Chapter 37: The Study: Reputation Soars

It was just a trivial matter.

Zhao Huaijin’s situation had nothing to do with her.

But this thread-thin issue felt like an eyelash fallen into her eye, impossible to ignore no matter how she tried.

A trace of irritation flashed through her dark pupils. Yan Yiqing untied the copper bell from her waist. The crisp bell sound had barely faded when Jia Lan arrived.

“Palm Mirror Envoy.”

As if doing something deeply embarrassing, she pursed her lips and kept her voice extremely low. “What has Zhao Huaijin been up to these past few days?”

“Zhao Huaijin?” Jia Lan looked up, her gaze tinged with confusion. “You previously instructed us not to put any more effort into the Zhao Heir.”

She still remembered Yan Yiqing’s words from that time all too clearly.

At this moment, Yan Yiqing felt as if she had lifted a rock only to drop it on her own foot.

“It’s true we don’t need extra effort, but you’ve been on duty at the Duke Mansion every day. Surely you know what she’s been doing in the residence?”

So the Palm Mirror Envoy just wanted to know the Zhao Heir’s movements within the mansion. Jia Lan’s expression eased as she reported, “There have been some unusual signs. These past few days, after returning to the residence, the Zhao Heir has spent time in the Ancestral Hall.”

“The Ancestral Hall? Has something happened at the Duke Mansion?” Yan Yiqing frowned and asked.

“I heard the underlings gossiping that the eldest young lady’s death anniversary is approaching, so the Madam ordered the Zhao Heir to kneel before her spirit tablet every day.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Yiqing’s eyelashes trembled unnaturally. “I understand. You can go now.”

Jia Lan bowed. “Yes.”

The main chamber fell silent once more. Yan Yiqing paced back and forth beside the low table, lowering her gaze in thought: Of course she remembered Zhao Huairen’s death anniversary, but there were still over half a month until that day. Why start kneeling now?

Recalling what Zhao Qingyue had once told her, plus Zhichun’s earlier words—”The Heir was harmed by you”—Yan Yiqing vaguely pieced together the answer.

Kneeling before the spirit was perhaps part of it, but more likely, Wang Jinlan was using this as an excuse to make trouble, a small punishment and warning to make Zhao Huaijin understand her own place and stop extending aid to someone like her, who belonged to Prince Gong’s Faction.

The person she cared for was cherished by her family.

Far from being forgotten—this brought Yan Yiqing some comfort.

But Zhao Huaijin, punished because of her, left her feeling utterly troubled.

She rubbed the medicine jar in her palm, her gaze intertwined with complex and hidden emotions. Yan Yiqing wasn’t sure if she should send this bottle of medicine.

Punished because of her, yet not even a word of greeting.

It made her seem rather heartless.

But if she took this step…

Sending the medicine would only entangle her further with Zhao Huaijin.

“Heir.” Zhichun sat on the stone steps outside Linzhu Courtyard. Spotting Zhao Huairen’s figure, she quickly stood to greet her.

After Zhao Huairen returned to the courtyard, Linzhu Courtyard quickly bustled with activity. Even from a distance, one could hear Zhichun’s sincere concerns. With a soft “clack,” the smooth-textured medicine jar was finally placed in the corner of the desk.

Just treat her, Yan Yiqing, as heartless.

In this life, she no longer wished to entangle herself with anyone.

–

Mingjing Division, Dark Tower.

“Greetings, Palm Mirror Envoy.” Jia Lan sat directly opposite the door and was the first to see Yan Yiqing.

After Jia Lan stood, the Mirror Girls seated on either side of her also rose to bow.

They had already gotten approval from the Palm Mirror Envoy for tonight’s operation in advance. Why had she come personally at this hour—and changed into night travel clothes?

“Who was the originally assigned blade wielder?”

A Mirror Girl who looked a few years younger than Jia Lan stepped forward. “Reporting to the Palm Mirror Envoy, it was me tonight.”

“You stay in the Dark Tower. I’ll handle the Shi Mansion run.” Her gaze swept over each of their faces, and Yan Yiqing extended her palm to Mu Lan. “Mu Lan, give me the map of the Shi Mansion.”

“These matters can be left to us subordinates, Palm Mirror Envoy. Your status is too noble…” Under Yan Yiqing’s slightly cold gaze, Jia Lan’s voice gradually weakened.

“Have I never killed before?”

Realizing her slip, Jia Lan shook her head in annoyance.

“It’s killing all the same. If you can do it, why can’t I?”

A sword tempered on the battlefield revealed just a hint of its edge, and everyone immediately broke into cold sweats.

“This subordinate knows her mistake.” Jia Lan half-knelt before her, lowering her head.

“There are ranks between us, but no distinctions of nobility.” Her lips pressed slightly, and Yan Yiqing looked at the group behind her. “The enemy’s blade doesn’t distinguish nobility either. The more arrogant one is, the faster they die on the battlefield.”

“This subordinate remembers!” the Mirror Girls replied in unison.

“Rise.” After Jia Lan stood, Yan Yiqing took the map from Mu Lan. “Instruct the Mirror Girl planted in the Shi Mansion to head to the study in one hour.”

“After Shi Yun Si dies, the Shi Mansion will be in chaos. Act according to the situation then.”

Jia Lan and Mu Lan cupped their hands in acknowledgment.

No one questioned Yan Yiqing’s decision, nor doubted her ability to succeed in the assassination. Her skills far surpassed everyone present—if even she couldn’t do it, the plan was impossible from the start.

…

The second night watch drum had sounded, and the locust tree in the alley behind the Shi Mansion rustled.

