Finally breaking through the most crowded area, Nanyi looked up at the layered neighborhood buildings. Considering that there were colorful silk flower lanterns blocking the view everywhere, she might as well go directly over the rooftops—it might be faster.

Just as she was about to leap onto the rooftops, someone grasped her wrist. With skillful force, that person effortlessly pulled her over.

Nanyi didn’t even need to look up—from the way he gripped her wrist and the temperature of his palm, she knew who it was.

“Where are you going?” He skipped all pleasantries.

“Just… wandering around casually. How did you recognize me?”

When Nanyi looked up, she was still startled. On this festive Lantern Festival, this person was wearing a White Impermanence mask—a living person deliberately associating himself with the underworld.

He let out a scoffing laugh: “What decent person goes wandering on rooftops?”

Fortunately, the mask concealed Nanyi’s speechless expression—she couldn’t come up with a retort.

His words seemed to contain a low chuckle, his entire demeanor quite relaxed. “I’m also wandering around. Let’s go together.”

Though clearly an invitation, it carried his usual unquestionable tone. Xie Queshan didn’t release his grip, directly pulling her back into the bustling crowd.

Nanyi had no room for refusal, and her heart was already stamping with anxiety.

“What, not happy about it?” Seeming to sense her hesitation, he turned back to look at her.

“How would I dare be unhappy…” Nanyi muttered.

“Whatever catches your eye, I’ll buy it all for you.” His tone softened.

Though she couldn’t see his expression, Nanyi felt he was in a good mood. He probably didn’t know about the Candle Bureau’s operation today, right? Otherwise, how could he be so leisurely strolling around?

The young master being in too good a mood was also troublesome—if he wandered around endlessly, how would she escape?

Beneath his wide robes, he still gripped her wrist. Nanyi assumed he was just afraid she’d run away, not daring to think too much about it, following along beside him step by step.

Wearing masks, no one could recognize them. Walking on the street, they were just ordinary people.

In no time, her hair was adorned with the most fashionable magnolia hairpins, crystal gems dangled from her ears, and around her neck hung a gold-pendant agate necklace. He tirelessly dressed her up—this was beautiful, that was also beautiful—spending money on her like flowing water.

The more he did this, the less Nanyi could fathom his behavior. Not daring to make a sound, her heart was as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

What if she missed getting Sister Qiu and Third Aunt to the Yongguiqiao ferry dock…

At this thought, steeling her heart, she reached back and grasped Xie Queshan’s hand.

That soft, cool hand unexpectedly slipped into his palm, like a sailing boat suddenly striking a reef—the reef’s edge hitting the soft heart, forcibly creating a wound.

It didn’t hurt, but his whole body tingled with numbness.

Seeing he had no reaction, her fingertips tentatively traced across his palm, signaling him to return to his senses.

His palm itched, and instinctively he tightened his grip on her hand, not allowing her to move anymore. His steps finally stopped as he looked at her through his mask.

“Young master, I’m tired. Let’s go back.” She feigned pitiful helplessness, speaking with grievance. Her soft, gentle voice was quite pleasing to the ear.

Behind the mask, his face had already broken into a smile, but his voice remained calm: “There’s a resting place ahead.”

He was still in high spirits with no intention of returning, simply taking the opportunity to pull her forward by the hand.

Palm pressed against palm, they quickly became burning hot, even developing sweat, yet even so, he didn’t let go.

Nanyi was somewhat dazed. She had never even held hands with Zhang Yuehui!

Wasn’t this a bit too intimate?

As soon as this thought flashed through her mind, Nanyi jolted awake.

Intimate? Her and Xie Queshan? This had to be some kind of ghost story.

Xie Queshan forcibly pulled Nanyi to a small stall—one that provided various materials for customers to handcraft flower lanterns.

With great interest, he pulled her to sit down, wanting to make an octagonal flower lantern together with her.

Nanyi realized this wasn’t resting at all—this was clearly stalling for time!

Did Xie Queshan know something? Was he trying to detain her here to obstruct her mission? What a sinister heart this man had!

Various thoughts churned in Nanyi’s mind.

Seeing she had no reaction, he reached out and snapped his fingers in front of her to bring her back to attention.

“Don’t want to try?”

Her voice was as forced as a dry, withered leaf: “Want… of course I want to…”

“Don’t lie to me.”

He spoke these seemingly joking words, yet they made Nanyi’s heart jump. Just as she wanted to ponder this more carefully, he had already lowered his head to seriously select lantern materials.

“Young master—” Nanyi was ready to surrender.

“Paste.” He was focused on making the flower lantern, extending his hand for Nanyi to pass him the paste.

Nanyi steeled her heart and simply stood up directly, leaning close to his ear to speak.

The sky nearing nightfall had begun to stir with wisps of cool wind, freezing her ears stiff. But when she leaned over to speak, her warm breath sprayed against his ear, and her soft voice unexpectedly drilled into his head.

“Young master, tonight Xiaoliu needs to send Third Uncle away. I have to escort Sister Qiu and Aunt there.”

After speaking, Nanyi immediately regretted it. What if he wanted to sabotage the operation? Wouldn’t she become the great sinner who harmed Third Uncle?

“Send them where?” He only paused briefly, not lifting his head, reaching for the paste himself while not stopping his work at all.

Gritting her teeth, Nanyi still forced herself to say it: “The painted boat.”

Her mind was churning as she prepared various explanations—for this matter, she still needed Xie Queshan’s support.

As it turned out, she didn’t need to use a single prepared word. Xie Queshan simply and clearly nodded: “Go ahead.”

