The carriage ride back to the Marquis of Jing's Manor passed in near silence. Gui was with them, to Xiuying's displeasure. He insisted on accompanying them to make sure Yunxi returned safely, bluntly expressing his mistrust to Xiuying's capability. Not that Xiuying felt the least bit offended, though. More than anything else, she was interested in Gui's connection to Yunxi.

Once they arrived at the Marquis of Jing's Manor, Gui's unexpected visit was quickly reported to the Marquis. Gui was soon escorted to the main hall by the same servant who had alerted Wencheng of his arrival. Xiang appeared just as Gui vanished into the main hall, looking at the door as it slid shut behind him. When she saw Yunxi and Xiuying standing near the gate, she strode over to them.

"Third Sister," Xiang said as soon as she reached her. "I supposed you returned with Lord Shen?"

Maybe Xiuying imagined it, but Xiang sounded almost sour when she pronounced Gui's name.

Yunxi nodded. "Yes. We ran into him at the market."

"I see." Xiang's expression softened a little as her eyes fell to the bag of steamed buns. "Hurry, then. Ruyu is waiting for you in your courtyard. Don't delay him any longer. Yuhan City is a hundred miles away from the capital, and he must get there soon to take care of Po Jun's burial."

This time, Xiang did not even glance at Xiuying.

Ruyu was talking with Jingyu in the main room when Xiuying and Yunxi arrived at the Dawn Courtyard. Not more than a minute after a servant informed them of Yunxi's arrival, Ruyu emerged from the room and approached Yunxi.

"Third Young Lady," Ruyu greeted.

"Ruyu," Yunxi said. "I apologize for delaying you. Would you kindly offer this to Po Jun's tomb?" She handed him the bag of steamed buns with a lowered head.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Yunxi raised her head and smiled. "Thank you."

Ruyu bowed to Yunxi and then to Jingyu, who was standing at the main room's opened door, before turning to go.

"Xi'er, was that Mr. Chang's steamed buns?" Jingyu asked with a soft smile as he looked at his daughter.

"Yes, father," Yunxi answered with a small smile. "I know how much he loved them. It's a shame that I can no longer eat them with him. There's no one I can enjoy them with anymore."

Xiuying stared at Yunxi's small and delicate figure. She was as soft and light as a feather, and she wore her emotions on her sleeves. It was no surprise that she was viewed as an easy prey. However, was the lady Xiuying served truly as simple as this? She couldn't help but wonder if there was more to Yunxi than just being a white lotus.

"I'm sorry, Xi'er," Jingyu said in a soothing voice. He walked over to Yunxi and placed gentle hands on her sagging shoulders to comfort his grieving daughter.

Jingyu glanced at Xiuying and nodded. Understanding dawned on Xiuying. She clasped her fists to salute at him before she left. She was actually glad to be leaving. Watching them only opened an old wound. She couldn't help but think of her parents, who perished in a disaster she had survived. Her father might be firm and strong most of the time, yet he was also the gentlest and kindest man who pampered Xiuying a lot.

Xiuying clenched her jaw as she repressed unwanted emotions. This was not the right time to reminisce about the past and be vulnerable.

As she entered the front courtyard, Ruyu, who was on his way to the gate, halted when he saw her and retraced his steps toward her.

"Feiyu," Ruyu spoke in a hushed voice so that only she could hear. "The Eldest Master expects you to keep the Third Young Lady under rigorous guard at all times, even within the walls of this Residence."

"What happened?" Xiuying asked. "Have you found something?"

Ruyu frowned as if in deep thought. "Not really. However, after doing some investigations, it becomes more clear that the culprit lives among us. If not, it may be someone working under them. So be careful around anyone outside the Dawn Courtyard. I'll be gone again for a day, so the Third Young Lady's safety will be entirely up to you."

"I understand," Xiuying said. "Rest assured that the Third Young Lady will be safe under my watch."

Ruyu stared at her for a moment and then nodded. Without another word, he turned and left.

Xiuying could feel someone's gaze on her back. When she turned around, she found Yanyan looking at her with a blank expression. The sound of a door sliding broke her gaze from the servant. Gui stepped out of the main hall. He frowned, looking around as if searching for someone, then returned her gaze to Xiuying.

"Where's she?" Gui asked.

Knowing that he was referring to Yunxi, Xiuying said, "In the Dawn Courtyard with the Eldest Master."

"I guess I should go and greet him," Gui said.

"Yeah, you should," Wencheng agreed. "Jingyu has been wondering about you since you haven't visited in a long time."

"Yeah," Gui mumbled. "I should apologize also."

Wencheng smiled as he watched Gui leave the courtyard.

