Yue Zilan slipped quietly out of the crowd. The cries from Zhao Kang's residence and the stern voices of the yamen officers faded behind her, swallowed by the sounds of the street. She did not linger, nor did she look back. Her steps were steady as she moved toward the small inn, blending seamlessly into the bustle of morning life.
No one in that noisy courtyard knew that she had been the cause of their grief. And even if they suspected, none would dare imagine that such a young girl could pull such a thing off. With her calm face and unhurried pace, she returned directly to the inn as though she were nothing more than another passerby.
---
Meanwhile, in the Tianyun Pavilion, the atmosphere was tense. Behind the closed doors of a richly furnished study, Steward Zhao stood with his back slightly bent, his face grave as he reported to his master.
Young Master, he said in a careful tone, "the matter regarding Zhao Kang… it has taken a strange turn. He has vanished without a trace. Not only him—his entire residence was swept clean. Gold, silver, treasures, even common valuables—nothing was spared."
Across the desk sat Su Jingyuan. His robe was of fine azure silk, his expression was calm, his eyes carrying the quiet weight of authority.
Steward Zhao continued, lowering his voice, "The household was thrown into chaos this morning. His wives and concubines wailed endlessly in the courtyard, and his guards all told the same—they were knocked out in the night, drugged or otherwise incapacitated. None recall what happened. The neighbors claimed they heard nothing unusual. However… some suspicious carriages were seen leaving the town late at night reported by our people. Though no one could confirm their origin."
Su Jingyuan leaned back slightly, his mind was lost in thought. For a moment, the study was silent except for the faint rustle of paper.
Finally, he spoke "Who could do this so cleanly? Not a single sound, not a trace left behind… Was it to silence him? Or to erase evidence of his dealings?"
His fingers tapped once against the desk before he added, Investigate thoroughly. I want to know where Zhao Kang is.
"Yes, Young Master." Steward Zhao bowed deeply.
Su Jingyuan dismissed him with a wave of his hand.
---
Steward Zhao stepped out of the room, letting out a long, slow breath as the door shut behind him. His expression, so rigid moments ago, softened into weariness.
"Ever since Young Master came here under the Crown Prince's orders," he muttered under his breath, "peace has been a luxury."
The Crown Prince's task weighed heavily on the young master, and by extension, on himself. Trouble brewed everywhere, and now with Zhao Kang's disappearance, things would only become more complicated.
When he finally reached his quarters, Steward Zhao sat down heavily on the chair, massaging his temples. The day's burdens pressed heavily upon him. But before he could rest, someone knocked on the door.
His brows furrowed. "Enter."
The door creaked open and a man in plain black clothing stepped inside. His movements were precise, his expression disciplined. This was one of the guards tasked with discreet assignments.
"Steward," the guard said respectfully, clasping his fists. "I have returned from my investigation, as you instructed."
Zhao straightened slightly, his fatigue giving way to curiosity. "Good. Tell me, anything unusual about the girl who sold us that tiger?"
The guard bowed his head. "there are matters you should hear. The girl described in your orders—beautiful, refined—did indeed enter the inn some days ago. However, soon after, she disappeared. In her place, there remained only an ordinary-looking girl with dark skin. The servants who accompanied the first girl now serve this one openly, as though nothing has changed."
He paused, then added, "I bribed the innkeeper and questioned him. He confirmed: the beautiful girl vanished, and this other one remained."
Steward Zhao's brows knit tightly.
The guard went on, "I tracked their movements carefully. They acted cautiously, leaving few traces. There, I witnessed an unusual scene of two siblings entering the inn with her. The girl was half-drowned and left untreated for days, only to be carried in by her brother. Their plight drew the attention of the townsfolk."
The report continued in a steady tone, every detail recited carefully. "Upon further investigation, I learned their misfortune was caused by none other than Zhao Kang. But as you already know… Zhao Kang has now vanished, and his house wiped clean."
At those words, Steward Zhao's expression darkened. His fingers tapped against the armrest of his chair as he recalled the powerful, suppressing pressure released by the girl. He already knew she was no ordinary person and thought of the tiger knocked by drug and the incident happened in this morning
"The siblings…" he murmured. "So it connects back to them."
The guard stood silently, waiting.
---
Steward Zhao rose slowly, pacing the room as he thought. Since the young master had come here, he had invested heavily into strengthening TianyunPavilion's information network in this county. Spies, informants, paid in taverns and shops—the we grew denser with each passing week.
The timing was too precise. The involvement with Zhao Kang was too coincidental.
Her activities are suspicious, he muttered under his breath. Far too suspicious. Could it be… she is connected to Zhao Kang's disappearance?
The thought lodged in his mind like a thorn.
After a long silence, Steward Zhao turned back to the guard. You have done well. Continue watching them. Do not alert them. I'll decide what to do next.
Yes, Steward. The guard clasped his fists and retreated from the room.
When the door closed, Steward Zhao sat back down heavily, He thought again of the young master's orders.
Perhaps, he muttered, it is time the young master hears of this matter.