Song Qingshu's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his composure. "Sister Bao, what's wrong?"
"You're not Baoyu." Xue Baochai stared intently into his eyes.
Song Qingshu immediately understood that he had indeed displayed too many abnormalities lately. What he had done while investigating the case today was like the last straw that broke the camel's back. Fortunately, he had prepared a response long ago. He let out a long sigh. "Sister Bao, people change eventually. I was a prisoner for so long, and now my family has suffered such a drastic upheaval. Do you really think I could still be the same as before?"
Xue Baochai lightly bit her thin lip. "But for you to suddenly start investigating cases... isn't that too great a change?"
Song Qingshu looked despondent. "Sister Bao, after the family's upheaval, do you think the court would still allow anyone from the Jia family to pursue an official career? If I become someone like Song Ci, a specialist in solving cases, it would reassure the court on one hand and protect myself on the other."
Xue Baochai could not help taking his hand gently. "Baoyu, no matter what becomes of your family, I... I will never change."
As he watched the blush gradually rise on the young woman's cheeks, even revealing the fine down on her face, Song Qingshu could not help sighing. The shyness and anxious uncertainty between her brows were things mature women found difficult to possess—the vibrant air of youth.
"But..." Xue Baochai suddenly seized his wrist and stared fixedly into his eyes. "I've already sent someone to Song Ci to verify your relationship. If I find out you've lied to me, I will never forgive you."
One moment, she had been an infinitely bashful young lady from an inner chamber; the