Liuxiang Pavilion.
Dong Niang was used to dealing with officials and wealthy people, and she had her own insights into recognizing people, so she dared not underestimate Young Master Song. Therefore, for the matter of finding someone for Song Suiyuan, she invited the most respected Mr. Wang from the building to handle it.

Mr. Wang wasn’t very skilled in martial arts, but he was knowledgeable and full of clever ideas. Even though it was his first time doing something like finding someone, he acted in an orderly manner.

He first inquired about Young Master Song’s whereabouts that day and learned that he had requested two rooms, one for sleeping and the other for bathing.

“Was there anything unusual in the room?”

“A few dishes were placed at the bedside, and there was a gold-trimmed blue robe on the bed. The other room for bathing and drinking was quite normal.”

Mr. Wang stroked his beard, carefully took notes, and then questioned everyone who was on duty at the corresponding time that night.

Some people talked about trivial matters, while some were concise. Mr. Wang never interrupted, and by the end of the day, his mind was muddled, with a pile of chaotic information recorded.

Before going to bed that night, he reflected deeply and decided to switch from listening to people narrate to asking questions.

This approach significantly sped up the progress, and he quickly found out which girls and boys from the building went up to the third floor.

Except for Shi Wan, who was out, he had questioned everyone else. Initially, he was waiting to ask Shi Wan, who was called into the room by Young Master Song, but unfortunately, she had been out for a few days. However, later it was revealed that Shi Wan went up with a boy…

Mr. Wang looked at the boy in front of him, slender and handsome, one of the top in Liuxiang Pavilion. He asked kindly, “Why did you and Miss Shi go up to the third floor that night?”

“Miss Shi came to find me, and we came down after reaching the third floor. I don’t know the reason.” The boy hid half of the truth.

They naturally went to find Young Master Song. If he really had something with Young Master Song, there would be no need to hide it, but now someone else had something with Young Master Song, and it wouldn’t be good for him to say it.

Mr. Wang asked again, “Did you encounter anyone else on the third floor?”

Anyone else? That thin and beautiful figure flashed in his mind, and the boy paused.

Mr. Wang keenly noticed his hesitation and asked, “Who did you see?”

The boy recalled the person with admiration but didn’t intend to hide it: “Probably Young Master Song’s lover.”

Finally hitting a clue, Mr. Wang’s breath slightly paused, and he asked without showing any emotion, “He… Young Master Song’s lover, what color robe was he wearing?”

“Uh… a gold-trimmed blue robe.”

On this side, Song Suiyuan and Yang Zhi were still chatting.

Yang Zhi rambled about the recent happenings in the court and said, “…After the third prince’s death, the Wei family has become much smarter these past two days, hiding all their actions.”

He only discussed these matters with the Crown Prince and Song Suiyuan. The Wei family’s disloyalty was first discovered by Song Suiyuan, who also found evidence. However, given the current situation, he didn’t delve into it, just casually mentioned a few words.

The two never avoided discussing court affairs.

Song Suiyuan didn’t interrupt him, just responded with a hum, and took out some prepared snacks from his sleeve to feed Ah Yan.

Ah Yan used his little paw to push the snack in Song Suiyuan’s palm, his round eyes showing a bit of surprise. When Song Suiyuan first heard about Zhou Mingli’s death, he didn’t react like this.

The cunning Song Suiyuan was tricking the cat.

The little paw pushed the pastry to the ground, and Song Suiyuan picked up another one, casually handing it to its mouth.

Ah Yan bit the snack, grinding his teeth on Song Suiyuan’s fingertips along the way.

Song Suiyuan thought it was bored, so he curled his fingers and petted its little sharp teeth, “Do you want to run around?”

Ah Yan let out a meow and ran off without a trace as Song Suiyuan set it down.

Song Suiyuan knew it had a sense of propriety and wasn’t worried.

“It just ran off like that?” Yang Zhi said, turning back to see Song Suiyuan’s calm expression, retracting his surprise, and then looked at the grass where Ah Yan disappeared, suddenly saying, “The Duke of the State is stationed in the Northwest, able to resist the barbarians externally, and difficult to infiltrate internally. Having such a great minister is a blessing for the Great Chu.”

“The Yun family lineage is indeed rare,” Song Suiyuan nodded in agreement.

The Yun family’s ancestors were generals of the previous dynasty, contributing to the founding of the Great Chu. The Yun family’s descendants have always been outstanding, holding high positions. In this generation, only a pair of twins remain—the General of the Cavalry, Duke of the State Yun Wuchuan, and the Empress Yun Fan.

Song Suiyuan thought of something, his dark eyes flickered, and he turned to ask Yang Zhi, “When will the Duke of the State return to the capital for debriefing?”

In recent years, the barbarians have been deterred by the general’s might, only daring to engage in small-scale skirmishes for food. The Northwest is not indispensable. To reassure the people, he should be summoned back to the capital.

At that time, the Yun heir should also return.

Raising Ah Yan, Song Suiyuan often recalled what he heard about this person in his past life, becoming increasingly curious about him.

Moreover, the secrets surrounding Ah Yan, the Yun heir who personally sent Ah Yan back to the capital, clearly knows a lot.

Yang Zhi thought for a moment, “It depends on His Majesty’s intentions.”

Which means nothing was said.

But it also indicates that His Majesty currently has no such intentions.

The two didn’t walk towards the noisy area, and by this point, they had reached the residence of the Taoist priest.

Song Suiyuan stopped, “You go ahead.”

As they were about to part, Yang Zhi hesitated, wanting to say something but ultimately didn’t, finally saying, “I’ll come to find you for a detailed discussion tomorrow.”

Song Suiyuan nodded.

After turning around, he followed the path where Ah Yan had run through the grass and eventually saw a surprising scene.

