Although the coastal county town of Chaozhou could not compare to the vast scale and imposing defenses of the imperial capital, its commercial activity was exceptionally prosperous. During the day, the streets and marketplaces were crowded with merchants and townsfolk, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
After the diplomatic delegation completed their entry procedures and settled into the official courier station, Qin Man finally found a brief opportunity to leave with Xiao Ya and Su Li.
She considered it sneaking out.
Over the past two days, both Prince Mo Xuan and Grand Preceptor Xiao Ruochen had been finding one excuse after another to visit her quarters. The moment their attention was occupied elsewhere, she immediately took advantage of the chance to enjoy some fresh sea air and investigate the local pharmacies for medicinal herbs unique to the region.
The three women wandered through the bustling markets for several hours. By midday, their stomachs were beginning to protest, so they stopped at a roadside noodle shop for lunch.
“Miss, the goods sold here are completely different from those in the capital.”
The moment Xiao Ya sat down, she began chatting excitedly while looking around at the nearby stalls.
“But after searching everywhere, I still haven’t found anyone selling candied hawthorn skewers.”
“Have either of you noticed something unusual?” Qin Man suddenly asked.
Her sharp eyes swept across the crowd.
“There are almost no young women on the streets. Most of the people here are either men or elderly women.”
She paused thoughtfully.
Perhaps the local customs were particularly restrictive toward women.
“Now that you mention it, I noticed something strange too,” Su Li said.
“The locals kept staring at us as we walked. Their expressions seemed shocked.”
“It may be because unmarried women here rarely leave their homes,” Qin Man speculated. “Let’s finish eating and return to the courier station as soon as possible.”
At that moment, the waiter approached their table.
“Honored guests, what would you like to order? We have freshly made hand-pulled noodles and various rice dishes.”
The three women each ordered a bowl of noodles.
Unable to suppress her curiosity, Xiao Ya leaned forward.
“Brother, is there some local rule that prevents young women from going out?”
The waiter carefully examined their fine clothing and immediately recognized them as noble ladies from outside the region.
He lowered his voice.
“Young ladies, you must have just arrived.”
“Why?” Xiao Ya asked.
The waiter glanced around before speaking.
“For the past two months, a notorious flower-plucking thief has been operating in the county. Almost every day, unmarried young women are abducted or have their reputations ruined.”
Su Li’s expression darkened.
“Hasn’t the magistrate sent people to catch him?”
“They’ve tried everything.”
The waiter shook his head helplessly.
“This thief is extremely cunning and highly skilled in martial arts. He’s escaped every trap set for him. Now, every family with an unmarried daughter keeps her locked safely indoors. Fathers and brothers stand guard through the night. The entire county is terrified.”
“So all the victims have been unmarried young women?” Qin Man asked.
“From what we’ve seen, yes. Most of them come from wealthy or influential families.”
The waiter hurried away after being called by another customer.
Su Li immediately turned pale.
“Miss, we should return to the courier station right away. If this criminal can evade the authorities for two months, he must be very dangerous.”
Qin Man nodded.
“Xiao Ya, for the next few days, your priority is protecting Su Li.”
Then she added seriously,
“You must also be careful yourselves. Anyone capable of avoiding capture for this long cannot be underestimated.”
Upon returning to the courier station, Qin Man intended to report the situation to Princess Mo Yueyao and recommend strengthening security.
However, she quickly learned that the county magistrate had already visited and informed the royal party about the serial offender.
As she approached her assigned courtyard, she found Xiao Ruochen waiting outside her room.
His tall figure stood motionless, radiating vigilance.
Understanding why he was there, Qin Man silently invited him inside.
After Xiao Ya and Su Li served tea, they tactfully withdrew and stood guard outside.
“Did you come because of the flower-plucking thief?” Qin Man asked.
“The county magistrate personally requested the Princess’s assistance in capturing him,” Xiao Ruochen replied.
His eyes lingered on her pale face, and concern flickered within them.
“The delegation’s departure has been postponed. We will remain here for the time being. You must be especially careful.”
“I understand.”
Qin Man nodded.
“Based on what I’ve observed, this criminal specifically targets unmarried women. If he favors beautiful women from prominent families, then the noble ladies traveling with us are among the most likely targets.”
Xiao Ruochen’s expression turned even colder.
“My shadow guards intercepted important information today.”
His voice became icy.
“Murong Cheng has leaked our location to the political forces of the Yayao Kingdom. An attack against our delegation is likely being prepared.”
He rose to his feet.
“I need to discuss countermeasures with the Princess immediately.”
His gaze locked onto hers.
“Do not leave your quarters under any circumstances. Tonight, I will personally arrange additional protection around your room.”
After a strategy meeting with the leadership, strict security measures were implemented.
Armed guards rotated around the quarters of every noble lady twenty-four hours a day. All food and drink entering their rooms underwent careful inspection. At the same time, Mo Xuan joined the local authorities in their investigation of the mysterious criminal.
That night, moonlight filtered through the paper windows.
Qin Man lay awake.
No matter how rational she was, the thought of a dangerous predator lurking in the darkness made sleep difficult.
Suddenly, a series of agitated cat cries echoed from the courtyard.
