Qin Buwen had been enjoying herself these past few days.
She knew that every time she left Wenyuan Pavilion before, a number of Ji Junjiao’s informants would shadow her.
Ever since she’d staged that little performance of “suffering to win sympathy” a few days ago, she’d noticed that far fewer people were following her.
Better yet, using that incident as an excuse, she had “stormed off in anger” to set up her street stall. Ji Junjiao hadn’t stopped her, which meant she’d now have a perfectly legitimate reason to leave Wenyuan Pavilion whenever she pleased.
The intelligence available within Wenyuan Pavilion was still too limited.
If she wanted to keep track of Li Yunmu’s movements, relying solely on Qingyue for information would never be enough.
Sure enough, while working at her stall today, she’d overheard something interesting.
After the account books in Li Yunmu’s storehouse had been burned, Ji Junjiao had ordered him to reorganize and recopy them within seven days before submitting them to Wenyuan Pavilion.
Today was the seventh day.
She was quite curious to see exactly what kind of account books Li Yunmu intended to present to Ji Junjiao.
Closing up her stall in high spirits, Qin Buwen was still wondering what excuse she could use to visit Ji Junjiao’s study.
Unexpectedly…
Ji Junjiao summoned her first.
…
When Qin Buwen arrived at the study, she couldn’t help feeling puzzled.
Stacks of account books were arranged neatly across the desk. The room was thick with the scent of ink—so strong that even the incense burning nearby couldn’t mask it.
Looks like our Grand Secretary has been buried in work these past few days.
He was so busy that Qin Buwen couldn’t imagine why he’d called her here.
Could he have discovered that I’ve been gathering information behind his back?
The thought made her heart skip a beat.
Even so, her face remained perfectly calm.
“A’Jin greets my lord.”
Hearing her voice, Ji Junjiao slowly looked up.
“Miss A’Jin.”
He stood and handed her a long, narrow box.
“This is for you.”
His voice sounded… oddly stiff.
Qin Buwen pressed her lips together slightly, unable to tell whether he was testing her or something else.
Taking a quiet breath, she slowly opened the box.
Inside lay an exquisitely crafted silver hairpin.
Its ornament was carved from jade into an elegant motif. The workmanship was delicate, refined, and radiant.
Qin Buwen’s eyes lit up.
“This is…”
“An apology.”
Ji Junjiao gave a light cough before explaining.
“I never properly apologized for what happened the other day.”
“I hope you’ll accept this and forgive me.”
Sometimes Qin Buwen truly found it strange.
Why was it that some men could maintain such flawless grace…
Even while apologizing?
In her lifetime, Qin Buwen had seen countless handsome men—if not ten thousand, then certainly eight thousand.
Very few could compare with Ji Junjiao.
Others were undeniably attractive, but their smiles and expressions still belonged to ordinary mortals.
Ji Junjiao was different.
He resembled an immortal who had transcended the mortal world, untouched by dust, flawless and immaculate.
To be looked at by him even once…
Felt like a life with no regrets.
Even someone as “well-traveled” as Qin Buwen found herself momentarily captivated by his beauty.
She forgot to react.
Naturally, Ji Junjiao had no idea what she was thinking.
He continued explaining.
“The carving is a winter cicada. It survives on wind and dew and symbolizes purity of character.”
“I hope you like it.”
Blinking, Qin Buwen picked up the silver hairpin and held it up in front of him.
“But, my lord…”
“This isn’t a winter cicada.”
“It’s a pair of lovebirds.”
For the first time in a long while, surprise flickered across Ji Junjiao’s composed face.
“A pair of lovebirds?”
Qin Buwen bit back a laugh as she pointed to the carving.
“Yes. Look here.”
“This is the female bird’s wing.”
“And here’s the beak.”
“See? There’s only one wing on this side. That’s the most distinctive feature of the legendary pair of lovebirds.”
As Ji Junjiao listened to her explanation, he quietly looked away.
