Stay calm.

Calm down.

Jiang Xuening forced herself temporarily not to overthink. This matter of gazes, especially initial gazes, was merely the budding and beginning of everything.

When a man looks at a woman he likes, the gaze is easy to distinguish.

Because beyond the affection, it always carries more or less desire.

But when a woman looks at a woman she likes, it doesn’t carry desire. The nature of the relationship is essentially no different from looking at a very close, particularly cherished friend.

She must have been too deeply scarred from her previous life, seeing danger where there was none.

After her thoughts turned around, Jiang Xuening became much calmer.

Her heart surged within, but nothing showed on her face.

Though Shen Zhiyi stood very close to her, she didn’t know how many strange and absurd thoughts had circled through her mind a hundred times. She only had a nearby palace attendant bring out a palm-sized rhombus flower mirror she carried with her. Looking at that fallen cherry blossom-like tracing, her gaze flickered, already moved somewhat.

When she first saw Jiang Xuening earlier, she had truly been amazed by her appearance, thinking Yan Lin liked her merely because of such beauty. But in just a few words, this Second Miss Jiang had made her see a side of her completely different from ordinary boudoir young ladies.

Which boudoir young lady in the capital could speak such words?

She and Yan Lin had played together since childhood. Thinking again now, he had never been someone bewitched by beauty—it must truly be that this Second Miss Jiang had very lovable qualities, which was why he liked her.

Shen Zhiyi walked two more steps closer, actually smiling as she took Jiang Xuening’s hand, “Your words are especially pleasing to hear. No wonder Yan Lin likes you—even I can’t help but want to like you too.”

She was fine not saying this, but once she did, Jiang Xuening nearly went weak in the knees and collapsed.

Forcibly holding together that string in her head that was about to snap, also forcibly suppressing the impulse to withdraw her hand from Shen Zhiyi’s grasp, she completely restrained her earlier composed demeanor, appearing terrified and apprehensive as she said, “This subject woman speaks without restraint and is accustomed to nonsense. Please don’t take offense, Your Highness.”

Seeing her suddenly become this way, timid and shrinking, completely without the spirit and splendor from when she had earlier pulled her over and lifted the brush to trace on her face, Shen Zhiyi couldn’t help but frown, about to say something.

At this moment, however, a voice interjected from the side, “Your Highness has frightened her.”

Shen Zhiyi turned to look.

The person who spoke was a woman in magnificent dress who had been standing beside Shen Zhiyi all along. In terms of overall bearing, she was only a line below Shen Zhiyi. Her garments were all tailored from the finest Shu brocade. The pearls embedded in just the forehead band on her head were worth a fortune, not to mention the mutton-fat white jade bracelet on her wrist, nearly free of any impurities.

Distant mountain brows, phoenix eyes.

Hair like a waterfall, fragrant cheeks like snow.

Though not the kind of appearance like Jiang Xuening’s that made people jealous at first sight, in this flower hall she absolutely could be considered bright and radiant. Moreover, between her brows was a natural air of noble dignity. Though a smile hung at her lips, it gave people a sense of authority without anger.

At a glance, clearly a formidable person.

This was the eldest daughter of Duke Chengguo’s manor, Xiao Shu. Jiang Xuening recognized her too.

Or to put it more clearly—

The eldest daughter of that Duke Chengguo’s manor Xiao family whose entire clan was nearly slaughtered by Xie Wei in the previous life.

She had only been watching from the side earlier, only now coming out to speak.

Only Shen Zhiyi was somewhat dissatisfied upon hearing this.

Xiao Shu then smiled, spreading her fragrant fan. Looking at Jiang Xuening, she leaned close to Shen Zhiyi’s ear and said a few words in a lowered voice.

After hearing this, a trace of brilliance swept through Shen Zhiyi’s eyes. The originally unsightly scar below her left eye had been dotted into the shape of a fallen cherry blossom. At this moment the two complemented each other, actually brightening her entire face.

She laughed and clapped her hands, “Your idea is good.”

Then she said to Jiang Xuening, “With so many people today it’s not convenient. I’ll find you to come play another day.”

Jiang Xuening hadn’t heard what Xiao Shu had said to her exactly, but unease faintly rose in her heart: One must know that in her previous life she hadn’t gotten along well with Xiao Shu. The two were basically the same age. She had married Shen Jie when he was still Prince Linzi, and after Shen Jie ascended the throne was naturally made Empress. Xiao Shu, however, entered the palace later. Relying on her maternal family Duke Chengguo’s manor’s honor, and being Shen Jie’s cousin, she was quickly enfeoffed as Imperial Noble Consort and even made to assist in managing the six palaces.

