Jiang Xuening left.

As she departed, she didn’t forget to turn back and take the brocade pouch that Xie Wei had earlier placed on the table.

Lu Xian stood outside stroking his chin, pondering for quite a while before walking back in: “Aiyowei, how did this turn into a tantrum?”

Xie Wei sat down at the table’s edge and closed his eyes. Only at this moment did the clamor of the entire world completely withdraw from his mind.

Enough had happened today.

Lu Xian had been at the estate since this morning, constantly listening to the commotion next door—how could he not know what had happened? However, he had no dealings with the Marquis of Yongyi’s estate. Sympathy was sympathy, sighing was sighing, yet he could view this matter quite calmly—

This matter that was advantageous to them.

To some degree, he hoped Xie Wei would be as calm as himself. Unfortunately, he didn’t dare voice this thought.

Xie Wei didn’t speak for a long time.

Lu Xian deliberated, temporarily unable to decide how to broach the subject.

However, after a moment, he heard Xie Wei call out: “Daoqin.”

Only then did Daoqin, who had been in the dark corner outside the door, soundlessly walk in. Raising her eyes to look at Xie Wei: “Sir?”

Xie Wei’s gaze was extremely tranquil as he merely said: “Find out where Minister of Justice Gongyi is, and invite him to the estate for a chat.”

Invite Minister of Justice Gongyi?!

Lu Xian suddenly grew somewhat nervous, vaguely sensing that Xie Wei’s words concealed an unusual danger. Unable to restrain himself, he spoke: “Haven’t you and he always kept to your own lanes and not interfered with each other?”

Xie Wei paid him no attention. After a pause, he added: “Afterward, also find Dingfei.”

This time it was Daoqin’s turn to be astonished.

Xie Wei sat there, immovable as a mountain. No one knew what he was thinking. He only said: “It’s time to make use of him.”

Flower streets and willow lanes, pleasure quarters and singing houses.

The most famous in the capital was the Zuile Pavilion. Come evening, it became a dazzling display of flowers confusing the eyes, wine cups crossing, the sounds of strings and bamboo accompanying fragrant sleeves and shadowy temples—a gentle, tender haven, a money-wasting den.

However, right now it was broad daylight at midday.

After the snowfall, the streets were entirely quiet. Occasionally, young servants or maids running errands for the young ladies emerged, hurrying past under umbrellas, leaving behind a string of footprints before knocking on the back doors of various pleasure houses.

In the room of Miss Hongjian of the Zuile Pavilion, a soft couch was spread with thick sable fur. The pink gauze curtain had been fumigated until fragrant and hung softly down to the floor. On the pear-wood footstool lay scattered two exquisite robes.

A long sword with its hilt was tilted, thrust into a painted vase.

Outside, some maid had spilled tea while serving, drawing sharp, harsh scolding from the madam. Finally, the person sleeping lazily on the soft couch was awakened.

A strong, powerful arm stretched out from the warm brocade quilt. The man lying askew on the soft couch slowly opened his eyes—a pair of amorous peach-blossom eyes. As his gaze shifted, it revealed a touch of charming roguishness.

He stared at the daylight streaming through the window for a long time.

Miss Hongjian had already awakened. At this moment, she nestled against his side, laughing softly and delicately: “Young master sleeps so well.”

As the top courtesan of the Zuile Pavilion, Hongjian was exceptionally beautiful. Right now, wearing nothing at all, she lay bare beside him. With the slightest touch, she could stir one’s heart into ripples.

The man withdrew his gaze to look at her, and inevitably, another round of clouds and rain ensued.

Physical indulgence, complete abandon.

Only when the girl beneath him was overflowing and sobbing incoherently did he withdraw. Tilting his face back, fine sweat slid down his cheeks, dampening his prominent Adam’s apple, drawing forth a low, teasing sigh.

After the deed, he caught his breath and actually rose from the soft couch, picking up the scattered garments by the footstool to put on.

Then one could see the young man was quite tall, with excellent lines in his arms and waist and abdomen.

When he tightened the leather belt at his waist, it gave an impression of surging strength. The front of his robe wasn’t properly arranged either, somewhat disheveled, exposing a stretch of firm chest, glistening with sweat—a sight that made one blush.

Hongjian’s body was too weak to move properly. Propping herself up on her arms, she half-reclined to watch this generous patron from last night, somewhat plaintively: “Won’t young master stay a few more days?”

The young man picked up his outer robe and shook it out. There was a kind of wanton licentiousness in his features.

