Tormenting heartless people is difficult, but tormenting those with feelings is very simple. Song Zhenshan was the latter.

Li Zhaoying’s face, full of sorrow, turned to astonishment.

The Ruyi before her was exactly like when she had dealt with assassins at the hunting ground—her crimson lips like blood, her gold-trimmed pleated skirt gently swaying, a strand of black hair brushing from her ear to her eyes, both fierce and alluring.

For a moment, she forgot her sadness, only staring at her in a daze and letting out a small “wow.”

Ruyi was amused by her reaction and reached out to pinch her cheek: “I’ve heard that Master Song’s interrogations are unparalleled. I haven’t witnessed it yet. Why don’t you accompany me to sneak a peek?”

Li Zhaoying felt somewhat awkward, but Ruyi had given her such a perfect way out that after hesitating for a moment, she still walked back with her.

After the two had left the flower hall, the atmosphere became particularly heavy. Cold wind swept in through the window, combined with Song Zhenshan’s icy gaze, frightening several servants into wailing cries.

Even Shen Qiyuan couldn’t help but advise: “Calm down a bit.”

“I am very calm.” Song Zhenshan continued questioning the cook: “Last month, your husband owed fifty taels in gambling debts. How did he pay them off three days ago?”

“Paid with monthly wages? Your monthly wage is only three taels, and your savings aren’t much.”

“Tongues that lie like yours—I cut off thirty of them every month in prison. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak. We don’t lack your testimony. Be careful about your son, though. The road from school to home is quite long.”

Shen Qiyuan: “…”

He suddenly remembered that this person had never threatened suspects during interrogations before. Most of the time, he would chat casually with people, striking at crucial points to break down the suspect’s composure before getting them to confess.

This was someone whose mind was in chaos, his hand resting on the table edge, constantly moving.

As if realizing his loss of composure, Song Zhenshan pinched his brow and said hoarsely: “Young Master, please take them to record their statements.”

Zhou Tingchuan agreed and came forward to lead them away. Shen Qiyuan then asked: “Haven’t you been resting well lately?”

How could he rest well? The mess left behind by these two ancestors was enough to keep anyone busy. He had finally gotten half a day off, only for a murder case to occur at Prince Pingbei’s manor.

His heart was pounding when he came over, his vision even darkening somewhat.

Fortunately, Li Zhaoying was safe.

Sighing deeply, Song Zhenshan said, “I need to properly prepare for the wedding. I’ll leave the remaining matters to you, sir.”

Shen Qiyuan disagreed: “The wedding will be handled by your family. This case concerns your fiancée—how can you wash your hands of it?”

“Didn’t they all confess?” Song Zhenshan couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “Sir, even donkeys pulling millstones need to rest.”

Shen Qiyuan thought for a moment: “How many days do you need to prepare?”

“A few days?” Song Zhenshan held back again and again, but still couldn’t resist saying: “Marriage is a matter where everything from the wedding procession and ceremonies to the fruits and arrangements in the bridal chamber requires personal attention. I started preparing half a year ago, and even finishing up now would take half a month.”

This was a marriage he had fought against fate to obtain—he definitely wouldn’t treat it carelessly.

“Is it necessary?” Shen Qiyuan muttered.

“May I presume to ask you something?” Song Zhenshan tapped the table edge. “If you were to marry Miss Liu, would you only put on wedding clothes on the day itself and ignore everything else?”

Shen Qiyuan immediately frowned: “I won’t marry her.”

Though he said this, his mind couldn’t help but picture that scene.

Would Ruyi wear bright red wedding attire and bow with him during the ceremony?

Her features were naturally bright and beautiful—red would certainly suit her best. What would she wear on her head? She’d have to wear a nine-phoenix crown, ornate and elaborate, making her even more charming.

Nine-phoenix crown, nine-phoenix crown.

Light suddenly flashed in his mind. Shen Qiyuan frowned.

How did he remember that he seemed to have once given someone a stack of banknotes to buy a nine-phoenix crown?

“You’re the one saying you won’t marry her, and you’re also the one who can’t let her go.” Song Zhenshan shook his head gently and rose with a sweep of his sleeves. “You might as well learn from me—propose to your beloved early and gain some peace of mind.”

With that, he opened the tightly closed hall door.

Li Zhaoying stood at the entrance, meeting his gaze in stunned silence.

Song Zhenshan: “…”

He stiffly raised his head to look at Ruyi behind her: “Just arrived?”

“We’ve been standing here for half an incense stick’s time,” Ruyi answered with a smile.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Crimson slowly rose on Li Zhaoying’s face as she shifted her gaze left and right: “We, we just arrived and didn’t hear anything.”

Song Zhenshan: “…”

He rubbed his face and laughed helplessly: “The princess would have been better off not adding that last sentence.”

Her face grew even redder. Li Zhaoying was rarely shy, turning to run away.

“What are you standing there for?” Ruyi pouted at Song Zhenshan. “Aren’t you going to report on the case?”

Touching his nose, Song Zhenshan hesitantly followed after her.

Finally, there was a smooth pair. Ruyi clapped her hands in satisfaction: “The mortal world truly has its devoted lovers.”

Stepping through the door, Shen Qiyuan’s expression still looked unnatural: “I was just talking casually with him earlier. Don’t mind it.”

Ruyi poured herself a cup of tea and drank it, her eyebrows raised: “Should I not mind that you two discussed me, or should I not mind that you said you wouldn’t marry me?”

Hearing this, he didn’t answer, only sitting upright as if nothing had happened.

But upon careful observation, one could see his fingers helplessly fidgeting inside his sleeves.

Ruyi felt somewhat wistful.

If they hadn’t just returned, Li Zhaoying wouldn’t have known Song Zhenshan’s feelings. If Shen Qiyuan hadn’t lost his memory, she wouldn’t have discovered that this person wasn’t as heartless as she had imagined.

All the various things in this world were perhaps destined.

Sighing, she smiled slightly: “Sir, how is the case progressing?”

“Among those servants, someone accepted bribes, which caused the security in this manor to have flaws.” Speaking of the case, Shen Qiyuan’s expression became more natural. “But the way she accepted bribes is somewhat unusual. It might take some time to uncover the mastermind behind it.”

Princess Jinghong held significant importance—both His Majesty and the Empress Dowager cared greatly about the outcome of this case. He’d probably be busy for several days.

He looked at her: “Are you going to continue hunting demons?”

“No.” Ruyi came back to her senses and smiled lightly. “Wei Zijue has been ordered to go to Huizhou. I also want to investigate the background of that Great Xia envoy, so I’ll set out with him the day after tomorrow.”

Shen Qiyuan’s gaze darkened.

He reminded her kindly, “You only have the status of a merchant, and he’s just a military officer. Investigating cases isn’t something for you to worry about.”

“Then will you investigate, sir?” Her eyes were full of mockery. “According to His Majesty’s decree, the Zhang family case has already been assigned to Yuncheng.”

A case that was already closed naturally had no need for further investigation. Why did she insist on getting involved?

Shen Qiyuan turned his head away somewhat irritably.

His chin was suddenly gripped tightly as someone pinched it, forcing him to turn back.

“Feeling stuffy in your chest again?” She leaned against his chair, looking down at him from above.

“No.”

With a light click of her tongue, Ruyi stroked the skin on his jaw: “Answer honestly, don’t avoid it. If your answer satisfies me, I can reconsider the matter of going to Huizhou.”