Xinghui pushed open the door and entered at that moment, her steps light but with a hint of urgency.

She lowered her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over her master, and immediately sensed the subtle tension in the atmosphere.

Seeing the scene inside, fearing he might see something he shouldn't, Xinghui immediately lowered his head and reported, "Master, the clues to the official silver have been found."

She presented the secret report with both hands, her movements respectful and swift.

"Just as Miss Wu said, the official silver came from the merchant guild in the neighboring county. The so-called banditry in Qingyakou was actually a private army raised by the merchant guild, which was hidden in Qingyakou to cover up their activities. In reality, they were specifically there to melt down and mint official silver."

Shen Jintang paused, her movements slightly stiff, before taking the document and examining it closely.

The pages turned between her fingers, rustling softly, as if telling a hidden secret.

Her gaze swept over the words, her expression growing increasingly serious.

Xinghui added, "The owner of the trading company is surnamed Wang, and he is a cousin of Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue."

"I see." Shen Jintang sneered, her fingers tapping crisply on the table, as if striking the fire of anger in her heart.

The Ministry of Revenue embezzled millions of taels of silver, which was secretly transferred through the commercial enterprises' grain transport business. No wonder they couldn't find any trace of it even after half a year of investigation.

She thought to herself, "The person behind this is indeed cunning and ruthless."

Seeing her eyes suddenly turn cold, Xing Hui knelt on one knee, her voice filled with fear: "It was my oversight, please punish me, Master."

"What's it to you?" Shen Jintang was about to raise her hand to help, but Gu Zhixing grabbed her wrist first.

His movements were gentle yet decisive; his fingertips lightly scratched her palm, as if to soothe her emotions.

He turned to Xinghui and smiled, "Your master is angry that someone is playing tricks under her nose, not at you."

Shen Jintang glared at him, withdrew her hand, but her tone was not stern: "Keep a close eye on Wang Mian, and find an opportunity to go to Qingyakou to collect evidence."

"Yes!" Xinghui accepted the order and stood up.

After Xinghui withdrew, Gu Zhixing suddenly pressed down on her fingers that were tapping the table, his movements gentle yet carrying a hint of concern: "If Lord Shen keeps tapping like that, I'm afraid you'll end up chiseling a hole in this sandalwood table."

His voice was deep and hoarse, with a hint of a smile.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Why don't we fill our stomachs first? I've had the kitchen prepare your favorite crab roe pastries."

His warm breath, carrying a faint scent of sandalwood, brushed past her ear, making her tremble slightly.

Just as Shen Jintang was about to speak, Chongyang burst in, his steps hurried and his voice filled with excitement: "Master! We've found it! The owner of that merchant guild—"

“It’s Wang Jian’s nephew.” Gu Zhixing interrupted, casually picking up the account book from the table and tapping it on Chongyang’s head. The movement was light but carried a hint of reproach: “Your master received the news this morning, and you’re rushing to report the good news at breakfast time?”

His voice carried a hint of teasing, yet also a touch of helplessness.

This investigation is not only less detailed than Xinghui's, but it's also slower!

Chongyang covered his head and stole a glance at his master, only to see that Gu Zhixing was not angry at all. Instead, the corners of his lips were slightly raised, and there was a hint of pride in his eyes—as if he was showing off that he and his wife were of one mind.

Shen Jintang took in the whole scene, her fingertips gently stroking the edge of the teacup, a hint of a smile in her eyes.

She should have realized that, given Gu Zhixing's personality, he would definitely have secretly sent someone to investigate after overhearing her conversation with Shen Youyi last night.

He has made some progress.

But... how about speed compared to Xinghui, who specializes in intelligence?

A hint of a smile flashed in Shen Jintang's eyes; this competitive spirit was being misplaced.

"Have your people and Xinghui work separately to avoid wasting manpower." She put down her teacup, her tone calm but carrying an undeniable determination.

Gu Zhixing's eyes suddenly lit up, and he rushed over to her in a few quick steps, his movements light and eager: "I told you long ago that this is how it should be for us as husband and wife!"

He leaned over the table, trapping Shen Jintang between the chair and his chest, and laughed like a cat that had stolen cream: "You check the Ministry of Revenue's accounts, I'll keep an eye on the canal wharves, this case..."

"Who's your husband?" Shen Jintang lightly kicked his shin, the force was not strong, but it made Gu Zhixing stagger back half a step.

"Are you going to let me shout or not?" Gu Zhixing stared at Shen Jintang's eyes and asked in a rather roguish manner.

In his heart, they had long been husband and wife.

Seeing that he was about to come closer, she glanced at him and said with a hint of authority, "Aren't you going to serve the meal?" She paused, then added, "Tell Youyi to come and dine with us."

But in the end, they did not deny it.

Gu Zhixing immediately beamed with joy. As he turned around, his wide sleeves stirred a gust of wind, his movements light and graceful.

He turned back at the door, raising an eyebrow at Chongyang: "What are you standing there for? Didn't you hear Madam's instructions?"

His voice carried a hint of teasing, but also a touch of doting affection.

——

Breakfast was served in a small pavilion by the water, with all four carved lattice doors open, and a breeze carrying the fragrance of lotus blossoms swept across the jade table.

As Shen Youyi carefully stepped through the door, lifting the hem of her skirt, she happened to see Gu Zhixing rolling up his sleeves and intently peeling shrimp for Shen Jintang.

Sunlight streamed through the half-open window onto the table, casting a soft glow on the cozy scene.

"Youyi is here?" Shen Jintang turned her head slightly, her tone polite yet gentle. "Sit to my right. That sea bass sashimi was specially reserved for you."

Gu Zhixing kept his head down, and with a deft flick of his fingers, which were still covered in shrimp sauce, the pinkish-white shrimp meat landed precisely in Shen Jintang's bowl.

He leaned over to scoop the soup, and his pale white wide sleeves slipped down unintentionally, revealing two rows of shallow teeth marks on the inside of his wrist.

“Sister,” Shen Youyi narrowed her eyes, lightly tapping the same spot on her wrist with her fingertip, and said in a drawn-out tone with a hint of teasing, “Look, it’s so hot lately, even the mosquitoes are so fierce?”

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