Far away at the Envoy’s Mansion, Crown Prince Yin sneezed as someone was thinking about him.

“Master.” Guanzhi pushed open the door and nodded to him. “Everything has been arranged. Miss Yi’s intention is to request your help in investigating the insider.”

It was as expected. Yi Zhangzhu had some cleverness about her. General Yi probably advised her before leaving not to rely on just one person, so she asked the Crown Prince to chase after the thieves while having him investigate the insider.

Unfortunately, neither he nor the Crown Prince seemed to have good intentions toward the General’s Manor.

“Understood.” After nodding in acknowledgment, Yin Gezhi asked, “Have you found the person who delivered the items?”

Guanzhi lowered his head. “It’s been difficult to find them, but I’ve had people keep watch around the area. If anyone else comes, we’ll certainly catch them.”

“Mm.” Picking up a brush, Yin Gezhi casually wrote a name on paper and said, “He’s the insider. Starting today, have people search thoroughly for evidence of his betrayal of the General’s Manor.”

Taking the paper, Guanzhi cast a sympathetic glance at the name written on it.

Wang Han.

This man was the General Manor’s steward, loyal for many years with considerable power. Many of Yi Guoru’s affairs had to pass through his hands. To condemn such a person would require ironclad evidence.

But following his master’s orders – if evidence existed, find it; if not, fabricate it! Guanzhi accepted the task and respectfully withdrew.

After the evening meal, the two young masters at Menghui Tower returned to their respective homes. Feng Yue lay on a soft couch with legs crossed.

Getting paid without receiving clients – what a delightful way to live!

“Miss, would you like some preserved fruits?” Someone knocked on the door, with a vendor calling out, “Sweet and tender preserved fruits that’ll make you smile!”

Lingxu’s eyes lit up immediately. “Master?”

Glancing at her, Feng Yue snorted with amusement. “Take some money and buy it yourself. I want an ounce of preserved plums.”

“Alright!” The little glutton bounced over to open the door. The vendor outside smiled warmly, “Miss, would you like some preserved fruits?”

“Yes! I want an ounce of preserved peaches, an ounce of dried longan… oh right, and an ounce of preserved plums for my master.” Lingxu said greedily, taking money from her master’s cosmetics box to pay him, then accepting the wrapped packages.

Feng Yue smiled benevolently, watching her hand over the preserved plums and happily hugging her two packages. She said, “Good things shouldn’t be enjoyed alone. Aren’t you friendly with many maids in the tower? Go share your preserved fruits with them, quickly.”

Hearing this, Lingxu thought it made sense and immediately opened the door to run out.

Feng Yue got up, smiled while closing the door, and latched it.

Opening the package in her hand, she poured the plums into a jar on the flower rack, then skillfully tore an opening in the paper that had wrapped the plums, pulling out a paper from between the layers.

“Starting to investigate Wang Han?” With a low laugh, leaning against the door, Feng Yue smiled roguishly. “My my, our Crown Prince Yin truly has an undying heart and unresolved grudge. How wonderful.”

After burning the note, she reopened the door and leaned against the doorframe, glancing at the second floor across the way.

A room on the second floor had its door open, with laughter coming from inside.

“The young master is drunk.” Three or four girls sat on either side, with a dark-skinned man sitting in the middle, his face flushed red from drinking.

“I’m not drunk.” Waving his hand, the man took another drink. “I can hold my liquor well, how could I be drunk?”

He Chou covered her smile and said to the other girls, “I’ll attend to him, sisters can go rest first.”

This was her room and her client. The other girls were just there for tips. Since the hostess had spoken, the other girls withdrew.

After the door closed, He Chou sat in the client’s lap, giggling coquettishly, “This servant always felt master carried himself differently, much more valiant than other clients.”

“Of course, I’m a battlefield veteran!” The inebriated client pinched He Chou’s cheek once, and whispered mysteriously, “Let me tell you a secret, I’m from the General’s Manor.”

Pausing slightly, He Chou pretended not to hear and smiled, “You are drunk.”

“What? Don’t believe me?” The client snorted, pulling out a token, “See this? The General Manor’s waist token! I’m second only to one person, commanding thousands at the General’s Manor, hahaha!”

He Chou lowered her gaze, supporting his swaying body without comment.

“But recent matters have been truly vexing.” His tone suddenly became somber. The client got up, flopping onto the fragrant soft bed, muttering, “We were brothers who fought life and death together, yet he has me managing this household’s inner court. When something goes wrong, they blame me for not managing well. Bah! I should just go home and farm!”

Many clients who came here were unhappy or stressed, seeking to drown their sorrows. The girls at Menghui Tower were known for being extremely tight-lipped, so clients felt most relaxed here.

Wang Han lay on the bed, grumbling for quite a while. He Chou knelt beside the bed listening, wearing a smile, until he fell completely asleep.

Reaching to take the token from his hand, He Chou silently gave her maid Liqiu a meaningful look.

