Under the winter moonlight that filtered through Ya Song Fang's window lattices, Ye Nanqiao sat at her desk, dappled in shadow. She had been residing in Ya Song Fang for two days, initially thinking the matter of some common thieves could be swiftly resolved. Yet, these culprits seemed excessively cautious, making no sound for the past two days, plunging her investigation into a stalemate.

"These thieves are as cunning as ghosts," Ye Nanqiao murmured, her brow furrowed as she tapped her pen lightly against the desk, her thoughts churning. "If I don't catch them soon, it could disrupt Uncle's spring banquet."

As she brooded over the quiet in the backyard, faint noises suddenly rippled through the stillness, akin to rustling leaves or someone stealthily moving. With her exceptional hearing, Ye Nanqiao instantly noticed the anomaly. She quietly left her room and moved along the corridor towards the source of the sound.

In the moonlit courtyard of Ya Song Fang, where shadows of flowers danced, the tranquility felt deep and profound. Holding her breath, she blended into the night, catching sight of a shadow flitting by, light as thistledown, yet as solid as a mountain.

Joy filled Ye Nanqiao's heart as she quietly pursued. Near a stone table, a lantern skewed by the wind cast a long, slender shadow. Its owner, slim and seemingly holding something, was undoubtedly the thief. With quickened steps, she approached the mysterious figure.

But as she neared, the shadow, sensing her presence, suddenly hastened towards an inconspicuous door in the corner. Ye Nanqiao, refusing to lag, exerted her full ability to keep up.

Their figures flickered in the moonlight, vanishing and reappearing. Just as they were about to reach the door, a figure leaped out from the shadows, brandishing a sword towards the mysterious one. It was En Jin, Red Jade Gentleman's young bodyguard, barely fourteen, lithe and agile.

The tense atmosphere peaked as the sword glinted. The mysterious figure whirled, dodging the deadly thrust, and countered with a forceful palm strike towards En Jin. Ye Nanqiao, knowing no martial arts, cautiously stayed aside, observing silently.

The mysterious person, though of average martial skill, was exceptionally nimble and soon escaped En Jin's grasp.

En Jin, about to pursue, halted upon noticing Ye Nanqiao hiding in the shadows.

"Who's there?!" he instinctively raised his sword, but recognizing Ye Nanqiao, he halted, "Miss, why are you here?"

"Disturbed by the noise, I came to check. Seems I've actually encountered a thief," Ye Nanqiao stepped into the moonlight, her face cool and composed. "Did you recognize the thief?"

En Jin shook his head, "Only saw a slender figure, likely a woman."

Ye Nanqiao frowned slightly, "With so many women in the compound, it's hard to identify her by figure alone. Seems we've lost the lead again."

But En Jin seemed to recall something, looking down, "I think I wounded her arm during our scuffle." He pointed at a droplet of blood on the ground, "Following this trail, we might find her."

Ye Nanqiao followed his gesture and, aided by the moonlight, indeed spotted faint blood drops. They followed the trail to a quiet lakeside. Amidst the night's floral fragrance, a hint of blood lingered. The lake's surface, shimmering under the moon, reflected their figures eerily.

"The trail ends here," En Jin murmured, his gaze scouring the lake for clues.

Ye Nanqiao crouched, examining the lakeside reeds, her eyes reflecting disappointment, "Clever. She used the lake to wash the wound. Her tracks are lost now."

The rustling flowers by the lake, stirred by a gentle breeze, seemed to whisper secrets. Ye Nanqiao thought, despite the thief's elusiveness, an injured woman in the compound could not remain completely concealed. She signaled to En Jin.

"Report tonight's events to the Gentleman. Tomorrow, I will inspect each woman in the compound."

En Jin nodded and bowed before departing. As the night deepened and the moon and floral scent mingled, Ye Nanqiao stood, her silhouette lonely in the moonlight.

"Tomorrow, there will be findings," she whispered to herself and slowly walked away along the moonlit path.

Meanwhile, in the magistrate's office, candlelight cast a glow that highlighted the floating dust in the air, adding to the already restless atmosphere fueled by the ongoing debate. The cause of this unrest was a report received earlier in the day, detailing the severity of natural disasters in the southern regions and the ensuing chaos and instability, leading to a mass exodus of refugees heading north, with none daring to provide them shelter. The officials argued tirelessly, each presenting their stance.

"One side argues for the benefits of sheltering these refugees," the officials debated with conviction, "using them as labor in our workshops, thus preventing potential unrest and increasing our workforce."

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"Absolutely not!" countered another, his voice tinged with concern. "The risks of harboring so many unknown individuals are too great. We can't dismiss the possibility of criminals hiding among them, not to mention the sick and infirm potentially carrying contagious diseases."

"Most are just poor souls, unable to pay taxes or feed themselves after the drought. They've been peaceful so far on their journey..."

"But there's no guarantee that something untoward isn't mixed in with them."

"The immediate concern is the proper accommodation of these people from the south who have infiltrated our land."

"Some suggest driving them back as the ultimate solution."

