Chapter 50 Tan Xiyin’s gaze shifted toward the study.

The Second Prince watched Qin Daofei’s departing figure, pondering for a moment before instructing the guard beside him, “Find out who brought goods onboard the official ship without authorization. Remember, do not alert anyone.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Xiaoyao Manor.

The first thing Qin Daofei did upon entering was to descend into the secret chamber to see Linglong.

Linglong lay sprawled on the bed, eyes lifelessly fixed on the ceiling. Hearing Qin Daofei’s arrival, she didn’t even bother to lift her eyelids.

Qin Daofei approached, gazing down at her. Seeing her so despondent, he felt both amused and exasperated.

“Have you been locked up to the point of stupidity?” Qin Daofei asked.

Linglong nodded. “Yes, stupid.”

“Just wait a little longer. I think I’m onto something. Soon, I’ll be able to take you out.” Qin Daofei, heart aching, pulled her into his arms.

Hmm.

Linglong had lost all interest, responding with a perfunctory nod.

Qin Daofei chuckled, hooked her chin, and kissed her.

Whether from prolonged loneliness or some other reason, Linglong didn’t resist at all, even faintly responding to his advances.

This excited Qin Daofei greatly.

Their passionate entanglement nearly escalated beyond restraint.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle sounded outside, forcing Qin Daofei to abruptly stop.

“What is it?” Linglong murmured.

With his face pressed against her collarbone, Qin Daofei replied, frustrated, “Jifeng needs to see me urgently.”

“Get out!” Linglong, now clear-headed, felt secretly relieved. If not for Jifeng’s interruption, she might actually have succumbed to Qin Daofei—a terrifying thought!

Qin Daofei bit her collarbone lightly and said in a gentle voice, “Remember this. Next time, I’ll settle the score with you.”

Ugh!

Linglong felt utterly embarrassed.

Qin Daofei calmed himself, straightened his clothes, and walked out.

As he did so, a sachet slipped from his arms, swept by his hem beneath the bed, and accidentally kicked further under. He remained completely unaware.

Linglong clutched her nearly-torn clothes, gritting her teeth in indignation.

Qin Daofei turned back and kissed her fiercely, threatening, “If you keep looking at me, I’ll really finish you off.”

“Just leave already!” Linglong’s cheeks were flushed, unable to meet his gaze.

In high spirits, Qin Daofei left, lips curled in laughter.

Linglong screamed in frustration, then resumed her previous actions, regretting for the ten thousand and ninety-eighth time her insistence on feigning death.

She felt as if she were already dead.

Outside, Jifeng appeared immediately, whispering in Qin Daofei’s ear, “Master, we’ve found someone—a woman who was close friends with Hu Meiniang in the past. She was once a courtesan and now hides in Apricot Blossom Village. It’s said she knows everything about Hu Meiniang.”

“Apricot Blossom Village?” Qin Daofei glanced at the sky and said quietly, “That’s not far. To avoid complications, let’s go now.”

The two slipped out without disturbing anyone.

Apricot Blossom Village.

In a rustic home, a tall woman clad in black stood before the village wife, her whole body wrapped in black gauze, concealing her features.

“Who… who are you?” the village wife quavered.

The woman snorted coldly. “Death’s Messenger.”

“What… what do you want?” The village wife sensed the murderous aura and bolted for the door, but the black-clad woman raised her hand slightly—a cold flash flickered.

A thin crimson line appeared on the village wife’s neck.

She stared in horror, clutching at her wound, but blood gushed relentlessly through her fingers.

The woman withdrew her sword with indifference, rummaged through the house for various items, then left.

The village wife collapsed, struggling in agony. She tried to call out, but her throat and windpipe were severed—she had no chance to speak.

Her struggle didn’t last long before she ceased to breathe, her eyes wide with unwillingness.

Qin Daofei and Jifeng pushed their lightness skills to the limit, arriving at the village and heading straight to the woman’s home.

Entering, they saw her body in a pool of blood, already cold.

