Chapter 40 Chapter 40 Asking her to marry him into the palace…

By the time she descended the stairs and reached the lower floor, Xu Wenche had already entered the Chaohui Pavilion.

Biezhi's pace slowed slightly when she bumped into Zhang Yan following behind. She frowned, watching Zhang Yan pause beneath the pavilion's eaves, his eyes lowered as he spoke something to the accompanying guard. The guard nodded and departed before Biezhi entered the pavilion.

Biezhi calmly retreated a half step and asked the shopkeeper to book a street-facing wing.

Following the servant up another flight of stairs, she caught sight of Jiang Yue and Cheng Jin, standing on either side of the door as gate gods. She averted her gaze, turned aside, and told Hua Chao to wait outside before entering the wing alone.

Closing the door, Biezhi quickly walked to the window.

Her gaze instantly locked with Zhang Yan as he ascended the steps through the long backyard. She watched him approach a door and knock.

The door swung open, revealing Yuan An, standing beside Xu Wenche.

The moment Zhang Yandu's scrutinizing gaze shifted, Biezhi inched a half-step inward, shielding herself with the wall. It took a moment for her to regain her composure.

The door to the wing of the Chaohui Pavilion across the way had already closed.

Biezhi casually pulled a chair to the window, resting her chin on the edge, staring idly at the closed door.

The memorial sent by Prince Su clearly recounted Zhang Yan's life story.

A scholar from a small southern county, he had made his way to the capital. Late last year, Prince Su had personally promoted him to the position of Vice Minister of War, a position of considerable influence within the court. Since Prince Su's promotion, countless officials have sought to curry favor with him.

Biezhi didn't understand the twists and turns in the officialdom, but if this person was promoted by Prince Su, she didn't want to waste too much time on him.

But Zhang Yan was too ruthless and would kill anyone with a single move.

Biezhi thought of the scene that night. If Prince Su hadn't arrived in time, she would have been unable to escape.

Strictly speaking, Prince Su was also her lifesaver.

A drop of water must be repaid with a spring.

Except for promising herself to him.

Biezhi didn't want to be in a state of pleasure and happiness one moment, and then in a state of burning fire the next.

Instead of asking her to promise to enter the palace, it would be better to just take her life.

As her thoughts drifted, the door that had been closed for a long time suddenly opened. Biezhi quickly bent down, crouched to the side of the window, and secretly peeked out.

The smile in Zhang Yan's eyes disappeared the moment he turned around, replaced by a deep look. He pursed his lips slightly and left the Chaohui Pavilion.

Biezhi didn't rush to the Chaohui Pavilion until he got on the carriage and left.

Just as she was about to walk out of Wangchun Terrace, she met Xu Wenche's gaze head-on. After a moment of eye contact, he raised his eyebrows slightly and walked over, "It's been a long time since we last met. Why are you here, Miss Biezhi?"

"I heard my sister mention that Yong'an Street is bustling, so I came to see it." Biezhi said. She glanced at the empty back of the man, and the servants who followed him were nowhere to be found. A hint of suspicion flashed in her big almond eyes: "Mr. Xu is alone?"

Xu Wenche nodded, "Miss, are you here alone too?"

"My sister didn't have time to accompany me out, so I wandered around alone. I didn't expect to meet Mr. Xu here." Biezhi said.

After saying this, the girl seemed to recall something. A flash of light flashed across her round, almond-shaped eyes, and a dimple appeared at the corner of her mouth. Her expression was a little conflicted, as if she was hesitant to speak.

Xu Wenche pondered for a moment, then smiled and asked, "Miss, if you don't mind, I've been here a few times before. I'd like to hang out with you for a while?"

"Is that okay?" Biezhi's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Of course," Xu Wenche said.

Suddenly, the girl smiled, a smile as if the pear blossoms in full bloom were just like that.

Biezhi wasn't so foolish as to not see Xu Wenche's hidden agenda. It was obvious that she had something to ask of him, and he had something to ask of her, so they simply hit it off.

Over the past two weeks, Xu Wenche had indeed been to Yong'an Street quite a few times, and she had followed him. The shops he took her to were often places he'd been to before.

When Biezhi went out on her own, she usually went with a purpose, bought what she wanted and then went home. She didn't have much free time to stroll around on weekdays. Today, she walked around with Xu Wenche, and the more she walked, the more tired she felt. It was even more tiring than when she was on a mission.

