A favored son of heaven like Shen Qiyuan had long grown accustomed to being admired and treasured by others. When suddenly asked for a “reason worth risking one’s life for,” he remained stunned for a long while, unable to provide an answer.

What could make a girl like Liu Ruyi risk her life?

Gold, silver, pearls, and jade? She merely liked them; she wasn’t truly lacking.

Beauty and refined appearance? That could move her, but to her, handsome men were merely playthings, no different from decorative vases.

Meeting those bright yet mocking elongated eyes of hers, Shen Qiyuan suddenly felt somewhat powerless.

Even though the two were intimate in private, he still carried no weight in her heart.

Watching the person before her grow dimmer bit by bit, Ruyi slightly curved her lips and finally softened her posture, reaching out to straighten the jade hairpin in his topknot.

“My lord’s mouth is truly clumsy.” Her eyes’ corners shimmered with gentle radiance. “Couldn’t you say, ‘Besides me, no one else in this world would cherish you so’?”

Genuine affection was also something precious and rare. If he offered it with both hands, she would naturally accept it with a smile.

He looked at her in confusion, like a little lamb hovering at the edge of a trap.

Ruyi wickedly bared her wolf fangs: “If that were so, this humble woman would truly be willing to risk everything for my lord.”

The little lamb stirred, trembling, as if knowing what his fate would be, yet still unable to control his forward step.

If he gave her his true heart, would she also commit herself without reservation?

Before he could figure out the answer, this person sighed: “Forget it, I cannot force it.”

The horse’s hooves moved forward, her back view indifferent and distant: “Time to go, Lord Shen.”

“You…” He stepped forward to follow, somewhat annoyed. “I have not yet answered you.”

“I no longer wish to hear it. Next time you want to answer, be quicker.” She lazily looked ahead, not even sparing him a peripheral glance. Viewed from the side, she was as lonely and cold as a mountain stone covered in night frost.

For that brief moment, Shen Qiyuan truly reflected on whether he had been too hesitant.

But when the forest wind blew, he quickly calmed down.

He had nearly fallen for her trick. Whether to risk everything or not was her choice to make. Why had a few words drawn him into her snare? Truly a silver tongue with sinister methods.

As if hearing his thoughts, Ruyi turned back on horseback, lips curved high, smiling both arrogant and brilliant.

Shen Qiyuan glared at her fiercely.

She paid no attention whatsoever, spurring her horse to catch up with Li Zhaoying and Zhou Tingchuan ahead, her skirt hem flying like blooming flame flowers.

“Tingchuan, have Fuman and Yanning come down?” she asked.

Zhou Tingchuan looked toward the Ten-Li Wind Pavilion direction and muttered: “Seems like they came down, but I was busy coming over with my lord earlier, so I didn’t notice where they went.”

“I’ll accompany my elder sister to find them.” Li Zhaoying quickly raised her hand. “I’m most familiar with this place.”

“No need.” Ruyi glanced at those assassins tied up in a string nearby. “Little County Princess should first go with Lord Shen to report to His Majesty. I’ll go by myself.”

Zhou Tingchuan nodded, pointing her in a direction: “Should be in that grove over there.”

Ruyi rode off in that direction.

This hunting ground was divided into eastern and western sections. The east was led by His Majesty, mostly imperial relatives and nobles. The west had mostly lower-ranking officials and their family dependents. Fuman and Yanning should logically only be active in the western section, but after searching around and even seeing the fence between east and west, Ruyi still hadn’t found them.

Suddenly, commotion arose from some direction, with people faintly shouting something about assassins.

Ruyi thought they were referring to those who had just assassinated Li Zhaoying, so she paid no particular attention, just followed the fence into the forest for a stretch.

The wind carried a trace of bloody scent past her nostrils.

She suddenly reined in her horse.

Ahead was a grove of red maples, their brilliant and dazzling colors flowing from branches to surroundings. Someone leaned against a tree, pale yellow robes buried among fallen leaves, as peaceful as if asleep.

But he had no breath; his chest was as still as a stone.

Discretely turning her horse around, Ruyi wanted to leave this place of trouble, but upon turning back, those people who had been talking earlier all surged toward her. The first few held something in their hands, and upon sizing her up, their expressions darkened: “Which family’s lady are you? You look unfamiliar.”

Secretly sighing at her bad luck, Ruyi honestly cupped her hands: “This humble woman was invited by Lord Shen and is not an official’s family member.”

“Lord Shen’s friend.” The leading young man’s expression eased somewhat, but he still asked, “Why are you here?”

Glancing at the object in his hand, Ruyi’s eyes flickered, and she changed her story: “I was hunting flower deer and followed the trail here.”

“A death has occurred here. Since Miss is involved, you must come with us.”

Speechlessly looking to the heavens, Ruyi decided to find a temple to pray at on her way back. What kind of luck was this, getting involved in murder cases every few days?

But she didn’t resist, very obediently following this group of people.

Not for any other reason, but for the object that person held in his hand.

“This is the only physical evidence left at the scene.” That person rode alongside her, looking at her with a serious expression. “It appears to be the same style as the one at Miss’s waist.”

Fine leather waist sash, threaded with black cotton cord—exactly what she had given to Fuman and Yanning this morning.

Ruyi chuckled lightly: “This humble woman is but a commoner, nothing noble about me. I bought this waist sash casually from a street shop. That shop does excellent business, so it’s not strange to match styles with others.”

That person looked at her delicate, willow-like appearance, and his suspicion lessened somewhat. He just sighed and gripped that waist sash tightly in his hand.

“May I ask who you are, my lord?” Ruyi blinked.

The person beside her courteously replied: “I am Yuncheng, humbly serving as Imperial Attendant.”

Ruyi felt this name was familiar and smiled: “I’ve long heard of your lordship’s illustrious reputation.”

“I dare not accept such praise.” He shook his head. “Just a crude warrior.”

Perhaps recalling some past event, Yuncheng’s eyes reddened: “Haiyan often said I didn’t know how to advance myself. If I had a belly full of learning like him, perhaps I too could bring glory to my family name.”

Ruyi listened quietly without asking questions, but the several people following nearby spoke up to console: “Lord Yun, don’t be too sorrowful. The urgent matter is to first find the murderer, so Lord Hai can rest in peace.”

“Yes, Lord Yun, take care of your health. You still need to report to His Majesty.”

Wiping his face, Yuncheng apologetically nodded to Ruyi: “My apologies for the impropriety.”

Ruyi also nodded, her eyes clearly showing confusion.

Even for close brothers and friends, Lord Yuncheng seemed far too grief-stricken, as if the sky had fallen.

Seeing that she seemed about to ask questions, someone nearby quickly slowed her horse to let Yuncheng move ahead, then whispered: “Miss, please don’t probe Lord Yun’s heart anymore. If we hadn’t stopped him earlier, he nearly drew his sword to die for his friend.”

“Such a close relationship?” Ruyi clicked her tongue.

“More than just close.” That person sighed. “Who in the entire court doesn’t know that Lord Yun and Lord Hai were like one body? The two lived across from each other since childhood, studied together, entered service together, shared poverty and wealth alike. Once, when Lord Yun committed an offense and was to be beaten with boards, Lord Hai took half the punishment for him.”