Bei Juxian Ward was located in the northern part of the capital, near Chong’an Gate of the northern city. Further beyond lay the city’s outskirts. Though the population here wasn’t particularly dense, several wealthy households had established their residences in this area.

The “Yongkang Alley” that Manager Zhong had brought Qin Yining to see was a secluded location near Chong’an Gate. There were no grand mansions surrounding it, only ordinary households. Deep within the alley stood a black-lacquered gate, outside which two idle men squatted on the ground, casually chatting.

However, when the carriage passed by, the sound of rolling wheels startled these two tall men into turning to look in their direction, frightening Qin Yining into quickly narrowing the gap in the window curtain even further.

“Such alert people.”

“Indeed. Fortunately, the men I arranged were clever enough not to be discovered. These two men must be the ones guarding the alley.” Manager Zhong pointed to several other spots outside. “Those people wandering idly in the streets are likely their people too. Don’t let this residence’s small entrance fool you—inside it’s actually a large courtyard with two sections. Housing a hundred or so people wouldn’t be a problem.”

Qin Yining nodded. “This place is indeed suspicious. Is this the only exit? Are there any other ways out?”

“In response to Master, I had men investigate. This residence only has front and rear doors, plus a small opening on the side street. No other exits were found elsewhere.”

“Mm.”

Qin Yining nodded slightly. As she spoke, the carriage had already passed through this area. The driver hesitated, slowing down, uncertain whether to turn around.

Qin Yining said, “Don’t turn back. Go straight ahead, take a longer route around, and let’s look at the back of this residence.”

The driver acknowledged and continued forward.

The idle men guarding the alley entrance and the men stationed along the road who had noticed the carriage relaxed their vigilance when they saw it continue straight past, assuming they were merely passing through by chance.

Qin Yining frowned in contemplation.

This place was indeed unusual. From the physique of the guards at the gate and Manager Zhong’s investigation, she could tell that Tatar people truly lived in this residence.

But this was the capital after all, right under the emperor’s nose. Moreover, the capital’s defenses were tight. How could these Tatar people be entrenched here without anyone noticing?

Furthermore, the Northern City Command of the Five Cities Military Commissioner was right here in Bei Juxian Ward, and the Northern City’s Fire Brigade Bureau was also located here. These were proper government offices. If Tatar spies really lived here, would they choose a location so close to both the Northern City Command and the Fire Brigade Bureau? Wouldn’t that be seeking exposure?

Yet as Qin Yining observed, the people in that residence were indeed Tatars.

The more she thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.

The carriage had by now taken a long detour and circled back to the rear gate of the residence they had seen earlier.

The back courtyard wall of this residence was obviously higher than those of the neighboring houses. There was indeed a back door, though unlike the front gate, no men were stationed there on guard. Perhaps imitating the surrounding neighbors—since other households didn’t have people watching their back doors, posting guards would be like announcing “there’s no silver buried here.”

“This place appears to be an ordinary residence, yet it’s defended as tightly as an iron barrel. There’s no way to investigate it.” Manager Zhong sighed. “I had originally wanted to send someone to infiltrate it, but feared alerting them prematurely. It wouldn’t be good if we were exposed before succeeding.”

Qin Yining nodded. “Indeed, forced investigation of this place won’t work. Consider this: with the residence so close to government offices, the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s men patrol for city defense daily. Could they really be completely unaware? If they know yet tolerate it, there must be deeper significance.”

Manager Zhong was a clever man. He understood after Qin Yining had spoken only half her thought, and his expression grew serious.

“If that’s the case, direct investigation really isn’t advisable.”

Qin Yining nodded.

For a moment, Qin Yining considered abandoning the investigation altogether.

After all, the Tatars had also assassinated the emperor. The emperor would naturally have elite forces investigating this matter.

But to abandon such a promising lead without further investigation might lead to greater troubles later.

The Tatars had been able to assassinate Duke Dingguo’s wife, had tried to assassinate her, and her father. This matter would definitely not end simply. Moreover, these people remained hidden in the capital without leaving, indicating they still had other missions. There was no guarantee they wouldn’t attempt another assassination targeting her family members.

Thinking of this, Qin Yining abandoned any thought of retreat.

Looking up, she happened to see a patrol from the Five Cities Military Commissioner passing by. The leader was someone Qin Yining recognized—Xu Mao, the Eastern City Command Inspector she had met once at Fairy Maiden Temple.

Though Qin Yining wondered why Xu Mao was leading men on patrol in the northern city, she didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she seized the opportunity to stop the carriage, lifted the curtain, and gave Bingtang a few instructions.

Bingtang immediately understood, jumped down from the carriage shaft, and approached Xu Mao.

Manager Zhong looked puzzled and glanced questioningly at Qin Yining.

Qin Yining carefully observed Xu Mao’s reaction.

Shortly after, Xu Mao indeed followed Bingtang to the carriage.

Qin Yining didn’t put on airs either. She lifted the curtain and nodded to Xu Mao in greeting. “Master Xu, it’s been a long time.”

“So it’s Miss Qin.” Xu Mao’s attitude toward Qin Yining was much more respectful than before, clearly showing how high Qin Huaiyuan’s status had become after successfully facilitating peace negotiations and being granted a marquis title.

Qin Yining smiled. “I apologize for troubling Master Xu so suddenly.”

“Not at all. Miss Qin, please speak freely about whatever you need.”

