After leaving the dining room, TanTan immediately hurried off to find QingQing and XiaoRue.
She eventually found them in a guest room, where they had just finished their meal.
"Found you!"
Her sudden appearance startled both XiaoRue and QingQing.
XiaoRue instinctively stood up to offer TanTan her seat.
"Thank you, XiaoRue. You can sit down too."
XiaoRue obeyed and sat beside her before pouring tea for everyone at the table.
QingQing looked at TanTan with widened eyes, then smiled.
"You know, I usually dislike nobles. But from the moment we met, I've liked you, HuaMuTan. I really don't understand why my sister hates you so much!"
"Well, you can ask her about that yourself someday. For now, QingQing, since you're staying here with me, I really hope you can help me!"
TanTan's expression turned serious.
Seeing her change in attitude, QingQing became serious as well. She studied TanTan's face before letting out a sigh.
"Is this about the clues you wanted? About the Silver Mask?"
"Of course! What else could it be? Tell me about those underground people you mentioned earlier. Can I find any clues from them? Where can I find them?"
TanTan's enthusiasm was so intense that it startled XiaoRue and amused QingQing.
"Wow! You really don't want to waste any time, do you? Well, I'm still not sure it's a good idea for someone like you to go there. Besides, there's something I don't understand."
QingQing looked at TanTan seriously.
"What is it?" TanTan asked.
"You have a powerful husband who has enough influence in this town to investigate things for you. Why don't you ask him for help? Wouldn't that be easier and safer?"
"QingQing is right, XiaoJie," XiaoRue added. "Perhaps you should tell Prince Li the truth about the Silver Mask. He could be dangerous to you. I'm worried something might happen if you go looking for him alone."
Their suggestions would have made perfect sense if TanTan's marriage were a normal one—and if she were truly HuaMuTan.
"I'm not sure he would help me. Don't you know the rumors about our marriage, QingQing? He hates me!"
"I know, but I always thought those were just rumors. From what I saw this evening, your husband seems to have some affection for you."
QingQing was referring to the way Prince Li had brought TanTan home and even shared dinner with her. Those certainly weren't the actions of a husband who completely despised his wife.
"Well... Prince Li has been treating XiaoJie differently from before," XiaoRue added.
TanTan frowned and shot both of them an irritated look. She wasn't angry, exactly, but she was clearly fed up with their assumptions.
"Enough with this nonsense! I can handle my own affairs without asking for his help. QingQing, you promised to help me, so please tell me something useful!"
"All right, all right! I understand."
QingQing raised her hands in surrender before continuing.
"I suspect the Silver-Masked man you're looking for might be connected to the underground world. They're extremely secretive, so finding them openly isn't easy. However, there's one place where they usually gather to conduct their business..."
"Where is it?"
TanTan leaned forward impatiently. Perhaps this was finally her chance to meet the Silver Mask and ask him directly who had wanted to kill her—or, more precisely, the original HuaMuTan.
But before QingQing could reveal the location, Aunt Tong entered the room.
"Miss QingQing, your room is ready. Please allow me to show you the way."
QingQing glanced at TanTan and suddenly stretched her arms, letting out a long yawn.
"Ahh... I'm so tired now. Why don't we get some rest and continue our conversation tomorrow?"
Although TanTan desperately wanted to know the location, she noticed that Aunt Tong was still standing nearby. She didn't want the older woman overhearing their conversation and reporting it to Prince Li later.
With a reluctant sigh, she finally agreed.
"Very well. Let's call it a night. But promise me we'll continue this conversation tomorrow!"
"Of course! Don't worry, HuaMuTan. Besides, I don't have any plans tomorrow!"
QingQing smiled cheerfully.
"Well, good night, everyone!"
She excused herself and followed Aunt Tong out of the room.
"XiaoJie..."
XiaoRue sounded a little hesitant. TanTan turned toward her with a questioning look.
"Is there something you want to say, XiaoRue?"
"How long will Miss QingQing be staying with us?"
TanTan looked at her curiously, wondering why she was asking.
"I don't know, XiaoRue. I suppose she'll stay as long as she can help me find the Silver-Masked man. Why do you ask?"
"Ah... Nothing. I was just curious."
Not wanting TanTan to ask anything further, XiaoRue quickly changed the subject.
