Fang Zhi turned back, brushing the dirt off his sleeve, “Ning’er, you know that I’ve just been promoted to inner school student and must deal with those nobles. I know you’re the most sensible and probably won’t be affected by those rumors—”

She carefully observed Hu Youning’s expression, seeing no surprise, she smiled and kissed his raised forehead, “Don’t worry, when I return from my experiences, I will definitely marry you.”

“Really?”

“Of course it’s true. My Ning’er is so good, I can’t bear to part with you. It’s just that right now, I have important things to do.” Fang Zhi gently encircled him in her arms, “Ning’er, Li Shiyu stayed at your house for so long, does she have any taboos?”

Hu Youning was stunned and pushed her away somewhat dissatisfied, “Why do you always ask me about these things?”

“Look at you.” Fang Zhi reached into his still loose collar, gently rubbing. When Hu Youning’s face was tinged with a light blush again, she said softly, “I’m also planning for our future. Li Shiyu is now in favor with His Majesty. If I can get her good word, I won’t have to go to those county offices in the suburbs of the capital to be a clerk.”

“With that time, I can stay in the capital to prepare well for the exams. Maybe I can even top the palace examination.”

She applied a little more force with her hand, and the youth in her arms immediately let out a muffled groan. His tied hair fell loose, mixing with Fang Zhi’s like inextricably tangled threads.

He pursed his lips slightly, his smiling eyes blank, “Will you really marry me?”

“Silly boy.” Fang Zhi curled her lips, lightly tapping Hu Youning’s nose, “You’re already mine, of course I’ll take responsibility for you.”

“Then……” Hu Youning looked up at her and said softly, “What if I can’t help you become familiar with Li Shiyu?”

Fang Zhi’s expression froze for a moment, but she quickly smiled again, “What are you thinking about? I said I want to marry you because you’re Ning’er, the one and only Hu Youning in this world. Mentioning Li Shiyu is just to add icing on the cake for our future.”

She looked at him with deep affection, making Hu Youning’s heart warm. After hesitating for a while, he still clung to her shoulder, “Actually, in Hu Family Village, I only discovered that Li Shiyu has some food taboos. She seems unable to eat peanuts.”

“Good Ning’er, you really are my lucky star!” Fang Zhi couldn’t contain her joy and secretly remembered this. She got up eagerly, and Hu Youning, suddenly without support, fell heavily to the ground.

“Ning’er, I have something to do.” Fang Zhi’s departing footsteps didn’t stop, only her voice came on the wind, “I’ll find you when I’m free.”

She left without looking back.

Hu Youning was stunned for a moment, just about to call out to stop her. The bell for the end of classes rang in the school, and footsteps gradually increased in the quiet surroundings.

He hurriedly tidied his clothes and quickly avoided leaving through another exit.

Qin Mansion.

After sitting for quite a while, Fang Zhi looked nervous. The steward had served the third cup of tea when Qin Rong finally slowly walked out from behind the screen.

Hearing footsteps, Fang Zhi hurriedly stood up, cupped her hands and bowed, “Student Fang Zhi greets Lord Qin.”

“So it’s you.” Qin Rong glanced sideways at Fang Zhi’s smiling face and waved her hand, “Sit.”

“Yes.” Fang Zhi sat on half a chair, “Student came without sending a card in advance, which was truly abrupt. Fortunately, not failing Lord Qin’s request, student has finally found Li Shiyu’s weakness.”

“Oh?” Qin Rong narrowed her eyes and sat up straight, “Are you certain?”

“Student dares not deceive Lord. This matter is ten tenths certain and can help Lord permanently eliminate this trouble.”

Fang Zhi’s face showed some gloom as she lowered her voice and said, “Although Li Shiyu has been away from the capital for a long time, and everyone in the Suqin Wang’s mansion keeps their mouths shut and refuses to reveal any of her weaknesses. But earlier when the Young Lady fell off the cliff……”

She smiled slightly, and Qin Rong understood, nodding, “Continue.”

“Student has reliable eyewitness testimony stating that Li Shiyu avoids peanuts.” Fang Zhi paused, glanced at the maid standing outside, and whispered, “These days Li Shiyu has been lingering on Lord’s pleasure boat, paying special attention to the one called Qingping.”

She made a gesture of drugging, “When something happens, the boat will be in the middle of the lake. Even if sent to a medical hall, it will take some time. By then, even if the Ministry of Justice investigates, it will have nothing to do with Lord. After all, the food on the boat was all prepared by Qingping alone.”

“He’s just a male courtesan, it doesn’t matter if he dies.”

“Fang Zhi, I find that you are indeed talented.” Qin Rong smiled with satisfaction.

“Lord flatters me, student does not deserve such praise.” Fang Zhi lowered her head, but was secretly pleased. She had searched long and hard, going back and forth with Hu Youning for days, before finally obtaining this crucial information.

If she could get a promise from Qin Rong, it would save a lot of trouble when entering officialdom in the future.

Qin Rong, having maneuvered in court for many years, could naturally see through her little thoughts, and immediately said, “Miss Fang is young and has courage. How about this, I’ll entrust this matter entirely to you to handle. When Miss Fang enters the Hanlin Academy in the future, I will definitely recommend you well to those above.”

“My Lady, I’m afraid student—” Fang Zhi pretended to decline.

“Oh, Miss Fang, no need to be so modest. We’re in the same boat now, don’t you trust this official?”

“Student wouldn’t dare.” Fang Zhi hurriedly agreed.

Qin Rong rewarded her with some silver before sending someone to escort her out.

“My Lady.” The old steward at the side looked puzzledly at Qin Rong, who was teasing birds under the corridor. “Didn’t you want to win over Li Shiyu earlier?”

“Entrusting such an important matter to an inner school student seems unwise.”

“Old Yang.” Qin Rong curled her lips. “You’ve been by my side for ten years now, haven’t you?”

“Yes.”

“In all these years, have I ever misjudged a person?”

“My Lady means……”

“Winning someone over is all about timing. True feelings are revealed in matters of life and death.” Qin Rong stood with her hands behind her back, looking inscrutable. “Who is Li Ruantang? She’s a great general who won consecutive battles at the border. Do you think a mere inner school student could really find out Li Ruantang’s weakness?”

“If it were that easy, why would I need to go to such lengths?”

“So My Lady intends to use Fang Zhi’s hand to directly finish off Young Lady Li?” The steward guessed with lowered eyes.

“Old Yang, how come you still haven’t improved?” Qin Rong smiled, but her eyes were cold. “Li Ruantang is in favor before Her Majesty. Finishing her off would be seeking our own death. But if I were to have a life-saving grace with Li Ruantang, tell me, how would the timing for winning her over be then?”

“My Lady’s insight is profound! This lowly one is truly unable to keep up.” Steward Yang skillfully flattered, then immediately worried, “But that Fang Zhi looks like someone who seeks quick success. If things go wrong, she might turn on My Lady.”

“No matter.” Qin Rong waved her hand dismissively. “She’s nothing but a commoner. Have the enforcers on the pleasure boat keep an eye on her. When it’s done, tie her to a stone and throw her in the river. You go make arrangements first.”

“Yes.” The steward retreated as instructed.

For a moment, only the chirping of birds could be heard in the vast courtyard.

Qin Rong leisurely gazed at the evening glow on the horizon. Now that Wei Junshi was in favor, those who recognize the situation are the capable ones.

“Investigate the Golden Elixir case?” She sneered. That would be touching Her Majesty’s most cherished.