The two fortune-telling stalls were not far apart. Seeing Lin Hao looking over, that fortune teller revealed an enthusiastic smile.

Lin Hao withdrew her gaze and shook her head. “They say true masters are rather aloof. Those who are too enthusiastic are very likely to be frauds.”

The sugar figurine vendor couldn’t help but say, “Young miss, talking like that could get you beaten up.”

Lin Hao smiled embarrassedly and looked at True Master Mingxin. “I still want to ask you to read my fortune, sir.”

“The young lady thinks this old man is a master?” True Master Mingxin asked with an inscrutable expression.

Lin Hao raised her lips in a smile. “I mainly feel that you suit my eye, sir. The moment I saw you today, I suddenly had the impulse to ask you to read my fortune.”

As soon as the words fell, laughter from the vendors rang out.

“Old Wang, you haven’t had a single customer all day. Stop being difficult and just read this young lady’s fortune.”

What master? Because no one came to his stall, Old Wang had even borrowed money yesterday to buy steamed buns.

“Young lady, listen to this old man’s advice.”

“Please speak.”

“First stand up.”

Lin Hao stood.

“The more one’s fortune is read, the thinner it becomes. Young lady, at your tender age, you shouldn’t casually have your fortune told in the future.” Having said this, True Master Mingxin pulled up the signboard reading “Divine Calculator,” collected the stool Lin Hao had vacated, and walked away unhurriedly.

Lin Hao gazed at True Master Mingxin’s retreating back and quietly sighed.

In her previous life, it was through fortunate coincidence that she had such interaction with her teacher. Given her teacher’s identity and circumstances, approaching him in this life would be extremely difficult.

Fortunately, she wasn’t fixated on renewing their master-disciple relationship.

Those three years had allowed her to learn many things and enjoy a brief period of stable life, but in reality, that place had been a cage. Having no intention to leave naturally caused no problems, but wanting to leave had been absolutely impossible.

After witnessing her teacher’s tragic death and escaping back to the capital, the pursuit from that place had never ceased.

And ultimately, she still hadn’t escaped.

Now that the people she cared about were all safe, she had no desire to wade into those murky waters again, which meant there was no possibility of forming a deep friendship with her teacher.

Coming here today to confirm her teacher was here, her real purpose was to steal—oh, to take a few letters.

Letters exchanged between her teacher and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Qin Yunchuan.

Emperor Pingle lived under an assumed name, his heart set on reclaiming the imperial throne. Her teacher’s visit to the capital this time was an attempt to win over Qin Yunchuan.

Her teacher and Qin Yunchuan had originally been good friends. After that upheaval, when her teacher appeared before the world, he had become a fortune teller who rarely got business, while Qin Yunchuan had become Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince.

In reality, over these years, through the covert efforts of those on Emperor Pingle’s side, some ministers had already quietly developed other intentions—some for wealth, some for power, some out of loyalty to their former master.

Having precedents of success, her teacher wanted to try whether he could persuade his old friend to switch sides.

This possibility wasn’t high, so her teacher had another backup plan: if he couldn’t persuade him, he would find an opportunity to kill him.

The other party harbored the same thoughts—exchanging letters with her teacher while feigning interest, buying time to identify the teacher who had changed his appearance.

Qin Yunchuan struck first. Most of the people secretly protecting her teacher were killed or injured, and her teacher fled the capital wounded.

It was at that time that she and her teacher met.

Her teacher’s people killing those bandits actually wasn’t to save her, but out of concern about exposing their whereabouts. When the hidden guard raised his blade toward her, her teacher spoke up and spared her life.

She had never figured out the true reason her teacher had been willing to save her in such circumstances, but regardless, she had been saved by her teacher.

Emperor Tai’an had two sons: the Crown Prince and Prince Wei.

Prince Wei was born to a palace maid and had been simple-minded and obese since childhood, while the Crown Prince had inherited the physical advantages of Emperor Tai’an and the late Empress, making him exceptionally handsome.

