The fire was set by Lianxing.
Ming Yuhe had returned too suddenly, leaving Luo Xinci no chance to slip away. Outside, Lianxing knew nothing of what was happening within, nor had anyone to call for help. Her heart pounding, she waited in dread until the sound of porcelain shattering came from the upper floor. Cornered, she lit a blaze. She set fire to a small hut in the garden, where the flower servants rested and stored odds and ends. As soon as the flames rose, she cried out for help, then quickly ran back beneath the pavilion to catch Luo Xinci as she escaped.
Back at Yunshang Pavilion, nearly all the maids had been roused. Seeing the glow of fire, they were flustered and bewildered, not knowing what had happened.
Luo Xinci and Lianxing blended seamlessly into the crowd, drawing no suspicion.
“It’s the Zhi Garden next door that caught fire. It’s only flowers and plants there, nothing serious—it will be put out soon. Miss, please rest easy and return to sleep,” Yunxiu said after learning the situation. Seeing Luo Xinci’s pale face, she assumed the fire had frightened her and gently offered comfort.
Still shaken, Luo Xinci lowered her head and murmured a faint “Mm.”
Yunxiu reached to guide her back to her room, but upon touching her, exclaimed in surprise: “Miss, why are you sweating so much?”
It wasn’t only her palms—had Yunxiu helped her change clothes, she would have found Luo Xinci’s back drenched with sweat.
“Miss had a nightmare,” Lianxing quickly interjected. “When I heard the noise and went to call her, she was still asleep, soaked in sweat.”
The words were cleverly chosen: on the surface, they explained Luo Xinci’s distress as a nightmare, while subtly implying that when the fire broke out, both of them had been in the room.
Yunxiu had never suspected otherwise, and so asked no further questions. Supporting Luo Xinci toward her chamber, she asked if she would like hot water for a bath.
Luo Xinci’s limbs were still weak; she only longed to lie down and clear her head. Before she could answer, she saw from afar Ming Yuhe descending from Zhaixing Pavilion with a lantern, and her heart leaped in alarm. Given his twisted affection for her, he was most likely coming to console her.
The mere thought of him brought back the memory of what she had seen in the pavilion—and that powerful arm that had bound her so tightly she still could not catch her breath. She turned at once to Yunxiu and said, “Prepare water. I want to bathe!”
So long as it meant avoiding Ming Yuhe, she would rather bathe—or even jump into the pond to feed the fish!
With Lianxing, Luo Xinci retreated into the inner chamber, leaving Yunxiu to handle matters outside.
Because of that night’s incident, the servants were summoned one after another for questioning. As the Marquis’s daughter, Luo Xinci managed to shield Lianxing from being implicated.
The two of them listened to the commotion outside and did not sleep the whole night. Only when dawn broke in the east did they finally drift into uneasy rest.
The next day, Luo Xinci nervously tried to draw information from Yunxiu.
Yunxiu said, “Last night someone broke into Zhaixing Pavilion, smashed many treasures, and stole a painting. The fire in the Zhi Garden must have been set by the intruder’s accomplice…”
“A painting?” At the word *painting*, Luo Xinci instantly recalled Ming Yuhe caressing her portrait, and goosebumps rose all over her body. She wanted nothing more than to forget anything related to that portrait. Yet she knew clearly that she had not taken anything from the pavilion last night—there should not have been any painting missing. She could not help but ask, “What painting?”
“The guards said it was a hand-painted work that the Young Marquis values greatly.”
Luo Xinci: “…”
No doubt—it was her portrait. It hadn’t been stolen at all. Ming Yuhe must be feigning this!
Suppressing her discomfort, Luo Xinci pressed on: “Have they found any clues?”
Now, Wang Yinrao’s matter had receded to the background. What weighed on Luo Xinci’s mind were two things: whether anyone had seen Lian Xing setting the fire, and whether Ming Yuhe could recognize that the intruder last night was her.
Lianxing too looked anxiously at Yunxiu.
Yunxiu replied, “The Young Marquis is investigating personally. No results yet.”
Luo Xinci asked again, “And the Young Marquis… elder brother, where is he?”
“Last night’s disturbance was so great it alarmed the Prefect. The Young Marquis feared word might reach the palace and cause concern, so he entered the palace a quarter of an hour ago.”
“The Prefect!”