Although Gui was someone Xiuying had to keep an eye on, he seemed to have a good standing with the Ye Residence. He also seemed genuine toward Yunxi, which was both a good and bad thing—for Xiuying at least. Nonetheless, Gui was the Lord of Danzu, a high-ranking official who had military power in his hands. He was someone worth keeping around.

"Feiyu," Wencheng called once Gui was out of sight. "Has Ruyu already left?"

"Yes, Old Marquis," Xiuying responded. "He has left just now."

Wencheng scratched at his beard. "Is Yunxi able to buy what she needs?"

"Yes, Old Marquis. The Third Young Lady already gave it to Ruyu."

"I see, that's good, then." Wencheng let out a soft sigh. "That granddaughter of mine is the kindest and sweetest. Sometimes my eldest son and I can't help worrying about her. She hasn't been doing well since the passing of her sister." He paused, as if musing. "I don't really understand why someone is after her life. Xi'er is not the type of lady who makes enemies. Whoever they are, they must be far too evil to even think about harming such an innocent maiden."

Xiuying glanced at where Yanyan was, but the spot she had recently been was already empty.

***

Mingxia slipped inside Xiuying's room with the stealth of a skilled assassin and closed the door behind her. Xiuying offered her the empty seat. On the table were a slip of parchment, a brush, and a bottle of ink. She dipped the brush in the ink and finished writing the last character on the paper.

"What is Lord Shen's relationship with the Ye Residence?" Xiuying asked as she scanned the letter she had written before rolling it up.

"Lord Shen?" Mingxia said as she took a seat. "He was the Eldest Lady's fiance. He had been engaged to her for eight months."

"And I remember you said that the tragedy occurred two days before their wedding."

"Yes, that's right."

"Anything you learned?"

"That servant you asked me to keep an eye on..." Mingxia began. "I once saw her interacting with a servant from the Ginkgo Courtyard."

"Interesting," Xiuying muttered.

Ginkgo Courtyard was where the Second Household resided. It was where Xiang lived. Servants were not permitted to make contact or set foot in a courtyard to which they were not assigned unless they had permission or an acceptable reason for it. Although the Ye Family lived in one residence, each household had its own courtyard with its own rules and affairs.

"I need you to keep track of how frequently this happens," Xiuying said.

If this happened more than once, it was likely Yanyan was acting on the orders of someone from the Ginkgo Courtyard. Given Xiang's overprotectiveness of Yunxi, it couldn't be her. But she couldn't risk being careless. She had to add the Second Ye Lady's name to her list of suspects.

"Anyways, I need more information about this ex-fiance, and I suppose I would need the Plum Blossom Pavilion's assistance for that." Xiuying handed the roll of parchment to Mingxia. "Here. Please help me deliver this letter to Shifu."

"I got this, Feiyu."

Xiuying smiled at her. She was aware that Mingxia had a trained pigeon who helped her deliver and receive messages. And unlike her, Mingxia was a servant whose lowly presence drew little attention. No one would suspect someone like her in this big of a residence. Unless someone was keeping an eye on Xiuying and tracking her every move. Xiang could be that person, which was why Xiuying had to be more careful. It wouldn't be good if someone were to discover that Mingxia was working with her.

"Why don't we force information out of her?" Mingxia said, a little unsure.

Xiuying sighed. "You should know why we can't."

While that seemed to be a simpler solution, it could complicate matters more than they expect. Xiuying already considered doing so, but after careful consideration, she realized how risky it was. They couldn't predict how far the servant's loyalty would extend.

Yanyan had no family or relatives that they could trace. Mingxia said that she began serving in the Ye Residence when she was five years old. Apart from that, they knew nothing, not even where she came from. They were without leverage. If they trapped the servant and failed to get a single word out of her, they would only end up alerting the culprit, making them even more cautious than they already were.

"As far as we know, the servant is a mere pawn," Xiuying began. "We've seen several instances where pawns sacrifice themselves to save their masters. We can't let that happen. We simply watch them set their trap and let them fall into it. The servant is the only key that could take us to the culprit. If she disappears, we're back to square one. For now, let's avoid drawing attention to ourselves."

"So, what do you think about their next move?" Mingxia asked after a short silence.

"Hmm," Xiuying said. "If they were a fool, they would attempt again in no time. But if they were smart and cautious, they would stay low for the meantime and strike when they were least expected." A smile touched her mouth. "And I'm guessing it's the latter."

The following morning, Mingxia's pigeon returned to the Ye Residence with the information. Xiuying sat on her bed as she read the words written on the parchment.

I'm glad to know that you're doing well and working with Mingxia. If my old memory serves me right, she's one of the first friends you made at the inn before I sent her to work as a servant in the Marquis of Jing's Manor. Please take care of her. She can be a bit stubborn at times.

