As Zhou Sinian narrated a criminal case to Fu Boheng, Pei Yunting quietly sat nearby, listening as well.
She had to admit that the tea at Misty Rain Pavilion was indeed superior to that of Xiaoxiang Pavilion.
“There was once an official in the Ministry of Justice named A Li,” Zhou Sinian began, sounding every bit like the storytellers in teahouses. Everyone present was captivated by his vivid narration, unconsciously slowing their breathing as they waited for what came next.
“One day, he was assigned to preside over a land dispute between two wealthy landowners, Jing Xiao and Yong Zi. Yong Zi had heard that A Li was greedy and lustful. In order to win the lawsuit, he willingly married off his beautiful daughter to him.”
“After receiving such benefits, A Li completely disregarded right and wrong. He ruled against Jing Xiao and awarded all the farmland to Yong Zi. Jing Xiao, being a hot-blooded and impulsive man, naturally refused to accept such injustice. After suffering endless grievances, he resolved to kill both A Li and Yong Zi with his own hands.”
At this point, Zhou Sinian paused, picked up his teacup, and took a sip to moisten his throat.
Unable to contain himself, Fu Boheng immediately asked,
“What happened afterward? Did that A Li die?”
Pei Yunting silently poured another cup of tea.
She vaguely remembered hearing Zhan Zhao report this case to Yan Huaijin once before, though she had not listened carefully at the time. Now she could only recall a few fragmented details.
It was perfectly understandable that Fu Boheng knew nothing about it. There were countless officials in the imperial court, and at his young age, there was no way he could remember every one of them.
Moreover, the Marquis of Yongchang was a military general. Leading troops into battle was routine for him, so he paid little attention to court affairs. Naturally, his son had inherited the same disposition. Other than practicing martial arts and dreaming of one day fighting on the battlefield, nothing else occupied his mind.
“He didn’t die,” Zhou Sinian continued calmly. “Jing Xiao’s plan failed. Although A Li’s crimes were exposed, Prince Yi and another high-ranking official protected him. After putting on a show by transferring him elsewhere, he transformed into an Assistant Minister of War, a position that actually carried more real authority than Assistant Minister of Justice.”
He glanced at Fu Boheng.
“Furthermore, not long after that case ended, Jing Xiao’s entire family was quietly murdered. The crime scene was disguised as an accidental mass death, and no one suspected anything. Even the few who noticed something unusual chose to remain silent to protect themselves.”
Whether Minister or Assistant Minister, the Ministry of War wielded substantial authority, overseeing military supplies, enforcement of military law, and army training.
Anyone with eyes could tell that the transfer had merely been a cover-up.
A Li was none other than Li Rao.
Standing behind him were the all-powerful First Prince and Prince Yi.
No one was foolish enough to provoke them.
Thus, Jing Xiao’s family died without ever receiving justice.
“How despicable…” Fu Boheng clenched his fists in anger. Filled with a strong sense of justice, he nearly leaped to his feet. “If I ever catch that man, I’ll hack him into a thousand pieces!”
“It doesn’t end there, does it?” Pei Yunting interjected. “What did A Li do afterward?”
Zhou Sinian gave her a meaningful look.
“His Majesty has already issued an imperial decree, assigning Prince Yi to oversee the training of one hundred thousand troops stationed in the south. Li Rao will accompany him.”
“The training grounds have been chosen near the State of Zou, and they’ll pass through the State of Zhou on the way. In my opinion, His Majesty will likely order them to pay official visits to the rulers of both Zhou and Zou while they’re there.”
“However, His Majesty has not permitted them to bring soldiers from the capital. I suspect Prince Yi will borrow troops while passing through Youzhou as an escort.”
Pei Yunting frowned.
“So… Yan Huaijin went to Youzhou because of this?”
Perhaps because the Marquis of Yongchang was related to the Empress’s family, Zhou Sinian made no effort to avoid discussing such matters in front of Fu Boheng.
“Not entirely.”
“Some time ago, the Governor of Youzhou submitted an urgent report to the court. Numerous foreigners with suspicious movements have appeared throughout the city. We still don’t know what they’re planning.”
“If they’re gathering intelligence on Great Qi in preparation for an invasion, intending to coordinate internal and external forces…”
“…then we’ll have quite a serious problem.”
For some reason, Pei Yunting suddenly remembered what Yan Huaijin had told her at Qiongyu Pavilion several days earlier.
She lowered her gaze thoughtfully.
