Song Chuyi stood by the window, her back straight, and turned her head slightly at the sound of footsteps, giving Zhang Run a small nod. "Young Master Zhang, I apologize for seeking you out before waiting for your message."

  Zhang Run hurriedly avoided her gaze, shaking his head nervously. "It's nothing. They're all very cautious, and no one noticed anything..." As he spoke, he couldn't help but admire how this young Miss Song commanded such ruthless subordinates who followed her orders without question. Steeling himself, he looked at Song Chuyi again. "Miss Song, is there something urgent that requires my assistance?"

  Han Zhi had been spending most of his time recently at the family estate in Tongzhou, leaving him little opportunity to arrange a meeting pce with Song Chuyi. He hadn't expected her to come looking for him first. From what he had observed of this remarkable young dy, he knew that if it wasn't something crucial, she would never do anything as suspicious as approaching him directly.

  "Has Han Zhi sent anyone to the border or to Yangzhou recently?" Song Chuyi cut straight to the point, looking directly at Zhang Run. "Or has he received any letters or met with anyone from Yangzhou or the northwest?"

  If Han Zhi was involved in this, at least she'd have a lead to investigate.

  Old Master Song had already written to the Governor of the Northwest, Zhang Tianhe, but this powerful official, who had once shared close ties with the Song family over military funds, hadn't replied. The situation was growing murkier, and if she couldn't uncover some leads soon, nobody knew when the bde hanging over the Cui cn would fall or how it would strike.

  This feeling of impending danger with no way to pinpoint its source was utterly unnerving. Since her rebirth, Song Chuyi had never encountered a situation so entirely beyond her control; it had been days since she had a good night's sleep.

  Zhang Run didn't ask questions. He knew that if Song Chuyi was asking, she had her reasons. After careful thought, he shook his head firmly. "He's been quarreling with his family recently. A few groups from the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence came to summon him back, but he drove them off. As for visitors from Yangzhou or the northwest, there have been none."

  So, it might not be Han Zhi after all? Song Chuyi closed her eyes and nodded slowly. "I must trouble you, Young Master Zhang, to keep a close watch. If he makes any connection with people from the northwest or Yangzhou, please try to inform me."

  Before Zhang Run could respond, they heard the commotion of loud shouts and curses downstairs. Zhang Run's eyes widened in arm. "Miss Song, that's Guanshan's voice!"

  It still could be Han Zhi's doing; he was a cunning wolf with a sharp nose. Perhaps Zhang Run had unintentionally exposed himself. Song Chuyi took a quick look through the gap in the door, noticing Han Zhi's men surrounding the area. Thinking quickly, she asked Zhang Run, "If I'm not here, can you convincingly clear yourself of suspicion?"

  Zhang Run quickly returned the teacup to its pce and grabbed a pybill from the nearby rack, setting it on the table. "As long as you're not here with me, he'll believe me."

  Guanshan's voice grew nearer, with the innkeeper shouting and trying to stop him. Song Chuyi nodded, moving behind a screen and tapping the wall five times.

  She timed it just right—when Han Zhi entered, he saw only Zhang Run, looking both startled and indignant, standing alone in the empty room.

  His hand on the sword at his waist paused, and he casually released his grip, walking swiftly over to Zhang Run and affectionately draping an arm around him as they sat back down. "I was only gone a moment, and here you are out on your own?"

  Zhang Run's face showed anger and irritation as he gripped the pybill in his hands. "What? Am I not even allowed the freedom to go see a py? I remember you said I could go out if I informed Guanshan. I did inform him before I left!"

  Unmoved, Han Zhi scanned the room again, even checking behind the screen. Hearing Zhang Run's rising frustration, he stepped out, his eyes taking in every detail.

  A faint trace of perfume lingered in the air. He moved his nose slightly, looking at Zhang Run, who was by now visibly furious. Instead of answering, Han Zhi asked, "Was there a woman here just now? Who was she?"

  Zhang Run's knuckles were white from clenching his fists. Gncing at the stage below, he replied, "What's this? Can't I meet with Hongyun Society's popur actress to select a py myself?"

  Following his gaze, Han Zhi gestured for the nervous innkeeper to step forward. "Bring me that actress. And I hear that Miss Song is here today as well?"

  Zhang Run's heart pounded with a sudden, suffocating intensity. Han Zhi actually knew that Song Chuyi was at Chongyin Pavilion! But how could this be? No one, not even Wei Yanxi, knew about his meeting with Miss Song. How could Han Zhi know?

  The innkeeper wiped the sweat from his brow, looking helpless and fearful. "My lord, this is a business establishment... She's currently on stage; it wouldn't be appropriate to summon her. As for Miss Song, she is indeed here, but she booked a private room across the way..."

  Han Zhi shrugged off the innkeeper and strode outside, making his way around the promenade to the opposite side, where he spotted Ye Jingchuan's attendants, Chang'an and Changxing, stationed at the entrance. He calcuted the distance from Zhang Run's room to here and noted that the room only had one open door. His suspicions partially alyed, he stood at the door briefly before turning back to Zhang Run's private room.

  From behind the door, Qingying exhaled in relief, her hand on her racing heart as she turned to inform Song Chuyi, "Miss, he's gone."

  Ye Jingchuan looked baffled, casting a confused gnce at Song Chuyi. "Why on earth would Han Zhi be involved? How did he even know you were here?"

  Song Chuyi shared the same doubt. Clearly, Han Zhi had withdrawn his spies, unless he was tailing Zhang Run. But why follow Zhang Run? Was it merely possessiveness, or had he started to suspect something?