He was still that heroic Zhang Xingying, standing before her in the same protective stance. Yet she knew he was no longer her Second Brother Zhang.

Huang Zixia returned to the Wang residence in Yongchang District. The weather was bitterly cold, and everyone stayed indoors, making the residence feel desolate.

She walked alone through the corridor. The setting sun shone through the pillars, and as she passed through their shadows, she appeared in the sunlight, only to be covered by the pillar’s shadow with her next step. She walked forward in a daze, in the alternating light and darkness, not knowing where to go or what she could do.

Without direction, without method. In her torment, she didn’t know how she endured each passing day.

Until one evening, the sound of wind instruments suddenly made her realize it was already the Lantern Festival. The Tang Dynasty observed three days of holiday for the Lantern Festival, and today was the fourteenth.

Huang Zixia, still aimless, walked out of the Wang residence and headed beyond Yongjia District.

The streets were filled with brilliant lanterns as a long string of bright pearls threaded through the night. Crowds carrying lanterns played and laughed merrily, guessing the riddles posted outside each house while offering their lanterns for others to solve.

There were simple riddles and extremely difficult ones, with many people standing there wracking their brains unable to solve them. Huang Zixia walked past step by step, her eyes sliding over the lanterns without pause.

Suddenly she heard someone ask behind her: “Take Du Fu’s poem ‘In human life, seventy years is rare from ancient times.’ Make an idiom, in the roll-up format.”

Huang Zixia heard this familiar voice and felt her heart suddenly stop. The festive noise of the Lantern Festival seemed to suddenly retreat far away.

She slowly turned around and saw Wang Yun standing behind her in the bright lantern light, smiling at her.

He still had that gentle, peaceful demeanor, smiling down at her with an inquiring “Hmm?”

Huang Zixia looked at him and said slowly: “Wise beyond one’s years.”

“That’s it!” Wang Yun exclaimed in sudden realization, “I just saw this riddle at someone’s house and had been puzzling over it the whole way, but you solved it immediately.”

Seeing his cheerful expression, Huang Zixia was momentarily speechless, unsure if he had already met with Wang Zongshi and discussed that matter.

He smiled at her and said, “Look, I was just about to look for you when I met you coming this way. Isn’t this what they call a meeting of minds?”

She lowered her head, avoiding both his eyes and his topic, only asking: “You’ve returned to the capital so soon?”

“Yes, I thought about you being alone in the capital during the New Year, worried you might be lonely, so I rushed back as soon as the sacrificial ceremonies were over,” he gazed at her in the warm orange lantern light, saying softly, “You seem thinner. You’ve had a lot on your mind lately, haven’t you?”

Huang Zixia nodded: “Yes… the matter of Prince E, you must have heard about it?”

“On my way back to the capital, people everywhere were discussing this matter. It was impossible not to hear,” he walked home with her, frowning, “How could it be? Prince Kui would never commit such an act.”

“Indeed, there are inexplicable peculiarities about this matter.” Huang Zixia frowned and sighed, thinking of various unexplainable irregularities.

Wang Yun turned to look at her, asking softly: “I heard from Eunuch Wang that you were nearby at the time — in your view, did Prince Kui kill Prince E?”

Huang Zixia shook her head, saying firmly: “How could Prince Kui do such a thing!”

“Yes, Prince Kui and Prince E were the closest, so why would Prince E publicly accuse him of wanting to overthrow the empire and corrupt the court? And why would Prince Kui kill Prince E? It’s truly baffling,” Wang Yun, seeing her resolute expression without hesitation, sighed, “Isn’t all of this far too unreasonable?”

After a moment of silence, Huang Zixia said: “I believe there must be something hidden behind all this.”

“I agree, I don’t believe Prince Kui would kill Prince E. Even if he were to kill… he would have thousands of ways to do it without anyone noticing,” he said, looking down at her intently, saying softly, “But this case has become even more mysterious now, and if you continue to investigate, it will be even more difficult for you.”

Hearing his gentle tone, Huang Zixia finally could no longer hold back, turning her back to him, unable to face him: “I was honest with Eunuch Wang, I… I’ve wronged you.”

“I know, Eunuch Wang mentioned this to me. So you still have doubts about us getting back together,” Wang Yun’s voice lowered slightly, speaking in a seemingly casual tone, “It’s nothing. After all, it’s a lifelong decision, being cautious is the right approach, isn’t it? Besides, I’ve also done things to wrong you — didn’t I once try to hunt you down in Shu?”

