—that just sounded wrong.

After analyzing it this way, Hou Xiao’an felt reassured and his expression visibly relaxed.

Wen Yu was completely unaware of the boy’s internal struggle. Over the following days, she guessed it was probably because of sending the quilt that the ruffian’s attitude toward her suddenly became much more pleasant. Though he still didn’t talk to her much, whenever he bought something for Xiao Huiniang, he would also get a share for her.

This left Wen Yu not knowing what to make of it for a while. Only after learning that Hou Xiao’an also got a share did she feel much more at ease.

During this period he seemed to have earned quite a bit of money. Not only did he furnish the house with many household items, he also redeemed several of his godmothers from Zuihong Tower and settled them in an alley not far from South Third Lane, making it convenient for Xiao Huiniang to visit them.

When Xiao Huiniang pressed him about where all this money came from, he only said that he had now become a favored person by the gambling house owner’s side, and that Zuihong Tower was also a property under the gambling house owner. The madam had given him face—the redemption price was fair and she hadn’t asked for an outrageous amount.

That day when Xiao Huiniang was doing embroidery with Wen Yu, she secretly wiped away tears. When Wen Yu discovered this and tried to comfort her, she said bitterly: “Huan’er seems capable now, but as his mother, my heart is always terribly anxious…”

She held the embroidery frame in her hands but her mind was so unsettled she couldn’t make a single stitch for a long while. She said to Wen Yu: “Where do you think he suddenly got so much silver from?”

Wen Yu couldn’t figure out this question either.

That gambling house owner was so wary of him—even if he was extremely generous with his spending, the reward money and wages added together shouldn’t amount to that much.

Unless… he was also like Wang Qing, letting those under him go around collecting tribute money from various places?

If this were truly the case, Wen Yu would be rather disappointed in that ruffian.

However, there was vaguely an intuition telling her that he shouldn’t do such things.

She comforted Xiao Huiniang with a few words, just saying that perhaps now that Xiao Li managed more people under him, he probably counted as someone of some standing among the merchants. Some wealthy merchants might give him money to buy convenience and such.

In private, however, she had also indirectly asked Hou Xiao’an about it.

Hou Xiao’an crunched on his crispy candy and said: “The owner has a private job for Second Brother to do. I don’t know specifically what it is, but usually for this kind of work, the owner gives quite generous payment.”

Wen Yu frowned: “Won’t it cause trouble?”

Hou Xiao’an said: “How could it? Second Brother has his limits. Jobs that go too far, he absolutely won’t take. Big Brother was the same way before—otherwise how could that bastard Wang Qing have gained a foothold at the gambling house?”

Hearing him mention “Big Brother,” Wen Yu suddenly remembered when she first arrived at the Xiao family home and thought Xiao Huiniang had another child because everyone called Xiao Li “Second Brother.”

She asked curiously: “Are they sworn brothers?”

Hou Xiao’an nodded and said: “Yes! When Big Brother brought Second Brother into the gambling house to work, Second Brother was only as old as I am now!”

As he spoke, he pointed at himself, revealing a pointed canine tooth, looking very happy: “Second Brother picked me up! Everyone says I’m just like Second Brother was back then!”

Wen Yu looked at his bright, shining eyes, seeing how proud he seemed of this, and couldn’t help but smile gently.

Since the money in that ruffian’s hands came from legitimate sources, she didn’t need to worry along with Xiao Huiniang.

She glanced at the fan in her hand that was nearly complete and said: “There’s one more matter I need to trouble Xiao’an to help me inquire about.”

Hou Xiao’an said: “Sister A’Yu, if you have anything to say, just say it—why be so polite with me!”

Wen Yu said slowly: “I want to know which escort agencies in Yong City take jobs protecting people, whether they’re loyal and righteous, and how they charge their fees.”

Hou Xiao’an let out an “Eh,” sat up straight and asked: “Sister A’Yu, why are you asking about this? Is it also related to earning money?”

Wen Yu said: “No, it’s because I want to go find my family.”

The embroidered handkerchiefs with the hidden insignia were selling better and better. When Wen Yu drew ready-made clothing embroidery patterns for that embroidery house manager, she also incorporated the hidden insignia into the embroidery designs. The embroidery house’s business became thriving by selling clothes in this style.

But although she had earned the silver, Wen Yu still hadn’t received even half a bit of news from her trusted people seeking her out. She guessed that her trusted people were probably not near Yong Province.

Fengyang was still struggling to hold on. Wen Yu didn’t dare stay in this place too long.

Once she delivered this double-sided Su embroidery fan to the Xu family, she would have sufficient silver. She wanted to buy two servants and hire a few escort guards to first escort her south, then continue trying to contact her trusted people along the way.

Hearing this, Hou Xiao’an’s mouth hung open in a daze for quite a while before he said very reluctantly: “Sister A’Yu, you’re leaving?”

The moment his words fell, footsteps sounded from outside the door.

Hou Xiao’an turned his head to see who had come and called out: “Second Brother.”

Xiao Li hummed in response, took off his straw raincoat and hung it on the wall outside the door, then strode into the room with his long legs.

Today there was sleet. His shoes and pant legs were more than half soaked through. Entering the room, he left a trail of water on the floor. After removing his bamboo hat, his face was dripping with water droplets from the melted rain and snow. His wet hair hung messily over his forehead, adding an air of cold severity and wildness.

Hou Xiao’an stood up and walked outside: “How did you get so wet? I’ll go get firewood to make the fire bigger and warm you up.”

Only Wen Yu and Xiao Li remained in the room.

Cold wind blew in, making the flames in the fire pit flicker and dance. The shadows of the two cast on the wall seemed to float and move along with it.