"But... about this Silver-Masked man, XiaoJie. Isn't it dangerous to meet someone like him? What if he's actually your enemy and tries to hurt you?"
"No, I don't think he's our enemy, XiaoRue. Remember what happened in the forest? If he had wanted to kill me, he could have done it back then. He's had several other chances too, but he never harmed me. On the contrary, he actually helped me. That's why I believe he's not our enemy."
"Perhaps you're right, XiaoJie... Shall we return to your room now?"
XiaoRue decided not to question her further.
TanTan nodded, and the two of them headed back to her bedroom.
Meanwhile, in the study room, Prince Li was having an important discussion with ManQi.
They had just finished arranging a plan based on the news ManQi had brought about the Crown Prince's return from battle.
For years, Prince Li had received reports that whenever the Crown Prince returned victorious from a military campaign, he would spend several days in a small town near Iron Place, celebrating his victories with wine and women.
However, Prince Li had secretly stationed spies around the area and discovered something suspicious.
Every second night, the Crown Prince would mysteriously disappear from the town. When he returned, he would somehow possess a huge fortune, which he used to fund his own private army.
For a long time, Prince Li and Prince FengEr had suspected that the Crown Prince was involved in illegal activities. Unfortunately, they had never managed to obtain solid evidence.
This time, Prince Li intended to uncover the truth.
ManQi seemed concerned about something. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke.
"Master... should I inform Prince FengEr about our plan?"
Prince Li considered the matter carefully before answering.
"No. There's no need for that yet. Let us find the evidence first. I'll inform him afterward. Besides, if something goes wrong, I don't want to put him in a difficult position. Just make sure everyone is ready for the plan."
"Yes, Master!"
ManQi acknowledged the order and was about to leave when Prince Li suddenly called him again.
"Ah, ManQi."
"Yes, Master?"
"Assign more guards to this mansion while I'm away at the palace tomorrow. And make sure HuaMuTan doesn't sneak out again like she did before!"
ManQi immediately understood his master's concern.
Inwardly, he also made a promise to himself.
I mustn't let XiaoRue fool me again next time. I've already embarrassed myself enough in front of Master.
"Yes, Master."
After bowing respectfully, ManQi finally left the study.
Once alone, Prince Li returned to his thoughts.
He began considering what kind of request he should make of HuaMuTan the following day.
Unbeknownst to himself, the more he thought about it, the more amused he became.
A faint smile even appeared on his face.
Meanwhile, TanTan was already lying in her bedroom, hoping the night would pass quickly so she could continue questioning QingQing about the mysterious gathering place the next day.
In another part of the mansion, QingQing was also in her newly assigned room.
After Aunt Tong had left, QingQing quietly surveyed her surroundings. Then she walked toward the window and opened it.
Her room happened to be positioned near the mansion's rear wall, making it relatively easy for someone to slip out unnoticed.
QingQing looked outside and smiled.
"Not bad..."
Elsewhere, in a secret room whose location was known to very few, the Silver-Masked man was discussing his plans with an elderly man.
A black-clothed subordinate entered and delivered a report.
"So... that useless Crown Prince has returned, has he? Interesting. I doubt Prince Li will simply sit still after hearing this."
The Silver-Masked man turned toward the elderly man dressed in black beside him.
The old man bowed slightly before responding.
"Indeed, Master. I believe Prince Li will become even more alert. He may even decide to make a move soon."
The Silver-Masked man sighed.
"Let's hope he doesn't jump straight into the tiger's den without proper preparation."
"And what do you intend to do, Master?"
The elderly man asked the question in a tone resembling a teacher testing his student's judgment.
"As much as I'd like to help him get rid of that useless Crown Prince, now isn't the right time. Let's wait and observe for the moment."
The Silver-Masked man had made his decision.
The old man nodded, apparently satisfied with his master's answer.
Then the Silver-Masked man turned toward another black-clothed subordinate.
"Do you have any news about HuaMuTan?"
The subordinate immediately stepped forward and gave a detailed report about what had happened at the Law Mansion.
After hearing the report, the Silver-Masked man suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! She's certainly a brave woman, isn't she? To think she would dare stand up to Prince Li like that! How interesting!"
The elderly man observed his master with a concerned expression.
He couldn't help wondering just how interesting this HuaMuTan had become in his master's eyes...
Or perhaps, even in his heart?