Reborn and married in a swapped marriage, my aloof husband is too ruthless.

The wooden gate creaked open, and a thin man with a sallow complexion poked his head out; it was Wang Xiucai.

He squinted at Su Jinxin, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

"Who is your Excellency?"

Su Jinxin waved her folding fan and cupped her hands in a seemingly elegant gesture. "My surname is Su. I have long admired the name of Scholar Wang and have come to pay my respects today." Scholar Wang looked Su Jinxin up and down. Seeing that she was dressed in extraordinary clothes and had an extraordinary demeanor, he had some doubts in his heart, but he did not dare to be negligent.

"Young Master Su, you are too kind. My humble abode is simple. Please come in and let's talk."

Su Jinxin followed Wang Xiucai into the house. The room was simply furnished, and a musty smell wafted through the air.

She subtly covered her nose, her gaze sweeping across the room, trying to find some clues.

Wang Xiucai poured Su Jinxin a cup of tea. A few tea leaves floated in the murky tea, but Su Jinxin pretended not to see them and took a small sip.

"I have read several of Wang Xiucai's articles; their literary talent is truly admirable."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiucai revealed a smug look on his face.

"Young Master Su, you flatter me. I am but a humble scholar." Su Jinxin casually mentioned the rumors circulating in the city about her recently.

"Recently, rumors have been circulating in the city, and I have heard some of them. I wonder what Scholar Wang's opinion is on this?"

Wang Xiucai's eyes flickered, and he said vaguely, "Rumors stop with the wise, Young Master Su, you don't need to take it to heart." Su Jinxin sneered inwardly; this Wang Xiucai was indeed suspicious.

She continued to probe subtly, "However, these rumors have a significant impact on my business, and I have no choice but to take them seriously."

Su Jinxin took out a silver ingot from her sleeve and placed it on the table. "If Scholar Wang knows anything, please tell me, and I will reward you handsomely." Scholar Wang looked at the gleaming silver and a hint of greed flashed in his eyes, but he remained vigilant.

"Young Master Su is too kind. I am just a poor scholar, how would I know anything?"

Su Jinxin added another ingot of silver. "Scholar Wang, there's no need to be modest. I believe you must know something." Scholar Wang's breathing became rapid. He looked at the silver, then at Su Jinxin, his heart in turmoil.

Su Jinxin knew that his psychological defenses were about to collapse.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. Wang Xiucai's expression changed drastically. He quickly stuffed the silver into his pocket and said in a low voice, "Young Master Su, it's not convenient for you to stay any longer today. Please leave first." Su Jinxin's heart tightened. Could it be that someone had arrived?

She got up to leave, but then heard a familiar voice outside the door, "Scholar Wang, are you home?"

It's Yan Cheng'an! Su Jinxin's heart leaped into her throat...

Wang Xiucai's expression changed drastically. He stuffed the silver into his pocket and said in a low voice, "Young Master Su, it's not convenient for you to stay any longer today. Please leave first." Su Jinxin's heart sank. Could they be accomplices?

She quickly scanned the room, her gaze landing on a pile of messy papers on the desk.

Her intuition told her that there must be some secret hidden there.

"Young Master Yan?" Su Jinxin feigned surprise as she looked towards the door, but her face remained impassive.

Yan Chengan strode in, his dark robe accentuating his handsome features and extraordinary demeanor.

He gave Su Jinxin a deep look, then turned to Wang Xiucai, his tone gentle yet carrying a hint of authority: "Wang Xiucai, there have been many rumors circulating in the city lately. I have been asked to come and investigate."

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Wang Xiucai's forehead, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Young Master Yan is too kind. What could a mere scholar like me possibly know?" Yan Cheng'an's lips curled into a meaningful smile. "Scholar Wang need not be nervous. I am merely asking a routine question." His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Su Jinxin. "Young Master Su is here too? What a coincidence."

Su Jinxin smiled slightly, subtly concealing her inner tension, "Yes, what a coincidence." The three of them harbored their own secrets, and the atmosphere became tense for a moment.

Yan Chengan's appearance disrupted Su Jinxin's plans, and she had to find evidence as soon as possible.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Wang Xiucai, Yan Chengan left, giving Su Jinxin a meaningful look before departing.

Su Jinxin understood that Yan Cheng'an was giving her a chance.

After seeing Yan Cheng'an off, Wang Xiucai immediately returned to the house and frantically searched for something.

While he was out, Su Jinxin secretly sneaked into his residence.

She quickly rummaged through the papers on the desk and found some torn pieces of letters.

She pieced the fragments together, and there were some rumors about her written on them, as well as the name of a mysterious organization—"Shadows".

