A master of metaphysics is farming.

It was late afternoon when I returned to the private school.

Xiang He went to the bedroom and found that Xiang Yang's room was dark. Her eyes flickered, and she turned around and went back to her own room.

I stretched and was about to take a sip of water when I noticed a piece of paper on the table, bathed in moonlight.

Since my parents have accepted it, even if we are not of one mind or body, my elder sister is still my elder sister.

With just a few words, Xiangyang seemed to be following his parents' wishes, but wasn't he also unwilling to lose his loved ones?

Even if it is already in his own heart.

A helpless smile flickered in Xiang He's eyes. "The kid's only been to school for a few days, and he's already become all pedantic."

He crumpled the paper in his palm, pinched it a few times, and put it into the cloth bag.

Looking up at the moonlight outside the window, the moon in the sky gradually curved upwards. It should be time to harvest the grain in the next few days. I should finish my business in the city as soon as possible and hurry home.

Thinking of home, Xiang He went to sleep fully clothed.

I need to get up early tomorrow to go to the county government office, which will also serve as repayment for the letter of severance.

-

-

With something on her mind, Xiang He got up early. However, it was much cooler this morning than yesterday, so she changed her clothes to avoid catching a cold.

After tidying himself up, he went to the back courtyard, where He Sui'an was already waiting in the pavilion, with food laid out on the table.

"So early."

"The students are all up early to study, so I'll go and take care of things early. I still need to come back to teach."

"Alright, alright," Xiang He walked over and sat down, picking up a spoon to drink the porridge. "Isn't it a bit abrupt that Magistrate Zeng and I aren't very familiar with each other?"

Ultimately, that's a matter for his family, and it seems inappropriate for him to suddenly show up and ask questions.

Sitting opposite her, He Sui'an chewed softly, swallowed, and then said, "I'm just asking, I won't mention Miss Zeng."

"Ah."

The two ate in silence. When they were almost finished, Xiang He finally couldn't help but push her empty bowl away a little. "Why are you staring at me? Is there something on my face?"

From the moment she sat down, He Sui'an kept glancing at her every now and then, and this damned sense of awareness made Xiang He feel awkward.

Why can't you just say what you want to say...?

He Sui'an, who was exposed, did not feel embarrassed. He just smiled and said, "I have been wondering which great master you have learned your skills from."

"..." I knew he would ask one day. Xiang He shrugged. "I won't tell you about this for now. Maybe I'll tell you when I'm in a better mood."

"It depends on my mood?"

"of course!"

If Xiangyang hadn't spoken frankly last night, she intended to keep it a secret forever. But since he had already noticed something amiss and pointed it out, there was no need to hide it anymore.

She can see clearly whether someone will harm her or not.

Although He Sui'an in front of her had no intention of harming her, his identity was a mystery, so it was best to be cautious.

Perhaps sensing Xiang He's wariness, He Suian did not press further. Instead, he stood up and gestured for Xiang He to follow.

The two arrived at the county government office. By then it was already daylight. The yamen runners outside were yawning repeatedly. When they saw He Sui'an, they quickly shut up and respectfully led him to the back courtyard.

It was the same courtyard as yesterday, but it was completely deserted.

"Please wait here for a moment, the master will be here shortly."

"I'll trouble you, Brother Cha."

"No need for that, no need for that..."

Watching the constable walk away, Xiang He rested her chin on her hands, saying, "You have a very good reputation in the city, and many people fawn over you. Even the county magistrate takes good care of you..."

Suddenly struck by a thought, He Sui'an's eyebrow twitched slightly. "What does Miss Xiang want to say?"

Xiang He chuckled softly, turning her head to look at him. "You're guessing about me, but I'm not allowed to guess about you?"

Seeing the glint in her eyes, He Sui'an smiled and said, "Alright, if Miss Eryue Chunwei is willing to come to the capital with me, I will be frank."

"Oh?" Xiang He gave a thumbs up. "You've got your word."