“Entered the palace!”
Luo Xinci and Lian Xing cried out together. “But no one was hurt—how could it become such a major affair?”
Startled by their reaction, Yunxiu explained, “Indeed, no one was injured. But our household has never faced such a thing before. Had the fire not been discovered early, who knows how long it would have burned. The Young Marquis intends to investigate thoroughly… Miss, what’s wrong?”
Luo Xinci’s lips trembled. “I—I’ve never encountered anything like this. I’m frightened…”
It was over. A theft in the Marquis’s residence, arson committed—though the damage was slight, once word reached the Emperor, the matter would swell into attempted murder and robbery, aimed at the life of a noble of the realm!
If the truth were uncovered, Luo Xinci and Lianxing would surely be stripped bare, and together with the Luo family members in Linzhou and Ming Niansheng, all would be ruined!
“Please don’t worry, Miss.” Yunxiu thought she was truly frightened and tried to soothe her. “The Young Marquis has already rearranged the guards’ patrols. Such a thing will never happen again.”
Seeing Luo Xinci’s pale face, she added, “Oh yes, Miss—the Young Marquis left in haste, but said you should rest at ease. He will come to see you when he returns.”
Luo Xinci was already so terrified her soul felt scattered. To spend more time with Ming Yuhe would mean either dying of fright or betraying herself with a slip. She longed to return to Linzhou!
Just then, a servant announced that Fan Ning had come to visit.
Luo Xinci hurriedly said, “Invite her in—quickly, quickly!”
Because she too had been targeted by Jiang Liyang, Fan Ning had felt a deep affinity for “Ming Niansheng” from the very first. Today she came through on her promise to check on Luo Xinci and ensure that Marquis Wuling’s household was not treating her harshly behind closed doors.
Fan Ning was welcomed into Yunshang Pavilion and received warmly. Judging from the surroundings, clothing, and servants’ demeanor, Luo Xinci did not appear to be suffering mistreatment—only her face looked wan and weary. That was understandable, given the previous night’s turmoil.
Fan Ning said, “I heard assassins struck at your residence last night. I came especially to see you.”
Luo Xinci: “…”
In half a day, the affair had grown from theft and arson into attempted assassination. Her supposed crimes were swelling ever larger.
“It was… an accident,” Luo Xinci replied stiffly. Stepping forward to clasp Fan Ning’s hand, she spoke earnestly: “I was terrified last night. I want to go out and clear my mind, but I don’t know the capital well. Could you take me out for a walk?”
Whether Ming Yuhe found clues or not, she had to escape his reach for a while, to calm herself—or she truly would go mad.
Clinging to Fan Ning as if fleeing, Luo Xinci left. Away from Ming Yuhe, the bustling marketplace and peaceful townsfolk eased her panic, allowing her to regain some composure and turn her thoughts to serious matters.
She examined the records of the Bureau of Registers and confirmed that Wang Yinrao’s name had been erased. Starting from place of origin, she discovered that in that year there had been two Wang scholars from Linzhou: one named Wang Shu, the other Wang Pingyan.
Coincidentally, both had lost their fathers early and were raised solely by their mothers. Thus, the records listed only their mothers’ names: Madam Xu and Madam Han.
Luo Xinci had never met her grandmother. On the rare occasions her uncle or mother mentioned her, they only referred to her as “Old Madam Wang.” She had no idea what her grandmother’s surname was.
The written records were limited; based on them alone, Luo Xinci could not discern which man was her biological father.
Before entering the capital, she had anticipated many difficulties, yet never imagined her father would deliberately conceal his identity. Should she write to her uncle to ask?
Luo Xinci feared being scolded, and even more that her family might come searching for her in the capital. Her uncle’s leg was broken, her mother and aunt were either frail or occupied with caring for her younger cousin, and none could travel far. Luo Yizhou, after suffering heavy punishment in prison, might not even be able to rise from bed.
Troubled, Luo Xinci frowned. Turning her head, she noticed Fan Ning studying her. She quickly forced a smile and asked, “What is it?”
Fan Ning countered, “What are you thinking about?”
“I was thinking…” Luo Xinci tried to invent an excuse to deceive her. But when she met those pure, innocent eyes, a surge of guilt welled up inside.
