The characters on the paper were fluid and elegant, carrying a unique charm, distinct from the rough and careless handwriting of that day.
The two styles bore no resemblance to each other, yet for some reason, Duan Ling was inexplicably reminded of that note.
He silently memorized the address written on the paper, his mind conjuring up the corresponding inn.
Casually, he handed it over to the Jinyiwei and turned his gaze indifferently toward Lin Ting.
“Miss Qian, take care.”
“Thank you, officer.”
From the moment Lin Ting took the paper from Duan Ling, she had been secretly observing his expression.
Seeing no change, she finally felt at ease.
When she wrote that letter, she had used her left hand, whereas now, she was using her right.
Her left-handed writing was noticeably different from her right-handed script—the former was somewhat unsightly due to her lack of practice, while the latter was much more refined.
Generally, it was difficult to tell that they were written by the same person.
Even though Duan Ling was keenly observant, he might not necessarily notice the discrepancy.
Lin Ting was glad she had been cautious when writing the letter.
However, she showed no sign of it on her face and left the Wen Chu Academy with Tao Zhu at a steady pace.
Once outside, she immediately weaved through the streets and alleys, pretending to shop for medicine.
She entered several pharmacies, only to slip out through their back doors, taking every precaution to shake off any potential pursuers Duan Ling might have sent after them.
Tao Zhu, having spent most of her life in a residence with little physical activity, was soon gasping for breath.
Worried that Lin Ting might be feeling unwell, she suggested stopping to rest.
“Seventh Miss.”
Lin Ting, looking around like a thief on edge, showed no sign of fatigue.
“What’s wrong?”
Her voice was full of energy—where was the supposed discomfort?
It seemed like she could still run a few more laps.
Tao Zhu couldn’t help but admire Lin Ting’s stamina, even more so her drastic transformation in such a short period.
Two years ago, she had been a delicate and pampered young lady, unable to carry even a light burden.
She had a spoiled temperament, prone to throwing tantrums, and refused to go out unless there was a carriage.
Even walking a few extra steps would make her complain.
However, despite her arrogance and lofty ambitions, Lin Ting had always maintained a facade in front of others.
She pretended to be a generous, kind, and approachable noble lady, using this persona to gain admiration, a good reputation, and praise.
Even her father, Master Lin, was unaware of her true nature.
Thus, when Lin Ting’s demeanor and conduct changed, only her close maid Tao Zhu noticed.
Everyone else remained oblivious.
For a time, Tao Zhu even wondered if this Lin Ting was an imposter.
But some of her unique habits remained, proving that she was indeed the Seventh Miss.
Tao Zhu figured that perhaps Lin Ting had simply changed her mindset and no longer obsessed over surpassing Third Miss Duan in everything.
Seeing no sign of discomfort on Lin Ting’s face, Tao Zhu hesitated before asking, “Why are you investigating that Young Master Fu? Does he have something to do with your business? And how did the Jinyiwei get involved?”
Lin Ting was also puzzled—how did this matter get tangled up with the Jinyiwei?
Fu Chi’s disappearance, when reported to the authorities, should have been classified as an ordinary missing persons case.
The Jinyiwei, busy serving as the emperor’s enforcers and monitoring the court, had no reason to be involved in such an affair.
She pondered for a moment but chose not to tell Tao Zhu about the bookstore’s hidden dealings in the Jianghu.
Given her timid nature, she would surely be worried sick.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll handle it.”
Tao Zhu steadied her breath, still skeptical.
“Are you sure there won’t be any trouble?”
Lin Ting hummed in acknowledgment.
Spotting a colorful lantern hanging beside the signboard of the Yuxian Tower, she added, “Change your clothes and go to Nanshan Pavilion. Get a private room and wait for me there.”
A colorful lantern beside the Yuxian Tower sign was the signal for customers of the bookstore seeking urgent contact.
The bookstore was a business Lin Ting co-owned with a young man.
Since he wasn’t around, she had to handle matters herself.
Tao Zhu was gradually getting used to Lin Ting’s new way of doing things and didn’t ask further.
“Be careful.”
Lin Ting took a detour to the bookstore.
On the surface, her bookstore was no different from any other in the capital.
Upon entering, one would see rows of books neatly displayed on shelves.
