After deceiving the villain, I was forced to love him.

Just as she was getting a headache from the river wind, something exploded on the bridge.

Bai Li Ce turned around and looked—

The sky was ablaze with lights, and stars fell like rain.

Wang Qingyan hurriedly ran down from the bridge, countless molten iron splashing behind him, creating a dazzling display of light.

“…” Baili Ce stared at him intently.

Half-awake and half-drunk, Wang Qingyan gave her a dreamlike kiss.

The magnificent, cascading sparks of iron illuminated most of the sky, like golden snow falling to earth—beautiful and breathtaking.

His kiss was delicate and tender, like eating a colorful, soft, sweet, and unforgettable treat.

By the time she realized what was happening and pushed him away, the river was already covered with blooming trees, their vibrant colors swaying in the wind and disappearing into the Milky Way.

"Slap!" Baili Ce raised his hand and slapped him across the face.

The old man performing the ironwork on the bridge was stunned for a moment.

But seeing that the two didn't start arguing and the young man was still laughing, he assumed that the young couple were just flirting and continued to make snow with the stars.

Wang Qingyan covered his face and laughed. Seeing that she was both embarrassed and angry, but did not run away, he hugged her tightly.

"You! You're pushing your luck!" Baili Ce pushed and kicked, but he was defeated by Baili Ce's words.

"You can judge for yourself whether my liking for you is sudden or not."

Amidst the fragrance of moonflowers, Baili Ce heard Wang Qingyan's heartbeat quicken, and even the warmth emanating from his neck seemed to carry a sincere joy.

Looking up at this grand spectacle that was destined to end, she suddenly wished the embrace could last a little longer.

......

The process of getting the box was more thrilling than Feng Lan had anticipated.

Fortunately, Baili Ce was prepared, and Feng Lan also revealed the location of the box through other spies.

When he returned to Baili Prefecture with the real box, the groups of people who had intercepted him on the way were silenced, thinking they had completed their mission.

"What exactly did An Luoshi leave behind?"

Feng Lan lowered her head humbly and with shame, "This subordinate has not yet seen it."

Bai Liming joked, "That's true, there's nothing you can do even if you want to see it."

He pulled out the mahogany hairpin carved with a rabbit from his head, inserted it into the keyhole, and twisted it. With a click, the lock opened.

Open it and take a look——

"..." Looking at the two iron balls, several belts, and a faded congratulatory card inside, Baili Ming was a little confused.

"Is that all?"

"Can you see the trick?" Baili Ming pushed the box a little closer.

Only then did Fenglan approach to examine it.

The back of the congratulatory card reads "[On the 12th of a certain month]".

Move to the next line and write 【金五车】.

Raise the line and write "[To celebrate his birthday]"

Then, on a separate line, conclude with "[Name belongs to his/her school]".

"The first character of these four sentences together means 'named after gold'."

Therefore, the congratulatory message likely refers to the name He Jinzhan.

"This is also the first clue that led the young lady to know that He Jinzhan was the eldest son of the He family."

"But what month is this 'certain month'? And what secrets do the iron ball and belt hold? I need to investigate further."

Baili Ming put the rabbit hairpin in her hair, "Then I'll leave it to you."

"Yes."

"In addition, the assassins who intercepted our subordinates on the road have been identified."

"The Zhou family?" Baili Ming guessed correctly the first time.

"Yes"

They really won't shed a tear until they see the coffin!

Baili Ming flicked his sleeves and stepped out with a carefree air. "Uncle Feng, prepare the horses."

"In addition, we immediately reminded all the merchants we cooperate with to withdraw their money from Zhouji Money Exchange as soon as possible."

"Yes"

......

It takes about half an hour to travel from Baili Prefecture to the Investigation Division by carriage, but it is faster by horseback.

When they arrived, Bette was still keeping watch.

“You are…” Feng Lan flashed her waist badge, and the guards immediately became friendly.

"Are you two taking this person away, or would you like to find somewhere else here?"

It seems the palace has already made arrangements. "Take the man away, and for the woman... please find her a place, brother."

"Then please come with me."

