Pei Yan's Investigation

“So this time there are only two! But next time you want me to take you somewhere, you'd better make proper arrangements.”

“…” Was he planning to turn her into long-term labor?

Ignoring Zhao Chang Xing's movement to take the fan, Zhao Chang Ge continued, “Later, let's stop by the bird and flower market. I need to buy some more fruit tree saplings.”

“Didn't you buy a lot last time? Is your small courtyard still not full?”

“I'm preparing to paint and want to study them a bit. Not all of them will be planted,” Zhao Chang Ge replied calmly.

“Then let's go take a look.” Zhao Chang Xing nodded, not doubting her at all.

Afterward, the siblings went to the bird and flower market together.

This time, Zhao Chang Ge did not wander aimlessly like before. She walked straight to the stall selling fruit tree saplings.

Looking at the lush green saplings displayed before her, Zhao Chang Ge's heart fluttered with excitement. Fruit! They were all fruit trees!

She turned to look at Zhao Chang Xing standing beside her and smiled, “Second Brother, help me buy a few pots of flowers.”

“Sure.” Zhao Chang Xing nodded, then walked toward the stall selling young flowers.

Once her second brother was far enough, Zhao Chang Ge immediately pointed to a sapling and asked, “What tree is this?”

“An apple tree.”

“And this one?”

“A pear tree.”

Zhao Chang Ge nodded in satisfaction, glanced at the other saplings, and decided, “Give me two of each kind here, and have them delivered to the Zhao Manor.”

“Certainly!” The stall owner beamed. Today was a big business day!

After Zhao Chang Ge paid, Zhao Chang Xing returned.

“I bought a few pots of orchids for you.”

“Mhm, thank you, Second Brother.” Zhao Chang Ge smiled warmly. Having bought so many saplings today, she was in an exceptionally good mood.

Seeing his younger sister so happy, Zhao Chang Xing glanced at the pile of saplings and thought to himself—they are just a few potted plants, is there a need to be this joyful?

Having bought everything they needed, the two returned to the Zhao Manor.

***

On the other side.

Pei Yan's subordinate had brought the *Geographic Gazetteer* back to the villa.

Pei Yan took the book and slowly flipped through the pages. Before long, he found a slip of paper with elegant handwriting tucked inside.

[I only read one page.]

A short sentence.

One person, one page... Was she washing her hands of her family?

Pei Yan looked at the handwriting, his usually calm eyes flashing with a strange light.

Clever, very clever.

But if it were him, he would absolutely never place his life in the hands of someone else's kindness.

Only ten years old yet possessing such methods... indeed, she was extraordinary!

The Zhao family...

Pei Yan silently repeated the name in his mind, his gaze deep. The Zhao family was a great prestigious clan, one he hadn't considered before. But now...

He smiled faintly, his eyes sharp.

“Zi Yi, do we have our people near the Zhao family?”

Pei Yan let out a soft, cold laugh, his thin lips curving into a deep, calculating arc.

“Zi Yi, is there any news?”

“Jia Yi is currently in Ping City. This time, she accompanied the Zhao family's convoy here under the guise of lecturing the Zhao family's young miss.”

Such a coincidence?

Pei Yan murmured the name “Jia Yi,” his tone carrying a hint of interest, then said slowly, “Tell her to temporarily remain by the Zhao family's young miss's side.”

“Understood.” Zi Yi nodded in acknowledgment.

Speaking of which, their Earthly Branches Shadow Guards were all trained by the Heavenly Stems Shadow Guards. Among them, “Jia” was the strongest unit of the Heavenly Stems, with far superior strength. The members of this group were ranked according to their individual abilities, and for Jia Yi to stand at the top showed her extraordinary prowess.

To place such a master beside the Zhao family's young miss... wasn't it a bit of a waste of talent?

***

After worrying about the *Geographic Gazetteer* for two days without anyone coming for her, Zhao Chang Ge simply threw it to the back of her mind and focused on enjoying her peaceful days.