As the night deepened, Hua Zhuyu was preparing to rest in the outer chamber of Huangfu Wushuang’s bedroom to keep watch, when Huangfu Wushuang emerged from the inner room fully dressed.
“Little Bao’er, you and Ji Xiang go change clothes. We’re going out for a while.” He spoke with a serious expression.
Hua Zhuyu rarely saw Huangfu Wushuang with such a solemn expression. Looking at his attire, he wore an ordinary gray satin long robe, having removed his golden crown and bound his hair with a matching colored hair band. His entire appearance was extremely simple, vastly different from his usual luxury—he looked like an ordinary wealthy young master.
Hua Zhuyu and Ji Xiang also changed from their eunuch uniforms into servants’ cloth shirts and followed Huangfu Wushuang out of Qingjiang Summer Palace.
Qingjiang Summer Palace was located halfway up Green Mountain. At the foot of Green Mountain was Green City. Green City had originally been just a small city, not prosperous. Since the Emperor began coming here every summer to escape the heat over ten years ago, Green City had gradually flourished.
The three took a carriage, and in less than half an hour, the carriage arrived outside the brothel Sleeping Moon Tower in Green City.
“Why did Your Highness suddenly think of visiting a brothel?” Hua Zhuyu asked lightly.
Huangfu Wushuang lounged on the carriage couch, smiling smugly. “I heard Sleeping Moon Tower is extremely lively. This Crown Prince wants to experience it. This matter must not let Father Emperor know, otherwise this Crown Prince will definitely be scolded to death by Father Emperor. This Crown Prince trusts you two, which is why I’m bringing you along. No one is allowed to speak of this, understand?”
Hua Zhuyu hadn’t expected Huangfu Wushuang would come to such a place. Could this be considered a gain? In the darkness, using the lamplight filtering through the carriage window, she quietly observed Huangfu Wushuang: his young face was so beautiful, like the finest jade carving, pretty without a single flaw; those deep eyes sparkled with excited light, like a bird long caged that had finally been released and could spread its wings to fly.
Sleeping Moon Tower was full of patrons. Huangfu Wushuang was led by a procurer to a random seat. The procurer introduced that tonight, their Sleeping Moon Tower had several women from the Western Frontier.
Sleeping Moon Tower was famous precisely because they bought a batch of beauties from the Western Frontier each year. These beauties had a different charm from Southern Dynasty women—they were beautifully wild and sensual, extremely popular at Sleeping Moon Tower.
When Hua Zhuyu and the others entered, there were no girls performing on the high stage yet. Presumably the time hadn’t arrived. After about one incense stick’s time, the madam of Sleeping Moon Tower walked onto the high stage with charming grace.
The voices in the hall gradually quieted as they heard the madam say with a beaming smile, “Thank you, gentlemen, for honoring us with your presence at our Sleeping Moon Tower. Tonight we have several young ladies who came from the Western Frontier. Each one is a beauty of unparalleled looks with exceptional skills. Following our old rules, the young ladies will perform shortly. If any of you gentlemen take a fancy to someone, you may all bid competitively. The highest bidder will have that young lady for tonight. Everyone knows the rules of our Sleeping Moon Tower, so this old woman won’t waste words. Now let’s invite the first young lady, Slender Waist, to take the stage.”
As soon as the madam finished speaking, someone in the audience shouted loudly, “Mama, hurry up and start! I’ve prepared plenty of silver—let’s see if your young ladies can make me lose my soul!”
The madam retreated amid the shouting. A melodious musical sound arose—the song pulled from the huqin was not like the gentle and lingering melodies of the Southern Dynasty, but was bold and passionate, carrying strong exotic flavor.
Such music would be novel and strange to Southern Dynasty people. But hearing it in Hua Zhuyu’s ears, it was all too familiar. Such melodies made one think of the vast sky, rhythmic dance steps, the clip-clop of horse hooves, rough singing voices… and the joys and sorrows that had already passed.
A woman in a goose-yellow gauze dress gracefully emerged following the music. Her clothing wasn’t like the wide sleeves and broad robes of the Southern Dynasty, but clung tightly to her body, outlining her alluring figure—full breasts and slender waist, all so enticing. This woman with the stage name Slender Waist danced to the bold music, her dance extremely graceful and seductive.
