Chapter 62: So It Was All Written by You

Qingluan’s emotions were tangled; her crimson lips pressed together as she ultimately chose to say nothing, merely responding with a couple of soft grunts.

“Miss Bai, come along, I’ll take you to wash up,” she said.

Bai Shuxuan, however, seemed unwilling to acknowledge her, remaining kneeling at Cheng Guang’s feet, refusing to move even an inch away.

This sight made the corner of Qingluan’s mouth twitch involuntarily. Silently, she looked toward her young master.

Cheng Guang lowered his eyes, gave a casual glance, and nudged Bai Shuxuan’s face with his foot, pushing her further away.

“Go bathe, you stink,” he said.

The moment Bai Shuxuan heard this, her jade-like features lost all color. She hurriedly raised her sleeve to sniff herself. Her prison clothes were a bit dirty and had a faint odor, but nothing too noticeable. In fact, her own fragrance was stronger than the scent of her garments.

Still, Cheng Guang’s words struck her deeply. She quickly rose, her face full of apology. A blush crept across her cheeks, as if she felt ashamed that her smell might have offended the young master.

“Your Highness, I’ll wash right away,” she said meekly.

Cheng Guang picked up his teacup and nodded slightly.

Bai Shuxuan followed Qingluan out.

Hongzhu stood frozen, glancing from Cheng Guang to Bai Shuxuan, uncertain what to do. She wanted to question Cheng Guang but dared not. In the end, she stamped her foot and hurried after Bai Shuxuan.

She no longer dared to defy Cheng Guang, fear gripping her tightly. Seeing her mistress in such a state, Hongzhu felt her own fate might soon follow—broken in the same way.

Little did she know, her return to the Duke Protector’s manor in Cheng Guang’s company was only as a foil. Cheng Guang would not waste his time on her.

After the three women left, Cheng Guang beckoned Lin Cheng.

“Lin Cheng, come here.”

Lin Cheng hurried forward, bowing his head. “My lord.”

Cheng Guang set down his teacup and looked at Lin Cheng. “Are you familiar with White Deer Manor?”

Lin Cheng was momentarily stunned, then quickly recovered, a broad, honest smile spreading across his face.

“I know it well. I grew up near White Deer Manor. Why does my lord ask?”

Cheng Guang tapped the table lightly with his finger, his expression calm.

“I need you to travel from the capital to White Deer Manor. Along the way, help me find a beggar.”

“A beggar?” Lin Cheng blinked in confusion.

Cheng Guang nodded.

“This beggar looks much like me. If you can’t find him right away, keep looking. Once you do, come back and report to me. Don’t alert anyone; I need this man.”

Cheng Guang gave only simple instructions, not explaining why he sought this person.

Lin Cheng never questioned Cheng Guang’s orders, simply committing them to memory.

“When should I leave, my lord?” he asked quietly after a moment’s hesitation.

“Now. Go,” Cheng Guang said, gesturing toward the gate.

Lin Cheng was taken aback, then, realizing the opportunity, felt a quiet joy. After all, his family lived near White Deer Manor. Since joining the Duke Protector’s household, he had not returned home for several months. Perhaps, after completing this task, he might find time to visit his parents and two younger brothers.

He accepted the order and departed quickly.

Cheng Guang watched Lin Cheng’s retreating figure, his gaze steady. Only once Lin Cheng had vanished from sight did he look away.

Around him were many elite guards appointed by Cheng Zhihai. Though they had never shown themselves openly, Cheng Guang was certain of their presence. Every move he made was under Cheng Zhihai’s supervision.

Within the capital, it was tolerable, but leaving would never be permitted. That was why Cheng Guang sent Lin Cheng instead of going himself.

He drummed his fingers lightly on the table, his mind awash with thoughts. He knew that true freedom would only come when he had won over these secret guardians—preventing them from reporting his every action to Cheng Zhihai.

Cheng Guang looked around. When his cultivation was lower, he never sensed anything amiss. But after reaching the Yin Spirit stage, he became acutely aware of hidden gazes watching him, silently guarding his safety.

Each time he returned to the Duke Protector’s manor, those gazes faded away one by one, leaving only a couple lingering. Once he entered the Myriad Phenomena Garden, almost all vanished.

It seemed Cheng Zhihai still afforded his son some privacy. After all, he was the heir—if watched every moment, it would be surveillance, not protection.

At this moment, Cheng Guang could guess how the real heir had managed, under such strict supervision, to switch places and slip away unnoticed.

He tapped the table thoughtfully, sensing something, and his gaze fell upon the plum tree, staring at it intently.

The plum branches swayed gently, petals drifting down on the wind.

Scattered by the cold wind, their beauty was but frost without substance.

Cheng Guang watched the plum tree for a while. He noticed a tremor in the gaze hidden behind it—first feigning indifference and looking away, then glancing back, only to find Cheng Guang still staring intently, unblinking.

The observer shuddered and shrank back, seemingly unaware that Cheng Guang had already found him.

Cheng Guang nearly failed to suppress a smile.

“Come out and talk?” Cheng Guang said softly.

The hidden man, realizing he had been discovered, no longer concealed himself and stepped out from behind the plum tree.

His figure emerged from the shadows—a man just past forty, with a robust build and resolute features that lent him a heroic air. He wore a dark uniform of the Lantern Division, embroidered with silver clouds, symbolizing his rank and status.

“How did you notice me, my lord?” Song Yunqi looked at Cheng Guang with respect, though surprise flickered in his eyes. He had not concealed himself with particular care, yet few could have spotted him.

Cheng Guang smiled without replying.

Song Yunqi’s face also broke into a wide grin. After a respectful salute, he asked softly, “May I ask why you called me out, my lord?”

“It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to ask—aside from guarding me, what else has my father instructed you to supervise?”

Cheng Guang’s expression was gentle, his voice mild.

Song Yunqi’s tone did not change. “The Director ordered us only to guard you and to prevent you from leaving the capital without permission. As for surveillance, he never mentioned it. However, as members of the Lantern Division, we are tasked with monitoring events throughout the realm. We must record everything we see and report it. This is our duty.”

“Your words and deeds, your daily affairs, are not sent to the Lantern Division—they remain in the manor’s library, never to be read by outsiders. You need not worry.”

Cheng Guang, always composed, finally let a hint of surprise show.

He had long wondered why the library contained volumes recording the daily actions and behavior of the young lord.

So, it was all their doing.

…