For a moment, Song Bai Ye thought he misheard.

Prince Jing was always busy. When would he have time to care about his family's engagement with Duke Ying's? Why would he disapprove? After thinking for long time, Song Bai Ye still didn't understand. He thought that he had offended Prince Jing somehow and sat in his chair as if he was sitting on pins and needles. He cautiously asked, "May I ask why Your Highness Prince Jing said those words?"

Seeing the terror and worry in his eyes, Zhao Jie's sword-like eyebrows went up and he gestured at Zhu Geng. "Take the item out. Let him look at it."

Zhu Geng had been waiting at the doorway for a long time. Hearing Zhao Jie's words, he took out a transcribed book from his sleeve and delivered it to Song Bai Ye. Without saying a word, he walked back to his original place.

Not knowing what was written inside the blue book, Song Bai Ye took the offered book. He flipped opened the book and his face immediately became whiter than the paper!

His hands shook and he seemed to be unable to steadily hold the book. Trembling with fear, he hastily closed the book, looked at Zhao, and was almost unable to clearly say, "Your Highness... This..."

Zhao Jie's mood was very joyful. He was holding in his smile and calmly asked, "Did you find your name?"

Song Bai Ye's mind was panicking. Even racking his brains, he couldn't understand his meaning.

This was Zhao Zhang's book. Not only had he recorded down all of the officials he had secret dealings with, he had also recorded down what they had plotted together. Each affair was clearly written down and they ranged from major crimes of secretly stashing weaponry to minor offenses like accepting bribes and bending the law. Even if a person wanted to overlook this book, he couldn't. Originally, Zhao Zhang had written down these things for convenience, just in case he forgot. However, as he wrote down more and more things, it became his Achilles' heel. If it fell into someone else's hands, not only would he suffer, but also the officials under his control.

Zhao Zhang had hidden this book very well and he was the only person that knew about the existence of this book.

But now this book had unexpectedly appeared in Zhao Jie's hands! How was he able to obtain this book? Did they still have a way to survive?

Song Bai Ye quickly went through his memories of what he had done as Zhao Zhang's follower during the past several years. Would those things have been recorded in this book? When he thought about this, his body became covered in sweat. As he looked Zhao Jie, who was unperturbedly sitting in front of him, he almost couldn't breath. "Prince..."

During the past several years, he had done many things to in order to preserve Count Zhong Yi's family. Most of the things were innocuous, but there were a few things that would be enough to sentence his entire family to death. He could only pray that Zhao Jie didn't know yet.

Unfortunately, Buddha didn't hear his prayers. Zhao Jie still had that leisurely and calm posture. Zhao Jie's tone was light and understated tone as he said the words that would control whether or not his entire family would live or die, "If I remember correctly, the matter of secretly storing weaponry is definitely related to you. Where are the weapons hidden? Is it southern Xunzhou? That area is surrounded by mountains and there's only one way out. It's a good place. Unfortunately, it's rather far. If there really was a battle, it would take too much time to transport the weapons."

At this time, Song Bai Ye already didn't have any words to say. Zhao Jie actually clearly knew everything they had done and planned! He was even leisurely helping them analyze the situation. How much information did he have against them?

This was the first time Song Bai Ye experienced Zhao Jie's power. No wonder people said he was a profound schemer with ruthless methods and that it would better to offend anyone else, but Prince Jing Zhao Jie. He seemed taciturn, but in actually, he had already surveyed the entire situation and was only toying around with people for entertainment.

Song Bai Ye didn't have time to wipe the sweat on his forehead. Panic-stricken, he kneeled in front of Zhao Jie and incoherently said, "Prince, spare me. I don't have anything to do with weaponry in the southern mountains... I only went there once..."

This didn't move Zhao Jie. He smiled while asking, "Since this wasn't related to you, why did you go there?"

Song Bai Ye was speechless. He wanted to present a better excuse. However, after saying "I" for a long time, he still couldn't provide a single word to excuse himself. After all, the weaponry really was related to him. Although he wasn't the mastermind, he was still an accomplice. During the past several years, when Zhao Zhang was having people make these weapons, it was him who directly dealt with these people. Every month, he was able to take some of the money he was given and use it to support Count Zhong Yi's residence's expenses. Now, Zhao Jie knew this matter. If Zhao Jie told this to the emperor, he wasn't sure if he would have an escape path...

