From the book: Yu Wu Xiang

In truth, Cheng Maoming had never quite understood the relationship between this young man and Prince Jing’s heir, or Second Miss Lin. But just now, seeing Second Miss Lin chatting and laughing with this person, they must be on good terms.

Since they were on good terms, why had this young man fallen to such a state?

Cheng Maoming glanced at Lin Hao and suddenly understood: Right, Second Miss Lin was just a young lady—even if she wanted to help, it wouldn’t be very convenient, and Prince Jing’s heir wasn’t in the capital.

With this thought, Cheng Maoming immediately felt he couldn’t turn a blind eye.

Prince Jing’s heir had helped him so much, and Second Miss Lin was the heir’s future wife—definitely one of the family. He should take the initiative to help.

Mm, looking at how this young man’s eyes were spirited and his build tall and lean, mixing into the Jinlin Guard to earn a living shouldn’t be a problem.

Though these thoughts seemed numerous, they actually flashed through his mind in an instant. The next moment, Lin Hao and Du Qing spoke in unison: “Yes (No)—”

The one saying “yes” was Lin Hao; the one denying was Du Qing.

The completely opposite answers made them both swallow their remaining words.

Cheng Maoming couldn’t help but frown.

A grown man being so evasive—could it be he had a guilty conscience? No, he needed to keep a closer eye on him for Prince Jing’s heir!

“I see Second Miss Lin’s friend seems to have encountered some difficulties. Is it that you have no means of livelihood? Our Jinlin Guard has been short-handed lately. If you don’t mind, why not give it a try?”

Du Qing was dumbstruck.

He—Sage Mingxin’s guard, the leader of one of the sleeper cell teams deployed in the capital (formerly)—was going to become a Jinlin Guard?

Du Qing felt a sense of absurdity.

For people like them to obtain legitimate identities in the capital, they didn’t know how much effort it took. Usually they ended up as fortune-telling masters with divination stalls, peddlers walking the streets and alleys, or merchants with modest means. Those officials who belonged to their camp were all recruited through coercion and enticement.

If he agreed, in terms of achievements as a spy, wouldn’t this rank just below the Old Crown Prince and the Master?

The sudden sense of achievement nearly made Du Qing nod directly. Fortunately his reason remained, and he couldn’t help glancing at Lin Hao.

This young lady knew his true identity. Forget infiltrating the Jinlin Guard—just allowing him to act freely until now was already beyond his comprehension.

Sometimes he felt this young lady’s thinking was completely different from ordinary people; other times he suspected some conspiracy.

“If that’s possible, then naturally it would be wonderful.” Lin Hao cast Du Qing an inquiring look. “What do you think?”

Du Qing’s miserable state… was really rather pitiful.

If he could enter the Jinlin Guard, given Grand Commander Cheng’s control over the Jinlin Guard and his caution, he would definitely be positioned somewhere visible as decoration. This way, there’d be no need to worry about Du Qing connecting with those people again, and he wouldn’t be so wretched as to beg for food. And once Du Qing’s true identity was exposed in the future, since it was Grand Commander Cheng who had actively arranged for him to enter, they couldn’t do anything to her and A’Shuo.

Three birds with one stone.

Du Qing was stumped by the question.

What did he think? He was Emperor Pingle’s man—this girl clearly knew that!

Those almond-shaped eyes contained rippling laughter, which in Du Qing’s current view seemed somewhat mocking.

“Naturally, I couldn’t ask for more.” Du Qing clasped his fists, his eyes meeting Lin Hao’s containing a trace of defiance.

Lin Hao curtsied to Grand Commander Cheng: “Then many thanks to the Grand Commander.”

“Second Miss Lin is too polite.” Cheng Maoming laughed heartily, his gaze turning to Du Qing. “How shall I address you, young brother?”

“His surname is Mu, given name Qing—the mu of plants and trees, the qing of green grass.” Lin Hao said.

“Mu Qing? A fine name.” Lin Hao’s quick answer made Cheng Maoming think this young man was the taciturn type, so he asked no more questions and instructed his subordinate, “Settle him in properly.”

