Zhen Jiu’er fell silent again.

Yan Qiu suddenly noticed that this girl’s temperament was, oddly enough, a bit like Ninth Master’s.

When she didn’t feel like talking, she wouldn’t bother saving anyone’s face—she wouldn’t so much as part her lips, treating the other person as if they were invisible.

And yet, strangely, it wasn’t off-putting.

Probably because it really did resemble Ninth Master.

“Ninth Master, when there’s nothing pressing, try standing up on your own for a bit—see how your legs are doing.”

Once Zhen Jiu’er finished the acupuncture, she packed up her things and left without another word.

Only after she’d walked off did Yan Qiu suddenly realize: “Was I… in the way just now?”

If he hadn’t been standing there the whole time, might Zhen Jiu’er have had a lot more to say to Ninth Master?

Lu Beicheng lifted his cup and drank his tea, unbothered by the remark.

“Ninth Master, this Miss Zhen… don’t you think she’s hiding a lot of secrets?”

“Who doesn’t have a few secrets?” Lu Beicheng remained just as indifferent.

Yan Qiu felt helpless—Ninth Master truly harbored no suspicion of Zhen Jiu’er whatsoever.

That said, Zhen Jiu’er really was rather unusual for someone who was, after all, just a fresh graduate.

“She didn’t originally want to come here. I was the one who kept her and brought her along.”

Lu Beicheng flicked his fingertips, an old habit—he wanted a cigarette.

“There are indeed a great many secrets about her—even I can’t quite see through them all. But she bears us no ill will.”

“Fine, since Ninth Master trusts her, then I won’t doubt her anymore.”

“If you don’t doubt her, then why did you deliberately mention the location of the Northern Emperor’s tomb in front of her just now?” Lu Beicheng snorted coldly.

A chill instantly ran down Yan Qiu’s spine.

Truly—nothing escaped Ninth Master’s notice!

“I just… wanted to test her a little.”

“She’s not that foolish. Even if there really were something wrong with her, she wouldn’t let you see through it so easily.”

As Lu Beicheng said this, something faintly, almost imperceptibly, pleased flickered across his brow.

Had Yan Qiu not spent so many years at his side, thoroughly familiar with his temperament, he wouldn’t have caught that fleeting hint of amusement at all.

Ninth Master… truly held Zhen Jiu’er in high regard!

Well, fine—he decided to put away his little scheme for now and stop trying anything clever where Zhen Jiu’er was concerned.

“Still, Ninth Master, have you noticed that girl’s temper is a bit like yours?”

Of course, Yan Qiu knew full well such a remark would get no response at all.

Sure enough, Lu Beicheng simply drank his tea, not even sparing him a glance.

Yan Qiu scratched his head and said with a laugh, “Fine, pretend I never said anything.”

Still—Zhen Jiu’er had mentioned two groups of unidentified people. Who could they be?

“One of the groups might be his men,” Lu Beicheng said suddenly.

Yan Qiu froze, his expression turning grim in an instant!

“After all these years! Has he still not given up? Or does he think he hasn’t harmed Ninth Master enough already?”

Yan Qiu’s gaze fell unconsciously on Lu Beicheng’s legs, his fists clenching at once.

“Ninth Master, how much longer are you going to keep holding back? It’s time you gave him a taste of his own medicine!”

Lu Beicheng said nothing, only flicking his fingertips again, unable to stop himself.

Yan Qiu knew—Ninth Master’s mood had soured.

Whenever his mood soured, he wanted a cigarette.

Fine, that man’s business wasn’t something he should have brought up.

“Ninth Master, next year, do we go straight ahead and excavate the Northern Emperor’s tomb, or wait for the security team to arrive first?”

“Didn’t you say there are tomb robbers in this city?”

If there really were tomb robbers, then waiting would only be handing them an opportunity.

“If it truly is the Northern Emperor’s tomb, then we’ll guard it first and decide after.” Yan Qiu nodded at once. “Understood!”