At that time, he had been determined to kill them. Now he had made peace with Li Shubai, but she still didn’t know if his heart was true or false. This care he showed for her — was it for mutual benefit, or was he plotting with the tiger? Who could know?

Yet when she looked up and saw his sincere expression, she suddenly couldn’t doubt his intentions, and could only feel deeply guilty.

“When you came to my side and agreed to reconsider our marriage, I was really happy…” he smiled, turning his gaze to the swaying lanterns beside them, “Zixia, I know that in this life, winning your heart will be extremely difficult. But I’ve heard that while fate is determined by heaven, the outcome lies in human hands, so I still want to try my best.”

Huang Zixia felt her eyes grow hot as if something was about to burst forth.

She struggled to hold back, staring at the distant and near lantern lights without speaking.

Wang Yun continued: “I will help you as much as I can, but now Eunuch Wang still has doubts about you, so I think the Wang family might not help you much.”

Huang Zixia took a deep breath and said: “When Prince E died, Eunuch Wang’s timing of arrival was also quite coincidental.”

Wang Yun said softly: “Trust me, this matter has nothing to do with the Wang family.”

Huang Zixia turned her head away, just nodding once without speaking.

“I went to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress today, and she also asked me to tell you this. The Wang family has been a great clan for hundreds of years, well-versed in the ways of survival. How could they involve themselves in such mysterious political struggles? Someone as clever as you must already know who is really behind all this.”

Huang Zixia slowly nodded, pondered for a moment, then slowly shook her head: “No, I still don’t know how everything hidden behind the scenes is connected.”

“With your abilities, as long as you can investigate freely, you’ll surely solve it easily,” Wang Yun sighed lightly, “Right now you just can’t access the most crucial clues.”

“I’m just a commoner. I can’t enter the Imperial Clan Court, can’t even see Prince Kui, so how can I find any clues?” She stood dejectedly among the sea of lanterns, but all the street lights couldn’t brighten her downcast face, only casting faint shadows on her profile.

The lanterns swaying in the wind cast wavelike light, flowing slowly across her face. Wang Yun gazed at her profile, and so this light seemed to shine on his heart as well, making his heart ripple like water.

Involuntarily, he said: “Tomorrow I’ll take you to see Prince Kui.”

Huang Zixia turned back to look at him in surprise, the shock in her heart overshadowing her joy. She hadn’t expected him to help her meet Prince Kui, and after stammering for a while, she finally said hoarsely: “Now so many eyes are watching Prince Kui, if you help me see him, you might get into trouble…”

“That’s nothing to worry about. Tomorrow is the fifteenth of the first month, and the Imperial Clan Court isn’t a prison. According to the law, even royal clan members who have committed crimes can receive visitors on this day. Moreover, Prince Kui is of noble blood — what’s wrong with bringing him some gifts during the festival?” His expression was relaxed, his tone not at all serious, “And I know several officials in the Imperial Clan Court who have some influence. I’ll speak to them then, I guarantee there won’t be any problems.”

Huang Zixia looked up, saw his open smile, and bit her lower lip while slowly nodding, saying: “Yes… as long as it doesn’t implicate you.”

Wang Yun thought for a moment and said: “Tomorrow at early chen hour, I’ll come to pick you up.”

The next day at chen hour, the sunlight was thin. Wang Yun took Huang Zixia to Qujiang Pool.

Given Prince Kui Li Shubai’s noble status, and the fact that Prince E’s case was difficult to handle, he naturally couldn’t be held in the Imperial Clan Court office. Many government offices had their pavilions built along Qujiang Pool for their departmental gatherings and entertainment. The Imperial Clan Court’s pavilion was in Zhengzheng District, and Prince Kui was currently residing there.

They traversed Chang’an City from north to south, arriving at Zhengzheng District.

There were only about a dozen guards at the Imperial Clan Court entrance. When they saw them approach, they were about to stop and question them, but someone behind them cleared their throat, and everyone immediately dispersed. A middle-aged man came out to greet them, bowing to Wang Yun. The two chatted casually about some trivial matters as they entered, with Huang Zixia following behind.

Past the front hall was a tributary of Qujiang Pool, a small river bay densely planted with plum blossoms. It was the season when plum blossoms were in full bloom, their subtle fragrance lingering, the dense flower branches half-concealing a row of buildings, creating an elegant scene.

