The case of Registrar He's murder was nearing its critical juncture, and it seemed the capital had caught wind of it, as fewer people were indulging in their usual revelry. The investigation had traced back to Prefect Zhou of the capital's Zhou Manor. The Prince of Qin grew increasingly restless. Before he could even endure appearing before His Majesty, news arrived that Prefect Zhou, who had attempted suicide out of fear of guilt, had been apprehended by Xie Jingsheng and hadn't even managed to die.

The Zhou Manor had always been a crucial hub on the official roads for goods entering and leaving the capital. All the official women Xin Wen abducted and sold were brought into the capital through here. To say that Prefect Zhou was completely unaware was, naturally, impossible. He gritted his teeth and didn't mention the Crown Prince once. After being interrogated for three full days, he finally insisted that Xin Wen acted alone, only vaguely mentioning the Prince of Qin.

"Prefect Zhou is fortunate," Xie Jingsheng said, lifting Prefect Zhou's half-collapsed face, and chuckled, "You have a grown daughter, and you even gained a young son. Both children, a truly blessed life."

"Even if you slaughter my entire family, I still have nothing else to say," Prefect Zhou said, closing his eyes with effort, refusing to look at him.

Xie Jingsheng was not in a hurry. He feigned mild surprise, "Why would I slaughter your entire family? I've never been one to be ruthless and eliminate everyone. I see your young son is intelligent and pure, a good child. My heart aches for him, and I only wish to take him in and raise him well for Prefect Zhou." At this point, his tone shifted, sinking into deep coldness: "I'll raise him to be uneducated, to disregard the law, and to be unaware of his origins. Whatever interests me, I will teach him, only to make him acknowledge me as my father and hate you, Prefect."

Prefect Zhou's eyes snapped open, blazing with rage, and he struggled against his chains, cursing, "Xie Jingsheng! How dare you!"

Xie Jingsheng chuckled. "Is this method not good? Do you think I wouldn't dare, or do you think I've already decided to do it?"

Prefect Zhou's chains rattled. He raged, "Xie Jingsheng! I have no grievance with you! We merely serve different masters! Why do you, a mere youngster, bully me so!"

Xie Jingsheng opened his folding fan, concealing his eyes, and said, "You and I both serve as officials in the same court; aren't we serving the same master?"

Prefect Zhou said, "Your ruthlessness is nothing but the true teachings of the King of Hell. Everyone in the world knows who you are loyal to! Xie Jingsheng! If you take my son, I will only curse you to be trampled upon and die a terrible death in the future!"

Xie Jingsheng rubbed his nose with his fan and chuckled, "No need for the future, why not today? If not today, then in the netherworld, I'm afraid it still won't do. You just said that since I received the true teachings of the King of Hell, I naturally have the King of Hell's protection. I'm afraid even down there, you will still be my prisoner." Prefect Zhou wept tears of blood with every word, but Xie Jingsheng was unmoved. He said, "Your daughter is thirteen, isn't she? A few days ago, I heard a story, but I didn't quite believe it. You're probably very familiar with this story, Prefect: an official's daughter becomes a courtesan, precisely the same age as your beloved daughter. As the saying goes, 'hearing is not as good as seeing.' Since you are so familiar with this matter, I shall simply consult you about it, so I can teach your beloved daughter in the future. It would count as a daughter inheriting her father's legacy."

Prefect Zhou weakly pounded the ground with his fists, choking out, "Xie Jingsheng, just come for me!"

Xie Jingsheng's smile grew colder. He said, "I also want to say that to your influential patron, Prefect. Evildoers fight among themselves; just come for me. At worst, we'll tear each other apart with vicious tricks. Why involve others? I am merely 'drawing a tiger using a cat as a model' now; don't you think it's effective, Prefect?"