Slender Waist’s face was covered with a thin veil, revealing only a pair of bright eyes like autumn water, her gaze flowing with emotion as she danced.
When the dance ended, patrons began bidding. Finally, the person who won Slender Waist for one night actually bid three hundred taels of silver.
Three hundred taels for one night—this place truly deserved to be called a money pit.
After Slender Waist was led away, melodious qin music began. At first, this qin music was gentle and beautiful, not at all like Western Frontier music.
The curtains on the high stage were drawn open, revealing a white-clothed woman kneeling on the stage with a precious qin placed before her. She extended her slender fingers and gently plucked the strings, playing a beautiful melody. This piece didn’t seem to be from the Western Frontier, but faintly carried that kind of flavor—it was extremely pleasant to hear.
Everyone listened in rapture, but the melody suddenly shifted. The tender, loving tune somehow carried a trace of killing intent, extremely subtle and difficult to detect. Then, as the piece continued, this crisp and decisive tone appeared twice more, but each time the qin player cleverly covered it with other melodies. However, those with keen attention would notice.
After this piece finished, the white-clothed woman stood up from the high stage and removed the veil covering her face.
A beautiful face appeared before everyone—she had the wheat-colored skin of Western Liang women and eyes beautiful as black grapes.
When Dan Hong played qin for her on the battlefield, her face was always covered with a veil. Her appearance, like Ying Shuxie’s, was extremely mysterious. People always enjoyed endlessly speculating about mysterious things. For instance, regarding Ying Shuxie’s appearance, there were two extreme guesses—either extremely ugly or extremely beautiful.
There were also several speculations about Dan Hong. One was that Dan Hong had the temperament of Southern Dynasty people and the appearance of Western Liang people. Rumor had it that Dan Hong was born to a Western Liang woman and a Southern Dynasty soldier, so she wasn’t accepted by Western Liang people and was abandoned to the Southern Dynasty.
An was quite capable to find such a beauty. Moreover, having this woman wear white was brilliant, because Dan Hong wore red, while this woman wore white—truth mixed with falsehood, falsehood mixed with truth, easily making people believe it was real.
That qin piece just now wasn’t particularly moving, and this woman with the stage name Curved Brows’ qin skills ultimately couldn’t match Dan Hong’s, but this didn’t prevent the patrons from bidding.
First someone called fifty taels, then one hundred taels, quickly climbing to three hundred taels, matching the price of the first woman, Slender Waist. Just when the madam thought no one else would bid, a voice from an elegant room on the left side of the second floor shouted loudly, “My master bids five hundred taels!”
The previous bids had climbed by ten or twenty taels, but this person jumped from three hundred to five hundred taels. Five hundred taels was enough for an ordinary family’s lifetime expenses, yet these five hundred taels were just to buy this Curved Brows for one night. This was the highest price in Sleeping Moon Tower’s history.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked toward the elegant room on the left side of the second floor. They saw a bamboo curtain painted with orchids hanging at the doorway, with dim, shadowy lamplight inside. People outside couldn’t see inside the curtain, but those inside could clearly see the scene outside.
Hearing the price climb to five hundred taels, Huangfu Wushuang immediately became excited, squinting with a smile. “Interesting, interesting…”
“Would Your Highness like to join the excitement?” Hua Zhuyu said in a low voice.
“Let’s see how things develop first. Though this woman looks decent, how could she compare to Wan’er? She probably can’t even match our little Bao’er. Little Bao’er, if you were a woman and went up on that stage, the bidding would probably be even higher!”
Hua Zhuyu smiled lightly. “Your Highness jests!”
Just when everyone thought the person who bid five hundred taels would get Miss Curved Brows, someone from an elegant room on the right side of the second floor shouted loudly, “Six hundred taels!”
This elegant room happened to be directly opposite the previous one, also with a bamboo curtain covering the doorway, preventing people from seeing inside clearly. Even the servant who shouted was calling from inside the curtain.
Six hundred taels! There were quite a few people willing to spend lavishly. These two seemed determined to win Curved Brows, neither yielding, with prices climbing by one hundred taels at a time.