“Master, we’re late again!” Jifeng punched the doorpost in frustration.

Qin Daofei’s gaze was icy as he surveyed the corpse, sneering, “If they’re so resourceful, we’ll just have to work twice as hard.”

“I’ll look for anything useful,” Jifeng said, about to search.

Qin Daofei stopped him. “It’s pointless. Whoever came was prepared, and wouldn’t leave anything behind. This is a crime scene—we shouldn’t linger. Let’s go.”

He dragged Jifeng away.

Just after they left, a middle-aged man opened the door, and the whole village echoed with his screams.

Qin Daofei and Jifeng stood atop the village’s highest point. Jifeng, worried, asked, “Master, who is this person who knows our movements so well?”

“So well?” Qin Daofei retorted sarcastically, turning to leave.

Jifeng scratched his head, perplexed at Qin Daofei’s meaning.

Back at home, Qin Daofei didn’t go straight to Linglong, but sat alone in his study, deep in thought.

“Second Madam, the Master is busy. If you could—”

“I know he’s busy. I just want to trouble you to let him know I have some household matters to discuss with Brother Daofei,” Tan Xiyin interrupted Tang Li unhappily.

Her heart felt cold.

She didn’t know when it started, but seeing Qin Daofei required pleading.

“Let her in,” Qin Daofei said calmly.

Tang Li bowed and invited Tan Xiyin inside.

“Brother Daofei, I have some matters regarding the manor to discuss. Do you have time?” Tan Xiyin entered, carrying a tray.

Qin Daofei glanced at her, replying, “I’m free. Go ahead.”

“It’s like this. You said before that you wanted to renovate Linglong Pavilion. I’ve tallied the household timber and consulted skilled craftsmen—there’s enough material, and the funds you allocated are sufficient. In three days, there’s an auspicious time for breaking ground. If you approve, I’ll proceed.”

Though Tan Xiyin resented the idea of renovating Linglong Pavilion for Qin Daofei, she was willing to help manage affairs for the chance to see him and speak.

To rebuild a courtyard for a dead woman, after all. She was already gone, posing no threat.

“Handle these matters as you see fit. I’ve already drawn the plans for the renovated pavilion, and I’ll hire the craftsmen myself. Just facilitate things,” Qin Daofei said, picking up his documents, clearly unwilling to speak further.

Tan Xiyin wasn’t offended, smiling, “But to use the household’s precious timber, I’ll need your seal, Brother Daofei.”

“Give it here,” Qin Daofei said.

Tan Xiyin handed him the document. Qin Daofei checked it and, finding no issues, stamped it, letting her leave with the papers.

Tan Xiyin, tray in hand, walked to the intersection and saw King Qin’s Xiangyu waiting anxiously.

“Mother-in-law!” Tan Xiyin’s eyes were icy.

King Qin’s Xiangyu didn’t notice, hurrying over. “Did you succeed?”

“If Mother wants me to tailor clothes for her, it’s my blessing!” Tan Xiyin, expressionless, shook her head, signaling Xiangyu not to worry.

Xiangyu realized her lapse and quickly recovered her composure. “Come with me.”

Tan Xiyin followed Xiangyu toward Songbai Residence.

Songbai Residence.

Upon entering, Xiangyu ordered Granny Xiahe to shut the doors, then asked urgently, “How did it go?”

“I got it!” Tan Xiyin’s tone was icy.

Xiangyu didn’t care, grabbing the document with Qin Daofei’s seal. She inspected it, asking suspiciously, “He didn’t notice?”

“If he had, would I have escaped?” Tan Xiyin replied coldly.

Xiangyu nodded. “Good, good!”

“Mother-in-law, I’ve fetched this for you. Please don’t shift blame onto me later—I have nothing but my love for Brother Daofei. If he doesn’t want me, I’ll have nowhere to go,” Tan Xiyin appeared utterly hopeless.

