Ge the Third watched him enter Fengchun Building. He breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn’t help feeling a little puzzled.

Just a moment ago, the Fledgling’s words had clearly implied he wanted to return to the residence with them. Why the sudden change of heart?

Although this suited his and Xiao Dongchen’s wishes, he still felt the Fledgling had been acting strangely lately.

Coupled with the scent of blood he’d caught on the Fledgling the night before last, that sense of strangeness grew even stronger.

’I’ll have to find a chance to test him.’

「Meanwhile.」

Chen Yi, who had already entered Fengchun Building, was unaware of Ge the Third’s thoughts.

Of course, even if he had known, his attention was currently focused on the people around him. He had no time to worry about Ge the Third.

Since it wasn’t the two Hidden Guards, Ge the Third and Xiao Dongchen, discussing important matters in Fengchun Building, that meant a third Hidden Guard had to be here.

Furthermore, the meeting had lasted less than half a quarter-hour—perhaps even shorter—making it easy to deduce that Xiao Dongchen’s "discussion" with the other Hidden Guard hadn’t been lengthy.

Or rather, ’exchanging intelligence’ was a more fitting description.

Chen Yi considered this, his expression remaining calm.

He scanned his surroundings and saw that the main hall was mostly filled with wealthy merchants and Wandering Martial Artists, so he summoned a waiter.

"Sir, how many in your party?"

"I’m not dining in. I’d like two orders of iced sticky rice cakes to go."

"Of course. Please have a seat for a moment. They’ll be ready shortly."

The waiter led Chen Yi to a table, then shouted the order for two iced sticky rice cakes toward the kitchen.

Chen Yi sat at the table, his eyes scanning his surroundings from the corners of his vision while he focused all his attention on listening.

He released the Black Tortoise Concealment Technique.

One breath, two breaths, three...

Chen Yi’s expression suddenly flickered. He immediately reapplied the Black Tortoise Concealment Technique to hide his presence.

The moment had been brief, but he had already identified a few familiar voices from the private room upstairs, as well as many more unfamiliar presences and voices.

Among them were Xiao Dongchen’s laughter, Chen Yunfan’s lazy and casual speech, and a hushed whisper:

"Miss, I’ve investigated and confirmed that Ma Liangcai was originally a renowned doctor from the Wumeng Mountain area. He was later found by Hundred Herbs Hall and signed a contract with them."

"Later, because of his connection to the Xiao Family, he started practicing at Jishi Medicine Hall."

"Oh? So he really is skilled?"

"He should be... Huh? A strange Martial Artist has just entered Fengchun Building!"

That was all he heard.

But it was enough for Chen Yi to confirm their identities—it was the very same Miss Cui and her maid from yesterday.

Putting aside her reasons for investigating Ma Liangcai...

Xiao Dongchen was clearly hosting Chen Yunfan today. Their conversation was filled with congratulations and flattery, and seemed otherwise unremarkable.

’Could it not be him?’

’Are there other Hidden Guards in Fengchun Building discussing important matters?’

Chen Yi had no way of knowing and couldn’t help but frown. ’If that’s the case, my previous line of speculation was completely wrong.’

Just then, the sound of light footsteps reached his ears.

Chen Yi instantly calmed his mind and remained still, pretending to be an ordinary customer waiting for his iced sticky rice cakes.

Not long after, he caught sight of a petite woman in the corner of his eye, descending from upstairs into the main hall. She seemed to be surveying the surroundings.

It was none other than one of the maids he had seen following Miss Cui yesterday.

The maid also noticed Chen Yi. She paused, a look of disgust flashing across her face, before immediately turning and heading back upstairs.

Faintly, Chen Yi could just make out a muffled voice with his own hearing.

"Miss, perhaps I was mistaken. The Martial Artist from before isn’t in the building. However..."

"However what?"

"I saw the Xiao Family’s live-in son-in-law downstairs."

Before Miss Cui could speak, Chen Yi heard another clear voice ask in surprise:

"The Xiao Family’s live-in son-in-law? Is Brother Yi downstairs?"

"...Yes."

Then, Chen Yi heard the sound of a table and chairs shifting, clear evidence that Chen Yunfan was heading downstairs.

Chen Yi pursed his lips. ’My dear brother seems awfully concerned about me.’

At that moment, the waiter returned carrying the pastries. "Sir, your Iced Eight-Treasure Sticky Rice Cakes."

Chen Yi stood up to take them, pulling out some silver from his robes to hand to the waiter.

Before the waiter could take it, Chen Yunfan approached with a smile. "Hold on, Brother Yi. No need to pay. I’ll take care of it with my bill."

Chen Yi paused and turned his head to look at him, feigning surprise. "Brother, what are you doing here?"

Chen Yunfan came over, smiling as he pushed Chen Yi’s hand away and motioned for the waiter to add it to the tab for the private room upstairs. Only then did he speak:

"Now you’re just playing dumb."

