Sheng Yunrong looked at the mottled raindrops outside the window, feeling a little bored. She turned to look at the maid Xiang Zhu, with a mischievous smile on her lips: "Xiang Zhu, let's continue playing. Do you have any new games?"

Xiang Zhu heard this, his eyes rolled, and he immediately had an idea: "Miss, why don't we play an ancient version of 'Truth or Dare'. However, this time we will change the rules a little bit, the loser has to fulfill a wish for the winner."

Sheng Yunrong's eyes lit up and she nodded excitedly: "Good idea! Let's get started then."

The two of them set up the table and chairs in the hall. Xiang Zhu picked up an exquisite teacup and shook it gently, with a sly light in her eyes: "Miss, let me ask you a question first. What kind of ideal husband do you have in mind?"

Sheng Yunrong blushed slightly and glared at Xiang Zhu: "Xiang Zhu, your question is too much! But I still tell you, I hope he is handsome, talented, and most importantly, sincere to me."

Xiang Zhu nodded with a smile: "Okay, then the next question is, Miss, which young man in the mansion do you think is the most suitable for you?"

Sheng Yunrong frowned, but a mischievous smile hung on the corners of her mouth: "I don't want to answer this question, let's change another one."

Xiang Zhu shook his head helplessly and asked a new question: "Well, Miss, what clothes do you think look best on me?"

Sheng Yunrong looked Xiang Zhu up and down and said seriously, "You look best in this green dress. It makes your skin look fair and your temperament elegant."

Xiang Zhu was delighted when he heard this, but he couldn't help but teasing her, "Miss, you praise me so much, aren't you afraid that I will become proud?"

The two chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere became more relaxed. Unknowingly, the sky was getting dark, and Sheng Yunrong suddenly remembered something, and her expression became serious: "Xiang Zhu, I heard that there has been some unrest in the mansion recently. Have you heard any rumors?"

Xiang Zhu's face darkened and he answered in a low voice: "Yes, Miss. I heard that someone wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to usurp the throne and frame the young master. However, the young master is very smart and has seen through their plot."

Sheng Yunrong said worriedly: "Then what should we do? We can't let them succeed."

Xiang Zhu pondered for a moment, with a hint of determination in his eyes: "Miss, I think we should take the initiative and strike first. In this way, we can not only protect the young master, but also ensure the peace of the Sheng Mansion."

Sheng Yunrong nodded in agreement: "You are right. From now on, we will pay close attention to the movements in the mansion and make sure to completely crush this conspiracy."

Sheng Yunrong and Xiang Zhu were walking in the garden when they suddenly spotted a figure sneaking up to the study room of Sheng's mansion. They felt nervous and immediately followed the figure.

The figure flashed into the study, followed closely by Sheng Yunrong and Xiang Zhu. In the study, the figure was talking to a man in black, who was holding a map with every corner of Sheng's house marked on it.

Sheng Yunrong and Xiang Zhu looked at each other and immediately understood each other's intentions. They approached quietly, ready to capture the man in black.

At this moment, the man in black suddenly sensed the danger and ran away. Sheng Yunrong and Xiang Zhu chased him closely and forced him into a dead end.

The man in black had nowhere to escape and could only surrender. Sheng Yunrong looked at him coldly: "Do you think you can escape from my grasp? Now, let me expose your conspiracy."

The man in black gritted his teeth and refused to admit it. Sheng Yunrong had no choice but to order someone to take him back to the mansion and interrogate him strictly.

The night was as dark as ink, and the Sheng Mansion was brightly lit, with lanterns of various colors hanging high, reflecting a luxurious scene. Sheng Yunrong frowned, staring at the direction where Xiang Zhu and the man in black disappeared. She knew in her heart that there must be some unknown secret behind this man in black.

Soon, Xiang Zhu escorted the man in black back to the study room of Sheng Mansion. Sheng Yunrong sat behind the desk with a serious expression. She waved her hand to signal Xiang Zhu to leave, leaving the man in black standing alone in the hall.

"Who are you? Why did you sneak into the Sheng Mansion?" Sheng Yunrong asked in a cold tone, with a hint of impatience in her eyes.

The man in black pursed his lips tightly and said nothing. Sheng Yunrong's eyes turned cold, and she was about to get angry, but she saw Xiang Zhu quietly gave her a look. She was moved, knowing that Xiang Zhu must have discovered something.

"Xiang Zhu, you speak." Sheng Yunrong nodded slightly, signaling Xiang Zhu to speak.

Xiang Zhu stepped forward, bowed slightly and said, "Miss, when I was on my way to bring the man in black back, I found a jade pendant on him with the word 'Shadow' engraved on it. I suspect he might be a member of a mysterious organization called 'Shadow' in the underworld."