Xiangyu watched as Granny Xiahe opened the document and extracted a piece of fine rice paper. Satisfied, Xiangyu, for once, spoke kindly to Tan Xiyin, “Rest assured—so long as you fulfill your role, no one will take your place as Second Madam of Xiaoyao Manor.”

“Thank you, Mother-in-law!” Tan Xiyin bowed and left.

At the gate, her legs weakened, a single tear slid down her cheek. She pressed a handkerchief to her face, sorrowful, and made her way back to her room.

Miaoyin Pavilion.

Xiaocui handed Tan Xiyin a wet towel. “Second Madam, are you really going to spend your whole life like this?”

“What else can I do? Brother Daofei only has Feng Linglong in his heart now. If a dead woman monopolizes him, I’d rather he come back to life—maybe then I’ll have a chance to win him back from others.” Tan Xiyin’s love was heartbreakingly humble.

Soon, news of the village woman in Apricot Blossom Village arrived, and Qin Daofei went to Tongtian Pavilion.

Before dusk, Tang Li arrived at Tongtian Pavilion to discreetly remind Qin Daofei, “Master, it’s time for dinner. Where would you like to eat?”

Qin Daofei put down his intelligence reports, replying coldly, “In the study.”

“Yes!” Tang Li left to prepare the meal.

When he brought the food to the study, Qin Daofei was already seated.

Tang Li placed the dishes on the desk and closed the windows and doors.

Xiaocui passed by, puzzled by the closed door. “Why is the Master so punctual with meals now? Why does he always shut the door?”

But the study wasn’t a place she could freely investigate. She glanced twice and walked away, then returned, muttering, “No, there must be something wrong in there.”

After her analysis, Xiaocui hurried to Miaoyin Pavilion.

Miaoyin Pavilion.

“Second Madam, I feel there must be some secret in the Master’s study!” Xiaocui rushed in to report.

Tan Xiyin frowned, “Everyone’s study is a place of secrets, but Brother Daofei’s are mostly in Tongtian Pavilion.”

“Precisely because most secrets are in Tongtian Pavilion, I find it odd. Look—these days, the Master eats in the study, always on time. Before, he’d skip meals when busy, and now he closes the door for dinner, even in summer. I don’t understand.”

After Xiaocui’s analysis, Tan Xiyin looked at her in surprise.

“You mean there really is something wrong with the study?” Tan Xiyin asked.

Xiaocui drew her to the corridor, pointing at the lake and the distance to the study. “See?”

“You’re suggesting Feng Linglong… is inside?” Tan Xiyin’s eyes grew cold.

Xiaocui nodded. “I just feel that’s the case.”

“Feng Linglong… Whether she is or not, we need to investigate. But now Brother Daofei guards against me like a thief—we’ll need to plan carefully.” Tan Xiyin squinted, scheming.

Xiaocui nodded. “Yes, we need a proper plan. I think the best way is…”

She whispered in Tan Xiyin’s ear. After listening, Tan Xiyin returned to her room and coldly addressed the ceiling, “Come out.”

A black-clad man lounged lazily on the beam, asking coolly, “What is it?”

“I want your prince to help me with something,” Tan Xiyin said.

“What do you need?” he asked.

“I want Qin Daofei to leave Xiaoyao Manor for at least one or two days—so I can investigate the study!” With that, she ignored him.

He said nothing more, vanishing instantly.

The next day.

A message came from the Yuanyang Fragmented Leaf City branch: the branch had been wiped out, with no survivors. Even most of the hidden spies not working in the branch had been exposed.

Fragmented Leaf City was a key transport hub between the northern desert and the frontier, a nexus for intelligence, and most importantly, it concealed Wang Shun.

With all this, Qin Daofei had no choice but to go deal with the crisis.

He had barely left when Tan Xiyin, feigning ignorance, rushed to the study to see him.

Since Qin Daofei left urgently with Jifeng and Tang Li, only hidden spies watched the study, but they didn’t stop Tan Xiyin from entering.

Thus, she boldly entered to investigate.

Qin Daofei’s study seemed no different from any other.

