Chapter Five, The Young Prince

Zhan Zhao introduced her: "This is Lord Wu Zichu from the Imperial Court."

"I find the taste quite pleasant," said Zhang Zhao, casually interjecting, and reminded Ning Jin to observe the chess game, "Your Highness, it is your turn."

Sigh... Mo Yan rubbed her eyes, followed the advice, and lay down on the bed fully clothed, mumbling, "That cat gets up earlier than the rooster every day, how can I sleep well..."

Even if defeated, with this cat's agility, it would likely not be difficult to retreat unscathed

Ning Jin clearly believed that Mo Yan's blunt remarks were intended to embarrass him, which was truly an injustice to her. Mo Yan herself did not care about the quality or aroma of the tea; these words were all derived from her second senior brother, Xiao Chen. Xiao Chen is blind and has a keen sensitivity to taste, and he is somewhat obsessive by nature. Since he does not like floral tea, he can naturally articulate a series of criticisms against it. In reality, it is merely a matter of personal preference in tea tasting, so where is the notion of vulgarity? Mo Yan has been very close to him since childhood, and under his influence, her views and actions are about seventy percent similar to his. At this moment, she spoke casually and did not feel that there was anything inappropriate about it.

He pushed the ledger towards her with one hand while holding a sword in the other, signaling her with his gaze to wait at a distance

The masked man completely ignored her, only turning his head to see if anyone was pursuing them. He then took her over the high wall and did not stop until they reached a distant grove of willows far from the Bai residence

Indeed! Mo Yanxi said, "Quick, take me there!"

"Zichu," Ning Wang had just taken his seat when he seemed to recall something. He addressed the newly arrived Wu Zichu, saying, "Have them brew a pot of osmanthus tea, and go check if the lotus seed soup is cooked yet. Remember to simmer it well; don't let it be like last time, which caused me three days of toothache."

Mo Yan shook her head, and at this moment, she found it hard to believe herself. For the sake of that ledger, a glimmer flashed in her eyes. Although she was currently a constable, there were times when she could still act as a thief when that cat was not around. When Zhang Zhao returned the ledger, she observed it very clearly, and she had a rough idea of the layout of the houses in the Weaving Bureau. Since it was impossible to retrieve it in front of everyone during the day, it would be better to sneak out at night.

"What does it matter if we are adults or not? You and I are brothers, so why bother with these formalities?" Wu Zichu patted Zhan Zhao on the shoulder, "Come on, Prince Ning specifically asked me to invite you over."

I will not be able to come tomorrow evening, as I have made plans to celebrate the festival with my senior sister

Upon hearing this, Mo Yan also became somewhat angry: "If there is any area where I require guidance, please speak frankly, my lord"

Mo Yan and the masked man both halted, peering downwards. Judging by the figures that leaped into the room, the two individuals possessed considerable skill, moving with agility and landing silently. One of them turned back to close the window, then made a gesture, indicating that he would check the bookshelf while signaling the other to inspect the desk

Caught off guard by his tongue-twisting words, Prince Ning stared at Zhan Zhao for a while, then suddenly laughed: "I knew it, following Bao Heizi, don't expect to hear anything good from your mouths." His gaze shifted to Mo Yan, and with a teasing tone, he said, "You have always been a lone wolf; why have you brought a girl along for this errand? Could it be that you are looking for a little wife for yourself?"

I ... ...

So someone got a head start

"What you say is false is indeed false," Mo Yan insisted relentlessly, "Why should I believe you? Moreover, if it is false, why do you protect it as if it were a treasure? And why must you sneak around behind my back to retrieve it?"

Mo Yan kindly reminded him: "My lord, this is a temple, not the imperial palace, and there is no curfew here"

Mo Yan was being pulled along by him, running at full speed. Despite her breathlessness, she did not forget the important matters at hand.

Just as I was thinking, I suddenly heard a very faint sound of tiles gently shifting on the roof. This sound was all too familiar; a visitor had arrived

After waiting for a long time, she still did not hear any sound of metal striking stone. She strained her ears, yet could not hear anything.

Sister, may I borrow your nightwear to wear tonight?

A tall and a short figure disappeared into the twilight, Mo Yan let out a long sigh and sat down on the ground: "Finally gone, like a vengeful spirit."