Sheng Yunrong's eyes flashed with surprise when she heard this. She pondered for a moment and said, "Shadow? I have heard of this name. They act in a mysterious and ruthless way. I didn't expect someone to sneak into the Sheng Mansion. It seems that we must get to the bottom of it."

When the man in black heard the word "Shadow", his eyes changed, but he still clenched his teeth and refused to admit it.

Sheng Yunrong sneered and said, "Since you refuse to tell me, I will let you have a taste of the Sheng Mansion's punishment. Xiang Zhu, take him to the torture room and give him a good beating."

The man in black turned pale when he heard this, but he still straightened his back stubbornly. Xiang Zhu nodded and led the man in black out of the study.

As the night deepened, Sheng Yunrong sat in her study, feeling worried.

The peace of the Sheng Mansion has been broken, and the appearance of the man in black is just the beginning.

At this moment, footsteps were heard outside the study. Sheng Yunrong looked up and saw a girl in green clothes walking in. She was Qing'er, the personal maid of the Sheng Mansion.

"Miss, it's late, you should go to bed early." Qing'er said softly, her eyes full of concern.

Sheng Yunrong shook her head slightly and said, "Qing'er, do you know why 'Dark Shadow' appeared in the Sheng Mansion?"

Qing'er was slightly stunned and said, "I don't know, but I believe that Miss will find out the truth."

Sheng Yunrong sighed and said, "What I'm worried about is that there might be a traitor inside the Sheng Mansion. We must find out the truth as soon as possible, otherwise there will be endless troubles."

Qing'er's face changed when she heard this. She looked at Sheng Yunrong nervously and said, "Miss, what should we do now?"

Sheng Yunrong pondered for a moment and said, "I will send someone to investigate the identity of the man in black first, and at the same time strengthen the security in the mansion. You should also be more careful and protect yourself."

Qing'er nodded and said, "I obey your command."

In the torture chamber, the man in black was under the punishment of the Sheng family, but he still gritted his teeth and refused to admit it. Xiang Zhu looked at the man in black and couldn't help but secretly admire his perseverance.

At this moment, Sheng Yunrong suddenly appeared at the door of the torture chamber. She looked at the man in black, and a complex look flashed in her eyes.

There must be a bigger secret behind the man in black, and she must uncover this secret in order to protect the Sheng Mansion and herself.

"Xiang Zhu, let him out." Sheng Yunrong said lightly.

Xiang Zhu was stunned for a moment, then nodded and opened the door of the torture chamber. The man in black walked out slowly and looked at Sheng Yunrong with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Sheng Yunrong looked at him and said, "I will reveal the secret behind you sooner or later. Now, you can go."

The man in black was slightly startled, then turned and left. Sheng Yunrong looked at his back and swore in her heart that no matter what was hidden behind the "shadow", she would uncover the truth at all costs.

Sheng Yunrong looked at the determined eyes of the man in black, and a feeling of frustration surged in her heart. She sighed softly, turned around and ordered Xiang Zhu: "Take him back, I want to interrogate him personally."

Xiang Zhu followed the order and escorted the man in black back to Sheng Mansion with several guards. Along the way, the man in black remained silent, as if he had ignored everything in the outside world.

In the back garden of Sheng's house, Sheng Yunrong sat on a stone bench, staring at the man in black with a serious expression, while Xiang Zhu stood aside, looking nervous.

"What's your name?" Sheng Yunrong asked coldly.

The man in black pursed his lips and said nothing.

"Why are you appearing near the Sheng Mansion? What is your purpose?" Sheng Yunrong's voice was filled with anger.

The man in black still didn't respond.

Sheng Yunrong frowned and turned to Xiang Zhu: "Go and try to see if you can get something out of him."

Xiang Zhu nodded, walked up to the man in black, and said in a low voice: "Why are you so stubborn? Since you have fallen into the hands of the Sheng family, is there any secret that you can't tell?"

The man in black widened his eyes, as if trying to recall something, but ultimately remained silent.

Xiang Zhu sighed and returned to Sheng Yunrong: "Miss, he seems determined not to speak. What should we do?"

Sheng Yunrong pondered for a moment, and suddenly a cunning light flashed in her eyes: "Xiang Zhu, take him to the kitchen and let him taste the punishment of our Sheng Mansion."

Xiang Zhu was stunned for a moment, then she understood what Sheng Yunrong meant. She nodded and escorted the man in black towards the kitchen.

In the kitchen, a cook was busy preparing dinner. Seeing Xiang Zhu and the man in black, she couldn't help but ask curiously, "Miss, what are you doing?"

Xiang Zhu smiled mysteriously: "Let him have a taste of our Sheng Mansion's punishment, and let him know how powerful the Sheng Mansion is."

The cook widened her eyes and didn't dare to ask any more questions. She quickly prepared a basin of hot water and a sharp knife.