Regarding your request, I had someone collect the information you need.

Shen Gui's father and elder brother were found dead in their own residence two years ago, their deaths ruled as a conspiracy-driven assassination. The tragedy left him as the current Chief of the Shen Family and Lord of Danzu. He had been betrothed to the Eldest Lady of the Ye Family, but tragically, his fiancée died from a rukki attack just two days before their wedding. His younger sister, Shen Liuli, is now engaged to the eldest son of the Duke of Yinling.

I hope you find this information useful. Don't forget to reach out to us again if you need something.

Xiuying was smiling after she had read the contents of Dishi's letter. After re-reading the letter, she folded the paper and burned it in the oil lamp on the table in front of her. The flame danced and embraced the fragile piece of paper, casting a flickering light on her calculating face. As she watched the paper burn to ashes, a knock came at her door. When she opened the door, she came face to face with one of Yunxi's maidservants.

"The Third Young Lady has summoned you."

Xiuying stood uncertainly in front of Yunxi's room. The maidservant who came to fetch her had just disappeared inside. After a few minutes, the door opened and the same servant stood before her.

"The Third Young Lady asks you to come inside."

Xiuying looked into the room behind the maidservant before returning her focus to her. What was Yunxi thinking? It was inappropriate for a man to enter a lady's room, so she wasn't sure if it was a good idea to just walk in despite the instruction.

"It's all right," the maidservant assured her. "It's the Third Young Lady's command, so you won't be in trouble. Besides, no one will know about it. That said, the Third Young Lady will be grateful if you keep this a secret."

"I understand," Xiuying said. She gave the maidservant another glance before proceeding inside.

Yunxi was sitting at a table, pouring tea. There were two cups on the table, and Xiuying assumed the other one was for her.

"Young Lady," Xiuying greeted with a bow. "You called for me?"

Yunxi looked up at her and smiled. "Yes. Please have a seat." She gestured to the stool opposite her.

As Xiuying took a seat, Yunxi dismissed her maidservants. When she heard the door close after them, leaving her and Yunxi alone, Xiuying became more uneasy. Something was off. She maintained a calm demeanor as she accepted the cup of tea Yunxi offered her. She studied Yunxi's face before taking a sip of her tea.

"Feiyu," Yunxi said in that sweet and kind voice of hers. "Are you feeling nervous?"

"Young Lady, you must know it is not appropriate for a man such as myself to enter a young lady's room."

"Why?" Yunxi asked, her voice as innocent as her face. "You're not...even a man yourself."

Xiuying froze. She stared at the girl in front of her before speaking in a quiet, calm voice. "You knew."

There was no point in pretending. Yunxi knew. Maybe she knew all along. But what gave it away?

Yunxi smiled as if she knew what she was thinking. "That time you saved me from the assassin, do you remember when I grabbed your wrist? Since then, I've been observing how you walk and talk. I also recognized it in the way you swing your sword. There is a certain feminine grace, regardless of how much you disguise it. When Lord Shen pointed it out, I was convinced. You're a woman, Feiyu."

"Young Lady," Xiuying said. "I know you didn't call me solely for that. Do you need something from me?"

"I've always known you're smart," Yunxi said with a genuine smile. "That's why I didn't hesitate to hire you as my bodyguard." She looked into Xiuying's eyes, her expression turning serious. "However, if you want to keep your job, I need you to do something for me."

Xiuying remained silent as she stared at her.

"I'm sure you've already heard about my older sister," Yunxi continued. "Maybe you also heard she was killed by a rukki. But I'm no fool." Her eyes hardened. "There's no rukki involved in her death. Elder Sister was killed by the same person who is trying to kill me. That is why, when I received that letter, I thought I had finally found a way to identify the person responsible for my sister's death. But I miscalculated. I was too desperate, and I overestimated Po Jun's skills. My recklessness only led to another person's death." Her hand tightened around the teacup. Xiuying thought she'd break it but she finally relaxed her grasp.

"And you want me to help you find the culprit."

"Yes. You have no choice whatsoever. I'm the one who hired you, which means I also have the power to get rid of you. Once I reveal your true identity as a woman, you will have to face the consequences of deceiving a marquis. So, if you want to stay as my bodyguard, you just have to do your job. Protect me against anyone who wishes to harm me. Help me avenge Po Jun and my sister."

Xiuying's shoulders relaxed in relief. Yunxi knew nothing other than her pretending to be a man. If she also knew she was connected to the assassin, help would be the last thing she would ask of her.

A smile tugged at her lips. As she thought, Yunxi wasn't as simple as everyone thought her to be.

She rose from her seat and cupped her fists in obeisance. "This servant is willing to serve Third Young Lady."