What time should we prepare to go

"Do you have any idea how dangerous it was just now?" Zhang Zhao exclaimed angrily

Fully engrossed, her head moved in accordance with the actions of the two individuals, and before she realized it, she had already leaned closer to the masked person. To avoid being discovered by those below, the masked person could not signal verbally, and instead, he was so exhausted that he kept retreating to avoid suspicion, until there was no way left to evade.

"I was referring to tea," Mo Yan calmly corrected him

When I woke up again, the bell outside had already struck twice. The room was empty, indicating that my senior sister was quite busy last night. Mo Yan changed into her night attire and quietly pushed open the window. The outside was utterly silent, a thin layer of mist enveloping the entire city of Suzhou, with a refreshing chill in the air

After a period of time equivalent to the burning of an incense stick, a series of tremendous sounds could be heard from afar, resembling the roar of dragons and the howls of tigers, with a momentum like a rainbow, rising and falling in succession

Oh

Mo Yan furrowed her brows as she observed the Prince Ning beside her: he possessed a pair of enchanting phoenix eyes, and his thin lips were habitually curved into a slight smile, exuding an almost imperceptible hint of amusement. This must be what Fifth Brother often referred to as the peach blossom features.

Indeed, it is the sound of the pines. Upon arriving at the bridgehead of Fengqiao Town, one can see the vast pine forest under the moonlight, stretching out in a dark expanse, rolling like black clouds in the night breeze, with no end in sight

Zhan Zhao shook his head with a smile; for him, tea was merely a means to quench his thirst, and he was indifferent to the strength of its aroma

The Duke Ning is waiting for you at the Linxin Pavilion

"Can you recognize those two people?" she asked again

It is currently not convenient to confront them directly. The black lapels of Zhang Zhao's clothing fluttered gently in the night breeze, his voice calm and gentle. If we want to obtain favorable evidence to bring down Zhang Yaozuo, it is best to wait a little longer

The morning light streamed in through the window, and the game of chess was not yet finished. Ning Jin took a piece of silk cloth to cover the chessboard and said with a smile, "I am tired today. Tomorrow happens to be the Mid-Autumn Festival, so let us wait until tomorrow night to enjoy the moon and play chess. How elegant that would be"

Since Prince Ning has spoken, we shall go. " Zhan Zhao interrupted her, raising his hand, "I kindly ask Brother Wu to lead the way." Now that their whereabouts had been revealed, if Wu Zichu could find this place, then others could as well. Naturally, he would not leave Mo Yan alone here.

Mo Yan had taken the account book, yet she did not make a move. She felt somewhat hesitant; on one hand, she thought it was truly ungracious to hide outside, while on the other hand, she was very curious about who would be waiting in the room of Zhan Zhao at such an hour.

Understood, rest assured

Ning Jin, seeing that she was willing to admit it, asked with satisfaction: "As you drink, can you discern any benefits?"

The method of preparing this osmanthus tea was devised by Ningjin himself. Upon hearing Zhan Zhao's praise, he immediately withdrew his gaze, feeling greatly pleased: "This tea is quite extraordinary; you certainly cannot drink it during the day. Zhan Zhao, you have traveled far and wide and are well-informed, but have you ever tasted such fragrant tea"

If the real account book is of no concern to you, what do you want with the fake one?" said Zhang Zhao

Zhan Zhao smiled, "Since all four are empty, and the void of the Buddha is also empty, then the Prince of Ning is also empty. What does it matter what they are called?"

No light shone from the study, nor was there any sound; it seemed that no one was present. Mo Yan observed the position, took out a silver hairpin to pry open the window, and slipped in like a fish, landing softly on the couch by the window

Hello! Hand me the account book!

As soon as he stopped, Mo Yan unceremoniously reached into his embrace, her eyes fixed solely on the account book, showing no intention of expressing gratitude for his life-saving act

Mo Yanman glanced at the person with a blank expression, showing no intention of approaching to pay her respects. Now, whenever she heard the words "Imperial Inner Court," she felt irritable. Looking at Zhan Zhao, she noticed that both of them had beads of fine sweat forming on their foreheads, suggesting that they had just been competing in internal strength, which explained why she had not heard any sounds.

