“What Shimin says is not without reason. Father’s official reputation is important, and we can investigate the assassin matter slowly,” Li Jiancheng’s response greatly surprised Li Xuanba. His eldest brother seemed to have taken the wrong medicine today, actually agreeing with second brother’s words. After steadying himself, he said indignantly, “Could it be that official reputation is more important than father’s safety? What if there’s another assassination attempt?”

Li Jiancheng said slowly, “The reason the assassin had an opportunity last time was because we were too careless. As long as we’re careful and vigilant in the future, naturally we won’t give the assassin another chance.” He continued, “Third brother, think more before you speak or act in the future. Don’t always be so rash and impulsive.”

Li Xuanba didn’t understand the meaning behind Li Shimin’s words, but how could Li Jiancheng not understand? In fact, if not for guarding against this point, he would have already subjected those people from the pleasure quarter to severe torture and interrogation long ago. Why would he have waited until now?

Being lectured by them, Li Xuanba felt displeased and said, “Then I’ll just say nothing at all from now on. I still have to practice martial arts, so I’ll leave first.”

Watching his departing figure, Li Jiancheng shook his head and said, “This third brother of ours – he hasn’t grown in other ways, but his temper is getting worse. Just a few words of criticism and he storms off. With him acting like this, how can we tell him about the matter?”

“We both know third brother’s temperament – his anger comes quickly but also dissipates quickly. He’ll be fine in a while,” Li Shimin said with a smile. “Although third brother isn’t steady enough in his thinking, fortunately he’s brave and skilled in battle. When he was only ten years old, he dared to challenge both of us. From childhood to now, we’ve never seen him afraid of anyone’s fists. I believe in the future, he’ll be father’s best vanguard.”

“That’s true.” As they spoke, Physician Xu arrived. After examining the wound on Li Shimin’s shoulder, he confirmed it was a bone fracture. Before it healed, he should try not to move it and especially not exert force. Given Li Shimin’s constitution, it should heal completely in about a month.

As Physician Xu finished bandaging the wound and prepared to leave, Li Shimin said, “By the way, eldest brother’s leg wound hasn’t healed yet. Should we have Physician Xu take a look at it too?”

“No need, my wound is fine now. It’s just that the new flesh hasn’t fully matured yet.” After sending Physician Xu away, Li Jiancheng returned the snow lotus painting to Li Shimin. As he took it, Li Jiancheng said gravely, “Although you think Wu Meixue isn’t the assassin, for a country woman to be able to paint such a fine painting is still somewhat suspicious. Send someone to the Wu family to ask around.”

“I understand.” Li Shimin had been planning to do exactly that.

Meanwhile, on Yunyi’s side, she waited until sunset before finally seeing Li Niang return. Yunyi hurried forward and asked, “Li Niang, what about those shoes?”

Li Niang smiled and said, “Of course I delivered them for you. Otherwise, what do you think I went out to do just now?”

Yunyi asked tentatively, “Did my father… did he try them on? Do they fit properly?”

“I wouldn’t know about that.” Seeing Yunyi’s puzzled expression, she explained, “When I went over, your father wasn’t home. I asked the neighbors around, and only then learned that he went up the mountain to hunt the day before yesterday and hasn’t been seen returning. I waited for a while but didn’t see any sign of him, so I left the shoes with a family named Fang next door, asking them to pass them along when the time comes.”

“Ah!” Hearing that the shoes had ended up in someone else’s hands, Yunyi couldn’t help but cry out. Li Niang asked puzzledly, “What’s wrong? Is there a problem with that family?”

Yunyi came back to her senses and quickly shook her head, “No, it’s just… I’m just worried about father. It snowed so heavily yesterday – I wonder how he’s doing alone on the mountain?”

Hearing it was about this matter, Li Niang immediately laughed, “Don’t worry. According to that Fang family, your father is an experienced hunter. This isn’t the first time he’s encountered snow on the mountain. He’ll be fine.”

Jiang Caiping was about to say, “Li Niang, we want to…” but before she could finish, Yunyi had already grabbed her hand and forced a smile, saying, “This time, we really must thank Li Niang.”

“It’s just a small matter. What’s there to thank me for? If you need anything else in the future, just ask.” She tied on her apron and said, “Well then, I need to get busy now, or dinner will be late.”

After being pulled out of the kitchen, Jiang Caiping said, “Sister, didn’t you say you wanted Li Niang to help pass along a message? Why didn’t you let me speak just now?”

“Didn’t you hear what Li Niang said? My father went up the mountain to hunt and hasn’t returned. Even if Li Niang is willing to help us pass along the message, she can’t find anyone right now.” This was certainly one reason, but most importantly, Yunyi still hadn’t figured out how to get Li Niang to pass along the message without leaving traces. After all, this matter was of great importance – the slightest misstep could bring mortal danger, so she had to be extremely cautious.

Jiang Caiping didn’t suspect anything and nodded, “That’s true. Why don’t we wait a couple of days before asking Li Niang for help? Uncle Wu should have returned by then.”

Yunyi lowered her head and muttered to herself, “I hope he doesn’t come back before New Year’s Day.”

Jiang Caiping vaguely heard a few words and asked puzzledly, “Sister, what did you say about not wanting?”

Yunyi came back to her senses and smiled, “Nothing. I said I hope they accumulate some good karma and don’t speak nonsense, so we won’t have to go through such trouble.”

As they were speaking, two dancers approached them. The two women were walking with their heads lowered, whispering to each other. When they saw Yunyi, jealousy and mockery flashed in their eyes. When they drew near, one of them said with a half-smile, “It looks like we’ll be getting another new lead dancer soon.”

Her companion asked, “Didn’t we just get a new one? Why are we changing again? Has the current one also made a mistake like Feng Chunming and is being demoted to work in the woodshed?”

“Feng Chunming was demoted for making mistakes, but she has latched onto the high branch that is the Second Young Master. How can the two be compared? However…” She stared at Yunyi sideways, her face full of jealousy as she said, “If she thinks this means we’ll call her Second Young Madam, that’s just too naive. What status does the Second Young Master have? He must marry a daughter from a prestigious family, a lady from a noble house. Someone like her is just for casual amusement. When he gets tired of playing, he’ll toss her aside and won’t even bother to look at her again.”

The other woman covered her mouth and laughed, “Then wouldn’t she be celebrating for nothing?”

“Exactly. By then she’ll be damaged goods, and even if she takes silver to beg someone to marry her, no one will want her. In the end, she’ll only be able to go to those brothels to sell her body!” Her voice was very loud, clearly intended for Yunyi and the others to hear.

Seeing her words becoming increasingly outrageous, even mentioning brothels and selling bodies – such unseemly words – Jiang Caiping could no longer contain herself and said sternly, “Ding Yulan, what nonsense are you spouting!”

As for Yunyi, although she said nothing, her complexion was extremely unsightly. She was unwilling to cause trouble, but that didn’t mean she could allow others to ride roughshod over her.