By midday, news of what had happened at Hundred Herbs Hall the previous night had spread throughout Shu State City.

For a time, rumors flew.

Some said Hundred Herbs Hall was hiding a valuable treasure that could enhance a Martial Artist’s Cultivation.

They claimed that this, along with the Illusory Sound Sect’s previous theft of the Xiao Family’s medicinal ingredients, was all part of a search for that single Treasure Medicine.

Some said the Illusory Sound Sect was jealous of Hundred Herbs Hall’s tea business and sought to steal their recipes.

Still others claimed that after Hundred Herbs Hall’s business took off, it had cut into the profits of many other medicine halls in Shu State, which is why it invited disaster.

Whatever the case, it definitely couldn’t have been the Xiao Family Medicine Hall.

After all, if the Xiao Family hadn’t stepped in to help last night, Hundred Herbs Hall would have likely been completely slaughtered by the Evil Demonic Dao of the Illusory Sound Sect.

But beyond the gossip, many people felt a lingering fear about the Hundred Herbs Hall incident.

This hadn’t happened in some remote backwater, but was a major event in the Shu State Prefecture City.

If those of the Evil Demonic Dao dared to rob and slaughter Hundred Herbs Hall today, couldn’t they go after jewelry stores or other shops tomorrow?

Furthermore, the fact that many people in the West Market had been knocked unconscious during the incident only heightened the worries of Shu State’s citizens.

This directly caused the pressure on the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, the Imprisonment Department, and the City Guard Army to multiply.

Even the Governor’s Office and the Inspectorate Office, upon hearing of the matter, sent down orders for the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office and the Imprisonment Department to capture the criminals as soon as possible.

Thus, before noon had even passed, officials from the Imprisonment Department, the Prefectural Yamen, and soldiers from the City Guard Army were seen all over Shu State Prefecture City.

The City Guard Army set up checkpoints at the city gates to inspect people coming and going.

The government officials went through the streets and alleys, questioning people door-to-door about any suspicious individuals.

The men from the Imprisonment Department, meanwhile, focused their investigation on the inside and outside of Hundred Herbs Hall, the shops in the West Market, and the locations where fighting had occurred the previous night.

Even many of the Xiao Family Armored Warriors were following along.

However, besides the Evil Demons of the Illusory Sound Sect, the Xiao Family’s other major focus of investigation was the place where Liu Si’er had been injured.

For this reason, Ge the Third even went to the Medicine Hall, first to ask about what happened, and second to take him back to the Xiao Mansion to recuperate.

By now, Liu Si’er had regained consciousness. His body was wrapped in bandages, his left arm was fixed in a splint, and his face was sallow.

A single glance was enough to tell his injuries were severe.

Ge the Third didn’t rush to ask about last night’s events. He first spoke with the Physician, and only after confirming that Liu Si’er’s life wasn’t in danger did he help him leave the Medicine Hall.

The two of them boarded a horse-drawn carriage.

Ge the Third’s expression was normal. He cursed under his breath as he asked, "Brother Si, was that guy last night really that strong?"

Liu Si’er didn’t want to bother with him, but the thought of the black-clothed man skilled in Spear Technique inevitably filled him with anger.

"His Spear Technique is strong, but his Cultivation isn’t actually that high. He probably hasn’t reached the Middle Three Grades Realm yet."

"His voice sounded a bit old, but from the look in his eyes, he couldn’t have been very old—probably around twenty."

After hearing this, Ge the Third recalled the speculation from the Imprisonment Department’s Imprisonment Officer and asked doubtfully,

"But didn’t Magistrate Zhao say after inspecting the scene that the attacker’s Spear Technique has entered the Dao?"

Liu Si’er froze. His suspicion was confirmed, and his expression instantly soured.

A Martial Artist who had not yet reached the Middle Three Grades Realm but could cultivate their Spear Technique to the point of entering the Dao could truly be called a "Martial Arts genius."

Such individuals usually come from prestigious backgrounds.

They are either members of Noble Families and Clans, or disciples of renowned Jianghu Sects or famous masters.

Either way, it meant the man in black was no simple character.

Thinking of this, Liu Si’er asked, "Ge the Third, have the masters in the mansion made any progress?"

Ge the Third let out a sigh. "Of the people who went to Hundred Herbs Hall last night, the dead are dead and the injured are injured. There’s no useful information for the time being."

"However, a few Wandering Martial Artists were captured by the men from the Punishment Hall. They’re being interrogated in the mansion right now, so we should be able to get something out of them."

"Brother Si, are you sure you don’t know who it was that injured you last night?"

Liu Si’er replied curtly, "If I knew who he was, I’d be leading a team over there right now."

Ge the Third cursed, "Damn it. He dared to make a move against our Xiao Family. I think he’s tired of living."

The carriage made its way to the gates of the Xiao Mansion.

Ge the Third was just about to speak when he caught sight of two figures approaching through the rain out of the corner of his eye, and his curses died in his throat.

He couldn’t help but feel shocked and suspicious. ’Why is Xiao Jinghong back at a time like this? Is it because of what happened at Hundred Herbs Hall last night? Has the Old Master decided to make a final move against the Liu Family?’

These thoughts flashed through Ge the Third’s mind, but on the surface, he remained respectful as he bowed and said:

"This subordinate greets General Jinghong."

Inside the carriage, Liu Si’er was startled. He quickly lifted the curtain and stepped out, enduring the sharp pain in his arm as he bowed.

"Greetings, General."

Xiao Jinghong looked at the two of them, her gaze falling on Liu Si’er’s arm. "Who did this?" she asked.

Liu Si’er shook his head. "This subordinate was tracking a criminal last night and was careless enough to be injured by him."