Wen Yu knew he was always concerned about Xiao Huiniang. As usual, she first mentioned Xiao Huiniang’s whereabouts: “Auntie took some old clothes to send to Auntie Yue Gui and the others. Your clothes are wet too—go into the room first and change.”

But Xiao Li asked: “Leaving?”

He turned his head slightly to look over. A water droplet fell from his rain-and-snow-soaked hair by his ear, hitting the ground with a soft “patter.”

When those deep black eyes stared at someone, their penetrating gaze was still intense, but when he deliberately wanted to hide the emotions in his eyes, people couldn’t glimpse anything at all.

Wen Yu froze for a moment before reacting to what he was asking. She nodded and said: “I’ve been lost for so long—my parents at home must be worrying day and night. Once the Xu family’s payment is settled, I’ll be able to repay the thirty taels Chen Laizi owed…”

“That money doesn’t need to be repaid.” Xiao Li interrupted her, half-lowering his eyes: “And don’t talk about compensating for the food, clothing, and expenses during your stay at my home anymore. Keep the embroidery money for yourself.”

Having said this, he was about to lift his foot and enter the room.

“When I said those words that day, I spoke without thinking. I’ve always remembered your and Auntie’s kindness.”

The gentle voice from behind caused Xiao Li to stop in his tracks once again.

He heard the person behind him continue: “Those thirty taels also brought you trouble. I’ll feel more at ease after I’ve repaid them.”

Xiao Li only felt his chest was suffocatingly stuffy. A strange emotion he himself couldn’t quite describe tore at him fiercely. He strode toward the room, leaving behind two words: “As you wish.”

Wen Yu looked at the door curtain still swaying after he had swept it aside, and slightly creased her brow.

Had he encountered some trouble again? His mood seemed very poor.

—

In the blink of an eye it was New Year’s Eve. When Xiao Huiniang heard that after the holiday Wen Yu would receive the embroidery payment from the Xu family and then go find her family, she was very reluctant to part with her. She specially made a sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner and also invited Xiao Li’s godmothers to join them, so everyone could celebrate the holiday together in lively fashion.

Hou Xiao’an claimed his alcohol tolerance was boundless, but at the dinner table after just two cups with Xiao Li, he was drunk unconscious.

This left everyone not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Xiao Huiniang had Xiao Li help Hou Xiao’an to her room to sleep. She would rest at Xiao Li’s godmothers’ place tonight.

When Xiao Li was helping him, Hou Xiao’an, as if talking in his sleep, was still muttering: “…want to become… someone as capable as Second Brother… hic… want to go to Luodu…”

Xiao Li placed him on the bed, removed his shoes and covered him with a thick quilt, lightly patting his head and saying: “Silly boy, when you grow to Second Brother’s age, you’ll be able to go to Luodu by yourself.”

When he came back out, Xiao Huiniang was pulling Wen Yu aside to talk, while his godmothers were helping to clear the dishes.

Xiao Li glanced at the sky and sat down on his usual reclining chair.

The firelight was warm and inviting, and the surrounding voices were noisy and chaotic, but all of this seemed to have nothing to do with him. He was like a beast about to go out hunting on a snowy night, only calmly and patiently waiting for a certain moment to arrive.

While talking with Xiao Huiniang, Wen Yu noticed that though he appeared leisurely, his entire being was like a leopard ready to pounce.

She was feeling somewhat puzzled when she saw Xiao Li glance at the sky once more and say to Xiao Huiniang: “Mother, it’s dark and the roads are slippery. Later the road surface might freeze over and be even harder to walk on. Let me first escort you and my godmothers over there to rest.”

Xiao Huiniang agreed, then instructed Wen Yu to bolt the door securely later.

Wen Yu saw Xiao Huiniang out. Just as she had bolted the courtyard gate and walked to the steps by the door, she heard the night watchman’s call: “Heaven is dry and things are parched—beware of fire and candle—”

The watchman seemed to be acquainted with Xiao Li. Meeting at the alley entrance, she could vaguely hear the two exchanging greetings.

Wen Yu didn’t think much of it. She entered the house and sat by the fire pit, planning to return to her room to sleep once Xiao Li came back.

Who would have thought that this wait would last a full hour and more.

She looked at the sky and thought to herself that the ruffian would usually say something when he didn’t come home at night. Was it because Xiao Huiniang wasn’t home today that he was too lazy to tell her?

Drowsy, she covered her face with her hand and yawned, standing up to bolt the door securely before going to her room to sleep.

But just as she walked out of the house, she saw a black shadow flip down from atop the courtyard wall covered in thin snow.

Fortunately, Wen Yu had seen that ruffian climb over the wall before, so on this late night she wasn’t frightened into screaming.

She was about to speak when she keenly sensed something wrong.

—Where was this smell of blood coming from?

As Xiao Li approached, his features became gradually clearer in the firelight from the room, and the bloody smell on his body grew increasingly strong.

What had he been doing?

Wen Yu stood frozen completely in place.

Xiao Li had frost and snow clinging to his hair, his lips were pale. Seeing her, he didn’t seem particularly surprised. As he brushed past her, he only left behind one sentence: “Remember, I came back at the third quarter of the hour of the dog tonight.”

In the distance on the street came the sound of the night watch—it was already the hour of the rat now.

Wen Yu turned her head to look at him and saw his steps were unsteady. Thinking of the strong bloody smell on his body, she followed after him: “Are you injured?”

Xiao Li supported himself on the door frame as he entered the room. The firelight illuminated the fine beads of sweat densely covering his forehead. He glanced at the still-burning fire pit and said: “Put out the fire.”