Fan Ning was frank and upright, bold in character. Believing Luo Xinci had been bullied by Jiang Liyang, she had dared to confront the powerful Prince Ning’s household on her behalf. She was a rare, good-hearted girl.
Indeed, she was the very first person in the capital to show Luo Xinci genuine kindness. Yet from the start, Luo Xinci had harbored thoughts of using her. Even today, she still intended to trick her further.
Under Fan Ning’s sincere gaze, Luo Xinci was overwhelmed with shame.
“Why won’t you speak?” Fan Ning pressed.
“I was thinking about something,” Luo Xinci murmured, her conscience burning, the lie on her lips too bitter to utter.
After a pause, she tried to reshape her thoughts and confide them in another form: “Years ago, back in Linzhou, a capital official returned home to visit relatives. He scorned me and my grandmother for being weak and old, speaking rudely. I wanted to cause him trouble, but I only know the obscure name he once used long ago. How could I possibly find him?”
Fan Ning stared at her for a moment, then declared firmly, “You’re lying.”
Luo Xinci: “…Ah?”
“My father says Marquis Wuling and the young marquis are both ruthless and vengeful. If such a man truly exists, you need only tell them. Even if they don’t care for you, for the sake of face they would help you vent your anger. Why waste effort searching on your own?”
Luo Xinci: “…”
Seeing her silent, Fan Ning’s voice rang out, sharp and clear: “So you *are* deceiving me! Tell me honestly—at the drill ground that day, Jiang Liyang never struck you at all. You pretended to fall and framed him, didn’t you?”
Luo Xinci never expected the very girl who had defended her most fiercely to suddenly uncover the truth and expose her scheme. Her face burned, and she was struck dumb.
“Oh! So it *was* like that!” Fan Ning exclaimed. “My mother said I was tricked, but I refused to believe it. Now I see—you really are a scheming, wicked girl!”
For the first time, Luo Xinci’s wrongdoing was laid bare without mercy. Shame surged through her, making her forget that the incident had been nothing more than coincidence. She did not know how other wrongdoers reacted when their plots were exposed. But at this moment, she felt as though cast into a furnace, Fan Ning’s gaze piercing her like thorns, pricking her face painfully.
Unable to meet Fan Ning’s eyes, Luo Xinci turned her gaze away.
The two of them were standing atop the Yan Pagoda outside the city. In the distance, verdant mountains stretched, birds wheeled in flight, the scenery as beautiful as a painting.
But Luo Xinci, consumed by self-reproach, dared not even look at the view. Her lashes drooped in humiliation. Lowering her head, she caught sight of Lianxing waiting below with Yunxiu and the other maids.
Lianxing’s face was full of anxiety, as though confronted with some pressing trouble.
Though Luo Xinci still lacked the courage to face Fan Ning, she needed to know what matter had so unsettled Lian Xing. She forced herself to remain calm and lifted her head, intending to apologize and take her leave.
Unexpectedly, Fan Ning saw her raise her eyes and, with complete certainty, said, “But I don’t blame you. My mother told me that a girl without her father’s care and with no mother, who has a bit of scheming, isn’t a bad thing. Besides, you’re dealing with Jiang Liyang! She even told me to learn more from you.”
“Ah?” In the span of half a stick of incense, Luo Xinci was stunned for the third time.
“Just tell me.” Fan Ning thumped her chest in assurance. “Who are you looking for? I’ll help you!”
“Wang Yinrao?”
“Yes,” the guard replied. “I personally overheard Miss Fan Ning secretly ordering someone to investigate this man.”
Ming Yuhe sat in a pearwood chair, a painting spread across the desk before him. It depicted Luo Xinci seated upon a stone by the water, chin resting in her hands, brows furrowed in thought. He closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them to gaze at the painting, his eyes cold and sharp.
Wang Yinrao. There was no record of this name in the archives of the Bureau of Records.
The man Luo Xinci sought was a high-ranking official in the capital, yet there was no trace of him. That meant he had anticipated this and tampered with the Bureau’s documents.
Luo Xinci had merely returned empty-handed, but Ming Yuhe had been thoroughly deceived by Wang Yinrao’s smokescreen. He felt provoked.
Before learning this name, Ming Yuhe only wanted to figure out what Luo Xinci and Ming Niansheng were plotting, to toy with them a little. Now, he wanted to meet Wang Yinrao face to face.