On this day, an unexpected visitor appeared at the Marquis of Muyang’s residence. Upon receiving the butler’s report, the Marquis of Muyang froze momentarily, his expression turning rigid. Standing beside him, Mu Yang’s handsome but haggard face creased in confusion. Though his wedding was only days away, the young man’s face showed no trace of joy. Seeing his father’s stiff, ashen expression, Mu Yang’s previous resentment softened, and he asked in a deep voice, “Father, what’s wrong?”

The Marquis of Muyang looked up at him, forcing a smile. “Nothing… I’m going to meet the Princess Consort of Ding.”

Mu Yang frowned, noting his father’s poor complexion, and said, “Let me accompany you to meet the Princess Consort. I’ve met her a few times before.” The Marquis hesitated, touched by his son’s obvious concern, but shook his head. “No need. The Princess Consort likely has official matters to discuss with me. I’ll meet with her alone.” Seeing his father’s insistence, Mu Yang could say no more.

In the study of the Marquis’s residence, Ye Li stood with her hands behind her back, leisurely admiring the famous paintings on the wall. Zhuo Jing stood respectfully to one side. When the Marquis of Muyang entered and saw the slender figure standing with her back to him, he startled briefly before recovering and cupping his hands in greeting, “Greetings, Princess Consort.”

Ye Li turned with a smile, saying, “Please, Marquis, no formalities. I apologize for disturbing your peace with my sudden visit.” Her calm voice was pleasant to the ear, though she seemed to emphasize the word “peace” slightly. These words struck the Marquis like a thunderbolt, making his heart skip a beat. He forced a smile and said, “The Princess Consort jests. Your presence brings honor to our humble residence. Please, be seated.”

Ye Li took her seat across from the Marquis without ceremony. After a maid served tea, the Marquis glanced hesitantly between Ye Li and Zhuo Jing standing behind her, asking, “This person…”

“No need for formality, Marquis. I am merely the Princess Consort’s servant,” Zhuo Jing said flatly.

Though Zhuo Jing claimed to be a servant, the Marquis dared not treat him as an ordinary one. While no one knew Zhuo Jing’s true identity or background, over the past two months, most of the Princess Consort’s affairs had been handled by Zhuo Jing and Lin Han. These two were undoubtedly the Princess Consort’s most trusted confidants.

Ye Li smiled at Zhuo Jing, “Zhuo Jing, sit down to talk. You can’t expect the Marquis and me to keep looking up at you, can you?”

Zhuo Jing responded that he wouldn’t dare, and then took a seat at the end of the room.

The study seemed to return to tranquility as the three quietly drank tea as if competing to see who had more patience. The Marquis’s gaze flickered between Ye Li and Zhuo Jing. Though his face maintained a smile, internally he was lamenting. No wonder the Emperor so feared the Princess Consort of Ding. Even knowing the Prince wasn’t in residence, and that razing the Prince’s mansion would be futile, still… For the Princess Consort to possess such bearing at such a young age, her future potential was truly limitless.

After a long while, the Marquis sighed softly and looked at Ye Li, “What guidance does the Princess Consort seek with this visit?”

Ye Li smiled faintly, “I wouldn’t dare offer guidance. I’ve come on someone else’s behalf to ask the Marquis about something.”

The Marquis set down his teacup, saying, “Please speak freely, Princess Consort. I will answer truthfully.”

Ye Li smiled softly, “Thank you, Marquis. I’ve been asked to inquire if you remember someone named Mu Qing Cang?”

The Marquis’s hand trembled, nearly knocking over his teacup, but he quickly steadied himself. Zhuo Jing, sitting to the side, raised an eyebrow, clearly noting how the Marquis’s hand hanging at his side clenched twice, obviously forcing himself to relax. The Marquis forced a smile and said, “Of course, I know of him. Mu Qing Cang was called the greatest martial artist in Da Chu, ranked even above His Highness the Prince of Ding. Who wouldn’t know of him?” Ye Li lowered her head to drink tea, smiling faintly, “Indeed, Marquis. Speaking of which, Mu Qing Cang shares your surname. Might the Marquis know him?”

The Marquis was silent for a moment before finally saying in a deep voice, “Though I’ve long admired his reputation, I regret I’ve never had the fortune to meet him.”

“Is the Marquis certain he doesn’t know Mu Qing Cang?” Zhuo Jing suddenly asked.

The Marquis frowned, saying with some displeasure, “What does Master Zhuo mean by this? Are you suggesting I’m lying?”

Zhuo Jing raised his sword-like eyebrows slightly but didn’t answer, seeming to confirm the Marquis’s words. Seeing the Marquis about to lose his temper, Ye Li set down her teacup and smiled, “Don’t be angry, Marquis. It’s just that we recently captured an assassin at our residence who claimed to be Mu Qing Cang and an old acquaintance of yours. That’s why I took the liberty of coming to ask. If the Marquis truly doesn’t know him, then so be it. After all, he’s just an assassin. Now that he’s in the Prince of Ding’s custody, what could he possibly do?”

