At Zuisheng Building, the afternoon sun cast slanted beams of light across the room. In the tranquil upper chamber, shadows from the trees outside danced on the walls, while kites fluttered high in the sky.

Liu Changyu sat facing a clean, low table, a pot of delicate tea in front of him, emanating a vibrant charm. Across from him was a man enshrouded in the dim light, his appearance unremarkable, yet he radiated an aura that was hard to ignore.

"This young man, despite his youth, is remarkably cunning," Liu Changyu commented while gently lifting the tea lid, savoring its fragrance. His tone revealed a hint of apprehension towards the new magistrate. "It’s not that I am ineffective, but rather…"

"Magistrate Liu," the man across the table spoke with a calm yet assertive voice, a subtle shade crossing his eyes. "Let's be straightforward. You accepted a hefty gift that day; we are now in the same boat. Consider your situation carefully."

Liu Changyu seemed somewhat intimidated by the man, his expression changing slightly. Still, he bowed his head and replied in a low voice, "Rest assured, Your Excellency, I shall handle everything properly."

"That's best," the man replied. After finishing his tea in one gulp, he turned and left, leaving Liu Changyu alone with his troubled thoughts.

Meanwhile, in the number one room of Zuisheng Building, the mood was entirely different.

Xiang Nan, seemingly avoiding the bustle outside the window, presented a stack of letters to Ye Nanqiao and Cheng Wuyue as if they were treasures: "Sister, the master asked me to give this to you."

"Master?" Ye Nanqiao casually accepted the letters, flipping through them quickly before her expression turned serious. "These are the details I asked Uncle Xu to find out. When did you start hanging out with Uncle Xu? Don't learn his bad habits!"

Xiang Nan scratched his head: "Master said I was clever and wanted to teach me tracking skills. Now I'm the boss of those street urchins!"

Cheng Wuyue shook his head resignedly, then turned to Ye Nanqiao: "It's good for him to help lighten your burdens."

"Alright, you can go now," Ye Nanqiao dismissed Xiang Nan and began to examine the letters more closely, a fresh scent of ink wafting up.

The letters detailed information about shadow puppetry artists in the city, with one name, He Hou Sheng, catching Ye Nanqiao's attention—a craftsman from the South, ostracized by his peers and now residing in Da Yao. "This master craftsman, originally from the South, settled here after facing hostility in his homeland. He hasn’t been seen in the marketplace for some time and is said to live in an old house in the suburbs."

Cheng Wuyue gently caressed the letter: "It seems necessary to meet this man."

As the afternoon sun filtered through the trees onto the stone slabs of Zuisheng Building, Ye Nanqiao and Cheng Wuyue's shadows elongated and shortened. They decided to visit He Hou Sheng's residence, hoping to uncover clues from this master of shadow puppetry.

However, Wei Zhaoyang arrived at the right moment, like a breeze disrupting the afternoon's calm.

"Nanqiao, Brother Cheng. Where are you headed in such a hurry?"

Ye Nanqiao handed Wei Zhaoyang the letter about He Hou Sheng: "Perfect timing. We found a shadow puppetry master from the South in Jiangnan City, possibly connected to the shadow puppet. We're planning to pay him a visit."

Wei Zhaoyang perused the letter, then looked at Cheng Wuyue: "Are you going as well?"

Cheng Wuyue nodded: "In these tumultuous times, it’s best not to act alone."

"I'm afraid that's not possible," Wei Zhaoyang shrugged. "I came to get you. Magistrate Chen and I just visited the Wang family. Tomorrow is Wang Li's funeral, and after that, it might be too late to examine the body. Luckily, the head of the Wang family has granted us an hour tonight to investigate. Magistrate Chen is waiting for you."

Pausing, he winked at Ye Nanqiao: "I’m afraid I'll have to borrow Brother Cheng for a while."

Cheng Wuyue thought for a moment, then agreed: "It seems I must go."

Wei Zhaoyang smiled: "I knew you would. Consider it a favor I owe you. I'll help you today."

Cheng Wuyue nodded, asking Wei Zhaoyang to ensure Ye Nanqiao's safety, and then left to join Chen Geng. "Sister, be careful on your journey," he cautioned before departing.

As Cheng Wuyue left, Wei Zhaoyang turned to Ye Nanqiao with a smile: "Cheng Brother is really protective of you. But see, he trusts me enough to leave me with you. Let's not waste time; let's visit that Master He. We might uncover some clues."

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Ye Nanqiao shrugged helplessly: "With your straightforward nature, you indeed make a reliable protector."

Wei Zhaoyang raised an eyebrow: "As long as I don't have to sing, rest assured with everything else."

While they conversed, they were already walking side by side on the road to the suburbs, where He Hou Sheng's residence awaited, like an unfinished shadow play hiding untold stories.

Strolling under the shaded ancient path, Ye Nanqiao and Wei Zhaoyang soon arrived at He Hou Sheng's abode. The ancient door creaked amidst the intertwined ivy.

Peering through the fence, they saw an elderly man with cloudy eyes and a deeply lined face, gently caressing a shadow puppet on the table. His hands, though no longer agile due to age, still exuded the delicacy unique to a craftsman.

