Sheng Sanlang had anticipated this scenario ever since receiving his father’s letter about bringing his two older cousins to the capital. Now facing Sheng Erlang’s soul-piercing interrogation, he didn’t even blink.

“Ahem, returning home in glory is just a matter of time. Right now I’m making preparations, aren’t I?”

“Preparing a whole body of fat?” Sheng Erlang mercilessly exposed the truth.

Sheng Dalang, meanwhile, gave Second Uncle Sheng a meaningful look.

When Second Uncle entered the capital, what he told Grandmother and Second Aunt seemed quite similar to what Third Brother was saying now…

Sheng Erlang thought of this too.

When Second Uncle left home, he said the capital under the Emperor’s feet was prosperous, and he wanted to see if he could find opportunities to expand the family business, so he could return home in glory.

Grandmother was so moved she nearly shed tears.

Could it be that Second Uncle’s “returning home in glory” and Third Brother’s “returning home in glory” were the same kind of “returning home in glory”?

Second Uncle Sheng shot his two nephews a sidelong glance, thinking to himself that these two brats were definitely overthinking things.

How could he and Sanlang be the same?

Grand Marshal Luo escorted Second Uncle Sheng and his group to the main gate, grasping Second Uncle Sheng’s hand warmly. “Brother-in-law, come again tomorrow.”

Second Uncle Sheng nodded vigorously. “I’ll definitely come.”

Grand Marshal Luo looked toward Su Yao, who was being supported by others, and said apologetically, “I’m truly sorry. The Luo residence failed in its duties.”

Though Su Yao felt he had lost face, he maintained his composure outwardly. “It was just an accident. Grand Marshal is too kind—you humble this junior with such words.”

“No, no, it really was the Luo residence’s fault.” Grand Marshal Luo turned his head. “Fuxue—”

A delicately carved jade-like youth approached, followed by a large white goose.

Su Yao, who had maintained a calm and detached expression, reflexively stepped back, his face paling.

Fuxue bowed to Su Yao. “Young Master Su, this was all my fault. I failed to properly watch over Da Bai. Please forgive Da Bai.”

Su Yao could barely maintain his refined and gentle image as he said with difficulty, “I bear no grudge against… Da Bai. Little brother, please take it away.”

Fuxue’s face lit up with joy. “Thank you, Young Master. You truly are a good person.”

Seeing the youth lead the large white goose away, Su Yao’s wildly beating heart finally settled down.

Second Uncle Sheng looked at Su Yao sympathetically and said to Grand Marshal Luo, “Brother-in-law, you’re really too polite. There’s truly no need to apologize…”

Look how frightened Nephew Su is.

“I feel guilty in my heart.” Grand Marshal Luo said with remorse.

After personally seeing Second Uncle Sheng’s group onto their carriage, Grand Marshal Luo instructed Luo Sheng, “Sheng’er, you really must keep better watch over Da Bai in the future. It’s one thing that he bit that Young Master Su this time, but what if he had bitten your second uncle—how terrible that would be.”

Luo Sheng’s tone was flat. “Da Bai knows his limits.”

The corner of Grand Marshal Luo’s mouth twitched slightly.

If this weren’t his own daughter, he would have slapped her.

What kind of discretion could a goose have?

But who told him she was his own flesh and blood?

Grand Marshal Luo studied Luo Sheng’s expression and discerned something. “Sheng’er, do you dislike that Su Yao now?”

Luo Sheng smiled. “Father need not pay him any mind. If he hadn’t come today, I would have forgotten what he looked like.”

Grand Marshal Luo chuckled helplessly.

He had been overthinking it.

Sheng Sanlang accompanied Second Uncle Sheng and the others to their rented lodgings.

On the road, Sheng Erlang inquired of Sheng Sanlang, “That youth who brought the white goose to apologize—does he specialize in raising geese?”

“Second Brother, you mean Fuxue? He’s Cousin’s male attendant, though he’s mainly responsible for raising Da Bai.”

The group fell silent.

Su Yao thought of how he had called Fuxue “little brother,” and his expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

After a long while, Sheng Erlang exhaled a heavy breath. “Cousin really does have good taste.”