With only these two sons, Emperor Tai’an naturally wouldn’t completely disregard Prince Wei, but to say Prince Wei could compete with the Crown Prince was absolutely impossible.

Whether in terms of legitimate succession or the Emperor’s favor.

Perhaps because his position couldn’t be shaken, he gradually lost his sense of reverence. The older the Crown Prince grew, the more outrageous his behavior became. Grand Tutor Qin was one of the few people who could restrain him somewhat.

Lin Hao wanted to get her hands on those letters precisely to present them before Emperor Tai’an before Qin Yunchuan could find True Master Mingxin.

Qin Yunchuan had written clearly in his own hand that he had intentions of switching to Emperor Pingle’s side. Given Emperor Tai’an’s suspicious nature, seeing those letters, he would definitely not tolerate Qin Yunchuan remaining by the Crown Prince’s side.

Given the Crown Prince’s outrageousness, without someone who could restrain him, sooner or later he would cause major trouble.

This was the strategy Lin Hao had devised.

She and the Crown Prince were like an egg against a boulder—a direct confrontation offered no hope. The only way was to dismantle from within, making him actively commit errors.

She believed nothing was unshakeable, and the position of Crown Prince would be no exception. If the Crown Prince made enough mistakes, sooner or later an opportunity would arise, perhaps without even requiring her intervention.

And taking preemptive action to deal with Qin Yunchuan would also help her teacher avoid a crisis.

This killed two birds with one stone.

Although today’s contact with True Master Mingxin hadn’t gone smoothly, Lin Hao wasn’t discouraged.

Based on the timeline, her teacher and Qin Yunchuan’s contact had just begun—it wasn’t yet time to take the letters.

Lin Hao gathered her thoughts and led Lin Xiaohua toward the other fortune teller.

“Young miss, do you want your fortune told?”

Lin Hao sat down leisurely and revealed a smile. “Yes, I do.”

In a place people wouldn’t notice, True Master Mingxin withdrew his gaze and slowly shook his head.

He had thought that young lady was suspicious, but it seemed he had overthought it. As soon as he left, she had gone to another fortune teller for a reading.

True Master Mingxin walked a few steps, then looked back again and instructed a young man who approached, “Follow that young lady and find out which family she’s from.”

The young man nodded almost imperceptibly and walked toward Lin Hao’s direction.

“I truly can have my heart’s desire? Thank you so much, sir.” Lin Hao’s face lit up with delight as she set down the fortune-telling fee and rode Lin Xiaohua back the way she came.

Had her teacher sent someone to follow her?

Lin Hao suddenly turned her head.

The young man following behind was normally skilled at tracking people, but even he couldn’t guard against this kind of sudden turn without reason.

He borrowed the form of a nearby pedestrian to hide most of his body, breaking out in a cold sweat.

He had almost been discovered!

No wonder the True Master wanted him to follow this young lady—she wasn’t normal!

Lin Hao turned her head back and raised the corners of her lips.

Who would have thought the person following her was an acquaintance—Du Qing.

Their acquaintance hadn’t been pleasant at all. Du Qing was the one who, after killing the bandits, had raised his blade intending to cut her down as well.

What an unpleasant person.

Lin Hao suddenly turned her head again.

This time, Du Qing didn’t have time to hide and could only rely on his solid psychological fortitude to walk forward with an unchanged expression.

Lin Hao patted Lin Xiaohua, signaling her to speed up.

Better not scare him after all. What if she frightened him into having murderous intent and he decided to silence her right now?

Lin Hao wasn’t afraid of True Master Mingxin learning her identity. Du Qing only needed to make a few inquiries to learn of what the General’s Manor had recently experienced, which would align with the reason she had just given for wanting her fortune told.

Thinking of the person carefully following behind her, Lin Hao was in good spirits, humming a little tune as she rode her donkey, leisurely making her way toward the General’s Manor.

“Second Miss Lin.” A familiar voice called out.

Lin Hao’s body swayed, nearly falling from Lin Xiaohua’s back.

How had she run into her creditor again!