Ye Nanqiao frowned, observing the man in the courtyard: "This must be Master He. I didn't expect him to be in such a frail state."

"It seems unlikely he's the perpetrator. Let's go in and ask," Wei Zhaoyang suggested, gently pushing open the garden gate and standing before He Hou Sheng.

He Hou Sheng sensed their presence and looked up: "Who's there?"

Wei Zhaoyang greeted him respectfully: "May I ask if you're Master He Hou Sheng?"

"Indeed, it's me. I dare not claim to be a 'master'. Who are you, and what brings you here?" He Hou Sheng stood up shakily.

Ye Nanqiao took out the shadow puppet and handed it to He Hou Sheng: "Master He, do you recognize the craftsmanship of this puppet?"

He Hou Sheng, puzzled at first, then carefully touched the puppet: "How did it get so damaged?" His voice was hoarse and profound: "Unmistakably, the work of the South."

Ye Nanqiao was surprised: "You can tell just by touching it? Is there a way to distinguish it?"

He Hou Sheng explained: "In Da Yao, materials like cow and sheepskin are commonly used for shadow puppets, but in the South, where the climate is humid, they easily get damaged. Master Wu from the South innovated by using layered hemp paper, avoiding moisture damage. This is why Southern shadow puppets are distinct from those in Da Yao – the latter are robust like leather, the former are light and flexible like paper."

Wei Zhaoyang and Ye Nanqiao listened intently, pondering his words.

Ye Nanqiao seized the moment to inquire: "Is there anyone in Jiangnan City familiar with similar techniques?"

He Hou Sheng shared countless details about the craft of puppet making but grew somber when asked about the puppet in question: "There may be learners in the city, but I've long been out of that circle. With recent changes in the South and Southerners coming here, I'm afraid I can't be of much help."

Exchanging a glance, Wei Zhaoyang and Ye Nanqiao realized the implicit message in his words.

Wei Zhaoyang then introduced himself, hoping to elicit more information: "I'm Wei Zhaoyang from the magistrate's office. This puppet is tied to a case in the city…"

Before Wei Zhaoyang could finish, He Hou Sheng turned and returned to his house: "It's getting late, I can't host you any longer."

Acknowledging they had learned all they could, Ye Nanqiao and Wei Zhaoyang left the modest threshold. Ye Nanqiao glanced back at the closed wooden door, a flicker of complexity in her eyes.

"We'll need to find another way," Ye Nanqiao murmured, "Master He clearly knows something."

Wei Zhaoyang nodded: "He's right, though. If it's a Southern technique, there might be more than one person who knows it. We'll need a longer-term plan."

As the evening light cast its glow on the bustling marketplace, Ye Nanqiao and Wei Zhaoyang hastened through the homeward-bound crowd. Amidst the street's clamor, a scene of chaos caught their attention.

At the familiar stall of an old lady Ye Nanqiao often visited, which usually sold seasonal fruits and vegetables, a crowd had gathered today. The fruits and vegetables were scattered, and the small cart lay broken aside.

Approaching, they saw an unfamiliar man arguing with several ruffians. Unlike the seasoned locals, he seemed clumsy and straightforward. Facing the obvious provocation, he didn't avoid confrontation; instead, he foolishly engaged in a fight.

His recklessness quickly escalated the situation, attracting patrolling soldiers. The officials dispersed the crowd, detaining the man like a trussed chicken. The smug ruffian leader even exchanged a few words with the patrol leader – a common spectacle on the streets of Jiangnan City.

Wei Zhaoyang, filled with righteous indignation, stepped forward, frustrated by the absurdity: "Ridiculous! Thugs bully the weak, and the soldiers turn a blind eye."

Ye Nanqiao shook her head, holding back Wei Zhaoyang: "In such a situation, even if we intervene, it's just inviting trouble."

The marketplace buzzed with comments, all aware it was just a sordid drama. The ruffians, with their connections to the soldiers, brazenly wielded power, leaving the stranger in a dire predicament.

Ye Nanqiao sighed at the fading silhouettes of the man and soldiers in the twilight: "Sometimes, I think this is just how the world is. All we can do is try within our means."

Wei Zhaoyang consoled her: "Don't worry, my lord will not let this matter rest!"

Ye Nanqiao looked at him: "Without your lord, who would care for these people? He can manage one place, but can he oversee every injustice in this vast world?"

Wei Zhaoyang, taken aback, had never considered this. In his eyes, his lord seemed capable of anything. For a moment, he stood frozen.

The crowd dispersed, leaving the old lady standing there, her hands weakly rubbing together, her eyes filled with deep fear and pleading. Ye Nanqiao's heart softened, deciding to temporarily shelter the old lady at Zuisheng Building.

Approaching, she gently called out: "Grandma."

The old lady looked up, her dim eyes regaining some brightness: "Little master, you've come."

Seeing the mess, Ye Nanqiao sympathetically took her hand: "Come with me to Zuisheng Building for now…"

The old lady hesitated but was guided towards Zuisheng Building by Wei Zhaoyang.

Their figures slowly disappeared into the city's twilight…