Two round white furballs were facing off.

Ah Yan angrily waved its paw, “Meow!”

The other one slowly responded, “Meow…”

The two cats were clearly not the same breed. The other one had longer fur than Ah Yan, and its tail was fluffier. To most people, it would look beautiful and delicate, but Song Suiyuan’s first thought was that it looked a bit clumsy.

“Ah Yan,” Song Suiyuan called his own cat.

Ah Yan turned around when it saw him, leaped into his arms, and looked up, narrating, “Meow meow…”

That dumb cat almost licked its belly! The cat was just sunbathing with its belly up, and when it opened its eyes, it was scared to death!

Not understanding cat language, but seeing its aggrieved expression, Song Suiyuan petted its little head, comforting it, “It’s okay, I’ll take you home.”

Ah Yan curled into a ball in his arms, “Meow!”

Let’s go!

Song Suiyuan gave the long-haired white cat a cold look and left with Ah Yan in his arms.

The long-haired white cat was still slow, a bit puzzled.

Clearly, there was the scent of a kitten.

On the way back, Song Suiyuan asked Ah Yan, “Do you know what it wanted to do?”

Ah Yan was busy finding snacks to calm its nerves and meowed in response.

Wanted to lick the cat’s belly.

“I don’t think I’ve ever asked, how old is Ah Yan?” Song Suiyuan gestured to its size.

Not too big, but also not like a kitten.

Ah Yan’s round eyes were proud, “Meow~”

Eighteen years old!

Long-lived cat, young human, Ah Yan is awesome!

“Ah Yan is a big cat now,” Song Suiyuan rubbed its ears, then changed the subject, “I heard that when cats grow up, they go into heat. What about you?”

Today, after encountering another cat and seeing Ah Yan confront it, this question suddenly came to mind.

He raised Ah Yan and had to be responsible for it. Such matters were his duty. But he seemed reluctant to arrange such things for Ah Yan.

Because Ah Yan was different from ordinary cats, it was as smart as a human. Talking about these things always felt strange to Song Suiyuan.

Hearing this question, Ah Yan’s mind reacted for a while, and it was instantly embarrassed. If it could turn into a human, its cheeks would be completely red.

“Meow!”

You’re insulting this heir!

Ah Yan was raised by his father and dad. Although he retained many cat instincts, he also had human shame.

Going into heat…

In bed, he could only accept sleeping with humans! He had just had fun with Song Suiyuan!

Song Suiyuan could sense the little cat’s anger and suddenly smiled, “Hmm, good little cat.”

It seems there’s no need to worry about it finding other cats.

————

Back at the villa, Sui Mo was already waiting.

Ah Yan had no interest in Sui Mo and ran off to the small kitchen. After washing his hands, Sui Mo presented two letters to Song Suiyuan, “Young Master, news from Liuxiang Pavilion and what Sui Liu found.”

Song Suiyuan first opened one letter. Liuxiang Pavilion provided a few names, three of which he recognized and crossed off, leaving four.

Opening the other letter, he found one name overlapping.

Deng Zhiyu.

Song Suiyuan’s eyelids slightly narrowed, his expression as deep as distant mountains.

The legitimate son of a wealthy merchant he had just heard about on the mountain.

After a moment, he closed the letter and said, “Have Sui Liu continue investigating Deng Zhiyu. If there’s a portrait, bring one over.”

Something about this feels off, better to be patient.

“Yes,” Sui Mo responded.

Ah Yan came in just in time to hear this, paused his little steps, and then came in again, “Meow…”

Song Suiyuan snapped out of his deep thoughts and beckoned the little cat over. When it approached, he asked, “Is there fish today?”

“Meow.” Of course.

Ah Yan pointed its little paw at Sui Mo, tilting its round head and asked, “Meow meow?”

Do you know Deng Zhiyu?

Its expression was smooth and complete, but Song Suiyuan pretended not to understand, “Hmm?”

Ah Yan gestured a mountain, then a crown on its head, indicating Yang Zhi, and then pointed at Sui Mo, tilting its head.

“Are you saying…” Song Suiyuan pondered its gestures and paused, “Deng Zhiyu?”

The cat nodded.

Song Suiyuan didn’t tease it further and seriously said, “The person who came to my room at Liuxiang Pavilion that night was him.”

Cat Ah Yan was also there that night.

Whether it was true or not, telling it might lead to more clues.

He spoke with such certainty that Ah Yan was stunned.

It was like listening to his father teach military strategy or his dad test him on herbal names, the cat’s brain couldn’t handle it.

A big question mark rose, and the cat’s eyes were confused.

Seeing this, Song Suiyuan narrowed his eyes, lightly pursing his thin lips.

The little thing indeed knew something.

While the little white cat was in a daze, he coughed, a bit embarrassed, “To be honest, that night was my only time in this life. Although driven by drunkenness… I developed feelings for him and want to find him.”

The composed and elegant Young Master Song, at this moment, seemed to have a blush on his cheeks, stammering to express his feelings, reminding people that he was only eighteen this year.

Sui Mo, knowing the young master’s true nature, looked away, unable to watch.

The little white cat, having been subjected to Song Suiyuan’s performance, was completely stunned, its round little body unable to handle such powerful information.

The cat’s eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.

Song Suiyuan knew he had been accepted as one of Ah Yan’s own, just like now, it was willing to communicate with him through gestures.

He recalled Ah Yan’s soft-heartedness from last night and felt that playing the pity card might be the right approach.

So Young Master Song pressed on, lowering his eyes, “You heard how Yang Weiqing spoke on Sanghua Mountain. Now I just want to confirm… do you know if it was him?”

Ah Yan was in a daze, “Meow…”

Help.