Ye Chutang’s brow twitched slightly. "Our... relationship?"

Shen Yanchuan looked back, raising his eyebrows. "We’ve been through life and death together. Naturally, that’s different from anyone else. Wouldn’t you agree, Second Miss Ye?"

’I suppose I can’t argue with that, but something still feels off.’

But Ye Chutang was indebted to him, so of course she had to acknowledge it.

She gave a slight nod. "Indeed."

Although she didn’t know what Shen Yanchuan had been through, it wasn’t hard to imagine it must have been a vicious battle.

She tucked the wooden tablet away and shot Shen Yanchuan a grin, quirking an eyebrow.

"I’ll remember this debt of gratitude, Princely Heir. I will be sure to repay it someday."

Shen Yanchuan gave a light chuckle. "I wonder if it’s enough to trade for a jug of wine?"

Ye Chutang was speechless.

’When did this man become so petty?’

She turned to leave but stopped after taking just one step.

"Princely Heir, about the poison you suffered from earlier—although it has been completely cleansed, it still damaged your liver and lungs. It would be best for you to drink less wine."

Shen Yanchuan was taken aback.

’So... that was the real reason she’d intentionally withheld the wine?’

Ye Chutang didn’t look back, only raising her hand to lightly swing the wooden tablet.

"After I return to the capital, I’ll be sure to visit you personally with wine to express my thanks."

...

Night gradually fell.

Lian Zhou and his men were resting in the woods, occasionally looking up toward the southeast.

They would reach Changzhou tomorrow, but their master had not yet returned.

Although they could find someone to disguise as their master and deceive the spies in Changzhou, it wasn’t a long-term solution.

He wondered how his master was faring in Shiluan City...

Just as he was thinking this, a tall, upright figure came into view.

The faint moonlight spilled over him, outlining a cold silhouette.

Lian Zhou’s heart leaped with joy, and he immediately rushed forward to greet him. "Master!"

The remaining few men also half-knelt in salute. "Master!"

Shen Yanchuan raised a hand, gesturing for them to rise.

Lian Zhou couldn’t help but ask, "Master, Shiluan City—"

Suddenly, his expression changed. "You’re injured!?"

Shen Yanchuan was unconcerned. "Someone walked right into a trap, so I dealt with them."

Only then did Lian Zhou relax.

It made sense. With his master’s skill, ordinary people could hardly get close.

But...

"But didn’t you say before that you wanted to act covertly? How..."

For that very reason, the Master had even sent them away ahead of time, staying behind by himself.

To get into such a fierce fight with someone, could it be that—

Shen Yanchuan said, "Something unexpected came up."

His tone was light, as if he hadn’t taken the matter to heart.

But Lian Zhou didn’t think so. What kind of incident would force the Master to personally get involved at a time like this!?

"But—"

"When we get back this time, have them train harder," Shen Yanchuan said, cutting Lian Zhou off as a thought seemed to strike him. "To lose a single person with an entire group tailing her... that takes some real talent."

Lian Zhou was momentarily stunned. "What?"

The only person the Master had recently assigned men to tail was, it seemed, just...

"Second Miss Ye!?"

Lian Zhou could hardly believe it.

"Don’t tell me—don’t tell me you ran into her in Shiluan City!?"

Shen Yanchuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Starting today, have men keep a constant watch on Shiluan City. If there’s any movement, report to me immediately."

Lian Zhou’s mind was buzzing. ’So it’s true! Our master really did run into Second Miss Ye there!’

’But—but isn’t she supposed to be in Qingzhou right now!? How did she end up in Shiluan City!?’

Countless questions swirled in his mind. Lian Zhou acknowledged the order, but after struggling to hold it in, he couldn’t resist asking one more thing:

"Then... then this time... did you act because of her?"

Shen Yanchuan flicked a bit of dust from the corner of his sleeve and said nonchalantly,

"She can’t stand the sight of blood."