Yan Yiqing crouched on a branch, her black night clothes blending into the shadows, only the hidden weapons at her waist occasionally glinting coldly.

Even if she hadn’t come personally tonight, the Mirror Girls could have handled it smoothly according to the original plan.

But she wanted to kill.

The scent of blood could suppress all stray thoughts, just like every time before. As long as she kept herself busy, she could temporarily forget these things.

Whether it was her mother’s and father’s deaths.

Zhao Huairen’s death, or now Zhao Huaijin.

Yanjing’s muddy waters had been calm for many years; in peace, it was hard to think of danger. Though the Vice Minister of War’s mansion had guards patrolling in shifts, they were little more than useless sacks.

Her almond eyes narrowed slightly as she flicked out three copper coins.

With a series of crisp “ding ding ding” sounds.

The lanterns under the main courtyard’s eaves went out simultaneously.

The guards heard the noise and looked up, several rushing toward the main courtyard. At the same time, her toes pushed off the tree trunk, and like a moon shadow, she vaulted over the wall without leaving a trace.

That night, the study was brightly lit.

Shi Yun Si hunched over his desk, scribbling furiously, his wolf-hair brush circling notes in vermilion on the letter paper. The candle flame flickered, and he jerked his head up to see bamboo shadows outside the window swaying like ghostly hands.

“The intruder—”

A cold gleam flashed, and the vermilion brush snapped at the wrist.

Yan Yiqing’s sword tip pressed against his throat, the blade reflecting the candlelight onto her eyes above the face mask—pupils so black they seemed to swallow everything, like the chilling night.

“You… who sent you…”

Her voice was soft, but the sword edge drew a line of blood at his throat. “Dark Tower only recognizes silver, not people.”

Dark Tower, Great Yong’s most secretive assassin organization.

Ordinary folk could scarcely find traces of the Dark Tower.

Five years ago, its reputation soared, and it had never failed since.

It didn’t trade casually with just anyone; every head had a clear price. Rumors said even the Emperor’s head had a matching bid in the Dark Tower.

How had he provoked the Dark Tower?!

His turbid eyes trembled rapidly. In this life-or-death moment, Shi Yun Si locked onto a figure in his mind.

The only one in all Yanjing who could afford it and track him down, wanting his head—only the Meng Family could manage it.

“You’re sent by Meng Shu Ting.”

As if he’d guessed right, the chill at his neck suddenly eased. Then, the blade pressed harder against his throat.

“No matter how much silver the Meng Family offers, I can give you double—no, triple!”

Seeing her unmoved, Shi Yun Si rolled his eyes downward to the sharp blade, fawning, “Or name your price? Silver’s no issue; we can negotiate slowly.”

Hidden beneath the mask, her lips curved in an arc like a demon crawling from the underworld. Yan Yiqing raised a brow. “If we did business like that, how could Dark Tower deal with others in the future?”

“Lord Shi, prepare to hit the road.”

Knowing escape was impossible, Shi Yun Si resorted to his last desperate measure. “Bloodthirsty demoness, how much innocent blood stains your hands! Aren’t you afraid of hell after death!?”

Seeing she didn’t strike immediately.

His mind feverish, Shi Yun Si thought he could curse her awake.

“Such heinous sins—repent while you can! Killing for money, if you don’t stop now, you’ll surely bring doom to your parents and lose your beloved!”

As expected, these people were laughable.

Her parents, her beloved.

Hadn’t they already been killed by people like him?

Under Shi Yun Si’s furious gaze, Zhao Ye sliced across his throat. Blood splattered onto the letter on the desk, blooming a stain over the words “Yumu County.”

She didn’t leave immediately after the kill.

Leaping out the window, Yan Yiqing watched the crawling shadow inside.

His fingers, covered in his own blood, Shi Yun Si glared as he tried with his dying breath to write “Meng” beside him—but in the end, he only managed the first stroke of “Zi.”

He collapsed hunched on the ground.

Eyes wide, a horrifying death glare frozen on his face.

After confirming he was dead, with darkened eyes, Yan Yiqing left the Shi Mansion without a backward glance.

–

Everything went smoothly tonight.

One step closer to her goal.

Yan Yiqing wiped the blood from Zhao Ye and sheathed it, but a layer of gloom still shrouded her brows.

Her usual foolproof method had inexplicably failed today. It only worked during the kill; after leaving the Shi Mansion, that irritating figure reappeared in her mind.

The Shi Mansion and Duke Rui’s Mansion were separated by just a few streets. With light movements leaping across rooftops, in the time it took to brew half a cup of tea, she returned to Duke Rui’s Mansion.

Forget it; perhaps she was just tired.

She kept hypnotizing herself in her mind, took a deep breath, and flipped over the back gate into Linzhu Courtyard. Just as she was about to head to the main chamber—she saw a crowd of people in the courtyard.

Zhao Huaijin was unusually indulgent with her maids.

Normally at this hour, everyone in Linzhu Courtyard would have retired.

That was why she hadn’t taken a detour to change clothes before returning to Duke Rui’s Mansion.

Linzhu Courtyard was a neat square compound.

The study and side rooms were on the left, the bathhouse and storage on the right.

The main chamber sat squarely in the center.

In her night clothes, plus the timing matching the disturbance at the Shi Mansion—if spotted, she could never explain it.

These thoughts flashed in an instant.

In a heartbeat, Yan Yiqing made up her mind.

Her gaze fell on the study separated from her by just a wall. The door lock was loose, and the room dark. Holding her breath, she focused.

Zhao Huaijin loved staying up late.

If she was there, she’d surely be reading at this hour.

Her breathing hitched, eyelashes trembling faintly. Yan Yiqing flipped into the study.