Seeing such fierce bidding, Huangfu Wushuang became somewhat puzzled. He asked softly, “Do you think this Curved Brows is very beautiful? I don’t think she’s that special—why is she so valuable?”
Ji Xiang hurriedly approached Huangfu Wushuang and whispered, “Your Highness, this servant can tell there’s something wrong with this Miss Curved Brows, which is why those people are competing so fiercely. This servant has heard that under Ying Shuxie there’s a qin-playing young lady who plays excellently. This Curved Brows, when she was playing qin just now, did Your Highness notice those few moments of murderous intent in the melody? Though deliberately concealed, those with keen attention still heard it. She’s also from the Western Frontier, so those bidding might be among those secretly searching for Ying Shuxie.”
Hearing this, Huangfu Wushuang’s expression darkened. “You mean they want to find Ying Shuxie through this Curved Brows?”
Ji Xiang nodded.
Hua Zhuyu hadn’t expected Ji Xiang could also hear the killing intent in that melody. Usually seeing him always with lowered eyebrows and compliant expression, rarely speaking, she hadn’t known he was also versed in music.
While they were talking, the person in the right-side elegant room called out a price of one thousand taels—truly living up to the phrase “spending money like water.” At this point, no one else in the hall spoke, all straining their ears to hear how high it could go. Even if a needle dropped on the ground now, it could probably be heard.
Just then, a lazy and unrestrained voice said lightly, “One thousand taels and one wen.”
After a brief silence, someone spat out their tea with a “pff,” spraying it on the back of the person in front, who jumped up cursing. But no one paid attention to their quarrel—everyone turned to see who this adorable patron was who bid one thousand taels and one wen.
Hua Zhuyu never expected so many people would be interested in Ying Shuxie. That night, she had instructed An to quietly spread word that among a batch of women from the Western Frontier, there was one who played qin excellently. She hadn’t expected so many people to come following the news.
Probably those bidding hadn’t anticipated things would develop this way either.
Following everyone’s gaze, Hua Zhuyu looked toward the bidder. The person sat in the northwest corner of the hall, wearing bright coral-colored brocade with golden coins embroidered all over the robe. This outfit matched perfectly with Sleeping Moon Tower’s red lights and green wine atmosphere. The man had an extraordinarily handsome face, extremely elegant. Only those beautiful peach blossom eyes glowed as they stared at the beauty on stage, with a kind of wild, seductive, androgynous beauty.
Hua Zhuyu couldn’t help but frown. This person was actually Dou Qianjin, the Prince Rui of Eastern Yan. Did he have some problem? Last time in the Northern Dynasty he had proposed marriage to her, and now he was here bidding. Moreover, wasn’t he the Eastern God of Wealth with plenty of money? Yet his bid was only one wen more than the previous bidder—wasn’t he afraid of being laughed at?
Huangfu Wushuang also recognized Dou Qianjin. Seeing him, he snorted coldly. “Ha, tonight’s events are becoming more and more interesting!”
“Young Master, would you like to make a bid too?” Ji Xiang asked carefully.
“Let’s wait until they finish competing!” Huangfu Wushuang raised his eyebrows.
People in the second-floor elegant rooms continued bidding non-stop.
“One thousand one hundred taels…”
“One thousand two hundred taels and one wen…”
“One thousand two hundred taels…”
“One thousand two hundred taels and one wen…”
Dou Qianjin always bid one wen more than others, showing no sign of backing down.
Everyone wondered how high today’s bidding would go when they saw a procurer hurriedly run up and whisper something in the madam’s ear. The madam’s face immediately turned pale, and ignoring the bidding patrons, she shook her fat body and left the stage.
“What happened?” The patrons in Sleeping Moon Tower wouldn’t let her go, with someone blocking her path to ask.
“Aiya, that damned Curved Brows ran away! With so much silver to be earned, she ran off with someone.” Seeing she couldn’t hide it, the madam slapped her thigh and wailed.
“Ran away with whom?” someone asked.
“I heard it was someone wearing a mask!” The madam cried with her heavily made-up face.
The madam’s words were like celestial music to those with ulterior motives. The bamboo curtain of the left-side elegant room suddenly rolled up and down again. Simultaneously, a purple shadow leaped out from inside the curtain. Everyone felt a flash before their eyes, as if a sudden wind had swept by. When they looked again, that figure had already disappeared from Sleeping Moon Tower. Appearing suddenly, then suddenly vanishing—most people didn’t have time to see clearly who this big-spending bidder was.