Since the Emperor dared to entrust one hundred thousand soldiers to Prince Yi, then unless His Majesty had lost his mind, he undoubtedly had contingency plans.
And among those plans…
Yan Huaijin was almost certainly involved.
The battle for the throne—a struggle in which only one side could survive—had already begun.
She couldn’t claim to understand the Emperor’s every intention, but from countless subtle clues, it seemed increasingly clear that His Majesty favored Yan Huaijin.
He personally taught him state affairs.
Entrusted him with managing officials.
Guided him in the ways of rulership.
Tempered him at every opportunity.
Yan Huaijin…
…was born to stand above others.
Even if swept forward by the currents of fate, he would calmly continue toward his destination.
And she…
She would remain by his side from beginning to end.
“When did this news arrive?” she asked.
“This morning’s court session,” Zhou Sinian answered gravely.
“And what do you plan to do?”
“Tonight, I’ll infiltrate the Assistant Minister’s residence.”
“I’ll obtain military intelligence for Huailin and search for evidence against Li Rao to pave the way for him.”
“If we can stop Li Rao from accompanying Prince Yi to the military training…”
“…that would be the best outcome.”
Pei Yunting considered everything carefully before speaking with complete seriousness.
“I’m going with you.”
Zhou Sinian immediately frowned.
Clearly, he disapproved.
Still, he patiently tried to persuade her.
“Yunting, it’s too dangerous. Don’t be reckless.”
She remained resolute.
“Dangerous?”
“With your mediocre martial arts, do you think you can handle all the experts in Li Rao’s residence?”
“You’d be better off taking me.”
“When it comes to qinggong, who can outrun me?”
“As for swordsmanship, most people aren’t even my match.”
“Zhou Sinian, stop being a coward.”
“With me there, I’ll make sure you return safely.”
He was rendered speechless.
Several times he opened his mouth to argue, only to realize he had no convincing rebuttal.
Eventually, he gave up.
Beside them, Fu Boheng blinked innocently after listening to their debate for quite some time before timidly saying,
“Big Sister Pei… I want to leap across rooftops too. Can you take me with you? My martial arts are definitely better than Lord Zhou’s!”
This time, Zhou Sinian and Pei Yunting were perfectly united.
“No!”
The two answered simultaneously.
Fu Boheng: “…”
Fu Boheng: Waaah… they’re so fierce.
That night, after everyone in the manor had gone to sleep, Pei Yunting quietly slipped out of her room.
She brought only Yiner, who knew martial arts.
Using the very same wall Yan Huaijin usually climbed over to sneak into the manor, she lightly pushed off with her foot and effortlessly cleared the wall.
By the time they arrived at a residence not far from Li Manor, she discovered a half-grown youth standing beside Zhou Sinian.
Looking carefully—
She nearly fainted.
Fu Boheng.
This persistent little nuisance again!
Completely oblivious to her thoughts, the young marquis greeted her enthusiastically.
“Big Sister Pei! Big Sister Pei! Are you bringing a sword? I brought the one Father gave me. Do you want to use it?”
“…”
Pei Yunting’s expression stiffened.
Unable to lose her temper outright, she simply took a deep breath where she stood.
For convenience, she had changed into a dark robe with subtle embroidered patterns and narrow sleeves, still maintaining her disguise as a young gentleman. The outfit looked much lighter and more practical.
Squinting slightly, Zhou Sinian studied her clothing.
The fabric…
And the embroidery…
Why did they seem so familiar?
“Big Sister Pei,” Fu Boheng continued excitedly, “why aren’t you wearing black night clothes like the rest of us?”
It was obviously his first time doing something like this.
His excitement had nowhere to go except into endless chatter.
Pei Yunting felt the corner of her mouth twitch.
Then she growled,
“Either go home…”
“…or shut your mouth.”
Fu Boheng immediately hid behind Zhou Sinian like a frightened rabbit.
He dared not utter another word.
Big Sister Pei is so scary tonight…
After discussing their route, they decided to split up.
By chance, Pei Yunting noticed one of Yan Huaijin’s shadow guards—the very one stationed at the Zhen’an Marquis Manor.
She was surprised to see him here but chose not to ask any questions.
Although Fu Boheng possessed respectable martial skills, he was still a pampered young noble who had never witnessed bloodshed.
After some hesitation, Pei Yunting decided to keep him beside her to avoid any accidents.
Light as a swallow, she grabbed Fu Boheng as though carrying a little chick and effortlessly vaulted over the rear wall of the Assistant Minister’s residence.
