After becoming pregnant, the cold-hearted nobles all went mad.

"Miss, I wonder what you wish to ask me?" Manager Liu had watched Shen Lingyi grow up from childhood and doted on her like a younger member of his own family.

Over the years, Shen Lingyi's features have matured, and her face is no longer chubby like it was when she was young. Her eyes and brows are as charming and beautiful as spring water, and her lips are slightly parted, exuding a natural elegance.

"I know Uncle Liu has worked hard for the family all these years. I heard that your daughter-in-law gave birth to a healthy baby boy a few days ago. I haven't had a chance to congratulate you yet, so I'm bringing you this gift money."

The money bag landed on the table with a heavy thud.

Manager Liu's heart skipped a beat, and he hesitated before looking at Shen Lingyi: "How can I accept this? Miss, please don't make this old servant feel uncomfortable."

Shen Lingyi forcefully stuffed the full money bag into his hand: "Take it, you deserve it."

Manager Liu's heart immediately warmed.

No matter what others say about their young lady, the servants won't accept it, simply because Shen Lingyi is a bit domineering.

But she's really generous to her own people!

Not to mention that Shaoyao was the maid with the highest allowance among the first-class maids, the servants of Qixiang Courtyard received ice allowances in the summer, charcoal allowances in the winter, and various rewards.

People in the courtyard rarely called her "Second Miss" in private; they usually just called her "Miss".

Because in their hearts, there is only one Miss Shen Lingyi. They don't know or understand what the eldest daughter of the General's Mansion is.

"Then this old servant will shamelessly accept it."

After accepting the money, Manager Liu asked Shen Lingyi with a smile if there was anything he could help with. He had already guessed that Shen Lingyi wouldn't come over unless there was something wrong.

Shen Lingyi then said, "There's someone I'd like Uncle Liu to help me find. He's a scholar who often goes to the shop to sell calligraphy practice books..."

As Manager Liu listened, he hesitated, glancing uncertainly at Shen Lingyi, thinking, "Miss cares so much about a man, could it be someone she loves?"

He didn't dare ask; no matter how close a servant is, he is still a servant.

What servant would chase after their master to ask about his private affairs?

Manager Liu had no choice but to agree, and then secretly took it to heart.

Shen Lingyi left the clothing shop. It was a rare opportunity for her to leave the mansion, and she didn't plan to go back too soon.

"Miss, they sell almond cookies over there, let's go buy some!"

Peony pointed to a stall not far away. In fact, even without her saying anything, Shen Lingyi had already smelled the strong and domineering aroma. Almond shortbread was her favorite.

Many years ago, the master and servant secretly ran out late at night to buy things, and then hid them under the covers to share.

The distant memory brought a smile to Shen Lingyi's face. She said, "It's been a while since I've had this."

Just as she was about to go and buy it, she caught a glimpse of a person wearing a veiled hat hurrying by. The snow-white veil swayed slightly, and the slender figure exuded a sense of elegance. The person seemed very familiar.

Peony asked in confusion, "Isn't that the young lady?"

Shen Lingyi recognized her too. Strange, why was Shen Tingjiao hiding herself so thoroughly in broad daylight, and why was she acting so furtively?

She decided to give up on buying almond cookies and immediately chase after them to see what was going on.

Shen Tingjiao walked very carefully, choosing to walk through deserted alleys and avoiding crowded places to prevent being recognized. She also covered her face with one hand to prevent the thin veil from being blown by the wind.

Shen Lingyi followed closely behind. Several times, Shen Tingjiao turned around, but she managed to avoid being discovered. Even so, she was almost discovered.

Even Peony couldn't help but tremble with fear, repeatedly patting her chest and saying, "Young Miss is being too cautious."

"That makes it even more suspicious." Shen Lingyi remembered something and asked her, "By the way, last night I asked you to question the palace servants, did you find out anything?"

Peony nodded and then shook her head, her little face looking miserable. "I asked a palace maid, but she was just serving wine to the nobles at the banquet in order, and it just happened to reach Prince Wei."

"That wine pot should have revealed something, but unfortunately, when I asked for it, Prince Wei snatched it away, saying he would investigate it himself."

Shen Lingyi was not surprised at all. Given Wei Chengrui's vengeful nature, he would definitely retaliate if he knew he had been tricked.

There's no need to worry too much about him tracking us; the important thing right now is not to lose him.

Seeing Shen Tingjiao speed up again, Shen Lingyi secretly accelerated, whispering to Shaoyao, "Hurry up and keep up."

Shen Lingyi finally saw Shen Tingjiao enter a messy alley. For some reason, she tapped the bricks on the wall three times, and someone came out to meet her.

Both of them were wearing hoods, their faces completely covered, making it impossible to tell what they did.

Shen Lingyi was tempted to follow, but as soon as she stood up, she was pushed back down. The person behind her covered her mouth and said, "If you don't want to die, don't recklessly follow us in."

"Wei Chengrui." Shen Lingyi immediately recognized the person behind her. She knew him so well that she didn't even need to see his face to know it was him.

With Wei Chengrui blocking her way, Shen Tingjiao disappeared without a trace.

She held her breath and snapped at the person who had suddenly appeared, "You'd better have a good reason."

Wei Chengrui raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Wuyi Lane, is that reason enough?"

Shen Lingyi quickly turned her head, then turned back a moment later, her eyes filled with disbelief: "This is it?"

She was even more shocked when she saw Wei Chengrui nod.

She had always asked Feng Ren to investigate, and she didn't know that the famous Wuyi Lane was actually in the capital. Strangely, Feng Ren had never told her.

"Wuyi Lane is exclusive. If you go in without a recognized identity, and you're all alone with just a maid, if you go in today, tomorrow the Ghost Market will have another human skin lantern."

Wei Chengrui revealed his gleaming white teeth, and his chilling tone made Shaoyao tremble.

Shen Lingyi, however, wasn't particularly afraid: "Judging from your tone, you've been to the ghost market?"

The Ghost Market is actually a market that opens after midnight and is closely related to Wuyi Lane. You can take anything there to sell as stolen goods, including palace items with the imperial seal.

Shen Lingyi had only heard about it from others or read about it in some miscellaneous books before, but had never actually been there.

Wei Chengrui pinched her nose, turned her around, and sneered irritably, "You think you can go to a place like that? Forget it."

As I stepped out of the alley, the faint, chilling aura that had lingered around me vanished, and the lingering coldness in my bones was instantly dispelled by the bustling crowd.

Shen Lingyi was bumped by a man carrying a shoulder pole and was about to fall when Wei Chengrui finally couldn't stand it and pulled her back with a light click of his tongue.

His soft, warm body pressed against his chest, and when he looked down, he could see the woman's misty eyes. The touch under his hand was incredibly soft, so much so that Wei Chengrui was momentarily stunned and forgot where he was.

Until Shen Lingyi's light, airy voice, with a hint of a hook, rang out: "Young Master, how long are you going to keep hugging and cuddling in the street?"