A split second later, a shadow flashed across her window.
Qin Man immediately sat upright.
Without making a sound, she slipped on her coat and gripped the dagger Xiao Ruochen had given her during the imperial banquet.
With her other hand, she prepared several silver acupuncture needles.
Then she positioned herself beside the door and waited.
Several tense minutes passed.
Silence returned.
Worried about Xiao Ya and Su Li, Qin Man quietly left her room and crossed the corridor.
The moment they heard her whisper, the two maids opened their door.
Relieved to find them safe, Qin Man instructed them to remain inside and returned to her own quarters.
The room was completely dark.
The instant she stepped inside, she noticed a tall figure standing silently in the shadows.
A surge of cold adrenaline shot through her body.
Her hand tightened around the dagger.
The silver needles were already poised to strike.
“Man’er, lower your weapon. It’s me.”
The familiar voice immediately stopped her.
“Ruochen?”
Qin Man let out a breath and lowered her arms.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been guarding the area outside your room tonight.”
Xiao Ruochen stepped into the moonlight.
“Earlier, I sensed someone approaching your window. I threw several daggers and wounded him, but he escaped using excellent lightness skills.”
His brows furrowed.
“I pursued him briefly, but I worried it might be a diversion meant to draw me away from you. When I returned, I found your door open. I came inside to make sure you were safe.”
“I’m fine,” Qin Man replied softly.
Warmth spread through her heart.
“I saw the shadow too. I was worried about Su Li and Xiao Ya, so I went to check on them.”
“You need rest.”
Seeing the exhaustion on her face, Xiao Ruochen gently pulled her into his arms.
His hand stroked her hair.
“I’ll remain outside. You don’t need to be afraid.”
“You should rest as well.”
Qin Man made no move to leave his embrace.
“You can’t stay awake every night protecting me.”
Instead of arguing, Xiao Ruochen simply lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Then he stepped away.
Without another word, he left the room and closed the door behind him.
Knowing that the greatest martial expert in the empire stood guard outside her door, Qin Man finally relaxed.
She slept peacefully until dawn.
The next morning, she was awakened when Su Li entered carrying a basin of water.
“Miss, Prince Mo Xuan came by earlier,” Su Li reported.
“When he saw you were sleeping, he ordered us not to wake you.”
She continued,
“He also instructed us to tell you not to leave your quarters for the next two days. Since he’s busy investigating the case, he assigned two elite royal guards to protect you tonight.”
Qin Man nodded and sat down to eat breakfast.
Before she could finish, Xiao Ya burst through the door.
Her face was pale with panic.
“Miss!”
She was nearly out of breath.
“I just learned something from the matrons. One of the courier station’s maidservants disappeared during the night. Prince Mo Xuan and the magistrate’s men are investigating right now.”
Qin Man’s expression hardened.
“So the shadow outside my window was real.”
A chill ran down her spine.
“Where is Mo Xuan?”
“He’s in the main hall,” Su Li replied.
Inside the reception hall, Mo Xuan and Chief Constable Liang Qu were studying a detailed map of the county when Qin Man arrived.
The moment she entered, Mo Xuan immediately stood.
“Qin Muxi greets Your Highness and Chief Constable Liang.”
Liang Qu rose politely.
“So this is Miss Qin, the remarkable young lady His Highness has praised so often.”
Although her face remained hidden behind a veil, her elegant bearing and intelligent eyes left a powerful impression.
She possessed an extraordinary presence.
“Muxi, why have you come?” Mo Xuan asked.
His usual carefree demeanor was nowhere to be seen.
Qin Man carefully recounted everything she had witnessed the previous night, omitting Xiao Ruochen’s secret vigil outside her room.
Before she could finish, a soldier rushed into the hall and dropped to one knee.
“Report!”
“Speak,” Mo Xuan ordered.
“The magistrate’s office has received an urgent report from the residence of Squire Huang. His unmarried daughter was attacked in her bedchamber last night by the flower-plucking thief.”
Mo Xuan and Liang Qu exchanged grim looks.
Qin Man’s mind raced.
A maidservant had disappeared from the courier station.
A suspicious figure had appeared outside her room.
At the same time, Miss Huang had been attacked elsewhere in the county.
The conclusion was obvious.
There was more than one culprit involved.
This was not the work of a lone criminal.
The complexity of the case had suddenly increased dramatically.
Mo Xuan and Liang Qu immediately prepared to leave for the new crime scene.
Before departing, Mo Xuan stepped closer to Qin Man.
“Muxi.”
Concern filled his eyes.
“The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous. We may be dealing with an organized group, and we still have to worry about an attack from the Yayao Kingdom.”
His voice grew serious.
“Return to your quarters immediately. If anything unusual happens, summon the guards I’ve assigned to you. Once this investigation is over, I’ll come back at once.”
Qin Man looked at him quietly.
Throughout the capital, Mo Xuan had a reputation as a carefree playboy who treated women lightly.
Yet ever since her arrival in this world, his actions toward Qin Muxi had consistently been protective and sincere.
A warmth touched her heart.
“Brother Mo Xuan, don’t worry.”
She smiled faintly.
“I’ll protect myself. You should be careful as well.”