Kyoto Imperial Palace

  Xu Wan and Jiang Quan were discussing something in hushed tones, their faces serious. When they looked up and saw someone entering from outside, they finally let out a sigh of relief.

  "Long life to you."

  Jiang Xuanjin nodded, his eyes falling on the person kneeling in front of him, and slightly furrowed his brow.

  "Whats going on?"

  Just now when sending him away he was fine, but now looking at him again, his face is covered in blood.

  Xu Wan said helplessly: "He crashed himself, if it wasnt for Officer Jiang pulling him away quickly, he would have probably died from the crash."

  "Temper is indeed fierce." After finding a chair beside him to sit down, Jiang Xuanjin smoothed his robes and asked, "May I ask about your origins?"

  "From the moment he entered the government office, he didnt say a single word."

  His eyes slightly dimmed, Jiang Xuanjin glanced at Cheng Xiao beside him, and the latter understood, stepping forward to search his body.

  The person who was originally motionless was suddenly stirred up by a slight touch. However, the rope had tied his hands and feet tightly, no matter how hard he struggled, the things in his sleeves and pockets were still emptied out.

  A pile of miscellaneous things, picked up a glance, only took out the Ming Pei and handed it to his own master.

  "Sun Jing?" Holding the engraved pendant and looking at the characters on it, Jiang Xuanjin was somewhat puzzled. Just as he was about to ask Xu Yan to investigate, Jiang Yan came over.

  "Little uncle!" He rushed in, shouting loudly. Seeing that there were outsiders present, Jiang Yan stopped in his tracks and changed his words, "Your Excellency!"

  Jiang Xuanjin looked at him: "At this hour, what are you doing here?"

  "By order of Lord Prefect Cui, I have come to take the assassin who attempted to kill Your Honor to the prefecture for interrogation."

  Xu Wan beside him was puzzled: "The case has not been presented to the court yet, how can the Judicial Bureau come to take people away?"

  "With such a big commotion, its hard for the Tingwei government to not know. After taking a look at his own younger uncle and seeing that he was unharmed, Jiang Yan finally let out a sigh of relief and continued, Lord Liu is very worried about your safety, why dont you go with this official?"

  "Its not urgent." After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Xuanjin asked him, "Do you know the person in front of the hall?"

  Following his gaze, Jiang Yan furrowed her brow: "With a face full of blood, who can see what he looks like?"

  "What about this?" He handed Mingpei over.

  Jiang Yan said at a glance: "This name seems to have been heard somewhere."

  The people on the ground were stunned, trying to bury their faces. However, the rider next to him grabbed his chin with one hand and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away the blood on his face in two or three strokes.

  "Ah, I remember now." Taking a closer look at the mans appearance, Jiang Yan exclaimed in surprise, "Isnt this Taichang Wei Sun, the official in charge of the imperial stables?"

  "Is that so? Xu Yan furrowed his brow and stepped forward: "Are you certain, Lord Left Monitor?"

  "Alright!" Jiang Yan nodded, "A few days ago, the Court of Judicial Review received five fine steeds, sent personally by Lord Sun, and Ive met him before."

  Sun Jings face was very unsightly, his eyes wide open and staring at Jiang Yan, his eyes full of resentment.

  "No wonder it looks familiar." Jiang Xuanjins face sank, "It really is someone from the imperial court."

  If it were an ordinary Jianghu rogue who did this, it would be over. But unexpectedly, he is still a 600-stone annual salary official under the Taipu Temple and Taibu Temple!

  "Send it to the Ministry of Justice." Xu Yan shook his head, "This matter is no longer within the jurisdiction of the Kyoto government office."

  Jiang Yan waved his hand and let the yamen runners behind him take Sun Qing away. Jiang Xuanjin watched as Sun Qing was led out, then stood up and bid farewell to Xu Ying and the others.

  "Little uncle, have you offended this person?" Jiang Yan couldnt help but ask as he sat in the carriage.

  Jiang Xuanjin nodded: "It can be considered as having a past relationship."

  In the forest, Sun Gang said that because he wanted to protect "that beast", so let him die together.

  Its no longer necessary to ask who that beast is, Sun Jing hates Danyang the most, otherwise he wouldnt have risked being beheaded by intercepting the Long Princesss escort team on the street.

  But how did he know that he would go to Baidi Temple today? As a humble Taipu Wei, where did he get the ability to gather so many martial artists?

  With a mind full of doubts and difficulties, Jiang Xuanjin followed Jiang Yan into the Taiwei Mansion.