Moreover, she always felt as if someone was following her.

But she walked half the street and didn't find the person following her.

Xu Wenche saw that she was absent-minded, and when he saw her looking back, he asked thoughtfully: "Miss, don't you like it?"

"I didn't rest well yesterday, and my legs are a little numb from shopping." Biezhi made an excuse casually, and her eyes swept across both sides of the street. In a moment, they fell on a teahouse in a pavilion. Her eyes met the scrutinizing eyes of the man in the pavilion, and she withdrew them as if nothing had happened.

Zhang Yan had left Yong'an Street half an hour ago, so why was he here again?

She gathered herself and said, "Let's find a place to rest for a while."

Xu Wenche was thinking the same thing. "How about Zhaohui Pavilion?"

They had just come from Zhaohui Pavilion, and the walk back would take a cup of tea, even though there were plenty of teahouses and taverns nearby. Biezhi collected her thoughts and smiled nonchalantly, "That's fine. I heard the pastries there are amazing, too."

Before leaving, she glanced sideways at the now-empty building, her mind aching.

Biezhi didn't like Zhang Yan's gaze.

It was like a rat in a gutter, peering through a narrow hole.

The backyard of Zhaohui Pavilion was serene and boundless, the sound of tea pouring into the cups melodiously crisp.

The girl beside him was very quiet, a quietness unlike any he had seen her before. Xu Wenche studied her expression, his voice echoing in his ears.

He had been in Beijing for over half a month, and he had a thorough understanding of every major street and building. The major industries were already saturated, and the powers behind each of these buildings and taverns were colossal entities that ordinary people could hardly compete with. A rash move into Beijing would likely put the Xu family in dire straits.

As he had previously suspected, if the Xu family wanted to break out of this predicament, they could only rely on referrals from the city's high-ranking officials and nobles. Otherwise, they would fall into traps set by others.

The Xu family and Zhang Yan had long been acquainted, and Zhang Yan had always opposed the Xu family's move to Beijing.

"The Bian family of Suzhou and the Liu family of Hezhou—none of them hadn't plotted to enter Beijing, only to suffer disastrous consequences."

"Rumors were circulating even before you arrived. You were surrounded by people on your first day. While the scene appeared peaceful, undercurrents were swirling. How many lives could the Xu family afford to be manipulated by the powerful in Beijing?"

"Furthermore, the Xu family's past involvement in border states was bound to attract widespread attention." "

If you were to suffer the same fate as the Bian and Liu families, people would still feel sorry for you. But if you were to be accused of treason, the Xu family would be despised by people a thousand years from now. Why would you bother getting involved in this mess?"

"Qin Xiao is currently investigating the Bian and Liu family exterminations. Do you really think he can find out anything? Even if he does find out, what can he do to them?"

The Qin family is dependent on Prince Su. As long as Prince Su is around, Qin Xiao can naturally investigate any remaining mysteries without hesitation. But what if the powerful figures behind this are other eunuchs who are also dependent on Prince Su, or if it becomes a case of the thief crying "stop thief"? "

Mr. Xu?"

Xu Wenche's sudden voice interrupted his thoughts. He snapped back to his senses and looked at the girl who tilted her head slightly, her almond-shaped eyes filled with confusion.

A faint smile played at the corner of her mouth. "Mr. Xu, what are you thinking about? Why are you so absorbed?"

Xu Wenche suppressed his thoughts and looked at the girl across from him with a half-smile: "I'm thinking of something from the past."

Instantly, Biezhi heard the hidden meaning in his words.

He seemed to be trying to find out something through him.

She pretended not to notice and followed his lead, asking, "What happened in the past?"

Xu Wenche hummed, then gently coaxed, "Yesterday I heard that the Dali Temple's Shaoqing is thoroughly re-investigating the family exterminations in Suzhou and Hezhou. Seeing you today, I couldn't help but think of my family's past."

Biezhi had heard a little about the family exterminations in Suzhou and Hezhou. He'd heard of the horrific deaths: the heads of the heads of the two families and their wives were hung above their door plaques, their eyes wide open, staring straight at the street, terrifying passersby and causing them to vomit every night. It wasn't

just murder; it was humiliation.