He looked back at her: “I’ve stayed in the capital too long, slept in the same place too long. I’m afraid trouble will come looking for me.”

Hongjian didn’t understand: “Have you committed some crime or killed someone?”

The young man smiled, draping on his outer robe—dark green dyed with snow-white splashed ink patterns, quite dashing indeed: “Not yet. What, can’t bear to part with me?”

Hongjian pouted coquettishly: “They say courtesans are heartless, but in truth, the most heartless are men like you—sleeping with someone then leaving.”

He used an ivory hairpin to bind his hair, yet walked back toward the soft couch.

The pink gauze curtain was lifted by him, dancing softly.

A piece was carried by the wind, covering Hongjian’s face. He actually leaned down and, through this hazy pink gauze, kissed her two moist, fragrant lips. Smiling somewhat wickedly and unrestrained: “If anyone comes here looking for me, just say I went to ‘Ten Year Brew’ on the east side of the city to drink wine, understand?”

Having said this, he’d already turned around, directly taking the sword from the painted vase. Without going through the door, he pushed open the window and, with a flip of his body, jumped straight down.

Outside was vast snow.

When the window opened, wind rushed in, swirling.

Miss Hongjian’s line of sight was separated by a layer of pink gauze. Even though she was accustomed to the world of pleasure, lightly raising her hand to touch her lips, recalling that kiss just now, her heart still swayed somewhat. Though the person had left, she still gazed foolishly at that window, unable to come back to her senses.

She’d come with Zhou Baoying, but when returning to the palace, Zhou Baoying had already been called away by Xiao Shu and the others, so only Jiang Xuening was alone.

Clutching the bag of pine nuts Yan Lin had given her, she sat dazedly for quite a while.

Her mind was full of that sentence Xie Wei had just spoken. But at that time, she’d just been reborn. Facing Xie Wei, her heart held only fear, only suspicion that he wanted to kill her. She truly couldn’t pay much attention to anything else.

This made her rack her brains without coming up with anything useful.

So after thinking for a while, she suddenly frowned: Why was she thinking about Xie Wei? Regardless of what this person had said in the past, judging from that sentence just now, it seemed he wouldn’t make a move against her anymore. What’s more, even if given a hundred doses of courage, she wouldn’t betray him behind his back and cause trouble for herself. Calculated this way, she was actually already safe.

Jiang Xuening suddenly shook her head and laughed.

Beyond the heaviness over the Marquis of Yongyi’s estate matters, she finally found a trace of lightness in the cracks.

Inside the carriage, it was stuffy.

She gently lifted the curtain by the window, letting the fierce, biting northern wind blow against her cheeks, bringing a shuddering, icy-cold sensation. Then she exhaled a long breath.

Outside, there were no pedestrians at all.

Most shops had also closed their doors.

After watching for a while, having had enough fresh air, she lowered the curtain. However, just as the curtain was falling, a towering white horse actually galloped past her carriage through the white snow. The rider wore a sword at his waist, his dark green long robe flying and dancing wildly in the wind—extremely free and spirited. As he flashed past, the profile visible was handsome and profound…

Xiao Dingfei?!

The instant the curtain fell, dusty memories in Jiang Xuening’s mind were suddenly triggered—a flash of lightning and flint. She almost immediately lifted the curtain again to look.

However, that horse had already gone far.

In the blink of an eye, no trace remained.

Even the person galloping away on horseback had vanished.

She thus suspected it was her own illusion: In her previous life, this “Heir Dingfei” had only appeared in the capital after Shen Lang died and Shen Jie ascended the throne, returning to the Xiao clan. How could he appear in the capital so early in this life? She’d probably seen wrong.

The lifted curtain was finally slowly lowered back down.

However, in a flash of thought, Jiang Xuening suddenly realized: This person was a genuine scoundrel. If she could find him in advance and send him back to the Xiao family to swindle food and drink, she could guarantee the entire Xiao clan would be thrown into chaos—angering the Xiao clan from top to bottom until they couldn’t swallow their food…

The road from the Marquis of Yongyi’s estate back to the palace wasn’t long. Soon they arrived.

With the incident at the Marquis of Yongyi’s estate, the entire palace exuded an atmosphere of stern, cold severity.

Even the Yangzhi Studio was quieter than usual.

