Scattered with clouds, the sky brightened up, where sunlight beamed down magnificently and majestically.

A shaft of light passed the mullions, penetrated the curtain, and fell on the grand bed. A halo gleamed, gilding the outline of a robust man on the bed.

The man opened his eyes with a flutter of his eyelashes.

Leaning against the edge, Kang Hai was sitting on the footrest before the bed, dozing off with his head dropping now and then. It was natural for one to get sleepy at dawn after a whole night up.

Sensing the movement in the bed, Kang Hai shivered to lucidity.

"Master? You are awake!"

Seeing Leng Qingtang have sat up, Kang Hai jumped up from the footrest with excitement.

Covering the Master with a cloak, Kang Hai welcomed him with incessant questions of care, "How do you feel? I will send for Doctor Jiang immediately. What do you want to eat? I will tell the kitchen..."

Suddenly something struck Kang Hai, and he muted himself in a fluster.

Mincing to the tea table, he silently picked up the cup and poured tea for the Master without raising his head.

Leng Qingtang looked around in stun. The room was exquisitely furnished; it was obviously Gu Yunxi's bedroom.

Rubbing his fingers on his forehead, he recalled everything before he became unconscious.

"Where is Yun Guaner?"

He lowered his head and repeatedly pressed between his brows with two fingers, his voice gloomy and weak.

On the other side of the room something clattered. Kang Hai, frightened by the question, dropped the teapot on the table by mistake.

"Lord!"

He knelt on the ground, sweating in panic and sadness, "We've been useless... Yun... I mean, Miss Yun. She went to Ming's Mansion for the antidote and has not returned yet..."

The air seemed to be stagnant instantly, so heavy that one could hardly breathe. Leng Qingtang kept his head down with the forehead supported by his hand motionlessly. No one could comprehend his expression.

After a long while, he looked up solemnly and muttered, "Is Chiliarch Cheng here? Bring him."

"Yes, I'll go now."

Kang Hai got up quickly and withdrew with his hands down.

Leng Qingtang got off the bed alone and put on clothes and shoes. He had just recovered from the poison and numbness still occupied his limbs, denying him free movements. He paced the room with hollow eyes.

Her aura lingered in every corner of the chamber. What was missing were her light figure and limpid eyes.

Heartbroken, Leng Qingtang was suffocating from the intense pain.

For his sake, she went to Ming Lan... She really did...

Stirrings appeared from the door. It was the entry of Cheng Wanli.

"Master."

Seeing Leng Qingtang standing upright, Cheng Wanli hurried to offer him his arm, only to be turned down with a wave.

"How long have I been sleeping?"

"Five days and nights."

"Has the Eastern Depot progressed on the major cases?"

"Master, the secret guards have informed me that the Clan of Swords and the National League will act in Mount Ruyi three days later. We're still working on other cases. Jia Shuren also spat out some useful information after interrogation."

"The Clan of Swords and the National League colluded with the western tribes and posed a big threat to the Emperor and us. We'll need to get rid of them as soon as possible. I will go to the Eastern Depot in a while and make plans. We'll handle the Clan of Swords first."

Leng Qingtang's eyes darkened and then he suddenly spoke, "Yunxi went to Ming Lan."

Cheng Wanli's wide dark face was clouded as he nodded deeply to the Master.

Kang Hai was a smart and capable young man. When he summoned Cheng Wanli, he had already informed him that the Master would ask about Gu Yunxi. Hence, Cheng Wanli was somewhat prepared.

"You were in a coma that day, and even the medical sage was powerless. Then Yu Xuanji showed up and taught Yun to ask Ming Lan for the antidote..."

Cheng Wanli could not continue. He lowered his head, sobbing with bloodshot eyes, "We've been incompetent. Two days ago, the people searching for the seventh squad brought back the news that Captain Jiang had been killed in the Eye Mountain..."

Leng Qingtang slowly shut his eyes as if stuck in boundless sorrows. He replied gloomily, "The die is cast. Neither Yu Xuanji nor Captain Jiang is to blame. They both did what they should do."

"Master?"

Cheng Wanli's eyes widened in astonishment.

He had discerned the implicit words in the Master's calm voice.

Appalled, he gazed at the Master dragging his feet slowly to the door with unusual calm.

The composure he possessed was terrifying. Suddenly, Leng Qingtang extended his arms to fling open the door and then looked up at the sky. His deep black eyes were ridden with regrets, helplessness and sorrows.

Now those emotions merged into a thick mist, tightly masking his peaceful yet cold face.

The warm sunshine kissed his frail face yet failed to dissolve the chilling haze inhabiting his dim eyes.