“I…”
“I’ve never apologized to anyone before.”
“So… I’m not very familiar with these things.”
Qin Buwen continued suppressing her laughter as she watched him.
Ji Junjiao pursed his lips.
“If Miss A’Jin doesn’t like it, I’ll have it exch—”
“Who said I don’t like it?”
She finally laughed aloud.
Her eyes curved into crescents, like moonlight shimmering upon water.
“I like it, my lord.”
She deliberately paused after saying I like it, watching his expression carefully.
His face remained perfectly composed.
Only the tips of his ears had turned faintly red.
“I really like it.”
She repeated it sincerely.
This was the first apology ever offered by the Grand Secretary—the man who never made mistakes and never apologized.
How could she possibly dislike it?
Besides…
She had spent sixteen years of her previous life disguised as a man.
No one had ever given her a hairpin.
At heart, she was still a woman.
And she’d always loved beautiful, sparkling ornaments.
Ji Junjiao lowered his eyes slightly before returning to his chair.
“My lord, are you looking through the officials’ account books?”
Now that the atmosphere had softened, Qin Buwen casually steered the conversation where she wanted it to go.
Ji Junjiao nodded.
The account books had already been submitted publicly, so they no longer counted as confidential. There was no harm in letting her see them.
“Yes.”
“The court is undergoing another financial audit. All the ledgers have been submitted for my review.”
Qin Buwen nodded as though she only half understood.
“Whose accounts are you reviewing now?”
Ji Junjiao tilted the ledger slightly so she could see the cover.
“Vice Minister of Revenue Li Yunmu.”
Qin Buwen widened her eyes.
“I heard Lord Li’s storehouse burned down not long ago. Weren’t all his account books destroyed?”
“Yes.”
Ji Junjiao continued turning the pages, his expression darkening.
“I gave him seven days to reconstruct them.”
Qin Buwen glanced over the ledger before covering her mouth in exaggerated admiration.
“Lord Li’s accounts are so detailed!”
“And there’s not a single questionable expense.”
“He truly seems like an honest, incorruptible official!”
Ji Junjiao shut the ledger with a snap.
“This ledger is fake.”
Qin Buwen looked puzzled.
“Fake?”
“It’s fake precisely because it’s too perfect.”
“Every transaction is recorded in excessive detail.”
The Ministry of Revenue’s books stretched back many years.
Leaving aside the years Li Yunmu himself had served in office, there were countless incomplete and chaotic records left behind by his predecessors. Many entries couldn’t even be traced by Ji Junjiao.
Yet Li Yunmu had reconstructed every single one with perfect precision.
He had clearly prepared for this in advance.
Ji Junjiao’s expression turned grim.
Even though he knew the ledger was fabricated…
There was no way to prove it.
That was the real problem.
Qin Buwen glanced at him before speaking casually.
“My lord, officials like you are amazing.”
“You remember every account so clearly.”
She paused, smiling.
“Ordinary people like us rarely keep household account books.”
“But…”
“Even without keeping accounts, it’s usually pretty easy to tell whether someone is rich.”
Ji Junjiao suddenly looked up.
Something clicked into place.
“Changqing.”
Changqing, who had been standing guard outside the door, immediately entered.
“My lord.”
Ji Junjiao’s voice was steady.
“There’s an auction at the Wanwu Pavilion tomorrow.”
“Go confirm whether Li Yunmu’s name is on the guest list.”
“Yes!”
Not long afterward, Changqing returned.
“My lord, Vice Minister Li Yunmu is indeed on the guest list.”
Ji Junjiao tapped the tabletop lightly with his forefinger.
“In that case…”
“We’ll attend tomorrow’s auction as well.”
…
The next day.
Originally, Qin Buwen had no intention of attending the auction.
After all, Li Yunmu’s affairs could safely be left in Ji Junjiao’s hands.
However…
An invitation to the Wanwu Pavilion auction was delivered directly to her little street stall.
Someone…
Knew who she was?