As someone who practiced martial arts, Hua Zhuyu saw clearly. Her previously calm heart was like having a huge stone thrown into it, constantly rippling in circles.
That person was someone she never would have expected to appear here—Xiao Yin.
So that day, the bird she saw at Bamboo Garden really was Xiao Yin’s gyrfalcon, not her mistake.
Not only had Xiao Yin come to the Southern Dynasty, but just now he had been bidding in the brothel to get information about her from the so-called Dan Hong. This was someone she never expected to appear in tonight’s scheme.
Yet he had appeared!
“Your Highness, shouldn’t we also go take a look?” Ji Xiang asked Huangfu Wushuang carefully.
“Naturally. This Crown Prince naturally cannot miss such excitement.” Huangfu Wushuang stomped his feet, ordered a guard with good lightness skills to carry him, and also gave chase.
They pursued all the way to the Qing River bank. Hua Zhuyu, along with Huangfu Wushuang and Ji Xiang, hid together in a small grove by the riverbank, lying on the ground thick with summer grass, looking toward the riverbank.
At this time, the bright moon had risen to mid-heaven, with clear white moonlight pouring down like mercury, illuminating several figures by the river.
One person had a tall, thin frame, wearing a loose white robe, standing there with elegant posture. He wore half a seductive silver mask on his face, revealing only deep eyes, a straight nose bridge, and elegant lips.
Hua Zhuyu never expected this person would impersonate Ying Shuxie so well. Originally she had just wanted An to find someone with a similar build to Ying Shuxie, but who knew this person not only had a similar build, but more remarkably, his aura was exactly that lazy, arrogant evil air that Ying Shuxie possessed, along with the murderous aura forged on the battlefield. Those who hadn’t been on the battlefield wouldn’t possess this—it couldn’t be imitated by just finding anyone.
Who was this person? Hua Zhuyu was very puzzled.
“So this is Ying Shuxie? What an imposing aura!” Huangfu Wushuang lay in the woods, his gaze burning as he stared at the person impersonating Ying Shuxie, speaking with great admiration.
“Your Highness, this person is quite a character. If only he could serve Your Highness, but unfortunately…” Ji Xiang said softly.
“Ying Shuxie” held a woman by the hand—it was Curved Brows from Sleeping Moon Tower. Not far in front of him stood two people: Dou Qianjin and Xiao Yin.
Xiao Yin stood by the river, the moonlight coating his deep purple robe with a layer of faint frost-white. From her angle, she felt he was so tall and upright, his entire being emanating an aura. Those deep, cold purple eyes like an abyss were filled with complex emotions as they stared intently at the “Ying Shuxie” before him.
Dou Qianjin stood not far from the two, playing with a large copper coin in his hands as if performing tricks, spinning it around and around.
“I am truly honored to encounter two such distinguished personages here. I never dreamed my worth would be so high that it could alarm people from three kingdoms to join forces in capturing me. What an extreme honor. Hahaha…” After “Ying Shuxie” finished speaking, he threw back his head and laughed, his heroic spirit soaring to the heavens.
“Emperor Yan doesn’t have the ability to command this Crown Prince. Besides, this Crown Prince disdains to meddle in your Southern Dynasty’s affairs!” Xiao Yin’s tone was low and slow, his voice slightly hoarse and rough.
“Oh? Then why are you pursuing me?” “Ying Shuxie” asked nonchalantly.
“This Crown Prince respects you as a hero. Since you’re already wanted everywhere, why remain in the Southern Dynasty? How about coming with this Crown Prince to the Northern Dynasty?” Xiao Yin said in a low voice.
Xiao Yin already knew Hua Zhuyu was Yinmian Xiuluo, but he didn’t know that Hua Zhuyu knew he knew. Because when he had revealed this, it was while drunk, and he had forgotten after sobering up. So now he wasn’t directly acknowledging “Ying Shuxie” as his sister.
Huangfu Wushuang lay in the woods, hearing Xiao Yin’s arrogant words, slowly clenched his fists, his dark eyes narrowing as he said hatefully, “What an insolent Northern Dynasty Crown Prince!”
