Night had fallen deep.
Within the imperial city, the Seventh Prince's mansion was brightly lit.
Several advisors serving the Seventh Prince were crowded in the study, arguing heatedly about something. The room was filled with pleasant fragrances, but they couldn't suppress the irritable atmosphere.
"Is it confirmed that Li Xin was colluding with demons?"
"That's what the Six Bureaus says."
"I don't want the Six Bureaus' statement!" The Seventh Prince waved his hand irritably. "I want the truth! Don't tell me you've investigated for an entire afternoon without a single discovery!"
The fact that a demon appeared in Li Xin's home was undeniable, so the Six Bureaus would certainly convict him based on that.
But being in the sensitive position of a prince, he needed to know whether someone was deliberately framing him, or if Li Xin had truly colluded with demons.
This would determine his attitude going forward.
The advisors exchanged glances. After quite a while, a leader among them stepped forward and said shamefully:
"We investigated Li Xin's schedule over the past few years and found that he did indeed have some suspicious points. It's very likely... he was secretly working for someone else."
"So this is all because I'm poor at judging people?"
The Seventh Prince almost laughed in anger. He truly didn't know he had such a hidden dragon among his subordinates.
Colluding with demons, how dare he!
That was one of the greatest enemies of the Great Xia Dynasty!
"..."
"Forget it, this has already happened. Let's talk about what to do next!" The Seventh Prince waved his hand impatiently. "The Six Bureaus will definitely investigate me. Don't tell me you all have something else in store for me!"
The Seventh Prince's gaze was full of suspicion; he now felt anyone could be a hidden dragon.
"We wouldn't dare!" The advisors shook their heads quickly.
"Old Sun, you went to the scene this afternoon. What did Princess Mu say?"
"That princess probably doesn't have much hostility toward us," the one called Old Sun hesitated, "She was most likely only targeting Secretary Li. Your Highness was just affected by the fallout."
"Fallout..." The Seventh Prince was speechless.
"The princess even gave me a hint this afternoon. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to respond so quickly to the Six Bureaus' investigation," Old Sun added.
It wasn't hard to guess that the constable who had reminded him was Mu Qinglan's person.
No major conflict, huh...
Then there was a need for conciliation, apology, and goodwill, the Seventh Prince pondered.
As a prince, he undoubtedly possessed an astonishing political sense. Mu Qinglan had been ordinary in the past, even somewhat mischievous, but today she suddenly shone brightly. It was clear he couldn't view her with his previous perspective anymore.
Whether she had been hiding her abilities before, or had received guidance from an expert, he needed to win her over.
After all, Li Xin was ultimately his man.
Even if he secretly served others, it was still the result of his own lax supervision.
Although apologizing with gifts diminished a prince's face, looking at the bright side, if his apology was sincere and Mu Qinglan was inclined to give hints, it could become a bridge for networking between him and Prince Qi's mansion.
As the Seventh Prince, he also needed to plan for his future.
The royal struggle... was most perilous.
"What gift do you think would be best for apologizing?" the Seventh Prince suddenly asked.
The advisors were stunned for a moment, apparently not expecting the topic to suddenly jump here.
Then someone offered suggestions:
"How about spiritual medicine to nourish the body?"
"A protective treasure?"
"A contractable spirit pet?"
Spirit pet?
The Seventh Prince was startled upon hearing this, as if remembering something: "Didn't our mansion receive a spirit pet egg as tribute last year? But no magician had the confidence to hatch it."
"That's a butterfly cocoon," an advisor quietly corrected.
"Then the butterfly cocoon. I remember the people from the Imperial Spirit Sect guessed that if it could be hatched, it would conservatively be at least sixth rank, right?" the Seventh Prince asked.
"They wanted to buy it at the time, but you didn't sell."
"Who knew there wouldn't be a single capable person in our mansion!" the Seventh Prince said irritably.
This butterfly cocoon was remarkably valuable, just right as an apology and a token of sincerity.
It wouldn't be too excessive either.
And a butterfly, in any case, would be more suitable for a woman than those fierce beasts or spirit creatures.
If she couldn't use it herself, she could give it to a subordinate.
It would be a combat force of some kind.
Most importantly, Prince Qi's mansion had always been on good terms with the Imperial Spirit Sect. He wasn't worried that Mu Qinglan wouldn't have the means to hatch it—as the strongest magician sect across the entire continent, the Imperial Spirit Sect surely wouldn't be helpless with this cocoon.
"Then it's settled."
The Seventh Prince made his decision.
○
The headquarters of the Six Bureaus was located in the center of Heyang, occupying a considerable area.
In a certain independent office building, a black-haired woman with a cold gaze and a dignified demeanor sat in her seat, absentmindedly looking at the newspaper in her hand.
This woman's features were delicate, but upon closer inspection, there was a touch of just-right detachment, making people hesitant to approach her.
At the moment, her fine eyebrows were slightly furrowed, as if she was contemplating something important.
None of her subordinates dared to disturb her at this time.
She must be thinking about a case again. Constable Shen is truly dedicated, her subordinates thought admiringly.
