It was expected that Zhang Ping return to his duty of selling and preparing noodles and meals, the mundane but familiar lifestyle that had been his norm up until the previous year. Of course, he was expected to do and be a lot of things, but he'd defied them before, hadn't he?

He couldn't help it. No, really, he couldn't! He wouldn't admit that the thrill of the chase was one he liked. One he'd chase again, over and over. After solving the mystery of the red mist, after clearing Lan Jue's father's name, he should have been satisfied. Yet, he wished for more. He wished for that life he could've never dreamt of just a year back to come back to him again.

So, of course, when he heard that the Minister of Law had been found dead in the palace, he broke in.

Well, broke in was a strong word he wouldn't use to describe his actions. He was just surveying the place. Sneaking around the garden? No! More like taking a glimpse for the better good of the people. Besides, when he inquired about it with Minister Yan, the man had agreed (only after eyeing him up and down). He should just hope the Imperial Guards wouldn't find him.

But even then, just the thrill of their chase brought back that same adrenaline Zhang Ping begrudgingly sought.