Lianfeng read through the list. This time, the list contained not just official titles but also names, genders, and ages. Her eyes locked on one name: Shi Meng.

Her heart thudded as she read the age: 25.

"Shi Meng," she whispered, her voice faltering. The name struck like a blade, unearthing memories buried beneath years of survival. Her cousin had been nine on the day of the massacre. The age matched perfectly.

"Why is Official Shi on this list?" she demanded, her voice tight, trembling with emotions she could barely contain.

Ren leaned back. "I thought you’d want to check him out. The surname Shi is rare, so I dug dipper into his background. And his background… well, it’s suspicious. He’s an orphan, raised by a kind old lady. His studies were sponsored by a local county magistrate, and he rose to success unusually young. It all started... around the time of the massacre"

Lianfeng took a shaky step back, her thoughts spiraling. Shi is a surname only used by the people of our tribe. It rarely left our land. "This… this can’t be," she murmured, pacing near the bed.

Ren’s brows knit together as she watched Lianfeng. "What can’t be?" she asked, her voice soft but firm.

Lianfeng sat on the bed, gripping the edge of the bedframe. "Shi Meng was the same name as my cousin. He… he can’t be my cousin, right?"

Ren knelt slightly, her voice lowering. "Why can’t he be?"

Lianfeng’s fists clenched at her sides. "Because everyone… everyone was killed that day. I was the only one who survived."

"Maybe you weren’t the only one," Ren said simply, holding her gaze. She paused before adding, "He was found by that old lady around the same time as the massacre. The odds are strange, yes—but not impossible. Stranger things have happened."

Lianfeng’s chest tightened as memories surged—her brother’s laughter, the quiet boy who shared their games in the corner. Her cousin had always been a shadow, someone she barely knew. But now, that faint connection loomed like a thundercloud.

Could it really be him?

"Find everything about Official Shi—his friends, the places he frequents, his house, everything." Lianfeng instructed, her voice steady but her hands trembled faintly. She drew in a sharp breath before adding, "And arrange a casual encounter with him. I need to know if he truly is who I think he might be."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The next few days, Lianfeng was consumed by anxiety. She tossed and turned in her bed, unable to sleep, her thoughts constantly circling back to Shi Meng.

"Here’s the information on him," Ren said, handing her a report one fine evening. "It details how he was found, how he got the sponsorship, and more about his past." She paused, her eyes gleaming with intrigue. "He lives in Silver Willow Lane and frequents Jade Pavilion. But the most interesting thing? He's a close friend of Prince Yan."

Lianfeng’s gaze sharpened at the mention of Prince Yan. Ren continued, her voice light with amusement. "He’s sociable, gets along with everyone, but it’s only with Prince Yan that he’s truly close."

Lianfeng absorbed Ren’s words in silence, her mind racing with the implications. Could Shi Meng really be my cousin? And why is Prince Yan involved?

Lianfeng looked up, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts. "When does he visit the Jade Pavilion?"

"In the evening," Ren replied. "He should be on his way there right now."

Lianfeng stood abruptly, her resolve hardening. "We are going to the Jade Pavilion."

Ren flashed a bright smile, her excitement evident. "Okay!"

The Jade Pavilion was a place where all walks of life converged—street vendors mingled with high-ranking officials. The three-story building had an air of grandeur, each floor catering to different crowds. The first floor bustled with families dining in the front, while the back was alive with gamblers placing their bets. The second floor was more modest, hosting merchants and local officials. The third floor, however, was reserved for the most esteemed dignitaries. Each floor had its own kitchen, ensuring the needs of the patrons were met with efficiency and care.

Lianfeng paid the butler at the entrance, her gaze scanning the surroundings as she made her way to the second floor. Ren led the way, guiding her to a table with a good view of a group of scholars, allowing them to observe without being noticed.

The butler left them with a menu. As soon as he was out of earshot, Ren leaned forward and whispered, "The man in the sky-blue robe is Shi Meng. The others surrounding him are likely his peers—people who all studied under Mr. Mei at the same academy."

Lianfeng gave a subtle nod, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Order some tea and food," she said in a steady tone.

Ren called out to the waiter, placing the order. Lianfeng discreetly watched Shi Meng, finding it hard to believe that the introverted boy she remembered was now so sociable and carefree. He laughed with an easy air, as if the weight of the world didn’t bother him at all. Is it really you, brother Meng? she wondered, even as she saw his features—dark brown hair and eyes, the easy smile, and the sharp jawline—resembling the brother she remembered, however subtly.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the waiter arrived, breaking her daze with a tray. "Your iced tea and tofu," he said, placing the dishes down in front of them.

"Thank you," Ren replied with a polite smile.

Lianfeng blinked, looking up from her thoughts. "Right," she said, her voice softer than usual, "Thank you."