The Marquis furrowed his brow and said, “Assassin? But the assassins handed over to the Court of Justice didn’t…” He stopped mid-sentence. Everyone knew perfectly well how many of the captured assassins the Prince’s residence had turned over to the Court of Justice, just as they knew the Prince’s residence was aware of the masterminds behind the various assassins but chose not to reveal them. It was an open secret that the Prince’s residence must have retained more important prisoners. However, that night’s incident at the Prince’s residence had thoroughly frightened various factions, and it was unlikely anyone would dare attempt a jailbreak there anytime soon.

Ye Li smiled apologetically at the Marquis, “Since the Marquis knows nothing of this, I’ve troubled you needlessly. I have many matters to attend to at home, so I’ll take my leave.”

The Marquis’s heart jumped, and he blurted out, “How does the Princess Consort plan to deal with this Mu Qing Cang?”

A faint, cold smile curved Ye Li’s lips, “He’s just an assassin. He’ll be executed, naturally.”

The Marquis’s heart went cold, but he could only watch as Ye Li rose and left with Zhuo Jing. Following Ye Li, Zhuo Jing suddenly turned back at the doorway to look at the still-dazed Marquis and said, “The Princess Consort has decided to execute all the assassins tonight as a sacrifice to the soldiers who died defending the Prince’s residence. If the Marquis wishes to see anyone, he’d better hurry.” The Marquis’s eyes flickered, and he forced a smile, “Master Zhuo jests. I have no one I wish to see.” Zhuo Jing nodded noncommittally and turned to follow Ye Li.

Only after their footsteps had completely faded at the end of the corridor did the Marquis, still frozen in the posture of seeing off guests, suddenly collapse back into his chair as if all strength had left his body. His aged but sharp eyes flashed with exhaustion and guilt, but even more with an unwavering determination and resolution.

“Father.” Mu Yang appeared in the doorway at some point, looking with complex emotions at his rarely-seen dejected father. “Father, did the Princess Consort say something to trouble you?”

The Marquis waved his hand and smiled, “It’s nothing. You’re about to be married, don’t worry about these things. I’ll handle these trivial matters. You just focus on being a good groom.”

Mu Yang frowned, looking at the Marquis and saying in a deep voice, “Father, I am also a descendant of the Mu family. Is there something you can’t tell me?”

The Marquis said, “There truly isn’t anything. You’re overthinking it, Yang’er.”

Mu Yang said, “I’m not a fool, Father. What connection does our household have to the assassins at the Prince’s residence that night? Otherwise, why would the Princess Consort…”

“Silence!” the Marquis suddenly roared, his eyes sharp as he stared at Mu Yang with a grim expression. “Remember this clearly – the Prince’s residence’s affairs have absolutely nothing to do with our Mu family!”

Such a reaction itself revealed the truth. Looking at his father with a somewhat pained expression, Mu Yang sighed and said, “Father, do you know what you’re doing?” The Marquis startled, lowering his eyes and saying, “Father is only thinking of the Mu family’s continued prosperity. Yang’er, don’t worry, nothing will happen. Go now.” Mu Yang wanted to say more, but seeing his father’s expression, he finally swallowed his words and silently left the study.

Back at the Prince of Ding’s residence, Ye Li turned to look at Zhuo Jing following behind her and said flatly, “Are you satisfied with this result?”

Zhuo Jing was silent for a long moment, then suddenly raised his hand to his face. He peeled off a thin skin-like mask, revealing a weathered and sorrowful countenance beneath. While Mu Qing Cang’s disguise didn’t look exactly like Zhuo Jing, few people had ever seen Zhuo Jing to begin with. The Marquis had never met him, and Zhuo Jing typically maintained an expressionless face in front of others, so even the Marquis hadn’t noticed anything amiss with the rigid-faced Mu Qing Cang. Mu Qing Cang lowered his head and said indifferently, “A bet is a bet.”

Ye Li showed no sign of triumph, merely saying, “It was just a transaction. Now tell me the intelligence you know.”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll break our agreement?”

Ye Li smiled coldly, “If you break it, I’ll kill the Marquis of Muyang!”

Mu Qing Cang closed his eyes wearily for a moment and said, “I understand. I’ll tell you what I know. Ask your questions.”

Ye Li’s smile faded as she looked at the man before her with a solemn expression and asked in a deep voice, “How did the former Prince of Ding, Mo Xiu Wen, die?”

Mu Qing Cang started, not expecting her to ask such a question right away, but he answered frankly, “I killed him.”

Ye Li raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Mu Qing Cang continued, “Back then, I was ordered to go to the northern border where they were fighting the Rong, and put poison in Mo Xiu Wen’s water, making it appear as if he died from illness.” Ye Li stared at him coldly, sneering, “Master Mu certainly dares to say anything.”

Mu Qing Cang remained unmoved, saying flatly, “Since I agreed to tell the Princess Consort, I will naturally keep my promise. If the Princess Consort feels she dare not hear it, then consider my words unsaid.”

Ye Li snorted lightly, “Master Mu tells only half the story, so naturally I dare not listen.”

Mu Qing Cang lowered his eyes and said, “With the Princess Consort’s wisdom and intelligence, surely you don’t need me to spell out the other half?” Ye Li closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and said, “Very well, I won’t ask Master Mu about the mastermind. Please tell me everything else you know. Also… I cannot guarantee Master Mu’s safety.”

Mu Qing Cang said calmly, “It doesn’t matter. At this point, life or death makes no difference to me.”