Jingrong’s expression was serious as he asked: “Then did you hear who the person backing Xue He is?”

“That I don’t know.”

Song Zhi shook his head.

Those people at the poetry gathering hadn’t mentioned it either.

After that, no one spoke.

Song Zhi glanced around and saw that the charcoal in the brazier placed in the center of the hall was nearly burned out, so he stood up and said: “I’ll go get some charcoal.”

On such a cold day, how could they manage without fire?

With those words, he went out.

As soon as he left—

Bai Yin couldn’t help but say in a muffled voice: “Yunshu, who knows when we’ll get to the bottom of this case. Are you certain you want to continue investigating?”

Ji Yunshu understood his concerns.

“Brother, you know I’ve already taken this on. To pull out at this point would be irresponsible.”

“I’m just reminding you that our purpose in coming to the capital was to find someone. If we keep delaying, who knows what the consequences will be.” Bai Yin tried to make one last attempt at persuasion.

However, Ji Yunshu’s determination was set. She said: “You know we have no other options now. We can only place all our hopes on Heir Apparent Cheng. Currently, only he can take us to the archives room of the Ministry of Finance. To find that person, this is our only method.”

Indeed!

Between them was a transaction.

Each for their own purposes!

Bai Yin paused, just about to open his mouth to say something more.

But Jingrong suddenly placed his index finger on his lips.

Making a “shh” gesture.

Hm?

Bai Yin immediately swallowed his words.

His heart filled with confusion.

He immediately cast a questioning look at Jingrong.

Jingrong’s gaze glanced up at the roof.

Indicating that there might be someone on the roof.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly froze.

Then, Jingrong gestured with his hand for Ji Yunshu to stay inside the room and not go out. He and Bai Yin would go out first to take a look.

The two went to the doorway, their eyes met, and they leaped onto the roof together.

Just as their figures jumped up, another figure leaped down from above.

Landing in the courtyard filled with white snow.

Wanting to take this opportunity to escape.

Jingrong and Bai Yin immediately jumped down and cut off the person’s escape route.

This commotion also drew the four guards.

They all surrounded the area.

Blocking the person in the middle.

Through the faint glow of several red lanterns in the courtyard, the black-clad person’s face was revealed.

“It’s you!”

Bai Yin recognized him.

This person was the one who had fought with them at the ruined temple and the inn before.

Lian Que was currently alone and would have great difficulty escaping.

He gripped his long sword but showed no intention of drawing it.

His feet merely shifted a few inches in place before his sword-like eyebrows furrowed as he said: “I haven’t come to cause you trouble.”

Stating his intentions.

But who would believe that?

Last time, he had nearly taken Jingrong and Bai Yin’s lives.

A solemn air flashed in Jingrong’s eyes as he said in an icy tone: “Who exactly are you? Who sent you?”

Lian Que: “Who sent me isn’t important! In any case, I mean no harm. As for that Young Master Ji inside… I won’t try to take her away anymore either.”

“Take her away? I’m afraid you won’t have that fortune today.”

Last time at the inn, it was because Lian Que wanted to know why Ji Yunshu had that jade token on her person, so he wanted to capture her to get answers. That’s why both sides had fought a great battle.

Now the misunderstanding was resolved.

It turned out that Miss Ji was the benefactor of the Marquis of Nanguo. Without her, A’Mo wouldn’t be alive.

Therefore, these people were friends.

Not enemies!

Naturally, Lian Que wouldn’t strike to kill. Otherwise, he would have drawn his sword long ago.

“I don’t want to fight you. Everything before was a misunderstanding.”

“Then what are you doing here? And eavesdropping on our conversation from the roof.”

“Forgive me, but I cannot tell you.”

“Then you’re forcing us to make a move.” Jingrong’s cold brows furrowed.

Lian Que didn’t know how to explain.

Bai Yin’s veins were already bulging. He said: “Enough talk. In any case, your intentions aren’t good! Last time you wounded me with a sword. This time I’ll get back double from you.” After speaking, he said to Jingrong, “Leave him to me. Don’t interfere!”

His own grudge, he would settle himself.

Although Jingrong wanted to deal with him personally, after all, this person had wounded Bai Yin with a sword. Letting him settle it himself was also good.

So he stepped back.

Not interfering!

Thus, Bai Yin drew the blade he carried at his waist and charged over.

Lian Que dodged backward, leaping up, preparing to jump onto the roof beams.

But he underestimated the abilities of those guards.

The four guards surrounded him. Before his body could jump up, several swords were already aimed at him. Having no choice, he could only draw his own sword and in one motion deflect the swords stabbing at him one by one.

Bai Yin also took the opportunity to attack him.

One against five!

A fierce battle!

After all, Lian Que was alone. No matter how high his martial arts skills, he couldn’t withstand their siege.

The courtyard quickly descended into chaos, the sound of clashing weapons piercing to the ears.

Ji Yunshu came out from inside, but before she could get close, Jingrong stopped her at the doorway.

“Go inside.”

“My brother…”

“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine.”

Ji Yunshu also worried that she might somehow burden them, so she obediently nodded and went back in.

At this moment, Lian Que was already finding it somewhat unbearable. After a series of parries, his footsteps became unsteady and the strength in his hands had clearly weakened considerably.

Precisely because of this, Bai Yin gained the upper hand. He raised his sword and viciously stabbed Lian Que’s arm.

Lian Que cried out in pain, his arm dropping down.

The sword in his hand also fell to the ground as a result.

Just as he was about to bend down to pick it up—

Bai Yin kicked the sword away with one foot and smoothly placed his blade against his neck.

“I said you wounded me with one sword, and I’d get back double from you.”

Lian Que slightly raised his chin. While covering his bleeding hand with one hand, he looked at Bai Yin before him and said: “If you really want to kill me, then kill me. Consider it my repayment to you.”

There wasn’t a trace of fear on his face.

Bai Yin was stimulated by this. His wrist tightened as he pressed the blade down with more force.

The sharp blade edge cut a gash into Lian Que’s neck.

Fresh blood dripped down from the wound.

Under the reflection of the surrounding red lamplight, it appeared even more striking.

Just when everyone thought Bai Yin would truly slit his throat, at that moment, he hesitated. Looking at Lian Que’s face so close at hand, a familiar feeling surged through his mind again.

This person—he seemed to have seen him before…

Yet also seemed very unfamiliar.

As early as after the battle at the inn, he had mentioned to Jingrong that he always felt he had seen this person somewhere before, but had no impression of it.

And—

While Bai Yin stared into his eyes, Lian Que also looked at him.

This was the first time the two had been so close.

Lian Que was slightly shocked!

Because for that instant, he actually felt that Bai Yin resembled A’Jin.

But A’Jin as a child was a fair and clean boy with a small, thin frame.

The person before him was tall and burly. Even though there was some heroic spirit between his brows, he definitely couldn’t be the A’Jin he had been waiting for so bitterly all this time. Most likely, it was just a momentary illusion!