Tan Xiyin began rifling through books, searching for mechanisms, but found nothing.

She stood in the center, thinking, “According to Xiaocui, there must be something here—but what?”

She pondered and ran her fingers over the walls.

Several times, her fingers brushed the painted tiger’s eyes, but she paid no attention.

She tapped the walls, searching for hollow spots.

But the Qin family’s secret passage was different. When Qin Daofei’s father built it, he anticipated this issue and reinforced it, so knocking produced no hollow sound.

Therefore, Tan Xiyin found nothing the first time.

That afternoon, she tried again with Xiaocui, searching for hours but still empty-handed.

Yet Xiaocui remained convinced something was amiss.

“Xiaocui, maybe we’re overthinking. There’s no mechanism or secret passage,” Tan Xiyin said.

Xiaocui shook her head. “Given the Master’s behavior, there must be something—just not where we’re looking. Since Feng Linglong’s accident, the Master’s been strange. I don’t believe nothing’s wrong.”

“But the study is so small—if there’s something, we’d have found it by now,” Tan Xiyin was about to give up.

Xiaocui returned to the painted mural, staring at it.

“Second Madam, do you think this painting… is suspicious?” Xiaocui asked.

“It’s painted directly on the wall—and we’ve checked the wall many times. It seems fine. Let’s go—if we’re caught, Brother Daofei will really send me away,” Tan Xiyin insisted.

So Xiaocui didn’t dare persist, leaving regretfully.

After they left, a black-robed figure emerged from the shadows, eyes icy and venomous, staring after Tan Xiyin with a chilling, bloodthirsty smile.

Two days later, Qin Daofei returned exhausted from Fragmented Leaf City. Entering the study, he saw that figure in the shadows.

“So, someone’s searched my study?” Qin Daofei asked.

The figure gestured. Qin Daofei smiled faintly, “Didn’t expect her to be so impatient.”

“You made it too obvious,” the figure mocked in sign language.

Qin Daofei glanced at him coolly, saying nothing.

He could have been less obvious, visiting Linglong infrequently and leaving her enough provisions for half a month—then no one would suspect the study held secrets.

But Qin Daofei would rather risk discovery to take proper care of Linglong.

Once, he would do anything for Xiaoyao Manor. Now, he would do anything for this woman named Feng Linglong.

Tang Li followed him, asking, “Master, shall I shut the door?”

“Close it!” Qin Daofei said, heading to the secret chamber.

Linglong spent most of her time in the chamber sleeping. Before Qin Daofei left, she forced him to hand over the ointment, complaining, “I’m so bored here—give me the ointment. If I go mad, I’ll sniff it to calm down and sleep.”

So…

Qin Daofei entered to find Linglong still asleep.

Seeing her increasingly pale and thin face, he felt a pang of reluctance and lay beside her, holding her as they slept.

He hadn’t rested for two days.

When he next awoke, Linglong was squatting beside him, poking his cheek.

Qin Daofei, like a sleeping lion, opened his eyes and launched an attack.

He grabbed her wrist, pulled her into his arms, pinned her beneath him, and after some affectionate play, Linglong whimpered that she was hungry.

Qin Daofei had to stop.

He was now used to Linglong’s sudden interruptions—whenever she said stop, he obeyed.

“Hey, did something big happen in Fragmented Leaf City?” Linglong asked worriedly.

Qin Daofei replied gruffly, “Aren’t you hungry? Why so many questions?”

Uh!

“I am hungry, but as the Manor’s First Madam, I must care about Xiaoyao Manor. If you ran around for two days without sleep, it must be serious,” she said, trying to placate him.

Qin Daofei eyed her several times before yielding.

“Fragmented Leaf City must have a traitor—the entire intelligence network is crippled. Fortunately, only a few trusted elders handled Wang Shun’s imprisonment, or we’d have lost him as our trump card.” His brief words revealed the dire situation.

Linglong frowned. “Is King Xiang really that capable?”