Your Highness, I sincerely appreciate your kindness, but I am currently occupied with official duties and cannot afford to be negligent

The door was pushed open, and a wave of fragrant osmanthus aroma instantly filled the room, as three bowls of osmanthus tea were served in front of everyone

I am not well-versed in the art of chess, so I shall not disturb your enjoyment. It is just right for me to stroll around Hanshan Temple. She was contemplating finding a place to sleep.

Zhan Zhao and Ning Jin only had a bowl, not because they were not hungry, but because they had been overshadowed by Mo Yansheng, and even if they wanted to eat, there was nothing available.

How did he know he was here? Zhang Zhao felt a sense of doubt in his heart, yet he did not voice his question

Zhan Zhao still wanted to refuse when he heard Mo Yan urgently speaking beside him

That person waved his hand as if shooing away flies: "Buddhism emphasizes the concept of emptiness, so it is evident that this Dharma name is also empty. Since it is empty, it does not matter who takes it, right"

"I only just recognized them?" She was so anxious that she was about to jump up and down, "It is clearly those two imperial guards we encountered at the riverside inn."

As soon as the words were spoken, Ning Jin stared at the chessboard, not raising his head, and impatiently said: "At this hour, with the darkness all around, what is there to wander about in a temple! Just rest here, and when it gets light, I will have a young monk take you around and tell you about the history of Hanshan Temple."

Could it be that the Bai family has noticed something amiss and moved the account books elsewhere

Yet Mo Yan was thinking about those few bowls of lotus seed soup

Mo Yan had never been to Hanshan Temple, let alone at midnight. Upon suddenly hearing such a noise, she couldn't help but feel a chill of fear. Zhan Zhao noticed and turned his head slightly, whispering: "It's nothing to worry about, it's just the sound of the pine waves"

Has this person had their head caught in a door? Have they gone crazy wanting to become a monk?

It looks somewhat familiar

After finishing one game of chess after another, regardless of winning or losing, Ning Jin always eagerly requested to play another round. Although Zhan Zhao felt exhausted, he did not want to dampen Ning Jin's spirits and patiently engaged with the chess game. During a break, he looked up and saw Mo Yan curled up in an uncomfortable position on the chair, her head tilted as she slept lightly.

Who could it be

There is an important matter to attend to! Really!" Mo Yan lowered her head and smiled

Are you saying that I, the king, am vulgar and seductive

Just as she was about to fight back, at that moment, a faint sound was heard, and the two people outside finally managed to open the window

Ning Wang cast a sidelong glance at him and said, "Did you not hear? Do not call me Ning Wang!"

Ning Wangshu gently tapped her on the head and said: "Where are you planning to cause trouble again?"

Who is up there

So it was you who took it! Mo Yan gritted her teeth and said softly

The good intentions of adults are appreciated, but it is better not to disturb the monks' ascetic practices in the temple; I will just stroll around at my leisure. Mo Yan had no intention of paying him any mind

Yes

Mo Yan smiled brilliantly, almost causing Ning Jing to suffer internal injuries from anger

In fact, when Zhan Zhao pulled her up to the beam in the Bai residence, he did not cover his hand with his sleeve. However, given the urgency of the situation at that time, it is naturally a different matter. A modest gentleman, refined and cultured—Mo Yan, still possessing a child's heart, often does not consider the distinction between men and women. At this moment, seeing him uphold such propriety, she recalled the praises she had heard about him in the past while wandering the rivers and lakes, and inwardly thought: it is not entirely a matter of empty reputation.

I found your senior sister, she is listening to a story at the teahouse!" Han Zhang said with a smile. In order to persuade Mo Yan to make a trip to the Illusory Island, he had no choice but to please her in every possible way

You ... ...

Moreover, not to mention that Mo Yan knows nothing about chess, even if she did understand it, she would certainly lack the patience to watch these two play chess at half past three in the morning

The masked person wanted to stop her from speaking, but it was already too late; her voice, though soft, could not escape the ears of those below.

Wu Zichu complied with the request and stepped outside, securely closing the door behind him.

"You promised me that after receiving the ledger, I would be the one to keep it. Do you intend to go back on your word?" Mo Yan, frustrated after several failed attempts to attack, exclaimed as she was evaded by Zhan Zhao.

