The young man's heart cried out, "Little sister, dawn will eventually come!"

The next day, as dawn broke, Qin Weixi, half asleep and half awake, vaguely heard the sound of a sudden gust of wind running merrily downstairs, and the faint sounds of Feng Hua laughing and talking coming from the corridor. She opened her sleepy eyes, and a gentle smile involuntarily appeared in her gaze.

She lifted the hanging curtain, put on her shoes, and stepped out. Pu Niang, who was guarding outside, heard the slight noise and brought in a copper basin filled with hot water. Qin Weixi walked to the small window and saw Feng Hua leading Zhou Feng in the corridor, while Zhao Shuhan sat on the balustrade, watching Zhou Feng and smiling.

Feng Hua's cheerful voice drifted into the second floor. As if sensing someone "peeping," she quickly looked up and searched around. Seeing a figure peeking out from the second floor of Tingyu Pavilion, she hurriedly ran out of the corridor and stomped up the wooden steps.

Feng Hua pushed open the door, her face beaming with excitement: "Miss, you're awake?"

Zhao Shuhan followed her in and said with a smile, "Why don't you sleep a little longer?"

Qin Weixi sat in front of the bronze mirror and asked, "Did you sleep well last night?"

Zhao Shuhan nodded, no longer as reserved as before, and sat down on the rose chair under the window.

Feng Hua rolled her eyes and left the house. A short while later, she came back in carrying two small porcelain jars: "This morning, when it was still dark, Luo Yuan brought these two small porcelain jars over. I don't know how long he stood outside the courtyard."

Qin Weixi was sitting obediently in the chair, letting Pu Niang fuss over her black hair. When she heard this, she looked up and saw a small jar of face cream and a small jar of blood-clotting ointment.

This ointment can quickly stop bleeding and speed up healing when applied to a wound. Her Listening Rain Pavilion already has several small jars sent by her brother, so why would he send another one?

Thinking of this, she turned her gaze to the small jar of face cream, but out of the corner of her eye she caught Zhao Shuhan on the rose chair with her eyes downcast and her face flushed.

Upon seeing this, Qin Weixi's eyes flashed with a lively light, and a charming smile appeared on her lips.

Then Feng Hua hummed, "This servant smelled alcohol on Luo Yuan and thought he had been drinking!"

"Who knew that Luo Yuan's eyes kept darting away. I sensed something was wrong and pressed him for details. I learned that when the young master returned last night and heard that Miss Zhao and Young Master Ping An had come to the mansion, he somehow sent Luo Yuan to the Zhao family to smash all the wine that Master Zhao had stored."

Pu Niang paused in mid-air, holding the comb, then cleared her throat and made a move to cover Feng Hua's mouth. Feng Hua blinked her big eyes and hopped around, dodging back and forth, but then she heard her young mistress suddenly clap her hands: "That was a good smash, a brilliant smash!"

Feng Hua and Pu Niang were both stunned upon hearing this. Finally, Feng Hua covered her mouth to suppress a laugh and was about to speak again when Qin Weixi interrupted her with a smile: "I also want to have some wine today. Go and find some peach blossom wine."

Feng Hua asked doubtfully, "Are we drinking so early in the morning?"

Qin Weixi urged her, "Go and get it quickly."

Feng Hua looked up at this and that, then quickly ran out. Seeing this, Zhao Shuhan immediately stood up as well: "Sister, I'll go with Feng Hua to take a look too."

The room suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the old man and the child gazing at each other in the bronze mirror. They said nothing to each other, yet they smiled knowingly at each other.

After a short while, Qin Weixi asked, "When did you return last night, brother?"

Pu Niang gently asked her as she combed her hair, "I heard from Luo Yuan that it was after 9 PM. I also heard that His Highness the Crown Prince came along and met Mu Tong in the outer courtyard."

Qin Weixi pondered for a long time: "Brother, have you said where Mu Tong is temporarily settled?"

As the current head of the Imperial Household Department and a subordinate official of the Crown Prince, Luo Ling has seen many colleagues trying to form a close relationship with him since returning to the capital. Although the Luo family is full of Luo Ling's confidants and loyal servants left behind by Luo's father, in order to ensure everything goes smoothly and given that Luo Ling is the only witness in the Penglai massacre, Mu Tong's residence must be kept extremely safe until the Qin family can clear his name.

Pu Niang shook her head: "I'm afraid we'll have to wait until the young marquis has recovered from his injuries and the brothers sit down together to think about this."

Qin Weixi thought for a moment and then asked, "Puniang, do you know where your mother learned her beauty-making skills?"

Pu Niang looked into the bronze mirror and saw that her brows were furrowed. Knowing that the young lady would not ask about this for no reason, she pondered for a moment and said, "This old servant has been taking care of the lady since she was still a maiden. At that time, the lady was very good at painting, but she never showed it to others."

"Later, when she was about to get married, the old lady kept her confined to her room for more than a month. On the night before her wedding, the lady cried until her eyes were red. The next day, she drew her eyebrows and applied makeup, looking just like a girl who was about to become a bride. Even the makeup artist praised her highly."