Qin Yining said, “I was just passing through here with my servants when I carelessly dropped a gold bracelet inlaid with emerald. The emerald was of excellent quality, worth quite a sum. I saw with my own eyes a tall man pick it up. When my servant called to him, he fled like the wind, clutching my bracelet as he entered this residence.”

At this point, Qin Yining pointed to the courtyard where the Tatars lived. “So I was hoping to trouble you, Master, to help recover the bracelet.”

When Xu Mao first heard Qin Yining asking for help finding a bracelet, he felt contemptuous inside—typical women’s concerns, only knowing about trivial domestic matters.

However, when he heard that the bracelet had been picked up by a man who had entered that residence, his expression grew grave.

After much consideration, Xu Mao replied with a forced smile, “Miss Qin losing a bracelet isn’t really a big deal. If you’re truly fond of that bracelet, I could buy you a replacement. But I cannot search that residence. Not only is Miss’s account one-sided, but even with other evidence, I lack the authority.”

Hearing this, Qin Yining responded petulantly, “But I clearly saw someone from that residence pick up my bracelet, and it was quite valuable. Won’t Master Xu help even with this?”

Xu Mao grew somewhat impatient. “It’s not that I won’t help, but Imperial Uncle Cao personally instructed that important people live here who cannot be lightly disturbed. I advise Miss Qin to let this matter rest.”

Upon hearing “Imperial Uncle Cao,” Qin Yining’s heart jumped, and the petulant expression on her face changed to wariness as she said awkwardly, “Very well, it’s just a gold bracelet, not such a big matter.”

Seeing Qin Yining’s sensible attitude and that she wasn’t insisting on her gold bracelet, Xu Mao breathed a sigh of relief, cupped his hands in salute, and continued his patrol.

Qin Yining lowered the curtain and urged them to leave quickly, returning directly to Treading Clouds Inn.

Manager Zhong and Qin Yining sat in the main room. Qin Yining instructed Ji Yun and Bingtang to guard outside, preventing anyone from approaching to overhear their conversation.

When only the two of them remained in the room, Manager Zhong asked worriedly, “Master still wishes to continue the investigation?”

“Yes. Since these people have attempted assassination twice, there’s no guarantee there won’t be a third or fourth time. How can I leave such a threat unaddressed?”

Manager Zhong nodded approvingly. “Only, eliminating them won’t be easy. We can’t even investigate them.”

Qin Yining also found it difficult.

If they captured one person for interrogation, while capturing someone wouldn’t be hard, there was no telling whether they would commit suicide rather than allow interrogation. Even setting that aside, alerting them would have serious consequences, affecting their future operations.

What if she told her father about this?

Father held office at court after all. There were many things he couldn’t handle personally. Moreover, if Qin Huaiyuan knew about this, he would most likely report directly to the emperor for investigation. This place was under Imperial Uncle Cao’s protection, making the relationships very complex. Who knew how the muddled emperor might handle it? Without concrete evidence, father might even be accused of stirring up trouble.

She would definitely tell father, but only after obtaining solid evidence proving these people were Tatar spies. Otherwise, mere suspicion wouldn’t be convincing and might lead people to suspect father of creating trouble.

Thinking of this, Qin Yining’s expression grew serious.

After pondering for a moment, Qin Yining suddenly asked, “Manager Zhong, do we have anyone in the Fire Brigade Bureau?”

The Fire Brigade Bureau was connected to the Five Cities Military Commissioner, specifically responsible for firefighting in the city.

Manager Zhong seemed to understand something, his eyes lighting up as he looked at Qin Yining. “Indeed, we have a brother who collects night soil in that area of the Fire Brigade Bureau.”

Qin Yining was momentarily startled, then laughed. “Collecting night soil is good. Zhaoyun Agency truly has hidden talents and extensive connections. Please ask Manager Zhong to find this brother. Prepare three hundred taels of silver. After completing this task, he won’t need to collect night soil anymore—he can take the silver and retire.”

Manager Zhong nodded. “What are Master’s arrangements?”

Qin Yining called Manager Zhong to lean closer and whispered her plan.

Manager Zhong nodded repeatedly as he listened, finally sighing admiringly, “Truly ‘the young phoenix’s song surpasses the old phoenix’s.’ Master is indeed the daughter of ‘Wise Pan An.’ In terms of strategy, this old man bows in admiration.”

Praised so highly, Qin Yining’s face flushed as she repeatedly said, “Manager, please don’t say such things. Whatever I can accomplish depends entirely on your support. Your willingness to help is my good fortune.”

“Not at all. Without Master, my whole family wouldn’t know what state we’d be in. This old man naturally follows Master’s instructions. Miss, rest assured and wait to see a good show.”

“Then I’ll trouble Manager Zhong with the arrangements. I’m afraid I can’t be present then, so everything will depend on Manager Zhong following what I’ve just explained.”

Manager Zhong smiled and replied, “Master, rest assured. This old man handles such matters with practiced ease.”

Qin Yining nodded, returning home with peace of mind.

Over the following two days, there were no developments outside, and Sun Shi’s health gradually improved.

Two more days passed. Early in the morning after rising, Manager Zhong sent word requesting Qin Yining to come review accounts.

Qin Yining quickly informed Sun Shi and brought Bingtang, Song Lan, and Ji Yun to Manager Zhong’s home.

Author’s Note: Sorry for being late!