A woman surnamed Wu who was familiar with him—there was only one, Wu Meixue. Could it be her? Impossible. Meixue was powerless as a bound chicken, and she was obviously a completely different person from Shen Yunyi. How could they be confused as one person? Moreover, he had examined her before and found no traces of disguise on Meixue, meaning she couldn’t possibly be Shen Yunyi in disguise.

Furthermore, stepping back, Meixue could only leave the residence on the first and fifteenth of each month. How could she have appeared in the mountains yesterday?

Just as Li Shimin was laughing at his own ridiculous thought, he suddenly remembered something. Yesterday, Meixue had accompanied Jiang Caiping to bid farewell, saying she wanted to accompany Jiang Caiping back home—and he had personally approved this! Moreover… when Duan Zhihong came to report the discovery of Ajin’s traces yesterday, Meixue happened to be right there beside him. Could it really be her? Had she been deceiving him all along?!

Seeing Li Shimin’s expression change, Duan Zhihong asked, “Second Young Master, have you thought of something?”

Li Shimin shook his head, only saying, “Tell them to walk faster.” Throughout the journey, his suspicions about Meixue weighed so heavily on him that he could barely breathe. If… if it really was Meixue, he truly couldn’t bear to imagine what that would mean!

By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, dawn was nearly breaking. They had spent an entire night searching the mountains, while those sent to hunt for the assassin still hadn’t found any trace of the female assassin.

At the city gates, Li Yuan’s orders had already been received. All passersby were to be strictly examined, and anyone suspicious was to be detained.

Wan Shi, Lin Shi, and Cui Shi were all waiting in the courtyard. As soon as they saw them enter, they all rushed forward. Wan Shi looked at Li Shimin, who sat in his chair looking mentally exhausted, and patted her chest saying, “Thank goodness the Second Young Master is safe. Ever since the Governor left last night, I haven’t slept a wink. I’ve been praying for the Second Young Master’s safety before the Buddha all night, and finally I can welcome the Second Young Master’s safe return.”

“It’s all because Shimin was careless for a moment, causing Second Mother to worry.” Facing Li Shimin’s words, Wan Shi smiled and said, “No matter, as long as you’ve returned safely.” As she spoke, she had already noticed the wounds on Li Shimin’s body and immediately said, “Zhaixin, go immediately and ask a physician to come treat the Second Young Master’s injuries.”

Lin Shi asked, “Governor, did you catch the culprit?”

Li Yuan shook his head, “No. By the time we arrived, the culprit had already left. The soldiers are still searching the mountains. According to Shimin, she’s very likely the female assassin who escaped before.”

“How is this female assassin so persistently haunting us? She’s killed so many people time and again, and even the Second Young Master nearly died by her hand. It’s truly frightening.” The one speaking was Fourth Madam Cui Shi, who had entered the residence a year later than Lin Shi and was the youngest of the three.

Li Yuan’s eyes turned cold as he said, “This time, even if we have to turn Honghua Commandery upside down, we must find her!” The revenge for nearly killing his son would never be forgiven!

After speaking for a while longer, Li Yuan had people carry Li Shimin to Jingji Pavilion. Seeing that he was about to go there as well, Wan Shi said, “Sir, you haven’t slept all night. Why don’t you go back to Songtao Residence to rest for a while? I just had the kitchen stew some ginseng soup, and I’ll have it sent over when it’s ready.”

“No need. When the physician arrives, have him go directly to Jingji Pavilion.” After Wan Shi agreed, he remembered something else and said, “Also, until we catch the assassin, keep an eye on Zhiyun and don’t let him leave the house.”

“I understand.” After seeing Li Yuan off, Wan Shi was about to turn back toward Yuxiu Pavilion when she heard Lin Shi’s sarcastic voice, “Are you sure that when you were praying before the Buddha, you were praying for the Second Young Master’s safe return and not for his early ascension to paradise?”

Wan Shi turned around, frowning, “Sister, I’ve been tolerating you again and again. Don’t push your luck.”

“Have I?” Lin Shi walked up to her, sneering, “I’m merely speaking the truth. What a pity that the Second Young Master has great fortune and destiny, and couldn’t satisfy your wishes.”

Wan Shi’s brows darkened as she said, “If you continue speaking such nonsense, don’t blame me, your elder sister, for being impolite.”

Lin Shi immediately retorted, “When have you ever been polite to me?”

Seeing the two becoming more and more heated, Cui Shi quickly stepped forward to mediate, “Sister Wan, don’t be angry. Sister Lin just likes to joke around.” Then she said to Lin Shi, “Sister Lin, didn’t you tell me before that the magnolia flowers in the back garden were white as snow and blooming beautifully? I want to pick a few branches to put in my room. Come with me.”

Under Cui Shi’s half-persuasion, half-pulling, Lin Shi left with her. Behind them, Songyue quietly muttered, “If only Third Madam were as reasonable as Fourth Madam.”

“Good?” Wan Shi stared at her coldly. The latter felt her scalp tingle under that gaze, not knowing what she had said wrong. After a moment, she heard Wan Shi say, “Between the two, I’d rather deal with Lin Miaoyin.” After a slight pause, she heard Wan Shi curse under her breath, “Bitch!”

Songyue knew that Wan Shi was cursing Cui Shi, but she couldn’t understand why. Clearly, Fourth Madam had helped resolve the situation for their mistress, so why turn around and curse Fourth Madam? If it were her, she would definitely curse Third Madam, who always spoke with cold sarcasm whenever they met. Not only did the mistress find it irritating, but even she felt angry just listening from the side.

Songyue couldn’t understand the reason behind this and didn’t dare ask Wan Shi, so she could only suppress her doubts and help Wan Shi return to Yuxiu Pavilion.

As for Li Shimin, as soon as he entered Jingji Pavilion, he said to Duan Zhihong, “Go see if Wu Meixue is there.”

Duan Zhihong asked puzzledly, “Second Young Master, this is…”

After the servants had helped him onto the bed, Li Shimin waved his hand, “Don’t ask too many questions. Just do as I say.”

“Yes.” Not long after Duan Zhihong left, Li Yuan and the physician arrived one after another. The latter examined Li Shimin, then bowed to Li Yuan, “Rest assured, sir. Apart from some slight internal shock, the Second Young Master only has external injuries and is not in mortal danger. I’ll prescribe some medicine for the Second Young Master, and with proper rest, he’ll be fine.”

“Good, thank you, physician.” After ordering servants to accompany the physician to prepare the prescription and fetch the medicine, Li Yuan sat by the bed and said gently, “You heard what the physician said. Rest well. As for the assassin matter, your father will have people investigate thoroughly and won’t let her escape.”

“Father…” Li Shimin had been thinking it over and was about to tell Li Yuan about his suspicions regarding Meixue when Duan Zhihong entered and bowed, “Reporting to Second Young Master, both Steward Lin and Nanny Yang from the music workshop said that Wu Meixue hasn’t returned since she left yesterday.”

His words made Li Shimin’s heart sink. Meixue… was it really her…

No, it couldn’t be. Perhaps Meixue was afraid that Jiang Caiping would be alone and overthinking, so she stayed at her house to keep her company overnight. Yes, that must be it!

Thinking this way, he said, “Go to Steward Lin and get Jiang Caiping’s home address. Go see if Wu Meixue is there.”

After much hesitation, Duan Zhihong finally couldn’t help asking, “Second Young Master, why are you so urgently looking for Wu Meixue?”

Li Shimin didn’t elaborate, only saying, “Go quickly.”