Baili Ming and Feng Lan walked side by side into the long passageway. When they passed a corner with poor visibility, Feng Lan immediately stepped forward and stuffed a bag of silver into the arms of the guard who was leading the way.

Although Lin Yuchuan was upright, his subordinates also had families to support, so he wouldn't be too strict with them as long as they didn't go too far.

"This prison is pretty scary. I'll have to trouble you to find a few more people to keep us on our toes later."

The guard straightened his clothes, a look of joy and understanding on his face. "Of course, of course."

"It's normal to be a little scared since this is your first time here."

"Please wait here, I'll go find... and bring that woman over."

"Thank you very much"

Before long, Baili Ming found a long bench and sat down in a secluded cell.

Next is sulfonium.

Beside him were three skinny jailers.

Opposite them was Bicui, who had just been dragged in.

"What are you doing?! Let go!"

"Let me go... Young... Miss?"

"Young Miss! It really is you!"

Bi Cui immediately lunged at Bai Li Ming, and the jailers A and B jumped over and grabbed her from the left and right. "Are you here to save me? You must be here to save me!"

"This place is no place for a human being! Get me out of here right now... *bang!*"

Jailer C pulled out a ruler about four fingers wide and struck Bicui in the back of the knee.

In just one moment, she knelt so hard that her knees were badly bruised.

"Ha..." With her hopes dashed, Bicui turned to a cold laugh.

"You're here to avenge that bastard?"

Baili Ming glanced at Feng Lan indifferently.

Feng Lan stepped forward and asked, "When did you start working for them?"

"Heh, heh heh heh heh..." Knowing she was going to die, Bicui began to laugh wildly.

He laughed, then his voice grew hoarse with grief and indignation, "She's just an illegitimate daughter, how dare she ride roughshod over me!"

"If it weren't for her, I would be the head of the Baili family now!"

Baili Ming laughed at her overestimation of her abilities. "You think you can?"

"I've learned the same things she has!"

"Horse riding and archery, household management, etiquette, strategy—in which of these am I not better than her?!"

"If it weren't for her, the old master would have taken me in as his goddaughter long ago!"

"She deserves to die! She deserves to die!"

“Just a slut born… thud! thud!” Baili Ming raised his finger slightly, and jailer Bing struck twice with his long ruler, causing Bi Cui to cough up blood.

By then, the guard who had led the way had already gone out.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Bi Cui desperately smeared her blood on the ground and wrote words, dragging the jailers to see them...

Seeing their indifference, he strained his hoarse voice and whimpered, "Quick, quick...come...look...Baili Ce...is a private..."

Jailer C looked at Baili Ming.

Baili Ming nodded.

Jailer C turned to jailers A and B, flipped his hand, and gave them a thumbs-down.

The jailers A and B immediately threw Bicui to the ground, each pulling out a long ruler hidden in her back coat and striking her with great precision.

After eight long strokes of the ruler, Bi Cui fell silent.

After jailer C delivered the final blow, "..."

Only Feng Lan heard a low cracking sound coming from Bi Cui's head.

Then, Fenglan handed over nine silver notes worth one hundred taels each.

Upon receiving the money, jailer C immediately distributed it to jailers A and B. After verifying that each banknote was genuine, he then swiped his palm at Baili Mingping.

They indicated they would handle it properly.

Baili Ming left with Feng Lan, satisfied.

Then they went to Baili Chengjun's prison.

Bai Liming had the same reaction and didn't want to watch it a second time.

So she let Fenglan in and gave her foolish younger brother two choices.

Stay here forever.

Or break both legs and leave.

"Ah—" In less than half a moment, a scream came from the cell.

Then came the second sound, "Ah..."

The screams were cut off before they could finish.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Feng Lan, having finished her business, came out from inside, a little blood still splattered on her shoes. "The bleeding has stopped. Should we take him back to Baili Prefecture?"

"No need. Doesn't he have a house in Kyoto? Just find a cart and take him back there."

"Should we find him a doctor?"

"Does seeing a doctor cost nothing?"

"Let him endure it. If he's lucky, he should be able to wait until the fifth branch of the family comes to pick him up."

"Yes"

......