New officials light three fires when taking office.

Commander-in-Chief Xie’s first fire was treating his colleagues to food and drink.

His second fire was taking them to pleasure houses to listen to music.

His third fire was even more spectacular—giving each guard five taels of silver, calling it a reward for their service.

In three days he spent nearly a thousand taels of silver. Who still remembered that Commander-in-Chief Xie lacked qualifications? They only remembered his generous spending and righteousness.

Following such a leader, from now on the brothers of the Five Cities Military Commissioner’s office could eat well, drink well—life had such promise!

After soaking in wine and women for several days, Boss Xie began inspecting the entire forty-nine wards.

His horse was a fine steed, his saddle excellent, and the brothers behind him all looked imposing and majestic. Unfortunately, Boss Xie kept yawning, looking utterly listless.

Passing young ladies and wives who saw him felt such resentment in their hearts—which shameless little tramp had drained our Master Xie’s vital essence last night?

Suddenly, urgent hoofbeats approached from the distance.

Xie Zhifei forced his eyes open and saw it was Zhu Qing, quickly dismounting.

Before the horse even stopped, Zhu Qing jumped down and approached, speaking in a low voice: “News from the palace—Lu Shi impeached Yan Ruxian for interfering in the Spring Examinations. His Highness instructed you to be extra vigilant to prevent scholars from causing disturbances.”

Xie Zhifei’s expression changed dramatically, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp and piercing, no longer showing any listlessness.

He beckoned to several trusted subordinates behind him. They gathered around, waiting for their boss to speak.

Yet their boss seemed possessed—suddenly staring blankly, saying nothing.

The subordinates didn’t understand what was happening, exchanging confused glances with Zhu Qing—what’s wrong with our boss?

Zhu Qing quickly nudged Xie Zhifei with his elbow.

Xie Zhifei snapped back to attention and immediately said, “Notify all the brothers immediately—everyone patrol the streets. Station more men near the Imperial Academy and in front of the Ministry of Rites.”

“Yes!”

“Zhu Qing, go tell Yan Sanhe this news.”

Zhu Qing was puzzled. “Boss, this matter…”

Xie Zhifei’s face darkened, rarely speaking so sternly: “Stop dawdling—go quickly!”

Zhu Qing immediately mounted his horse and turned around.

Watching the man and horse disappear from view, Xie Zhifei’s brow furrowed tightly.

What had he just been spacing out about?

Spacing out about how it was another Spring Examination fraud case!

Such a coincidence?

…

Yan Sanhe had just returned home for breakfast—a bowl of rice porridge that she ate absentmindedly. Li Buyan had finished half of hers while Yan Sanhe was still slowly chewing.

After her last bite, Zhu Qing rushed over, saying without catching his breath:

“Miss Yan, there’s news Third Master told me to relay to you. Today Lu Shi wore crimson robes to court and impeached Yan Ruxian again.”

Yan Sanhe blurted out: “Impeached him for what?”

“Interfering in the Spring Examinations.”

Those four words struck like hammers, making Yan Sanhe’s mind form one sentence: how is this such a coincidence?

“Miss Yan, there’s still business at the yamen. I must return.”

“Wait—when Third Master had you relay this news to me, what was his intention?”

Zhu Qing shook his head, thinking to himself that he was just as confused.

“Go ahead.”

Morning sunlight slanted into the hall. Yan Sanhe watched the dust motes floating in the light, the doubt in her black pupils growing thicker.

Spring Examination fraud—Tang Qiling.

Spring Examination fraud—Yan Ruxian.

These two cases were separated by nearly thirty years with no apparent connection.

The only connection: Tang Qiling’s student was Lu Shi, and this matter involving Yan Ruxian was also being impeached by Lu Shi.

“Miss, miss, miss!”

“Ah?”

Yan Sanhe looked up blankly at Tangyuan before her. “What is it?”

Tangyuan: “Miss, there’s someone outside named Han Xu who wants to see you.”

Before Yan Sanhe could speak, Li Buyan beside her said, “I’ll go greet him,” and vanished.

