Yin Lian and Su Ye Lin returned to Zheng Xin Tang from the Moon Matron Temple, it was already very late. The lamp in Su Qing Shui's study room was still on, until they came back.

Su Qingshui scolded Su Yelin and Yin Lian for playing until so late before returning to the study.

Su Yelin, however, dared not speak of the matter regarding the Moon Matchmaker Temple, fearing that it would only add to her father's worries. She was even more concerned that if her father found out about Yin Lian's deep enmity with someone, he would no longer allow him to enter the Hall of Righteousness.

Su Qingshui vented his anger on Su Yelin, then sent her away, and scolded Yin Lian alone:

"If you dare to entertain any improper thoughts about my daughter, I will dig up your father's grave!"

Yin Lian saw Su Qingshui with slightly messy tied-up hair, a face full of stubble, wearing a gray long shirt, his twisted expression already distorted by overwhelming sadness.

"Uncle Su, I was just taking Ling'er for a walk by the river to enjoy the breeze. I would never do anything that would overstep the boundaries." Yin Lian anxiously reiterated her innocence.

However, Su Qingshui did not pursue the matter, his mind drifting elsewhere in a daze.

"Three days have passed, and there is still no news from Cheng'er," Su Qingshui sighed bitterly. "If the kidnappers wanted money, they would have sent a letter by now. What I fear the most is that they don't want anything else except Cheng'er's life!"

Yin Lian noticed that Su Qingshui was entirely focused on the matter of Su Yecheng being kidnapped. She consoled, "Uncle Su has already reported it to the authorities. I believe the officials will surely be able to find out the whereabouts of Cheng'er and rescue him soon, so he can reunite with Uncle Su!"

Su Qingshui suddenly slapped the table with great force, splashing tea all over Yin Lian's face, glaring at her angrily.

Yin Lian's heart tightened as she locked eyes with Su Qingshui. She couldn't bear to see an old father so sad, thinking of comforting him with a few comforting words. However, she didn't expect Su Qingshui to be the first to reveal the long-held secret:

"You have the Yin Family's army."

Yin Lian shook her head and said, "I don't have it."

"The General's Mausoleum houses the Yin family army."

"There is nothing inside General Ling's tomb."

"The Yin Family Army has a secretive intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and assassination organization..."

"The Yin family's army has long been disbanded and no longer exists," Yin Lian said helplessly.

Su Qingshui laughed heartily, his laughter slowly fading and turning dark.

"I have also marched into battle with Fourth Master Yin. General Zhong, who was so mighty, died at the hands of the enemy. How could the other three young generals bear to disband the formidable Yin family army, which has been honed to perfection?"

"Uncle Su is truly stubborn. It has been many years since he last went to war. The three generals, Zhong, Shu, and Ji, have long retired and settled in seclusion. How can they afford to pay for the military expenses of the Yin family's forces?" As Yin Lian said this, she also recalled that the three masters, who were like fathers to her, had indeed mentioned that Su Qingshui used to be the chief march officer of the Yin family's army."

Su Qingshui grabbed Yin Lian's shoulders and shouted:

"Deploy the soldiers from the Yin Family and thoroughly search every corner of Fengcheng. Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we must find Cheng'er!"

Yin Lian didn't expect Su Qingshui to be so stubborn, relentlessly clinging onto the Yin Family's military power. She changed the subject and said:

"Uncle Su doesn't trust the officials?"

"That Yu San, that guy, illiterate and selfish, never does any work, and the people underneath him are even more foolish and incompetent. Depending on them would undoubtedly be no different from letting Cheng'er and the others die!"

Yin Lian sighed and said, "These past few days, I've been worried about Cheng'er and Brother, and also worried about Uncle Su. It's all because of my incompetence that I can't share any burden for the Su family."

With a resounding "smack," Su Qingshui once again slapped himself in the face.

Yin Lian was taken aback.

