A carriage creaked out of Luo Shen Yuan’s mansion as dusk fell.

Cheng Lang sat in a carriage not far away, sipping tea while watching that carriage disappear into the distance. The faint, scattered sounds of the marketplace drifted from afar. Cheng Lang leaned against the carriage wall, his handsome, refined face bathed in the filtered evening light, displaying an unusual indifference.

Someone called from outside, “My lord.” Cheng Lang put down his teacup and beckoned him in.

The man lifted the curtain and entered, reporting, “The scouts have all returned. It’s truly impossible to get inside.”

Cheng Lang frowned, feeling that the men Lu Jiaxue had given him were useless. His tone grew cold: “It’s just the residence of a Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. How can it be such an impenetrable fortress?”

He had searched several hidden spots without finding any trace of the person. Finally, he thought that the most dangerous place might be the safest, and it wasn’t impossible that Luo Shen Yuan had hidden the person in his quarters. He had been waiting outside for a while, but apart from seeing the Sun father and daughter come and go, there hadn’t been a single visitor. Just as he was about to send someone in to investigate, these men proved to be so useless.

For Cheng Lang, outsmarting others was a small matter. But he greatly disliked when people failed to complete his tasks, as it disrupted his plans.

The messenger hesitated: “It seems Luo Shen Yuan was prepared… While it’s not exactly impenetrable, the patrols are extremely strict. We don’t know where he recruited these men from, but I suspect Minister Xu may have secretly assigned him some Imperial Guards. What should we do now, my lord?”

“Have you sent word to the Commander?” Cheng Lang asked.

The man nodded, “Yes, we’ve informed the Commander… The reply said that even if we don’t see the person, we must find out if he has leaked any information.”

How was that any different from capturing the person?

No wonder Lu Jiaxue had called him back to handle this. How could others hope to outmaneuver this new Metropolitan Examination champion, Luo Shen Yuan?

Cheng Lang glanced at the main gate of the Luo mansion and said, “If we can’t get in, so be it.” He closed his eyes and leaned back against the carriage wall, speaking slowly, “Keep watch for me.”

At dinner time, Luo Shen Yuan sent someone to invite Yining to dine with him. But when she arrived, he had already returned to his study. Yining thought Luo Shen Yuan might be angry that she had interfered in his private affairs, and she felt a bit upset too. Why call her over if he wasn’t going to eat with her? Despite seeing all her favorite dishes on the table, she had no appetite and only drank a bowl of porridge before returning to her room.

After clearing the dishes, a servant reported to Luo Shen Yuan: “…Third Young Master, the young miss only had a bowl of porridge.”

“She’s angry,” Luo Shen Yuan said while reviewing documents. “I’ll be leaving early in the morning. Prepare some of her favorite snacks for her. She’s gotten thinner lately.”

Luo Shen Yuan wanted to see her as little as possible. He didn’t know why he had brought her back. Once he thought about her sleeping nearby, within reach, he couldn’t calm his mind. He picked up his teacup and took a sip. The guard serving him was startled: “My lord, the tea has gone cold. Let me bring you a fresh cup!”

“No need,” Luo Shen Yuan said. “Is the carriage still waiting at the entrance of the alley?”

The guard replied, “It hasn’t left yet, my lord. Are you trying to draw out the snake?”

Luo Shen Yuan shook his head, “This snake is too cunning to be easily lured out.” He set down his teacup. “Neither Wang Yuan nor Lu Jiaxue have made any moves. They must have sent an expert this time. Just make sure they don’t notice anything.” The person who came was probably Cheng Lang, one of Lu Jiaxue’s most capable subordinates.

Luo Shen Yuan dismissed the guard.

Although Liu Pu was a corrupt official, his confidant was extremely loyal. Even after being tortured so severely, he hadn’t said a word.

Xu Wei had told him to use any means necessary to extract information and unravel the whole affair. But if they couldn’t get anything out of him even after such extreme measures, it was pointless to keep focusing on this person.

Luo Shen Yuan leaned back in his chair, gazing at the burning candle in silent contemplation.

Yining woke up early that day. She barely ate breakfast, instead directing the maids and servants to clean the house. Sun Congwan had said she would visit today.

When she asked a servant, she learned that Luo Shen Yuan had left early for the ministry but would return soon. She then went to the main hall to welcome Sun Congwan. Sun Congwan alighted from her carriage, wearing a blue jacket with a twining branch pattern, a snow-white twelve-panel skirt, and pearl earrings. As the wind blew, her skirt fluttered, giving her an almost ethereal beauty.

Entering the hall, Sun Congwan had her servants bring several boxes for Yining.