Yan Sanhe also stood up. “Tangyuan, brew tea and prepare refreshments. I’ll receive the guest in the study.”

“Yes!”

Tangyuan acknowledged, curious in her heart.

Since the young miss moved here, she’d never received guests in the study. Who was this Han Xu? She’d never heard of him before!

…

In the study, autumn sunlight also entered.

Tangyuan had just finished brewing tea when Li Buyan led in a young man.

The man had sword-like brows, starry eyes, a prominent nose, and a slightly round chin. His skin was somewhat dark, his build somewhat lean.

Tangyuan didn’t dare look further, quickly stepping aside with lowered head.

The man walked past her and stopped before the desk, cupping his fists toward Yan Sanhe. “Miss Yan, I trust you’ve been well?”

Yan Sanhe looked at him, her eyes gradually filling with a smile. “Fort Master Han, it’s been a long time.”

Han Xu also smiled. “Two years, seven months, and twenty-one days.”

Yan Sanhe: “You remember so clearly?”

Han Xu: “Everything concerning Miss Yan, I dare not forget.”

Hearing this, Tangyuan instinctively raised her head, but saw her young miss’s face show a coquettish smile—she was startled.

Having served the young miss for so long, her face showed almost only one expression—indifferent and cold.

Even when she smiled, it was just briefly turning up the corners of her lips. When had she ever smiled coquettishly, especially toward a man?

“Tangyuan, you may go attend to your duties.”

“Yes, miss.”

Though full of questions, Tangyuan didn’t dare ask a word and hurriedly closed the door as she left.

“Fort Master Han, please sit!”

Han Xu sat down, picked up his tea cup, took a light sip, then set it down before pulling the jade pendant from his robe and placing it on the small table.

“Put away the pendant. Give me a thousand taels of silver, and news will arrive in three days.”

Yan Sanhe gave a light “ah,” indicating she didn’t quite understand.

“Miss’s great kindness and virtue, Han Xu has never dared forget. Such a small matter doesn’t require this jade pendant.”

“It’s just that the person’s identity is special…”

“He’s not that special.”

“Buyan, go get a thousand taels of silver.”

“Yes.”

When the silver arrived, Han Xu took it and tucked it into his robe, cupping his fists toward Yan Sanhe. “I take my leave.”

Yan Sanhe unexpectedly urged him to stay. “Don’t rush—stay and finish this cup of tea with me.”

Han Xu looked at her silently. “Very well.”

Neither spoke again, silently finishing their tea.

Yan Sanhe suddenly asked out of the blue, “Could I add another thousand taels and have you investigate someone else for me?”

Han Xu: “Who?”

Yan Sanhe: “The Grand Eunuch Yan Ruxian who just had his household raided?”

“No.”

Han Xu refused flatly. “The Han Family Fort has a rule—we absolutely don’t investigate anyone connected to the imperial palace.”

Yan Sanhe looked apologetic. “I made an excessive request. Let’s go—I’ll see you out.”

Han Xu looked at her again. “Very well!”

They walked out of the study side by side, walking very slowly, still silent.

Reaching the inner gate, Han Xu finally spoke again: “See me out only this far. We’ll meet again in three days.”

Yan Sanhe gave another soft “ah.” “Fort Master Han will personally deliver the news?”

Han Xu squinted, his gaze drifting to the osmanthus tree behind Yan Sanhe. Twenty days until Mid-Autumn Festival, and already the faint fragrance of osmanthus permeated the air.

“Miss Yan is worth it,” he said slowly.

“Then I’ll prepare a good cup of tea in three days?”

“Good!”

Han Xu said nothing more, turning to stride away.

Li Buyan, who had been following far behind, stepped forward, watching Han Xu’s retreating figure and curling her lip. “Still the same old manner—hasn’t changed a bit.”

“Mm.” Yan Sanhe answered absentmindedly.

“By the way, Sanhe, why did you want him to investigate Yan Ruxian?”

“Don’t you find it strange?”

Yan Sanhe’s gaze fell to the ground, her voice very slow. “Yan Ruxian’s household has already been raided—why is Lu Shi still going after him?”

Li Buyan thought about it—yes! “Why indeed?”