Understanding, Liqiu took the token and ran quickly to Xiangyu Street, darting into a general goods shop.

After a good night’s sleep, when Wang Han awoke and looked around, seeing his token placed on the table, he tensed slightly and hurriedly got up to put it in his clothes.

It was bright outside. He Chou came in with water, giving him a gentle smile. “Has the young master risen? You were very drunk yesterday, throwing things about. This servant didn’t recognize what it was, but seeing it looked valuable, I placed it on the table for you.”

Relaxing, Wang Han smiled, “You’re so thoughtful.”

Saying this, he washed his face, kissed her, and left.

Sleeping until the sun was high, Feng Yue got up with messy bed hair, unhurriedly grooming herself.

“The girls outside are all so busy, we seem a bit too idle,” Lingxu mumbled while helping her do her hair. “Don’t know if that’s good or bad.”

Looking at her through the mirror, Feng Yue raised an eyebrow. “Is the little girl bored?”

“A bit.” Pouting, Lingxu said, “Should we secretly go shopping on the street?”

“Sure.” Without even a moment’s hesitation, Feng Yue nodded in agreement. “I wanted to check the general goods shop anyway. I heard they got some good wood and jade materials. If there’s something nice, we could make a jade pendant.”

Lingxu nodded, immediately changing her hair into a common girl’s style and finding some coarse cloth clothes for her master to wear. They secretly crawled out through the dog hole in the back courtyard.

Courtesans would be beaten for going on the street, but with a disguise, no one could tell!

Walking boldly on Xiangyu Street, Lingxu happily bounced around, looking at each shop. Feng Yue didn’t mind, following her around looking. When they reached the general goods shop, she said, “You go ahead to the xiaolongbao shop and save us seats, I’ll take a look in here.”

The innocent Lingxu agreed immediately, swinging her braid as she bounced ahead. Feng Yue lifted her skirts and entered the general goods shop. The shopkeeper smiled upon seeing her, “What would the customer like? We have new goods.”

“Let me see them.”

In a redwood box was the General Manor’s waist token, with “Yi” in gilt on the front, and the bearer’s name “Wang Han” carved in the lower right corner on the back.

“Shopkeeper’s craftsmanship has improved.” Feng Yue smiled softly. “It’s truly hard to distinguish from the real thing.”

“You’re too kind.” The shopkeeper bowed. “There are some aged goods inside as well if the customer is interested in looking.”

“No need.” Closing the box, Feng Yue smiled, “This is enough for now.”

It was quite convenient that Wang Han was a client at Menghui Tower, having visited He Chou’s chambers for nearly half a year. Copying his token was easier than others.

Leaving the general goods shop, Feng Yue went to join Lingxu, smiling sweetly, “I heard there’s a barbecue shop on Anju Street where the meat is fragrant and delicious. Why don’t we have lunch there?”

At the mention of barbecue, Lingxu nodded without thinking, “Yes!”

Anju Street was quite prosperous, bordering the official residences, with many nobles coming out to enjoy fine food. Feng Yue sat with Lingxu on the second floor of the barbecue shop, and before long saw several women enter.

Wang Han’s wife, Madam Li, loved this shop’s barbecue the most, visiting every few days with her group of close friends. Today’s luck was good, catching her here.

“Let’s go upstairs to eat.” Scanning the main hall, the high-status Madam Li naturally came up to the second floor.

Feng Yue smiled and spoke up, “Oh, Lingxu, do you remember that Official Wang’s father mentioned yesterday?”

Lingxu, about to eat meat, looked up at her in confusion.

What Official Wang?

Giving her a reproachful look, Feng Yue stamped her foot, “The one from the General’s Manor! Didn’t Father say he used to campaign with General Yi, very impressive. I inquired recently, and now at the General’s Manor, he’s become a mere servant.”

The foot ascending the stairs paused. Madam Li discontentedly held back those behind her, taking a few steps up herself to peek at the speakers.

A table with two girls, one with her back turned, the one facing her chattering away: “I originally admired those who fought in the battle, but seeing how they end up after achieving merit, I find it pitiful. Sigh. By rights, someone of Marshal Wang’s merit should have been given a noble title to enjoy his later years…”

Wang Han was previously Yi Guoru’s deputy general, but in a battle with the Wei Kingdom, Guan Canghai broke his leg and damaged his meridians. Yi Guoru, mindful of his loyalty, had him return to Buyin City to manage affairs at his manor.

Honestly, being the General Manor’s steward carried status no lower than ordinary nobles, but the title didn’t sound good. No matter how important a steward was, they were still a servant – how could that be prestigious?

Madam Li hadn’t felt anything was wrong before, but hearing such idle talk, she became uncomfortable.

She was also a daughter of an official family, with some status, yet married to a servant. No matter how trusted Wang Han was by the General, it brought her no honor.

Having lost her appetite, Madam Li turned and went downstairs.

Lingxu stared at her master in amazement, blinking, completely not understanding what she was saying, but with her mouth full of meat, she couldn’t speak.