The Sun family’s young lady was indeed generous. The gifts were all high-quality jewelry and cosmetics, including a box of amber-scented cream that had a faint aroma of pears.

Yining opened the box to smell the fragrance. Noticing Sun Congwan looking around, she smiled and said, “Third Brother left early this morning.”

Sun Congwan softly protested, “I wasn’t looking for him.” Her expression turned somewhat dejected. “Besides… I know he doesn’t want to see me.”

“Don’t think too much of it,” Yining put down the red lacquer cosmetic box and spoke about Luo Shen Yuan. “…When Third Brother was younger, I remember there was a Miss Gao next door who liked him. He always had a cold expression towards her, which scared her away. Don’t let his intelligence fool you. Even now that he’s become the Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, he’s probably still the same.”

“I’m not afraid of you laughing at me. I see you as a real sister, so I’m willing to tell you,” Sun Congwan’s voice was very soft, but her lips held a faint smile. “His personality is cold… When my father first asked him to tutor me, he would only call me Miss Sun. Later, I didn’t want him to call me that, so I told my father I didn’t want to study with him anymore. I’ve always been obedient and had never been so willful before… Reluctantly, he started calling me Sister Congwan. When I heard that, I felt I was different from others.”

“There are so many people who like him—I’m well aware of that. Xie Yun, Minister Xie’s granddaughter, has liked him ever since they met at the mansion and often pursues him. I’ve seen that he’s impatient with Xie Yun too. But I still feel sad. Although I’m known as a talented lady, I can’t compare to the Second Miss Xie at all… She can engage in conversation with him, but I can’t. And he’s always avoided the topic of our marriage.”

Xie Yun was the legitimate granddaughter of a minister, famous for her talent even within the inner chambers. Moreover, she was exceptionally beautiful and of the highest birth. In this regard, even Yining couldn’t compare to her. Yining’s scholarly accomplishments were mediocre at best, and she was only adopted. Xie Yun, on the other hand, was a legitimate young lady raised in a prestigious family.

“…I’ve become more and more insecure. I’m always afraid that one day he’ll like someone else. Although my mother taught me to have self-respect and self-love…” Sun Congwan spoke with some difficulty, “I’m truly afraid that one day he’ll say he doesn’t want to marry me. I would cling to him desperately, willing even to be his concubine.”

Yining was surprised to hear this, not realizing how much Sun Congwan liked Luo Shen Yuan.

Thinking of what her Third Brother had said last night, she instinctively held Sun Congwan’s hand.

Sun Congwan shook her head and smiled, “Enough of that. Let me show you something special… My wet nurse brought it back from the East for me last time.” She took out a set of interlocking rings, similar to the nine-linked rings puzzle, and began to demonstrate how to solve it for Yining. The rings were intricately connected, making it quite difficult to separate. “This puzzle wasn’t so complicated originally. Your Third Brother solved it once, and I scrambled it again myself.”

Yining wasn’t particularly interested in such childish toys, but seeing Sun Congwan’s expectant look, she took it and tried to solve it.

Just then, an old woman outside reported that she had something to see Miss Sun about.

Yining let her in, recognizing her as Madam Jiang, who closely served her Third Brother. She brought a letter for Sun Congwan, smiling as she said, “Miss Sun… Lord Luo said he should have sent someone to Lord Sun, but since you were coming today, please take this back to Lord Sun.”

Sun Congwan nodded, seemingly accustomed to this, and took the letter, tucking it into her sleeve.

Yining glanced at the blank envelope, suspecting it might contain something important, but she didn’t ask. In her hands, the interlocking rings came apart one by one, until finally, with a click, they separated into nine individual rings.

“Sister Congwan, is this how it’s solved?”

Sun Congwan took it and looked, quite surprised that she couldn’t solve it herself! She asked Yining to teach her how to do it. After chatting and laughing for a while, Sun Congwan said, “Oh right, yesterday we agreed to take you out for tea and snacks. I almost forgot. There’s not much to see in this mansion, and since you’ve just arrived here, why don’t I accompany you to see the Grand Canal?”

Yining didn’t want to go out, for no other reason than laziness. The less she moved around unnecessarily, the better.

Miss Sun, probably raised as a proper young lady, also rarely went out. But now she was in the mood and said she wanted to fulfill her duty as a host.

Since the incident with Shen Yu, Yining always took a group of maids with her wherever she went. Unable to refuse, she asked Songzhi to find Qingqu and others to accompany them.

However, as soon as they stepped out of the ceremonial gate, they were stopped by guards. The leader, looking troubled, asked her to go back: “…Young Miss, the lord isn’t here. We don’t dare let you leave.”