“He’s a prince—some competence is expected.” Qin Daofei chose to conceal the fact that someone else stood behind King Xiang.

Linglong sighed, “I don’t know how long he’ll pursue me. Even if he believes I’m dead, he still suppresses you everywhere. Qin Daofei, am I—”

“Don’t worry. I can’t move against him yet, but I’ve paved his way to the Underworld. Step by step, he’s going deeper, and soon there’ll be no way out. I want a decisive solution—otherwise, with his temperament, any counterattack would be disastrous for both sides.”

King Xiang’s greatest advantage was the emperor’s favor. Unless he crossed the emperor’s bottom line, nothing would warrant death.

“Why not just assassinate him?” Linglong muttered.

“If he dies at the hands of someone from the martial world, whether it’s me or not, the emperor will blame me. Xiaoyao Manor is already a threat in their eyes.” The intricate web of relationships was too tangled.

Qin Daofei had always kept his distance from the court to avoid the emperor’s suspicion.

But to deal with King Xiang, he crossed that line. The emperor hadn’t acted yet, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t considering it.

“You just had to be the one to stand out!” Linglong shot him a scornful look.

Qin Daofei sighed, “Once, I wanted to stand above all, to look down from the clouds. I don’t know why, but now that feeling has faded.”

Uh!

“You know I’m not good at heart-to-heart talks—unless you’re ready to cough up blood!” Linglong poked him.

Qin Daofei was nearly ready to cough up blood.

He’d wanted to discuss life, but she avoided the topic. He couldn’t touch her past at all.

Feeling inexplicably frustrated.

“Go freshen up—I’ll ask Tang Li to prepare food,” Qin Daofei said, leaving.

Linglong watched him go with a playful smile, but as soon as he left, her shoulders slumped.

For a moment, she wondered if Qin Daofei’s desire to leave the martial world was because of her.

She dared not imagine—if Qin Daofei said he would give up his position and fortune for her, might she be moved?

So…

This topic was definitely not for her.

Qin Daofei returned to the study. Tang Li was dozing in a chair; hearing movement, he leapt up, instantly alert.

On the beam, Jifeng slept soundly, turning over and hugging his head in annoyance at the noise.

“Master, I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare food!” Tang Li said, heading out.

Hearing of food, Jifeng poked his head down. “Brother Li, bring a jug of wine, too!”

Tang Li looked to Qin Daofei, who nodded.

Tang Li went off happily.

Just as Tang Li left, Tan Xiyin and Xiangyu hurried over.

Seeing them, Qin Daofei felt utterly exhausted.

“Fei’er, I heard there was trouble in Fragmented Leaf City? Is it serious?” Xiangyu bombarded him with questions.

Qin Daofei shot Tan Xiyin a meaningful look. “The branch was destroyed.”

What?

Tan Xiyin twisted her handkerchief, anxiously looking at Qin Daofei.

“Brother Daofei said the entire branch was wiped out?” She repeated uncertainly.

Qin Daofei replied, “Yes, everyone was killed—it’ll be hard to recover.”

“Then you must be overwhelmed?” Tan Xiyin kept probing.

Qin Daofei grew impatient, “If a minor branch could overwhelm me, those villains are dreaming. They hurt me, but only scratched a finger. If I strike back, I’ll bury them all with my subordinates—none will escape.”

For some reason, as he spoke, Tan Xiyin felt a chill down her spine, as if the end of the world had arrived.

“Um… Brother Daofei, you must be tired. I’ll prepare some food—you should bathe and rest!” Normally, she’d want to cling to him every moment, but now she just wanted to flee.

Qin Daofei said calmly, “No need—Tang Li’s already gone to the kitchen.”

“Oh!” Tan Xiyin didn’t dare leave, retreating behind Xiangyu.

Seeing Qin Daofei’s exhaustion, Xiangyu refrained from nagging, instructing Xiahe, “Go tell the kitchen to boil water so Fei’er can wash properly.”

“Yes!” Xiahe left.

“Fei’er, rest well. Let others handle the minor matters,” Xiangyu said.