  After the last time in the imperial court, Liu Yunlie met him again, and both of their expressions were somewhat strange. Today was no exception, from the moment he entered, Liu Yunlies eyebrows had not relaxed.

  "Your Excellency is usually cautious when going out, how did you fall into an ambush today?"

  Jiang Xuanjin looked at him and said: "Sir, shouldnt you first interrogate the people in the hall?"

  Liu Yunlies eyes narrowed and his gaze fell on the person kneeling below, his tone was not kind: "Who is kneeling? What crime have you committed?"

  Just now he was still struggling fiercely, but now he has become honest. Sun Qing lowered his head and replied one by one: "The subordinate Taichang Wei Sun Qing, because of the assassination of Purple Yang Jun, was pressed to this place."

  This tone is still very arrogant and doesnt seem to think theyve done anything wrong at all.

  Liu Yunlie slammed his hand on the table and rebuked: "This is simply outrageous, lawless! Dont you dare to tell me the whole story in detail?"

  With a reluctant heart, Sun Jing glanced at Jiang Xuanjin beside him and said, "Ziyang Jun has been biased in favor of the Grand Princess of Danyang, I couldnt bear it, so I wanted to kill her. I thought nothing could go wrong, but unexpectedly, I fell into your trap."

  Jiang Xuanjin raised his eyes: "The plan of this lord?"

  "Youre quite skilled, I must admit." Sun Qing sneered, "First, you spread the news that you were going to Baidi Temple, luring us into a trap. Then, you risked your own life to entice us in. Finally, with the city guards ambushing from behind, you caught us all off guard and rounded us up."

  "My only regret now is why I didnt take advantage of the chaos to kill you back then!"

  "How dare you!" shouted Liu Yunlie, "In front of this official, you should not utter such arrogant words?"

  Sun Jing knelt down and sat back on his heels, with a fearless look: "Anyway, being caught is also a dead end, what else am I afraid to say?"

  Jiang Xuanjin listened calmly, without a hint of anger, and only asked: "Where did you hear the news that I was going to Baidi Temple?"

  He looked at him with a strange expression and said, "You know it in your heart, why ask me?"

  "Your Highness asks, youd better answer!" Liu Yunlie growled.

  Sun Jing coldly snorted: "Just something I happened to hear on the street."

  This attitude clearly shows that you are not willing to tell the truth and are just casually evading. Jiang Xuanjin turned his head, looking at Liu Yunlie and asked: "Is the board in the hands of your familys yamen runner going to be used as a hidden weapon?"

  Liu Yunlie furrowed his brow: "Is this all there is?"

  "How dare you speak nonsense in the court? Dont you deserve to be beaten?" Jiang Xuanjin shook his head, "No need to be too harsh, twenty slaps will clear your throat."

  Sun Jing stuck out his neck, with a look of determination on his face.

  However, the boards came down one by one, much more painful than he had imagined. By the tenth one, his skin was already torn and bleeding, Sun Qing wailed in agony, hastily shouting: "I confess, I confess!"

  He stopped the plank, took a breath, and said with a cold sweat on his face: "I have many brothers under my command, scattered throughout Kyoto. Todays news that you are going to Baidi Temple was heard by someone in a teahouse near Jiangfu."

  Jiang Xuanjin frowned: "You actually believed what people in the teahouse said?"

  Sun Jing gritted his teeth: "At first, I didnt believe it, only letting people guard the gate of Jiangs mansion. I didnt expect you to come out, and indeed youre heading north, can this be fake?"

  "Did you see what that person who spoke looks like?"

  "Who cares about that?" He replied casually, but after thinking for a moment, Sun felt something was off. "Didnt you spread the news yourself? Why ask like this?"

  Jiang Xuanjin furrowed his brow and remained silent.

  Liu Yunlie caught the key point and looked at him with slight surprise: "Could it be that someone deliberately leaked the information?"

  The person next to him did not deny it, a pair of dark eyes were cold and gloomy.

  His expression turned serious, Liu Yunlie said: "Your Majesty, even if we have different ways and cannot work together, I still need to remind you that the people around you should be guarded against."

  "Be careful with your words." Jiang Xuanjin was displeased, "A gentleman dislikes words that drive people apart."

  "Is this slander?" Liu Yunlie sneered, "This is fact."

  Sun Jing couldnt get anything useful out of his mouth, and the person above was really annoying to talk to. Jiang Xuanjin turned his head with a sullen face and said to Jiang Yan beside him, "You keep an eye on things."

  Having said that, he stood up and walked out.

  "Zi Yang Jun!" Liu Yun Lie couldnt help but shout at him, "Leaving without finishing the interrogation?"