“Who’s there? Come out!” Xiao Yin suddenly turned toward the woods, his proud and cold expression gradually showing in his amethyst-deep eyes, making one dare not meet his gaze.
Actually, with Xiao Yin’s hearing, he had probably discovered people hiding in the woods long ago. He likely guessed they were from the Southern Dynasty, which was why he had shown such disdain for the Southern Dynasty earlier.
Even while in the Southern Dynasty, Xiao Yin remained as domineering and arrogant as ever.
Huangfu Wushuang couldn’t help but furrow his beautiful eyebrows, showing an expression of disdain and pride. “When did the Northern Dynasty Crown Prince arrive in the Southern Dynasty? Why didn’t you announce yourself so our Southern Dynasty could properly host you!”
He slowly rose from the ground, dusted off the fallen leaves from his clothes, put his hands behind his back, straightened his spine, and walked proudly out of the woods.
Hua Zhuyu also slowly got up from the grass, a bitter smile playing at her lips as she followed behind Huangfu Wushuang and walked out slowly. She was somewhat afraid, uncertain whether Xiao Yin would reveal her identity. Following Huangfu Wushuang’s gaze, she looked toward Xiao Yin with an unperturbed expression.
However, Xiao Yin’s attention wasn’t on her, a little eunuch. His frost-cold purple eyes gazed lightly at Huangfu Wushuang. Hua Zhuyu breathed a sigh of relief and moved toward the shadows of nearby trees.
Xiao Yin’s thin lips curved as he looked at Huangfu Wushuang, frowning lightly. “You are…”
Hua Zhuyu didn’t believe Xiao Yin wouldn’t recognize Huangfu Wushuang. Even if he had never met Huangfu Wushuang before, as the Northern Dynasty’s heir apparent, he couldn’t possibly know nothing about the Southern Dynasty’s heir apparent.
Huangfu Wushuang stood before Xiao Yin, his expression extremely dark.
Hua Zhuyu knew in her heart that he wasn’t just angered by Xiao Yin’s words. Standing before Xiao Yin, even raising his head high and straightening his back, he was still much shorter than Xiao Yin. Northern Dynasty people were naturally taller than Southern Dynasty people, not to mention Xiao Yin was outstanding even among Northern Dynasty people, while Huangfu Wushuang was still a youth who hadn’t fully grown.
Hearing Xiao Yin’s question, Ji Xiang said in a shrill voice, “This is our Southern Dynasty’s Crown Prince!”
Xiao Yin raised his eyebrows slightly, a trace of faint amusement flashing through his purple eyes. “So it’s the Southern Dynasty Crown Prince. This Crown Prince was discourteous. I wonder why Your Highness comes here so late at night in such attire? This Crown Prince almost mistook you for an assassin!”
Huangfu Wushuang squinted at Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin, craning his neck to ask, “What’s happening tonight? This small place of Green City actually has two distinguished guests arriving—truly rare indeed. I wonder when you two arrived? Why didn’t you go to the Summer Palace on the mountain?”
“This Crown Prince only came for private matters and didn’t wish to disturb anyone at the Summer Palace!” Xiao Yin said coldly, somewhat absent-minded, occasionally glancing at the “Ying Shuxie” standing over there, as if afraid “Ying Shuxie” might run away.
Dou Qianjin was even more arrogant, not even bothering to walk over toward Huangfu Wushuang. He remained standing in place, sticking his finger through the copper coin and continuously spinning it. His peach blossom eyes glanced lightly at Huangfu Wushuang as he said with a smile, “This king truly never expected Your Highness to be a kindred spirit, also seeking pleasure in brothels at midnight.”
“Have you said enough? Since you want to capture me, then come at me together! Why all this chatter?” “Ying Shuxie” suddenly spoke coldly, placing his hand on his waist and slowly drawing the weapon hanging there.
Watching “Ying Shuxie’s” leisurely weapon-drawing motion, Hua Zhuyu’s heart tightened. This action was also deliberately imitating Ying Shuxie’s. To be so similar, this person must have seen her draw her blade.
After the weapon was drawn, Hua Zhuyu was even more stunned.
