Hong Dou scrutinized Lin Teng with a critical eye.

Though the tall, slender young man appeared somewhat foolish due to his blank expression, his features were still quite exceptional.

The little maid made a surprising discovery: Oh my, if judged solely by appearance, Young Master Lin would actually be passable as a male companion for the young miss.

Shi Yan, who had followed them out, noticed Hong Dou’s expression change and quickly coughed.

The cough brought Lin Teng back to his senses, and he instinctively looked over.

Shi Yan grinned at Lin Teng, patted Hong Dou, and said earnestly: “Sister Hong Dou, you mustn’t speak carelessly. Is our young miss someone who lacks male companions? Let me count them for you: Fuxue, Mingzhu, Feiyang, Lingxiao. Four people make exactly one table for mahjong—if there’s one more, wouldn’t he just have to watch from the sidelines?”

Hong Dou gave Shi Yan a look and said disdainfully: “Mind your own business. Our young miss isn’t so poor she can’t afford to keep them—if one table has an extra person, can’t she just make two tables?”

Shi Yan: “…”

No, this was too confusing for him. Better to just go inside and eat.

Seeing Shi Yan go back in, Hong Dou followed.

She had only come out because Shi Sanhu said Young Master Lin might be planning to cozy up to the young miss to get free meals. Since he only wanted to be a male companion and his looks were acceptable, she would of course support the young miss.

Shi Yan was quite irritated.

He had encouraged Hong Dou to go out to make Young Master Lin give up, but this girl had told him that Miss Luo’s male companion positions still had vacancies—wasn’t this the opposite of helping!

Outside the tavern, Lin Teng, having fully digested Hong Dou’s shocking words, was somewhat flustered: “Miss Luo, I didn’t mean that—”

“I know.” Luo Sheng interrupted Lin Teng’s explanation, feeling rather helpless.

No matter how outrageous Miss Luo might be, she wouldn’t force a court official to become her male companion. What were these people thinking?

Thinking this, she suddenly thought of Wei Han.

Oh, perhaps she couldn’t blame others for overthinking—after all, in the eyes of the world, Miss Luo had nearly taken Prince Kaiyang back then…

Thinking of that man who often wore crimson robes, Luo Sheng felt momentarily dazed.

Lin Teng keenly noticed Luo Sheng’s distraction, and somehow his chest felt somewhat tight.

He couldn’t explain what this sudden feeling was about, and decided to ignore it.

After all, compared to this unexpected slight discomfort, there were far too many things to do.

Lin Teng straightened his expression and said: “Miss Luo has helped me so greatly. If you ever need anything in the future, Lin Teng will certainly do his utmost.”

Luo Sheng smiled: “Lord Lin need not feel you owe me a favor. I did this not for Lord Lin, but out of pity for those women, to do what I can within my abilities.”

Hearing this, Lin Teng bowed deeply to Luo Sheng: “Regardless of your reasons, what I just said will not change. On behalf of those women, I thank Miss Luo. Tomorrow I’ll have a copy of the list transcribed and sent to Miss Luo.”

“Good, I’ll await Lord Lin’s list.”

“Miss Luo, I take my leave.” Lin Teng strode forward.

The night was very dark, but there would always be light to illuminate the path ahead.

Early the next morning, Luo Sheng received the list from the bailiff Lin Teng had sent, and immediately ordered Kou’er to make arrangements.

Lin Teng went to the Ministry of Finance again.

Vice Minister Sun frowned upon hearing that Lin Teng sought an audience.

He knew of Lin Teng’s reputation—why would Minister Zhao’s favorite come to the Ministry of Finance looking for him?

Thinking about how Lin Teng had made his name, Vice Minister Sun instinctively felt uneasy, but still received him.

“What business does Lord Lin have with this official?”

Lin Teng cupped his hands to Vice Minister Sun: “This subordinate wishes to inquire about some matters from Lord Sun regarding a case I’ve been investigating recently.”

Vice Minister Sun calmly took a sip of tea: “Lord Lin, please explain.”

Investigating a case that led to the Ministry of Finance?

