A night full of stars.

A person stood before the small bamboo grove cottage.

That person gazed at the pitch-black window, stars sinking into the depths of his eyes, invisible.

Walking over with light steps, he reached out to brush across the windowsill—his fingertips could feel fine particles of dust. It seemed that since the Mid-Autumn night, the owner of this cottage clearly hadn’t returned.

Although the small cottage was inside the bamboo grove, it actually wasn’t far from Mozhi Courtyard. He could hear Qiu Sanniang’s qin music coming intermittently—the powerful tones of clashing weapons and galloping horses were particularly clear.

Whether the mistress or the maid, they truly opened his eyes. His third brother, drowning sorrows in wine, said through gritted teeth that this time he absolutely wouldn’t divorce his wife. Only then did he learn that Qiu Sanniang had actually proposed separation. Was this proper? Marrying into their Xiao family as a legitimate son’s principal wife with the status of a merchant family’s daughter—not properly grasping such an opportunity, but actively requesting to step down within half a year?

No wonder that girl’s attitude was so arrogant. Relying on such a mistress backing her up, she showed no restraint before him, mixing freely outside like a fish in water, and hadn’t even come back now.

Thinking of this, his eyes narrowed.

After he saw Mo Zi at Wangqiu Tower, he thought Qiu Sanniang had left her at Lujiao Lane. But after returning to the mansion, he learned from his third brother that Mo Zi had returned together with Qiu Sanniang. Third Brother said Mo Zi was clearly Qiu Sanniang’s right hand—as long as she was confined, Qiu Sanniang wouldn’t be able to move. He had personally witnessed that girl’s abilities and could indeed imagine that Qiu Sanniang relied on her greatly.

But could she be confined?

Having already entered the prince’s mansion, that girl still appeared at Wangqiu Tower enjoying herself freely—what Ninth Master, waiting for her to continue the banquet, endless social engagements to attend.

That girl—where exactly did she go out from?

This bamboo grove was in the deepest part of the prince’s mansion. To leave the mansion without going through Jingfang Garden’s main gate, unless one used the small gate from Uncle’s side. But Uncle’s household also strictly controlled the inner courtyard maids—to go out required a token issued by Aunt, which he didn’t think was any different from using their own main gate.

Only this high wall behind the cottage remained. He was unwilling to think that way, but was forced to.

Behind the wall, he knew who lived there.

Nande’s number one corrupt official.

When the Emperor had Yuan Cheng move in, he had strongly opposed it. Because he didn’t believe a single word that fellow said. Comparatively, he more believed that fellow would seek revenge against the Emperor. Although the Yuan family’s tragic case indeed had many suspicious points, the possibility of being wrongly accused was great, and the Emperor was determined to overturn the verdict. But if it were himself—the hatred of exterminating one’s entire family was irreconcilable. He would search for those who framed his family, and also for those who issued the imperial edict. If the previous generation was gone, he’d go after the next generation. Moreover, when that fellow held overwhelming power in Nande, he used an entire nation to avenge his family. Now claiming he only wanted to find the mastermind who framed them back then—the Emperor, mindful of their teacher-student bond, might believe it, but don’t think to deceive him.

Gathering his qi, he mounted the rooftop, climbed the wall top. The scene before his eyes made him slightly stunned. What had happened during his time at the naval camp? Why was the originally desolate Yuan Mansion now undergoing major construction? Towers, pavilions, gazebos and waterside pavilions already had initial forms. Slightly farther away, brilliant lights, faint sounds of drums, music and singing.

Should he admire that fellow? Not only had he persuaded the Emperor, using endless governance theories to obtain a sinecure position, but he could also get the Ministry of Works to allocate silver to build a mansion for a Grand Academy erudite, living days of song and dance amid peace. This person was like a maggot breeding in darkness—as long as there was the slightest crack, he could quickly corrode everything around him.

Beneath Da Zhou’s peaceful appearance, the unsettling shadows grew thicker and thicker. No matter how much effort they expended, they couldn’t dispel them—now it was even harder.