Gradually, his lips parted and let out a deep and tired groan that was fraught with feeble desolation and grief, "I didn't expect Captain Jiang's failure in my plan. I'm responsible for his sudden death in the Eye Mountain.

I've sworn to the previous Emperor. Now that I haven’t yet accomplished my cause, I have to keep my life. Yunxi's sacrifice is almost obligatory.

I often envy the common people, who can enjoy a peaceful life. They can watch the time flow by holding the hands of their beloved ones. However, I'm doomed to have no such alternatives. "

Cheng Wanli understood his Master, so he refrained from his sadness and asked to the back of the solitary man, "Zhaoyi Yu has sent servants for Miss Yun's from the Palace. She wished to see her. I turned them away with excuses before. What shall I say should they come again?"

Leng Qingtang thought for a while and replied,

"If the messenger comes again, tell him that I have been injured for the Clan of Swords' case. Yunxi has been caring for me day and night and subsequently fell ill. Once she recovers, we will contact her."

Cheng Wanli paused in hesitation and then asked,

"Master, Yun will be fine at Ming Lan's place, right?"

"Although we have no evidence against the Wans in Jia Shuren's case, they must be involved.

Now Ming Lan takes Yunxi as his hostage; thus he dare not hurt her. Yunxi is also a smart girl. She'll protect herself from perils.

Once we've done with the Clan of Swords and the National League, I'll find a way to force Yunxi's release from Ming Lan."

He knit his brows, under which the eyes gradually became cold and sharp. His sight was shot far into the distant blue sky as if it pierced through the thin clouds and reached the other side of the world.

Lost in thoughts, Leng Qingtang whispered in his heart, "Girl, wait for me."

...

Ming Lan was summoned by the Yongning Palace right after he was dismissed from the court.

The Imperial Noble Concubine wished to see him, and he dared not to keep her in waiting. Hence, he rushed over without delay.

As soon as he stepped over the threshold of the main hall, he heard Wan Yuyao's chattering cry, "I have warned you to keep a low profile, a low profile! You're too stubborn to hear me."

Then came the voice of the Shenle Marquis Wan Li, whose tone was full of impatience, "You are too sensitive, big sister. The Emperor hadn't graced you for a long time. When could not just sit around, so he was bound to have a little chat. It's normal to mention my new mansion in Nanyuan. Why so serious?"

"He is the Emperor. Nothing comes out his royal lips as a joke! Don't forget that the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Muyang is still in the Royal Prison of the Eastern Depot.

Go and tell uncles to be cautious and tactful in business and office. Don't get caught and thus implicate me!"

"Don't worry. They've always acted carefully. They also use aliases in the bonus accounts when they trade. The Eastern Depot may continue their investigation but they won't have anything on us..."

As the siblings argued, maids led Ming Lan in the cabinet, who bowed to the masters.

Spotting him, Wan Yuyao hurriedly restrained her anger.

Ming Lan had heard the squabble between them. Now he saw Wan Yuyao's long face. Ming Lan approached to comfort her, "Please be relaxed, Your Grace. His Lordship has always been cautious and reliable. He won't leave a loose end."

"You may not know but His Majesty came to Yongning Palace yesterday and specifically asked about Nanyuan's new mansion. He seemed to have heard gossips that the furnishings were as luxurious as those of the Palace!"

Wan Yuyao glanced at Wan Li in upset again, slapped the table angrily, and then complained, "It's your fault to attract unwanted attention with your extravagance. Now the Emperor has heard about it and ordered the Eastern Depot to speed up the investigation of Jia Shuren's network in the court. He is taking this seriously. More officials will be likely to fall in the future."

Ming Lan listened submissively without uttering a word.

Wan Yuyao cast her charming gaze at Ming Lan, who was standing with his hands hanging by the sides, and asked, "Last time you mentioned that the Western Depot had taken in a damsel named 'Gu Yunxi'. When do you plan to send her here in my service?"

Ming Lan looked slightly stiff when he heard her inquiry. Then he cupped his hands and replied, "She is at my mansion now because of unconsciousness caused by the injury during the arrest. Once she wakes up, I will properly train her and then bring her to Yongning Palace personally."

"There is no need for training. I have more than enough veteran madams here. Will I be unable to handle a little maid?"

Feeling that chill in the Imperial Noble Concubine's sharp eyes, Ming Lan didn't dare to resist and only bowed, "Yes, as Your Grace wishes."

...

After returning home, Ming Lan saw a young maid who served Gu Yunxi dashing before him.

"Master, you are back as last!"

Seeing him, the maid curtsied in panic and then burst in tears as if she had been wronged.

"What's wrong? Behave yourself!"

Already fed up with resentment, Ming Lan was greatly disturbed by the maid's bad manners and hence shrieked in agitation.

