The next day, when Ruyi opened her eyes, the weather had already cleared outside. Morning light filtered through mottled branches and leaves, falling perfectly on her eyelashes.

She turned and sat up, discovering that Shen Qiyuan was having his meal at the round table in the outer room.

Could this person eat porridge without making a single sound?

She clicked her tongue and smiled: “My lord is truly worthy of being a model for the clan.”

Shen Qiyuan didn’t raise his head, only bringing another bowl of porridge over to place before her. Withdrawing his hand, he continued reading through the case files on the table.

Ruyi leaned over for a look.

He was still reading about that case at the Immortal Meeting Wine House. Shopkeeper Rong’s murder scene had been found—the private room at the southernmost end of the second floor. The murderer had indeed dragged the corpse to store in an ice cellar for a day and a half before placing it on the third floor.

But now there was still one problem: how did the murderer place Shopkeeper Rong’s corpse into a room where both doors and windows were bolted shut?

Noticing her gaze, Shen Qiyuan closed the case file and looked up indifferently: “Eat quickly.”

Ruyi found this curious: “Could it be my lord is waiting for me?”

“Tingchuan has business today.” He said methodically. “When you go out later, take my horse.”

“Oh.”

As the two were eating, a purple-capped guard entered and bowed: “My lord, there’s a letter for Miss Liu.”

Ruyi curiously put down her bowl, took the letter, and unfolded it, couldn’t help laughing: “See, I told you this world is treacherous.”

Shen Qiyuan looked up in confusion and caught sight of three words: “Divine Providence Street,” “clothing shop,” and “seal.”

“Would my lord accompany me for a trip?” she asked with a smile.

For a dignified clan administrator to intervene for one merchant household—wouldn’t that invite criticism for favoritism?

Just as he was about to refuse, the person before him drew closer and said in a low voice: “Perfect opportunity to fish for that fish my lord wants.”

The words reached his throat but were swallowed back. Shen Qiyuan paused, rose to fetch a black gauze hat.

The two departed from the back door.

Ruyi stood for a moment, then saw Shen Qiyuan riding over on horseback, extending his hand toward her.

She raised her eyebrows high: “My lord wants to ride together with me?”

Last time, hadn’t he preferred walking several li rather than getting close to her?

“Less nonsense.” The black gauze hat moved impatiently.

Ruyi smiled sweetly, grasped his hand, and with a flourish of her skirt settled behind him. Her wrist hooked, perfectly embracing his lean waist.

The person in front stiffened, then relaxed as if nothing had happened, spurring the horse forward.

Ruyi touched here and pinched there, leaning close to his ear: “My lord’s waist is indeed much firmer than Young Master Zhou’s.”

Shen Qiyuan made no sound, only fiercely snapped the reins. The steed immediately ran as if flying, jolting her until she nearly fell off.

Ruyi felt no fear; instead, she burst into laughter, hugging him tightly to steady herself while laughing.

Divine Providence Street arrived in the blink of an eye. When the two dismounted, the clothing shop entrance was already surrounded by people.

Shopkeeper Hao was pleading with the soldiers beside him: “My lord, this small one is truly an honest, proper businessman. Please be merciful and don’t cut off the livelihood of these dozen people.”

“Move aside, move aside. Since the seal has been placed, if you want to reopen, go to the Commercial Bureau for documents.” The soldier roughly pushed, causing Shopkeeper Hao to stagger and fall forward.

Ruyi was quick with her eyes and hands, stepping forward to catch him, then turned to look at that soldier: “Sealing someone’s shop without explaining?”

The soldier looked her over once and said disdainfully: “We’re also just following orders.”

“Whose orders?”

“Is that something you should ask? Move along quickly.” He made as if to push again.

Using her fingers like hooks, she suddenly gripped his wrist. Ruyi pinched his pulse point, increasing the pressure while still smiling sweetly: “Whose orders?”