Seeing that this place was much better than she had imagined, Huang Zixia felt somewhat relieved. The middle-aged man led them inside, and after several guards served tea and withdrew, the middle-aged man smiled and asked: “What brings Yunzhi here?”

Wang Yun said: “Today is the Lantern Festival, and the nephew has brought some small gifts from Langya for uncle to enjoy.”

The man accepted the gifts and exchanged a few polite words, then his gaze fell on Huang Zixia.

Wang Yun continued: “Nephew also has an old friendship with Prince Kui, and usually sends him something every year. Hearing that he’s here now, I’ve brought something along — Uncle Xue, please help me look first, as I’m young and inexperienced, I’m not sure which of these two items should go to Prince Zhao and which to Prince Kui?”

He opened two brocade boxes, and Uncle Xue, understanding the implicit meaning, looked down at the boxes. In one foot-long brocade box was a thumb-sized gourd, smooth and lovely, perfect for appreciation; the other box contained a palm-sized Chengni inkstone, with a subtle luster, very elegant.

Both items were very small, impossible to hide anything inside. But Uncle Xue still picked them up to examine, then put them back with a broad smile, saying: “Prince Zhao has a childish temperament, naturally he’d love the gourd, and the inkstone is very suitable for Prince Kui.”

“Thank you for your guidance, uncle,” he expressed his gratitude while handing the inkstone to Huang Zixia, saying, “I’ll sit with an uncle for a while, you deliver this for me.”

“Yes.” She responded, taking the small brocade box containing the inkstone, and walking towards the back.

Led by the guards, Huang Zixia passed through the blooming plum forest, coming to the corridor by the river bay. The guards stopped, indicating for her to go on alone.

The corridor was built over the riverbank, hollow underneath. As her feet touched the planks, the sound echoed softly over the water. A subtle fragrance floated around her, and her skirt brushed against flower petals on the walkway, making a soft rustling sound.

She passed two or three buildings and arrived at the door of the central building. Before she could enter, she saw Li Shubai standing inside, gazing at her intently.

He wore plain white clothes without any patterns, as elegant and upright as the blooming white plums outside. Only his deep, dark eyes were as sharp as winter stars at midnight.

Huang Zixia smiled slightly and gracefully bowed to him: “Your Highness.”

Li Shubai strode forward, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her inside, immediately asking: “Why did you come here?”

Huang Zixia didn’t answer, only smiled and asked: “You knew it was me from my footsteps, didn’t you?”

Li Shubai frowned, released her hand, and turned his head away from her smiling face: “Didn’t Jingyi and the others tell you not to act rashly?”

Huang Zixia placed the brocade box on the table, then walked behind him and said softly: “But I missed you.”

His fingers imperceptibly tightened slightly, those loosened digits clenching into fists. Almost uncontrollably, a sweet and tender warmth flowed through his entire body, his blood flowing faster.

He forced himself to maintain control, only lowering his voice to say: “Now you’ve seen me, I’m fine in every way, you should go back quickly.”

Huang Zixia stood behind him, motionless, only asking: “Today is the Lantern Festival, Your Highness… is there anything you need? I can have it prepared and sent over after I return.”

“No,” he said stiffly.

She silently bit her lower lip, then said: “Ziqin and I went to Prince E’s mansion to examine his body. The wound on his chest was toward the lower left, and it’s now been recorded in the autopsy files.”

“Mm.” He responded coldly as if he hadn’t understood the significance.

Seeing that he continued to ignore her, Huang Zixia could only silently bow to him again, saying softly: “Then, Zixia takes her leave.”

She waited for a moment, and seeing that he still didn’t respond, she could only stand up and silently turn to walk outside.

Hearing the sound of her clothes, Li Shubai finally couldn’t hold back anymore and turned to look at her. Outside the door, plum blossoms fell like snow, scattered petals were blown into the room by the wind, brushing past her ears and flying toward his cheeks. That soft touch, carrying her subtle fragrance, suddenly caused great ripples in his heart.

Like a fierce wind stirring up waves, it poured down overwhelmingly, drowning his consciousness.

He could no longer hold back and quickly walked toward her retreating figure. Before Huang Zixia could turn around, he had already raised both arms and embraced her tightly.