Constable

Zhan Zhao was thinking about those few chess games

Mo Yan raised an eyebrow and said, "Do I have to go too? I don't know how to play chess! Besides, I don't even know him..."

Are these two truly going to play chess

Upon hearing this, Zhan Zhao smiled faintly: "Then, what business does the young lady have at the Bai residence tonight?" The implication was that Mo Yan herself also intended to secretly retrieve the account book without his knowledge; they were essentially in the same situation, differing only in the order of their arrival.

With a quiet sigh, the masked figure turned and leaped down, taking the opportunity to strike a few blows that relieved Mo Yan's predicament, and said to her in a deep voice: "You are not his match, hurry and leave!"

Mo Yan looked at the sky outside the window, and calmly said: "There is no rush, let's wait until after the third watch."

Find a quiet place to review this ledger

Ning Wangshu sat down next to her and said with a smile, "I never would have thought you would associate with the officials."

Ning Wangshu smiled and shook her head, tucking the thin blanket around her before returning to sit at the table

You didn't say I couldn't leave, did you?" Mo Yan stopped and turned her head in surprise.

Moreover, this place is certainly not a battleground. If the two continue to fight, it will inevitably alarm the people of the Bai residence. Although it would not be difficult for each of them to retreat unscathed given their martial skills, it would be unfortunate if innocent bystanders were harmed.

You..." She was extremely angry, and upon seeing Zhan Zhao turn to leave, she hurriedly said, "Hey! Where are you going?"

Zhan Zhao slowed his pace, turned to look at her, and his eyes held a warning: "If you encounter them again, it is best to retreat. Your sword is swift, but your internal energy is insufficient; prolonged engagement could be dangerous."

The clash of metal and stone emits a chilling light

Give me the ledger

If it weren't for the presence of Zhan Zhao, I would definitely make Wu Zichu teach this arrogant girl a good lesson, Ning Jin thought fiercely

Zhan Zhao walked for a while and noticed that Mo Yan had not caught up, realizing that her internal strength was insufficient, so he stopped to wait for her. When she finally caught up, he covered his palm with his sleeve, held her hand, and swiftly dashed out to pursue Wu Zichu ahead.

The card in her hand was almost wrung out, and Mo Yan really wanted to slap it on Ning Wang's head, but considering that Wu Zichu was still standing behind her, she had to refrain from doing so

Prince Ning looked at Zhan Zhao in disbelief, and the latter nodded in confirmation

What is the taste of lotus seed soup? Ning Jin would certainly not be foolish enough to ask Mo Yan again. Even if he saw her quickly devouring three bowls without blinking, he pretended not to notice.

"Hello! This young lady... that constable... did I allow you to leave?" Ning Jin did not expect that she did not even say a word of farewell, showing no regard for him, the Prince of Ning.

You! You..." Ning Jin could not argue with her and, feeling annoyed, said to Zhan Zhao, "Where did Bai Heizi find this girl?! You should discipline her properly!"

She gently leaped out of the window, silently landing on the blue tiles of the adjacent building, maneuvering and jumping along the uneven rooftops, all the way to the back garden of the weaving mansion

Mo Yan decisively turned around and walked away.

Mo Yan widened her eyes, just about to ask a question, when the person made a gesture for silence and then pointed to the north side of the study.

However, she frowned slightly and paused for a moment

Previously, she had also heard Han Zhang mention that the young master Nangong not only lacked martial skills but was also a frail individual. To her, such a person seemed utterly unworthy; however, her senior sister was inexplicably fond of him and praised him as someone whose merits could not be fully expressed. This illustrates the truly peculiar nature of affection.

At the beginning, Mo Yan was still barely able to keep up with them, but her internal strength was inferior to that of the two, and as time passed, she gradually fell behind. She watched as the two of them, their garments fluttering, were about to disappear into the darkness. In her heart, she silently lamented, yet she was unwilling to show weakness by speaking out, so she could only desperately chase after them

The two individuals spent another half day reviewing the letters before finally taking their leave. Upon exiting the mansion, they encountered Han Zhang, who had been waiting for a long time.

Zhan Zhao was taken aback: "Cold Mountain Temple?"

Hearing her say these two words, Zhang Zhao helplessly lowered his eyelids, fully aware that what followed would certainly not be pleasant to hear, and it was too late to stop it.