"Master, Miss Yun is so stubborn. She does not change clothes or take a bath. Linghe and I have been trying to persuade her all morning, but she snapped and scratched my hands..." Ming Lan stopped abruptly and looked surprisedly at the once smooth hands of the maid.

As she said, her fair skin was marked with red scratches. Some of them were deep into the skin and drew blood out of the flesh.

Dear! What a fierce kitten. Two days after ridding of the poison, she woke up, ate a lot, threw a temper, and now began to paw her foes.

When Wan Yuyao asked about her in Yongning Palace, Ming Lan lied that Gu Yunxi hadn't awakened yet so he could keep her here for more days.

This proud yet adorable kitten brought him an abundance of happiness and worries!

Checking on the scars on the maid's hands again, Ming Lan chuckled, bringing his purple eyeshadow high on his brows. He then said to the maid, "Well, well, you may go now. Useless. It took two of you two days to fail at changing her clothes. Shame on you to cry to me like this!"

The maid was hurt and now reprimanded by her Master. Even more aggrieved, she wiped away tears and left after a curtsy.

Two days ago, Gu Yunxi had woken up before Leng Qingtang from the coma.

Though she was poisoned by Juehun Powder as well, the toxication did not stay in her system for long thanks to the timely rescue. Naturally, she recovered faster than Leng Qingtang.

After she woke up, she realized she had been detained by Ming Lan so she stopped making trouble.

To take advantage of her current situation, she stayed in Ming Lan's room and ate the tasty and nutritious food, toying the cooks and maids as she wished!

When her appetite satisfied, she continued to sleep, regaining her strength while pondering on escape plans.

Gu Yunxi knew Ming Lan's obsession with cleanliness and showing-off.

To protect herself, she refused to bathe or change her clothes. She was still in the once rain-soaked red skirt and wore her oily hair on her shoulders. This way, Ming Lan would distain her and not want to touch her.

The trick worked. Ming Lan spent the two nights in the west wing-room after she came to.

However, he never gave up on pressing the two maids to talk her into cleaning herself.

Today, the two maids were tired of it and tried to force Gu Yunxi. But Gu Yunxi was not meek; she fought violence with violence, and they could not rival her.

Ming Lan led a few eunuchs and hurried to his bedroom. He could hear the rattles of smashing and the pleading cry of young servants from a distance.

Ming Lan felt a mixed feeling of joy and shock.

To make such a mess, she must be energetic. Had she been like such back at Leng's Mansion?

Ming Lan halted his steps before the porch and silently glanced at the eunuch beside him.

The servant caught his hint and led the way onto the step, mincing to the door under the porch.

As soon as he pushed the door, a teacup flew through the air. If the eunuch had not dodged in time, his handsome face would have been ruined.

The teacup smashed on the door frame into porcelain shards. Everyone outside the door squatted in a hurry and covered their heads.

Ming Lan harbored a playful smile and entered the room sideways.

Huh! The room was in chaos: the tables and chairs were turned over on the floor that was covered in water stains and debris.

Still wearing the stained red dress, Gu Yunxi stood on the canopy bed with disheveled hair and a dirty face. Her dirty bare feet were dancing on Ming Lan's most favorite silk quilt!

Seeing Ming Lan in consternation, she immediately stopped jumping and began to tear the bed curtain of his favorite rose-colored acacia pattern.

Ming Lan could not bear it anymore. Gracefully pointing at the wild kitten on the bed, he yelled with his feminine and sharp voice, "Gu Yunxi! What are you doing?"

Squinting at Ming Lan, she grabbed and wrenched the curtain fringes of crystal beads and pearls.

"Gu Yunxi..."

Accompanied by a snap, Ming Lan's astonished exclamation was mercilessly eclipsed by the jumbled syllables of scattered beads and pearls.

He and the servants were all dumbfounded. Helplessly, they watched Gu Yunxi tear the expensive night-shining pearl tassel and the white crystal beads shatter on the ground.

Gu Yunxi jumped off the bed and picked up two night-shining pearls from the tassel. She studied them under the sunbeam and then played them in her palms, smiling,

"Good stuff. Must be expensive. Ming Lan, I'll take them!"

Ming Lan was angry but amused at the same time. His interest in keeping this kitten grew stronger.

"Keep in mind that anything in this room is worth twice your yearly salary in the Eastern Depot. You'd better watch it! Go too far and you won't be able to afford it!"

"You dare not move closer!"

Gu Yunxi noticed that Ming Lan had stepped over an upside-down stool and approached her with a smirk. She quickly raised the night-shining pearl above her head and warned with a glare, "One more step and I will smash it!"