Yan Qing took the lantern from Jing Zhi’s hands and walked back and forth along the path. She discovered that the bloodstains formed a line, extending all the way to where she had been standing, and the blood was fresh, emanating a wave of metallic stench.

Snakes are attracted to blood. If someone had sprinkled fresh blood here and then placed the snake nearby, it would easily have been drawn to that spot.

“Let’s head back.” Yan Qing beckoned to Er Dan, who immediately fell into step behind her.

After returning to the courtyard, Jing Zhi told Murong about what had happened. Murong was also frightened, but she recalled something.

“Miss, could it have been the Eighth Young Miss? Her maidservants have been lurking suspiciously around the courtyard lately. She must have seen you go to Er Yitai’s courtyard and prepared the venomous snake on the path in advance.”

Jing Zhi clenched her teeth. “This Eighth Young Miss is truly vicious. What if Miss had actually been bitten by the snake?”

Yan Qing picked up a nearby teacup and took a sip, her eyes gradually darkening. “I just find it strange. Although Shi Yutong has always disliked me, she never used to oppose me at every turn. At least during the time since I married into the Shi Family, she was somewhat restrained. Why has she been clashing with me so frequently lately, and in such a relentless, frenzied state?”

Yan Qing thought of how Shi Yutong had bullied Er Dan, then falsely accused her of cheating at the examination, and now this venomous snake incident. Shi Yutong’s actions were escalating each time, yet Yan Qing could not recall ever truly offending this Eighth Young Miss.

Shi Yutong was the Commander’s most beloved daughter, and her mother, San Yitai, had enjoyed his favor for many years, holding an unshakeable position within the Shi Mansion. Even for Shi Ting’s sake, she did not want to make an enemy of San Yitai Du Linghua, as it would do nothing to benefit Shi Ting’s future prospects.

As for Du Linghua herself, she had no son, so she had no reason to compete for the Commander’s position. Moreover, she was pregnant, and whether the child would be a boy or girl was still uncertain. Why would she choose this moment to target Shi Ting? It was not worth the risk.

Since it was not Du Linghua who wished to make an enemy of her, the only explanation for Shi Yutong’s current erratic behavior was that someone was stirring things up from behind the scenes.

“I nearly forgot about my dear elder sister.” Yan Qing took a sip of tea and curled her lips slightly. “She has been remarkably quiet lately.”

That was unlike Yan Qin’s nature at all. It seemed someone had been giving her guidance.

“Miss, are we just going to let this matter pass?” Jing Zhi said indignantly. “We should still tell the Master and have him speak to the Commander. Miss cannot suffer such a fright without consequence. If we stay silent, people will think we are easy to bully. This time it was a venomous snake — next time it might be poisonous centipedes or scorpions. The Eighth Young Miss has a cruel heart, and there is no telling what outrageous things she might do next. This will never end.”

Yan Qing waved her hand. “Shi Ting is busy with affairs right now. Don’t trouble him over these domestic trifles.”

“Are we just going to let the Eighth Young Miss continue causing trouble like this?” Jing Zhi stamped her foot anxiously, still shaken by the thought of that venomous snake from earlier that evening.

Yan Qing thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled, pressing her lips together. “It’s not as though there are no ways to deal with Shi Yutong.”

With that, she leaned in and whispered a few words to Jing Zhi and Murong. Jing Zhi’s face immediately lit up with delight. “Miss, will this actually work?”

“It will certainly work. Go ahead and take care of it. But remember — this must be done without leaving a trace. We must keep ourselves completely clear of any involvement.”

“Miss, rest assured. This sort of thing is my specialty.” Jing Zhi winked.

Yan Qing smiled and returned to her tea.

“Miss, what time will the Master return? Shall we keep the door open for him?”

“He won’t be back for the next few days.”

“Is the Master away on business?”

“No.”

Murong was puzzled. Whenever Shi Ting was in Shun Cheng, no matter how late, he always came home. She wondered what could have kept him away for several days this time.

“This is the Commander’s order. He is protecting someone.”

“Who could be so valuable as to require the Master’s personal protection?” Jing Zhi huffed. “The Commander has so many guards — can none of them handle it?”

Yan Qing smiled. “Foolish girl, this is a mark of the Commander’s trust.”

Murong quickly understood. “The Commander chose not to send his own guards but instead sent the Master, which shows he trusts the Master more than his own guards. Is that right, Miss?”

Yan Qing nodded. “You should all get to rest. There’s no need to keep the door open.”

The lights in Shaolan Courtyard had been extinguished, leaving only two dim yellow lanterns glowing softly. The E’ge De dance hall, however, blazed with brilliant lights, a scene of lively music and revelry.

For certain people in this city, the night had only just begun.

On the dazzling stage, the announcer’s voice carried a surge of excitement. “Please welcome our star, Miss Gaga, performing tonight’s opening song — ‘Dreams Adrift in the World of Dust!'”

Amid a wave of cheers, Qin Peipei appeared at the center of the stage.