Thinking of this, his dread increased.

Zhao Jie turned the ring on his thumb and unhurriedly said, "If you want to save your life and your family's, listen to this prince's words. Cancel the engagement with Duke Ying's family."

Song Bai Ye didn't understand. How were these two things related? Why would he have an escape path if he canceled the engagement with Duke Ying's family? He held the book as if it was hot potato. "Why is Your Highness Prince Jing forbidding Count Zhong Yi's family from being related to Duke Ying's family by marriage?"

Zhao Jie glanced at him. His dark eyes were luminescence and quiet. He warned him, "This is the prince's business. It's not your place to ask."

After that one glance, Song Bai Ye felt as if there was an icy draft behind his back. He repeatedly nodded and said, "Yes... this one has overstepped his authority."

What had to be said had been said. He assessed the trade-off. This engagement couldn't be kept. Prince Jing Zhao Jie had personally spoken. Even if he was reluctant, he still had to be cold-blooded and end this relationship. After all, the hundreds of lives in Count Zhong Yi's residence were still more important than Wei Luo. If the daughter-in-law was gone, he could find another one. If life were gone, then there would be no return. While feeling fearful and trepidation, he agreed. Before saying his good-bye, he said, "This book..."

Zhao Jie disapprovingly said, "If you want it, take it. Since this prince can have one copy transcribed, then I can have a second and third copy transcribed."

How could he dare to take it? Sweat dropped from his forehead as he hurriedly said, "I wouldn't dare... If there's nothing else, I'll immediately leave."

Zhao Jie declined to comment. While he was on the way out, Zhao Jie reminded him, "You have to cancel this engagement within one month."

Next month would be Wei Luo's fourteenth birthday. Once Wei Luo was fourteen, he would go to Duke Ying's residence to propose marriage. As long as he resolved the problem of House Song, he would naturally be able to resolve any other problem.

Song Bai Ye repeatedly agreed. He waited until he left Prince Jing's residence, then he heavily breathed in and out. He felt as if he had died and was alive again. It had been too frightening. He never wanted to come back to Prince Jing's residence again!

~

The temperature had been very hot in the capital for many days. There was finally a drizzle yesterday. Although it wasn't a heavy rain, the temperature was finally a bit cooler. When Wei Luo woke up the next morning and stood next the window stretching her waist, there was a cool breeze. She accepted the colorful cup with a chrysanthemum pattern from Jin Lu, rinsed her mouth, and in high spirits, she said, "I haven't gone out in a long time. Let's go outside and walk around."

Because of the recent hot weather, she had been lazy and didn't leave the residence. If she wasn't spending the day sleeping in her inner room, she was sitting underneath the trees to enjoy the relatively cooler air. Other than having to go to classes or visiting her elders to pay respect, she didn't want to move at all. As soon as she moved, her body would be covered in sweat.

It was precisely because of this quality that her cheeks remained so fair and delicate that it seemed as if water could be pinched out of her cheeks while other people became tanned during summer.

Soon, it would their birthday. Chang Hong had already prepared her gift a long time ago, but she didn't even have a clue for his gift. Since she would be going out today, she would look around. If she saw anything that would be suitable for Chang Hong, she would buy it as his gift.

Jin Lu ordered people to prepare a carriage. After Wei Luo finished breakfast and mentioned her plan to Wei Kun, and received his agreement, she left the residence.

The weather was good today. There were many pedestrians with different clothing going back and forth between the various street vendors. There were also teenage girls like Wei Luo outside. Some were wearing veils and some were ridding in their carriages. People came and went. The streets were at their bustling peak with noise and excitement.

A vermillion-lacquered eight treasure-style carriage stopped at jade shop's entrance. A teenage girl wearing a honey-colored top and a brightly colored, gauzy skirt embroidered with flowers and birds stepped down from the carriage. Her skin was better than white snow and her countenance was as fair as flowers and the moon.

It cause the people passing by to cast sidelong glances. Wei Luo was only thinking about going into the store to look around, so she wasn't wearing a veil. She held her skirt as she walked inside the store. There weren't many people inside the store. It could be considered peaceful. There were two young women looking at the items. One was wearing a pink robe and the other was wearing a blue robe.

Seeing her out of ordinary presence, the shopkeeper hurriedly came forward to personally welcome her, "May I ask what this miss is looking for?"

