When Zhao Shi'an began studying at the county magistrate's office, he was slowly building up his own power base.
The Wind and Rain Gate, an intelligence organization that has suddenly sprung up in the martial arts world, is his creation.
The house he is currently in is their secret meeting place in An County.
"Who are those people?"
"They were all dead, but this was found on them."
Xiao Liu handed Zhao Shi'an a black token with patterns.
Zhao Shi'an rubbed his thumb together a few times, then looked at it under the light and frowned.
It is the Gao family of the capital.
There's no need for an investigation this time either.
They came for the Eighth Prince.
"No need to investigate any further. Have someone secretly protect that person named Mian'er."
Xiao Liu glanced at the token with curiosity.
"Master, who is this Mian'er? It seems that the young lady risked her life to save him."
Zhao Shi'an's expression suddenly turned even colder.
"No need for protection anymore. Just have someone keep an eye on them, as long as they don't die."
"ah?"
Xiao Liu met Zhao Shi'an's gaze and abruptly lowered his head.
"I understand. There's one more thing."
"explain."
"As for that group in the Northwest, the grain seeds have already been transported away, but their people haven't left yet, and they've even arranged for people to keep an eye on you, Master. Do you think we should deal with them?"
Zhao Shi'an knew that it was Fang Zhu's man.
The thought of Fang Zhu made him angry.
He could not forget the jade pendant that Fang Qing gave to Fang Zhu.
Fang Zhu, who only took control of the Northwest after the Gao family was destroyed in his previous life, seems to be doing even better in this life.
If Fang Qing knew that this person had become a great general, she would be very happy, right?
Thinking of this, he felt a sudden surge of jealousy.
“They’re military personnel. If we can’t handle it, send more people to keep an eye on them, prevent them from getting close to Fang Qing, and don’t let Fang Qing know anything about Fang Zhu.”
"Yes, that's the arrangement."
Xiao Liu was walking out when he suddenly turned back, as if remembering something.
"Master, in Ma Family Village, our men were caught in the act by the young lady, and she must have been quite frightened..."
Xiao Liu's voice grew softer and softer, because Zhao Shi'an's face was so dark it looked like it was about to freeze.
A bunch of useless trash.
With that girl's limited courage, wouldn't she be terrified if she stumbled upon such a scene?
"roll!"
Xiao Liu didn't dare say anything more and slunk outside before finally letting out a sigh of relief.
The master is as attentive to the young lady as ever.
Zhao Shi'an returned to Fangjia Village that evening.
It was quite late, and Fang Qing was already asleep when he got home. Fang Daniu came out wearing a coat to open the door for him.
"Why are you back so late? Is something wrong at the academy?"
"No, I just suddenly felt like going home, so I came back to visit and brought Douya some of her favorite snacks."
Fang Daniu immediately understood what was going on.
This is the osmanthus cake that Fang Qing likes to eat, but it's only available in limited quantities at pastry shops, and they only make it on the first day of each lunar month.
It seems Zhao Shi'an had been queuing for a long time, which is why he got home late.
"Just keep indulging her. This snack isn't mandatory. It's late at night and the road is difficult to walk on. What if something happens to you?"
"fine."
Hearing the commotion, Zhao also came out of the house.
"Shi'an, why are you back at this hour? Have you eaten? If not, I'll make you something."
"You've eaten, go back to sleep now."
Fang Daniu and Zhao Shi were also very tired, so they went back to their room after seeing that he was really alright.
Zhao Shi'an put the snacks in the kitchen, then quietly went to Fang Qing's room.
Fang Qing was fast asleep at this time, and Zhao Shi'an sat down by her bed without noticing.
In the darkness, Zhao Shi'an traced Fang Qing's features with his eyes.
She slept restlessly, curled up in a ball, her brow furrowed tightly.
Zhao Shi'an took out a string of Buddhist prayer beads from his pocket, gently placed them on her wrist, then lay down beside her and held her and the blanket in his arms.
He gently patted Fang Qing's back repeatedly to comfort her. Soon, Fang Qing relaxed and her breathing gradually calmed down.
Zhao Shi'an didn't leave either. He held Fang Qing in his arms and slept through the night. Before dawn the next day, he quietly left and went back to his own room.
When Fang Qing woke up, the area next to the blanket was still warm.
She remembered having a nightmare last night, but now that she's awake, she can't recall exactly what it was.
She had just gotten up when she noticed something on her wrist. She raised her hand and saw the bracelet.
It's sandalwood; you can even smell a faint fragrance if you bring it close to your nose.
The beads didn't look new; they looked like they'd been handled, and they had a beautiful sheen.
Just then, Fang Qing heard Fang Daniu and Zhao Shi'an talking in the courtyard. She quickly got up and ran out without even getting dressed properly.
"Brother! When did you get back? Did you give me this bracelet?"
Zhao Shi'an turned around and straightened Fang Qing's clothes.
“You came back after you fell asleep last night. Wear the bracelet with you. I got it from the temple before. The abbot blessed it. It’s good for calming the mind and helping you sleep.”
Fang Qing happily stroked the string of beads on her wrist.
"Thank you, brother."
"Why are you being so polite with me?"
Zhao Shi'an rubbed her head.
"I bought you osmanthus cake. Go wash your face, you can eat it in a bit."
Fang Qing ran back into the house, quickly washed her face and brushed her teeth, and before dinner was served, she grabbed a piece of osmanthus cake to eat.
Zhao Shi'an stayed home, and Fang Qing didn't go out either.
Fang Qing was worried that Zhao Shi'an would ask about Majiazhai, and she had prepared her answer, but Zhao Shi'an didn't mention it all day.
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