All the study companions had witnessed what happened at the coming-of-age ceremony at the marquis’s estate: This time was completely different from previous young ladies’ quarrels. Jiang Xuening had actually openly stood on the marquis estate’s side and even dared to kick the young master of the Xiao clan—this was tantamount to declaring herself an enemy of Xiao Shu. Even Fang Miao, who’d always been closer to her, was extremely troubled and didn’t dare speak to her. As for Chen Shuyi, Yao Xi, and others who’d made enemies with her—needless to say—though they didn’t do anything to her, they were obviously watching the fire from across the river, just waiting for her downfall. From time to time, catching opportunities, they’d also make a few cold, sarcastic remarks.

Since returning from the marquis’s estate to the palace, Shen Zhiyi hadn’t attended classes.

No one knew whether she’d been punished again.

Even the Fengchen Hall side hadn’t held classes for several days. After all, if Her Highness the Grand Princess wasn’t there, would the teachers teach the study companions?

Jiang Xuening didn’t care how those people treated her. After returning to the palace, she was concerned about the safety of the Marquis of Yongyi’s estate on one hand, and worried about Shen Zhiyi’s situation on the other. She could neither eat nor sleep well.

However, on one occasion when passing by, she actually heard someone say that Zheng Bao was no longer serving at Kunning Palace.

So she finally couldn’t hold back. She privately had someone make an excuse to call Zheng Bao out for a meeting, wanting to ask about the situation.

Zheng Bao was now serving at the Directorate of Ceremonial. He’d changed into a new set of clothes. Originally already refined and handsome, now with these clothes setting him off, he looked even better. Standing beneath the palace wall, he said to Jiang Xuening: “Even if Second Miss hadn’t come to find me, I should have come to find Second Miss.”

Jiang Xuening frowned, somewhat puzzled.

But Zheng Bao smiled: “Regarding my family’s matters, thank you for Minister Jiang’s mediation.”

Only then did Jiang Xuening recall that during the coming-of-age ceremony, she had indeed spoken to Jiang Boyou about it. She hadn’t expected it to be handled so quickly. Probably Jiang Boyou was also afraid that in such a special situation right now, she’d be isolated and helpless in the palace?

For a moment, her heart felt somewhat complicated.

But she didn’t claim credit, only saying lightly: “Each takes what they need. As for the marquis estate’s matter—what’s the current situation?”

Zheng Bao now served before the emperor and naturally knew many things. He said: “For consecutive days, the court assemblies have been arguing over this matter, causing a huge uproar. Over the matter of the Secretariat-Chancellery’s grand seal, Master Chu Xiyi became so angry he fell ill and was stripped of his position by His Majesty. The new Chief Secretariat is a confidant of the emperor. With the confiscation of the estate and all those items to inventory, before the dust settles, it will probably take some time—perhaps dragging on until after the New Year.”

In her previous life, it had dragged on for nearly two months before being decided.

Jiang Xuening still felt somewhat gloomy and asked again: “What about Her Highness the Grand Princess?”

Zheng Bao said: “With Her Highness the Grand Princess’s temperament, you know—the Empress Dowager summoned people to bring her back to the palace intending to teach her a lesson. Who would have thought that after returning to the palace, the princess would first go to Qianqing Palace and make a huge scene, questioning His Majesty. This provoked the dragon’s fury, and he personally punished her with confinement to the palace. However, the princess is after all His Majesty’s own younger sister. Nothing will happen to her. Please rest assured, Second Miss.”

Rest assured?

How could she possibly rest assured?

Jiang Xuening smiled bitterly and said: “I understand. Thank you.”

The palace was now filled with nervous tension, everyone fearing for themselves. Because of the jade ruyi case in the Imperial Household Department, everyone feared being connected to the rebellion matter at this critical juncture. Even without cause, people didn’t dare leave their quarters.

For Jiang Xuening to meet Zheng Bao was also risky.

After asking her questions, she prepared to leave. After all, this afternoon, the Empress Dowager Xiao had issued word, summoning various consorts and also calling them, the study companions of Yangzhi Studio, to compose poetry among plum blossoms and admire the snow. Everyone was preparing. If she returned late, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

But unexpectedly, just as she took a step, Zheng Bao actually stopped her: “Second Miss…”

Jiang Xuening turned back: “What is it?”

Zheng Bao opened his mouth, as if he’d hesitated for a long time. Finally, he still spoke up to remind her: “This afternoon when composing poetry among plum blossoms and admiring snow, if you cannot avoid going, it’s best you stay far away from Consort Wen of Pixiang Hall.”

Jiang Xuening instantly froze.

She was about to ask more.

But Zheng Bao said no more. He bowed to her in courtesy and walked away from beneath the palace wall.