  "Im tired."

  With a wave of his sleeve, he left without looking back. Jiang Yan watched him go and bowed to Liu Yunlie: "Ill take your place for now, and report back to him later."

  The young master of the Jiang family is much more persuasive than that Zi Yang Jun, Liu Yun Lie thought for a moment and didnt bother with the person who had walked away, wholeheartedly analyzing the case for the young master.

  And intentionally or unintentionally, he told Jiang Yan all his previous suspicions about Bai Sihai.

  Jiang Yan was already worried and anxious, and after hearing Liu Yunlies alarming words, he rushed back to Moju in the evening with a look of urgency on his face.

  "Little uncle!"

  He waved his hand and pushed it open, rushing into the main house and hastily raising his eyes: "I heard Mr. Liu say..."

  The words got stuck in his throat as he was interrupted by the scene before him.

  Jiang Xuanjin was half-reclining on the bed, looking languid and disheveled. Bai Zhenyi was leaning against him, her arms wrapped around his, her black hair scattered, her posture charmingly coquettish. When he called out to her, she looked over at him in confusion, her apricot-like eyes filled with incomprehension.

  Her face turned red, Jiang Yan spun around on the spot and covered her eyes with her hand.

  "Its getting more and more out of line." Jiang Xuanjin said coldly.

  His whole body tensed up, Jiang Yans voice trembled as he said: "It must be an emergency for my nephew to behave so rashly."

  "Is the sky going to fall or is the earth going to sink?" Jiang Xuanjin stood up, brushing his clothes, and led him out, "If theres something to discuss, lets change places and not disturb your aunts rest."

  Jiang Yan nodded and followed him out, still turning back to take a glance before leaving.

  Bai Zhu sat on the bed, hugging a pillow with a puzzled and bewildered expression. Her face was innocent, but this appearance really made her look like a fox spirit who could bewitch peoples hearts.

  Confronting this young masters gaze, Li Huaiyu was quite perplexed.

  She hadnt bothered Jiang Yan about what happened before, and that was already being very generous of her. If he didnt appreciate it, then so be it, but why did he have to look at her with such an expression?

  Watching them head in the direction of the side hall, Li Huaiyu thought for a moment, then quietly climbed out of the window beside her and crouched down to circle around the outside wall of the side hall.

  "With that said." He sat down on the chair, Jiang Xuanjin spoke up.

  Jiang Yan looked around and saw that Cheng Xu and Yu Feng had both retreated, before he felt at ease enough to say: "Young uncle, regarding this assassination attempt, have you ever suspected your aunt?"

  Li Huaiyu was shocked and her heart sank immediately.

  "Why should we suspect her?"

  "You went to the White Dragon Temple for no reason at all. The gatekeeper said that your sister-in-law had gone there first, and you followed her later. Your daily activities have never been revealed before, so why did you happen to go to the same place with her and get discovered?"

  "Its just a coincidence."

  "This is also too coincidental!" Jiang Yan frowned, "Dont be too biased towards Little Aunt."

  "She has no reason to harm me." Jiang Xuanjin said calmly, "I believe her."

  Soft and gentle tone, but the words spoken are earth-shattering.

  Hua Yu raised an eyebrow and slowly sat down against the wall behind her, looking up at the sunset on the horizon.

  Does she believe it? This person is really... with inexplicable confidence, and not afraid of being knocked to the ground by her, which would be painful enough to make one unable to get up.

  Jiang Yan was annoyed: "Nephew is not saying that Auntie wants to harm you, but you should also be fair in dealing with things. If she has suspicions, then she has suspicions. If you keep protecting her and it turns out to be wrong, what will happen?"

  "Was I wrong?" Jiang Xuanjin smiled lightly: "Then Ill admit my mistake."

  Jiang Yan was taken aback, and hastily and angrily said: "What are you admitting to being wrong about? If anyone should be admitting to being wrong, it should be her! Young uncle, you used to teach your nephew that in all matters, one must first discuss reason before discussing relationships. How come you cant do that now?"

  With a thoughtful expression, Jiang Xuanjin said, "A persons state of mind is bound to change due to different circumstances."

  In the past, he was pure and had few desires. When it came to right and wrong in the world, he didnt distinguish between kin and stranger, near and far. Moreover, he once despised people in the mundane world, thinking they were too easily swayed by personal biases and compromises, truly lacking a firm mind.

  However, he now feels that apart from right and wrong, there is another kind of thing in the world, which is about Bai Zhiyi.

