October 18th, Jingzhao.

Since Miss Ye of the Minister’s Mansion married Prime Minister Shen, time has flown quickly. In the blink of an eye, it is already October, yet Miss Ye’s belly shows no signs of pregnancy, sparking secret debates among some gossip-loving residents of the Capital.

Is it that the Prime Minister is incapable? Or is Miss Ye incapable?

This matter remains to be verified.

Shen Mansion, side hall.

A woman with peachy cheeks and a noble demeanor sat lazily on a stool, leisurely enjoying pastries while occasionally sipping high-quality Biluochun tea.

Biluochun is harvested from tender shoots of tea trees on Dongting Mountain by the shore of Tai Lake in Wu County during spring. The processed tea leaves are silver-green and curled like snails, hence named Biluochun, and considered a treasure, with one tael of tea worth a hundred taels of gold.

A man dressed in a red robe Flying Fish Robe, with a black gauze cap, a Yanyue Blade at his waist, black official shoes on his feet, and an impressive appearance, was respectfully reporting Prime Minister Shen’s movements.

"October 3rd: The Prime Minister attended the court as usual. After court, he returned straight to the Shen Mansion from the Imperial Palace, without any abnormality.

On the 6th: After court, he was delayed by some affairs, leaving the Imperial Palace half an hour later than usual, along with Gongsun Chi. The two were engaging in pleasant conversation, and the Prime Minister’s slight smile indicated a good mood.

On the 8th: As usual, no abnormalities.

On the 10th: The Prime Minister left the Imperial Palace an hour late after court, again with Gongsun Chi. Just as they were about to part ways on Lingyang Street, a man in a gray robe hurriedly intercepted them and whispered a report, after which the Prime Minister and Gongsun Chi left together.

On the 14th: The Prime Minister relieved us and went alone with Qin Yin outside the Capital City; the destination remains unknown, returning by dusk.

The following days, I was dispatched on a mission, so the records ended."

Upon finishing, Guo Hao swallowed and respectfully said, "Madam, report completed."

Indeed, it was Guo Hao, reporting Prime Minister Shen’s daily routines to Madam Shen, selectively recording certain days rather than documenting them daily.

He was reluctant, but Madam Shen’s threats combined with temptations gave him no choice but to comply.

Ye Zhi sat lazily on a stool, her expression inscrutable, supporting her lily-like delicate face with her hands, deep in thought.

Ming Yan pondered, resting her chin in one hand, thoughtfully: "The Prime Minister has been somewhat unusual these days; Madam should thoroughly investigate."

She had been at the Shen Mansion for more than three months, assisting her mistress with advice.

That day, while Ming Yan was cooking in Xinghua Village, Guo Hao and his men found her, conveying Ye Zhi’s message that she could return to the Capital City if she wished or stay with Monk Zhi Chen in Xinghua Village without objection. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Ultimately, Ming Yan decided to return to service beside her mistress, for her life was already pledged to her.

As for Master Zhi Chen, he remained in Xinghua Village, and she knew not his future.

...

Guo Hao carefully glanced at the mistress, then timidly said, "Madam, is it really okay to surveil the Prime Minister this way? If anything happens, you must protect me; you don’t know the numerous torture instruments in prison. If I am convicted of betrayal, my fellows won’t spare me."

The woman with peachy cheeks raised her brows slightly upon hearing this, sipped her tea, and softly reassured, "I’ll take responsibility; let him come to me."

His heart then settled.

Ming Yan chuckled, "Guo Hao, you’re too timid; Madam is concerned for the Prime Minister. If he knows,"