Though weakened by illness, Ta Xuening’s aim with the dagger remained sharp, its blade slicing through the air toward Lin Ting’s position.
Duan Ling, poised to catch it barehanded, was caught off guard as she lunged toward him.
Together, they tumbled across the glazed tiles of the rooftop, the dagger clattering to rest behind them.
Their movements were too swift for Ta Xuening or the woman inside the room to discern their faces—only fleeting shadows flickered past their sight.
Ta Xuening’s expression darkened as he stepped outside, not sparing a glance back at the woman.
“Leave,” he commanded curtly.
At that moment, hidden guards, alerted by the commotion, arrived with bows drawn, arrows aimed to bring down the intruders atop the roof.
In an instant, a hail of arrows rained down.
Duan Ling dodged with practiced ease, snatching a few arrows mid-flight and hurling them back.
Each one found its mark, piercing the bow-wielding guards with unerring precision.
Ta Xuening cast a calm glance at the wounded guards before lifting his gaze to Lin Ting and Duan Ling.
He motioned for the remaining guards to step back.
“Miss Lin Qi, Commander Duan, what wind has blown you into my humble abode?”
Even though Lin Ting was now married, he still called her “Miss Lin Qi,” not out of habit like Xia Zimo and others who struggled to adapt, but because, to him, she remained simply that—Miss Lin Qi.
Lin Ting, bold as ever, spun a lie with a straight face.
“Would you believe me, Supervisor, if I said we were just passing by?”
Even she didn’t believe her own words.
Though she trusted Duan Ling could carve a path through these hidden guards, it was better to avoid a confrontation if possible.
Knowing Duan Ling’s ways, he might cut down anyone who stood in his way before making their exit.
Ta Xuening perched on the courtyard railing, accepting a hand warmer from a young eunuch.
His smile didn’t reach his eyes as he regarded her.
“Passing by? Shouldn’t passersby stay outside the walls? How did you end up on my roof?”
Stepping out from behind Duan Ling, Lin Ting adopted a solemn tone.
“It’s a long story, truly.”
Ta Xuening caught the cadence of her voice, and something stirred in his memory, causing his lips to curve briefly.
He quickly pressed them into a thin line, his tone cool.
“Then make it short, Miss Lin Qi.”
With a flourish, she mimed flying a kite, following his directive to keep it brief.
“I was flying a kite outside, the string snapped, and it landed on your roof.”
“How convenient,” Ta Xuening drawled.
“So you took it upon yourselves to climb my roof to retrieve this kite?”
Lin Ting was like a child confessing to an elder.
“Yes, I relied on my lightness skill and acted recklessly. I know we were wrong—we should have informed you first.”
Ta Xuening nodded slightly.
“And retrieving a kite requires lifting the glazed tiles off my roof?”
She denied it vehemently.
“We didn’t! That tile was already removed. I only approached when I saw it while looking for my kite. I was going to put it back—you mustn’t misunderstand.”
He leaned lazily against the red pillar by the railing.
“You’re quite the silver-tongued one.”
Lin Ting maintained her earnest facade.
“No, I’m just speaking the truth, not being clever with words. I hope the Supervisor sees that clearly.”
Ta Xuening’s gaze flicked to her empty hands, then to Duan Ling’s.
“Where’s this kite you came to retrieve?”
She turned the tables on him.
“I had it in hand, but then you threw a dagger at us, and your men shot arrows. I was so startled, I dropped it somewhere.”
Ta Xuening let out a dry chuckle.
“So, it’s my fault now, is it?”
Lin Ting waved her hands, her tone sincere.
“Not at all! It’s our fault for trespassing. We owe you an apology, Supervisor.”
He rubbed his neck, his exposed fingers pale and skeletal, as if only a thin layer of skin clung to the bones.
“No need for apologies. Come down. My neck’s about to break from looking up at you.”
Come down?
What if it was a trap?
Lin Ting took Duan Ling’s hand, stepping across the tiles toward the outer wall, politely declining.
“We’ll take our leave then, so as not to disturb you further, Supervisor.”
Did he think she couldn’t guess his intentions?
Ta Xuening rose slowly and said, “Hold on. I have some official matters to discuss with Commander Duan.”
Lin Ting answered for him.
“You can find him at the Yamen office tomorrow.”
His gaze slid past her, settling on Duan Ling with a faint, ambiguous smile.
“These matters are urgent, too pressing for tomorrow. Since Commander Duan is already here, why not stay for a cup of tea?”
Lin Ting fell silent, her hand discreetly reaching for the pouch of knockout powder at her waist.
If they tried to detain Duan Ling, she’d scatter it and make a break for it.
Ta Xuening noticed her silence, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“What’s this, Miss Lin Qi? Afraid I’d harm Commander Duan? You overestimate me. I wouldn’t dare—he’s the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards, after all.”
She didn’t believe a word of it.
Ta Xuening, who dared to conspire to topple the Great Yan dynasty, wasn’t one to shy away from anything.