A few steps further, paintings hanging on the walls would come into view.
Those were landscape paintings Lin Ting had bought from roadside stalls for a few coins to make the bookstore appear more refined.
When the young man saw them, he had only given a cold comment: “Pretentious.”
Lin Ting ignored him and continued hanging up her inexpensive landscape paintings.
Now, she stepped past a painting that had been moved from its original position by someone and made her way upstairs.
As she neared the second floor, a woman’s voice called out, “Please stop.”
Lin Ting halted, recognizing the speaker as the woman who had commissioned the bookstore to search for Fu Chi.
Both she and the bookstore’s clients abided by an unspoken rule of the Jianghu—during transactions, neither party would reveal their true identity to avoid unnecessary entanglements in the future.
Before entering the bookstore, Lin Ting had already put on a mask identical to the one the young man usually wore.
“Miss, have you come today to inquire about the progress?”
The woman was silent for a moment before responding, “Tell me what you’ve found.”
Lin Ting said, “I discovered an inscription inside a cabinet in the courtyard where Fu Chi was last seen. I made a rubbing of it with a handkerchief—you can take a look and see if it matches his handwriting.”
The woman asked, “What did it say?”
Lin Ting tossed the handkerchief upstairs.
“Why don’t you see for yourself?”
Soft footsteps sounded from above, and the handkerchief was presumably picked up by the woman.
Lin Ting remained still.
“Is it his handwriting?”
“…Yes.”
Lin Ting continued, “I also found out that Fu Chi often visited the peach blossom tree outside the city gates.”
The woman murmured, “Peach blossom tree?”
“Yes. I suspect he may have left something there. I originally planned to check it out today, but since you came looking for me, I—”
The woman interrupted, “Thank you for your efforts, but I came today to tell you that you don’t need to search for Fu Chi anymore. The deal is off. Consider it my breach of contract, but I will still pay you in full.”
She extended her hand and pointed to a box at the staircase’s corner, indicating that Lin Ting should open it.
Lin Ting walked over and lifted the lid, revealing fifty taels of bright silver neatly stacked inside.
It was quite a hefty sum.
Without hesitation, she accepted the payment. “Can I ask why?”
The woman didn’t answer and simply left.
Lin Ting was baffled, but the sight of silver still pleased her.
And knowing she wouldn’t have to cross paths with Duan Ling again because of Fu Chi made her even happier.
She decided to treat Tao Zhu to a lavish meal at Nanshan Pavilion.
Since the client had explicitly said to stop looking, Lin Ting saw no reason to trouble herself further.
She wasn’t one to stir up unnecessary problems and instead returned to her normal life.
She had always preferred to keep “work” and personal life separate—doing so made things much easier.
When she arrived at Nanshan Pavilion, she overheard many diners discussing the confiscation of the Xie family’s estate.
She didn’t pay much attention and headed straight for the private room where Tao Zhu was waiting.
Tao Zhu, bored out of her mind, was practically wishing for flies to swat.
Seeing Lin Ting finally arrive, she got up and poured her tea.
“Miss, on my way here, I ran into Third Miss Duan and the heir of the Shian Marquis household.”
They’ve already started meeting in just a few days?
Lin Ting pulled out a chair and sat down, mulling it over.
Well, it made sense.
In the original novel, they got together rather quickly.
After all, the story was a restricted one, and the author’s primary goal was to write smut.
Their first time even involved an advanced position—doing it on a moving horseback.
Doing it on horseback—weren’t they afraid of falling off and becoming crippled?
Lin Ting had read that book too vividly to forget it, no matter how hard she tried.
She glanced at Tao Zhu.
“Did they see you?”
“They did. Third Miss Duan said she wanted to invite you to an equestrian lesson at the suburban racetrack the day after tomorrow.”
Hearing the word “horse,” Lin Ting’s eyelid twitched.
The novel’s indescribable scenes flooded her mind, painting an illicit and debauched picture.
She immediately refused, “No. Tell her I’m unwell.”
Tao Zhu thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
“That’s for the best. I overheard Third Miss Duan mentioning that Master Duan will be there as well. You and he have always been at odds—better to avoid unnecessary encounters.”
Duan Ling will be there?
If that was the case, then Xia Zimo probably wouldn’t make a move on Duan Xinning that day.