Mo Yan spoke eloquently, oblivious to Ning Jin's increasingly grim expression, and even Zhan Zhao appeared awkward.

"So you are a constable," he laughed heartily, patting Zhan Zhao as he walked towards the side room. "I said this girl is of average looks, how could you possibly be interested in her?"

A kite turned over, she leaped onto the beam, preparing to quietly await the arrival of others

"Come in." Ning Jing then put down the chess piece, stretched lazily, and said to Zhang Zha, "After playing chess for so long, you must be hungry, right? Have a bowl of lotus seed soup to warm your body."

The lights inside flickered, and after a while, someone opened the door and complained, "How many times have I said it, why are you still calling me 'sir'!"

"Esteemed Sir Zhang, please proceed. I will remain here to watch over the house, to prevent anyone from quietly sneaking in again"

At this moment, as the night deepens and silence envelops, the clearest sound that reaches my ears is the alternating snoring of the guests in the adjacent room

The interior is exceedingly simple: a table, a chair, and a couch, with a low table on the couch, upon which rests an oil lamp and a chessboard, nothing more.

"Sir," Mo Yan said with a gloomy expression, taking out his badge to assert his identity, "I am a constable, serving in the Kaifeng Prefecture."

The ledger was placed in the small drawer at the bottom right of the bookshelf. She sneaked to the side of the bookshelf, pulled open the drawer, reached in, and was taken aback—inside was actually empty

Mo Yan and Ning Wangshu had not seen each other for a long time, and the two were very affectionate. Zhan Zhao noticed that it was getting late, so he simply allowed the sisters to spend time together alone, only agreeing to meet the next morning at Ziyun Inn, and then he took his leave from Han Zhang and departed.

"Then you can take a short nap," Ning Wangshu said with a slight smile, looking at her somewhat dark circles under her eyes. "Seeing you like this, I can tell that you haven't slept well during the journey these past few days"

Ning Jin Man responded with a sound, redirecting her attention back to the chessboard. Since Zhan Zhao had offered a way out, it would seem childish for her to continue to argue with this young girl.

Zhan Zhao shook his head and smiled, saying, "I mean, they themselves are the best evidence"

When you and this young lady entered the city, Prince Ning was already aware of it. Wu Zichu noticed his confusion but did not speak directly, instead smiling and saying, "Prince Ning urged me to come find you, saying that he was not satisfied with winning you by half a move last time and insisted on playing another game with you."

"Come in." Ning Jin said irritably, quickly.

Seeing her sit back in the chair, Ning Jinfang said nothing further, picked up the teacup, and shot her a cold glare. ... Just then, the latter was also casting a sidelong glance at him, and their eyes met, filled with the tension of a duel.

There is a thin mist providing cover; although the roof tiles may be somewhat slippery, it serves as excellent concealment

The words are certainly not pleasant, but judging by her expression, she seems to be somewhat inclined to believe him. Zhang Zhao let out a quiet sigh; if it were not necessary to travel with her on this journey, it would indeed save a great deal of trouble. Lord Bao, eager for talent, naturally would not take these matters into consideration

Zhan Zhao approached to pay his respects to Prince Ning. Zhan Zhao stepped forward to greet him, remaining calm and composed, with a steady tone.

Mo Yan was just about to speak when he heard a knock on the door behind him: "My lord, the tea is ready."

No wonder it is said that the word 'love' can hurt people. Mo Yan sighed in her heart, yet she could never understand: her senior sister, who was originally a lively and cheerful person, is now troubled alone for someone who does not even know any martial arts.

Even if your Kaifeng Prefecture is as solid as iron, you cannot be on duty for all twelve hours, can you?" Ning Jin said impatiently, "Are you really trying to accuse me of obstructing official duties?"

Mo Yan did not respond, but approached him closely, still repeating the same phrase: "Give me the account book!" In fact, from the moment Zhang Zhao made his move, she had already discerned his identity. This cat clearly intended to take the account book without her knowledge. Considering that Zhang Zhao was likely to take the account book and, in collusion with others, conceal and destroy evidence detrimental to Zhang Yaozu, she was filled with anger. She refrained from exposing him, also for the sake of convenience when it came time to confront him.

"Miss Mo," Zhang Zhao said in a deep voice, "do not be disrespectful to Prince Ning."

