Back at the capital...

When the third watch of the night switched, people started to notice the fire inside the Hong fu.

But before the city guards could forcefully enter, men on horseback arrived.

One of the riders quickly jumped down and showed a golden medallion. Seeing this, coupled with the mask on the man's face, the city guards made way.

The masked people entered unceremoniously.

"Search fast." The leader hid his anxiety behind the stern voice and they scattered. He personally flew to the southern courtyard.

Seeing the path to it ablaze, his heart dropped.

Ignoring the urge to curse, he instructed a portion of the men to find signs of life first.

They employed their martial arts to scour the burning perimeters but only two corpses were found. One was badly burned but still intact. A thin piece of metal was recovered from its chest.

The second one was worse. Aside from being charred almost to ashes, the body was cut in half. Its face was unrecognizable.

"Retreat!" The leader didn't mind the burning stench and commanded the men to carry these corpses away.

It was apparent that they had seen more disturbing things.

Then, the leader traced his steps back to the gate and looked at the captain of the city guards.

"Extinguish the fire," was his order.

The captain sweated. It wasn't like they could stop it immediately. But this overlord shouldn't be offended as he held a medallion from the Emperor himself. So he saluted before following orders.

The whole district soon became busy as reinforcements were needed to stop the fire from spreading.

All the while, the leader of the masked men watched with trembling hands.

The city guards attempted to control the fire. The masked leader was there to make sure they wouldn't wander anywhere else aside from the southern courtyard.

The masked people also came and went, reporting what they found from other areas of the small estate.

Part of Mao Zhu's burden was lifted when he learned that the Hong family was unharmed and was now being tended to.

Yes, the leader of the mysterious group was none other than the 'harmless' Mao Zhu.

Hong Shu Cao, Yi Bing, and Hong Ting were found unconscious inside the main courtyard. There were three corpses discovered outside the hall.

The Emperor ordered him to take care of the Hong family. He didn't know the reason for this but the Emperor seemed to be protecting the Hong family so he had no qualms about doing what was ordered.

Ever since he allied with the Emperor, he was given the golden medallion so he could have the freedom to act in times of crisis. However, all his movements must be in accordance with His Majesty's will.

Even now, he could only go here after getting permission from the Emperor.

Mao Zhu couldn't tell whether to lament over his choice. After all, Hong Chun was nowhere to be found and she was probably in danger.

All because of the decree that he shouldn't go out earlier. He knew who the Crimson Trail was after but his Majesty forbade him to intervene. He grew suspicious when the order had been lifted on the hour of yin1.

But it was too late. He didn't know if Hong Chun escaped or was kidnapped by the Crimson Trail or worse... he didn't want to think about it.

But if Crimson Trail's reputation was accurate, the chance that she escaped was only wishful thinking.

Just what game was his Majesty playing?

While Mao Zhu was about to explode from overthinking, the city guards did what they had to. It was fortunate that the flames started from open space and didn't affect the main court that much.

If not, they had to prepare for the worst. As the other houses might also catch fire. It didn't take until daybreak for them to declare the fire was out.

However, a small pile of bones was found in the burnt courtyard. Mao Zhu's eyes sank, this one was impossible to identify.

From the scattered glass shards of a broken lamp, the person seemed to have been burned on purpose. Could it be? He felt his knees weaken at the thought.

"The captain should find a coroner soon." His words oozed a threatening tone.

"Yes!"

But before the guard could obey, Mao Zhu saw a familiar person approaching him. This was the first time he saw this person during the day but his stealthy steps were the same.

"Third young master." It was the Emperor's hidden guard who had been visiting him these past few nights.

This time, they truly looked like they belonged in the same group as Mao Zhu was wearing an identical black getup and mask as the shadow guard.

The hidden guard led him farther from the busy people and relayed the orders of the Emperor. Just like usual, he left after saying what was needed.

But Mao Zhu's gloominess couldn't be contained even under the black fabric covering half of his face.

The city guard captain was even more careful attending to him.

"Call Coroner Lao. He will be the one examining this." Mao Zhu's voice was heavy and his throat seemed to be filled with gravel.

---

Hong Ting opened his eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling. Massaging his temples, there was a dull ache.

But a flood of memories started coming back.

He and his father were arguing with his mother about his elder sister's marriage until late last night but they suddenly heard noises and grunts outside.

Father Hong tried checking it but even after the time to burn incense, he didn't come back. Mother Hong grew worried and wanted to go out too but he stopped her.

He was about to follow his father until something hit the back of his head. In the end, he didn't know what exactly happened.

Seeing the foreign surroundings, he sat upright and dashed toward the exit. He needed to find his mother and father. Something must have happened!

But when he got out of the room, a maid was already waiting.

"Young master, please be at ease. The Master and Madam Hong are in the side hall with our first madam and third young master."

Hong Ting's gaze was sharp so the maid couldn't help but quiver. Whoever said that the young master Hong was gentle like autumn rain?

"Where am I?"

"Answering young master, this is the Mao family's guest courtyard. Our third young master rescued the Hong family from the fire."

What fire? Hong Ting's face became even grimmer.

He didn't wait for the maid to lead him to the side hall. When he entered, his eyes darted to the people present. Then, they landed on Mao Zhu as though he would be the only one capable of answering his question.

"Where's my elder sister?"

The young master Mao couldn't speak. Hong Ting's heart throbbed with anxiety, trying to ignore the white sackcloth they were all wearing along with the marble urn on the table.

"Xi-xiao Ting..." Mother Hong reached out to him but he stood in his spot thunderstruck.

What was the meaning of this?

His chest fell up and down as he tried to rein his emotions in.

He turned to his father who had red eyes while holding his mother. Hong Shu Cao shook his head, unable to speak. The atmosphere was too bleak.

Hong Ting's vision focused on the marble urn. It was like the world surrounding the sturdy container lost its color.

How?

His legs lost strength and his knees fell on the floor, hard.

"Jiejie! Where's my jiejie?" He asked in a quiet voice.

His heart was burning with pain but his brain was in denial. Fire? How could a fire start all of a sudden?

Mao Zhu watched the grieving family and he felt the guilt swallowing him.

The Emperor's words were iron-clad. 'Hong Chun is dead, assassinated by the Crimson Trail.'

But he couldn't bear to tell her family so he could only say that she didn't survive the fire.

It was too abrupt. Even now, his mind was empty.

Yesterday, he was still hearing his mother talk about the wedding and busily planning who would sew her clothes and make accessories for her. His grandmother gave him a family heirloom, a pure alabaster accessory kit for his bride. He could still feel the coolness of the treasures on his palm.

But all of those were useless now.

If only, he had the power. It was because he was so weak that he couldn't afford to offend people. He was nobody so he had to stand away from the scene where his fiancé was murdered.

He couldn't do anything. How could he?! He was nothing but a baseless bastard who couldn't protect the woman he put in his heart!

Mao Zhu was so full of self-loathing that he didn't even feel the cold tears falling on the back of his hand.

If it wasn't for his mother touching his white knuckles, he wouldn't realize the blood on his tightly clenched fists.

Madam Mao had tears in her eyes while looking at her precious son. She knew how much he was hurting right now.

But she wasn't aware of the reason for his pain.