Su Jinxin felt a chill run down her spine. What exactly was the "Shadow" organization?

Why are they targeting her?

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Without thinking, Su Jinxin hid the fragments of the letter in her sleeve and quickly left Wang Xiucai's residence.

She had just stepped out of the alley when she bumped into a warm embrace.

The familiar smell made her heart tremble.

"Be careful." Yan Cheng'an's deep voice rang in her ear.

He held her shoulders, his gaze deep, "What are you doing here?"

Su Jinxin looked up at him. In the moonlight, his eyes were as gentle as a deep pool, almost making her sink into them.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the pounding in her heart, "I..."

Yan Chengan held her hand, feeling the warmth in his palm.

“Come with me.” He pulled her to a secluded corner, where the moonlight cast long shadows of the two of them.

In a secluded corner, moonlight poured down like water, enveloping the two in a hazy glow.

Yan Chengan gazed at Su Jinxin with his deep eyes, his gaze filled with love and respect.

He gently stroked Su Jinxin's face, the warmth of his fingertips seeming to carry an electric current, spreading throughout Su Jinxin's entire body.

"You've really impressed me." Yan Cheng'an's voice was deep and magnetic, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

He never imagined that this seemingly delicate woman possessed such inner strength, such keen insight, and such decisive action.

Su Jinxin's heart raced, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

Under Yan Cheng'an's gentle gaze, she felt as if she were in a warm harbor, and all her fatigue and tension vanished.

She took a deep breath and tried to keep herself calm.

"I must find out the truth and not let those hiding in the shadows continue to get away with it."

"I know." Yan Cheng'an gently pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear, "I will always be by your side, no matter what happens."

Su Jinxin buried her head in his chest, feeling his strong heartbeat, and a strange sense of security welled up in her heart.

She gripped the fragments of the letter tightly in her hand, a resolute glint in her eyes.

"I will not release this evidence immediately."

Yan Cheng'an was slightly taken aback, then understood her meaning. "You want to lure the snake out of its hole?"

Su Jinxin nodded. "Wang Xiucai is just a small fry; there must be a bigger mastermind behind him. I'm going to wipe them all out!"

Yan Cheng'an looked into her resolute eyes, his heart filled with admiration. He held her hand tightly, offering her silent support.

Su Jinxin took out a jade pendant from her bosom and handed it to Yan Cheng'an. "This was specially made for you. It can withstand one fatal attack."

Yan Chengan took the jade pendant; it felt warm and smooth to the touch.

Looking into Su Jinxin's earnest eyes, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

He knew that Su Jinxin was not only concerned about his safety, but was also expressing her trust and reliance on him in this way.

"I will keep it close to my body." Yan Cheng'an gripped the jade pendant tightly in his hand, his gaze resolute. "We'll face this together."

As night deepened, the two stood embracing, seemingly becoming one.

Will Su Jinxin's plan succeed?

How will she and Yan Chengan confront the mastermind behind it all?

Yan Cheng'an suddenly grabbed Su Jinxin's hand and walked in one direction. "Come with me, I know a place..." Yan Cheng'an led Su Jinxin to a secluded teahouse on the outskirts of the city.

This place is sparsely populated, but it is an excellent location for gathering intelligence.

The inscription on the signboard of "Zui Xian Tea House" is faded and worn, exuding an indescribable sense of mystery.

Yan Chengan greeted the innkeeper familiarly and asked for a private room.

Su Jinxin looked around and found that although the place was simple, it was clean and tidy, and the air was filled with a faint aroma of tea, which made people feel relaxed and happy.

"Does Scholar Wang often come here?" Su Jinxin asked in a low voice.

Yan Cheng'an nodded. "He's addicted to alcohol, and the peach blossom wine from Zuixianlou is his absolute favorite." Su Jinxin's lips curled into a cold smile. "Addicted to alcohol and women, greedy for money and fame, he's a complete good-for-nothing." She took out a silver ingot from her sleeve and placed it on the table. "Manager, could you please arrange for us to sit in the seat that Scholar Wang usually sits?" The manager took the silver ingot, his eyes lighting up, and immediately agreed.

Before long, Wang Xiucai staggered in, reeking of pedantry.

He immediately spotted Su Jinxin and Yan Chengan sitting in his usual spot and was stunned.

Su Jinxin took an elegant sip of tea, and out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Wang Xiucai's embarrassed state, and chuckled to herself.

It’s just a good show.

Yan Chengan held Su Jinxin's hand and whispered in her ear, "Everything is proceeding according to plan." Su Jinxin gave him an affirming look.

She put down her teacup, stood up, and walked towards Wang Xiucai… “Wang Xiucai, it’s been a long time.”