In the next room, the man sitting at the table couldn’t help but chuckle softly upon hearing Shen Siyi’s words.

His face, normally cold, elegant, and unsmiling, now broke into a sudden smile, giving the official sitting across from him quite a scare.

“Mr. Xie, was there a problem with my report?”

“There is no issue. Please continue,” the man said calmly, raising his teacup to his thin lips.

Just as he was about to drink, another furious shout from Shen Siyi erupted from the next room.

“I told the human trafficker I wanted a replacement, but what kind of degenerate did he send me? I hire you for a simple act, and you want to drag me away to be your broodmare? And on top of that, you expect *me* to pay *you*?”

Having been on the receiving end of her tirade, the poor scholar finally got the message: she wasn’t happy with him.

He grabbed Shen Siyi’s wrist to stop her from leaving. “Miss, you can find a replacement, but you have to give me my silver. I kept you company for this meal today. Are you trying to dine and dash?”

Shen Siyi’s eyes widened as she pointed at the dishes on the table.

“Four dishes and a soup, and you ate every last bite yourself. I only had half a cup of wine. You have the gall to ask me for more silver? You should be grateful I’m not making you pay the bill!”

The mad scholar’s face reddened in desperation. “You’re the one who hired me to act! You’re supposed to cover everything I buy or use today! In any case, if you don’t pay up, I… I won’t let you leave.”

Shen Siyi let out a cold laugh, her gaze turning utterly frigid.

“Not letting me leave? The person who can stop me hasn’t been born yet. Who the hell do you think you are?”

A loud CLATTERING came from the next room. The man frowned slightly, put down his teacup, and glanced over his shoulder.

The two private rooms were separated only by a pair of close-fitting screens. The space had originally been one large chamber, which the inn had divided to accommodate more guests.

In truth, the soundproofing was terrible; they could clearly hear everything being said on the other side.

Hearing the crash of plates and the clatter of a falling stool next door, the man’s eyes narrowed. He murmured coldly, “Quite the spitfire.”

The official across from him was in the middle of his report. He froze, thinking the man’s comment was directed at him.

He immediately stammered, “Sir, my phrasing may have been a bit… colorful, but it’s all true. Both the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites are in collusion with General Yang Wei.”

“From what I’ve investigated, they’re using Mr. Qi as a middleman. On one of his estates, they’re keeping concubines and beautiful servant girls, and they’ve also amassed a collection of rare treasures. They use all this to launder their stolen silver.”

The man refocused, saying calmly, “Mr. Qi should have a ledger of their transactions. However, I sent men to his residence previously, and I fear we may have already tipped them off. Wait a few more days. I’ll figure something out.”

The official nodded. “Understood. By the way, Sir, there was also the matter from last time…”

He hadn’t even finished his sentence when a sharp “HA!” erupted from the next room. A split second later, a figure slammed into the screen. With a loud CRACK, the screen toppled over and fell right onto the man.

The man had just picked up his teacup, and the sudden impact sent tea splashing all over him.

The official across from him gasped. “Sir…”

‘This is bad! Everyone knows Mr. Xie is ruthless and cold-hearted. He’s vengeful over the slightest offense and a notorious neat freak. Whoever angered him this time is in for a world of trouble!’

The man looked down coldly at the poor scholar collapsed at his feet, who was clutching his arm and crying out in pain.

A beautiful woman in a crimson dress strode over, stepping imperiously on the fallen screen.

The poor scholar pointed at her. “You… you… you! You dare to assault me! Just you watch, I’ll report you to the government and have you thrown in jail!”

Shen Siyi dusted off her hands, glanced at her fingertips, and blew on them gently.

She said coldly, “You’re the one who laid hands on me and refused to let go. I gave you your chance.”

As a female starship captain from the apocalypse, her mission had been to lead over three thousand people to the Moon to establish a new home. She had long mastered various forms of combat; how could a mere poor scholar possibly overpower her?

Merely kicking him away was an act of mercy.

The official shot to his feet and bellowed, “How dare you! Settle your personal matters elsewhere! You have no manners, disturbing our meal!”

Only then did Shen Siyi realize there were others in the room. She raised her eyes and froze.

There was the round-faced official, standing and fuming. Seated across from him was a man in dark, close-fitting attire. His hair was bound in a high topknot, and beneath sharp, sword-like brows were a pair of detached, piercing phoenix eyes. The two guards behind him stood with hands on their swords, their presence murderous.

The poor scholar could tell at a glance they were powerful nobles and was instantly terrified.

He dropped to his knees and kowtowed, pointing at Shen Siyi as he tattled, “My esteemed lords, this woman is an outrageous bully! She lured me here with silver, demanding I pretend to be her husband to trick her family. When I refused, she beat me! My lords, have you ever heard of such a person?”

The round-faced official scowled at Shen Siyi. “Utterly devoid of female virtue! Shameless and dissolute!”

Shen Siyi pointed at the poor scholar. “You want to try spouting more of that nonsense? See if you don’t earn another couple of slaps across the face.”

The poor scholar clutched his face, his expression crumpling as if about to cry. He had just taken a slap from her. ‘This woman’s fists are like iron!’

The man sitting across from the official finally spoke.

His voice was like a clear spring striking stone, infused with a jade-like coldness. “Get out.”

So sparing with his words, and yet when he finally spoke, they were incredibly sharp and incisive.

The round-faced official pointed at Shen Siyi. “Did you hear him? He told both of you to get out!”

However, the man turned and fixed his gaze on the poor scholar by his feet. “You. Get out. Get out right now, before I lose my temper.”

Terrified by his glare, the poor scholar scrambled to his feet.

The man added, “And if I find out you’ve gone to the government to report what happened here today, don’t blame me for what comes next.”

As he finished speaking, one of the guards behind him tossed a silver ingot to the poor scholar.

The poor scholar’s eyes lit up. He immediately began to nod and bow obsequiously. “My esteemed lords, please, enjoy your meal. This humble one will be on his way.”

After he had gone, the round-faced official looked at the man in astonishment. “Sir, what about the woman…”

“You should head back for now.” Strangely enough, the man was dismissing him as well. “If there’s anything else, I’ll send someone with instructions.”

The round-faced official faltered, his suspicious gaze darting to Shen Siyi and back a few times before he cupped his hands in a salute. “Understood.”

Once he too had departed, Shen Siyi rounded the table to stand before the man, blinking her brilliantly bright eyes at him.

“You…” She knit her lovely, dark brows in thought. “You look awfully familiar… and your voice sounds familiar, too. Have we met before?”

The man’s hand, holding his teacup, tightened slightly. A chill like the edge of a blade flashed in his eyes.

“You truly are as shameless as ever.”

Hearing those words, Shen Siyi was instantly thrown back to that rainy night.

She gasped in surprise. “Ohhh~ You’re the man who broke into my chambers that night.”

The man, who had just taken a sip of tea, choked violently. Behind him, his guards stared in utter disbelief.

‘Their master… broke into a young lady’s private chambers at night?’

‘Who would have thought it of someone so calm and self-possessed!’

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