“Hm?”

Nanyi was stunned, directly reaching out to push aside his mask, insisting on seeing the expression on his face clearly.

Xie Queshan just looked at her gently and peacefully, without the slightest trace of hostility.

“You knew all along?”

“You told me, so now I know.”

“Then why did you insist on wasting my time!”

“Because I wanted to.” He raised an eyebrow, amusement in his eyes.

Nanyi gritted her teeth: “You’re sick!”

“Don’t use the rooftops—tonight there are watchers at various lookout towers. Just walk along the main road. Sister Qiu and Third Aunt should be on their way back by now.”

Hearing these words, finally understanding his position, Nanyi’s face beneath the mask had already broken into a grin.

An inexplicable joy bubbled up in her heart. Indeed, she hadn’t chosen the wrong path—she had gained Xie Queshan’s support, which made everything much easier.

After running a few steps, she turned back around. Nanyi quickly selected her favorite palace lantern bells, favorite gauze silk, and favorite tassels from the various baskets, placing them in front of Xie Queshan.

“Wait for me to come back and make flower lanterns!”

After saying this, she quickly ran off.

Ha, this person really knew how to take advantage when given an inch.

Xie Queshan’s entire body relaxed, his face and eyes showing unconcealed gentle amusement.

He had guessed that with such a commotion in the city tonight, Song Muchuan would definitely take action. Seeing Nanyi hurrying through the streets, she must be going to do something. Whether he knew the plan or not didn’t matter at all—this was Song Muchuan’s first task since taking office, and it would certainly be properly arranged. He had no intention of interfering.

Besides, sending Third Uncle away was what he hoped for too.

His little performance was just to test whether she would tell him the truth.

She had told him honestly, so he was satisfied. He had really done something quite pointless.

He wanted her to fear him, but he had also discovered that this bit of fear couldn’t keep her by his side. So he opened the door bit by bit, allowing her to approach him inch by inch, hoping she would trust him.

In the end, he wanted her to stay by his side.

Little by little, all the reasons he could voice and all the reasons he hadn’t yet figured out wove together into a certain obsession.

Sure enough, Nanyi encountered Sister Qiu and Third Aunt halfway to the Lady Temple.

Upon hearing they needed to leave Li Du Mansion, Third Aunt immediately showed a completely flustered appearance. Fortunately, at the crucial moment, Sister Qiu was decisive, steadying her mother and following Nanyi reliably toward Yongguiqiao.

Nanyi was still wondering who the contact person would be and whether they could recognize them… Before they even reached the bridge, they were called over by a carriage hidden in a dark alley.

Song Muchuan emerged from behind the carriage and bowed respectfully to the three women.

Nanyi looked at Song Muchuan in surprise.

“You’re not actually…”

Song Muchuan gave Nanyi a slight smile, neither confirming nor denying, then lifted the carriage curtain to reveal a Qi person sitting inside.

Third Aunt stepped back in fright, but surprisingly, the Qi person performed a Han Chinese salute to Third Aunt.

Song Muchuan explained: “Aunt, Miss Qiu, I’m acting on behalf of a friend to escort you two onto the painted boat. Although this gentleman is a Qi military officer, he’s one of us. In a moment, you’ll pose as his concubines, and then you can board the boat to reunite with Master Xie.”

Nanyi still couldn’t process how this destitute scholar who had been ready to drown himself could be the contact person at this moment. He was unhurried and methodical, comforting Third Aunt completely and helping both women settle peacefully into the carriage.

She vaguely felt something was wrong—he was too composed. She had seen his integrity and character, and she had thought that being forced by the Qi people to take office, he would appear bitter and resentful, not displaying this kind of ease and competence. In his every gesture, there was even a sense of determination.

After bidding farewell to Third Aunt and Sister Qiu, Nanyi was still somewhat bewildered.

Song Muchuan turned to look at Nanyi and said: “Madam, tonight I also have an invitation from the Qi people to board the painted boat. Please accompany me on board.”

“You… what exactly are you?”

“Madam, Song’s past is just as you’ve seen—there’s nothing hidden. It’s just that being in this current position provides some convenient opportunities, so I’m helping a friend with this favor.”

It was reasonable enough. Xie Xiaoliu was Xie Queshan’s sister and Pang Yu’s fiancée, so naturally her relationship with Song Muchuan wouldn’t be poor. But at this critical juncture, Xie Xiaoliu wouldn’t seek help from an ordinary friend.

Could it be that Song Muchuan had also been recruited into the Candle Bureau?

As soon as this thought surfaced, Nanyi was immediately filled with respect for this scholar who couldn’t lift with his hands or carry on his shoulders. Knowing there were tigers in the mountains, he still chose to venture toward Tiger Mountain. But at the same time, she felt vaguely worried—could he protect himself?

“Master Song, what am I supposed to do on the painted boat?”

“Sixth Miss is on the painted boat and hopes you’ll assist her.”

Nanyi hesitated for a moment, thinking of Xie Queshan still waiting for her, but the scales in her heart quickly tipped toward Xie Xiaoliu. With such a major operation today, she would definitely need assistance. Moreover, Song Muchuan was also boarding the boat, and being alone and powerless, if he needed anything, she could help.

Deep down, Nanyi placed Song Muchuan on a pedestal as high as a mountain. He was a scholar, while she was just a crude person. As long as she could help him even a little, she would do so without hesitation, even feeling honored and privileged to be useful.

“Alright.” She agreed.

But a strange feeling welled up in her heart. It seemed like many things she couldn’t see were stirring and happening in the shadows.