Chapter 351: Drizzle

Chapter 351: Drizzle

The painting official wore a warm smile, holding a wax paper package containing six neatly stacked pastries.

Lady Xin paused for a moment, her eyes lighting up with surprise. "Are these all for me?"

The painting official was also taken aback and nodded without thinking. "Yes."

"I had some pastries you gave me before, and they were delicious. I’ve been craving them ever since."

The painting official broke into a wide grin. "I'm glad you liked them, Lady Xin."

Lady Xin took the pastries, rewrapped the wax paper, and gracefully left.

The painting official was puzzled. "Lady Xin, where are you going?"

Lady Xin lifted the pastries in her hand and smiled. "I'm going to Qingsong Bookstore to share these with some friends."

As she walked away, a Dai Zhao official standing at the door of the eastern hall shook his head. "She just clocked in and is already leaving?"

Another person chimed in with a sour tone. "What do you expect from someone like her? With her status, who's going to stop her from skipping work?"

The painting official overheard and rolled his eyes. "It's none of your business anyway." With that, he turned and headed back to the western hall.

"Hey, look at him—" The sour-tongued Dai Zhao official made to chase after him and argue.

Another person held him back. "Forget it. He's moved up in the world. We can't afford to mess with him."

Dai Zhao Li quietly approached the door, listening to their conversation. His clenched hand relaxed, his palm slick with sweat.

The poetry official noticed the painting official returning empty-handed and asked, "Painting Official, where are the pastries?"

"Pastries? What pastries?" The painting official feigned ignorance.

"Wait, didn't you just say you bought a few pastries and were going to give one to Lady Xin first, then share the rest with us?"

"You must have misheard. There are no pastries." The painting official sat down, spread out a sheet of rice paper, and his stomach suddenly growled.

Lady Xin left the Hanlin Academy, walking leisurely down the street as she made her way to Qingsong Bookstore.

He Qingxiao’s men near the Hanlin Academy quickly reported Lady Xin's whereabouts.

"Sir, Lady Xin has gone to Qingsong Bookstore."

Going to Qingsong Bookstore at this time clearly signaled new developments. The two shared a tacit understanding in this regard. He Qingxiao made some arrangements and quietly made his way to Qingsong Bookstore.

Qingsong Bookstore hadn't opened yet. Lady Xin entered through the eastern courtyard and waited for He Qingxiao in the front parlor.

Before her were a plate of pastries and a small pouch.

"Boss, have you eaten breakfast yet?" Liu Zhou served tea and a plate of soft and sweet osmanthus cakes.

The tea was steaming hot, and the osmanthus cakes were made by Sister Yang.

"I made the tea myself, and the osmanthus cakes were made by Sister Yang. You can trust it’s good."

Lady Xin nodded. "Thanks for your effort."

"Not at all, not at all." Liu Zhou's eyes sparkled, full of enthusiasm.

Since starting to work for the new boss, life has become increasingly exciting and thrilling. How could a lowly bookstore clerk like him be so lucky!

Xin You had just finished a cup of tea and two pieces of osmanthus cake when He Qingxiao arrived.

"Lord He, have you eaten breakfast yet?"

He Qingxiao meant to say he had, but upon meeting the girl's smiling eyes, he unexpectedly said the opposite: "No, I haven't."

Liu Zhou, on his way out, shot He Qingxiao a meaningful glance.

Is Lord He being too straightforward with a young and beautiful lady? Doesn't he care about his image in her eyes at all?

He Qingxiao caught Liu Zhou's look and went silent.

That wasn't the case; he did care!

"Lord He, have a couple of osmanthus cakes to tide you over."

He Qingxiao quietly ate exactly two pieces of osmanthus cake, then got down to business: "Miss Xin, did you find anything?"

Xin You handed him a pouch.

The simple pouch, embroidered with a cluster of orchids, was understated yet elegant, completely different from the square, dark-colored pouch He Qingxiao usually carried.

Is this for me?

As He Qingxiao reached out to take it, Xin You said, "Today at the Hanlin Academy, I noticed someone had tampered with the tea jar in the office, so I took some tea leaves and put them in this pouch. Lord He, do you have anyone who can detect poisons?"

He Qingxiao's hand holding the pouch paused: "Yes."

"And please check this sweet cake too." Xin You pushed the sweet cake over.

"This is—"

"The painting official gave it to me. Though I don't suspect him of anything, in these uncertain times, it's safer to check any food I receive." Xin You said this with a calm expression.

She wasn't singling out the painting official, but caution was necessary, so there was no point in being coy.

"Then wait to hear from me." He Qingxiao looked at Xin You, a hint of apology hidden in his eyes. "The next few days will be challenging."

He knew all too well the strain of constant vigilance, and it was far from pleasant.

As the Jinlin Guard North Town Supervising Envoy, it was his job to uncover the truth, not to use Ayou as bait.

"It's not a problem." Xin You's eyes sparkled like stars, bright and clear. "This is something I've been eagerly anticipating."

Alone in the capital, she had finally reached this point, step by step.

Xin You returned to the Hanlin Academy and, after coming out at noon to find food, received the news: the tea leaves were mixed with poisonous herbs, but the sweet cake was fine.

It seemed that poisoning was the opponent's preferred method. If she didn't give them the opportunity, the next step would likely be assassination, and that was what she was waiting for.

In the following days, Xin You went to the Hanlin Academy in the morning, then to Qingsong Bookstore after work, staying there for an hour or two before returning to her residence, maintaining a very regular routine.

Zhang Yuchen, however, grew tired of waiting for Xin You to be poisoned and decided to act.

He had always been a man of decisive action, whether it was plotting against Empress Xin in the past or leading Count Gu Chang to act after discovering Empress Xin's whereabouts last year.

His second uncle was knowledgeable and capable, but he tended to hesitate and miss opportunities.

"Go, succeed or fail, just don’t fall into their hands."

The man, head bowed, saluted with a fist and retreated without a word.

That day, as Xin You left Qingsong Bookstore, a light rain started to fall.

Liu Zhou suggested, "Boss, why not ride back in a carriage?"

"Does the boss really enjoy walking that much? Doesn’t it tire her out?"

"No need, it’s just a light rain. After sitting in the Hanlin Academy all day, walking is a nice way to unwind."

"Boss, here’s an umbrella," Zhu Xiaoyue offered, handing over a bamboo umbrella.

"Thank you," Xin You said, taking the umbrella, opening it, and stepping out.

The bamboo-ribbed oil-paper umbrella opened like a blue flower, moving gently in the rain, shielding her from the cool drizzle and obscuring her view.

It was evening, and the rain had left the streets nearly empty, with only a few people hurrying by.

Xin You gripped the umbrella handle, walking at a steady pace toward her home.

She had a feeling the enemy would strike now.

The sky was dark, the streets nearly empty, and the umbrellas made movement and vision harder. If she were the assassin, she would definitely choose this time.

After passing a row of shops, the area opened up. An old man approached in the light rain, carrying a big bamboo basket.

About ten yards behind the old man was another figure, holding a black umbrella low, hiding his face. From his build, he appeared to be a young man.

Xin You's gaze fell on the approaching old man.

In the glow of the shop lanterns, she could see the old man’s plain face and simple demeanor—nothing stood out.

Yet, Xin You's gaze lingered on the old man's face for a moment before she looked away.