I slaughtered my way through the border at the start, I am the Great Ming's Night Raider!

He was an official in his thirties, dressed in the robes of a fifth-rank official. He didn't say a word, just slowly drank his wine.

But Chen Yuan noticed that his eyes were scanning the entire room from time to time, as if he were observing something.

"Who is that person?" Chen Yuan asked in a low voice.

"Wang Zhen, a senior official in the Ministry of War," Qin Xiang said. "He is Cao Jixiang's godson."

Chen Yuan's eyes turned cold.

As they were talking, Wang Zhen suddenly stood up, picked up a wine glass, and walked over: "Miss Qin, it's been a long time."

"Lord Wang." Qin Xiang stood up and raised his glass politely.

Wang Zhen ignored her and stared at Chen Yuan: "This young master Zhu looks unfamiliar. May I ask where you live?"

"The Zhu family of Jiangnan is a small, insignificant family, not worth mentioning," Chen Yuan said indifferently.

"The Zhu family of Jiangnan?" Wang Zhen smiled. "What a coincidence! I have a classmate who is also surnamed Zhu, from Nanjing. I wonder if Young Master Zhu knows Zhu Wenzheng?"

This is a trap.

If Chen Yuan really came from Jiangnan, he should know Zhu Wenzheng—the head of the Zhu family, a prominent clan in Jiangnan, whose name is known throughout the land.

But if Chen Yuan goes along with the idea that he knows Zhu Wenzheng, it will expose his identity—because Zhu Wenzheng passed away three years ago.

"I've heard of him, but I've never met him," Chen Yuan said. "My father said that Mr. Zhu was a highly respected gentleman, but unfortunately he passed away three years ago."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Wang Zhen's eyes, but he quickly concealed it: "I see. So, is Young Master Zhu here in the capital for study, or...?"

"Just traveling," Chen Yuan said. "Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles."

"What a fine saying, 'Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles.'" Wang Zhen raised his glass. "Come, let me toast Young Master Zhu."

The two drank together.

Setting down his wine cup, Wang Zhen suddenly asked, "I heard that Young Master Zhu comes from the north. Has he been to Xuanfu?"

The entire room fell silent instantly.

All eyes were on Chen Yuan.

Qin Xiang clenched her fists under the table.

Chen Yuan remained expressionless: "I've been there. I went with a caravan last year and we even got caught in a heavy snowfall, almost getting trapped in the mountains."

"Oh? That was a close call." Wang Zhen stared at him. "Does Young Master Zhu know how Xuanfu is doing now?"

"I heard it was breached by the Tatars," Chen Yuan sighed. "What a pity for that formidable pass. Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty marched out of Xuanfu on his northern expedition."

His answer was watertight, addressing the question while avoiding details that could reveal his identity.

Wang Zhen was about to ask another question when Li Xian suddenly spoke up: "Lord Wang, today is my birthday. Let's not talk about state affairs. Come, let's drink!"

With his master speaking, Wang Zhen could no longer persist and had no choice but to return to his seat.

But the look in his eyes when he looked at Chen Yuan clearly held a hint of suspicion.

The banquet continued, but the atmosphere became much more subtle.

Chen Yuan knew that he had attracted Wang Zhen's attention.

This is a problem, but it could also be an opportunity—if we can keep our guard up in front of Wang Zhen, we'll be safe in other situations in the capital.

Another hour passed, and the banquet ended.

Qin Xiang and Chen Yuan took their leave.

Inside the carriage, Qin Xiang breathed a sigh of relief: "I was terrified just now. Wang Zhen is a meticulous and ruthless man. He's got his eye on you."

"I know," Chen Yuan said, "but that also shows that our disguise was effective—if he knew who I was, he would have made his move long ago, not just tested me."

"That makes sense." Qin Xiang nodded. "But we need to be more careful in the future. Wang Zhen is Cao Jixiang's confidant. He didn't find anything out today, but he won't give up."

"Then let him come." A cold glint flashed in Chen Yuan's eyes. "Perfect, I also want to know just how many tricks the Eastern Depot has up its sleeve."

It was already dark when the carriage returned to the courtyard.

Chen Jin hasn't returned yet.

Chen Yuan asked with some worry, "What if something goes wrong?"

"Wait a little longer," Qin Xiang said. "The slums in the south of the city are a mixed bag; it will take time to find someone."

The two waited in the main room, where the charcoal brazier burned brightly, but Chen Yuan's heart was cold.

He recalled Chen Jin's pale face as she left, and the child's hand gripping the dagger tightly.

If something happens to Chen Jin...

He dared not think any further.

At three-quarters past the hour of You (5:45 PM), footsteps finally came from outside the door.