Huang Zixia felt her heart beating so hard it seemed about to burst from her chest. She stood there dazed, feeling his slight breathing by her ear, stirring a few strands of her hair, barely brushing against her cheek.

Her body involuntarily began to tremble slightly. She turned her head with difficulty and asked softly: “Your Highness…”

He murmured in her ear: “Don’t move… I just want to hold you.”

Huang Zixia closed her eyes and gently raised her hand to cover his hands that were tightly holding her shoulders. He held her tightly, burying his face in her hair, almost greedily inhaling her scent, unwilling to let go even the slightest bit.

Huang Zixia bit her lower lip. After a long while, she raised her hand to gently stroke his hands, feeling that his left hand seemed to tremble slightly, its strength also somewhat less than his right. She gently held his left hand, resting her face against the back of his hand.

She remembered he had said that he used to be left-handed, but shortly after receiving that charm, his left hand was injured in an attack, almost becoming disabled. Though his left hand had recovered now, today was cold, and this place was damp being near the water, so his left hand was probably experiencing pain from the old injury.

But she didn’t say anything, just gently pressed against the back of his hand, closing her eyes without speaking.

She heard his voice, so low it was almost inaudible, stirring the air by her ear: “Wang Yun brought you here?”

She gave a soft “mm” in response.

His breath caught slightly, and the arms holding her seemed to tighten a bit more: “He agreed to bring you to see me?”

“He’s very good to me. And even if he has ulterior motives, I don’t care anymore,” Huang Zixia turned her head in his embrace, looking up at him and saying, “This case has reached a deadlock now. If he wants to make some move using this opportunity, it might be a turning point for us.”

He frowned, staring at her gentle gaze looking up at him from his arms, and asked: “What if there’s no turning point, and you get caught up in it instead?”

A faint smile played at the corners of Huang Zixia’s lips as she said: “I’ll be careful.”

He sighed, releasing his arms, and said: “I don’t understand why, among all the stubborn and obstinate people, I only like you.”

She lowered her head, a thin flush spreading across her cheeks: “Whether you like me or hate me, it doesn’t matter… this is just who I am.”

Li Shubai silently raised his hand, gently caressing her flushed, lovely cheeks. She felt the touch of his fingertips sliding across her cheek, making her so nervous she could hardly contain herself, even having an impulse to close her eyes and escape this flustered feeling.

But he had already withdrawn his hand and looked at her, asking: “You’re still staying with Wang Yun?”

Huang Zixia nodded, covering her cheeks with both hands, trying to cool down her burning face.

Li Shubai lowered his eyes silently, a flash of worry and helplessness passing beneath his eyelashes. But after a moment, he turned his face away and said flatly: “That’s good too. If you were in the Prince Kui’s mansion now, you might get caught up in all this.”

Huang Zixia shook her head as she looked at him, saying: “I’m not afraid of getting caught up in it, and I’ll be careful everywhere.”

Li Shubai nodded, then shook his head. But finally, he spoke, only saying: “Go back now, and wait for me peacefully.”

Huang Zixia walked out of his quarters and returned along the corridor.

Her footsteps echoed softly on the hollow water surface below, where flower petals had fallen on the water, creating gentle ripples that spread out in circles before quickly disappearing without a trace. She watched the water surface, walking to the corridor’s corner, where she saw Wang Yun standing under a tree full of blooming plum blossoms.

His cyan-colored clothes were covered in white plum blossoms like snow on distant mountains or clouds brushed across the vast sky. Yet amid such leisurely-colored surroundings, his expression was distracted and lonely as he stared absently at the drooping, fully blooming white plum branches before him, lost in thought.

A flash of nervousness passed through Huang Zixia’s heart as she wondered if he had gone over and seen something earlier.

But she quickly realized that the corridor outside could amplify all sounds – if he had gone over, they certainly would have noticed.

For some reason, she still felt somewhat guilty and could only stand under the corridor, calling softly: “Young Master Wang.”

Wang Yun came back to his senses, slowly turned to look at her, and his lips immediately showed a faint smile: “You’re back so soon?”

Huang Zixia nodded, following him along the small path through the plum forest toward the exit.

Plum blossoms fell like snow, covering their bodies and heads with petals. Wang Yun looked up at the layers of flower branches and casually said: “Just a few days ago it was still frozen and covered in snow, but now with the spring warmth, all the flowers are blooming at once.”

