The scene in the teahouse was extremely lively for a time.

One person chasing, one person running.

The one chasing had ice-cold flames of fury hidden in her eyes, no longer showing any trace of her originally weak and easily bullied appearance. The one running was even more disheveled—carelessly tripping on a table corner and falling to the ground.

The teahouse waiter expended great effort to snatch that bench away.

Even without her handy weapon, You Fangyin refused to let the matter rest. She grabbed You Yue who was right before her eyes and began to scuffle with her, pulling until her elaborate hairdo became messy, her delicate makeup smeared. Even the pearl hairpins on her head fell off. Crying and making a scene—where was even half a trace of the former arrogant bearing of the Earl residence’s young mistress?

Tang’er and Lian’er were terrified something serious would happen.

As soon as Jiang Xuening spoke, both ran up—one on the left, one on the right. They expended great effort to pull You Fangyin back, urgently advising her: “Miss Fangyin, it’s not worth getting angry over such a small matter. Don’t be impulsive!”

You Fangyin’s eyes were completely red. Even though people were restraining her, her body was still trembling nonstop. As if she hadn’t heard Tang’er and Lian’er’s words at all, she stared fixedly at You Yue sitting collapsed on the ground: “Try touching Second Miss again!”

You Yue’s courage had long been shattered, her soul still unsettled from fright.

Jiang Xuening watched this scene. The corners of her lips that had just been curved relaxedly slowly lowered. In her heart suddenly arose an indescribable, unspeakable sourness: This foolish girl was willing to risk her life for her.

Only at this moment did the maids who had been serving You Yue react. They hurriedly came forward to help up their young miss, asking with crying voices: “Miss, are you alright?”

You Yue stood up trembling.

But she feared You Fangyin hadn’t finished being crazy yet. She didn’t dare get close to her, only retreating to a corner on the side, her voice trembling: “Rebellion, rebellion! I see you’ve even forgotten your own surname and name!”

This appearance was clearly stern on the outside but weak within—outwardly strong but inwardly empty.

Jiang Xuening saw her face was deathly pale, both legs still shaking. She knew she was an embroidered pillow—at this moment just putting on a fierce front for the sake of her own face.

However, once she returned to the residence…

You Yue had a nature of bending with the wind and bullying the weak while fearing the strong. Though she’d certainly been frightened senseless by You Fangyin now, once back at the residence where everyone listened to You Yue, after she recovered, she probably wouldn’t easily let You Fangyin off.

Therefore, You Fangyin couldn’t go back.

Jiang Xuening’s mind raced. A bold idea suddenly emerged and gradually took shape.

As You Yue spoke, staring at You Fangyin’s terrifying gaze, she felt her heart going numb with fear. Deeply afraid that saying too much would provoke her ferocity again, she quickly turned her spearhead, aiming at Jiang Xuening: “Even after being companion readers in the palace for over ten days, I never saw that you were actually such a despicable, shameless, vile, disgusting petty person!”

Jiang Xuening was still covering her heart: “How can you slander people so viciously…”

You Yue looked at her pretentious appearance and immediately felt a surge of anger rush to her head. Pointing at her nose, she cursed: “We’re all thousand-year-old foxes—what are you pretending in front of me? You’ve used the same trick to trap me twice, without even changing it once. Aren’t you sick of it?”

Jiang Xuening looked at her, her gaze suddenly becoming strange.

From You Yue’s meaning, did she need to innovate her methods?

That wasn’t impossible either…

When You Yue first spoke, she hadn’t felt anything unusual—it was just cursing at Jiang Xuening to vent her anger. But when she looked up and saw Jiang Xuening’s thoughtful gaze examining her, she felt a chill shoot up from the soles of her feet.

After reacting, she nearly wanted to slap herself twice!

How stupid! Telling her this! Making her change to new tricks to trap herself in the future?!

Seeing You Yue so domineering toward Jiang Xuening, the anger You Fangyin had just suppressed began faintly rising again. Her form moved as if to step forward to do something.

But unexpectedly, Jiang Xuening gently pressed down on her hand.