"Later, before you returned to the capital, Miss, the Madam taught this art of makeup to this old servant. One day, the Madam spoke to this old servant with great emotion, and mentioned her youth and her old lady. This old servant thought that perhaps it was taught by the old lady back then? Every family has its own things that are hard to explain. The Madam did not tell this to this old servant, so this old servant naturally did not ask."

Qin Weixi listened attentively and nodded when he heard this part.

Pu Niang's eyelids twitched, and she hurriedly asked, "Is it related to the Qin family case? Should this old servant write to Jiangnan to ask Madam?"

Qin Weixi smiled and said, "It doesn't really matter. I just feel that if Madam Xu had mastered the art of face painting back then, then perhaps there are other people in the world who would have it."

Pu Niang nodded, and as she spoke, she looked at the dignified young girl in front of her through the bronze mirror, her eyes filled with affection: "Miss looks much better these past two days."

She picked up the hairpin from the dressing table and placed it in her hair. Suddenly, she said very seriously, "Fenghua is not here. Can you tell this old servant something private? This old servant saw with her own eyes yesterday how the huge Qingyi Garden was built."

Qin Weixi sighed softly and interrupted her with a smile: "Puniang, didn't I say you don't need to call yourself a slave in front of me?"

Unexpectedly, Pu Niang also sighed slightly, but then changed the subject: "Speaking of this child, he was exiled for the sake of the Qin family back then, and spent so many years at the border. He is practically a nephew of the Emperor. Doesn't the Emperor feel sorry for him?"

Qin Weixi pretended not to hear, continuing to rummage through the dressing case for unknown items, but her ears were perked up. Hearing Pu Niang sigh softly again, Qin Weixi stopped what she was doing and looked up at Pu Niang.

“Puniang, he is doing his best to protect me, and I will do my best to protect him from now on. I am behind him. He is behind me.”

Upon hearing this, Pu Niang's eyes lit up, and she then lovingly embraced her: "Oh my, young lady, could it be that..."

Qin Weixi blushed, a rare occurrence for her. She then quickly found a pair of earrings in her dressing case and put them on. "Puniang can't tell her brother about this yet." She added at the end, "And her father, mother, and grandmother too."

Pu Niang smiled with her lips pursed, and then heard the now grown-up and graceful young woman lean her head gently against her chest and whisper: "After dinner, I would like to make some pastries. I would like to trouble you to go to the Marquis's residence, Pu Niang."

Pu Niang hurriedly said, "If Miss is happy, this old servant will not object." Seeing Qin Weixi look up at her, she quickly changed her words, "Pu Niang will personally deliver those pastries to the young marquis."

For the past few days, Luo Ling has been leaving early and returning late. With Emperor Kang Le's decree, he has put aside all official business and devoted himself to helping the Crown Prince thoroughly investigate the assassination of Marquis Jingning. However, after several days, there is still no clue as to the assassin who "seriously injured" Marquis Jingning.

After the son of the highly decorated General Chu Lanze returned to the capital, he was assassinated twice in succession, and the murderer could not be found. Emperor Kang Le was furious and reprimanded the innocent court officials who had been caught up in the trouble at the court meeting.

The officials dared not speak their anger in front of the emperor, and could only return home and complain to their wives or children behind closed doors: "His Majesty is getting older and more irritable." They also shook their heads as they recalled the late emperor's imposing presence without anger.

The wives were terrified: "Be careful what you say!"

Inside the Luo residence, Qin Weixi could only watch his elder brothers bustling about, unable to enter or leave the inner court of the Eastern Depot. Yet, he would personally cook or estimate the time to prepare hot soup and fresh food for them or Luo Ling to dine together when they returned. He would also trouble Que She to make a trip to the Marquis's residence every day to bring some pastries.

Sparrow Tongue always returned with the order: "He ate it all, he ate it all. The Marquis insisted that I watch him eat it all before he would allow me to leave."

Sparrow Tongue pretended to "cry out in agony," while Qin Weixi couldn't help but chuckle and still personally brewed hot tea and served pastries to entertain her.

As the days passed, the Zhao siblings saw that Luo Ling's hurried steps gradually stopped, and they were about to say goodbye and leave. However, Ping An, with lingering reluctance, tightly gripped the hem of his clothes, his eyebrows drooping, showing great reluctance.

Luo Ling stood in front of the mansion gate with his usual warm smile: "These past few days, I've been so grateful to Xiao Shu for being here, otherwise I would have been really worried."

Qin Weixi turned around and winked at Zhao Shuhan, which Luo Ling saw with a puzzled look.

Zhao Shu smiled and said, "We were just saying that if my sister gets married someday, will you also stay at your brother-in-law's house? You'll be so reluctant to part with her, won't you?"

"Wh...what marriage!" Qin Weixi's face remained calm, but her ears turned red in an instant.

Luo Ling was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this, and then gently rubbed her hands together, as if she were seriously considering this seemingly illogical question.

