Chapter 18: The Challenge

"Come out!"

The man in black spoke softly. Moments later, a man dressed in green landed soundlessly behind him. He knelt on one knee, his demeanor one of profound reverence.

"This subordinate is late; please punish me, Master!"

"It is of no consequence," the man in black replied, his tone calm. "How did the matter proceed?"

"Reporting to you, Master: the issue has been resolved. You may return to the capital with peace of mind."

"Hmm." The man in black offered a perfunctory acknowledgment, clearly having no further interest in the conversation.

At that moment, the subordinate in green caught sight of the man's injury. Seeing the haphazard knot tied around the wound, he couldn't help but frown. "Master, this dressing is far too crude, and the wound is still seeping blood. Allow me to re-bandage it for you." As he spoke, he reached out, poised to undo the makeshift knot.

"No need," the man interrupted coldly. The subordinate withdrew his hand, his request denied.

"Go and investigate the address of the young lady from earlier," the man in black commanded in a low voice. "Find out which family she belongs to."

The subordinate in green hesitated, remaining silent. The man in black glanced at him. "Is there a problem?"

The subordinate faltered but eventually nodded. "Master, to be honest, my attention was entirely focused on you; I did not get a clear look at the young lady’s face."

The man in black’s expression darkened. "Never mind. I will find her myself." His tone was tinged with frustration.

The subordinate was momentarily stunned, casting a look of sheer disbelief at his master. Never had he seen his master show such intense interest in a woman—and a woman he had met for the first time, at that. Though he was burning with curiosity, he did not dare ask further and silently lowered his head.

The man in black continued to stare in the direction where Shen Ningyuan had departed, lost in thought for a long time. It was only when the cry of a bird broke the silence that he finally returned to his senses.

"It is getting late. Let us return."

"As you command."

***

Meanwhile, after leaving the woods, Shen Ningyuan made her way back to the General’s Manor. She had a premonition that once Cui Mingzhu returned, she would immediately head to her courtyard. She needed to arrive first to ensure Cui Mingzhu remained unsuspecting.

As it turned out, Shen Ningyuan’s intuition was correct. Upon returning to the manor, Cui Mingzhu headed straight for Shen Ningyuan's quarters. For reasons she couldn't explain, she had been gripped by anxiety ever since leaving Ji Yunchuan’s side. A single thought kept echoing in her mind: *Shen Ningyuan was following her.*

Distracted, Cui Mingzhu failed to notice Cui Jin greeting her as she passed, walking right by her aunt without a word. Watching her niece’s hurried retreat, Cui Jin felt a wave of confusion.

"In such a rush—where could she be going?" she wondered, noting that Cui Mingzhu seemed to be heading toward the direction of Ningyuan’s courtyard. Dismissing the thought, Cui Jin turned toward the accounts office. The steward had repeatedly warned her of major discrepancies in the manor’s books, and she needed to inspect them immediately.

Breathless, Cui Mingzhu finally reached Shen Ningyuan’s courtyard. She pushed the gate open without knocking. The maids in the yard looked at her with confusion. "Miss Cui, what brings you here?"

"Where is the Eldest Miss?" Cui Mingzhu demanded.

A maid pointed toward the house. "The Eldest Miss is bathing inside."

"Has she been in there bathing the entire time?" Cui Mingzhu asked, her voice turning cold.

The maid’s confusion deepened. "Yes, she has been in there since we arrived. Is there a problem, Miss?"

"I am going in to have a word with my cousin." With that, Cui Mingzhu headed straight for the house, only to be blocked by the maid.

"Miss Cui," the maid said respectfully, "the Eldest Miss gave orders that she wishes to bathe in peace and does not want to be disturbed."

This only confirmed Cui Mingzhu’s suspicions: Shen Ningyuan was not in the house!

"Move aside!" Cui Mingzhu snapped. "You let the Eldest Miss bathe alone for so long—what if something happened? Can you bear the responsibility?"

Intimidated, the maid fell silent. It was true that Shen Ningyuan had been inside for a significant amount of time, and they could not be certain of her safety.

"Hmph!" Cui Mingzhu shoved the maid aside with her shoulder and marched up the steps. Staring at the tightly shut door, her eyes turned icy. *Shen Ningyuan, I must know if you have discovered the truth!*

With a heavy heart, she burst through the door. A cloud of steam rushed out to meet her. Amidst the sound of splashing water, Shen Ningyuan’s cold, clear voice emerged from behind the screen.

"Cousin, is something the matter?"

Cui Mingzhu’s eyes widened in shock. She instinctively asked, "Cousin, you have been in here bathing the whole time?"

"What else would I be doing?" Shen Ningyuan retorted, her voice icy. "Why are you so desperate to confirm my presence? What is the real reason for this intrusion?"

Cui Mingzhu’s expression flickered, and she offered a forced smile. "No reason at all. I was simply worried about you, being alone in the house without anyone watching, and feared something might have happened. Since you are fine, I shall not disturb you further. We can talk after you have finished."

As she turned to leave, Shen Ningyuan’s voice cut through the air. "Wait."

Cui Mingzhu froze, one foot already across the threshold. She looked toward the hazy screen. "Is there something else, Cousin?"

"Of course there is!" From behind the curtain, Shen Ningyuan’s voice carried a chilling intensity. "Cui Mingzhu, this is my courtyard, and those people outside are my maids!"

Cui Mingzhu’s face darkened, her fingers digging into the doorframe. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Cui Mingzhu, there is something you must understand." Shen Ningyuan’s tone turned glacial. "Even though I am married, and even though I have been away for a year, the Shen family is still my home. You barge into my private quarters and berate my servants—don't you think you have gone too far?"

Shen Ningyuan’s stern demeanor caught Cui Mingzhu off guard, but she quickly regained her composure. "Cousin, I understand your point," she replied, pausing before continuing, "but there is a fact you must also acknowledge."

Shen Ningyuan remained silent, waiting.

Cui Mingzhu’s gaze hardened. "A woman follows her husband in life and her son in widowhood. A married daughter is like spilled water; since you have married into the Ji family, you are no longer a member of the Shen household."