She immediately froze, not daring to move again, fearing that in her rashness she might accidentally hurt her. At the same time, somewhat confused, she raised her head to look at her.

However, Jiang Xuening didn’t look back. She lowered her eyelids slightly, her lashes trembling. She sighed softly, appearing timid and afraid of trouble, only saying: “Please calm your anger, Second Miss You. Xuening today also passed by this teahouse by chance to rest her feet. How could I have thought I’d so coincidentally encounter you? You misunderstood that I was disrespectful to you, so you struck me. But I had not the slightest intention of fighting back. It’s all this You Fangyin’s fault!”

At first, her voice was soft and gentle, but when speaking the final sentence, her voice grew heavier.

You Yue was stunned, not reacting, her face blank.

You Fangyin also looked at Jiang Xuening with extreme surprise, not understanding why she would say this. However, the next moment she felt Jiang Xuening’s hand holding hers apply slight force, as if hinting at something.

Then that hand withdrew.

As if she had done nothing at all, Jiang Xuening indignantly began reproaching: “Though I saved her life, I originally had no connection with her. I didn’t expect she’d misunderstand the relationship between us and without a word grab such a frightening thing as a long bench to beat people! In broad daylight, at the foot of the emperor—simply lawless! Is there no justice, is there no law anymore!”

You Yue felt her brain wasn’t quite enough.

However, Jiang Xuening looked at her firmly and said: “Second Miss You, you’ve suffered such great injustice and nearly lost your life. How can you let this rest? Let’s report to the authorities!”

You Yue was dumbfounded: “Huh?”

Jiang Xuening appeared determined to draw a clear line with You Fangyin: “Report to the authorities, have her arrested! Someone so ungrateful who doesn’t respect hierarchy—lock her in prison for a few months, guaranteed she’ll behave!”

Report to the authorities and have You Fangyin arrested?

Would Jiang Xuening be so kind?!

Even if the sun rose in the west, You Yue wouldn’t believe it!

She had suffered too many losses at Jiang Xuening’s hands—she couldn’t count them even on her fingers! At this moment, she felt her head was a complete mess. Her instinct told her something was wrong. Though in the teahouse, she looked at every table in the hall as if it were a trap, surrounding her fully, just waiting for her to step forward carelessly!

No, absolutely cannot report to the authorities!

Even if she didn’t know what Jiang Xuening wanted to do, as long as she did the opposite of her, it would definitely be right!

Thus, next the teahouse waiter who had just put the bench back and the few tea drinkers witnessed a scene with strange style that confused them—

You Yue warily refused directly: “No, won’t report to the authorities. Such a small matter doesn’t need reporting!”

Jiang Xuening was extremely enthusiastic: “How can you say it’s a small matter? She grabbed a long bench to beat you—simply trying to harm someone’s life! At minimum it’s causing trouble and disturbing the capital’s peace and order! This area is now under Embroidered Uniform Guard jurisdiction. Who doesn’t know the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s fierce methods? We report to the authorities and have her arrested—she definitely won’t have a good time! Besides, if you don’t report, the teahouse suffered for no reason and broke so many things—shouldn’t there be an explanation?”

Teahouse waiter: “…”

Actually, it really wasn’t worth much money.

But we don’t dare say so.

You Yue was already somewhat on the verge of collapse but still held a thread of hope, wanting to reason with Jiang Xuening: “I’m not injured or sick, nothing happened, and she didn’t hit me either—”

But Jiang Xuening ignored her.

She directly turned to Tang’er and said: “Go report to the authorities. Invite the Embroidered Uniform Guard lords to come see. Today we absolutely must seek justice for Second Miss You!”

You Yue nearly went mad: “Who wants you to seek justice!”

Having witnessed Jiang Xuening’s entire performance and also comprehending her underlying meaning, Tang’er felt cold sweat pouring down. However, looking up, her own young miss was truly calm and composed, acting without the slightest guilt—just like it was real!

She acknowledged and left the teahouse.

Naturally going to report to the authorities as her young miss instructed.

