Wen Jiang had followed Ning Yan for many years, and in all that time, he had only ever felt one thing toward the man—admiration. This was someone who never hesitated to be ruthless—not only to others but to himself. That was how he’d clawed his way to where he stood today, a figure both respected and feared in all of Xuancheng.

People were naturally drawn to strength, and in Wen Jiang’s eyes, Ning Yan was strength incarnate—well, except in one particular area. But that, Wen Jiang figured, was just a result of the household Ning Yan had grown up in. Couldn’t really blame him for that.

Wen Jiang, on the other hand, was a different story altogether. He was the kind of man women seemed to like—effortlessly. No matter the place or time, he had an undeniable charm. Which was why everyone in the yamen had a love-hate relationship with him.

“Sir, if something’s weighing on you, why not talk to me about it?” he offered, putting on his most sincere, harmless expression. He could practically feel a holy glow radiating from his head. “I won’t claim to know everything, but when it comes to matters between men and women—there’s no knot I can’t untangle.”

Ning Yan remained stone-faced and silent.

Wen Jiang pressed on. “Honestly, most issues between men and women are just misunderstandings. Once you sit down and talk things through, there’s really no need for all that unpleasantness.”

“What misunderstanding? I saw it with my own eyes. I heard it with my own ears. How could that be a misunderstanding?”

Oh no. Wen Jiang’s cheek twitched twice. The fire of gossip flared in his chest—heavens above, it was about a woman! Why was he so thrilled about that?

He struggled to keep the corners of his mouth from betraying him. His voice dipped a little, trying to sound appropriately solemn. “Of course, of course. It’s just that… I don’t know the details, so I wouldn’t presume to judge.”

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Ning Yan narrowed his eyes, staring him down for a long moment. But the knot in his chest was too tight, and there was no one else he could talk to. So, stiffly and reluctantly, he began to speak.

Wen Jiang felt as if a storm were churning in his chest. Was Ning Yan pulling his leg? This grim-faced menace—there was actually a young lady unafraid of him, even taking the initiative to approach him? With that temper of his, flipping tables at the drop of a hat, someone still managed to fall for him?

Was this reality, or some bizarre dream?

His voice cautious and uncertain, Wen Jiang ventured, “So you’re saying this young lady clearly has feelings for you, yet still approaches another man? Just to clarify... this lady—um—her thinking, it’s… normal, right?”

Ning Yan’s eyes narrowed again. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“No, no, I just mean—she’s got excellent taste, clearly. I mean, over the years, sure, some women were smitten when they first met you, but none stuck around for long. This one… maybe she sees something no one else does?”

Could she be… blind?

Ning Yan lifted his chin slightly, and for once there was some expression on his face—a flicker of amusement at the corner of his mouth. “She’s just like that. A bit of a fool. The type who can be tricked by a few pretty words.”

Then his mood soured again. “Said he was being used, yet still insists he’s not a bad person. If someone’s rotten at the core, do you think they’d paint it on their face for her to see?”

Wen Jiang licked his lips and cautiously asked, “That jade token of yours…”

“She has it. Treats it like a treasure. She’s terrible at hiding her feelings—terrified I’ll ask for it back.”

Wen Jiang: “…”

The more he listened, the more curious he grew. Just what kind of bold, audacious girl could stir Ning Yan’s emotions like this?

“Sir, if this young lady truly cares for you and cherishes the token you gave her, maybe you’ve misunderstood her interactions with that other man. Maybe she’s just soft-hearted, too polite to push others away. That’s a far cry from the way she clings to your token.”

Then, unable to help himself, Wen Jiang asked, “When you gave her the token… did she say anything?”

“Of course she did. She said she wouldn’t cash in this favor lightly.”

Ning Yan sounded oddly proud.

Wen Jiang: “?”