Two men, each shouldering a pack wrapped in oilcloth containing medicinal herbs, plunged into the back courtyard through the downpour.

Under the eaves, two rigidly standing garrison soldiers watched them approach.

The footsteps of the two men involuntarily faltered.

Although only those who had already been vetted were permitted this close, upon seeing them pause, the soldiers' gazes instantly sharpened with vigilance.

This location was a critical storage point for epidemic prevention supplies; not a single mistake could be tolerated.

Noticing the guarded look from the soldiers, the man in the rear snapped back to attention, deliberately bumping the man in front of him as he moved forward.

They stopped one behind the other under the corridor. Without glancing at the soldiers, they unwrapped the oilcloth, set it aside, and delivered the two dry bundles of herbs into the house.

Emerging again, the soldiers’ attention had already shifted toward the courtyard entrance. Sensing the renewed gaze instinctively, they both turned their heads simultaneously.

The two men who had exited the doorway were staring at them blankly.

Four eyes met, and silence descended.

The posture of the two men unconsciously tensed, their hands drifting toward their waists—though nothing was there.

Before the garrison arrived, Qianjin Hall was short-staffed and had hired over twenty laborers who usually transported quicklime to serve as general hands, managing tasks like cordoning off goods and overseeing distribution. If not for them, the chaotic rush of people would have been uncontrollable, preventing looting and ensuring order.

When the garrison took over crowd control, these laborers didn't leave; they remained to assist. In the face of this devastating plague, those who could flee had long gone. These men, not being from Yongqing Prefecture, stayed behind—reportedly because Manager Hu, Qianjin Hall's accountant, was holding back their wages, but…

“Thank you for your hard work,” the two garrison soldiers nodded and said.

The two laborers gasped, their eyes widening as if in sheer disbelief.

“No, no…” one stammered.

“No hardship, no hardship, sirs, you are the ones working hard,” the other interjected, bowing and scraping obsequiously.

The atmosphere instantly eased.

Exchanging nods, the two men walked out into the rain.

As soon as they cleared the area, the two men couldn't help but break into a dead sprint, as if pursued by vicious hounds. They ran breathlessly into a chaotic, noisy courtyard.

“Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother! Guess what I overheard? Guess what!” The man who rushed in grabbed a fellow who was loudly debating with four or five others.

“Guess what? Stop guessing,” the man turned, speaking irritably.

The speaker burst into loud laughter.

“I heard those garrison soldiers tell me, ‘Thank you for your hard work!’” He clapped his hands, laughing hysterically, as if this were the most hilarious joke imaginable. “Thank you for your hard work! The soldiers told me!”

In the past, they were chased like stray dogs by these soldiers, yet today, they were politely thanked! It was something they could never have dreamed of!

“Enough,” the man frowned, covering the speaker’s mouth. “Watch your mouth. Don’t go looking for trouble!”

The man sullenly sat down but couldn't entirely mask his excitement.

“What’s there to show off about? Yesterday, a soldier even helped me push my cart,” a smaller, younger man chimed in.

While they chattered animatedly, several more serious men gathered together.

“Fourth Brother, did Big Brother say when we’re leaving?” one asked in a low voice. “These lads are restless here; they’ll cause trouble sooner or later. When that happens, it won't be about helping Madam Qi anymore; it’ll bring disaster.”

“Right. Don’t forget, the reward posters offering bounties for several of our brothers are still posted in several prefectures,” another murmured.

The man called Fourth Brother nodded.

“Big Brother said we’ll deliver one more grand gift to Madam Qi, and then we’re gone,” he stated.

“The money is ready. We’ll just toss it into Madam Qi’s courtyard when the time comes, right?” one of them suggested.

Fourth Brother smiled.

“That doesn't count. Big Brother was referring to those few people,” he clarified.

This statement made the others realize.

“Exactly, exactly. It’s time,” they chuckled.

“Oh, Master Hu, what brings you here today?”

A voice drifted in from the gate guards outside.

It was the messenger from the outer post. The men inside instantly silenced their conversation.

Hu San strode in with a hearty grin.

“Thank you, brothers. I’ve come to settle your wages,” he said cheerfully.

“No hurry, no hurry,” Fourth Brother quickly replied with a smile.

“No, I cannot. My master says, ‘Before the troops move, the provisions must be secured.’ You brothers are our provisions for this operation. Everything else can wait, but you cannot be delayed,” Hu San declared with a suddenly serious face, drawing a small money pouch from his chest and slowly handing it over.

The man paused, then stopped refusing. After all, they would return the money to Madam Qi eventually. He reached out and took it.

Hu San watched the pouch disappear into the man’s hand, feeling a pang of loss. Seeing the man about to toss the money to someone nearby without even looking, he quickly prompted, “Hey, hey, count it!”

The man laughed loudly, quickly recalling his hand and opening the pouch.

Wow, gold leaves…

Hu San raised an eyebrow, silently cheering for them.

In reality, no one shouted. Everyone was looking at their own holdings with that strange smile.

Why were these people acting like this…? Logically, laborers who earn money should treat it like meeting their own father, right? Why did they look so peculiar?

“Thank you, Master Hu,” the man said, casually tossing the money pouch to the person beside him.

The recipient casually hung the pouch at his waist.

Alright, these people haven't seen money, haven't seen gold leaves, and don't know how to get excited. Hu San understood; he wouldn't mock them.