“What’s the problem?” Sun Congwan said. “We’re also concerned about safety outside. Why don’t you send a few guards to accompany us?”

Yining also smiled and said, “I’ll explain to him when he returns. We’re just going to have tea and snacks at the teahouse.” She appreciated Sun Congwan’s thoughtfulness, feeling more at ease with guards accompanying them.

The lead guard hesitated for a moment. As a servant, he didn’t dare truly stop Yining. So he sent his subordinates to find a team of guards, instructing them to take good care of the young ladies.

Yining felt more at ease this time, accompanying Sun Congwan instead of Luo Shenyuan. The two women stopped their carriage whenever they saw something they liked, sending servants to make purchases. The area bustled with trade, offering many curiosities. Various shops lined the streets—paper horse shops, silk stores, and secondhand clothing shops. Traveling monks and farmers carrying loads on shoulder poles passed by in an endless stream. Even the bridge over the Grand Canal had stalls selling scissors, blown sugar figurines, woven bamboo baskets, and plaques.

Sun Congwan, treating Yining like a child, asked if she wanted a blown sugar figurine. Yining laughed and shook her head, wondering what she’d do with such a thing.

When they reached the teahouse, the owner recognized the Sun family’s token and promptly ushered them to a secluded second-floor room overlooking the Grand Canal. Guards remained at the door while maids followed them inside.

Another carriage stopped outside, and Cheng Lang disembarked. His followers silently ascended to the second floor.

The teahouse owner, startled, hurried to greet them: “Honored guest…”

Cheng Lang tossed him a badge: “Official business. Keep quiet.”

Seeing the engraved characters, the owner held his breath and respectfully returned the badge: “Sir, upstairs are the Sun family’s honored guests… friends of our proprietor!”

“I know,” Cheng Lang said softly. “So keep your mouth shut and pretend you didn’t see me. Your shop’s future depends on your proprietor’s actions after today.”

The owner wiped sweat with his sleeve, disregarding his expensive patterned silk robe.

Cheng Lang quietly ascended to the second floor.

The guards outside the room had been subdued, their faces red as they glared at Cheng Lang, unable to speak. One struggled fiercely and managed to shout, “Young Miss, there are villains!” Before he could finish, a sharp blow to his neck rendered him unconscious.

Inside, Yining heard the muffled cry. She had been watching boats on the canal through the open window. Turning to the door with a frown, she realized the unusual silence outside.

She whispered to Sun Congwan, who also became alarmed: “Our guards are out there…”

“I know,” Yining said, sending Qingqu to check. Qingqu returned with a troubled expression: “There’s… no one outside. The other patrons are gone. Our guards have disappeared.”

Sun Congwan furrowed her brow: “Sister Yining, we shouldn’t linger here. Strangely, people were having tea when we arrived. Where did they go?”

Yining held her back, shaking her head: “We can’t leave.”

The guards, being Luo Shenyuan’s men, wouldn’t have left without reason. They were trapped, and leaving would surely lead to capture.

But they were young ladies of high status. Sun Congwan had even presented the Sun family token earlier. Who would dare act so boldly? What did they want?

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Knock, knock. Both women tensed, exchanging glances. Yining squeezed Sun Congwan’s hand, whispering: “Since they’re knocking, they’re not mere bandits. Don’t panic.” She was, after all, just an ordinary young lady, less experienced than Yining. Sun Congwan composed herself and had her maid ask: “Who’s outside?”

An unfamiliar male voice replied: “We mean no harm to the young ladies. This isn’t the place to talk. Please come with us…”

Sun Congwan didn’t need Yining’s advice to know better. She answered: “Sir, without explaining your intentions, asking us to follow you seems improper.”

Someone outside chuckled: “We have no intention of harming you. We simply need the letter Sun Congwan carries for Sun Daren. Please hand it over to us.”

— They were after the letter!

Sun Congwan immediately covered her sleeve, telling Yining: “This must be related to a recent major case. I’m delivering it for Shenyuan… we can’t let them have it.”

Yining quickly took the letter. To Sun Congwan’s surprise, she tore it to shreds and threw it into a nearby porcelain vase housing ornamental carp. The ink quickly blurred in the water. Sun Congwan finally reacted, “Yining—what are you doing!”

Yining calmly replied: “Wasn’t the goal to protect the letter? It’s safe now. Don’t worry—he can rewrite it when we return.”

The people outside, likely hearing the commotion, immediately said: “Don’t make this difficult. We can take you by force if necessary!”

At that moment, Yining heard a faint sigh, barely audible, saying “Fool.”

Recognizing the voice, Yining stiffened. She said coolly: “Lord Cheng, are you out there?”