“Please send the water to the study,” Qin Daofei said, returning to his mountain of paperwork.

Uh!

Xiangyu looked at Tan Xiyin, who shook her head, indicating she was fine.

Now, even if Qin Daofei offered to visit her room, she’d be afraid.

Back at Miaoyin Pavilion, Tan Xiyin summoned the black-clad man, angrily, “I asked you to get Brother Daofei out, but you destroyed the entire branch in Fragmented Leaf City! If King Xiang is insincere and insists on ruining Xiaoyao Manor, don’t blame me!”

Humph!

The man snorted, “Without such a major incident, would he have left?”

“But you can’t ruin Xiaoyao Manor’s business. If this keeps up, how will I enjoy luxury?”

He ignored her and vanished.

Tan Xiyin sat at her desk, pondering—now that Feng Linglong is gone, with King Xiang hell-bent on destroying Xiaoyao Manor, will it really fall?

No, it won’t. If Qin Daofei’s willing, King Xiang is no real enemy.

But she couldn’t collaborate with King Xiang anymore; withdrawing now was the wisest choice.

But how to extricate herself perfectly?

Her heart was in turmoil. She didn’t want Xiaoyao Manor destroyed—she only wanted Qin Daofei to stop thinking about Feng Linglong.

Her struggle didn’t affect Qin Daofei; after bathing, Tang Li brought piping hot food to the study. Jifeng, smelling the aroma, flipped down from the beam, chopsticks in hand, ready to eat.

Tang Li, as usual, set the table and closed the door.

Just before closing, he noticed a figure sneaking nearby. He smiled faintly, closed the door, and signaled to Qin Daofei and Jifeng that someone was watching.

Jifeng wanted to draw his blade.

Qin Daofei stopped him, shaking his head—no rash moves.

He calmly prepared food for himself and Linglong, carrying a tray into the secret chamber. Inside, Jifeng imitated Qin Daofei’s tone when speaking to Tang Li.

So, from outside, it sounded as if Qin Daofei was talking to them, not missing from the study.

“Tang Li, everyone’s worked hard lately. Tonight, you and Jifeng can visit a brothel for some fun—it’s on my tab,” Jifeng said solemnly.

Tang Li nearly choked.

He pinched Jifeng with his chopsticks, but Jifeng ignored him, continuing, “Really? Thanks, Master. Why not join us?”

“I’ll pass. King Xiang’s so arrogant—I need to teach him a lesson, or he’ll think Xiaoyao Manor is easy prey.” The more Jifeng spoke, the more excited he became.

Tang Li rapped Jifeng’s hand, and Jifeng, hurt, became serious.

“All right, we’ve barely rested. After eating, sleep as best you can—there’s much to do.”

With the “Master's” order, they ate in silence.

Outside, the eavesdropper—Xiaocui—was certain Qin Daofei would close the study door upon returning, which he did. But from outside, nothing seemed amiss.

Was she overthinking?

She didn’t dare linger and left.

Secret chamber.

Qin Daofei brought the hot food to Linglong, ate absentmindedly, and read the investigation report on the village woman.

Most vexing—it yielded nothing.

Her husband said she left some of Hu Meiniang’s notes, but they were missing.

So, the killer was prepared, knowing the woman had the notes, and killed without hesitation.

Since taking on the Hu Meiniang case, Qin Daofei noticed every clue was ultimately severed—by accident or design?

“Is the matter still unresolved?” Linglong asked, seeing his deep frown.

Qin Daofei put down the document. “I’m not worried about Fragmented Leaf City—the branch is lost, that’s done. I’ve ordered reinforcements nationwide; all branches will become covert spies, forcing him to attack only in the capital.”

If King Xiang focuses on Qin Daofei there, he’s doomed.

“Then eat first—if the facts are set, feed yourself before thinking of next steps.” Linglong handed him chopsticks.

Qin Daofei smiled, not refuting her.

After eating, he pulled Linglong to the bed.

