Zhan Chi was staying in a brightly lit annex.

He stood by the window, his hands clasped behind his back. The clamor outside wasn’t far; he figured the search party would reach the General’s Manor soon.

Halfway through the Hour of the Ox, Ye Qianning suddenly opened her eyes and sat up in bed.

She walked to the window and looked up. Luo Wen hadn’t noticed a thing, which told her the person hiding in the shadows had superb movement techniques.

They had burst into the General’s Manor suddenly, seemingly in a desperate chase.

Ye Qianning stood perfectly still. ’If they’re just passing through by chance, I don’t need to get involved. They’ll probably leave soon.’ 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Her ears twitched. About ten minutes passed, and then, mixed with the earthy scent of the soil, she caught the smell of blood.

"Luo Wen."

Ye Qianning called out, her voice cold.

"Young Miss." Luo Wen descended from the roof.

"To the front courtyard."

Ye Qianning leaped out of the window.

"Pangtuan?" Madam Zhan heard the noise, got up, and walked in just in time to see her leap out.

"Grandma, I’m going to the front courtyard to take a look. You stay here and don’t go out," Ye Qianning said, glancing back.

"I’ll go with you—"

"Grandma, you must listen to Pangtuan. Don’t go out," Ye Qianning interrupted, her tone grave.

It was pitch-black outside, but Madam Zhan’s gaze was met by a pair of exceptionally bright eyes. For reasons she couldn’t explain, her heart skipped a beat, and she gave a slight nod.

Ye Qianning led Luo Wen, sprinting through the long corridors under the cover of night.

At the same time, Zhan Chi also sensed that something was wrong. The moment he stepped outside, he saw her tiny figure and immediately hurried to catch up.

When Ye Qianning reached the front hall, Zhan Yi was sitting calmly in his seat, reading. Nothing seemed out of place. She turned and headed for the courtyard on the left side of the rear of the manor.

That was the courtyard where the second branch of the family had lived. It had been torn down by Old Gu and had yet to be rebuilt, leaving only a bare surrounding wall.

"Young Miss." Luo Wen suddenly stepped in front of Ye Qianning.

The stench of blood was even stronger here.

"Kick the gate open."

Ye Qianning stared intently at the closed gate. ’They’re just inside,’ she thought. ’Five presences. One is faint—that person is severely injured.’

’One person’s breathing is tight with fear. The other three presences feel rushed. They must be in a panic from the long chase.’

Luo Wen lifted his foot and kicked the sealed gate open. At the same instant, several gleaming projectiles shot straight toward them.

"Young Miss, look out!" Luo Wen deflected two with his sword, but one slipped past and flew straight at Ye Qianning.

DING!

Just as the projectile was about to hit Ye Qianning, it was parried by a longsword. Zhan Chi shielded her. "Who dares to raise a hand in the General’s Manor?"

Two men in black charged out from inside the gate, and Luo Wen leaped forward to meet them.

"It’s dangerous here. Get out, now," Zhan Chi said without turning his head, his eyes fixed on the two men in black swarming Luo Wen.

Two against one, Luo Wen was clearly at a disadvantage.

Soon, one of the men in black broke away and, in a flash of movement, attacked Zhan Chi.

Zhan Chi met his attack head-on. Blades flashed, and the clang of steel on steel rang out, exceptionally loud in the night air.

Ye Qianning spared them a single glance before stepping into the courtyard.

"Little one!" Zhan Chi cried out in alarm. He tried to disengage, but the assassin pressed his attack relentlessly, each strike fierce and deadly.

As Ye Qianning walked in, her eyes immediately fell on a dark figure leaning against a wall. By the faint light from afar, she could make out a lavishly dressed woman, with another man in black standing beside her.

This man in black was holding someone hostage.

"Y-Young... Miss..." The steward’s stuttering voice came from their direction.

Ye Qianning’s frame was so small she was nearly invisible in the dark. The woman was surprised to see a little child enter, and even more astonished when she heard the voice of the old man being held hostage.