She stood an impressive 175 centimeters tall, her figure accentuated by a red off-shoulder qipao trimmed with gold, her long legs clad in black mesh stockings, her feet in a pair of red high heels.

More striking than her figure was her beauty — her hair set in elaborate curls, she wore a small black top hat adorned with layers of cascading red feathers, with a black mesh veil draped over the hat that concealed half her face. Beneath the veil, her eyes tilted upward slightly, sultry and alluring.

The moment Qin Peipei appeared, the screams below surged, one wave after another, growing even louder when she lifted the upright microphone.

As the music began, Qin Peipei swayed her slender waist, her sweet voice carrying a uniquely captivating quality.

“Dreams in the world of dust, the world of dust in dreams — nothing more than gazing at flowers through intoxicated eyes, how many petals have fallen…”

Shi Ting sat in the front row of the audience. His gaze appeared to rest on Qin Peipei, but his peripheral vision swept the surroundings.

He had stationed six officers here — the finest from the Military Police Division, each assigned to surveillance and witness protection.

They stood like a row of surveillance monitors, watching every movement in the dance hall.

When Qin Peipei finished her song, the audience erupted in applause. She smiled and blew several kisses to the crowd before retreating backstage.

Qin Peipei had barely reached her private dressing room when Shi Ting knocked and entered.

“Director Shi, you truly are thorough.” Qin Peipei removed her hat and stood before the mirror, touching up her makeup. “The Military Police Division making such a grand show of things — I’m truly flattered.”

Shi Ting sat down on the sofa nearby and said nothing.

“Director Shi, you say someone wants to kill me. Who exactly?”

“We don’t know yet.”

“Very well.” Qin Peipei set down her powder puff and rose to walk toward the sofa. “Director Shi, I need to change my clothes. Will you watch me change, or perhaps help me change?”

As she drew closer, Shi Ting’s clear, cool gaze lifted slightly. “Draw the curtain.”

“But I don’t like drawing the curtain.” As she said this, her hand reached toward him.

Shi Ting raised his hand and blocked hers. “Miss Qin, I am under the Commander’s orders to protect your safety — your safety alone. If Miss Qin does not wish to draw the curtain to change, that is fine. I can knock you unconscious right now and have someone else change your clothes for you. What does Miss Qin think?”

“Is Director Shi really so harsh? Have you no sympathy for a lady?”

“Miss Qin is correct — I am nothing but a rough man from the Military Police Division. I genuinely lack such refinement. So I would ask Miss Qin not to provoke me into action.”

Qin Peipei studied him for a moment. He radiated coldness, his eyes carrying not a flicker of warmth. In his gaze, she — this alluring woman — was no different from an ordinary object, unable to stir even the faintest interest in him.

“Hmph.” Qin Peipei gave a contemptuous laugh. “Director Shi is truly a dull man.”

She straightened up and sashayed into the dressing area.

The dressing area had only a curtain, and beneath it a gap remained. As Qin Peipei stood inside, one could see her garments falling away one by one, until only two stretches of snow-white calves and bare pale feet remained.

Qin Peipei sneaked open a slit in the curtain and peeked out to find Shi Ting still seated on the sofa, toying with a lighter, his gaze unwavering.

She bit her red lips, inwardly letting out a forceful huff.

She had seen all manner of men, and not one of them had managed to remain composed when faced with her looks and figure. On the faces of those men, without exception, was written: I want you.

She thought Shi Ting was an abnormal man — at the very least, in that particular regard, he was absolutely not normal.

Qin Peipei changed into a brilliantly colored qipao and emerged. “Director Shi, I need to keep a guest company in a moment. Will you be joining?”

“What do you think?” Shi Ting glanced over, his tone flat.

“Director Shi truly has bold tastes. Even if I were to do that sort of thing with someone else, you would still need to be present?”

“In principle, yes.” Shi Ting’s gaze remained unchanged. “Though I wonder who would have the nerve to carry on with you right in front of me.”

Setting aside his identity as Director of the Military Police Division, he was also the Commander’s son. Throughout all of Shun Cheng, there was likely no one who could maintain composure and flirt with Qin Peipei while he stood watching.

Hearing this, Qin Peipei’s expression darkened. She let out a forceful huff, flung open the door, and walked out.

The moment she stepped outside, she saw several plainclothes officers standing there, faces expressionless. She swept a glance over them and quickened her pace.

Yet no matter how fast she walked, these men followed like shadows, never more than a step away.

With protection like this, it seemed nearly impossible for any assailant to make a move against Qin Peipei.

“Seventh Brother.” Bai Jin suddenly popped up. “I have something to tell you.”

—

Bai Jin: Seventh Brother, I have something to tell you.

Shi Ting: Go ahead.

Bai Jin: Brother, happy Children’s Day!

Shi Ting: …You should be saying that to your Eighth Brother, not me.

Eighth Brother: Happy Children’s Day, everyone! May you always keep your childlike hearts, always remain innocent and carefree. Come on now — who isn’t still a child at heart? Eighth Brother wants a hug!

—