“Qin Daofei, this isn’t right,” Linglong thought the Master was full and lustful, shrinking into a ball in fear.

Qin Daofei gritted his teeth, “Even if you lay naked before me, I have no energy—exhausted!”

Uh!

“Naked? You’re the one lying naked!” Linglong poked his chest.

Too tired to argue, Qin Daofei collapsed beside her.

Linglong couldn’t sleep. Waiting until Qin Daofei was deeply asleep, she quietly got up and opened the dossier he’d been reading—about the Hu Meiniang investigation.

As she did, the supposedly sleeping Qin Daofei opened his sharp eyes, gazing at her, then closed them again.

Linglong didn’t know Hu Meiniang, but as she read, she grew suspicious—each time Qin Daofei was close to the truth, the thread snapped.

This case was truly thorny!

Linglong took up brush and ink, spread a blank sheet, and mapped out all the relationships from the dossier, filling the page.

When Qin Daofei awoke again, Linglong was still at the desk, drawing lines, so focused she didn’t notice him rise.

He stood behind her, watching her serious work, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

“You’re awake?” Linglong sensed him, turned, and smiled.

Qin Daofei sat beside her, voice still hoarse from sleep, “What are you doing?”

“I saw your dossier and tried to help organize it. I’m bored out of my mind,” she replied, making Qin Daofei more suspicious.

He said nothing, just smiled and teased, “Virtuous wife!”

“If you have old files or matters that need sorting, give them to me. I find this a good way to pass time,” Linglong said, claiming the title.

After a long moment, she realized, “Wait—what did you just call me?”

“Virtuous wife!” Qin Daofei said generously.

Pfft!

Linglong nearly coughed up blood in frustration, wishing she could kill him.

“I’m just bored—if you don’t want me to help, don’t give them to me.” The room was so small, nowhere to hide, so she obediently returned the dossier.

Qin Daofei smiled, “I actually do need your help.”

“Go on.”

“There are some old files in Tongtian Pavilion I’ve never had time to organize. Since you volunteered, I’ll bring them—but don’t overwork yourself, take your time.”

Linglong grinned, “Finally, something to do!”

“I’ve kept you cooped up too long.” Though his words were light, Linglong could hear his regret and reluctance.

She laughed, “Why so sentimental? I insisted on playing dead—King Xiang is after me. Instead of brooding, just bring the files. With something to do, I won’t be bored.”

“We’ll talk tonight. For now, Tan Xiyin’s maid is watching me closely—she hasn’t dropped her suspicions,” Qin Daofei said bluntly.

Heh!

Linglong answered with a cold laugh.

“I should go up. Wait here,” Qin Daofei squeezed her hand. Without makeup, Linglong’s scars were even more obvious, and they pained him.

“Go ahead,” Linglong didn’t want him touching her hands, or seeing her wounds.

They were so raw.

Qin Daofei said nothing, leaving.

As soon as he reached the study, Tang Li reported, “Master, the Second Prince sent an invitation—he’d like you to join him for dinner at Silk and Bamboo Music Hall.”

“Jifeng stays here, Tang Li comes with me.” Qin Daofei tidied his attire and strode out.

Soon after, Jifeng heard movement outside the study. He hid silently, soon hearing the door creak open.

Then, two figures slipped inside.

“Second Madam, I marked spots everywhere—if anything’s been moved, I’ll spot it. Let’s look and see if we find anything.”

Xiaocui’s voice!

To sneak around the Master’s study—they were truly audacious.

Jifeng held his breath, hiding from them.

After entering, Xiaocui explained, “Second Madam, this is my secret invisible powder. Normally, it’s undetectable, but if the Master or anyone else touched something, sprinkling this reveals their fingerprints. See?”

She demonstrated, showing Tan Xiyin the fingerprints left by Qin Daofei.

So…

Jifeng watched as they probed all over. The powder remained undisturbed in most places, but as they approached the mural, he began to panic.

A genius remembers this site address: . Mobile reading: m.