"It's not an influential patron!" Prefect Zhou suddenly raised his voice, shouting, "It was the Prince of Qin acting alone! He wanted to kill Lord He first, then plot against you!" He scrambled to grab Xie Jingsheng's robe hem, sobbing, "Xie Jingsheng! I can only say this much! This matter truly was not done by an influential patron! You run errands for the King of Hell, you should understand, I truly cannot say another word." His blood-stained hand trembled as it clutched Xie Jingsheng's robe hem. Prefect Zhou lowered his head and banged it on the ground, saying, "I have already brought down the Prince of Qin for you, Xie Jingsheng, please spare my children... just give me a quick end."

The person who had been standing on the steps for a long while remained still. The jailer behind him quietly asked, "Lord He, shall we go down?"

He Anchang lowered his gaze, shook his head, and turned to leave.

Prefect Zhou's testimony was presented by Xie Jingsheng to His Majesty, and the case concluded there. The greatest crimes were Xin Wen's disregard for human life and his clandestine abduction of official women; all those implicated along this chain were uniformly demoted. Xin Wen's heir status and title were revoked; he was handed over to the Court of Judicial Review for disposal, to be executed according to the law by Zuo Kai. The Prince of Qin, for condoning his son's crimes and obstructing the investigation, was demoted to a Prince of the Second Rank, denied a fiefdom, and sentenced to indefinite reflection within his manor. Prefect Zhou, for his corrupt official conduct and disregard for the law, was also sentenced to execution according to the law.

On the other side, the Capital Guards came under a new commander, Xiao Jin. He came from the military, neither a subordinate of Bai Jiu nor a member of the Left Faction. His name, however, made Xin Yi ponder for a while. When he asked Bai Jiu about this person, Bai Jiu merely uttered a single word: 'coincidence'.

The case of Registrar He's murder drew to a close. Xie Jingsheng had stayed in the capital for nearly a month and now submitted a memorial requesting to leave. Xin Yi saw him off at the long pavilion outside the capital, where Xie Jingsheng bade farewell.

"This case has put you through much hardship, Lord. I fear your return journey will not be without obstacles. I hope you will be careful and arrive safely in Qingping." Xin Yi took out a letter from his sleeve and said, "This is for—for, for Lord Bai."

Xie Jingsheng thanked him and accepted it. Seeing Bai Jiu's handwriting, he knew it was a pass given by Bai Jiu. He smiled, "You've gone to much trouble, Lord."

Xin Yi's dimples showed slightly. "I am ashamed that I could not assist you even a little, Lord."

Xie Jingsheng put away the pass and said, "Why be so polite, Young Master? Just call me by my name. Besides, your efforts were indispensable in tracing this case to this point." Xin Yi was puzzled, but Xie Jingsheng didn't elaborate, merely smiling. "Lord Bai treats you well, Young Master."

Xin Yi smiled, the tips of his ears subtly turning red, his expression calm and gentle as he replied, "Lord Bai is a good person."

Xie Jingsheng, as expected, suppressed a laugh upon hearing the word 'good person'. He cleared his throat, adopted a serious expression, and said, "I am returning to Qingping. The next time we meet will probably be at the end of the year. I will only say one thing to Young Master: Lord Bai does not lack Beiyang troops."

Xin Yi also became serious and said, "I know. Rest assured, Lord Bai."

Xie Jingsheng found it inconvenient to say more about Lord Bai's affairs; what he had said was enough. He mounted his horse, said 'farewell', and Xin Yi echoed him. Then Xie Jingsheng spurred his horse away.

After riding for a while, when the long pavilion was no longer visible even as a speck of dust, another horse galloped furiously from the capital; it was He Anchang. When He Anchang passed the long pavilion, he didn't even have time to greet Xin Yi before he rode straight off in pursuit. Xin Yi watched until he, too, disappeared, then got into his carriage and returned.

On the way back, Xin Yi picked up some fish balls from Xiaoxiao Restaurant. When he arrived at the manor, Chichi first rubbed against his feet, frolicking. Smelling the aroma of the fish balls, it became even more clingy. Xin Yi merely smiled, but noticed the atmosphere in the courtyard was not pleasant. He questioned Old Qu by the door with his eyes, and Old Qu silently made a gesture of helplessness.

