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After spending some time with Madam Yuan, Wei Ruo left.
As she exited the Prefectural Magistrate's Residence and boarded the carriage, she deliberately chose a route that would pass through Ronghua Street, as both Xu’s Braised Food and Xibaozhai’s prefectural store were located there.
While passing through an alley on the way to Ronghua Street, Wei Ruo caught a glimpse of a familiar figure through the carriage window…
A white brocade robe, a jade crown securing his hair.
Even from just a side profile, Wei Ruo immediately recognized him—it was her second brother, Wei Jinyi.
But wasn’t her Second Brother supposed to be studying under Old Master Ruan in Huzhou Prefecture? Why would he be here?
As soon as the carriage exited the alley, Wei Ruo told the driver, Xiumei, to stop.
After pulling over to the side of the road, Wei Ruo stepped out.
“Miss, what’s the matter?” Xiumei asked.
“I think I just saw Second Brother.”
“The Second Young Master? That’s impossible—he should be in Huzhou Prefecture right now. How could he be in the prefectural city of Taizhou?”
“I don’t know either, but I’m sure I didn’t see wrong.”
Wei Ruo grabbed Xiumei and headed into the alley. “Let’s go take a look.”
The two of them walked back into the alley and arrived at the entrance of the residence where Wei Ruo had just seen Wei Jinyi enter.
This house was tucked away in the alley, with an old and weathered entrance. The door panels were faded and showed signs of peeling.
She had clearly seen Wei Jinyi enter this residence just moments ago.
“Miss, what should we do? This looks like a private residence. How are we going to get in?” Xiumei asked.
Wei Ruo leaned in and whispered a few words into Xiumei’s ear.
Xiumei nodded, then walked up to the door.
After knocking, it took quite a while before the door finally creaked open.
A woman stood inside—graceful and alluring, with enchanting brows and eyes. A few wisps of hair fell across her forehead.
She had a somewhat roguish air, mixed with the demeanor of a courtesan.
The moment she saw the woman, Xiumei was visibly stunned, and the words she had prepared got stuck in her throat.
Could it be that the Second Young Master never went to Huzhou Prefecture to study? Had he secretly stayed outside, keeping a mistress in a hidden home?
Xiumei was so shocked that her jaw nearly dropped to the ground.
At that moment, the woman inside spoke, “Little girl, who are you looking for?”
“I… I’m looking for my lady’s cat. It ran out just now and jumped over your courtyard wall into your house.”
Xiumei repeated the excuse Wei Ruo had taught her earlier.
“I didn’t see any cat come in. You might come to the wrong place,” the woman replied.
“That’s impossible! I saw it with my own eyes—Xiaohua definitely ran in here!” Xiumei insisted confidently, her eyes scanning past the woman into the courtyard, trying to catch sight of Wei Jinyi.
“I’ve been in the courtyard the whole time, and I’m certain no cat came in,” the woman responded.
“Let me go in and take a look!” Xiumei said as she pushed her way inside.
The woman hurriedly tried to block her.
But Xiumei was trained in martial arts—not only was she strong, but she was also agile.
The woman had not expected Xiumei to have such strength and quick reflexes. By the time she tried to stop her, Xiumei had already forced her way halfway in.
Just as all of the woman’s attention was focused on Xiumei, Wei Ruo seized the opportunity, swiftly slipping through the gap and into the courtyard.
By the time the woman realized and shouted for the people inside to stop her, Wei Ruo had already rushed into the yard.
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