Furrowing his thick brows, he jumped back. Recalling on the boat how Mo Zi defended Yuan Cheng in many ways, the unclear, indescribable atmosphere between the two, his chest felt stifled. These two, most likely had already met, and Mo Zi was borrowing Yuan Cheng’s place to come and go. He had no evidence of their collusion, and a single high wall really couldn’t prove anything. But some things didn’t need evidence—everyone knew in their hearts.

The evening breeze blew gently. He turned to look at that row of lifeless cottages, snorted coldly and flicked his sleeves.

Entering his own courtyard in Weifeng Residence, Lu Bi was still waiting for him.

“Second Master.” Seeing the person she’d been waiting for return, Lu Bi quickly had the little maids bring water for him to wash his face and change clothes.

“I’ve said when it’s late at night, sleep first. No need to wait for me.” He—that is, Xiao Wei—allowed people to serve him, sat down and poured tea to drink. Fire burned in his heart—it needed to be extinguished.

Lu Bi hurriedly took the cup from Xiao Wei’s hand. “Second Master, drinking tea isn’t good for sleep. I’ve been keeping a bowl of snow fungus soup warm for you. Shall I have someone bring it?”

Seeing Xiao Wei not speaking, somewhat distracted, Lu Bi made her own decision and told a little maid to bring the soup bowl.

“Second Master has been returning late every night these past days. I imagine the city isn’t very peaceful?” Lu Bi wasn’t a porcelain doll who said nothing. Precisely because she knew what to say when, not losing her sense of proportion yet not losing personality, she gained Xiao Er’s trust—all matters large and small in the residence were entrusted to her management.

Xiao Wei suddenly sighed.

This startled Lu Bi badly. She quickly felt his forehead, fearing he was ill.

Xiao Wei grasped her hand, gazing at her steadily.

Although she’d been following this man for three years already, Lu Bi had never seen such an expression from him. So confused, so helpless, as if suppressing something, yet as if about to burst forth. He was always stern and cold, but right now from body to expression, everything had warmed.

“Second Master?” Lu Bi placed one hand on her chest—her heart was wildly pounding for this gentle man tonight.

“Lu Bi.” Xiao Wei smiled, his appearance becoming even more handsome. “If you feel both angry and annoyed at someone, yet also don’t want to see them suffer, so you indulge them in every way, accommodate them, help keep their secrets—what would be the reason?”

Lu Bi, who the previous moment had been sinking into Xiao Wei’s gentleness, the next moment suddenly fell into ice water. With a thud she knelt on the ground, blinking out tears. “Lu Bi has never been disloyal to Second Master. This life, this lifetime, I only wish to follow Second Master alone. How could I like other men? Even looking one extra glance has never happened.”

“Like?” Xiao Wei’s whole body shook. He repeated these two words again: “Like?”

Lu Bi hung her head, weeping softly.

Xiao Wei seemed not to see at all, murmuring to himself, “Who? Who would like her? She’s just an annoying troublesome maid—” Speaking to this point, he slammed the table and stood up.

The table fell apart, collapsing on the spot.

Lu Bi’s eyes widened—she’d already forgotten why she was crying.

Hong Luo, thinking the masters were quarreling, called the maids in. Seeing this scene, she quickly helped Lu Bi up, asking what happened.

Xiao Wei dropped a sentence about going to the study, don’t come disturb, then with a furious appearance, left the room.

Lu Bi’s breathing was still rapid. She tightly gripped Hong Luo’s hand, somewhat trembling.

Hong Luo had never seen Xiao Wei and Lu Bi quarrel, so naturally she was worried. “Sister and Second Master had a fight?”

“No.” After Lu Bi sat down, she took several deep breaths, gradually calming. “Hong Luo, our Second Master… seems to have someone in his heart.”

Hong Luo was first startled, then knowing she’d lost composure, bit her lip and forced out a smile. “Does Sister know who it is?”

“Who it is—what does it matter?” Lu Bi’s face was somewhat pale. “When have you ever seen Second Master feel heartache for anyone?”