Entering the room, Bai Jiu was sitting in a chair, with a line of people kneeling below him. The moment Xin Yi stepped in, Bai Jiu placed the booklet he was holding on the desk and said to him, "Come and sit."

Old Qu came in, kicked the person at the head of the line, and the group scrambled out of the room. Chichi was still frolicking around Xin Yi, but Old Qu also picked it up and carried it out. Xin Yi moved over, placed the fish balls he had carried all the way on the table. Bai Jiu's expression was as usual. He took Xin Yi's hand, pulled him onto his lap, and only then asked, "You went to Xiaoxiao Restaurant?"

Xin Yi nodded and chuckled, "The shopkeeper is a good person, very enthusiastic." Bai Jiu liked to pinch his fingertips, and now he held Xin Yi's hand and pinched them again. Xin Yi's face flushed. "There's nothing special about this hand..."

"Comfortable." Bai Jiu's long finger traced his palm, making Xin Yi giggle. A dimple appeared on his cheek, and Bai Jiu steadied his back, lowered his head, and kissed his dimple. Xin Yi smiled softly, then raised a fist to cover his nose, having nowhere to hide. Bai Jiu took a sniff and chuckled, "A smell of fish balls."

Xin Yi blushed and said, "I, I haven't eaten yet..."

"Doesn't smell like it," Bai Jiu said. "We'll know when we taste it." Xin Yi slightly turned his face and quickly pecked his lips. Bai Jiu's hand immediately slid to the back of his head, then pressed up again, truly tasting him thoroughly, inside and out, without any reservation. It made Xin Yi's legs go soft before he finally stopped. Stroking the back of his neck, he said, "We'll go to Luyi Mountain this afternoon." Xin Yi, having been tasted to the point of almost tipping his head back, quickly reacted upon hearing the topic, about to jump off his lap. But Bai Jiu wouldn't let him go, saying, "There's a courtyard at the top of Luyi Mountain. Although it's an old residence built during the time of the Marquis of Huiyang, the scenery there is quite good."

"The Marquis of Huiyang's residence?" Xin Yi's eyes lit up. "I heard my third brother mention it."

"We'll go this afternoon, stay for two days, then come back."

"Will I be alone?"

Bai Jiu ruffled his head and said, "Two people."

Xin Yi had long yearned for Luyi Mountain, and Chichi, nestled in his arms, was also visiting for the first time. Both pairs of eyes looked around with great enjoyment. Old Qu's horse slowly approached Bai Jiu, not getting too close because Chiye had a bad temper. He said, "The residence has already changed hands." Bai Jiu hummed in acknowledgement. Old Qu slowly asked, "What about the original occupants, Lord?"

"Send them back." Bai Jiu smiled. "For those with unclean hands and feet, send back their hands and feet. For those with unclean mouths, send their tongues. They are all people given by the Crown Prince. Keeping them would be disrespectful. Sending them back neatly packaged can be considered my good intention."

Old Qu's beard trembled slightly, and he chuckled, "Alright."

Xin Yi was looking back at Bai Jiu, who nudged his horse to Xin Yi's side and asked, "Hm?"

Xin Yi turned sideways and whispered into Bai Jiu's ear, "Shouldn't the Marquis of Huiyang's residence be occupied by the Xiao family? I heard that only the female members are left now. Why are you taking me..."

Warm breath brushed his ear. Bai Jiu's narrow eyes drooped slightly, and he also whispered, "I heard that the Xiao family women are not only beautiful but also have excellent temperaments. Don't you want to meet them?"

Xin Yi said, "I don't want to..." Bai Jiu wanted to tease him a bit more, but unexpectedly, Xin Yi continued, "You don't know, there was an elder sister from the Xiao family who was childhood sweethearts with my third brother. In earlier years, when they went to Beiyang for winter, they would come to my house to play. This elder sister's temperament was... very, straightforward... she could even beat up my third brother. If she's already married, seeing me would probably only bring back old memories."

Bai Jiu knew who he was talking about.