Wei Luo looked around the store, then she tilted her head and asked, "It'll be my younger brother's birthday soon. Is there anything suitable for a young man?"

The shopkeeper repeatedly nodded and led her to the left side towards a black display case outlined in gold, "These are all accessories for men. Miss, please look."

Wei Luo stopped at the gold outlined display case. On the top, there was a dazzling line-up of jade accessories that was a feast for the eyes. In the center of the jade accessories, there was purple tray outlined in gold and decorated with good fortune symbols.

On the tray, there was a white jade hairpin with a carved hornless dragon and an ivory pendant with a carved hornless dragon. Both of these items were very well made. Wei Luo liked them at first sight. She held both of them in her hands to look. Which one would Chang Hong like? When she thought about it, Chang Hong didn't have his capping ceremony yet and couldn't wear his hair in a cap, so he wouldn't be able to use the hairpin. She could only give him the ivory pendant.

(T/N: Capping ceremony is the male version of the female adulthood hairpin ceremony except men have it when they're twenty-years-old instead of fifteen.)

She asked the shopkeeper for the price. The shopkeeper raised his palm and swayed it. "If this miss truly wants to buy it, I'll sell it to you for five hundred silver."

It wasn't too expensive. Just as Wei Luo was going to have Jin Lu pay, she couldn't resist pointing at the other accessory and asking, "And this one?"

The shopkeeper said, "This one is slightly more expensive. It's seven hundred silver."

Wei Luo really liked it. The white jade was exquisite. When she touched it, it was slippery and smooth. She thought of the words "Modest, cautious, and noble character that's as gentle as jade". Her heart thought of a person and she involuntarily thought of him wearing this jade. She hesitantly offered, "Would you be willing to sell them both for a thousand silver? If yes, I'll buy both."

The storekeeper's face showed his hesitation. He finally had a large business transaction and this young woman was liberal with her money. Her offer wasn't too low. No matter how he calculated, he wouldn't be suffering a financial loss. And so, he pretended to be pained as he said, "Since this miss really likes these two pieces, then I'll give it to you at that price!"

Jin Lu came forward to pay. The shopkeeper personally put the two items inside a rosewood box carved with lotuses and brought it to Wei Luo, "Miss, take care."

Wei Luo personally held the box instead of handing it over to Bai Lan. She left the store perfectly satisfied.

Just as Wei Luo was about to enter the carriage and return home, Jin Lu pointed at someone and called out, "Miss, isn't that Yin Lou?"

Wei Luo stopped in front of the carriage and turned around to look. Indeed, it was Wei Zheng's personal servant girl, Yin Lou, and she was wearing an autumn-colored outer robe. She had just come out of a pharmacy and was stuffing something into her sleeve. Perhaps, she was too nervous. When she looked around, she didn't notice them, then she hurriedly left the area.

Jin Lu asked, "Why did she go to a pharmacy? Could Fifth Miss be sick?"

Wei Luo stepped onto the carriage pedal and entered the carriage, "Let's ask after we go back."

After they returned to Pine Courtyard, Jin Lu asked around. Wei Zheng had caught a cold and was in her room resting.

Wei Luo didn't think anymore about what they had seen.

--------

On the other side, Wei Zheng wasn't actually sick. She was only pretending, so she could have an excuse to send Yin Lou outside to complete a task for her.

Seeing that Yin Lou had returned, she sat up from her couch and asked, "Were you able to buy it? Did anyone see you?"

Yin Lou walked past the divider screen, took out a small white enamel bottle, brought it to Wei Zheng, and whispered, "No one saw me. This is the item that Miss asked for. Miss, please look."

Wei Zheng took the bottle. She didn't have much understanding about this type of item and only read the bottle's label, "Loveable". This was the aphrodisiac she wanted.

Yin Lou secretly knew an old woman in the red light district. Through her contact with the old woman, she was able to obtain this item. This aphrodisiac didn't need to be drunk. It could be used like incense. As long as people smelled this for a while, they would be filled with lust. Their minds and bodies wouldn't be under their control. The feeling would only stop after a man and woman coupled.

Wei Zheng had recently received Song Ru Wei's invitation. Next month, they would be going to Zi Yu Villa.

She heard from Song Ru Wei that Song Hui would also be going.