But Duan Ling’s presence only made Lin Ting even more unwilling to go—she didn’t want to risk exposing herself.
There were too many things she feared being exposed about, like her confession letters and her public declarations of love.
Just as she was about to change the subject and ask Tao Zhu what she wanted to eat, that damned thing reappeared in her mind:
“Villainous Supporting Character Mission triggered: Hug Duan Ling. Time limit: Eight days.”
The system truly was stingy with words.
How many more missions were left?
Living a second life was far too difficult.
She slumped onto the table.
“Tao Zhu, I changed my mind. I’ll go after all. I’ve never ridden a horse before.”
Her sudden change of heart was so abrupt that Tao Zhu was momentarily stunned.
“Miss, don’t worry. Once we return to the manor, I’ll remind you to send a reply declining Third Miss Duan’s invitation… Wait, what? You’re going?”
***
The galloping horses charged forward, their neighs mingling with the sound of iron hooves pounding against the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Some horses, however, remained in the stables, leisurely chewing on fodder, exuding an air of tranquility.
Lin Ting arrived at the racetrack as agreed, and the first thing she saw upon stepping down from the carriage was the sight of riders skillfully maneuvering their steeds.
Among them, one figure stood out.
Clad in a fitted riding outfit, with his pants tucked neatly into black boots, his long legs appeared even more defined.
As her gaze traveled upward, her eyes landed on Duan Ling’s familiar yet unfamiliar face.
He carried an inherent scholarly grace—despite being dressed for riding, he didn’t look like a general.
Rather, he seemed more like a strategist accompanying the army, advising the commander with wisdom.
But that was only appearance.
Duan Ling was no mere scholar.
Lin Ting contemplated the likelihood of fulfilling her mission—hugging Duan Ling.
Hugging was such an intimate action; how could she possibly make it seem unintentional?
Holding hands could be disguised as an accident, but embracing someone?
That was far trickier.
It almost felt like securing a business deal was easier than hugging him.
She rubbed her right eyelid, which had been twitching wildly since the morning.
Left eyelid twitching means fortune, right eyelid twitching means disaster.
Was disaster coming today?
She wasn’t particularly superstitious, but considering she had transmigrated into a novel, which was already an incredibly bizarre event, she figured it was better to believe than not.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have spent every morning praying to the God of Wealth.
Xia Zimo arrived fashionably late and greeted them, “Third Miss Duan, Seventh Miss Lin.”
Lin Ting nodded.
“Heir of the Marquis.”
Beside her, Duan Xinning hesitated before looking up at Xia Zimo.
She wanted to steal another glance at him but was afraid of making it too obvious.
“Heir of the Marquis,” she said softly, then turned toward Duan Ling, greeting him in an even gentler voice, “Second Brother.”
Duan Ling dismounted and walked toward them, holding the reins in one hand.
He gave a slight nod.
“Heir of the Marquis.”
After a brief pause, he finally acknowledged, “Seventh Miss Lin.”
Lin Ting beamed at him.
“Master Duan.”
Tao Zhu gave her a strange look.
Has the Seventh Miss lost her mind?
Although Lin Ting had never openly feuded with Duan Ling, she had never been particularly friendly to him either.
She had always maintained a superficial courtesy but had rarely smiled at him so brightly.
Duan Ling, however, didn’t seem to find anything odd.
He simply returned a faint smile and lowered his gaze to stroke his horse’s mane.
The creature seemed to enjoy his touch, rubbing its head against his hand affectionately.
Duan Xinning’s gaze darted between Lin Ting and Duan Ling.
She was well aware that the two didn’t get along, which was precisely why she was determined to mend their relationship.
Pulling Lin Ting closer, she turned to Duan Ling.
“Second Brother, you’re an excellent rider. Could you teach her how to ride?”
Lin Ting had been about to refuse, but the thought of her mission—hugging Duan Ling—made her hold her tongue.
This might actually be a good opportunity.
Duan Ling slowly withdrew his hand from the horse’s mane and adjusted the reins.
“I don’t mind, as long as Seventh Miss Lin doesn’t mind.”
“Of course not. Then I’ll trouble you, Master Duan.”
Lin Ting took a step toward him.
I fell off a horse twice. It’s really easy to hug the person you’re falling with.