The man in black was taken to the kitchen and turned pale when he saw the scene. He struggled to escape, but Xiang Zhu and the cook held him down.

"What...what are you going to do?" asked the man in black in horror.

Xiang Zhu sneered, "Don't you want to say anything? We'll let you have a taste of the Sheng Mansion's punishment and see if you dare to be stubborn."

The cook picked up a sharp knife and gently cut a hole in the black man's finger. Blood immediately gushed out. The black man gnashed his teeth in pain, but still refused to speak.

Sheng Yunrong walked in and frowned when she saw this scene. She walked up to the man in black and said calmly, "Why are you torturing yourself like this? As long as you tell the truth, I promise not to pursue the matter any further."

The man in black raised his head, a trace of struggle flashed in his eyes. Sheng Yunrong struck while the iron was hot and continued, "If you are willing to cooperate, I can help you clear your name and let you start a new life."

The man in black was silent for a moment, and finally said: "Okay, I am willing to tell the truth."

A glimmer of joy flashed in Sheng Yunrong's eyes. She signaled Xiang Zhu and the cook to let go of the man in black, and then asked, "Go ahead and talk. I'm listening."

The man in black took a deep breath and said slowly: "My name is Zhao Tiexin, and I am a secret guard of the imperial court. I was ordered to come to the Sheng Mansion to investigate something, but unfortunately I was discovered by you."

Sheng Yunrong frowned: "Investigating what?"

Zhao Tiexin hesitated for a moment and said, "Investigate whether the Sheng Mansion is colluding with the rebels."

Sheng Yunrong's face changed. She stared at Zhao Tiexin and said coldly, "What evidence do you have?"

Zhao Tiexin shook his head: "I haven't found any evidence, but I suspect that the Sheng Mansion is colluding with the rebels."

Sheng Yunrong was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "Zhao Tiexin, do you think I will believe that you are from the court just because of your suspicion?"

Zhao Tiexin was stunned and was about to explain when Sheng Yunrong suddenly ordered: "Xiang Zhu, lock Zhao Tiexin in the dungeon and keep him under strict guard. I will make a decision after I find out the truth."

Xiang Zhu took the order and left the kitchen with Zhao Tiexin. Sheng Yunrong sat on the stone bench and fell into deep thought.

…

Sheng Yunrong gently brushed away the dust on her clothes, with a hint of gratitude in her eyes. She looked out the window and said to herself, "I really have to thank Pei Jinxiao." Thinking of this, she turned and walked towards the study.

The study room in the Sheng Mansion was antique and the bookshelves were piled with books. Pei Jinxiao was sitting at the desk, holding an ancient book in his hand, his brows furrowed, as if he was thinking about something.

Sheng Yunrong gently pushed open the door, and Pei Jinxiao immediately noticed her arrival. He looked up and smiled, "Miss Sheng, you're here."

Sheng Yunrong smiled slightly, walked to Pei Jinxiao, and said, "Mr. Pei, I have something to ask of you. Can you agree to it?"

Pei Jinxiao put down the book in his hand, looked at Sheng Yunrong with clear eyes, and said, "Miss Sheng, if you have any instructions, just let me know."

Sheng Yunrong bit her lower lip and said, "I would like to ask Master Pei to help me investigate the truth behind my father's disappearance."

Pei Jinxiao's eyes flashed with surprise, but he quickly calmed down and said, "Miss Sheng, this matter is very serious. I need to think about it."

Sheng Yunrong looked at Pei Jinxiao anxiously and said, "Mr. Pei, I know this is very dangerous, but I can't just sit back and watch. My father has been missing for many years, and my mother has worked hard to raise me. I must find my father and clear his name."

Pei Jinxiao looked at Sheng Yunrong's determined eyes, secretly admired her courage, and nodded: "Okay, I promise you. But this matter involves a lot, we need to think about it carefully."

Sheng Yunrong was overjoyed and grabbed Pei Jinxiao's hand and said, "Thank you, Master Pei."

Pei Jinxiao gently brushed away the dust on Sheng Yunrong's hands and said with a smile: "Miss Sheng, let's get started."

They came to the pavilion in the back garden of Sheng Mansion. Sheng Yunrong looked at the lake and sighed, "Father used to like to appreciate flowers here the most."

Pei Jinxiao patted Sheng Yunrong's shoulder gently and said, "Miss Sheng, we will find your father's whereabouts."

Sheng Yunrong nodded, turned her head, and a firm light flashed in her eyes: "I believe you."

At this time, a servant came running over in a hurry, panting and said, "Miss, it's bad, something happened in Sheng Mansion."

Sheng Yunrong and Pei Jinxiao looked at each other, immediately stood up, and followed the servants back to the Sheng Mansion.