The Marquis of Huiyang was a special person, having been close friends with the Prince of Yan since youth, their bond running deep. His title was also unique; it was not hereditary. While the Marquis of Huiyang was alive, he only had daughters. His only son was posthumous. After his death, the Emperor never mentioned this son, and Beiyang was in dire straits, with no one to help, so the title gradually lapsed. The Marquis of Huiyang's wife and daughters were resolute; if the Emperor didn't mention it, they wouldn't either, simply treating it as lost and abandoned, also holding their breath for Beiyang. The person Xin Yi was referring to was the Marquis of Huiyang's third daughter, named Xiao Yan, who had an engagement arranged before birth with his third brother. Xin Yi said he feared Xiao Yan would be sad to see him, but it was likely he himself also did not wish to meet her.

Fearing old acquaintances, Xin Yi had not seen these old friends who carried so many memories for many years.

Chiye suddenly stepped forward. Bai Jiu, seizing the opportunity, reached out to Xin Yi's cheek, gently caressing his temple in a comforting manner, yet with an indescribable hint of lingering intimacy. Xin Yi's warm, moist eyes looked at him. Bai Jiu said, "The Xiao family women moved out of the capital to Qingping last year; they live across from Xie Jingsheng. Xiao Yan is unmarried and currently serves as Commander-in-chief in Qingping. This residence now belongs to me."

"Un-unmarried?"

"Once you've seen the vast ocean, no other water is worth seeing." Bai Jiu chuckled, withdrew his hand, and merely shifted his gaze, saying indifferently, "Lady Xiao is quite sentimental."

A gap opened among the maple leaves, revealing a handsome young man who gave Bai Jiu a mock salute with cupped hands, saying, "What a coincidence, to meet the Prince of Pingding here. Young Master, you're looking well too."

Xin Yi's ear tips were burning hot, unsure if his previous intimacy with Bai Jiu had been witnessed. He quickly composed himself, and when he looked up again, he was gentle and polite.

Xiao Jin asked, "Is the Prince of Pingding heading to the mountaintop?"

Bai Jiu didn't answer, saying instead, "The mountain scenery is beautiful."

Xiao Jin knew this meant he shouldn't be obstructing the view here. Remembering what he had just seen, he felt a slight embarrassment. He said, "...It's quite good. This subordinate's path is not the same as the Prince of Pingding's, so I shall take my leave first." With that, he cupped his hands to Xin Yi as well, then tumbled down from a tree and dashed away through the forest.

"That's Xiao Jin?" Xin Yi said. "He's very different from the Marquis of Huiyang." The Marquis of Huiyang was magnanimous, and his daughters were all straightforward and open-hearted heroines. But this Xiao Jin... seemed a bit foolish.

"How does he seem to you?"

"He's rather interesting."

Bai Jiu saw that he was still looking in the direction Xiao Jin had gone, but didn't say much more. The two continued upwards. Upon arriving at the residence, Xin Yi put Chichi down to let it frolic. When he was about to join it, Bai Jiu said, "Let's go look at the master bedroom."

Although Xin Yi didn't understand why they needed to see the master bedroom, Bai Jiu was already heading that way, so he followed. Entering the bedroom, just as the door closed, before he could even glance around, he was pressed against the door by Bai Jiu and kissed squarely. Bai Jiu pressed down with some force, and kissed with some force too. Xin Yi was kissed until he was dizzy, his half-closed eyes veiled with a hazy sensuality.

"You are more interesting than him." Bai Jiu's words came out of nowhere. Xin Yi was being overwhelmed to the point of dazedness; how could he possibly figure out what that meant? He could only nod in agreement. Bai Jiu seemed dissatisfied and gently bit his tongue, causing Xin Yi to shiver slightly and let out a soft moan.

"You are more beautiful than him." Bai Jiu embraced the breathless Xin Yi, forcing his words into his ear, "Why are you still looking at him?"

The corners of Xin Yi's eyes were flushed red. He hastily responded, "I-I won't look at him anymore... only at you."

Bai Jiu seemed to chuckle softly. He simply lifted Xin Yi's already buried face and kissed him again until the world spun.

"...Only you."

Xin Yi already didn't know what he was saying.