He Sui'an knew what to do this time, and raised his hand in response, "What goes around comes around."

The agreement between the two was made. Xiang He withdrew his hand for a moment, and then Magistrate Zeng walked over slowly. The two stood up to greet him, "Your Excellency is too kind. We hope you will forgive us for disturbing you so early."

Magistrate Zeng waved his hand and sat down. "Is something the matter? Could something have happened to Cheng'er so early in the morning?"

"No," He Sui'an said, sitting upright with his hands on his knees, "I have something I'd like to ask you, sir. A man named Zheng Rumin died in April of the twentieth year. Do you remember him?"

“Zhang Rumin?” Magistrate Zeng frowned in thought. “The surname Zhang… four years ago…”

He tapped the table with his finger, still looking puzzled. "I don't quite remember. Is there any other clue? Maybe I can recall something."

He Suian turned her head to the side, while Xiang He gently pinched her chin, thinking that Zhang Rumin must have a grudge against the county magistrate, otherwise he wouldn't have targeted Zeng Yunqing's family. And since her grandfather was a county magistrate, he could only be a guilty person, or... a relative of a guilty person.

"Hmm... Was there a criminal with the surname Zhang before April 20 years ago? Male or female is acceptable."

"So widespread?"

Xiang He grinned and said, "I have no choice but to trouble you, sir, because I really can't determine who it is."

The magistrate waved his hand and chuckled, "No problem, no problem. Twenty years ago, in April... If you really need it, sir, why don't I check the records?"

"Wouldn't that be overstepping the bounds?"

The magistrate patted He Sui'an on the shoulder lightly, "It's nothing, sir. You wouldn't take the case file, would you?"

The two men quickly thanked him, and the magistrate summoned the constable guarding the archway and ordered him to retrieve the case file.

A yamen runner brought tea, and He Sui'an skillfully brewed it.

Xiang He watched his movements, her eyebrows curving into a smile. "By the way, sir, I ran into Miss Zeng at the private school yesterday. She didn't look too well. Is there something wrong with her...?"

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Zeng sighed, "I don't know what's wrong with this girl. She's been acting strangely and unpredictably lately, staying in her room all day and refusing to come out. I'm really afraid she'll get sick from being cooped up..."

When it comes to children, the magistrate seems to be more talkative.

"I thought she was worried about getting married, but who knew she wouldn't want to marry into a good family. I don't know what she's up to..."

Xiang He and He Suian exchanged a glance, then Xiang He picked up a cup of hot tea and took a sip. “Perhaps… it’s not something a young lady should say openly to her elders. There’s no need for you to worry about it.”

"If that's the case, then it's fine. I'm afraid she might have some bad ideas..."

Judging from the commotion over this period of time, Magistrate Zeng could easily see that his granddaughter's troubles were not simple, but he did not know how to ask her, so he could only let it be.

Xiang He was also quite helpless, but he couldn't tell Zeng Yunqing that he was being haunted by ghosts, so he could only let him continue to worry.

"Sir, the case file has been found."

The constable placed the files on the table, and the two of them looked through them one by one. Suddenly, the footsteps beside them stopped in surprise. Xiang He looked up sharply and saw Zeng Yunqing with a face full of astonishment, her eyes filled with disbelief, and tears welling up in her eyes as she bit her lip.

That look seemed to be directed at a traitor, and Xiang He felt a sense of foreboding.

Before she could explain, Zeng Yunqing turned and ran away, disappearing into the back courtyard in no time.

"Qing'er!"

Xiang He stood up, pressing down on the file. "Sir, please look for it. I'll go after Miss Zeng!"

How can I find you!

Xiang He pulled out a palm mirror and shoved it haphazardly into his hand, saying, "The two of them will lead the way."

After saying that, she strode off to chase after him.

Magistrate Zeng was left with a look of deep worry, "What...what happened..."

He Suian didn't dare to be slow. "Please, sir, search with me as soon as possible."