Though because of being born into the Xiao family, her final outcome wasn’t good.

But at present, Xiao Shu’s existence still made Jiang Xuening unable to help feeling some wariness.

She respectfully responded “yes” to Shen Zhiyi, but to Xiao Shu only gave a faint nod—

Absolutely must not get entangled in any relationship with the Xiao family.

In the future, Xie Wei wouldn’t blink when killing people.

Xiao Shu had grown up in Duke’s manor, such a prestigious household. What she had seen and learned far exceeded ordinary young ladies. From just this small gesture of Jiang Xuening’s, she easily sensed the other party’s coldness toward her.

This was somewhat interesting.

Xiao Shu didn’t show anything, only looking at Jiang Xuening meaningfully once before pulling Shen Zhiyi away.

Because Count Qingyuan’s manor’s banquet had reached its conclusion, and they had just happened to encounter this Duke’s manor eldest daughter and a current dynasty Grand Princess, the You Shuang and You Yue sisters knew how to seize the opportunity. They actually invited the two to serve as judges, selecting the winners for poetry and painting at today’s chrysanthemum viewing banquet.

Xiao Shu excelled at both poetry and painting, so she looked through them one by one.

Finally, after discussing with Shen Zhiyi, Shen Zhiyi selected You Yue’s “Slender Chrysanthemum Painting” as first in painting, and selected the Hanlin Academy Chancellor’s daughter Miss Fan’s “Double Ninth Sentiments” as first in poetry.

Miss Fan came from a family of poets and scholars, so this was quite stable.

You Yue, however, had years of painstaking practice in painting finally rewarded, and it was even personally selected by Grand Princess Leyang. For a moment her joy showed on her face, so happy she nearly shed tears.

Jiang Xuening could neither paint nor write poetry. From beginning to end she watched coldly from the side. Seeing all this conclude, after Shen Zhiyi and Xiao Shu left, she was the first to take her leave.

When helping her onto the carriage, Tang’er carefully asked, “Going to Cengxiao Tower?”

Jiang Xuening looked at the sky, calculated the time. When the flower hall ended just now, the waterside pavilion was still lively. Yan Lin shouldn’t be able to come out for a while. So her gaze turned, thinking of another matter still being delayed.

She said, “First go to Slant Street Alley.”

Zhou Yinzhi lived in Slant Street Alley.

This alley really couldn’t be considered close to the Forbidden City, so many ministers who needed to attend court or frequently enter the palace wouldn’t choose to build their residences here. Therefore most who lived in this alley were lower-rank officials.

Zhou Yinzhi rose to prominence late. His money all had to be used for networking up and down, managing relationships, so naturally he didn’t have extra financial resources to establish a manor.

Thus, when Jiang Xuening arrived at Slant Street Alley, she only saw two small black lacquered doors deep inside, with copper door knockers aged by years, above which hung a simple plaque with the two characters “Zhou Manor.”

Indeed quite shabby.

She had Tang’er go knock on the door.

Before long, a female voice came from inside, “Coming.”

Soon came the sound of removing the door bolt from behind.

Immediately afterward with a “creak,” the door opened. A delicate face peered out from inside, first seeing Tang’er, then seeing Jiang Xuening behind Tang’er. Though her dress wasn’t luxurious, she didn’t seem to be someone of simple status. For a moment she hesitated, “You are?”

Jiang Xuening didn’t answer, but asked, “Is Lord Zhou not home?”

That delicate woman said, “The lord went to the guard station early this morning, don’t know when he’ll return. If Miss has urgent business to find him, might as well enter the courtyard and sit first. I’ll have someone go notify him. Only whether the lord will return, I truly don’t know.”

Jiang Xuening hadn’t expected she would still have to wait.

But having already come this far, what would making a wasted trip accomplish?

She pondered for a moment, then nodded.

The woman opened the door and stepped aside two paces, inviting her and her maid to enter. Then she walked to that small courtyard, calling to the young servant who was brushing a horse in the yard, “Nanzhou, make a trip to the guard station to find the lord. Say a guest has come to the house with urgent business for him.”

That servant called Nanzhou put down his broom about to leave.

Jiang Xuening frowned in thought, suddenly calling him back, saying, “No need. Just tell your lord that his beloved horse is sick and near death, ask him to come back and look.”

Nanzhou couldn’t help but look bewildered, looking at that woman.

That woman didn’t know Jiang Xuening’s identity, but looking at her she didn’t seem to be seeking revenge. She feared delaying the lord’s business, so though hesitant, ultimately still nodded, saying, “Report it that way then.”

Only then did Nanzhou leave.

The courtyard was truly small, altogether just four or five rooms. Guests were received in the central hall.