  This persons behavior is unpredictable, and its really hard to judge her right or wrong. For example, this time with the White Dragon Temple incident, should we suspect her? She honestly told him that she leaked the message out, without any malicious intent, whats there to suspect about her?

  Jiang Xuanjin shook his head, hooked his lips to smile, and noticed the astonished gaze of his nephew. He pursed his lips and lowered his eyes: "Wait until you grow up a bit more, maybe youll understand a thing or two."

  "Nephew would rather never understand!" Jiang Yan said somewhat sulkily, "Nephew only knows that you are now living as if your heart has been bewitched by a demon!"

  Listening calmly, Jiang Xuanjin raised his eyes to look at him and asked kindly: "Shouldnt the marriage between you and Second Miss Bai be reconsidered?"

  His face stiffened, and Jiang Yans mouth twitched slightly.

  Wasnt it agreed that he would think of a way to get out of this marriage? Now that Bai Sihou has already entered the Mo residence, why does he still want to marry Bai Erjie?

  "No one has mentioned it recently, and Father hasnt thought of it either." Jiang Xuanji pondered for a moment, "Why dont you get your younger uncle to mention it tomorrow?"

  "No need to." Taking a deep breath, Jiang Yan swallowed the anger he had just felt and said with a choked throat, "Youre still young, nephew."

  "Youre young, Baier is still young too." Jiang Xuanjin shook his head and said, "Cant let them wait for too long after all."

  Jiang Yans eyes narrowed in anger, this was a threat! It was clear that he was being threatened! But he just happened to be the kind of person who would not back down from a threat.

  Between tolerating a suspicious but not convicted little aunt and marrying Bais second sister, which one would he choose? He would still choose the former!

  Swallowing his anger, Jiang Yan lowered his head: "Nephew knows hes wrong... Nephew was just worried about Young Master. If Young Master is not pleased, then Nephew wont speak."

  Jiang Xuanjin nodded in satisfaction and stood up, then "escorted" him out of the door.

  The young masters face was full of worry and discontent, and before leaving the door, he couldnt help but pull on the door string and say: "Those who are in a situation are confused, those who observe from the side are clear, think thrice, Third Uncle!"

  "Its my own business, Im clear about it," said Jiang Xuanjin.

  Jiang Yans eyes looked at the closed gate of Moju with a complex gaze, standing still and trembling for a while.

  Director Liu still expects him to wake up Xiao Shu? Looking at Xiao Shus current state, Im afraid its useless even if the old master were to say something! Originally such a wise and astute person, how did he become like this?

  It wont work, he has to find someone to help him. If what Master Liu said is true, then its better to guard against this little aunt.

  Turning his head and changing direction, Jiang Yan quickly ran towards Jiang Chongs courtyard.

  The wall root heard that peoples emotions are very complicated, Li Huaiyu hurriedly shrank to the main house bed before Jiang Xuanjin returned, staring at the floral pattern on the quilt.

  Jiang Yan had also sensed something was off, and his vigilance was as heavy as Jiang Xuanjins, yet he didnt even want to suspect her.

  Its actually possible to suspect her, and it wouldnt be a problem to interrogate her either. She had already prepared a string of lies, intending to use them to win his trust.

  However, she didnt need to do anything, Jiang Xuanjin stood firmly in front of her and even blocked others doubts for her.

  Covering her eyes with her hand, she smiled softly and laughed out loud.

  In the past, Zi Yangjun had always stood opposite her, refuting whatever she said, with swords drawn and bows taut, as if he couldnt wait for her to descend into the underworld, so that the imperial court could be purified.

  But now...

  The door was pushed open and Jiang Xuanjin stepped in, returning to her side.

  Hua Yu tilted her head and looked at him, then stretched out her hand and hugged him tightly.

  Now this person is taking good care of her with a true heart.

  "How come its been so long?" She smiled, "What happened?"

  Jiang Xuanjin naturally raised his hand to support her suspended body, and calmly said: "No, Yaner has just taken office as the left supervisor of the Court of Judicial Review, there are many trivial matters, she came to ask for my opinion."

  Those stern accusations became trivial matters in his mouth.

  Her fingers couldnt help but slightly clench, she buried her head in his arms and gently rubbed against him.

  "Whats wrong?" Jiang Xuanjin lowered his eyes and asked, "You were fine just now, but suddenly youre not happy?"

  "Whats there for me to be unhappy about?" she said stubbornly.

  Jiang Xuanjin reached out and pinched her chin, staring straight into her eyes: "Tell the truth."

  Her heart skipped a beat, Li Huaiyu calmed down and smiled slyly as she reached out to pinch his chin, saying with a pout: "A ladys thoughts are not that easy to guess! Its too complicated! Instead of asking me why Im not happy, youd better think of ways to make me happy."