“Yes, all things in nature know the warmth and cold of the earth.” Huang Zixia said thoughtfully. She raised her hand to gently brush the flower branches, the fully blooming flowers sliding past her fingertips one by one, petals falling as the branches swayed.

Wang Yun turned to look at her as bright sunlight shot down between the flower branches, enveloping her in a dazzling glow. His gaze followed the falling flowers to her raised arm, where a thin white plum blossom petal had slipped inside her sleeve.

She seemed not to notice and continued walking forward slowly.

But his heart began to beat uncontrollably. Looking at her slightly raised hand and her sleeve, for a moment he could only think in his heart, wondering when he would be able to naturally hold her arm and, following her fair wrist upward, help her remove that white plum blossom petal.

After leaving the Imperial Clan Court, Wang Yun needed to return to the Imperial Guards, and could conveniently escort Huang Zixia back.

Just as Huang Zixia was following Wang Yun into the carriage, someone suddenly strode over from behind and asked: “Miss Huang, why are you here?”

Huang Zixia turned around and saw Zhang Xingying quickly approaching from the street. He walked to her side, his gaze vigilantly fixed on Wang Yun, and asked in a lowered voice: “Why are you with him, Miss? Did you come… to visit His Highness?”

Huang Zixia was very surprised: “Why are you here?”

Zhang Xingying quickly said: “I’m off duty today, so I was walking around the city. There are many people admiring plum blossoms around Qujiang Pool, so I thought I might find some trace of Dicui.”

Huang Zixia said softly: “I think she still needs to hide her whereabouts now, so she probably wouldn’t come to such a crowded place, and besides, she probably isn’t in the mood for sightseeing.”

Zhang Xingying nodded but didn’t seem discouraged, saying: “Yes, then let me escort you back first, Miss.”

Huang Zixia thought for a moment, turned to look at Wang Yun, and said: “Young Master Wang, thank you so much for today. I have some small matters to attend to, so I won’t trouble you to escort me.”

Wang Yun said casually: “I also need to go handle some matters at the Imperial Guards, so I’ll take my leave.”

After Wang Yun’s carriage left, Zhang Xingying anxiously pulled at Huang Zixia’s sleeve, dragging her to a nearby empty alley, and urgently asked: “Why did he bring you here? Miss Huang, don’t you think… there might be some problem?”

Seeing his anxious and earnest expression, Huang Zixia felt slightly moved, but her face remained impassive as she shook her head and said: “What problem could there be? Young Master Wang helped me see His Highness, everything went smoothly.”

“That’s good… I was worried something would happen to you.” Zhang Xingying fell silent, looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then said softly: “Jingyu once told me that those who set up the ambush in Shu might have connections to the Wang family.”

Huang Zixia hadn’t expected him to bring this up now. She looked up at him, saw his earnest gaze full of worry for her, and slowly asked: “This matter… have you mentioned it to His Highness?”

“Yes, I told His Highness about it long ago, but he didn’t show any reaction. After all, Lord Jingyu was only guessing, there’s no concrete evidence,” Zhang Xingying said, then secretly glanced at Wang Yun again and lowered his voice to say, “Now that His Highness is in trouble, yet Young Master Wang is willing to help you take this risk, I… I want to believe him too, but I’m worried there might be some problem…”

Huang Zixia silently nodded. Zhang Xingying’s suspicions made sense, after all, Wang Yun privately brought her to visit Prince Kui – if anyone found out, she would certainly face serious consequences.

However, she still smiled and said: “His Highness is already accused of such serious crimes, what difference would one more minor offense of private visitation make? And as a former member of the prince’s household, visiting my lord in private would only result in twenty strokes according to both law and precedent if discovered, nothing too serious.”

“Anyway… I’m glad nothing happened this time, but you must be more careful next time,” Zhang Xingying said with relief.

Though Huang Zixia had her suspicions about him, seeing his sincere manner and remembering his past help and concern for her, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly and say: “Second Brother Zhang, thank you for caring so much about me.”

Zhang Xingying shook his head and said: “It’s nothing, I can’t help you and His Highness much, I can only worry uselessly day after day.”

Huang Zixia remembered something and asked: “By the way, do you know any doctors at Duanrui Hall? Especially those skilled in bone injuries?”

Zhang Xingying thought for a moment and said: “There’s a Doctor He who’s a good friend of my father, he’s famous in the capital for his bone-setting skills.”