But what no one knew was that the subject of this serious-looking young woman's thoughts was somewhat different from what everyone imagined.
"Why does she insist on me calling her master?"
Shen Yao was bewildered.
Yesterday, somehow, she had gone along with the flow and actually called that child "master." But when she woke up this morning, she became increasingly confused, and even at her work station, she was still pondering.
"Does 'master' have some special significance?"
"Or is that child sensitive in nature, with a strong desire for control?"
"Or does she want to do some improper things with me? Like those courtesans... but we're both..."
Thinking to this point, Shen Yao dared not continue.
Shen Yao had never been willing to think about matters of love and romance. She was a ten-thousand-year iceberg, extraordinarily cold in temperament. But unfortunately, the title "master" carried too much of that flavor, making it impossible not to think about.
It was strange, really.
Though she had had almost no emotional fluctuations for years, after being prodded by that girl, those complex feelings surged up like a stream, seeping through every pore, gurgling up.
Impossible to cover up.
Before, it was "the cold spring murmuring beneath the ice is hard to hear," but now it was as if "suddenly, one night, the spring breeze came."
But still not yet "a thousand trees, ten thousand trees blooming with pear blossoms."
After all, even the most powerful spring breeze couldn't make an iceberg bloom with flowers.
That required long-term cultivation.
Perhaps one day, Shen Yao's iceberg would be covered with flowers named Mu Qinglan, but clearly, that time was not now.
So Shen Yao was truly just frowning in thought, feeling a bit lost in her heart.
And it was at this moment.
"Little Shen, still reading the newspaper? So curious about your own report? Or are you thinking about who might be behind that demon from yesterday?"
A clear laugh came from outside the door.
Along with the laugh appeared an elderly man wearing the black robe of the Six Bureaus.
The old man's graying hair was casually spread out, giving him a somewhat unrestrained appearance. The wrinkles on his face were deep, but when he smiled, he looked very kindly.
Hearing this, Shen Yao put away her thoughts.
Because the elderly man before her was none other than the Chief Constable of the Six Bureaus, her master, and also a second-rank protector of Great Xia.
As the Chief Constable of the Six Bureaus, he was responsible for maintaining the security of the entire capital.
Thirty years ago, a group of rioters from an enemy country tried to disturb the capital.
There was even a second-rank being among them.
Upon hearing this, he acted with lightning speed, completely annihilating them at a place sixty li from Heyang. The battle was so intense that it permanently changed the topography of the area, creating a large lake nearly three li wide.
It remains a fascinating tale in Heyang to this day.
"The newspaper speaks highly of you. How do you feel about that?"
The old man smiled.
Shen Yao pursed her lips: "None of this is my credit. Miss Mu also deserves great merit."
Although most of what Mu Qinglan had done was concealed at her request, even the redacted content was enough to make everyone take notice.
"Miss Mu? That princess?"
The old man asked, and then said with realization: "You're indeed not as capable as the newspaper claims. It seems she was the leader of this operation."
Shen Yao calmly glared at the old man. Although what he said was the truth, why did it sound so strange?
"What did Master want to see me about?"
Shen Yao asked.
"It's related to that princess."
The old man's words immediately caught Shen Yao's attention: "You also know that the assassination target this time was the only daughter of Prince Qi, and now is a critical time when Prince Qi is guarding against demon incursions in the west. I suspect there's a major figure in the capital colluding with demons; this matter isn't over."
"You mean?" Shen Yao hesitated.
"Keep in touch with that princess in the coming days and try your best to protect her safety."
"But I heard that the fourth-rank steward of Prince Qi's mansion is returning today."
Shen Yao's voice carried a subtle hint of resistance. After yesterday's embarrassing experience, she really didn't want to see the girl who insisted she call her "master" for a short while.
Would she have to call her "master" again?
"That doesn't matter."
The old man said calmly: "In such matters, the Six Bureaus must certainly send someone to keep watch. You've had prior contact with her, so you're the most suitable. Moreover, you've already reached the fifth rank. One more rank and you'll be eligible to compete for the position of the next Chief Constable. Before that, you need some foundation. The support of Prince Qi would be quite substantial."
"Chief Constable?" Shen Yao was shocked: "Your health...?"
"These old bones are still fine," the old man looked kindly at the young woman, laughing heartily, then became more serious: "But in a dozen or so years, it's hard to say."
—So you must grow quickly.
"If you can perfectly resolve this string of conspiracies, then you'll have a good chance at becoming the next Chief Constable."
○
After speaking, the old man didn't give Shen Yao a chance to object and turned to leave.
Leaving Shen Yao standing alone, her gaze complex.
After her master had spoken to that extent, she had no reason to refuse.
To be honest, Shen Yao wasn't particularly averse to the young girl she had met just yesterday. After all, she needed her help to seek revenge.
But lack of aversion aside, embarrassment was still embarrassment.
Just thinking about that girl in the wheelchair brought yesterday's events to mind, making the young woman think more, and also causing the warm current beneath the icy spring to quietly accelerate.
And what troubled the young woman even more was—
This afternoon, how should she address her?