The next day.
Leng Manor.
"What, what is going on?!"
A young woman, dressed in a brocade uniform with fish-scale patterns and a curved saber at her waist, strode into the mourning hall.
Seeing the Leng Manor draped in white silk, she couldn't believe her eyes. Even more so, the memorial tablet hanging above bore the inscription: Spirit Tablet of Leng Xiangtao!
"Great Aunt's Husband, I only went out for a moment, how could my aunt be gone?"
Upon seeing the newcomer, the eldest husband of the Leng family seemed to have found a pillar of support. The other husbands of the Leng family also gathered around the young woman.
For some reason, although Leng Xiangtao had many husbands, she had no children. It was only a few years ago that the eldest husband unexpectedly became pregnant, but she gave birth to a boy…
Leng Luo was Leng Xiangtao's own niece. Towards the younger generation with whom she shared the closest blood ties, Leng Xiangtao treated her as her own.
However, Leng Luo was also ambitious herself.
Although she lacked talent in academics, she was naturally meticulous and skilled in deduction.
Coupled with her diligent efforts, Leng Xiangtao had also found her a top martial arts master. This was how Leng Luo acquired her formidable skills.
Relying on these abilities, she joined the Qingzhou Prefecture yamen. In a mere three years, she solved countless cases and was recognized as the "Number One Constable of Qingzhou."
The eldest husband of the Leng family grabbed Leng Luo's arm and said,
"Little Luo, you must find the real killer for your aunt! Your aunt died too unjustly!"
"My aunt died from murder? Is there any evidence?"
Leng Luo saw that the eldest husband of the Leng family's tone had slightly softened.
The eldest husband of the Leng family was the first to marry Leng Xiangtao and had watched Leng Luo grow up.
The eldest husband of the Leng family replied,
"Mistress, Mistress she… she was stabbed through the chest and died! Woo woo…"
After speaking, the eldest husband of the Leng family couldn't help but cover his face and weep again.
"The… did the coroner come?"
Leng Luo couldn't bring herself to say the word "corpse."
The eldest husband of the Leng family nodded vaguely.
Leng Luo sighed, glanced at the now declining Leng Manor, and turned to head towards the yamen.
…
Chang En Street.
Xuan Yi accompanied Xing Yun to buy brushes and ink. After they had eaten, they went out.
The street was bustling with people.
Of course, there were also many young gentlemen out shopping, wearing veils.
At this moment, Xing Yun, also wearing a veil, tugged at the hem of his clothes somewhat sheepishly and said,
"Big Brother, brushes and ink are too expensive. Will Mistress dislike me for it?"
Xuan Yi shook his head:
"Third Brother, you don't need to think so much. Mistress gives us money precisely so we can spend it."
As the Qinglian Bookstore's reputation grew, Nian Jiaojiao and Tong Fu's income also surged. This month, it even reached 500 taels.
Therefore, Nian Jiaojiao decided to give everyone a fixed "pocket money."
Aside from daily living expenses, this pocket money could be spent however they wished.
Currently, it was 10 taels of silver per person per month, and of course, this allowance would be increased as appropriate in the future.
Xing Yun's money each month was basically spent on brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
Hearing his big brother's comfort, Xing Yun felt a little more at ease.
However, Xuan Yi then asked curiously,
"Third Brother, you've been painting every day, but after all this time, I haven't seen a single painting. Why is that?"
Upon hearing the question, Xing Yun became hesitant. He nervously picked at his fingers and said,
"Well, I, I, I did paint, it's just that, it's just that…"
Xing Yun's gaze darted around. Suddenly, he saw paintings being sold at a stall and excitedly pointed to the painting stall ahead, saying,
"Big Brother! They're selling paintings there, I'm going to take a look!"
After speaking, without waiting for Xuan Yi's reply, he hurried towards the stall.
Seeing Xing Yun's fleeing demeanor, Xuan Yi shook his head.
He wondered what his third brother had painted that he had to avoid him like this?
Meanwhile, as Xing Yun was about to reach the stall, he bumped into someone.
"Ouch!"
Xing Yun felt as if he had collided with a hard stone. He cried out in surprise, then clutched his smooth forehead and fell to the ground.
The woman he bumped into was about to scold him, but when she looked down, she saw a pair of cat-like eyes looking up at her tearfully.
Her heart skipped a beat. Her somewhat stiff face forced a smile, and at the same time, she extended her hand and said,
"Young master, are you alright?"
Xing Yun naturally wouldn't take the hand of a woman other than his Mistress. He struggled to stand up.
At this moment, Xuan Yi also arrived next to Xing Yun. He bowed slightly to the woman and apologized,
"I'm sorry, my younger brother is impetuous and has offended you."
"It's nothing!"
The woman waved her hand magnanimously. However, her gaze never left Xing Yun.
It was just a pity that the other party was wearing a veil, so her true appearance couldn't be fully seen.
Leng Luo lamented inwardly. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
However, she was certain that just based on those agate-like cat eyes, the person was definitely someone who would capture her heart!
But now was not the time to dwell on personal matters. Thus, Leng Luo gazed deeply at Xing Yun twice before turning to leave.
Xuan Yi watched the woman's retreating back, his brows furrowed.
The way that woman looked at his third brother was not right…
He then looked at his younger brother, who was completely oblivious and carefree, looking at paintings at the stall, and suddenly let out a wry smile.
It seemed his third brother was completely unawakened!
…
Meanwhile.
Nian Residence.
"Knock, knock, knock… Third Brother?"
Nan Qing stood at the door for a while, but no one opened it.
At this moment, the door to the adjacent room opened.
Yu Chuan said, "Xuan Yi and Xing Yun went out to buy brushes and ink. Is there something you need?"
Nan Qing: "I'm looking for Third Brother to get paper for practicing calligraphy."
Nan Qing gave most of his pocket money to Xing Yun, so he often got paper from Xing Yun to practice calligraphy.
Yu Chuan said, "There should be some paper left in his room. Why don't you go and check?"
Nan Qing thought for a moment and directly pushed the door open to go inside.
Normally, Third Brother would come to his room to sleep together. It was quite rare for him to go directly to Third Brother's room.
At this moment, only one sheet of white paper remained on the desk.
So, Nan Qing began to search underneath.
Suddenly, he found a stack of paper. It was used, but Xing Yun kept it so carefully, it was clearly not scrap paper to be thrown away.
Nan Qing casually began to flip through it…
"How is it, did you find it?" Yu Chuan asked from the doorway at this moment.
Nan Qing was silent for a few seconds. He calmly re-folded the stack of paper with drawings on it and placed it in his embrace.
"Oh… I found it."