Lena Sanders strolled leisurely through the city until dusk, a large parcel of marinated meat in hand as she made her way toward her newly purchased residence.
The house was not small—three courtyards deep, flanked on either side by slightly smaller ones. Together they formed a pair of elongated compounds joined by the central yard.
The two ruby-red gates in the southeast corner had been freshly painted, gleaming with a vivid sheen. The ornate brick carvings above the lintel had just been rinsed clean, the motifs—symbols of good fortune—standing out in crisp relief.
Lena tilted her head back to admire them for a while before stepping through the wide-open doorway. Inside, the screen wall was even more intricately carved. She gave it a brief glance before circling around it.
The cleaners sent by the broker had already left.
In the main courtyard, Darren Chang was sorting through a chaotic heap of furnishings, directing where each should go. Harris Ma and Jack Golden were each gripping one end of a massive fish tank, half as tall as a man, bickering as they strained in opposite directions.
"This is a lotus tank! It belongs under the pomegranate tree! I come from a family of refinement—"
"Refinement, my ass! Who plants lotuses in a tank? The seller said it's a peace vessel!"
"I am refined—"
"Our boss is back! Let her decide!"
Jack Golden spotted Lena first, dropped his end, and jogged over eagerly.
"Boss, look, this is obviously a lotus tank."
Harris Ma elbowed past him, jabbing a finger at the tank. "Boss, you see? Tell him!"
Lena approached the tank, gave its rim a light tap, and said, "Put it by the kitchen door. We'll use it for fish."
Both men cast triumphant sideways glances at each other, each satisfied so long as the other had been proven wrong. Together, they hoisted the tank toward the kitchen.
Lena handed the parcel of marinated meat to Darren, made a brief inspection of the rooms, then dragged over a chair and opened a book to read while waiting for dinner.
From outside came a shout: "Is Master Li at home?"
Lena raised her head and gestured for Harris to check.
He darted out and was back in moments, hopping excitedly.
"Boss! It's His Lordship, Prince Heir! He says he's invited you for tea!"
Lena closed her book, rose, and walked out.
Harris watched her retreating figure with wide, yearning eyes, waving both hands in silent envy. Prince Heir himself!
He desperately wanted to go—but this was clearly important, perhaps another lucrative deal worth tens of thousands of silver taels. Since the boss hadn't said anything, he dared not speak up.
Lena followed the young attendant through two narrow alleys, turning several corners before entering a teahouse through its back door.
In a private room screened by lush greenery, Gavin Shea stood facing the window. Hearing her approach, he turned and gave a small nod. "I heard Miss Li has made a new acquisition. Congratulations."
"My thanks," Lena replied with a courteous smile.
"Please, sit." He gestured as he seated himself.
Lena took the seat opposite him. Gavin poured a cup of tea and slid it across the table.
"You handled the situation this morning well," he said, his gaze steady on her.
Lena merely smiled, saying nothing.
He hadn't called her here just to offer praise.
"The investigation into my attempted assassination has gone smoothly—except in Riverford City. Things are... more difficult there."
After a pause, Gavin spoke bluntly. There was no point in pretense; this woman was far too perceptive.
"To go there now would be too dangerous," Lena said without hesitation. "And besides, the matter of the Prince Heir's attack is too entangled in court politics. My brothers and I have no wish to be drawn into that struggle."
"The pay is negotiable. Name your price," he countered.
"No amount of silver is worth dying for. Your Lordship would do better to find someone else."
She stood as she spoke, gave him a polite bow, and turned to leave.
Gavin's fist came down hard on the table once she was gone.
——
William Chen hadn't expected Gavin to return so quickly. He hurried out to meet him, but before reaching the inner gate, Gavin stormed past, fury radiating off him.
William pressed himself against the corridor wall to let him by, then hastily followed.
"That Miss Li?" he ventured cautiously.
He had only left moments ago to discuss the Riverford City matter with her—how could things have gone wrong so soon?
"She refused," Gavin said curtly, striding straight into the room.
William froze, then followed him inside. Trying to smooth things over, he said with a grin, "She and her brothers are wanted criminals in the Southlands. Riverford City's commander is sharp as a blade—her refusal is perfectly reasonable."
Gavin stopped mid-step, shot William a sideways look, then pointed toward the door. "You go. You talk to her."
William blinked, speechless.
"Go," Gavin repeated. "Try again."
William sighed. "All right."
There was no better candidate than Lena Sanders. And when the Prince Heir commanded, refusal was not an option.
——
When Lena returned home, she had barely eaten a few bites before another servant arrived—this time from William Chen.
Harris and Jack gawked at her in admiration. Two powerful men seeking her out in one evening! Their boss was truly formidable.
Darren gave her a look of concern, but she waved it off. "I'm fine."
This time, the meeting place was close—a tea house at the end of the alley.
William rose as she entered, bowing slightly. "Miss Li."
Lena smiled and inclined her head before sitting opposite him.
"Prince Heir called on you earlier?" His tone made it less a question than a statement.
Lena nodded.
"It's true the journey to Riverford City is perilous," he said, leaning forward earnestly, "but there's truly no one better suited than you."
He paused, then continued gently, "Since you plan to settle in Castleton, this could bring you great opportunity—despite the risks."
"His Lordship's birth, his power, his temper—you must have learned a fair bit about all three by now…"
"You want me to go?" Lena interrupted.
William blinked, then nodded. "Yes. For you, it would be—"
"All right."
He froze. "You'll go?"
She smiled faintly. "Since you wish it, I'll go."
William stared at her, utterly baffled.
When he returned to Prince Rui's mansion, he looked like a man who'd been spun around in circles. "She just… agreed," he muttered helplessly. "I swear I've never met her before—never, before North Hollow County."
Gavin gave him a slow look. "You've said that three times."
"I'm just—" William stammered, flustered.
"Elder Brother taught you, and I've reminded you countless times—Zhihe too—that you mustn't be too cautious. Why can't you learn that?" Gavin's face was inches from his.
William leaned back, stammering incoherently, hands raised in surrender.
Too cautious? he thought miserably. If this isn't caution, what is?