This was a blade with a slightly curved tip, like a crescent moon. The blade was cold white, like moonlight on a dark night. This blade was called the Tianya Mingyue Dao. This was Hua Zhuyu’s blade, the one she had carried to kill enemies on the battlefield.
Hua Zhuyu was dumbfounded. When she returned to the capital for her wedding, she hadn’t brought this blade with her. Thinking she might never use it again in this lifetime, she had entrusted it to Tai for safekeeping.
Tai? Hua Zhuyu squinted and carefully examined “Ying Shuxie.” That posture and those smiling lips—wasn’t that exactly Tai!
Who else but the four guards who lived with her day and night could impersonate her so perfectly?
Before her father’s downfall, he had already sent An and Tai away. An was sent to the palace by her father, while Tai was naturally also in the capital. However, Hua Zhuyu hadn’t expected that tonight, it would be him impersonating Ying Shuxie.
Among the four guards, Tai had the most slender build and wasn’t very tall. Now she suddenly realized that Tai’s height was about the same as hers. Among the four guards, Tai had the gentlest temperament. Only when killing did his eyes show a trace of murderous intent—normally, he was as harmless and gentle as a young lady. She truly hadn’t expected Tai could impersonate her so well, displaying the wildness, arrogance, and murderous aura that rarely appeared on him.
Understanding that Ying Shuxie was impersonated by Tai, Hua Zhuyu became somewhat worried.
The original plan was for the fake Ying Shuxie to lure out the people behind the scenes and immediately escape. Who would have thought the ones lured out would be such important figures as Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin? Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin seemed to harbor no malice toward Ying Shuxie, but the force secretly searching for Ying Shuxie in Yu Capital hadn’t been drawn out. Now, being watched by such skilled fighters as Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin, Tai would probably have difficulty escaping.
While thinking this, Hua Zhuyu sensitively noticed that this riverbank wasn’t as peaceful as it appeared on the surface. That grove seemed to have people lying in ambush, though she wasn’t sure whose people they were. They probably weren’t Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin’s people. If they were Huangfu Wushuang’s, she didn’t quite believe he had such scheming ability.
Just then, the sound of horse hooves came from the main road. Hua Zhuyu focused her gaze toward the road and saw a carriage slowly approaching in the night. The carriage was pulled by four horses with dozens of guards following behind.
Reaching the riverbank, the carriage slowly stopped. Eight attendants stood with hands lowered in respectful posture as someone stepped down from the carriage—wearing a jade crown, dressed in moon-white knee-length robes, with a jade belt at the waist.
Left Prime Minister Ji Fengli!
Seeing him, Hua Zhuyu’s lips slowly curved in a faint cold smile.
She had actually guessed long ago that he would definitely appear tonight. Setting this trap was just to confirm her suspicions. Indeed, he lived up to her expectations. This meant the troops ambushed in the dense forest were also arranged by Ji Fengli.
Ji Fengli’s lips contained a rippling smile as his gaze swept around lightly before walking directly to Huangfu Wushuang to bow. Then he said to Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin, “Days ago, His Majesty learned that you two had arrived in the Southern Dynasty. However, since you came quietly, His Majesty didn’t wish to disturb you. Tonight, His Majesty learned you two had arrived in Green City and ordered Fengli to come welcome you. The Summer Palace is on the mountain—please move there. As for Ying Shuxie, leave him to Fengli to handle. Please!” These words were spoken with grand propriety—Ji Fengli truly deserved to be the current Left Prime Minister.
Since Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin had come quietly, it wouldn’t be easy for the Southern Dynasty to discover them. Yet Ji Fengli claimed they had been discovered long ago, which saved some face for the Southern Dynasty.
However, was it really Emperor Yan who had sent him to welcome Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin tonight? Hua Zhuyu didn’t believe it. Given Ji Fengli’s cunning, this might just be an excuse. The person in the right-side elegant room at Sleeping Moon Tower earlier might have been him!
After Ji Fengli finished speaking, he made a welcoming gesture. Several carriages immediately appeared behind his carriage, as luxurious as the one Huangfu Wushuang had used for his night excursion. They were pulled by famous snow-treading steeds, with curtains embroidered with cloud patterns in precious golden thread. Beside each carriage stood two palace maids dressed in rainbow garments.