"I was unconscious for days. After my first day back on duty at the Government Office, of course I have to celebrate with my colleagues in the evening."

"Oh, right, Xiao Dongchen is here too. Want to go say hello?"

Chen Yi shook his head and gestured to the pastries in his hand. "No need. There are people at the residence waiting for me."

Chen Yunfan chuckled. "Your wife isn’t in Shu State. You only have maids to keep you company when you go back. Who’s waiting for you?"

Chen Yi shot him a look, not bothering to waste any more words. He gave a slight bow and said:

"Brother, you should get back to your colleagues. As a commoner, I wouldn’t dare impose."

Plenty of people were waiting for him to eat back at the residence: Xiaodie, Pei Guanli, Xiao Wuge, and Xiao Wan’er.

But obviously, he didn’t need to explain any of that to Chen Yunfan.

With that said, Chen Yi turned and walked out.

Seeing this, Chen Yunfan didn’t press him further. "Brother Yi, thank you for stepping in to save me yesterday. As for the consultation fee, I’ve already had someone send it to Jishi Medicine Hall."

Chen Yi waved his hand and walked straight out of Fengchun Building.

When he saw Ge the Third still waiting outside, he didn’t mention taking the carriage back to the residence with him.

’Looks like I won’t be able to find out what the Hidden Guards were discussing this time.’

’And I still don’t know who the other Hidden Guard in Fengchun Building was, besides Xiao Dongchen and Ge the Third.’

Lost in thought, Chen Yi greeted Ge the Third, then opened his umbrella and started walking toward the Xiao Family estate alone.

’I might have to use some... methods to pry open Ge the Third’s or Xiao Dongchen’s mouths.’

Once Chen Yi was a good distance away, Ge the Third glanced inside Fengchun Building. His gaze fell on Chen Yunfan, who had already returned upstairs, and he frowned slightly.

’This Imperial Top Scholar seems a little too enthusiastic about the Fledgling.’

’But on second thought, this could be a good thing.’

’Perhaps when one door closes, another opens.’

「Meanwhile.」

Chen Yunfan returned to the private room. He was about to speak when he noticed Xiao Dongchen was gone and casually asked, "Has Advisor Xiao left?"

Cui Qingwu shook her head. "He said he ran into an acquaintance and went to ask for a cup of wine."

Chen Yunfan grunted. "He certainly has a lot of acquaintances. He’s already stepped out a few times. I’m not sure if he’s hosting me or someone else."

Saying this, he paid Xiao Dongchen no more mind, sat down, and picked up his chopsticks to eat by himself.

As he ate, he muttered, "Brother Yi is still so distant with me. I invite him for a meal, and he makes all sorts of excuses."

"Doesn’t he realize his own brother would never harm him?"

"Advisor Xiao happened to be here today. I wanted him to come over and get acquainted, so his life in the Xiao Family might be a little easier in the future."

Cui Qingwu looked at him with her slightly narrow eyes. "Yunfan, you still care for Chen Yi with such deep brotherly affection."

"Of course. Blood is thicker than water."

"Besides, it’s thanks to him that I woke up. He brought a Physician to save me yesterday. I almost missed something important."

Chen Yunfan continued rambling, "I only found out today when I got to the Government Office that Left Envoy Liu of the Governor’s Office already made arrangements yesterday."

"Everyone has to go to the various counties and towns to collect grain taxes, and I was assigned a post as well."

"Luckily, I’m only in charge of the towns and villages around the Prefecture City. At least I don’t have to go to the military garrisons like that unlucky Li Huai’gu."

A faint smile appeared on Cui Qingwu’s face. "I’m not familiar with the official duties of the Governor’s Office, so it’s not my place to comment."

"My only concern is the powder that made you unconscious, and finding the person behind it."

Chen Yunfan glanced at her sideways and scoffed, "You’re meddling in things that don’t concern you. I’ll find them myself."

"You’re the Assistant Governor of the Governor’s Office now, busy with official duties. You can leave such minor matters to me."

"You? You should just go back to wherever you came from."

"I don’t know if you’re just bored or what. Does the Qinghe Cui Family not feed you or something? Running all the way to Shu State by yourself."

Cui Qingwu pressed her lips together, then broke into a smile. "There’s nothing at home that requires my attention. I had nothing better to do, so I thought it would be nice to come here and keep Yunfan company."

"...I think you’re just bored."

Cui Qingwu knew she couldn’t afford to be idle.

Either way, she wouldn’t be leaving Shu State just like that.

After Xiao Dongchen returned and they exchanged a few pleasantries, Chen Yunfan rose to take his leave.

「A short while later.」

A carriage bearing the insignia of the Jiangnan Prefecture Chen Family traveled in front, followed by another bearing the insignia of the Qinghe Cui Family.

"Miss, since Young Master Yunfan is so ungrateful, why must you..."

"Slap yourself!"

SLAP, SLAP!