Zhao Helin explained with a smile, “So the Heir of Prince Jing is here. This official will also go pay my respects.”

Cheng Maoming’s eyebrows twitched, but he said nothing.

No matter how unpleasant their working relationship, they hadn’t openly broken ties after all. He could hardly say he wouldn’t permit him to greet someone.

Seeing Cheng Maoming quicken his pace with a dark expression, Zhao Helin smiled indifferently.

Hearing footsteps, Cheng Shu immediately stood up, “Commander Cheng, have you finished your business?”

Cheng Maoming nodded slightly, “I apologize for keeping you both waiting.”

Qi Shuo set down his teacup and stood, “It’s getting late. Brother Cheng and I won’t impose any longer.”

Zhao Helin spoke up in greeting.

Qi Shuo’s gaze shifted over, his manner polite but distant, “Deputy Zhao.”

“Had I known the Heir was here, I would have come earlier. Please don’t take offense at my neglect.”

“Deputy Zhao is too courteous.”

Zhao Helin maintained his politeness, asking casually, “May I ask what brings the Heir here?”

Hearing this question, Cheng Maoming instinctively shot Qi Shuo a meaningful look.

However, Qi Shuo seemed not to notice and said offhandedly, “I accompanied a friend.”

Only then did Zhao Helin turn his attention to Cheng Shu, “This is—”

Cheng Maoming said flatly, “Young Master Cheng Shu from the General’s Manor. He serves at the Imperial Palace. Deputy Zhao hasn’t met him?”

Zhao Helin smiled, “I truly haven’t. Young Master Cheng isn’t on duty today? How did you have time to come drink tea at the Jinlin Guard?”

Cheng Shu glanced at Cheng Maoming, his eyes full of helplessness.

Wasn’t it your superior who summoned me here for tea?

Cheng Maoming didn’t want Zhao Helin to know his purpose in requesting Cheng Shu’s presence, so he said vaguely, “Young Master Cheng was concerned about the progress in the case of his sister’s abduction and came to inquire.”

“I see.” Zhao Helin wore an expression of complete belief.

As they spoke, the group had already walked outside.

Qi Shuo and Cheng Shu stopped and asked Cheng Maoming and the other to remain.

“Heir, Young Master Cheng, safe travels. When this matter is resolved, I’ll treat you both to drinks.” Cheng Maoming tactfully expressed his gratitude.

Qi Shuo offered reassurance, “Chief Commander needn’t worry. Perhaps Cheng Shu will suddenly recall where he saw that criminal, and then the criminal’s origins will naturally come to light.”

Cheng Maoming was momentarily stunned and instinctively glanced at Zhao Helin.

With a traitor within the Jinlin Guard, he rather suspected this Zhao fellow and had no desire for him to know of Cheng Shu’s connection to the criminals. Yet unexpectedly, the Heir of Prince Jing had revealed it in one statement.

“Young Master Cheng… has seen the criminals who abducted Miss Lin?” Zhao Helin looked at Cheng Shu in surprise.

Cheng Shu smiled awkwardly, unwilling to say more, “I just found them familiar-looking.”

“I see.” Zhao Helin’s expression returned to normal, “Then Young Master Cheng must think carefully.”

“We take our leave.” Qi Shuo cupped his fists.

Cheng Shu also cupped his fists and turned to leave with Qi Shuo.

Zhao Helin’s gaze was heavy as it fell on the two figures departing side by side.

Cheng Shu unconsciously glanced back and said in a low voice, “Heir, did you notice? Those two don’t get along.”

“That’s normal. Friction between colleagues is inevitable.”

Hearing Qi Shuo say this, Cheng Shu didn’t think more of it, saying with some distress, “The two criminals are dead. Now everyone’s waiting for me to remember, which puts me under tremendous pressure.”

“Brother Cheng, just let things take their natural course.”

The two hadn’t walked far when they encountered several approaching people, led by the General’s Manor steward.

Seeing Cheng Shu, the steward’s expression brightened, “Young Master, are you alright?”

Cheng Shu smiled cheerfully, “I’m fine.”

“That’s good, that’s good. It’s nearly dark, and the Old Madam and Madam were worried, so they sent this humble one to fetch you.”