"You don't understand how important Cheng'er is to the Su family. You have never experienced the pain of losing a child. If Lord Yin were still alive, he would have done everything he could to help me. But all you have is the glory of being your father's son, relying on the title of 'Tomb Guard' bestowed upon you, indulging in a life of extravagance, eating, drinking, and having fun every day. What have you done that would make me respect you? And these past few days, besides serving the Su family and trying to win them over, have you genuinely been willing to share the burden of this calamity? Is it only because I had to personally hand over Lin'er to your mouth, you only then put forth your utmost effort to help me?" Su Qingshui clenched his teeth and spoke each word with resentment, the veins already protruding on his forehead.

Yin Lian became excited as she pondered over Su Qingshui's words. For the past three days, she had been carefree, constantly pestering Su Yelin and joking around with the disciples of Zhengxin Hall. She hadn't given much thought to Su Yecheng's life or death. However, she still mustered up the courage to ask:

"You... you're saying that I can marry Ling'er?"

"I know that you are very fond of Lin'er. Whether you employ the Yin Family Army, invite the three young generals to help, or find a way to rescue Cheng'er yourself, as long as you save Cheng'er, Lin'er will be yours. Furthermore, I have made a promise with County Magistrate Yin San and Yin Er that whoever rescues Cheng'er first, Lin'er will become their daughter-in-law."

Yin Lian was unconvinced and anxiously interjected, "..."

"Uncle Su! How could you make such a promise to people like them?"

Su Qingshui sneered coldly, saying,

"Old Master Yin San is in charge of the military in Fengcheng, while Old Master Yin Er has connections with the various factions in Fengcheng. If I don't seek their help, would they be willing to lend a hand for Cheng'er? Moreover, both Yin San and Yin Er have proposed marriage with the Su family, but I refused."

Yin Lian widened her eyes, unable to calm down for a long time. She thought to herself, "It's over, it's over. Yin Er and Yin San have extensive connections. They will definitely find Su Ye Cheng before me. I have to go back immediately and seek help from the three masters!"

Uncle Su, your nephew should have already come up with a solution to rescue Cheng'er and Chengdi, making the Su family worry-free. It's all because your nephew is dull-witted. Fortunately, you didn't forget to remind your nephew. Your nephew will immediately go and contribute his efforts!" As she spoke, Yin Lian disappeared without a trace.

Yin Lian crossed the closed city gate and left the city, thinking that it was already late and the three masters must have already gone to sleep, so it wouldn't be convenient to disturb them. It would be better to ask for their help the next morning.

When she returned home to the eastern suburbs, the hall was brightly lit with candlelight. Old Lady Mu was sitting on the armchair, dozing off, seemingly waiting for her.

It was not a good idea for Yin Lian to sneak away secretly or stand by the side, as her maternal grandmother was certain to scold and punish her for wandering around these past few days.

A sudden, light cough.

"Why did you come back so late?" Grandma Mu asked, opening her eyes. It turned out that she hadn't fallen asleep.

Yin Lian quickly replied:

Someone blocked my path and tried to kill me!

"Nonsense!" Mu Granny didn't believe it.

"It's true, Grandma. A group of people wearing green-faced ferocious masks wanted my father's 'General's Order'. If we don't give it, they will kill me! In addition, someone from the military camp stole the mysterious iron finger guard that my father gave me, and they want to kill me!" Yin Lian continued to embellish the threats and dangers from the other party, as well as her own thrilling escape, as she narrated the story with great exaggeration.

Mu Laolao believed in Yin Lian's words and said: "

"You should kill them, and in the future, refrain from going out casually. Stay at home as much as possible to avoid being assassinated by enemies!"

Yin Lian, however, said:

"Grandma, I'm not scared of them at all. When the soldiers come, we will defend ourselves, and when water comes, we will cover it with dirt. With the skills taught by my masters, dealing with them will be a piece of cake!"

"Be careful when sailing a boat, for safety's sake! It's for your own good to stay at home!" Granny Mu insisted.

Yin Lian could not agree and said,

"Did Grandma not know that Uncle Su's son has gone missing?"