Ping An grinned from the side, and Luo Ling added, "Ping An's chess skills have improved recently, and I'm afraid he'll surpass his brother soon."

Ping An blushed slightly: "Not at all. It's because you're my elder brother, you're giving way to me."

Luo Ling smiled gently and shook his head: "I never show mercy." Then he changed the subject and said seriously: "The Ministry of Rites recently opened up a position for a Censor. If you are willing, you can ask your father for his opinion when you get back. It is possible to fill this vacancy. Although it is a minor official position of the seventh rank, it is still a good opportunity."

"If you don't want to stay in the capital, Chun'an County under the jurisdiction of Hangzhou Prefecture is still short of a county magistrate. Without Grandmother Zhao's frequent requests for Eunuch Ding to go down the mountain to keep an eye on you, you can be a little happier. However, there is still a county magistrate above you who is keeping an eye on you."

“I’ve investigated that magistrate; he’s an upright and honest official who cares for the people, but he’s a bit old-fashioned.” These words were spoken to Zhao Shuhan.

Upon hearing this, Qin Weixi's delicate eyebrows arched slightly. Not long ago, Luo Yuan had dared to break into the Zhao family and smash wine jars, but today he was addressing her as "your father." How come she hadn't noticed before that this elder brother, who was like a father to her, also had such a youthful side?

As if knowing what she was thinking, Luo Ling reached out and tapped her forehead: "You little devil!"

Qin Weixi cleared his throat, intending to retreat back into the mansion, leaving that delicate little world to the two of them, when Zhao Shuhan said without hesitation, "Then let's go to Chun'an County!"

“I will always find a way to get my father to go, and if all else fails, I still have my great-aunt behind me. Once my father is gone, my mother can come out of the small Buddhist shrine.”

She smiled and said, "The scenery outside is so beautiful. The flowers are blooming, the autumn leaves are falling, and the winter snow is coming. Mother can take the time to appreciate it."

Her words conveyed decisiveness and determination.

Qin Weixi stepped back over the threshold and clapped her hands, saying, "Good! Xiaoshu! Your younger sister supports you. You have not only your great-aunt behind you, but also us!"

Zhao Shuhan smiled, a hint of contentment on her face, and hurriedly bent down to thank him. Qin Weixi noticed out of the corner of her eye that Luo Ling quickly dodged to the side, so she immediately supported Zhao Shuhan with one hand.

"Xiao Shu, from now on you are not allowed to say thank you!"

Zhao Shuhan laughed heartily, her bright eyes sparkling like stars in the sky. She stepped forward and gently patted her head: "My sister is much more lively than when she first returned to the capital. I, as her older sister, am very happy."

Ping An chimed in, "Happy! Let's go home!"

The brother and sister watched the carriage that had accompanied the Zhao siblings drive away until it was out of sight before they turned around.

Qin Weixi smiled at Luo Ling, recalling Zhao Shuhan's mention of Grandmother Zhao on Xiaguang Peak, and said, "Brother, I'd like to visit Xiaguang Peak another day."

Luo Lingzhi understood, because the wooden boy had mentioned that the Penglai massacre involved palace maids he had never seen before. He nodded and said, "Brother will go with you."

Qin Weixi's eyelashes fluttered, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "That day, Fourth Brother said he also wanted to go up the mountain."

Luo Ling suddenly revealed a meaningful smile, then quickly regained her composure: "It would be best if Ye Ning were here."

Qin Weixi lowered her eyes, and the two siblings walked side by side into the courtyard. They talked about the wooden boy who was now staying in the outer courtyard.

Luo Ling said, "Brother, you've been to Ye Ning's place and discussed this matter with Qingyun and Ajun. Why don't we let him stay at the Luo residence? Doesn't Pu Niang know the art of face painting? If he wants to leave the residence these days, we'll have to trouble Pu Niang. It's not easy for him to reunite with Miss Song. As the saying goes, the most dangerous place is the safest place. Brother won't let Mu Tong be imprisoned again."

After listening, Qin Weixi pondered for a while before asking, "Brother, have you mentioned to your elder brothers the matter of the wooden boy seeing Penglai?"

Luo Ling nodded, his eyes momentarily deep, but then returned to their usual calm: "Qingyun, Ye Ning, and A Jun all want to keep Mu Tong at the Marquis's residence, or at Aunt Tao's estate in the suburbs, or at the other place A Jun mentioned, but I think it's better for you to stay at the Luo residence. That way, I'll feel at ease, won't I?"

"As the eldest brother, I also want to do what I can for my uncle and aunt and for Ashu."

Qin Weixi felt a lump in her throat upon hearing this, and forced a smile, saying, "Actually, it's fine for them to go anywhere, even if they wander the world. Just don't be by my side."

Luo Lingzhi knew she must be thinking about the near-death experience in the river years ago, so he gently comforted her, "Little sister, didn't your brother say that you will eventually see the people you want to see? For example, Miss Xia? For example, your father and mother, your grandmother, and your maternal grandparents."

"Little sister, dawn will eventually come!"