Seeing this wasn’t right, You Yue lifted her foot to leave.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Xuening’s eyes were sharp and hands quick—she grabbed her in one motion, wearing a confused expression: “Already went to report to the authorities. Second Miss You, you’re the victim. Don’t leave!”

You Yue’s eyelid twitched: “You’re the one who reported, not me. Let go!”

But Jiang Xuening refused to release her hand, smiling benevolently: “I’m just afraid you’re angry.”

You Yue was furious to the point of smoke coming from all seven orifices. An increasingly strong sense of foreboding arose. She only wanted to shake off Jiang Xuening’s hand regardless of anything. But as soon as her hand started to lift, she met Jiang Xuening’s mocking gaze.

Clearly saying: Try moving!

The scene of Jiang Xuening falling to the ground to “frame” her when she hadn’t even touched her was still deeply etched in her mind. She almost immediately didn’t dare do anything, fearing that with this move, Jiang Xuening would fall and frame her again. Then someone like Shen Zhiyi or Yan Lin would immediately pop up, and she’d be in deep trouble!

One had intent to stop someone, unrestrained. One lacked courage to force an escape, throwing caution to the wind.

The scene reached a stalemate.

Jiang Xuening was leisurely and carefree. You Yue was anxious as a cat on hot bricks.

Fortunately, the Embroidered Uniform Guard office wasn’t too far from here. Neither the involved parties nor the onlookers around had to wait long before people arrived.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had been established twenty years ago. At that time, Prince Pingnan’s rebellion had just been quelled. To maintain peace and order in the capital, the late emperor specially organized the Embroidered Uniform Guard to work with Shuntian Prefecture and the Nine Gates Infantry to manage order in the city.

However, later the Embroidered Uniform Guard gradually developed. Successive commanders were all close ministers to the emperor, so their hands reached a bit long.

Gathering intelligence, interfering with imperial prisons, investigating cases, arresting people…

In all court affairs, everywhere one could see shadows of the Embroidered Uniform Guard meddling.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard thus drew the disgust of civil and military officials.

However, though the capital now rarely had incidents, the rules set by the late emperor twenty years ago hadn’t been broken. If something happened in the capital, it was still the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s responsibility to manage it.

However, such small matters as two people scuffling could be resolved by Shuntian Prefecture. Why did these blind people report it to the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

And even the Chiliarch lord came along…

The Embroidered Uniform Guard officer handling the case had a square face. As he stepped over the threshold into the teahouse, he couldn’t help muttering in his heart and glanced to the side: the newly appointed Embroidered Uniform Guard Chiliarch Zhou Yinzhi walked on his left.

On the flying fish robe with black base color, delicate patterns were embroidered with dense silver thread. At his waist, an embroidered spring sword pressed in its sheath. Zhou Yinzhi’s palm rested lightly on the old silver-cast sword handle.

His form was quite tall. Walking in, he gave people some sense of oppression.

A pair of hawk-like eyes lifted to scan around, immediately seeing Jiang Xuening sitting in the teahouse main hall, calm and composed while drinking tea. Across from Jiang Xuening sat a young lady from a noble family with an iron-blue face. Beside her also stood a girl with lowered head and brows showing some silence.

He didn’t recognize the latter two.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard handling the case was his subordinate.

These small matters in the capital originally didn’t require him, a Chiliarch, to appear personally. But the one who came to the office was Tang’er, specifically naming him to report the case. Upon further inquiry, Zhou Yinzhi knew it was Jiang Xuening who needed something done.

Therefore, calling several subordinates, he also followed along.

The subordinate leading was named Feng Cheng. He had a thick build with eyes wide as copper bells—somewhat frightening. At this moment, he looked at him with slight hesitation.

Zhou Yinzhi lightly nodded.

Feng Cheng understood. Standing straight, he walked forward and loudly demanded to the hall: “Who reported to the authorities?”

Jiang Xuening glanced at Zhou Yinzhi, then turned her eyes to Feng Cheng, rising and saying coolly: “I reported.”

You Yue also stood up, wishing she could disappear from this place.