Here, when the wind rises, the sound of the pine waves nearly drowns out all other noises. Mo Yan sighed: No wonder this Prince Ning cannot sleep at night and insists on finding someone to play chess; with such a commotion, it is no surprise he cannot rest.

Upon hearing this, she slowly straightened up and entered through the door while holding the sword. The person inside was lighting a candle, with a fair complexion and a long beard, appearing to be in his forties.

Then I can rest assured

The hand that was poised to move the chess piece came to a halt. Ning Jin raised his head, not looking at Mo Yan, and furrowed his brow as he said to Zhan Zhao: "Are the constables of the Kaifeng Prefecture all this dull?"

Mo Yan lay in the corner, holding her breath and waiting for the anticipated sounds of fighting to arrive. She pondered whether, if Zhan Zhao were to be overpowered by the intruder, she should sneak away with the account books or rush out to lend him a helping hand

What does it matter?

With a slight exertion of his long, resilient fingers, a small piece of wood shavings was quietly pried off the red lacquered poplar railing by Zhan Zhao, shooting out with a "bang" as it crashed open the door. Almost simultaneously, he kicked open the adjacent window and leaped into the room.

No matter how she thought about it, Mo Yan could not understand. With a sense of helplessness, she turned over and closed her eyes, drifting into a shallow sleep. In the hazy state, it seemed she could still hear Ning Wangshu let out a faint sigh...

The two individuals were almost face to face, fortunately separated by a layer of veiling black cloth

In an instant, several possibilities emerged in Mo Yan's mind. She shook her head, thinking: No, if the Bai family had noticed anything, they would definitely be on guard, at the very least, they should have someone keeping watch in the study. However, the current situation does not seem to reflect that.

The senior sister seems to have lost quite a bit of weight compared to when she was on the mountain, Mo Yan gazed at her in a daze... Inside the room, a dim light flickered, the orange glow reflecting on Ning Wangshu's face, clearly carrying a hint of desolation, yet it was not the expression she was familiar with on ordinary days. She recalled the Young Master Nangong that Ning Wangshu had mentioned before; could it be that the senior sister was doing this for him

Are you saying that those two individuals will help us identify the true ledger

"Let's have some tea," said Zhang Zhao gently. Over the past few days, he had come to understand that Mo Yan was more receptive to a soft approach rather than a hard one, so it was better to be gentle and steady.

Ning Jin slowly looked at her, forcing a smile: "This young lady, I have invited Zhan Zhao, not you."

Under the cold moonlight, two dark figures can be seen moving outside the northern window, gently tapping on the glass. She furrowed her brow, realizing that the intruders were clearly inexperienced; making such a commotion was less effective than simply breaking the window to enter.

The man in black, lying in front of her, was quite patient as he waited. Mo Yan couldn't help but recall how he had previously been lying on the beam, observing her every move. Thinking of this made her feel angry, and she glared at him fiercely.

Mo Yan had no time to think further, and leaped out, drawing the silver sword at her waist to meet the incoming strike.

She had barely climbed up when she almost fell down—a masked figure in black had already been quietly lying in wait on the beam. Seeing her nearly fall, he surprisingly reached out to pull her back.

The two individuals lay on the same beam, quite close to each other, almost face to face. ... One of them had their face covered, and the light on the beam was very dim, making it difficult for Mo Yan to discern the other person's features; she only felt that the other's eyes resembled stars, which seemed somewhat familiar ...

At this moment, the city gate is closed, but for the three of them, it is not a difficult task. Such a wall, over three zhang high, is naturally no challenge for Zhan Zhao and Wu Zichu. Although Mo Yan's martial arts skills are somewhat lacking, fortunately, her lightness skill is still passable. The patrolling officers only hear a slight commotion caused by the night wind behind them, and when they turn around, everything remains quiet.

Zhan Zhao followed his advice and set down the chess pieces. Just as he was about to wake Mo Yan, he noticed that she had woken up at some point, her eyes shining brightly as she stared at the steaming lotus seed soup on the tray, clearly very hungry

Mo Yan hesitated for a moment, her thoughts turning in circles: Fifth Brother is still in prison, and now is not the time to offend these royal relatives and nobles; moreover, working under the cat, she must still give him some face. With this in mind, she reluctantly sat down.