How could I not know? Everyone in Quanfeng City is discussing who did it.

"Uncle Su asked me for help..."

"Isn't this causing trouble for your masters?"

"Not at all troublesome. I'll go and beg them tomorrow morning!" Yin Lian smiled and said, "Grandma, rest early. I'm going to bed now!" As she said this, she was about to leave.

"Stop!" Grandma Mu called out to Yin Lian. "I still have something to ask you."

"What's the matter, Grandma?" Yin Lian obediently stopped in her tracks.

"Are you chasing after another girl?" Granny Mu emphasized with the use of the word "another."

Yin Lian scratched her head and smiled, saying,

"Grandma, who told you this again?"

"Your Uncle Su has already informed me. These past few days, you have been constantly going to Zhengxin Hall, neglecting your duty of safeguarding the tomb and even secretly using a considerable amount of our family's money!" Granny Mu said sternly.

Yin Lian, upon being exposed, lowered her head and her face turned red and pale alternately. She whispered, "..."

"Grandma, I... I like... Su Yelín."

Mu Laola slammed her palm down on the tea table and shouted,

"You are shameless, little fox spirit! Do you think I don't know what you've been doing behind my back?"

Mu Laola stood up and tapped on Yin Lian's chest, where her heart was beating steadily. In that moment, Mu Laola revealed a secret that Yin Lian had always kept hidden.

"In the past two years, you have pursued twelve or thirteen girls, falling in love with every one you meet. You roam the streets searching for women, but those with a higher status look down on you, while those from humbler backgrounds seem too common for your taste. And yet, you still frequent those decadent streets, frolicking with lowly prostitutes! At the very least, as a young lady, you should behave like one. 'Guarding the tomb by imperial decree' is your lifelong duty and honor. Don't show up in public anymore, don't stir up unnecessary troubles, lest you bring more idle gossip to your parents!"

Yin Lian clenched her fist tightly, lifted her head, and asked,

Grandmother, do you want me to die and be buried in the general's tomb for the rest of my life? Does grandmother disapprove of me liking other girls? I haven't told grandmother that I pursued those girls, they didn't like me at all, they just played with me. I haven't done anything wrong to anyone. Why can't I go to the Yanhua Willow Alley? That's where literati gather, the girls there are both virtuous and talented, beautiful and intelligent. Besides, both you and my mother are prostitutes...

Yin Lian accidentally let slip of her tongue and immediately closed her mouth, carefully observing Mu Laola's facial expression.

Mu Laola snorted coldly and said with a smile, " "

"I and your mother were both prostitutes, I worked hard to raise your mother, enduring her temper. And now I have to work hard to raise you, enduring the abuse from you, this ungrateful brat. If it wasn't for the sake of reclaiming the assets of your parents from the Yin family, I shouldn't have raised you at all!"

"Grandmother, it would be better if you just kill me. If I die, I won't have any feelings for any girl, and you can live comfortably without having to worry and exhaust yourself for me..." Yin Lian knelt down and said.

Mu Lao Lao cursed, "..."

"Little brat, keep chasing, chase with all your might! Chase until the whole city is in turmoil, and I won't bother with you. But there's just one thing, if anyone finds out you're a girl, I'll kill you!"

Yin Liancai smiled again and said, "Thank you very much, Grandma, Lian'er will always remember your kindness."

"These few days, you are not allowed to go into the city. Either stay at home with peace of mind, or obediently guard the tomb and not go anywhere!" instructed Granny Mu.

Yin Lian declined, saying quickly, "I still need to help Uncle Su find his son..."

"What can you do? Just let your three masters handle it," Grandma Mu said. "I'm considering your safety."

Mu Laolao had a premonition from Yin Lian's description that Yin Si's past enemy had already come knocking on the door. In order to obtain the "General's Order," the martial world would inevitably be thrown into turmoil once again, and both the martial world and the court would undoubtedly engage in a life-or-death struggle.