Years turn into wind

The next morning, sunlight bathed the Marshal's Mansion, seemingly dispelling the shadows of the previous night. Cheng Yuwei leaned against the window, watching the guards hurrying back and forth in the courtyard, a sense of unease creeping in her heart. Although Ling Xiaotian and Zhou Hao had arranged for a tight security presence, she felt as if an invisible pair of eyes were watching their every move.

"Wei'er, breakfast is ready." Ling Xiaotian walked in and said gently. His voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She turned her head and met his warm eyes. Her heart tightened, as if all her worries were soothed.

"Thank you, Xiaotian." Cheng Yuwei smiled softly and followed him to the dining room. They sat down. Although the table was full of delicious dishes, there was still a hint of tension in the atmosphere.

"Zhou Hao arranged people to thoroughly investigate the remnants of the White Tiger Gang last night, hoping to find some clues." Ling Xiaotian picked up a piece of pastry and handed it to her bowl, his tone comforting.

Cheng Yuwei nodded and was about to respond when she heard hurried footsteps outside the door. A guard ran in, his face tense. "Marshal, we've caught a suspected spy. He's been sniffing around the city trying to find out about you and your wife."

Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei exchanged a glance, a flicker of alarm in their eyes. They quickly stood up and followed the guards to the interrogation room.

The man tied to the chair had a gaunt face and a wandering gaze. His wrists were bound tightly with thick ropes, and cold sweat oozed from his forehead. Seeing Ling Xiaotian walk in, a flicker of fear flashed in his eyes.

"Tell me, who are you and who ordered you to do that?" Ling Xiaotian asked coldly, with unquestionable majesty in his tone.

The man shuddered, but pursed his lips and said nothing. The guard next to him stepped forward, grabbed his hair, and lifted his face up.

"If you don't say it now, you won't have the chance to speak again." Zhou Hao added coldly, the dagger in his hand flashing coldly in the sunlight.

The man's eyes finally wavered, and his lips trembled slightly: "I... I was forced! Someone threatened me, saying that if I didn't do it, they would kill my family..."

"Who is it?" Ling Xiaotian took a step closer, his eyes flashing sharply.

"It's... a man wearing a mask. He calls himself 'Shadow' and never shows his face, but his voice is deep and terrifying. He said that if you don't do as he says, there will be more assassinations." The man's voice trembled with fear, and he was obviously extremely afraid of the name "Shadow".

"Shadow..." Cheng Yuwei repeated in a low voice, frowning slightly. The name cast a shadow in her heart.

After the interrogation, Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei walked out of the room. The cool breeze in the courtyard brushed against their faces.

"It seems that this 'Shadow' is the manipulator behind the scenes." Ling Xiaotian pondered, with a cold look in his eyes.

Cheng Yuwei looked at him with determination in her eyes: "We must find him, otherwise there will be no peace."

Just as the two were contemplating their next move, a charming figure approached from a distance. It was Ling Xiaotian's old acquaintance—Lin Yueru, a renowned Beijing socialite. She was dressed in a simple, elegant cheongsam, a hint of melancholy between her features.

"Brother Xiaotian, I heard that something happened in the mansion last night, so I came to see you." Lin Yueru's voice was mixed with concern, but a hint of imperceptible jealousy flashed in her eyes. When her gaze swept over Cheng Yuwei, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

Cheng Yuwei nodded politely, but she sensed a faint hostility. Ling Xiaotian was stunned, his eyes shifting between the two of them. There seemed to be an invisible tension spreading in the air.

"Thank you, Yueru, everything is under control." Ling Xiaotian said lightly, with a distant tone.

Lin Yueru's eyes flashed with disappointment, but she still smiled: "That's good, I'm just worried about Brother Xiaotian's safety."

Cheng Yuwei stood aside, feeling a hint of jealousy in her heart, but she quickly adjusted her mindset and remained calm. She knew that now was not the time to worry about these details.