This period was when Nanyi was at her most dejected.

She had fallen into endless waiting. The Bingzhu Bureau ordered her to remain silent, and there was no news from Xie Queshan either.

She couldn’t help but constantly think about the last thing he had said to her.

Xie Queshan had said he would return when evening came.

At the time she had been drowsily half-asleep, and these words had clearly slipped past her ears, but as time passed, the sound of his voice, his tone, along with that dragonfly-skimming-water kiss, all became increasingly clear.

She had to deliberately think hard, constantly sketching that moment’s scene, to confirm it wasn’t a dream. Like holding a mudfish in her hands—one moment of inattention would let it slip away, leaving her hands empty as if it had never truly existed.

The screen in his room that had been painted over was thrown out as damaged trash. She stood under the corridor, watching the servants carry the screen past her, having no position to stop them. The secret between them that couldn’t be tolerated by the world was like the dirty ink on the screen—shocking to see, yet too unseemly to look at.

She seemed to have truly become a resentful wife confined to her chambers. Listless and idle.

A sudden message finally lifted her spirits.

This message came simply and crudely, without any technique. When she went out, a porter bumped into her, stuffed a paper slip into her hands, then hurried away.

It read: “Wanyan Purao has secretly departed for Jinling.”

Nanyi didn’t know who Wanyan Purao was, but Wanyan was a major Qi surname, so she guessed this must be quite an important figure. But what made her suspicious was… who was the person sending this message? Friend or foe? And how did they know her?

Why was the message delivered so carelessly? This wasn’t the Bingzhu Bureau’s style either.

But Nanyi didn’t dare take it lightly. Through roundabout inquiries to Madam Gantang, she learned that Wanyan Purao was actually Great Qi’s Princess Imperial who wielded great power. If the message was true, there must be something significant behind it. She felt it necessary to notify Song Muchuan and let the Bingzhu Bureau judge its authenticity.

But Song Muchuan was being watched closely by Wanyan Jun, and she couldn’t find a suitable opportunity to contact him.

At the same time, a vague doubt began to linger in her heart—could there be a connection between Wanyan Purao’s appearance and Xie Queshan’s sudden return to Great Qi?

Thunder rumbled, spring lightning rolling. Heavy rain poured down in an instant, raindrops from the eaves forming lines as they rushed toward the earth without hesitation.

Nanyi snapped out of her long reverie and was about to close the window when she suddenly heard faint rustling sounds from outside, barely audible amid the rain.

Someone climbing the wall? The first watch gong had already sounded—who would be approaching her courtyard at this hour?

Nanyi immediately became alert, slowly drawing the self-defense dagger from her waist and moving along the wall to the door.

Sure enough, barely audible footsteps were approaching.

Just as the person pushed open the door, Nanyi raised her dagger, then suddenly heard a familiar voice.

“It’s me.”

But Nanyi’s hand had already swung out. She barely managed to twist her wrist, the blade scraping past the person’s cheek and immediately creating a fairly deep wound.

“Song, Master Song?” Nanyi was both guilty and surprised.

Rain, climbing walls—these behaviors seemed to have no connection whatsoever to Song Muchuan, this refined gentleman. Yet here he stood, very much alive, under the eaves.

He was completely soaked by the rain, blood streaming down his face, only his eyes clean like stream stones just pulled from water.

“I’m sorry for frightening you.” Song Muchuan looked apologetic.

“Come in quickly.” Nanyi hurriedly pulled Song Muchuan inside, then cautiously peered outside before closing the door.

The massive sound of rain was shut out, making the room seem like a secluded space cut off from the world, appearing even more tranquil. This tranquility carried a certain refreshing quality—not any nameable incense, but more like a quilt shaken out after getting up from bed, mixed with faint soap scents and the subtle fragrance of wooden furniture…

He had presumptuously intruded into her private space, and she had welcomed him without reserve, making him suddenly feel somewhat awkward yet very at ease.

Today he had finally found an opportunity to escape Wanyan Jun’s control and seek out Nanyi.

He shouldn’t have done this, but he did it anyway.

That night at the Shipping Bureau, he had clearly seen that it was Nanyi who shot the arrow at Gusha from the rooftop. But how had Nanyi learned of the situation, and why had she appeared there? Who was helping her cover up and handle the aftermath?

None of this had been in his calculations.

That night’s events began dramatically but ended quietly. A small soldier came forward to confess, but he was obviously a scapegoat. He had too many unclear points, and he was also amazed that in places he couldn’t see, someone had silently helped him through difficulties. Was it Nanyi, who had been traveling alongside him? Or was it Xie Chao’en, who appeared cold on the surface but had actually given him a helping hand?

If not for being unable to act freely these past days, he should have come to find Nanyi long ago. But when he actually saw her, he found himself at a loss for words.

His mind was filled overwhelmingly with the thought that in chaotic times, every meeting was precious.

Perhaps the next one would slip away silently.

Seeing Song Muchuan seemed somewhat distracted, Nanyi tugged his sleeve: “Master Song, please sit down. Let me treat your wound.”

Song Muchuan obediently sat down, letting Nanyi handle it. After collecting his thoughts somewhat, he began to speak.

“Nanyi, about Gusha’s death that night… do you know any hidden circumstances?”

Nanyi guiltily looked away, not having thought of how to answer yet, just concentrating on wiping the water stains and blood from his face first.

To explain this would involve Xie Queshan’s position, but he had always been unwilling to reveal his identity to Song Muchuan. Without his personal permission, she couldn’t casually leak his secrets.