That woman called herself “Yaoniang,” a maid servant Zhou Yinzhi had purchased.

She invited Jiang Xuening to sit, then brewed tea and presented it. Perhaps this was the first time seeing such a glamorous figure, she seemed somewhat at a loss and ashamed, only saying, “This is this year’s new tea, only it’s not very good. Hope you’ll be understanding.”

Jiang Xuening had heard of someone like Yaoniang in her previous life.

One of the few concubines beside Zhou Yinzhi who could maintain favor for years.

Some even said she was his greatest love.

So she had followed him this early, meeting in humble times. No wonder that later, even when favored concubines and beautiful consorts crowded around him, he never mistreated such a plain-looking concubine.

Jiang Xuening said, “No matter. I’ll just sit a while. If your lord doesn’t return soon, I’ll leave quickly.”

She picked up that tea and took a sip.

Dongding Oolong, but indeed it was astringent entering the mouth with a bit of bitterness.

Those years in the palace had already cultivated her tastes. Her requirements for food and drink were quite high, so at this moment she didn’t force herself, only touching a sip before setting the tea down.

After waiting about two quarters of an hour, almost three quarters, hurried footsteps finally came from the alley entrance.

Yaoniang hurried to open the door.

Zhou Yinzhi, wearing a black Embroidered Uniform Guard hundred-household robe embroidered with dark cloud patterns, entered. The courtyard was small and unobstructed. Raising his head at the courtyard gate, he immediately saw Jiang Xuening sitting in the main hall. His gaze flashed instantly.

He walked toward the house.

Yaoniang followed him.

But he turned back saying, “You may go.”

Yaoniang was momentarily stunned, glancing at Jiang Xuening. Not daring to say anything, she only said, “Then if you need anything, call me, my lord.”

Only then did Zhou Yinzhi enter. He didn’t beat around the bush either, bowing to Jiang Xuening in salute, “Last time Second Miss invited me, but Zhou had an urgent matter and left without saying goodbye—quite impolite. Today it troubles Miss to come personally. Please forgive this offense, Miss.”

This person was quite tall. Standing in the hall made the room feel low.

Jiang Xuening raised her eyes to observe him, only saying, “You came back quite quickly.”

“The guard station happened to have nothing going on, I was preparing to return anyway.”

The facts were actually exactly opposite. The guard station always had endless business. When Nanzhou came to find him, he was just listening about the friction between Commander Zhou of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Investigating Censor Zhang Zhe from the Office of Scrutiny. Hearing Nanzhou say his horse was unwell, his first thought was that something was wrong.

When he had arrived at the guard station this morning, he had just personally fed the horse and saw nothing wrong with it.

So he knew there was something else.

He immediately acted worried, told his superior at the guard station, then hurried back.

On the road he asked Nanzhou—as expected, it was Jiang Xuening who had come looking.

Zhou Yinzhi had worked his way up from nothing. Having ambitions in his heart, facing Jiang Xuening, a delicate weak woman, his expression showed not a trace of arrogance. Instead, he placed himself in an even lower position, “But perhaps if Miss had waited two more days, even if you didn’t come find Zhou, Zhou would have come to find you.”

Jiang Xuening had guessed as much, but feigned surprise, “Oh?”

Zhou Yinzhi then said, “Recently when the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s Commander Zhou arrested criminals, he didn’t get signed approval from the Office of Scrutiny, thus was impeached by Investigating Censor Zhang Zhe, who even claimed he should be strictly punished according to law. Though Commander Zhou has some connections at court, the matter isn’t easy to smooth over. As for how that Zhang Zhe will fare, I don’t know, but at least Commander Zhou’s position as commander will be hard to keep. This will create a vacancy for a commander position. But Zhou is insignificant with little influence, having neither money to smooth the way nor connections to network. So I originally planned to shamelessly come ask Second Miss for assistance.”

So the position he wanted to seek, going round and round, actually had some connection with Zhang Zhe.

She knew very little about Zhang Zhe’s early years, also didn’t know how he got through this time.

Jiang Xuening lowered her eyes.

Coming here, she originally had a complete plan, only she hadn’t expected Zhou Yinzhi to be so direct and speak first. But this was also good—saved her from wasting more words.

Thinking this, she said, “You want to ask me to introduce you to Yan Lin?”

Zhou Yinzhi sat below her. In his hawk-like sharp eyes, a trace of dim light passed as he only said, “Marquis Yongyi’s manor can be compared with the Xiao family, having quite a say at court. Moreover, Miss has good relations with the Heir, who is approaching his coming-of-age. If I could gain the Heir’s favor, in the future I would be perfectly positioned to serve and work for Miss.”