Cheng Shu reached out and patted Qi Shuo, “Thanks to the Heir coming to find me, otherwise I’m afraid I wouldn’t have gotten back so early.”

The steward bowed deeply, “This humble one thanks the Heir on behalf of the Old Madam and Madam.”

“Brother Cheng and I are friends. Thanking each other back and forth is too formal.”

Cheng Shu was moved, “Right, between friends there’s no need to constantly say ‘thank you.’ Heir, if you have no other matters, join us for drinks at the General’s Manor this evening.”

“Alright.” Qi Shuo smiled in agreement.

Cheng Shu felt even more that Qi Shuo was to his liking.

The Heir of Prince Jing was truly a straightforward person!

Before long, the group arrived at the General’s Manor. The doormen of Prince Jing’s Manor watched helplessly as their own Heir entered the General’s Manor gates, thinking their eyes were playing tricks.

Cheng Shu brought Qi Shuo back to his residence, while the steward went to the main courtyard to report.

“Oh, Shu’er is drinking with the Heir of Prince Jing?”

Madam Lin sighed, “I didn’t expect the Heir of Prince Jing to be so warmhearted. Mother, should I go over and thank him?”

By seniority she was an elder, but by status she was inferior to him. Especially having involved them in the trouble with the Jinlin Guard, personally going to express thanks was appropriate.

“The Heir of Prince Jing and Shu’er are both young people—they’ll be more at ease drinking together. You’d better not go. Rather, Chan’er and A’Hao experienced those things yesterday, and today their spirits aren’t very good. Go check on the two children.”

“Then I’ll go see them.”

The Golden Crow sank in the west. The bright, thin daylight had already turned to heavy blue, and night was visibly about to fall.

The Jiaoyue Residence where Lin Chan lived was built adjacent to the Luoying Residence where Lin Hao lived. Madam Lin hesitated, then went to her elder daughter’s place first.

Yesterday when the two daughters returned to the manor, a physician had examined them immediately. A’Hao was actually fine, but Chan’er, having been frightened, had a somewhat unstable pulse.

When Madam Lin arrived, she discovered Lin Hao was also at Jiaoyue Residence.

“Why has Mother come at this time?” Lin Chan was reclining against the headboard. Seeing Madam Lin enter, she straightened up.

Madam Lin pressed her back down, “Rest comfortably. How do you feel now?”

“I’m just a bit tired. Don’t worry, Mother.”

“That’s not what the physician said.” Examining Lin Chan’s pale complexion, Madam Lin asked worriedly, “Did you not sleep well?”

“I slept alright.” Though Lin Chan said this, she’d actually had nightmares all night. Fearing her mother and sister would worry, she didn’t dare say so.

“How is A’Hao?”

Lin Hao’s complexion looked much better, “Mother, rest assured. I’m fine, just concerned about the interrogation progress of those two criminals at the yamen.”

This statement immediately ignited Madam Lin’s fire of gossip.

“Yes, I wonder how it’s progressing. Your elder brother went once this morning, but who knew the Jinlin Guard would come to our door this afternoon and summon him again.”

“He went again? Has Elder Brother returned?”

Lin Chan and Lin Hao immediately grew tense.

Madam Lin smiled, “He’s back. Right now he’s drinking with the Heir of Prince Jing at our manor.”

Lin Hao was momentarily stunned, “Drinking at our manor?”

“It was the Heir of Prince Jing who went to the Jinlin Guard and brought your elder brother back. I don’t know when those two became so close.” Madam Lin smiled behind her hand.

“So the Heir of Prince Jing and Elder Brother are friends.” Lin Chan smiled as she looked at Lin Hao, her gaze meaningful.

Having returned in poor condition, she hadn’t yet had time to “interrogate” her sister.

Lin Hao suddenly stood, “I’ll go visit Elder Brother.”

There must be developments on the Jinlin Guard’s side.

Madam Lin was startled, “They’re drinking. What are you going there for?”

“Didn’t Mother say you’re curious about those two criminals’ situation? I’ll go ask Elder Brother and the Heir of Prince Jing, lest Elder Brother’s account be incomplete.”

Hearing this, Madam Lin nodded.