After Cai’er left, Zhu Yao entered to find Liu Yunzhu’s large eyes completely bloodshot. Fortunately, the little girl was sensible enough—after crying for a while, she settled down and even ate a few bites of food.

“Is the capital very big?” Liu Yunyan asked.

“Very big,” Zhu Yao said.

“Then what if we can’t find elder sister?”

“Although it’s very large, as long as she’s still in the capital, we’ll definitely find her.”

Liu Yunzhu nodded, sniffling a few times through her nose. Meanwhile, Liu Yunyan’s people were currently searching the streets high and low. They’d been searching from yesterday straight through to today. This morning they went to report to the authorities, but because of the courtesan selection, the officials at the yamen had focused all their attention on that matter and had dispatched most of their manpower for patrol duty. At this moment, they simply had no time or personnel to search for a missing little girl.

Perhaps in their view, the little girl was just being mischievous and had hidden herself somewhere—maybe by now she’d already returned home. Uncle Qiao led his own people in a citywide search. Though Liu Yunyan was in poor health, watching as there continued to be no news, her heart grew increasingly anxious. Unable to bear her own weary body any longer, she insisted on going out to search together. After searching for a while, her body truly couldn’t endure it anymore.

Her maid Li’er, seeing her complexion growing paler and paler, quickly supported her to a medical clinic.

After receiving several acupuncture needles and drinking a bowl of medicine, she gradually felt much better.

Though the red rash on her face had faded considerably on its own, she still wore a veil—first because her current appearance was truly unfit to be seen, and second because she didn’t want to frighten others.

By coincidence, a young servant from Emerald Joy Pavilion came in to pick up medicine. Just as he handed the prescription to the apprentice preparing medicines, he turned his head and saw Liu Yunyan sitting there.

A green veil covering her face.

Long hair like a waterfall.

Clear eyes shimmering with a pure, clean light that one glance would forever etch in memory.

The young servant froze for a moment!

Could that person be the young lady they’d captured that day? What was she doing here!

He’d mistaken her for Ji Yunshu.

But looking more carefully, she didn’t seem to be her after all, so he stared hard a few more times before confirming that the veiled young lady was definitely not Ji Yunshu.

Li’er was the first to notice something odd. Turning her head, she met the gaze the young servant cast over.

A shiver ran through her entire body.

Huh?

Discovered, the young servant quickly withdrew his gaze and turned to watch the apprentice prepare medicine instead.

Liu Yunyan still didn’t know what had happened and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Li’er tilted her chin toward the young servant and said, “Miss, that person is very strange—he keeps staring at us.”

“Hm?” Liu Yunyan looked over following her indication, her gaze falling on the young servant. After examining him carefully, she withdrew her gaze and said, “You must be mistaken. We don’t know that person.”

“Just now he really was staring this way the whole time, staring right at you, Miss. Well… maybe he just thought you were beautiful and that’s why he was staring.”

“Don’t speak such nonsense.”

A soft, gentle rebuke.

Having been poisoned and had her face ruined, she was now covered in red rashes—where was there any beauty? Not frightening people was already the best she could hope for.

The clinic apprentice finished preparing the medicine, and the young servant took it and left.

Li’er also helped Liu Yunyan back to the inn to rest. Along the way back, they kept feeling like someone was following them from behind, but when they turned around they discovered nothing, and with people coming and going on the main street, they couldn’t see clearly at all.

Just as they entered the inn, the young servant from Emerald Joy Pavilion quietly emerged and peered into the inn. After quite a while, he finally left.

…

Luo Yang had thought for a long time—should he stay in the capital?

Or should he leave the capital?

He’d finally made his decision. Pushing open the door, he shouted into the air, “This old man has decided!”

Xiao Ba had just come from the kitchen area, still clutching a steamed bun in his hand. Hearing that shout, he was so startled his whole body trembled and the bun in his hand nearly hit the ground.

He rushed over quickly, his face full of concern as he asked, “Brother, what’s wrong with you?”

Luo Yang’s gaze was resolute, full of ambition. He grabbed Xiao Ba’s hand, his tone passionate as he said, “Xiao Ba, your brother has decided.”

“Decided what?”

“Decided to stay, to remain in the capital and accept that fellow surnamed Wen’s offer to become an official at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.”

Xiao Ba also hoped they could stay. For a moment his face split in a wide smile, unable to hide his joy, his eyes bright and shining as he said, “Really, we’re really going to stay? That’s wonderful, brother! We should stay. I believe you’ll definitely carve out a place for yourself in the capital.”

Luo Yang was equally fighting-spirited, patting his chest as he said, “Of course! Though I’m just a minor official at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices now, as long as I work hard, sooner or later I’ll become Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. At that time, let’s see who still dares look down on us.”

“Yes, brother, you can definitely do it.”

In Xiao Ba’s heart, Luo Yang was a god.

Was the sky.

Was the person he trusted most.

Luo Yang tidied himself up and went out the door. Really not wanting to delay any more time, he hurried straight to the Wen residence.

He informed them of his decision.

Wen Che was an extremely efficient person. Within half an hour of his agreement, he immediately sent someone to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and the official appointment document was brought over, along with a set of official robes.

“Rest for a day, and you can go to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices first thing tomorrow morning.” Luo Yang looked at the official robes before him, both excited and expectant, even carrying a trace of slight apprehension. He swallowed and asked, “What exactly does the Court of Imperial Sacrifices do? I haven’t read any books, and as for writing—don’t even mention it. If I’m expected to pick up a brush and record things… that would be the death of me.”

Wen Che smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ve already explained all this to the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. After you take office, you won’t need to do these things. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices is mainly responsible for sacrificial rites and ceremonies. Since you’re not suited for scholarly work, you’ll do practical tasks. There will always be use for you in the areas of sacrificial rites and ceremonies.”

Luo Yang understood in an instant. “You mean… you want me to be manual labor?”

“Of course not.”

“Then what exactly will I do?”

“When you go to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices tomorrow, you’ll naturally know.” Wen Che didn’t explain clearly, but there didn’t seem to be any deep schemes hidden in his words.

Luo Yang thought that if it really was a big trap, at worst he just wouldn’t do it!

Could they actually kill him over it? Wen Che didn’t forget to remind him, “The day after tomorrow is the capital city’s courtesan selection. Soldiers have been patrolling everywhere in the city recently, and security is strict. You yourself should also be careful—don’t cause any trouble, otherwise you’ll not only implicate yourself but also drag down our Wen family.”

Luo Yang was also very interested in this courtesan selection. Wearing a gossipy expression, he asked, “Has this courtesan position already been decided behind the scenes?”

“Why are you suddenly asking about this!”

“Just asking casually. Has it or hasn’t it?”

Wen Che was unwilling to discuss it further. “How would you know? This matter is handled by the Ministry of Rites—I don’t get involved.”

“Officials protect officials, connections run through everything. Haven’t you heard anything?”

“No.” Luo Yang muttered “How boring,” then asked, “That day, can I go watch?”