This clearly was speaking of her marrying into Marquis Yongyi’s manor in the future.

In the previous life, Zhou Yinzhi made such a request because she first wanted someone to investigate Shen Jie’s identity, and indeed thought Zhou Yinzhi could be used by her, so she helped him.

But in this life she already knew Shen Jie’s identity, so naturally had no such need.

However…

Jiang Xuening looked at him, slowly smiling, “Father is Vice Minister of Revenue. Though he doesn’t control the Ministry of Personnel, he’s still among the Six Ministries. If you merely want to seek a commander vacancy, you could just ask Father. Yet you deliberately want to approach Heir Yan through me. I’m curious—why is that?”

Hearing these words, Zhou Yinzhi suddenly had an indescribable feeling in his heart—

When did Second Miss become so clear about court matters?

One must know that in the past she was merely willful in temperament, spending days playing and causing trouble with Heir Yan.

He looked at Jiang Xuening, not answering for a moment.

But Jiang Xuening said, “Having me introduce you to Yan Lin is not impossible. However, I have one question I want to ask you first. This is also the purpose of my visit this time.”

Zhou Yinzhi remained impassive, “Please ask, Miss.”

Jiang Xuening then said, “Commander Zhou’s disposition hasn’t come down yet, but you’re already anxious to ask me to introduce you to Yan Lin. Apart from wanting to seek the commander position, I’m afraid the Embroidered Uniform Guard has you investigating Prince Pingnan’s old case and wants you to infiltrate Marquis Yongyi’s manor to investigate thoroughly?”

“Creak!”

A sharp and piercing sound—Zhou Yinzhi’s entire body’s hairs stood on end. As he suddenly stood up, he knocked the chair beneath him, making the chair legs scrape across the floor in a brief screech.

His pupils constricted sharply, staring at Jiang Xuening.

His gaze was complete disbelief!

One must know he had only heard whispers of this matter two days ago. Today the superior at the guard station had just called him in and given instructions—this was a secret among secrets. He hadn’t even told a single person!

Yet now Jiang Xuening had exposed it with one sentence!

How did she learn of this?!

Seeing Zhou Yinzhi’s such intense reaction, how could Jiang Xuening not know she had actually guessed correctly?

What surged up at this moment, however, was sorrow.

No wonder Zhou Yinzhi’s end was so miserable in the previous life. Marquis Yongyi’s manor being implicated in Prince Pingnan’s rebellion case, having their property confiscated and being exiled—it was inseparable from him. No wonder later Xie Wei wanted him to die from ten thousand arrows and even cut off his head to hang at the palace gate…

And she was the one who had introduced this venomous snake to Yan Lin back then.

Jiang Xuening slightly closed her eyes, saying, “Zhou Yinzhi, if you want to live, I’ll teach you well. This case involves major matters—don’t get too deeply involved. Success might mean meteoric rise and temporary glory, but wait a bit longer, and I fear you’ll be separated from your head, dying without a burial place!”

After Jiang Xuening laid her cards on the table with Zhou Yinzhi, she spoke with him for another half quarter hour before leaving.

The sky was getting late. She feared Yan Lin would wait long at Cengxiao Tower.

After she left, Zhou Yinzhi sat in the hall, his face full of gloom, not moving for a long time.

Until Yaoniang came in looking for him, frightened by his expression, “My lord, you… what’s wrong?”

Zhou Yinzhi didn’t answer.

He turned his gaze, looking at this small courtyard.

In one corner of the courtyard was the stable. A fine date-red horse was there with its head down eating fodder.

This was a horse Zhou Yinzhi had bought for himself when he first obtained his Embroidered Uniform Guard hundred-household position two years ago. Every day he personally fed it once, then took it running in the capital’s outskirts.

He looked for a while, then stood up and walked over, stroking that horse’s beautiful, smooth mane.

The horse recognized its master, affectionately nuzzling his palm.

But Yaoniang standing under the eaves clearly saw that Zhou Yinzhi’s other hand had already drawn the blade at his waist. She immediately cried out in alarm.

“Puchi—”

A muffled sound as the sharp blade tip pierced the horse’s neck.

The horse in pain immediately reared its front hooves, kicking over the stable, but Zhou Yinzhi firmly held down the horse’s head. Great amounts of fresh blood all spurted out, splashing Zhou Yinzhi’s entire body.

However, this strike was both vicious and accurate. It didn’t struggle long before falling.

Only then did Zhou Yinzhi seem to lose some strength, half-kneeling in that horrifying pool of blood, one hand gripping that blood-stained blade, one hand gently resting on the horse’s head. Watching it breathe its last, he finally said slowly, “Remember, today no one came looking. It was my horse that fell ill.”