Feng Cheng looked left and right. No one was dead, and no one seemed injured either. He couldn’t help but be puzzled: “Are you the victim? For what matter did you report? Didn’t you say someone was causing trouble? Where is the person?”

Jiang Xuening extended her hand to point: “All right here.”

She first pointed at You Yue, then at You Fangyin.

You Yue was furious enough to glare.

However, You Fangyin blinked. Honestly speaking, she didn’t know what Jiang Xuening wanted to do. But her warm and forceful squeeze earlier made her believe Second Miss absolutely wouldn’t harm her, so she didn’t speak, only watched.

Jiang Xuening recounted the situation: “My lord, think about it—at the foot of the emperor, even grabbing a long bench! If we hadn’t stopped her in time, lives might have been lost! This is Second Miss You from Qingyuan Earl Residence. She’s the victim. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her.”

Hearing it was an Earl residence, Feng Cheng paid more attention.

He turned to look at You Yue: “Is what she said true?”

When You Yue had been in a stalemate with Jiang Xuening earlier, she’d already drunk half a cup of tea and thought carefully. Though the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s reputation still included managing the capital’s peace and order, this matter was so trivial it wasn’t worth mentioning. Even if they came, being so busy with ten thousand affairs, they probably wouldn’t want to bother.

No matter what, she was the victim.

If the victim didn’t pursue the matter, Jiang Xuening couldn’t stir up any waves to scheme against her.

Therefore, at this moment, You Yue unhesitatingly denied: “No such thing!”

Jiang Xuening added fuel: “But everyone just saw it.”

You Yue’s expression immediately turned ugly. Forcibly suppressing the urge to grind her teeth, she said word by word: “I ask the lord to investigate clearly. The one who actually acted was my Earl residence’s concubine-born daughter, and she didn’t actually hit anyone. If there’s an issue, let Father punish her when we return home. No need to pursue this.”

Feng Cheng simply felt baffled: “You’re not pursuing?”

You Yue was resolute: “Correct.”

An abacus had long been clicking away rapidly in Jiang Xuening’s mind. She felt there was no better plan to kill two birds with one stone. Seeing You Yue had already entered the trap, how could she let a cooked duck fly away?

She didn’t care what You Yue thought.

At the moment, she said coolly from the side: “The nation has national laws, families have family rules. If You Fangyin committed an offense at home, naturally it’s beyond reproach for the Earl residence to handle it. But if she committed an offense outside, it’s for national laws and regulations to manage. Put lightly, it’s fighting. Put seriously, she wanted to kill you but didn’t succeed! Isn’t that serious?”

“What? What’s wrong with you, young lady?”

Feng Cheng didn’t know Jiang Xuening’s identity. After learning You Yue was the Earl residence’s legitimate second young miss, he subconsciously assumed Zhou Yinzhi came for You Yue. Moreover, the Embroidered Uniform Guard didn’t want to manage such trivial matters. Who wouldn’t want fewer cases?

So he looked at Jiang Xuening very unfavorably.

Immediately frowning at her, his voice unconsciously grew louder: “The victim already said this matter won’t be pursued. Why are you making noise on the side?”

You Yue’s face immediately showed joy.

Jiang Xuening glanced at Feng Cheng.

Feng Cheng still thought this young lady didn’t know where she got so much business from. Accustomed to throwing his weight around in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he wanted to continue training her. Unexpectedly, at this moment, a calm and hard voice suddenly came from diagonally behind: “What are you making noise about?”

Feng Cheng’s neck went cold.

He heard this was Zhou Yinzhi’s voice. Stiffly turning around, he saw Zhou Yinzhi frowning at him, a pair of deep black eyes cold and merciless—simply making him feel as if falling into an icy cavern!

Wh-what situation?

He’d only said one sentence to that tactless, ignorant young lady—why did the Chiliarch lord have this reaction?

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was a place of scheming and mutual suppression. Having struggled to get in, Feng Cheng had some cleverness. He almost immediately reacted—he must have yelled at the wrong person!

The corners of You Yue’s lips that had curved upward had frozen.

