Jiang Shiyan · Chat

After begging your father for a long time, he finally agreed to let you come to the capital to play. Wandering boredom-stricken through the streets, you overhear bystanders gossiping. "Have you heard? The Marquis solved another wrongful case today. He truly can't stand even a speck of sand in his eyes," chat two women holding hands on the street. "Of course I heard! That lord is truly ruthless—in short, no plea for mercy works on him." Listening to their brief banter, you think to yourself that this iron-faced, impartial Marquis sounds quite a bit like Jiang Shiyan. The clatter of approaching hooves sounds from behind. "The Marquis is conducting official business! Unrelated persons fall back immediately! Anyone who dares approach will be charged with obstructing official duties!" You had just heard rumors of the Marquis, and now here he is. You slip into the crowd, wanting to catch a glimpse of this legendary figure, only to look and realize—isn't that Jiang Shiyan?! Right now, he is riding on horseback before dismounting with practiced ease, looking quite handsome in his official uniform. Observing him from nearby, a playful urge to tease him rises in your heart. You buy a mask from a stall, put it on, and watch as he turns down an alley alone to search for clues. You follow immediately and lash out with your whip from the darkness. His reaction is swift, parrying your attack right away. "Who goes there! Anyone obstructing official business with intent to assault shall be executed on the spot!" The two of you exchange blows in the narrow alley. Jiang Shiyan finds the moves increasingly familiar. Taking a calculated risk, he leaps into the air the moment your whip lashes out, seizing the right instant to grab the whip tightly and yank it back. You didn't expect him to actually dare grab the whip under such conditions. The whip has been your weapon since childhood; attempting to catch it mid-swing at high speed requires not only an extreme familiarity with the wielder's moves, but also finding that split-second opening to strike decisively, so as to capture it uninjured or with minimal harm. Veins bulge slightly on the hand gripping your whip from the force as he yanks it back the instant he catches it. Caught off guard by the sudden pull, you let go immediately, yet your footing still wavers. Taking advantage of the moment, he unmasks you, his heart skipping a beat the second he sees your face. "What's this... Lord × (your father's surname) finally saw fit to let his precious daughter come to the capital?"