Xiao Jinghong paused slightly, her gaze shifting toward the Xiao Mansion. She listened intently for a moment before asking, "Because of the Hundred Herbs Hall incident? Tell me everything."

Hearing this, both Ge the Third and Liu Si’er’s hearts went cold.

’She knows? She really does know.’

"Reporting to the General, last night, this subordinate was with the Second Master, standing guard outside Hundred Herbs Hall... The man’s Spear Technique was incredible. He has entered the Dao despite only having a Lower Three Grades Cultivation. This subordinate speculates he must come from a prestigious background."

After speaking, Liu Si’er looked ashamed. "Forgive me, General. It was a moment of carelessness that allowed him to knock me down with a single spear strike."

Just as Xiao Jinghong was about to speak, she heard a gasp from beside her.

She turned her head to look at Pei Guanli and saw her eyes were wide and round. "Do you know who that person is?" she asked.

Pei Guanli covered her mouth. "I-I dunno."

Behind her mask, Xiao Jinghong’s eyes were calm. She pressed, "You really don’t know?"

Pei Guanli shook her head repeatedly. "Dunno, dunno..."

She truly didn’t know the identity of the man in black; she just felt that the spear strike Liu Si’er had just described was very similar to a Spear Technique Chen Yi had used before.

Seeing this, Xiao Jinghong thought for a moment and decided not to press the matter with her.

She then offered a few words of encouragement to Liu Si’er and Ge the Third before leading Pei Guanli into the Xiao Mansion.

Liu Si’er watched them walk away before letting out a soft sigh of relief.

Unexpectedly, Ge the Third next to him did the same.

The two sounds merged, just loud enough for each to hear the other.

Ge the Third and Liu Si’er glanced at each other, a strange look on their faces, and let out a few dry laughs.

"Brother Si, the General’s return is perfectly timed. I doubt those petty criminals will dare to show their faces now."

"You’re right..."

「Meanwhile.」

Although Xiao Jinghong heard their conversation, she didn’t take it to heart.

She knew herself well enough.

She was used to being serious, and whether it was the Xiao Family’s Personal Guard or the soldiers of the Dingyuan Army, most of them feared her.

’It’s only human nature, I suppose.’

Just then, Pei Guanli calmed down. Looking at the familiar scenery around her, she giggled.

"Sister Jinghong, you should have told me earlier that we were coming back to Shu State."

"You had my heart pounding in my chest while we were flying just now."

Seeing Xiao Jinghong ignore her, she asked herself aloud, "Sister Jinghong didn’t bring me here specially, did she?"

"Can I stay here for a while?"

Xiao Jinghong nodded slightly. "Indeed, I brought you here to stay for a while."

Pei Guanli was overjoyed. A smile bloomed on her round face, and she began to hop and skip, her fair, tender feet splashing in the puddles. The movement caused the bell on her chest to jingle incessantly.

JINGLE JINGLE. She hugged Xiao Jinghong’s arm, acting cutesy. "I knew you were the best to me, Sister!"

Xiao Jinghong moved her fingers slightly to push her away. "I was just afraid you’d cause trouble if you stayed at the camp," she said.

Instead of being annoyed, Pei Guanli was delighted. She nodded. "That’s right, that’s right! I would only cause trouble over there. It’s better to stay here."

"I’ve been gone for so long. I wonder if brother-in-law missed me."

Xiao Jinghong glanced at her, her full, vermilion lips moving slightly, but no words came out.

’If my husband had been thinking of her,’ she thought, ’then "Thoughts of a Summer Night" and "Two Thoughts on a Summer Night" were sent to the wrong person.’

「Not long after.」

The two arrived in the rear courtyard.

From a distance, Xiao Jinghong could hear the cheerful laughter coming from the Spring Lotus Garden, and the trace of worry in her heart vanished.

’My husband... and Big Sister are so relaxed. The incident at Hundred Herbs Hall must not have affected them.’

While she was thinking this, Pei Guanli beside her had no such complex thoughts.

Upon hearing Chen Yi’s laughter, she let out a cheer and immediately quickened her pace, running into the Spring Lotus Garden.

As soon as she saw the group of people eating hotpot in the pavilion, a brilliant smile spread across Pei Guanli’s face.

Ignoring the rain splattering on her face and her soaked clothes, she ran toward Chen Yi with her arms wide open.

"Brother-in-law, I’m back!"

When Chen Yi saw her, his smile faltered for a moment.

Then he saw Xiao Jinghong behind her, and his smile returned.

He stood up and waved.

Seeing this, Pei Guanli ran even more gleefully.

But just as she was about to leap into Chen Yi’s arms, he planted a hand on her forehead, stopping her short.

Pei Guanli reached forward but couldn’t even touch the hem of his clothes. "Brother-in-law, you..."

Chen Yi glanced at her. "Don’t mess around."

With that, Chen Yi steered Pei Guanli to the side and looked at Xiao Jinghong, who was walking over at a leisurely pace. He smiled and asked:

"My lady, what brings you back today? Didn’t you say before that your return date was uncertain?"

Xiao Wan’er, standing nearby, had the same question.

However, seeing Xiao Jinghong walking in the rain without an umbrella, she just said in a gentle voice, "Hurry and come in out of the rain."

Xiao Jinghong’s gaze swept across the group, lingering for an extra moment on Xie Tingyun, before she looked at Chen Yi and Xiao Wan’er and nodded.

"I had some business and was just passing through."

But her words had barely faded when Pei Guanli, who was sulking off to the side, let out a sound of surprise.

"Sister Jinghong, didn’t you say earlier that you came back specifically to bring me here?"

Everyone froze.

Xiao Jinghong looked at her calmly. "..."

’Such a loudmouth.’