The two factions were at an impasse, their eyes flashing with unspoken electricity. The minor officials present dared not voice their opinions, understanding that the conflict mirrored the broader divisions within the court. Despite the soundness of each argument, no clear directive had been issued by the court, making involvement in the dispute a risky venture for the uninitiated.

"Some argue for compassion, reasoning that driving these desperate people back will only lead to repeated escapes, thus failing to address the root of the problem. 'Better to channel than to block,' they say, 'especially when dealing with lives.'"

"But addressing the source, the long-standing harsh governance in the south, is essential for a real solution," others countered.

"Even if we save a hundred, a thousand more will come. What's the use?"

Chen Geng weighed both arguments, aware that his decision would affect not just the refugees' fate but also the safety of the entire region.

"We must be cautious in this matter," Chen Geng finally spoke, silencing the room. "We need a comprehensive approach that ensures our internal security while alleviating the suffering of these people."

"Let's not force them back; it's against the spirit of our great nation," he concluded, tapping his desk thoughtfully. "However, considering the potential mix of people, setting them to work is off the table. We'll designate an area in the outskirts for temporary control. Set up camps to provide basic necessities and medical care, and then devise a long-term resettlement plan. Zhao Yang, see to it. Dismissed."

With a wave of his hand, Chen Geng dismissed the officials, leaving the room in a heavy silence as he pondered the gravity of his decision.

As dawn broke, casting warm rays through the clouds, illuminating the streets and alleys of Jiangnan City with a gentle glow.

In Ya Song Fang, the morning sun filtered through ornately carved windows, enlivening the elegant courtyard with vivid streaks of light. Ye Nanqiao, burdened with concerns, rose early, discreetly surveying every corner of the establishment. On her rounds, she encountered Enjin, whom she had met the night before. Enjin relayed that Red Jade, aware of last night's events, warned of potential danger due to a skilled intruder in the compound and assigned Enjin to guard Ye Nanqiao, cautioning against any mishaps. Ye Nanqiao initially intended to decline, but seeing Enjin's silent insistence, she let him be.

The annual Spring Banquet at Ya Song Fang was always a grand affair, eagerly anticipated by Jiangnan City's residents and visiting dignitaries. Though the banquet was yet to commence, preparations were already bustling. A section of the courtyard had been transformed into a banquet hall named "Yao Hua Hall," surrounded by flourishing phoenix trees and slender bamboos that rustled in the breeze.

The final touches were being added to the hall. From a distance, the vibrant strains of the popular "Hua Yang Melody" resonated, carrying an exotic flair. Ye Nanqiao followed the sound into the hall, where a troupe of dancers moved gracefully to the music under the gleaming glass chandeliers.

Yet, as Ye Nanqiao watched the dancers, she felt an unsettling dissonance. Her contemplation was interrupted when the team's leader abruptly halted the rehearsal in a fit of rage.

“Stop, stop, stop! What’s this? Days of practice for this?” the leader scolded, raising his baton threateningly. “You there! How many times must I say to extend your arm properly? Are your hands broken? If you can't keep up, leave and spare us the embarrassment!”

Ye Nanqiao, taken aback by the harsh treatment, turned to Enjin, “I had no idea that the renowned Ya Song Fang treats its dancers this way.”

“You don’t understand,” Enjin replied with a helpless shake of his head. “For the Spring Banquet, we often hire dancers from outside. Since they are not our regulars, we have no say in their treatment…”

As the leader raised his baton again, Ye Nanqiao stepped forward and stopped him, “Please, restrain yourself. We cannot afford to have anyone injured before the banquet.”

The leader, initially ready to lash out, softened his stance at the sight of Enjin. “My apologies,” he conceded stiffly.

Ye Nanqiao inquired about the dancers’ readiness, to which the leader complained about one of them, Chu Qing, who had recently been injured.

“Injured? How did that happen?” Ye Nanqiao asked, sharing a glance with Enjin.

“She might have sneaked out to meet someone last night… I won’t let her off easily after the banquet!” the leader darkened at the thought.

Murmuring to herself, Ye Nanqiao looked at Chu Qing, unable to reconcile her graceful demeanor with that of a brazen thief. However, considering their encounter the previous night, the possibility lingered.

Reluctant to act without solid evidence, Ye Nanqiao, accompanied by Enjin, stayed vigilant until the rehearsal ended. She casually spoke to a seemingly approachable dancer, “We’ve had several thefts recently. Please remind your sisters to guard their belongings.”

The dancer raised an eyebrow, “Thank you, but we don’t have much worth stealing.”

“And don’t wander out at night. I heard Chu Qing got hurt recently. Is she alright?”

The dancer’s eyes widened in surprise, “Chu Qing? We all stay in the same quarters, and I haven’t heard of her going out.”

“How did she get injured?”

Recalling the previous night, the dancer suddenly realized, “She looked unwell when she returned. I thought she had just eaten too much...”

As the dancer hurried off to warn her sisters, Ye Nanqiao watched her fade into the sunlight, contemplating the elusive figure of Chu Qing in the bustling banquet hall...