Before leaving, they threw down a few pieces of broken silver and said viciously:
"Jiang Wanyue, the Old Madam has done all she could. If you have any conscience, never mention the Marquis Manor again in the future and start a new life."
After saying this, they strode away.
It was just the beginning of autumn, but the weather was still extremely hot.
In the study of the Marquis Manor, Lu Sichen was flipping through books. He stood nine feet tall, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, but his face bore a coldness that did not match his age, adding an air of detachment.
On the desk were placed some ice blocks stored in the ice cellar during winter.
Two maidservants continuously fanned with handheld fans, bringing a hint of coolness to the room.
A servant gently pushed open the door, bowing as he spoke.
"Young Marquis, Concubine Jiang has been thrown out."
Hearing this, Lu Sichen did not even lift his head, coldly uttering an "Mm."
"Such trivial matters need not be reported in the future."
"Yes."
After the servant withdrew, he secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
The Young Marquis appeared aloof and indifferent, elegant and composed on the surface, but in reality, he wielded an iron fist. To have fought his way to the top among the Old Marquis's numerous offspring at such a young age—how could he be someone easily manipulated?
Perhaps even the matter of Concubine Jiang's adultery was not unrelated to the Young Marquis.
Fortunately, that fool had once saved the Old Madam's life; otherwise, her bones would have long rotted away.
The servant was most afraid of being in the Young Marquis's presence. After delivering his message, he quickly left. On the way, he encountered a sword-bearing guard and hurriedly bowed, stepping aside.
If Jiang Wanyue had been there, she would have recognized him as the guard who discovered her last night.
He strode in with large steps, clasping his fists in salute.
"Young Marquis."
Lu Sichen looked at the newcomer, his gentle and refined face revealing a dangerous aura not usually present.
"Well? Have you found the intruder?"
The guard lowered his eyes in shame.
"This subordinate is incompetent. The intruder was able to evade layers of mechanisms without a sound—they must be a martial arts expert."
A flicker of doubt crossed his eyes: "Strangely enough, aside from that old maidservant, no other part of the Marquis Manor was robbed."
Lu Sichen put down the book in his hand, his gaze sharp: "Oh? Are you saying that a highly skilled assassin risked their life to infiltrate the Marquis Manor just to steal an old maidservant's door?"
The sword-bearing guard was startled.
"This subordinate would not dare."
Lu Sichen picked up a brush, casually sketching on the desk, appearing calm and composed.
"Given your skills, for a thief to slip away right under your nose carrying a door, leaving no trace behind—do you think I would believe that?"
Cold sweat poured from the sword-bearing guard's forehead, and his legs gave way as he knelt down.
"This subordinate's loyalty to the Young Marquis is as clear as heaven and earth… With a few more days, I will surely find that thief."
Lu Sichen did not press further.
This matter was likely the work of a skilled agent sent by a political rival, either to probe or to issue a warning.
He waved his hand: "Set this matter aside for now. You have another task."
The sword-bearing guard breathed a sigh of relief but also grew to hate that petty thief. If caught, he would make sure the thief tasted every one of the eighteen forms of torture in the secret dungeon.
The eastern district of the capital city was where high-ranking officials and nobles resided, filled with pavilions, towers, and intricately carved beams—no idlers were to be seen.
Jiang Wanyue climbed up from the door plank, found a hidden corner by a wall, and took out a set of clothes from her bundle to change into.
She casually tossed the bloodstained, dirty clothes into her space before heading toward the main street.
Unlike the quietness earlier, this place was bustling with noise and activity. In an area where a single brick could kill several fourth-rank officials, everyone was dressed in splendor.