Moreover, Nanyi could sense part of the reason—Song Muchuan appeared calm and self-controlled, but was actually someone easily swayed by emotions.

Too upright and soft-hearted, he was really someone who would die if forced to lie. Others could act, but it was very difficult for him.

The complex emotions he had harbored toward Xie Queshan for so many years—to overturn them instantly at this crucial moment, who could bear such consequences?

While Nanyi was lost in thought, her slightly cool fingertips occasionally brushed Song Muchuan’s face, cold medicinal paste applied to the wound, pain reaching straight to his heart. He desperately tried to keep his mind focused, but countless fleeting images seemed to dance before his eyes, making him involuntarily restless.

“I killed Gusha. That day I was worried something would happen, so I followed to the Shipping Bureau. Seeing the urgent situation, I resorted to this desperate measure. But I didn’t know about what happened afterward—it was pure coincidence that I escaped disaster.”

If Song Muchuan had looked up at Nanyi at this moment, he would have seen the guilt on her face, but he was even more guilty and didn’t dare look at her at all.

After she finished applying medicine, she gently blew on the wound, hoping to help the medicinal paste penetrate quickly. A soft, warm breeze brushed past Song Muchuan’s eyelashes, making him feel as if he too, like those clusters of lashes, was trembling and swaying, floating to some ethereal place, unable to fall.

He suddenly came to his senses and hurriedly stood up, stepping back.

He shouldn’t have come—he seemed to have made a mistake. Though no one would blame him, he felt base for his momentary wavering heart.

“The facial wound is minor and nothing serious. Song only wanted to see if Madam is well and ask about Gusha’s matter. Disturbing you so late at night is truly presumptuous. I can’t stay too long and should leave.”

Nanyi was somewhat confused. Why was he calling her “Madam” again? And being so polite? Master Song sometimes became suddenly formal in a way that left one helpless.

“Wait a moment!” Nanyi quickly grabbed Song Muchuan, who was anxious to leave. “I have important business to tell you—do you know Wanyan Purao?”

Song Muchuan’s expression suddenly became serious: “How does Madam know of her?”

Seeing Song Muchuan’s reaction, Wanyan Purao had indeed come to Li Du Mansion.

“I received a message saying Wanyan Purao secretly went to Jinling.”

Song Muchuan stood thinking for a long time. He wanted to ask Nanyi how she had obtained this message but didn’t voice the question. After these recent days, he had long understood that Nanyi was not as simple as blank paper as he had imagined. Regarding Gusha’s matter, she had concealed some things, but he didn’t intend to get to the bottom of it. He trusted her, understood her character—even if she concealed things, it was a form of protection and helplessness.

Moreover, this message was weighty enough to reverse some passive situations.

Song Muchuan said: “I understand. This message is very important. Thank you.”

Nanyi bit her lip and asked somewhat apprehensively: “Xie Queshan returned to Great Qi—do you know about this?”

“I heard about it. This happened very suddenly.” This was also a point of Song Muchuan’s suspicion. After Gusha’s incident, Xie Queshan was immediately recalled to Great Qi. At the same time, he learned of Wanyan Purao entering Li Du Mansion. Looking at everything together, Xie Queshan’s situation seemed delicate.

But whether Xie Queshan had merely lost trust or had his identity exposed, he didn’t dare think about it.

He thought Nanyi might know something, but she didn’t mention anything.

“Behind this… could it be some Qi conspiracy?” Nanyi asked in a roundabout way.

Song Muchuan frowned in thought.

Nanyi carefully suggested: “Could we send someone to follow him?”

Half private concern, half suspicion.

“I’ll send someone to investigate the situation when I return. If there’s anything unusual, I’ll find a way to inform you.”

Nanyi breathed a sigh of relief: “Good.”

“By the way,” Song Muchuan remembered something else, “Zhang Yuehui’s Guilai Hall was actually able to grow rapidly under Wanyan Purao’s support. I heard he once came to Wangxue Harbor to propose marriage to you… if you encounter him, you should still be careful.”

Song Muchuan opened the door and stepped back into the heavy rain.

The rainy night concealed all traces of secret meetings.

Jinling City had not suffered warfare. This land of fish and rice had always been prosperous, with scenes of peace and prosperity throughout the city.

Wanyan Purao secretly traveled south, disguised as an ordinary merchant the entire way. She spoke Chinese well and was extremely familiar with Yu Dynasty culture. With slight effort in her dress, she was no different from ordinary Han women.

She thought she was well hidden, but as soon as she entered Jinling’s post station, people welcomed her with lanterns, colorful decorations, gongs and drums, even shouting welcomes to the Great Qi envoy.

Not long before, Song Muchuan had sent a secret letter to Chancellor Shen Zhizhong: Wanyan Purao was going to Jinling. If she wanted to hide in the shadows and use deception, it would be difficult for them to stop her—it was best to draw her to a position where everyone would notice.

After this letter, Song Muchuan cut most connections with Jinling’s Bingzhu Bureau. That Wanyan Purao dared go to Jinling so confidently meant the traitor held high position and great power, very likely someone from Jinling’s Bingzhu Bureau itself.

Shen Zhizhong arranged for Xie Zhu, who had already settled in Jinling, to come forward and welcome Wanyan Purao with the most ceremonious ritual, claiming that Her Highness the Princess Imperial had come as an envoy to the Yu Dynasty.

Suddenly, Wanyan Purao became the target of all arrows, her presence quickly spreading by word of mouth among the people.

This subtle move forced Wanyan Purao into the open, turning all her advantageous initiative into passivity.