“Well, Zhou Sinian?”
“With skills like mine, I could become a lady constable at your Court of Judicial Review, couldn’t I?”
Zhou Sinian nearly burst into tears.
Ancestor… please don’t.
Besides… constables belong to the prefectural yamen, not the Court of Judicial Review!
Meanwhile, Yan Huaijin had already spent three days in Youzhou.
Just as Pei Yunting had guessed, Emperor Ren’an had secretly dispatched him to investigate the Governor of Youzhou’s report regarding the foreigners hiding throughout the city.
These foreigners concealed themselves well and moved about unpredictably.
Yet they had chosen Youzhou—a city of immense strategic importance—for their activities.
The Emperor suspected they were colluding with officials within the court.
Thus, Yan Huaijin had been ordered to uncover the truth.
He had departed in such haste that dawn had not yet broken.
There had only been enough time to instruct the shadow guard stationed at the Zhen’an Marquis Manor to keep Pei Yunting informed of his whereabouts.
His group traveled day and night.
Even finding time to drink water required squeezing a few moments from their relentless journey.
Throughout the trip, however, he constantly found himself wondering…
What is Wanwan doing now?
Even if the shadow guards sent reports immediately, they would still require several days of hard riding to reach Youzhou.
But he missed her terribly.
He thought of her while riding.
While drinking.
While walking.
While sitting.
Sometimes he even dreamed of her.
He had never been this absent-minded before.
Whenever they paused to rest at official relay stations, he would idly copy poems over and over again to ease the longing in his heart.
“There is one whom I long for, far away in a distant land.
There is one thing that burdens me, knotted deep within my heart.
The land is too distant to reach; not a day passes without my gaze turning there.
The knot in my heart cannot be untied; not an evening passes without my thoughts lingering.
Especially on this night beside a dying lamp, I sleep alone in an empty hall.
Autumn has yet to fully arrive, while wind and rain rage endlessly.”
Zhan Yuan also gradually noticed something unusual about his master.
After observing him for several days, he realized Yan Huaijin stared blankly at a scented sachet every single day.
It was the birthday gift Pei Yunting had personally sewn for his fifteenth birthday.
He had never once taken it off.
Understanding dawned upon him.
So… His Highness misses Second Miss Pei.
Day after day passed in this manner.
Then one morning, Yan Huaijin finally received a letter from the shadow guard.
Before leaving, he had instructed the guard stationed at the Zhen’an Marquis Manor to record everything concerning Pei Yunting and send a report to Youzhou every five days.
Unable to wait another moment, he immediately unfolded the letter.
He carefully read every single line, afraid of missing any “important information.”
The report read:
Jiarui Year 36, Ninth Month, Twenty-Fourth Day
Second Miss Pei did not leave the manor.
Her personal maid Yi’er reported that she spent the entire day writing in her room.
Ninth Month, Twenty-FFifth Day
Second Miss Pei came to ask where Master had gone.
This subordinate replied that Master had traveled to Youzhou.
Second Miss appeared thoughtful, thanked me, and departed.
Ninth Month, Twenty-Sixth Day
Second Miss disguised herself as a man and left the manor.
She returned late.
Destination unknown.
Ninth Month, Twenty-Seventh Day
Second Miss again disguised herself as a man, leaving early and returning late.
After extensive investigation, no clear information could be obtained.
After returning home, Second Miss spoke with Eldest Miss Pei Yaosheng in her room.
She did not leave Liuli Courtyard again afterward.
Ninth Month, Twenty-Eighth Day
Second Miss left the manor after nightfall.
This subordinate followed her.
At Bluestone Alley, she met Assistant Minister Zhou Sinian of the Court of Judicial Review and Young Marquis Fu Boheng of Yongchang Marquis Manor.
Lord Zhou discovered this subordinate and explained their plan.
He also requested that I relay a message to Master—
He could not stop Second Miss.
The group intended to infiltrate the residence of Li Rao, the current Assistant Minister of War.
By Master’s orders, this subordinate was to protect Second Miss and therefore joined them.
…
Young Marquis Fu appears to have become rather attached to Second Miss.
How does Master wish this matter to be handled?
Yan Huaijin slowly licked his dry lips.
He read the letter over twice.
After confirming that it contained none of the words he had most hoped to see, the hand clutching the letter began trembling uncontrollably.
He nearly had to pinch the pressure point beneath his nose to stop himself from passing out.
He was furious.