A heart, at its core, is never truly unruly.

Little Yun’er was delighted to hear this; he dreaded that Xiao Tianfeng might recognize him, so he had no choice but to go to Osmanthus Garden. Yet, lying alone in such a cold, quiet place seemed utterly pointless, and besides, his curiosity was strong—he very much wanted to hear what Xiao Tianfeng was doing here.

Rarely was Xing’er so gracious, so Little Yun’er quickly said, “Thank you, Sister Xing’er.” Without caring whether the Ninth Lady objected, he hurried after Xing’er’s maid Xiaoye, stepping into Xing’er’s bedchamber.

When Xiaoye pushed open the sandalwood door inlaid with carved jade, a delicate fragrance reminiscent of orchids wafted toward them.

Little Yun’er felt instantly refreshed and comfortable; forgetting his feigned headache, he couldn’t help but look around.

The room was lavishly furnished: brocade chairs and jade tables, and at the center stood a massive, glossy black desk with a stack of ancient books upon it. Behind the desk rose a tall emerald screen, adorned with golden star-shaped flowers. Beside it hung an antique long sword, its blade engraved with the words “Star of Ling.”

Circling the screen, he first saw two tall, lacquered golden wardrobes standing on either side. On one side was a dressing table with a diamond-shaped mirror; on the other, a sandalwood table with a pot of flowers. The walls displayed ancient paintings—elegant ladies, orchids, plums—with a grand brocade curtain at the center.

Xiaoye gently drew aside the curtain, revealing a bed of finely carved ivory. On it, embroidered quilts and silk blankets were neatly arranged, exuding a faint, sweet scent. Faced with such a cozy bed, any man would gladly succumb to sleep; Little Yun’er thought Xing’er’s boudoir was even more luxurious than the Ninth Lady’s.

Xiaoye noticed his eyes darting mischievously around with not a hint of sleepiness. Unable to contain her surprise, she asked, “Young Master Yun, is your headache better? If not, perhaps you’d prefer to sit in the parlor for a while.”

Little Yun’er blurted out, “No, such a fine bed would be wasted if I don’t sleep in it.” “What?” Xiaoye was stunned!

He quickly explained, “I mean, your lady is so kind to let me sleep in such a splendid bed!”

Xiaoye replied, “Oh, there’s nothing odd about it. Our lady and the Ninth Lady are the best of sisters. Since you’re the Ninth Lady’s future husband, naturally my lady treats you with courtesy.”

Little Yun’er removed his shoes and said, “Sister Xiaoye, you may leave now. I’d like to rest quietly for a while.” In truth, he wanted her gone so he could eavesdrop on the conversation in the parlor between the Ninth Lady and Xiao Tianfeng.

Xiaoye smiled, “All right, but aren’t you suffering from a headache? What if it gets worse? How about this—I’ll just stand quietly nearby, I won’t speak. Is that all right?”

Little Yun’er hurriedly replied, “That would be far too tiring for you, Sister Xiaoye. I’d feel guilty. I think you’d better go.”

Xiaoye laughed, “It’s no trouble, Young Master Yun. I’m used to serving others as a maid.”

Seeing she wouldn’t leave, Little Yun’er felt embarrassed. He couldn’t sneak out to eavesdrop on the conversation in the parlor, which annoyed him.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. He whispered to Xiaoye, “I see now—you won’t leave because you’re worried about me. There are so many valuables here, you’re afraid I might be tempted to pilfer something, aren’t you?”

Xiaoye could never have expected Little Yun’er to say such a bizarre and amusing thing. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond; her pretty face flushed, both angry and amused.

She thought to herself, “This boy is truly a little rascal. Our lady likes him, that’s why she lets him sleep in her own bed. If she feared he’d steal, she wouldn’t bring him here at all. Our lady treats him as someone most intimate, yet he’s so off the mark with his wild guesses.”

Xiaoye said, “Young Master Yun, you’re overthinking it. Actually, apart from our lady’s relatives, no strange man has ever set foot in her boudoir, let alone slept in her bed. You’re the first.”

Little Yun’er retorted, “Wrong, you’re wrong. I’m not a stranger—I’m the Ninth Lady’s fiancé, and your lady’s future brother-in-law.”

Seeing that he was being impossible, Xiaoye gave up. “Very well, I’ll leave.”

Little Yun’er laughed, “That’s right. My fiancée and future sister-in-law are both outside. If my headache gets severe, I just need to call out and they’ll come in, won’t they?”

Xiaoye was startled, “That’s not good. There are guests outside, and my lady isn’t married yet. If you call and others see, they might gossip about her!”

Little Yun’er replied, “Afraid? What are you afraid of? I’m not on your lady’s bed. If your lady isn’t afraid, neither am I. Why should you worry at all?” Xiaoye didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and left with her head down, thinking how could the Ninth Lady fall for such a little rascal.

Little Yun’er thought to himself, “If I weren’t afraid of being discovered by that Xiao woman, I wouldn’t have come in here! What is she here for?” He quietly slipped from the bed to the door, listening in.

Meanwhile, Xiao Tianfeng hurried in, but her attention was focused on Han Xing and the Ninth Lady. She barely noticed Little Yun’er as he rushed inside, not recognizing him or caring.

After entering, Xiao Tianfeng exchanged pleasantries with the Ninth Lady and Xing’er. Xing’er asked, “Is Second Lady Xiao visiting us specially, or is there another purpose to your visit?”

Xiao Tianfeng replied, “Both.”

Xing’er said, “Then please tell us your business first.” She waved her hand, and the maids withdrew, leaving only Xiao Tianfeng, Xing’er, and the Ninth Lady.

Xiao Tianfeng smiled, “I am here to seek your advice on something.” Little Yun’er, eavesdropping, peered through the crack in the door and saw Xiao Tianfeng holding a knife.

He recognized it immediately, as it bore deep fingerprints—left by Lingzhi before the blade was handed to Xiao Zhiyong.

Xing’er took the knife from Xiao Tianfeng, examined it carefully, and gasped, “Who in the world has such powerful finger strength?” She passed it to the Ninth Lady, Long Lengyue, who looked it over and said, “Judging by these delicate fingerprints, it must be a woman.”

Xiao Tianfeng nodded, “Yes, it was a woman—and a young one at that.”

Xing’er blurted out, “The Lady in White—Bai Xuehua?”

Xiao Tianfeng shook her head, “No, this woman is not Bai Xuehua, but she is a friend of the Lady in White. They were together at the time.”

“What, the Lady in White isn’t dead? And she has such a friend?” Xing’er exclaimed, gasping again.

The Ninth Lady, Long Lengyue, felt a jolt in her heart. She knew Bai Xuehua wasn’t dead; on her way to Luoyang, she had encountered her, and Xiaojing had narrowly escaped ruin at Bai Xuehua’s hands.

It was Little Yun’er’s cry at the time that saved Xiaojing. Though Little Yun’er and Bai Xuehua hadn’t spoken, their gazes were complex, and with her intelligence, the Ninth Lady could infer much.

One Bai Xuehua was already a threat to the Long family; now with another woman of such terrifying skill, the danger to the family had grown immeasurably.