But at Jiang Xuening’s lips hung a mocking smile.

The entire teahouse was silent. The waiter fearfully watched this group of Embroidered Uniform Guards in the main hall, only muttering in his heart like everyone else: Good heavens, how did such a huge commotion come about?

Zhou Yinzhi stepped forward, actually cupping his hands and bowing to Jiang Xuening in salute: “These people under my command don’t know propriety. Their words offended Second Miss. I hope Second Miss won’t take offense.”

Both Jiang Xuening and You Yue were second daughters in their families.

But now no one would mistakenly think the “Second Miss” Zhou Yinzhi spoke of referred to You Yue.

The subordinate Feng Cheng who had just trained Jiang Xuening was now breaking out in cold sweat on his forehead from fright.

You Yue’s expression changed even more drastically!

Only now did she finally understand what scheme Jiang Xuening was plotting!

As expected, she’d changed methods to deal with her!

Looking at this tall man before her wearing the Embroidered Uniform Guard flying fish robe, she was practically shaking like chaff, her voice no longer connecting: “You, you people, I’m the victim! I, you can’t arrest me…”

Zhou Yinzhi neither smiled nor cared about You Yue’s reaction, only saying: “Recently, rebels have been running rampant in the capital. Orders were issued long ago prohibiting causing trouble. Yet you knowingly violated this. Moreover, in this teahouse, results cannot be determined in a short time, and there’s no way to judge whether this was attempted assault. Men, take both these suspects into custody and return to the office for trial.”

Several Embroidered Uniform Guards behind immediately responded: “Yes!”

These people had arrested countless nobility before. Even when encountering women, they showed no mercy whatsoever. Regardless of how people struggled, they immediately went forward to seize them.

You Fangyin was fine—she didn’t resist, appearing obedient.

But You Yue struggled desperately.

Their Earl residence had previously had connections with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Naturally, they knew what methods these people used in interrogations. They’d only heard that court officials who fell into Embroidered Uniform Guard hands experienced fates worse than death. How could she dare go?

Immediately she cried out: “Jiang Xuening, what a vicious heart you have, actually colluding with these people to harm my life! You people even dare arrest the victim—”

Arresting you this “victim” is exactly the point!

Jiang Xuening’s brows furrowed. Earlier she’d been falsely amiable, putting on a benevolent face. But at this moment, all warmth withdrew from her eyes. Only looking at her, her voice without any fluctuation, she said one sentence: “What are you making noise about?”

Standing in the hall, ice and snow-like.

Her entire being was so indifferent, even with some taste of coldness, that just one look made people feel chilled to the heart.

Though these words were directed at You Yue, the Embroidered Uniform Guard Feng Cheng who’d earlier trained her without discernment heard them but didn’t dare raise his head even once. Secretly, his intestines turned green with regret.

You Yue immediately shut her mouth.

She looked around. The onlookers had long dispersed completely. The Embroidered Uniform Guards, led by that Zhou Yinzhi, stood in a dark, stern mass. Her heart momentarily defeated as if dead, she no longer dared say another word.

Heaven knows how these people would torment her!

You Yue’s face was dazed, as if she’d lost her soul. She was escorted away by the group of Embroidered Uniform Guards.

When You Fangyin was being escorted away, Jiang Xuening showed her a faint smile.

You Fangyin thus also returned a smile.

Only after seeing the people walk far away did Zhou Yinzhi turn back to look at Jiang Xuening: “A few days ago, I heard the palace had rest days every ten days. Zhou was thinking of picking a time to personally visit and express thanks. I didn’t expect to encounter you today and also be able to do you a small service. However, I don’t know—how does Miss wish to handle this matter?”

Jiang Xuening walked back to sit at the table.

She picked up her earlier unfinished cup of tea, only smiling faintly: “You Fangyin is my person. As for you, Chiliarch, handle it as you see fit. As for Qingyuan Earl Residence, though they’ve lost power, I hear even a broken ship has three nails. Ah, when I came today, I took a fancy to a fine qin, but unfortunately, the price was a bit steep…”

Lately, funds were a bit tight.