The lotus pond in the night lacks the elegance of the daytime. When the wind rises, the dark, withered lotus stalks sway gently, exuding a hint of eerie gloom. The small building to the south is Miss Bai Yingyu's embroidery studio, while to the west is Bai Baozhen's study. Without further deliberation on the directions, she lightly touches her toes, gliding over the lotus leaves, and bends down low outside the window of the study.

Why do you, girl, insist on running around in the dark?

"I am certainly no match for them," Mo Yan said, "but why are you also avoiding them?"

Is that so? That indeed aligns with what Zhang had in mind

You ... ...

Your Highness, everything has been thoroughly stewed

Mo Yan suddenly turned her head, almost bumping into his nose, yet she seemed completely unconcerned. Her pair of shiny black eyes fixated directly on a certain spot on him—the corner of the ledger peeking out from his arms.

Zhan Zhao let out a quiet sigh and could only pretend that nothing was amiss, saying: "Adding osmanthus to the tea indeed enhances the flavor; the prince has such refined taste."

No need for a guide, no need for a guide, just head south after exiting the city gate, and you will arrive by following the sound of the bell

Suddenly, that person laughed and said: "It has been a long time since we last met. While it is understandable that your internal strength has increased, why have you also found such a clumsy assistant?"

Be cautious in all matters! Ning Wangshu handed her night cloak to Mo Yan, advising, "Unless absolutely necessary, do not harm others..."

"Great, great... Master Shikong." Wu Zichu spoke awkwardly, scratching his head, and still sincerely said, "Your Highness, this title was chosen by yourself, so it does not count."

The Duke Ning said, since the young lady is accompanying Brother Zhan, we must not be negligent; it is only right to invite her along as well. Wu Zichu replied with a smile

Then it is settled

Without a moment's hesitation, she reached out to remove the other party's face towel, but unexpectedly, the other party reacted swiftly, slightly turning their face, and with a graceful move of the left hand, executed a beautiful joint lock to counter her.

Zhan Zhao did not employ his lightness skill, and his footsteps were not quick. Mo Yan, following behind, glared fiercely at his back but was helpless and could only obediently follow along.

The three indeed found Mo Yan's senior sister Ning Wangshu at the teahouse, coincidentally encountering her in a fierce fight with the young lady Yu Qing from the Taihu Water Village. Mo Yan intervened, causing quite a commotion, and after Yu Qing left, the four finally departed from the teahouse

Upon entering the temple, after winding and turning, Wu Zichu finally gestured with his chin towards a courtyard not far away after passing the scripture repository

The three individuals set off at a swift pace using their lightness skills. Wu Zichu had not seen Zhan Zhao for a long time, and at this moment, he was moving quickly with the intention of competing with him once again.

Is it stewed to tenderness

In just a fleeting moment, the two passed each other, having exchanged seven or eight moves. The masked person observed closely from above; although Mo Yan's movements were agile and her techniques sharp, dazzling to the eyes, her internal strength was inferior to that of her opponent. Even if the other party did not come forward to assist, given a little more time, she would inevitably fall into a disadvantageous position.

But what?" Ning Jin was eager to know the rest of the story

After having dinner with Senior Sister Ning Wangshu, Mo Yan said with a smile. Her own night clothes were still at the Ziyun Inn. Although it wouldn't take much effort to go back and get them, it would be somewhat troublesome if that cat were to be disturbed.

Since Li Xu had previously stated that he had been traveling with Ning Wangshu before arriving in Kaifeng, Zhan Zhao, following the usual practice, inquired with Ning Wangshu about some matters concerning Li Xu, to which Ning Wangshu responded truthfully. Comparing this with what Li Xu had said earlier, there were no discrepancies, indicating that Li Xu had not lied.

This is made with fresh osmanthus flowers, possessing a rich fragrance and also having the effects of promoting ventilation and aiding digestion. Mo Yan carefully tasted it again before speaking. Ning Jing was somewhat surprised, not expecting that this little girl actually understood the subtleties of this tea

Mo Yan furrowed her brows, wondering if the clumsy assistant was referring to herself. Just as she was thinking this, the window above her head was opened, and a voice tinged with a hint of laughter came from Zhang Zhao: "Miss Mo, it’s no trouble, please come in"

Did he get knocked down as soon as he entered

The antiques on the bookshelf, they do not even touch them, indicating that they are not ordinary thieves motivated by greed.