“Is he seeing patients today? I’d like to get some medicine from him.”

“Are you injured, Miss?” Zhang Xingying immediately asked.

Huang Zixia shook her head: “I’m getting some medicine for old injuries and dampness pain, for someone else.”

Duanrui Hall had dozens of doctors on duty, and as luck would have it, Doctor He was there today. Hearing that it was for an old injury acting up in damp weather, he prescribed for her to take to the pharmacy.

Duanrui Hall’s medicine cabinets stretched in a row, with over a dozen clerks busy weighing medicines with their scales.

As one of the top pharmacies in the capital, just the dispensary area spanned five connected rooms, with seventy or eighty medicine cabinets arranged in rows, wide and tall, over ten feet high. The clerks had to crouch down to get medicines from the lower shelves and even needed small stools to reach the higher ones.

Zhang Xingying, being familiar with the place, handed in his prescription first. The clerk looked at it and frowned, saying: “We’re out of ephedra today, someone’s gone to get more from the back storehouse. Why don’t you wait in the small room in the back? It won’t be long.”

Zhang Xingying nodded in agreement and led Huang Zixia past the medicine cabinets to a small room in the back. It was cluttered with crude herbs, filled with their scent.

Zhang Xingying said: “This is where Duanrui Hall processes their herbs, but it’s just for emergencies, so usually no one comes here. Let’s sit for a while.”

Huang Zixia nodded and sat down on a small stool in the corner.

After waiting a moment, Zhang Xingying seemed to feel awkward being alone with her in the room, so he stood up and said: “I’ll go see if the ephedra has arrived.”

Huang Zixia made a sound of acknowledgment. She leaned her head against a pillar, feeling the dense medicinal scent pervading her body. From outside came the mechanical sounds of opening and closing cabinet drawers, and the faint calling of names as clerks announced patients’ prescriptions.

The room was warm, the herbal fragrance thick, and the subtle noise around her like a lullaby.

Huang Zixia, who hadn’t relaxed from her inner torment for half a month, slowly closed her eyes. In the darkness before her eyes, she saw falling white plum blossoms and Li Shubai in his white clothes. She heard him whisper in her ear, “Don’t move, I just want to hold you.”

Such a strong embrace, such gentle whispers.

Though just a brief rest, it was sweeter than a long dream of spring and autumn. In her reverie, her head dropped lower and lower, and she jerked awake just as she was about to hit the pillar.

She opened her eyes to see a corpse before her.

It was the pharmacy clerk who had just asked her to wait in the back. He lay face down, blood flowing steadily from his chest. She was sitting in a lower spot, and the blood was flowing toward her like a crimson snake slowly crawling toward her feet.

For a moment she couldn’t tell if it was real or illusion until the blood was about to touch the hem of her skirt. Then she felt a chill in her mind and immediately lifted her skirts and jumped up, avoiding the blood flowing toward her.

Just as she stood up, there was a “clang” – she looked down to see a dagger that had been lying on her skirt fall to the ground, and both the dagger and her skirt were covered in blood.

The half-closed door was suddenly pushed open, and someone called out: “Ah Qi, everyone’s so busy outside, what are you doing in here for so long…”

Before the words were finished, he saw the clerk lying in a pool of blood, and the still slightly dazed Huang Zixia standing by the corpse. The paper wrappings for medicine in his hands scattered across the floor as he stared for a moment, then immediately shouted: “Help! Ah Qi… Ah Qi has been murdered!”

After his shout, the waiting patients immediately came running over, gathering around. The dispensing clerks all dropped what they were doing and pushed through the crowd to get in.

Huang Zixia was startled, her foggy mind finally clearing a bit. She was about to crouch down to examine the body when the person who had first entered grabbed her, shouting: “You’re the murderer! You killed Ah Qi!”

The people around immediately surrounded her, two of them twisting her arms behind her back, while someone else produced a rope to tie her up.

Huang Zixia struggled, shouting: “Let go! I didn’t kill him!”

The person who discovered the body pointed at her and yelled: “If not you, then who? Ah Qi died in this room, and besides you, who else was in here?”

“That’s right, we’ve all been dispensing medicine, we couldn’t leave the counter for a moment. Besides you, who else has been in and out of this room?”

“Exactly, only you were here!”

Amidst the chaos, Huang Zixia opened her mouth to argue, but suddenly thought of something, and felt cold sweat run down her spine.