The soldier cried out in pain and said fiercely, “You little wench, daring to attack an official in broad daylight? If you don’t let go, I’ll have you thrown in prison!”

A token dropped from someone’s hand before his eyes. The bronze plaque bore the character “Chen” engraved on its surface, instantly silencing the soldier’s clamor.

Ruyi turned her head to see Shen Qiyuan standing beside her wearing the black gauze, saying not a word, yet the aura emanating from him carried thunder and wind with inexplicable pressure.

“Great, great lord, have mercy, this small one came under orders from the Commercial Bureau.” The soldier was honest now, stammering: “This shop was said to have violated regulations, so…”

“Which regulation?” he asked coolly.

The soldier mumbled, unable to answer.

All the city’s merchants fell under the Commercial Bureau’s jurisdiction. Those officials had plenty of pretexts to prosecute and seal shops—it had always been this way. Who had ever asked detailed questions?

“Open the door.”

The soldier scrambled to tear off the seal: “Please enter, please enter.”

Shen Qiyuan was not one to listen to only one side. He entered and first examined everything himself, from the goods the shop sold to the account books on the counter, even checking the well in the back courtyard. After confirming there were truly no problems whatsoever, he said sternly: “Have Supervisor Zhu make a trip to the Clan Administration Bureau.”

The soldier’s face turned ashen as he agreed twice.

Ruyi smiled: “Don’t bother summoning him—he’s just someone who takes bribes. If my lord wants to inquire, better to ask the Ningyuan Marquis’ Manor.”

Shen Qiyuan frowned: “Without evidence, you cannot slander a noble.”

Humming with laughter as she reached to adjust her jade hairpin, she grasped at empty air. Only then did Ruyi remember her jade hairpin had fallen off yesterday, causing her to pout: “Let’s not speak of that unlucky thing. Since we’re already here, why doesn’t my lord help this young lady select some clothing and jewelry?”

They had no particular relationship—why should he do such a thing?

Shen Qiyuan resistively stepped back half a pace, but she took his arm and forcibly dragged him upstairs.

This clothing shop was quite large, three stories total, with a row of jewelry counters on the second floor.

Shopkeeper Hao, seeing he had escaped disaster, hurriedly came up personally to show her fine items: “Would the proprietress look at these?”

Hairpins of mutton-fat jade inlaid with gold, step-shaking ornaments of green jade crystal clear—all were superior treasures.

Shen Qiyuan caught sight of a finely carved yellow jade hairpin, the head actually shaped like a magpie—three claws treading spring branches, delicate beak preening long feathers, wings hidden among flourishing foliage, extremely lifelike.

“You think this one is good?” Ruyi casually picked up that very piece, smiling as she held it to her hair.

He withdrew his gaze, his tone unkind: “Doesn’t suit.”

“Such fine jade, and it’s not good enough to suit me?” She curved the corners of her eyes. “In my lord’s eyes, what manner of celestial beauty should I be?”

“I’m saying you don’t suit it.”

Ruyi: “…”

Everything about this person was fine except this mouth—how could it be harder than mountain stones?

With a light hum, she turned her hand to pin the magpie-treading-branch hairpin in place, then changed into a goose-yellow cross-collar jacket over a long reed skirt, perfectly matching this worldly autumn scenery.

Shen Qiyuan didn’t look at her, only leaning against the wall by the window, scanning the crowd below with sidelong glances.

He discovered no suspicious people.

Gripping his sword sheath tightly, he said: “Since you’ve changed into new clothes, go out and stroll by yourself.”

Here it comes—the bait was being cast.

As an observer, Ruyi would applaud and enjoy the show, but unfortunately, she was now the one performing in this play.

With a flourish of her sleeves, Ruyi covered half her face, gazing at him with deep affection and reluctance: “Then this young lady will go. My lord, take care, strive to eat well, and think not of your concubine. The brocade waters flow endlessly, with you, my lord—”

“Scram.”

“Very well.”