His insistence on keeping Duan Ling meant a confrontation was likely inevitable.
Lin Ting glanced at Duan Ling, signaling with her eyes.
“I’ll scatter the powder, and we’ll run.”
But Duan Ling surprised her by saying, “If it’s urgent business, then I’ll hear you out, Supervisor.”
Lin Ting gripped his wrist, whispering, “Why did you agree?”
Ta Xuening’s claim of urgent matters felt like a ruse.
Duan Ling looked down at the man in the courtyard, his expression thoughtful.
“I want to hear what he has to say.”
With a light leap, he landed in the courtyard.
Lin Ting wasn’t about to leave him alone.
She followed, dropping to the ground.
The hidden guards, seeing no orders from Ta Xuening, didn’t move to seize them but instead cleared a path.
Still, she remained vigilant, wary of a sudden ambush.
Ta Xuening seemed to sense her caution but pretended otherwise.
Tossing the hand warmer to the eunuch, he strolled toward the study, opening the door and gesturing for Duan Ling to enter.
Duan Ling stepped inside.
Lin Ting moved to follow, but Ta Xuening raised a hand to stop her.
“Miss Lin Qi, I’m discussing official matters with Commander Duan today. No outsiders allowed.”
So she wasn’t permitted inside.
“I’ll wait for him in the courtyard.”
Ta Xuening pointed across the way and said, “There’s tea and pastries in the reception hall. You can wait there.”
Lin Ting sat on the steps outside the study, arms wrapped around her knees, prepared to wait.
“No need. I’ll stay right here.”
Ta Xuening gazed at her stubborn silhouette, a flicker of distraction crossing his face.
He abandoned any lingering thoughts of persuading her to leave Duan Ling.
Why would Lin Ting linger so protectively in the courtyard?
Because she worried for Duan Ling, feared Ta Xuening might harm him… and because she loved him.
Not a shallow affection rooted in appearances, but a love deep enough to risk danger for him.
Otherwise, once assured the guards wouldn’t attack, she could have left instead of staying by his side.
Ta Xuening closed the door.
“Suit yourself.”
Hearing the door shut, Lin Ting glanced back, then crept toward it, hoping to eavesdrop through the crack.
But the guards stood too close, forcing her to return to her spot.
Soon after, a young eunuch emerged from the reception hall, carrying tea and pastries.
He set them near the steps, pouring a steaming cup and offering it with both hands.
“Miss Lin Qi, have some tea.”
She glanced at it and replied, “No, thank you.”
The eunuch set down the tea and lifted a delicate white jade plate with eight translucent pastries, adorned with crushed flower petals and fragrant with their scent.
“Some pastries, then?”
Lin Ting propped her cheek on her hand, gazing at the courtyard’s flowers, unwilling to touch anything here.
“I’m not hungry. Thanks.”
The eunuch retreated quietly.
Once he was gone, Lin Ting eyed the items left on the steps.
The pastries gleamed temptingly, their floral aroma enticing, but she pushed the plate farther away, her focus elsewhere.
Time dragged on, and she glanced at the study’s tightly shut door.
Why were they still talking?
Just as she considered knocking, the door swung open from within, and Duan Ling emerged.
Ta Xuening followed, glancing first at the untouched tea and pastries, then at her.
“Not eating, Miss Lin Qi? Afraid I’d have someone poison them?”
“I’m just not hungry,” she replied.
Ta Xuening didn’t press further.
Claiming sudden discomfort, he said he wouldn’t see them out and called for a young eunuch to escort them.
Though Lin Ting doubted Ta Xuening would let them go so easily, she followed the eunuch toward the main gate.
Only when they stepped outside did she believe he truly meant to release them.
Her curiosity bubbled over.
“What did you talk about in the study? Why did he let us go so easily?”
Duan Ling turned to her, his voice soft and replied, “He did discuss some official matters with me.”
Lin Ting’s confusion only deepened.
She had been certain Ta Xuening’s claim of discussing official matters with Duan Ling was a mere pretext, yet it seemed he truly had spoken of business.
What game was Ta Xuening playing?
He clearly knew they hadn’t trespassed to retrieve a kite and likely suspected they’d overheard his conversation with the woman.
Why, then, did he persist in maintaining the facade of a loyal East Factory Supervisor devoted to Emperor Jiade?
As they walked down the bustling street, Lin Ting pressed, “Besides official matters, he didn’t say anything else?”
“Just business,” Duan Ling replied.
“Fine.”
Whatever the truth, their easy escape was a small victory.
The long street thrummed with life—vendors’ calls rose and fell like a tide, but Lin Ting’s ears tuned them out.
Her gaze lingered on a pharmacy nestled among the shops.
Duan Ling followed her line of sight, noting the pharmacy’s sign.
“Why are you staring at it? Feeling unwell, or do you need medicine?”
A spark of inspiration struck her and she said.
“To buy medicine.”