Ding Ruihan wanted freedom, and Jiang Yanchuan granted it.
But that freedom lay far away at the foot of bitterly cold Liuyang Mountain, and before she left, she would have to help him take care of something.
Strictly speaking, it was more than just one thing.
He needed Ding Ruihan to return first and keep the Ding Residence settled, cooperating with their movements so they could gather more evidence from the shadows.
Jiang Yanchuan had always wanted to wipe out Jiangnan's Slender Horse industry completely, but more pressing affairs of state had constantly shackled his steps, leaving him unable to act for years.
Now, Ding Ruihan, who wanted to escape the Ding Residence's control, could serve as just the opening he needed. During his travels through Jiangnan, he could uproot the countless "Ding Residences" engaged in this trade in one fell swoop.
Ding Ruihan let out a long breath.
After that heart-stopping ordeal, she no longer dared mention anything related to the purse. She could only swallow her grievance with bitter resentment and watch as a man dressed like a guard made two Human-Skin Masks on the spot, then replaced the two maids she had brought.
By the time they were finally allowed to leave, everyone was coated in a thin sheen of sweat.
"Let's go," Ding Ruihan said weakly, all her earlier vivacity and brightness gone.
Only after she was certain the Ding Residence's Painted Pleasure Boat was sailing farther and farther away did Jiang Yingcheng slowly breathe a sigh of relief.
Then she looked with interest at Brother Lifeng, whom she had just met: [Hmm... I didn't look closely earlier, but now that I do, Chengcheng's Brother Lifeng is quite handsome~]
[Swordlike brows, starry eyes, a finely shaped nose, a face sculpted by a blade...]
After only