Hong Luo shook her head. Xiao Wei treated them very well—impeccably well, never raising his voice in anger. On good days he didn’t forget to give them pearls, jewelry and beautiful clothes. But the feeling was always unreachable—no one could walk into his heart.

“But Sister, why are you crying? Even if Second Master marries the person in his heart, he won’t abandon us.” Always waiting for such a day—when it truly arrived, she was still dealt a blow. “We’ve never had improper thoughts. Even if Second Mistress enters, she can’t drive us out for no reason. Moreover, I believe the person our Second Master has taken a fancy to must have first-rate character and temperament. Otherwise, our Second Master wouldn’t want her.”

Lu Bi smiled bitterly. Recalling Second Master’s phrase “annoying troublesome maid”—clearly someone not easy to get along with—therefore she couldn’t be as optimistic as Hong Luo no matter what. Suddenly hearing something outside shatter all over the ground, she quickly went out with Hong Luo to look. Outside Second Master’s study door, a woman had fallen awkwardly on the ground, the tray and porcelain bowl beside her overturned and broken. A little maid was calling “Miss,” flustered as she tried to help her up.

Lu Bi shook her head. This Weifeng Residence had stopped being peaceful ever since Wei Sixth Miss entered. Although Second Master had never given Wei Sixth Miss a single pleasant expression, even she admired Wei Sixth Miss’s perseverance and determination. As long as Second Master was home, no matter how late, no matter whether Second Master would see her or not, Wei Sixth Miss would definitely come over requesting to serve him. A wealthy young lady from a great household, also the Imperial Consort’s own niece—these days washing hands and making soup, even personally doing the work of bringing water for washing faces.

Lu Bi felt that before much longer, Second Master would soften. Who would have thought tonight Wei Sixth Miss would collide with the muzzle of a gun?

Involuntarily feeling somewhat sorry for her, Lu Bi and Hong Luo went to help, but she shook off their hands. Straightening her back, she walked toward her own small cottage.

“With such a temper, only good to Second Master, looking down on everyone else in her eyes—I think after Second Mistress enters, she’ll be the first to suffer misfortune.” Hong Luo couldn’t endure as well as Lu Bi.

Wei Sixth Miss immediately turned around, her face somewhat fierce. “Who did you say is entering?”

“Second Mistress.” Hong Luo couldn’t stand Wei Liu. She could see Wei Liu had ambitions—not the same kind of person as her and Lu Bi. “Speaking of which, I should congratulate you too. When Second Mistress enters, you’ll definitely be elevated to concubine.” Hmph—powerful backing.

Wei Sixth Miss’s gaze for a moment seemed ready to devour someone. Seeing this, Lu Bi’s heart chilled. She tugged Hong Luo, indicating she should stop talking.

“Which family’s young lady is Second Master marrying?” Word by word, enduring the immense pain in her heart.

“Sixth Miss, don’t listen to Hong Luo’s nonsense. We were just joking casually.” Lu Bi feared Second Master would hear, speaking in a lowered voice. “However, saying it’s within this year, the day is indeed drawing near. We all need to prepare early, don’t we? After all, our Second Master should have heirs.”

Wei Sixth Miss glared viciously at Lu Bi.

Lu Bi maintained her smile throughout.

Wei Sixth Miss said nothing more, turned and left.

After the three women finished their drama on this side, over there Yuan Cheng had already learned the news of Xiao Er climbing the wall.

“Ming Nian.” He lay on a daybed, eyes closed in meditation, one black sleeve hanging to the ground, one hand as pillow.

Ming Nian set down the inkstone grinding stone.

“Write an invitation for your family’s Third Young Master. Say I’m inviting her to West Mountain to listen to the spring in three days. After writing it, send it directly to Hongyu early tomorrow morning, personally place it in her hands. Also, tell her not to think about coming back these days. If she happens to miss some good opportunity, she shouldn’t blame me.” Hearing Ming Nian acknowledge, Yuan Cheng turned on his side, sleeping lightly.