Seeing the girl's slightly wrinkled face, Xu Wenche knew she was thinking of the rumors. He spoke slowly, "Actually, when the Bian family was still alive, they had long-standing ties with our family. They've always refused to believe the Bian family's extermination was linked to bandits. Therefore, I also hope the Dali Temple can find the true culprit to comfort the Bian family's soul."

His gentle words pierced Biezhi's mind, like a slinky thread, enticing her. She pursed her lips slightly, not following his lead, but saying, "I hope Mr. Xu will be granted."

Xu Wenche stared at her for a moment, then smiled, "I hope so."

He took his teacup and sipped it slowly, his eyes raised to observe the second daughter of the Qin family across from him through the gaps between his fingertips. She looked at him intently, a look of slight surprise, not knowing what she was looking at.

Biezhi was obviously observing his features.

What Xu Wenche said was nothing of concern to her. She could tell he wasn't suspicious of her actions, nor did he want to know too much.

Working in their line of work is already dangerous, and she didn't want to create any more complications.

The teacup knocked against the table, and Xu Wenche suddenly said, "Miss, do you know why the Bian family of Suzhou and the Liu family of Hezhou suffered such a murderous attack?"

Biezhi: "..."

His purpose was too straightforward.

It was obvious that he didn't intend to deal with it anymore, but to leave a clue in his thoughts.

She blinked and shook her head.

Xu Wenche: "Before the Bian and Liu families were wiped out, they both intended to make plans to enter the capital."

Hearing this, Biezhi's pupils froze for a moment, then quickly returned to normal, and she asked bluntly, "Doesn't that mean they all have the same plan as the Xu family?"

Xu Wenche's mouth twitched, and he nodded.

"So, Young Master Xu must exercise extreme caution in the capital," Biezhi said, using the second daughter of the Qin family as a pretext. For the next fortnight, Xu Wenche's movements throughout the capital were so widespread that not only the discerning courtiers but even the servants in the various residences could discern his intentions.

Xu Wenche glanced out the window, thoughtfully saying, "Don't worry, young lady. To prevent any harm, my family has sent someone from Xianyun Tower to secretly follow me." He returned his gaze for a moment, glancing at Biezhi, whose expression shifted from confusion to curiosity, eager to learn. "With them," he said, "they can also ward off some assassinations."

If his master hadn't specifically ordered Qingshan to create a new identity for him, Biezhi would have simply told Xu Wenche directly, knowing he was being followed by someone from Xianyun Tower.

Just then, there was a knock on the tightly closed door.

Xu Wenche's servant Yuan An opened the door and walked in. He glanced at the second daughter of the Qin family who was standing by the window, and quickly walked to the side of his own young master and whispered.

His voice was very low, almost a breath.

Biezhi still heard it.

Zhang Yan invited Xu Wenche to his home for a small gathering.

The two had just met not long ago, and within an hour he invited her again...

After listening, Xu Wenche hummed and said, "I'll be there later."

Biezhi understood what he said and stood up and said, "Since Mr. Xu has other arrangements, I won't disturb you. See you later when I'm free."

Watching the carriage carrying Xu Wenche disappear at the end of Yong'an Street, the smile on Biezhi's lips dropped a little. The tentativeness in his words made her feel tired.

She felt that she still liked to speak her mind.

If Xu Wenche was not the person she wanted to protect, he would have fallen to the ground when he tried to test her for the second time.

After leaving Chaohui Pavilion and returning home with the flower-filled morning sun, Biezhi went to Mingyuefang, a small shop outside the Xu residence, claiming to be the second daughter of the Qin family, who had come for measurements.

In reality, she had changed her attire, donned a veiled hat, and left Mingyuefang through a side door.

Biezhi already knew where Zhang Yan lived.

However, it was still early, and a blind approach would surely attract attention. Instead of rushing to the Zhang residence, she waited in the wooded garden in the Xu residence's backyard.

Near dusk, Yuan'an hurried back, entered the study, retrieved something, and hurried away.

Biezhi, who had been hiding behind the rockery for a long time, quietly emerged and followed him.

As she raised her footsteps, her long-slackened mind suddenly regained its composure.

Biezhi didn't turn around, but calmly glanced behind her. She caught sight of a sharp arrow streaking through the sky, and nimbly dodged it by moving to the side of the rockery.

She listened quietly for the footsteps.

Besides the archers, ten people had arrived.