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County Magistrate Cao knew the tide had turned. Tears streamed down his face. "This humble official truly did not know! I beg Your Highness to investigate clearly!"

Qin Ke already had a guess as to who the mastermind was, but he had no evidence. Seeing that County Magistrate Cao did not seem to be lying, he feared the true culprit was hidden very deeply.

With that thought, he said no more and merely ordered that the man be securely detained.

Mengshan County's magistrate fell from office overnight, leaving all the county yamen officials trembling in silence.

The rain continued until dawn, and by the look of it, it seemed it would not stop all day.

As agreed, Qin Ke and the other two rode to Rong Residence.

Rong Xi knew nothing of their arrival. He was in the kitchen preparing ingredients.

When the Liu Clan grandfather and grandson saw their old acquaintances arrive, they warmly received them, leading them into the main hall and serving tea and snacks.

Qin Ke and Chen Chuangu had stayed here for around half a month and were already familiar with the place. Liang Siwen, however, looked around curiously. Seeing how old and worn the house was, he sighed inwardly.

When he had met Rong Xi yesterday, he had seen that Rong Xi had lost a great deal of weight and no longer looked as plump as before. His life must have been exceedingly difficult.

He himself had not been injured, yet Rong Xi had been sent away to a remote wasteland. The more he thought about it, the more guilty he felt.

Just as he was frowning in deep thought, Rong Xi walked out of the kitchen.

Liang Siwen looked up. Rong Clan's Eldest Brother wore a smile, his eyes bright and clear. Rain fell behind him like a curtain, setting off his figure. He seemed remarkably poised, graceful, and refined.

He was no worse than Rong Lian.

The thought startled him. How could he be so bewitched? Rong Lian was a celebrated talent of Shengjing, handsome and elegant, with the bearing of pine and bamboo, praised by countless people. How could Rong Xi possibly compare with him?

He hurriedly lowered his head and did not look again.

"Lord Chen, Brother Chen, Young Master Liang." Rong Xi greeted them one by one.

The three returned his greeting.

Holding his cup, Qin Ke said casually, "Circumstances compelled me to conceal my name before. I hope Young Master Rong will not take offense."

Before Rong Xi could respond, a smile spread at the corners of his eyes, and his voice softened. "My name is Qin Ke, courtesy name Sizhi."

No one in Great Wei was unfamiliar with the name Qin Ke.

Rong Xi did not know whether he ought to bow and address him as "Prince," when Qin Ke continued, "You and I are friends. I am a few years older, so you may call me elder brother."

Chen Chuangu and Liang Siwen were both greatly astonished.

They had never seen Prince Qin treat anyone with such warmth and kindness. Chen Chuangu liked Rong Xi as well, but coming from Qin Ke, it was simply strange.

Rong Xi went along with it and smiled. "Brother Sizhi."

With honored guests at his door, he naturally did his utmost to prepare a meal. By the time the afternoon arrived, the table was fully set with bowls and dishes.

Steamed perch, chicken stewed with mushrooms, shrimp and tofu, stir-fried bean sprouts, braised eggplant in sauce, served with soft, fragrant white rice—it was practically a feast fit for immortals.

As Liang Siwen ate, he marveled that it was far more delicious than the dishes at Gourmet Pavilion! No wonder his father had had such a poor appetite yesterday—it was because of Rong Dalang's cooking.

The guests nearly swept through the meal like a whirlwind. Every last bit on the plates went into their stomachs, yet they still felt it was not enough.

Seeing this, Rong Xi felt deeply satisfied.

After the meal, Qin Ke and the others prepared to leave. Chen Chuangu grasped Rong Xi's wrist, his eyes brimming with tears. "Who knows when we will meet again next time?"

Just as he spoke, Liu Zishi arrived carrying a box.

The wooden box was exquisite and beautiful. One glance was enough to tell that it had come from Feng Shan's hands.

"A small token of my regard," Rong Xi explained with a smile. "This is white sugar."

"White sugar?" Liang Siwen was the most curious of all and quickly opened it to look. Several rows of white sugar were arranged inside, each wrapped in candy paper.

He peeled back the wrapping and indeed saw white sugar, crystalline and translucent!

"I have never seen white sugar before. Where did you get it?" Liang Siwen asked in delighted surprise.

Not even Shengjing had it.

Qin Ke and Chen Chuangu exchanged a glance, each understanding the other's thoughts.

White sugar was rare and surely immensely valuable. Since Rong Dalang could give away so much of it, he must have some connection to white sugar.

Rong Clan's Eldest Brother had become even more unfathomable.

"Thank you for this generous gift, Dalang." Qin Ke accepted it openly.

Then he asked, "I saw a newly made stone mill in the courtyard. What is it used for?"

There were still faint traces of soybean liquid on the stone mill. Qin Ke's eyes were sharp, and he had noticed them long ago.

Logically speaking, tofu was a new product. No tofu shops had yet appeared among the common folk, and almost no one knew how tofu was made. Yet Rong Residence had a stone mill specifically for grinding soybeans.

It was so obvious that Qin Ke could not possibly fail to guess.

Hearing this, Rong Xi answered frankly with a smile, "To be honest, I enjoy studying food. I learned the method for making tofu from a strange book. With nothing to do, I tried it myself, and fortunately, it worked."

His tone was calm, without the slightest trace of awkwardness or nervousness. He did not seem to be pretending.

"A strange book? What strange book?" Liang Siwen asked whenever he had a question.

Hu and Jiang had heard of the strange book but had never asked about it. Qin Ke and Chen Chuangu had not asked either. Only young Liang, innocent and straightforward, had put Rong Xi on the spot.

Rong Xi froze for a moment before replying apologetically, "Too much time has passed. I have already forgotten."

Qin Ke suddenly gave a soft laugh. "After enjoying Dalang's hospitality today, I fear that once I return to the capital, all food will taste bland. Does Dalang have any plans to return to the capital?"

The tall man stood beneath the eaves, and the dim curtain of rain made his noble bearing all the more striking. His eyes were deep and tranquil, as though they could peer straight into one's heart.

A chill crept up Rong Xi's back, and his heart tightened slightly.

Prince Qin, known as Yama, could not possibly be as gentle and refined as he appeared. He had lived through war and killed countless enemies, with thoughts deep and calculating. This man was even more unfathomable than Rong Xi had imagined.

"Compared with Shengjing's splendor, I prefer the scenery of the countryside."

Those were his true feelings. For now, he truly had no desire to return to Shengjing.

"Everyone has their own aspirations." Qin Ke gave him a long, searching look. "No need to see us out, Dalang. Farewell."

The three departed into the rain, while Rong Xi stood beneath the eaves and watched them for a long while.

"Young master, the wind is cold. Shall we return inside?" Seeing him frown in thought, Liu Zishi asked quietly.

"Yes."

If he had guessed correctly, Qin Ke already knew that these matters were connected to him. Still, he had never intended to hide them too carefully. Whether Qin Ke knew or not did not matter. So long as he did not violate Great Wei's laws, he had nothing to fear.

Inside the carriage, Liang Siwen held the box of sugar and asked Qin Ke, "Father, can I try some?"

Qin Ke's expression was impassive as he gave a slight nod. He did not like sweets, so this white sugar naturally belonged to Liang Siwen.