【Looking for Big Brother? He already returned to the barracks this morning. He probably won’t be back until his next break next month. No use finding him. Second Brother? Just a royal merchant. He might not even be able to attend the state banquet. Even if he could, he wouldn’t have much influence.】

【Third Brother? His official rank is decent—he works in the Ministry of Justice. But I’ve been back for over a month and only saw him twice. He’s too busy, and this issue is way too serious. Forget it, I’d better find someone else!】

【If there’s really no other way, I’ll go to the Regent Prince. After all, he’s the one who was either injured or poisoned in this incident. He should at least be able to save himself, right? Yes, he’s the one!】

【But… I’ve only met the Regent Prince once, and he probably doesn’t even remember me. Wouldn’t it be a bit too reckless to go see him? …Forget it, I’ll give it a try first!】

Fu Beiyin: Am I just not worthy?!

Xiao Hao was completely confused.

What was his sister talking about?

He couldn’t understand at all. But he didn’t dare interrupt her and make her upset, so he just watched as she frowned, gritted her teeth, or scratched her ears from time to time.

After thinking things through, Lin Yuxin stood up and told Xiao Hao:

“Xiao Hao, be good at home. I’m going out to take care of something!”

Then, she walked out.

Xiao Hao watched her leave, secretly making up his mind—Sister, I’ll work hard to grow up so I can help you in the future!

“Xueying!”

After leaving the residence, Lin Yuxin was about to head toward the Regent Prince’s mansion. But after taking a few steps, she stopped awkwardly and hesitantly called for Xueying.

“Master.”

Xueying instantly appeared by her side and greeted her respectfully.

“Uh… Xueying, how do I get to the Regent Prince’s mansion?”

Lin Yuxin asked Xueying awkwardly.

Xueying: “…Master, follow me.”

With that, Lin Yuxin followed Xueying and made it to the Regent Prince’s mansion without any trouble.

Seeing the golden plaque with the words Regent Prince’s Mansion, Lin Yuxin was a little overwhelmed.

【So this is the Regent Prince’s mansion? Are those words on the plaque painted with gold? So extravagant!】

【But… how do I get in? Should I walk through the front gate? No, no, no. By tomorrow, rumors will spread all over the capital that “Lin Yuxin, the Second Miss of the Lin family, broke into the Regent Prince’s mansion without an invitation and got thrown out!” No way, I have to be discreet… Let’s climb the wall! I’ll find the Regent Prince first and figure things out from there!】

Lin Yuxin nodded to herself, then led Xueying around to the back of the mansion.

Standing by the outer wall, she instructed him:

“You wait here. If I don’t come out in two hours, come save me, okay?”

“…Yes.”

Xueying agreed, but he knew that if his master were really caught, he probably wouldn’t have the ability to rescue her from the Regent Prince.

Still, as a loyal servant, even if it cost him his life, he had to try!

He was already mentally prepared for the worst.

Good thing Lin Yuxin didn’t know this—otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared to be so reckless.

After giving her instructions, Lin Yuxin swiftly climbed over the wall and entered the Regent Prince’s mansion. Climbing walls? Easy.

After landing, she quickly scanned her surroundings.

She was in a quiet corner of a courtyard with no one in sight.

Like a ghost, she snuck around, searching room by room.

Of course, the moment she entered, the secret guards had already noticed her and reported it directly to Wang Yu.

“General, that Lin girl has climbed into the Regent Prince’s mansion.”

Wang Yu was shocked by the news. That girl has guts!

She actually dared to break into the Regent Prince’s mansion?!

But remembering how his master seemed to have a special regard for her, he simply ordered the guards to keep an eye on her while he reported it to the Regent Prince.

Li Xiaocheng lifted his head from his paperwork and looked at Wang Yu, a hint of surprise flashing across his normally expressionless face.

“What is she here for?”

Li Xiaocheng asked, puzzled.

“I don’t know. Should I go invite her over?”

Wang Yu suggested.

“No need.”

Li Xiaocheng refused, then immediately stood up and walked out.

Wang Yu watched his master’s retreating figure and twitched his lips. “No need”… yet you’re personally going to see her?! What a tsundere.

By the time Li Xiaocheng found Lin Yuxin, she was hiding in the kitchen—stealing food.

【Mmm, the food in the Regent Prince’s mansion is amazing. I’d better eat more while I can. After today, I probably won’t get another chance. Speaking of which, where is the Regent Prince? I’ve been searching for ages. Are there no servants here? Is the Regent Prince’s mansion always this deserted?】

【Since I’m already here, if I don’t find him today, what will happen to the state banquet? Do I have to go find someone else? But who?】

Thinking about this, even the roasted chicken in her hands lost its flavor.

She took a big bite of the chicken, then placed it back where she found it—strategically hiding the side she had bitten underneath.

I’m a genius.

Wiping her hands, Lin Yuxin prepared to continue searching.

She was determined to meet the Regent Prince today.

Watching her from the shadows, Li Xiaocheng silently turned and returned to his study.

He instructed Wang Yu:

“Lead her to the hot spring in the back courtyard.”

“Huh? …Yes!”

Wang Yu was confused but didn’t dare question his master.

Didn’t you just go find her? Why all this extra effort?

Lin Yuxin searched for a while longer but still didn’t find a single living soul—not even an ant.

Just as she was about to give up and climb back over the wall, she finally heard movement.

“The prince is soaking in the hot spring in the back courtyard. Bring him this tea.”

A male servant’s voice sounded.

“Yes, sir.”

The servant took the tea tray and headed in a certain direction.

Lin Yuxin hid in the shadows, watching.

When the man left, she quietly followed behind the servant all the way to the hot spring.

After waiting outside behind a rock formation for a moment, she saw the servant leave. Seeing that the place was quiet, she slipped inside.

【Huh? Where is he? Wasn’t he supposed to be here?】

Looking around, she saw a circular pool steaming with hot water.

【So this is a natural hot spring? They say the Regent Prince has been using this to control the poison from the state banquet. Seems like this spring is special.】

Her eyes lit up. This is a good thing!

She dipped her hand into the water. The temperature is just right!

【Since no one’s here… I might as well try it too!】

Just as she started untying her clothes, a hand suddenly emerged from the water and grabbed her wrist.

“AHH!!”

With a strong pull, Lin Yuxin was yanked into the hot spring.

Unprepared, she choked on several mouthfuls of water and nearly passed out.

The strong hand held her arms, keeping her afloat.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

After struggling to recover, she finally lifted her head and glared at the culprit.

“What the hell is wrong with you?! Don’t you know you could scare someone to death?! You—”

She looked up mid-rant… and froze.