This Lin Teng truly lived up to his reputation—when investigating cases, he paid no mind to social niceties or personal relationships.

Lin Teng was silent for a moment, then asked: “Has anyone recently borrowed the household registration records from Lord Sun?”

Vice Minister Sun’s expression shifted slightly, and his tone changed somewhat: “What does Lord Lin mean by this?”

Lin Teng replied calmly: “I’m simply asking for the sake of the investigation, nothing more.”

Vice Minister Sun chuckled: “Lord Lin jests. The household registration records are managed by the Ministry of Finance—how could they be casually shown to unrelated people?”

Lin Teng pressed his thin lips together slightly.

Vice Minister Sun was not telling the truth.

Yesterday, a clerk with whom he had a good relationship had clearly said that Vice Minister Sun had recently taken out the household registration records—surely he wouldn’t be so idle as to browse through them to pass the time?

The most likely possibility was that someone had asked to borrow them, and this person’s status would not be low.

As for whether the disappearance case was connected to Vice Minister Sun, Lin Teng felt it unlikely.

If it were truly Vice Minister Sun’s doing, he wouldn’t have handled it so casually. The Ministry of Finance was Vice Minister Sun’s domain—he could have been much more discreet.

After listening to Vice Minister Sun give evasive answers, Lin Teng realized he wouldn’t learn anything from this visit and took his leave.

Returning to the Ministry of Justice, Lin Teng went directly to seek Minister Zhao’s help.

Minister Zhao tugged at his beard in annoyance: “You brat, all you know is how to cause me trouble!”

Lin Teng’s expression remained unchanged as he flattered: “What this subordinate cannot accomplish, only Your Excellency can manage.”

Minister Zhao’s lips twitched.

Such straightforward praise was too perfunctory!

Oh well, at least this brat had learned to give praise now—that was still much better than before.

Thinking of the messes he had cleaned up in the past, Minister Zhao felt a flood of bitter tears.

“Go busy yourself with other things. I’ll see what I can do about Vice Minister Sun.” The old minister unceremoniously shooed Lin Teng out.

The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance weren’t far apart. As the end of the work day approached, Minister Zhao had someone quietly keep watch. As soon as he saw Vice Minister Sun emerge, he pretended to encounter him by chance and approached.

“Lord Sun, just getting off work?” Minister Zhao greeted with a smile.

Vice Minister Sun looked at Minister Zhao warily.

What did this old fox want?

“An invitation is not as good as a chance meeting. Since it’s time for the evening meal, let me treat Lord Sun to a drink.”

A drink?

Thinking of how Lin Teng had come to the Ministry of Finance today, Vice Minister Sun’s first reaction was to refuse.

Getting into trouble over a meal wasn’t worth it.

“How about we go to You Jian Tavern?”

“Agreed!” Before Vice Minister Sun had fully considered it, his mouth had already answered first.

Vice Minister Sun raised his hand, wanting to slap himself, but couldn’t bear to.

He still needed his mouth in good condition to properly enjoy the food.

Qingxing Street was bustling as ever, with the blue wine banner in front of You Jian Tavern fluttering in the wind.

Minister Zhao and Vice Minister Sun entered the tavern together and went into a private room.

Mentally calculating that Vice Minister Sun had already consumed all his private savings and would need to run up a tab, Minister Zhao gritted his teeth and asked about what Lin Teng had failed to learn.

Having spent such capital, if this glutton dared to be evasive, he would finish him!

Under the old minister’s murderous glare, Vice Minister Sun felt both regretful and satisfied.

Regretful that he hadn’t controlled his mouth—he shouldn’t have come on this trip.

Satisfied was still this mouth of his—he had never imagined there would be a day at You Jian Tavern when he could eat his fill until it reached his throat.

Vice Minister Sun sighed with difficulty: “Lord Zhao, this subordinate advises you not to inquire further about this matter. It’s difficult to discuss.”

“Difficult to discuss?” Minister Zhao narrowed his eyes and reached for the wine pot.

Vice Minister Sun’s heart trembled. He lowered his voice: “It involves this person.”

He dipped his finger in tea and quickly wrote a character on the table.