She froze for a moment, not even resisting when they pushed her against the wall and tied her up, just staring wide-eyed at the person standing behind the crowd, watching the chaos from outside with folded arms—

Zhang Xingying.

He was tall, and when the crowd in front moved about, she caught glimpses of his face through the gaps, so impassive he didn’t even bother to feign panic or concern.

It wasn’t until she was being tied up and dragged out, with people discussing taking her to the authorities, that Zhang Xingying pushed through the crowd, hurriedly blocking her path, saying: “Everyone, please don’t wrongly accuse an innocent person! Miss Huang is my friend, she came with me to get medicine, how could she possibly kill someone?”

An elderly manager-type from the pharmacy snorted coldly and asked: “Xingying, weren’t you not inside? How do you know it wasn’t her? In this herb processing room, besides Ah Qi’s corpse, there was only her, if it wasn’t her, then who was it?”

“But… but…” Zhang Xingying stood with his mouth open, momentarily unable to speak. He turned to look at Huang Zixia, stammering, “Miss Huang isn’t… isn’t that kind of person…”

Huang Zixia turned her face away, unwilling to look at Zhang Xingying’s expression, only asking the manager: “I was waiting for the ephedra in the room and fell asleep. So, after I fell asleep, it wouldn’t have been difficult for someone else to enter and leave the processing room!”

“Hmph, easy to say!” The old man pointed at the door and said, “This room is behind the medicine cabinets, if any stranger had come, those of us dispensing medicine at the front would have noticed, so how could we let anyone in? Even you were only allowed in to sit for a while because Xingying brought you!”

“Besides me, wasn’t there anyone else who came in and out?” Huang Zixia bit her lower lip, her gaze slowly falling on Zhang Xingying as she said slowly, “At least, Second Brother Zhang could have come in, right?”

Zhang Xingying opened and closed his mouth, saying with great difficulty: “But… I, I can’t testify for you, because I thought it wouldn’t be proper for a man and woman to be alone together, so after I left I never came back. I was sitting on the small stool at the end of the medicine cabinets, listening to Ah Shi dispensing medicine…”

Someone from the crowd who must have been Ah Shi nodded and said: “I saw Brother Zhang.” He was a very short apprentice with a slight lisp. “Brother Zhang was chatting with me the whole time, I only went to dispense one prescription.”

Huang Zixia’s voice trembled as she asked Zhang Xingying: “Then, where were you when he was dispensing medicine?”

Zhang Xingying quickly said: “I was sitting beside him the whole time… I remember, Ah Shi was reading the prescription aloud while dispensing the medicine, and because the different herbs were far apart, he repeated it several times while gathering them. I remember there was Bai Lian, Xi Xin, Bai Zhu, White Lotus Heart, Bai Fu Ling, Bai Fu Zi, Bai Zhi, Sandalwood, Cloves…”

Ah Shi immediately nodded, saying: “Yes, yes, that was the prescription, exactly right.”

The manager immediately waved for people to take her to the authorities: “What else do you have to say? Take her away quickly!”

Besides the murder case, the room was in chaos, with some people crying “Ah Qi,” some angrily cursing Huang Zixia, and others roughly pushing her.

Huang Zixia stumbled from their pushing, nearly falling to the ground. Zhang Xingying quickly stood in front of her, saying to the crowd: “Everyone, don’t be too agitated, let’s wait for the authorities to handle everything. I believe Miss Huang isn’t that kind of person!”

Huang Zixia leaned against the wall corner under his protection, looking at his broad shoulders, suddenly feeling weak. She raised her hand to cover her eyes, forcibly suppressing her rising tears, and said softly: “Second Brother Zhang…”

Zhang Xingying continued blocking the crowd while turning his head to look at her.

He was still that heroic Zhang Xingying, standing before her in the same protective stance. Yet she knew he was no longer her Second Brother Zhang.

She said softly: “No wonder Dicui told me to… run.”

Zhang Xingying froze for a moment, the muscles in his face becoming rigid. He tightened his jaw and slowly turned his head back.

Huang Zixia leaned her head against the wall, her cheek touching the cold surface. Her tightly bound hands burned with pain, but she felt nothing, just standing there motionless in a daze. All the cursing voices and hateful gazes around her were just dust before her, and in her heart, she could only replay everything since she had known Zhang Xingying, seeing it all clearly before her, making her heart twist like a knife.