No one outside responded. Yining continued: “If you’re here, come in.”

The door finally opened, and someone walked around the screen. Yining looked up to see Cheng Lang wearing a dark right-lapelled robe. He rarely wore black, which made him appear even more elegant and refined. He usually smiled at Yining with a gentle demeanor. Now, as he sat before her with his men, he showed no trace of a smile. He waved for the guards to take their maids away.

“When did my cousin start doing such things?” Yining smiled slightly. “The letter is destroyed. Let us go, cousin, and we’ll pretend nothing happened. You’re a proper government official—isn’t this inappropriate? Even with my father away from the capital, there’s no reason for you to bully us like this.”

Cheng Lang glanced at her and said: “Cousin Yining, you’re clever indeed, destroying the letter so quickly.”

Hearing Yining address him as Lord Cheng and seeing his appearance, Sun Congwan immediately guessed this must be the renowned Ministry of Personnel Lang Zhong, Cheng Lang.

“What do you want with the letter?” Sun Congwan gritted her teeth. “You’re no different from those people, protecting corrupt officials…”

“Miss Sun, please don’t get angry.” Cheng Lang smiled, approaching Sun Congwan and asking gently, “Since you handled the letter, surely you know its contents? Why don’t you tell me?”

Sun Congwan’s face reddened with anger: “I didn’t read it. Even if I had, I wouldn’t tell you…”

Cheng Lang slowly drew a dagger from his sleeve, unsheathing it. “Miss Sun, speak carefully. Did you read it or not?”

Seeing this, Yining could no longer contain herself. She said in a low voice: “Cheng Lang!”

Hearing Yining suddenly call his name, Cheng Lang’s dagger tip paused. He slowly turned back, suddenly saying: “In the past, there was someone who called my name like that when I angered her.” He smiled faintly, walking towards Yining. “Cousin Yining, did you know your parrot can say ‘A’lang’?”

He was testing her!

Yining stiffened slightly upon hearing him say “A’lang.” That day when he slept restlessly, she had comforted him briefly. She had taught the parrot to mimic those words, and he must have heard it. Was that why he suspected her?

It made sense for him to be suspicious—she had left enough clues. If he didn’t suspect now, he wouldn’t be Cheng Lang.

But he was still testing her, which meant he wasn’t certain.

Yining didn’t want to admit anything, partly because it was unnecessary, and partly because she didn’t want further entanglement. She pressed her lips together and said: “I don’t understand what Lord Cheng is saying.”

“It’s alright if you don’t understand…” Cheng Lang chuckled. “I’m sure Miss Sun knows something.”

Seeing the cold gleam of the dagger, Sun Congwan couldn’t help but feel afraid. But her father belonged to the Qingliu faction, and she had been raised with their ideals. She gritted her teeth and said: “Even if you kill me, what can you do? You’re a government official—how will you explain this to others!”

“Killing you is no big deal,” Cheng Lang said indifferently. “I don’t care about killing people, nor do I bother explaining myself.”

Yining watched him coldly from the side, thinking Cheng Lang must have gone mad!

She now understood that he hadn’t come for the letter at all.

If he killed Sun Congwan, Lord Sun wouldn’t let him off. By exposing his actions like this, Lu Jiaxue wouldn’t spare him either. But he seemed not to care at all. What was he after?

He glanced back at her. With Sun Congwan restrained, his dagger hovered over her face as he said: “Actually, whether I kill you or not doesn’t matter… disfigurement is almost the same as death.”

Yining saw Sun Congwan’s pale face and closed her eyes.

Unable to bear seeing Cheng Lang like this or witnessing his actions.

Finally, after a moment, she said: “Cheng Lang… let her go. Send them away, and I’ll explain everything to you.”

Hearing Yining’s words, Cheng Lang’s heart skipped a beat. What had been mere speculation now held a glimmer of hope, making his breath catch.

Could it be… could it be true…

He immediately turned and gestured for his men to take Sun Congwan out. Qingqu and the others didn’t want to leave, but Yining shook her head, indicating there was no danger, and told them to go first. Finally, everyone left, and the door was closed.

Cheng Lang stood silently, watching her.

Yining stood up and walked to the window. Looking at the bustling Grand Canal, she sighed. Her expression, compared to usual, held a subtle calmness.

“Even if you knew, what difference would it make…”

Sunlight filtered through the thick clouds, possibly signaling rain, casting a white glow. Her profile appeared exceptionally beautiful and gentle. Outside, boats came and went, creating a lively scene. She said softly, “A’lang, why do you obsess over whether I’m dead or not?”

She turned back, looking at Cheng Lang: “If I am her, what would you do?”