Chen Jin pushed open the door and came in, covered in snow, her face pale, but her eyes bright.

"Found it!" he said, panting.

Qin Xiang quickly poured tea: "Tell me slowly, what happened?"

Chen Jin took a sip of tea and calmed her breathing: "I found Chen Fu. He's hiding in a dilapidated temple in the south of the city, and he's very ill. But he told me... told me a shocking secret."

"What secret?"

Chen Jin looked at Chen Yuan, her voice trembling: "Brother Yuan, on the day the Chen family was raided, the people from the Eastern Depot... found a letter. It was a love letter from Prince Zhao to the Grand Princess."

Chen Yuan was startled.

"What did the letter say?"

"Chen Fu didn't see the contents, but he heard from the Eastern Depot agents who raided the house that... the letter mentioned a child, and also mentioned... mentioned the death of the Prince of Zhao, not from illness, but... was poisoned."

The main room was deathly silent.

The only sound was the crackling of the charcoal fire.

Chen Yuan gripped the teacup tightly.

The King of Zhao was poisoned to death.

His background is written in his love letters.

No wonder the Eastern Depot wanted to silence them.

"Where is the letter now?" Qin Xiang asked.

"I don't know." Chen Jin shook his head. "But Chen Fu said that the letter was taken by a foreman from the Eastern Depot, I think his surname was Sun."

"Sun Desheng." Qin Xiang's face darkened. "The second-in-command of the Eastern Depot, Wang Zhen's subordinate."

Chen Yuan stood up: "I want that letter."

"Are you crazy?" Qin Xiang stood up as well. "Sun Desheng is an important figure in the Eastern Depot. His residence is heavily guarded. How are you going to take it?"

"There's always a way," Chen Yuan said. "That letter is evidence that proves King Zhao was murdered, and it also proves my background. With it, we have the initiative."

"But it's too dangerous..."

"When I was stationed at the border, every mission I took was dangerous," Chen Yuan said, looking at her. "Miss Qin, please make arrangements for me; I want to join the Eastern Depot."

Qin Xiang stared at him for a long time, and finally sighed: "You are just like your father. Back then, King Zhao was the same; once he made up his mind, not even nine oxen could pull him back."

She walked to her desk, spread out a sheet of paper, and began to draw.

"This is a map of the Eastern Depot's office. Sun Desheng's residence is here, in the third courtyard of the rear office. He returns to his room at midnight every night and turns off the lights at 1-3 AM. During this time, the guards are at their tightest. But from 3-5 AM to 5-7 AM is the changing of the guard time, with a half-minute gap."

She pointed to a line on the map: "Climb over the back wall and take this route to avoid the patrols. Sun Desheng's study is on the second floor, with windows facing east. As far as I know, he keeps important documents in a hidden compartment in his study."

Chen Yuan carefully studied the map and memorized the route.

"When will we make our move?" he asked.

"Three days later," Qin Xiang said, "On the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, Sun Desheng will be going out of the city on business and won't be back until 9 PM. This is the best opportunity."

"it is good."

"But you can't go alone," Qin Xiang said. "I'll have Uncle Zhao go with you. He used to be in the Embroidered Uniform Guard and is familiar with the Eastern Depot's layout."

Chen Yuan initially wanted to refuse, but after thinking about it, he nodded: "Okay."

Chen Jin quickly said, "I'll go too!"

"You can't go," Chen Yuan and Qin Xiang said in unison.

Chen Jin panicked: "Why? I'm also a member of the Chen family, and I want revenge too!"

"Your mission is to protect yourself." Chen Yuan pressed his shoulder. "Chen Jin, you are not a soldier, you are the hope of the Chen family. If something happens to you, the Chen family will truly be extinct."

Chen Jin opened her mouth, but couldn't speak; tears streamed down her face.

"Listen to me," Chen Yuan said. "You wait at home. I promise you, I will bring that letter back."

Chen Jin nodded vigorously.

Late at night.

Chen Yuan lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Three days later, he planned to break into the Eastern Depot at night.

That place that struck fear into the hearts of all officials, that place that killed the Chen family.

He didn't know if he would succeed, nor did he know what would happen after he received the letter.

But he knew he had to go.

Because some paths, once embarked upon, offer no turning back.

Like a dragon emerging from its hiding place, it is bound to stir up trouble once it has emerged from the abyss.

Whether it's thunder or torrential rain ahead.

He was determined to try his luck.

Outside the window, the snow is still falling.

It fell in abundance, covering the entire capital city.

It also covered up those secrets hidden in the darkness.

But some secrets are destined not to be hidden forever.

Just like some dragons, they are destined to soar through the heavens.