Zhan Zhao forced a smile, turned to look at Mo Yan, and was just about to speak when the latter hurriedly said:

Mo Yan bit her lip and said slowly, "Even if I take the account book, I will naturally tell you tomorrow."

Zhan Zhao noticed her stillness, and his gaze suddenly revealed a hint of sharpness, entirely different from his usual gentle and amiable demeanor. Mo Yan guessed that he was concerned about the safety of the account books, so she had no choice but to step back a few paces and hide in the shadowed corner.

Uncertain how much time had passed, someone outside the door respectfully announced: "Your Highness, the lotus seed soup is ready."

You haven't tasted it either, have you?

Mo Yan blinked her eyes and immediately understood his meaning. She raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying: "Indeed, you officials are cunning and shrewd, thinking things through thoroughly"

Perhaps someone will seize the opportunity and act first?

The Prince Ning said, seeking tranquility.

The masked man released her hand, stepped back more than ten steps, and then removed the black veil from his face. He looked at her with a displeased expression.

"Sir, the person has arrived." Wu Zichu stood respectfully outside a well-lit room, speaking softly.

Hanshan Temple is situated amidst this sea of pines, quietly like a rock formation

No," Mo Yan shook her head

However, the taste of tea is clear, but its nature is easily influenced. The pleasure of tasting tea lies in the clear fragrance of tea. Adding various flowers and plants may enhance the aroma, but it also destroys the original taste of tea and becomes vulgar and artificial...

The Prince Ning? He is in Suzhou?

Prince Ning, the posthumous son of the late emperor, named Ning Jin, is merely in his twenties. He usually prefers to wander through mountains and waters, showing no interest in matters of the court or state. The emperor, observing his inherently lazy disposition, did not press him and instead conferred upon him the title of prince, granting him the name of Nan Ning, allowing him to live as he pleased

Could it be that they have also come for the account books? Mo Yan's heart stirred, and she focused her gaze, increasingly feeling that she had seen these two individuals before. Although it was not clear from her vantage point on the beam, she vaguely discerned that these two seemed to be the same imperial guards she had encountered in the riverside town.

I still didn't hear the sound of fighting, but I heard someone laughing softly and deeply.

No more time to think, she lightly leaped and placed the account book on the beam. As her figure moved, the silver sword was already drawn, and she stealthily lurked under the window...

The Duke of Ning enthusiastically invited Zhan Zhao to play chess with him on the couch. Although there was a difference in status, Zhan Zhao knew that he couldn't refuse him again, so he sat down as instructed.

Mo Yan is not grateful, his sword is not slow, and he says stubbornly, "You don't need to interfere. I don't even consider his mediocre skills."

The two of them returned to the Ziyun Inn where Zhan Zhao was staying, and as they climbed up the stairs, when they were almost there, Zhan Zhao suddenly stopped and waved to stop Mo Yan...

In the pitch darkness of the room, there appeared to be no abnormalities from the outside. Mo Yan looked at him, momentarily taken aback, but quickly understood: there was someone in the room

This person, however, has styled their hair into a topknot, with a jade hairpin slanted in it, and is wearing a coarse hemp monk's robe, making them neither fully a monk nor entirely secular. At first glance, one might think that a Taoist priest has stolen a monk's robe and come here to deceive people for offerings.

The masked man, seeing her in such a state, could not help but feel a slight annoyance, yet he could not ignore her. As the tip of the sword approached once more, he had no choice but to grab her arm and pull her behind him. He then kicked open the nearby half-closed window, regardless of whether Mo Yan was willing or not, and leaped out of the study while holding onto her.

Suddenly, a voice shouted sharply, and at the same time, a long sword was drawn from its sheath, slithering towards the beam like a venomous snake.

On the way back to the city, Zhan Zhao did not use lightness skills again, but walked slowly with Mo Yan. After leaving Hanshan Temple, the two walked for a long time, each with their own thoughts, in silence.

It's not Zhang Zhao, his laughter is not that unpleasant.

Zhan Zhao smiled slightly, saying little.

Zhang Zhao did not dare