No wonder she set her sights on Second Brother Su as soon as she arrived in Jinsha.

Looking at Su Yao, then thinking of Fuxue, Sheng Erlang’s feelings were somewhat complicated.

This meant all his previous worries had been unnecessary—Cousin probably wouldn’t fancy them brothers…

Thinking this way, rather than feeling relieved, he felt somewhat stung.

Wei Han also received news of Second Uncle Sheng’s visit.

“Master, you know that Su Yao, right? He went too!”

Su Yao?

Wei Han’s brow furrowed.

Shi Yan, worried Wei Han had no recollection, quickly reminded him, “He’s the man Miss Luo wanted to marry desperately when she was in Jinsha—the one she was willing to die for.”

Wei Han glanced at Shi Yan, highly displeased with this phrasing.

Miss Luo desperate to die for a man?

He didn’t believe it.

“Master, don’t take it lightly. This subordinate heard it from Hong Dou’s mouth.”

Wei Han’s expression grew serious.

“Master, do you still want to continue lying low?”

Wei Han took a sip of tea and set the teacup down on the table. “Arrange for me to meet with Miss Luo.”

When Luo Sheng received word from Kou’er that Wei Han wished to meet, she thought there must be developments regarding the assassin organization and gladly agreed to the meeting.

The two met at an inconspicuous small tavern.

Luo Sheng remembered that the last time they had arranged to meet here, it was when Prince Kaiyang wanted to ask for her help in requesting the divine physician to make a house call.

“What did you learn from questioning those people at the Thousand Gold Workshop?” Luo Sheng asked as soon as she sat down.

“They’re not many in number, but each one is highly skilled. That Steward Zhu is their leader. These assassins all follow his arrangements for taking payment and killing targets. From interrogating one assassin, we learned there’s an account ledger recording transaction information from recent years.”

“In other words, if we find this ledger, we can discover who hired assassins to pursue and kill me on the road to the capital, and also determine whether it was Pingli or someone else who hired the assassin to attack the Liuqing County Magistrate?”

Wei Han nodded.

“Could this ledger be in Steward Zhu’s possession?”

“If it hasn’t been destroyed, Steward Zhu should know the ledger’s whereabouts.”

Luo Sheng frowned as she listened.

She had kept Steward Zhu by her side under surveillance because he was an old retainer of the Prince of Zhennan’s household, and she wanted to uncover any traces regarding the Prince of Zhennan’s estate.

But if they searched for that ledger, it would alert their quarry.

Wei Han’s tone shifted. “Though the information obtained from interrogating these assassins isn’t extensive, I deduce that Steward Zhu has other connections to some power faction. Now that all these assassins are under control, Steward Zhu won’t be able to stir up trouble for a while. Better to cast a long line to catch a big fish.”

“How did Your Highness arrive at this deduction?”

“One assassin testified that he once happened to see Steward Zhu arguing with someone who appeared to be of higher status than Steward Zhu.”

“If that’s the case, then let’s wait and see. If there is indeed a power faction behind Steward Zhu, sooner or later they’ll make contact with him.” Luo Sheng lowered her eyes and took a sip of tea.

With business matters concluded, Wei Han cleared his throat lightly. “Miss Luo, I hear your maternal family has come.”

“Yes, my second uncle brought my cousins to the capital to prepare for the spring examinations.”

“If there’s anything you need my help with, Miss Luo, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Luo Sheng smiled faintly. “Thank you, Your Highness, but the imperial examinations depend on one’s own learning. All we can do is offer our blessings.”

Seeing Luo Sheng’s indifferent attitude when discussing this topic, Wei Han secretly felt relieved.

From this perspective, Miss Luo didn’t care much about that Young Master Su.

Then he could just focus on drinking tea.

Returning to the prince’s residence, Shi Yan inquired about the meeting and said with a heavy tone, “Master, Miss Luo is so fickle with her affections. Shouldn’t you be even more worried?”

Wei Han didn’t want to continue this heart-wrenching topic and drove the young guard out.