“Yes.” The subordinate answered solemnly and said to Du Qing, “I’m called Fang Ming. Brother Mu, come with me.”

Du Qing followed Fang Ming in a daze for quite a distance, couldn’t help looking back at Lin Hao once, then became even more dazed.

Cheng Maoming frowned secretly.

Looking at this reluctant-to-part manner, this fellow definitely harbored improper thoughts about Second Miss Lin. Sure enough, getting him into the Jinlin Guard to watch him for the heir was the right call.

“Second Miss Lin—” Cheng Maoming had originally planned to say he’d attend to his duties first, but seeing Lin Hao staring unblinkingly at the portrait, he remarked casually, “Too bad the heir isn’t here. Others’ skill at drawing portraits still falls somewhat short.”

When Sage Mingxin was still the National Preceptor, he had seen him before.

“It doesn’t look like him?” Lin Hao’s expression turned peculiar. “But I find the person in the portrait somewhat familiar.”

Cheng Maoming’s expression immediately changed, his tone carrying urgency: “Second Miss Lin has seen this person?”

“Well—” Lin Hao glanced left and right, hesitating, “It seems I have seen him…”

Her reaction immediately reminded Cheng Maoming.

“Second Miss Lin, let’s go have some tea and discuss this in detail.”

“All right.” Lin Hao readily agreed, and when the other wasn’t paying attention, she curved her lips slightly.

Grand Commander Cheng wanted to extract what he wanted to know from her mouth—but wasn’t she the same?

Soon the two were seated in a private room at a teahouse, each holding a cup of fragrant tea.

Tea fragrance curled upward as the charcoal brazier in the corner quietly dispelled the cold.

“Second Miss Lin, quickly tell me—when and where did you see the person in the portrait?”

Lin Hao stroked the cup’s body: “Grand Commander Cheng, is the person in the portrait the former dynasty’s National Preceptor?”

“It’s him!” Cheng Maoming felt a surge of excitement.

Could it be that finding Sage Mingxin had fallen to Second Miss Lin?

Heavens above, what an enormous lucky star Prince Jing’s heir was—even away from the capital, he could still transmit his good fortune to him through Second Miss Lin!

Cheng Maoming’s heart pounded as his excitement showed somewhat.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t maintain his composure—it was truly that Prince Jing’s heir had brought him too many benefits.

Seeing Cheng Maoming so excited, Lin Hao silently apologized, her face showing sudden realization: “No wonder he looked so familiar. Over ten years ago when Sage Mingxin accompanied the old Emperor to the Heaven-Worshiping ceremony, I saw him from a teahouse on the street…”

Cheng Maoming’s expression gradually became subtle: “Second Miss Lin means… you saw him when Sage Mingxin was still the National Preceptor?”

“That’s right.” Lin Hao nodded.

“But how old were you then?”

“I was already seven or eight. I have an especially good memory—I wouldn’t be mistaken.” Lin Hao looked completely confident.

Cheng Maoming instantly felt crushed.

Excited for nothing. Farewell!

Cheng Maoming put down his teacup and was just about to speak when Lin Hao seized the initiative.

“Grand Commander, why this sudden search for the former dynasty’s National Preceptor? What crime has he committed?”

If asking this question in front of the wall where the portrait was posted would seem abrupt, leading up to this moment made asking perfectly natural.

Cheng Maoming instinctively frowned, preparing to deflect.

“It looks like Sage Mingxin is right here in the capital, doesn’t it?”

What Lin Hao wanted to probe from Cheng Maoming was the reason for seeking Sage Mingxin, and this reason would determine her subsequent plans.

Under the young lady’s clear and spirited gaze, Cheng Maoming’s heart stirred slightly.

For trustworthy people on their side, knowing the reason was actually harmless. Just in case she could provide him with some lead—that would be hitting the jackpot.

Cheng Maoming felt he might be getting older and gradually starting to believe in luck. In his heart, Prince Jing’s heir and Second Miss Lin as a couple were people with some luck.

So he cleared his throat and stated the reason.