  "What makes you happy?" He frowned.

  "This is great, Im happy when Im with you." Hua Yu batted her eyelashes, "Of course, if you bathe with me later, Ill be even happier."

  Coughing once, Jiang Xuanjin thought he had misheard: "What?"

  "Lets take a bath!" Li Huaiyu said with a calm face, "The water in the bathroom is ready, and the bathtub is so big that we can both fit in it."

  Jiang Xuanjin pulled the quilt over her head and scolded in a low tone, "Whats gotten into you!"

  Innocently pulling down the quilt, Huai Yu blinked: "Anyway, no one sees it, whats the point of being dignified?"

  "No way." He refused without even thinking about it.

  How could a decent member of the Jiang family like him stoop to such depravity? Just sleeping with her every night was already a breach of his usual discipline, let alone sharing a bath together.

  Looking at his annoyed and slightly embarrassed appearance, Li Huaiyu licked her lips, pounced on him, and kissed him, rolling and grinding, with their fingers intertwined.

  Jiang Xuanjin stiffened his body and frowned, wanting to push her away, but this person softly hummed a gentle sound, like a little kitten, and entwined herself around him again.

  "Dont try this trick." As they wrestled, he gritted his teeth and said, "I wont agree to anything you say!"

  Whispering into his ear, Hua Yu smiled softly, her voice like a seductive siren: "Try it out~"

  "No."

  "Whatever~"

  "Be serious!"

  Youre already a couple, whats with the seriousness? Huaiyu got out of bed, grabbed his hand and walked towards the window.

  "What are you doing?" Jiang Xuanjin was puzzled.

  She pushed open the window and looked out, then pulled him: "Hurry up and climb out."

  "Are you crazy? Theres a door, why are you climbing out the window?" Jiang Xuanjin furrowed his brow.

  "Dont you get tired of always using the main entrance?"

  "Youre alive every day, dont you feel bored?" Jiang Xuanjin said irritably, "Dont be ridiculous!"

  With a jade-like complexion and a pouting mouth, seeing his unyielding appearance, her eyes rolled once, she lifted her skirt and climbed up to the windowsill by herself.

  "Hey!" Jiang Xuanjin stretched out his hand to pull her back, but this person was very quick and agile, jumping out in one leap and landing steadily on the small path outside.

  Jiang Xuanjins face turned black, and his eyes looked at her with great disgust.

  "Want to say Im not dignified and have no demeanor?" Muttering to herself, Huaiyu turned around, "You really are..."

  Before she could finish speaking, she let out a loud "ahh" and crouched down, clutching at her ankle in pain.

  Jiang Xuanjin was about to scold her, but seeing her action, his eyes narrowed and he jumped out of the window with one hand supporting himself on the windowsill. He half-knelt in front of her and asked: "Sprained again?"

  With a smug smile, Hua Yu saw him and couldnt help but burst out laughing.

  Got cheated.

  He pinched her ankle, which was actually fine, and Jiang Xuanjin gritted his teeth: "Habitual liar?"

  "No, it was just a little painful earlier, but as soon as you came out, it didnt hurt anymore!"

  Nonsense! Jiang Xuanjin stood up and wanted to leave.

  "Hey!" Huai Yu hastily grabbed him and pulled him in another direction, "Its all out now, dont be sulky, come with me quickly!"

  “……”

  The bathroom is filled with mist, and the brocade clothes are hung on the screen. The big red peony presses down the green jade-colored cloud embroidery.

  Jiang Xuanyes face was ashen as he sat in the bathtub, staring fixedly at the person swimming towards him from afar.

  "Halt." He growled low in his throat, "You promised to keep three feet away from me."

  Li Huaiyu lost her smile and wiped her face, saying: "Im not ashamed, what are you ashamed of?"

  "Jiang Xuanjin gritted his teeth: Youd better copy down the Jiang family rules carefully when you have time."

  "Whats the use of that thing? Its not practical at all." Hua Yu curled her lip, "What no lies and no indulgence, its simply going to extinguish human desire. If you really follow it, youll be at a loss."

  "Doing the right thing, how can you lose out... what are you doing?"

  Before he knew it, she had swum up beside him, and with a very casual air, reached out to pat his shoulder.

  Jiang Xuanyin was shocked: "Didnt we agree not to get close?"

  She wrapped her arms around him, and with a meaningful smile, hooked his neck, trapping him in the corner of the bathtub. In a low voice, she said, "I told you youd be at a disadvantage."