“You’re too kind, it’s what you earned. We truly thank you this time; if it weren’t for you, things would have turned disastrous,” Hu San chuckled, clapping the man on the shoulder. “When everything is completely settled, I’ll treat you all to a proper drink.”

Mentioning alcohol, the men understood immediately; their eyes lit up.

Because the epidemic was so serious, drinking was forbidden here, yet they were guarding barrels of potent spirits daily. It was like watching a great beauty undress in bed, yet being physically unable to move—the group was being driven mad by the restraint.

The atmosphere instantly warmed.

“I want a drink,” Qi Yue said from under her quilt.

A’ru handed her ginger soup, leaving no room for negotiation.

“If you dare jump into the lake, why don’t you dare drink ginger soup?” she retorted.

Urgent footsteps sounded outside, followed by a sudden entry.

The rain was still falling outside. Chang Yuncheng, wearing only a bamboo hat, was completely soaked.

“How did you fall into the lake?” he asked. As he spoke, still standing outside, he entered and heard A’ru’s words, freezing instantly with a look of terror.

Jumped in? Drowned herself?

“No, no,” Qi Yue hastily laughed, her wet hair plastered to her face, letting out a heavy sneeze as she spoke.

Ignoring the water dripping from him, Chang Yuncheng removed his hat, placed it aside, took the ginger soup from A’ru’s hand, and thrust it before Qi Yue. His expression allowed no refusal.

Qi Yue smiled, reaching out from under the covers, taking the bowl, and downing the contents in one long gulp.

“Go bring another bowl,” she said, sticking out her tongue.

A’ru glanced at the dripping Chang Yuncheng, understood, and agreed before leaving.

Only the two of them remained in the room. Chang Yuncheng felt constrained, his gaze sweeping around the simple space—a mere resting place, far more spartan than Qianjin Hall.

This woman…

Chang Yuncheng’s nose prickled with emotion.

“Take off your clothes.”

Qi Yue’s voice broke the silence. Chang Yuncheng started.

Take…

He looked over and saw Qi Yue already rising, retrieving a loose outer gown from a small cabinet nearby. It was one of the standard, shapeless laboratory gowns issued by Qianjin Hall, not sized by gender or stature.

“No, no need,” Chang Yuncheng said.

Qi Yue looked at him and smiled.

“I’ll turn away. Hurry and change. Do you want me to blame myself and feel heartbroken if you catch a cold?” she teased.

Chang Yuncheng’s face instantly flushed crimson.

“Why hide? It’s not like we haven’t seen each other before,” he mumbled, beginning to undo his soaked outer garment.

Qi Yue quickly averted her gaze.

“You really are…” she said with a smile, finally turning her back.

Chang Yuncheng had only spoken that last sentence out of habit. Recalling it now, only bitterness remained. Memories of their past playful intimacy in private chambers surged back, and he could almost hear that woman’s startled cries in his ear.

But at this moment, his ears registered only quiet, and the woman before him, with her back turned, picked up a towel.

“Here, dry yourself,” she said, handing it over with her back still turned.

A polite avoidance, no panic, no shyness—everything was so natural and casual. Chang Yuncheng reached out, accepted the towel, and slowly began drying his body.

When A’ru returned, Chang Yuncheng was already wearing the loose gown. He was tall, and the clothes hung on him awkwardly, exposing his arms and legs.

Chang Yuncheng naturally felt awkward, so he sat down, using the sips of ginger soup as a cover, watching the area peripherally.

Qi Yue and A’ru were shaking out the clothes he had removed.

“I’ll go dry these,” A’ru offered.

“These need washing; they’re full of rainwater,” Qi Yue shook her head. “Go see if anyone else has spare clothes—someone whose size is close—and borrow a set.”

A’ru nodded and went out again.

“I didn’t jump in the lake; I was swimming,” Qi Yue said, turning around.

Chang Yuncheng lowered his gaze. “Oh.”

Silence filled the room.

“When are you leaving?” Qi Yue asked.

“Since the schedule is already delayed, a little later won’t matter,” Chang Yuncheng replied. “I’ll leave when things are completely secure.”

Delayed… just as she thought.

Qi Yue sighed. Unsure what else to say, she sat down and said nothing more.

The rain outside intensified, drumming fiercely on the roof and splashing in through the window lattices. Qi Yue rose to close the windows, and Chang Yuncheng quickly moved to help.

Because he had risen in a rush, the oversized gown caught on the corner of the table. Chang Yuncheng’s movement was too large, and he couldn't stop; with a sharp rip, it tore.

Qi Yue turned back in astonishment to see the man half-naked, revealing taut chest, waist, and thigh… Seeing her gaze, Chang Yuncheng hurriedly tried to pull the torn fabric across himself to cover up.

Qi Yue was equally vexed and amused. Seeing his flustered, comical state, she finally covered her mouth and burst into laughter.

“Chang Yuncheng, you exhibitionist! Did you deliberately come here to show off your muscles?” she roared with laughter.

Chang Yuncheng!

It had been so long since she had called him by his full name. It was always you or hey instead. Chang Yuncheng! Chang Yuncheng!

Watching the woman laughing with her hand over her mouth, Chang Yuncheng felt his mind explode. He strode forward a few steps, suddenly pulling her into his arms, and with a sharp snap, pulled the window shut.

Accompanied by the sound, the light in the room dimmed further, and the rain hammered against the windowpane with fierce, sharp cracks.