“So the Left Prime Minister has arrived—how discourteous of me. Your Sage Emperor is truly polite. With such gracious hospitality, this Crown Prince cannot refuse. However, there’s no rush to return. Since the Left Prime Minister wants to deal with Ying Shuxie, this Crown Prince is very interested in watching the battle!” Xiao Yin stood with hands behind his back, his cold face as calm as wind.
“Yes, this king also wants to see how capable this Ying Shuxie really is!” Dou Qianjin also said lazily.
Ji Fengli raised his eyebrows, his lips still wearing a faint smile. “Since you two insist on watching, that’s fine. Men, apprehend Ying Shuxie!”
He waved his hand, and several figures leaped over—six Imperial Guards. Tong Shou and Lan Bing, who usually followed Ji Fengli, surprisingly hadn’t come tonight.
Hua Zhuyu breathed a slight sigh of relief. With Tai’s skills, these six Imperial Guards shouldn’t be his match. If he wanted to escape, he should have some chance of success. However, how would he deal with the people in the dense forest?
The six Imperial Guards surrounded “Ying Shuxie” completely, launching into fierce combat. Under the moonlight, blade lights and sword shadows flew everywhere.
These Imperial Guards had decent skills, but compared to Tai, they were still far inferior. Moreover, Tai had the unique skill of using hidden weapons, though because he was impersonating Ying Shuxie, it wasn’t convenient to use them.
After fighting dozens of moves, the six guards gradually showed signs of defeat.
Huangfu Wushuang frowned as he watched the battle, suddenly saying to Hua Zhuyu, “Little Bao’er, you go up too. Make sure to capture Ying Shuxie!”
Hua Zhuyu hadn’t expected Huangfu Wushuang would order her to fight. At this point, she couldn’t avoid it anymore. Besides, she was looking for a way to help Tai escape, so she softly answered “Yes,” took a deep breath, gripped her sword, and walked out calmly and composedly.
Ji Fengli stood not far away with hands behind his back. Seeing Hua Zhuyu walk out, he glanced at her lightly, his beautiful dark pupils still containing a faint smile.
Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin seemed to notice Hua Zhuyu for the first time, following Ji Fengli’s gaze to look over. Xiao Yin’s originally cold face was like ice in deep winter, but now this ice surface seemed to be suddenly shattered, creating ripples.
His tall frame couldn’t help but sway slightly. Fortunately, Xiao Yin had good self-control and didn’t immediately rush over. Instead, he looked with complex emotions at the “Ying Shuxie” fiercely battling the six guards. The worry and tension originally hidden in his brow completely disappeared, and his sharp purple eyes stared straight at Hua Zhuyu with an expression as if he wanted to devour her at any moment.
Dou Qianjin, seeing Hua Zhuyu, only squinted slightly with an indifferent expression. This Dou Qianjin who had always wanted to marry her didn’t even recognize her appearance—was there anything more ridiculous in the world? It seemed that even if she had the face of a yaksha, he would still marry her. Perhaps it was for the alliance with the Northern Dynasty, or perhaps there was some other conspiracy. With the bride having run away, he could only come looking with his brother-in-law—otherwise, he probably wouldn’t be able to take action to search!
Hua Zhuyu walked slowly past Xiao Yin’s side, her clear eyes full of cold indifference as she quietly gazed at the battle ahead, as if she had never known this person.
She leaped into the battle group, her sharp sword unsheathed with cold light, meeting Tai’s Tianya Mingyue Dao. Since Hua Zhuyu wanted An to conceal her identity, and Tai had never seen her true appearance, he showed no mercy to this little eunuch who suddenly came to fight. Each blade carried the sharp sound of wind as it slashed toward her.
While dodging, Hua Zhuyu moved toward the river, gradually shifting the battle group to the riverbank. She knew Tai was an excellent swimmer. Though the river current was very rapid, with Tai’s swimming ability, escaping shouldn’t be a problem.
Indeed, reaching the riverbank, Tai seized an opportunity and leaped into the river. He dove deep to the bottom. Among the six guards, some could swim and also jumped into the water upon seeing this. However, pursuing someone in water wasn’t easy. Before long, they lost their target and returned dejectedly.
“What happened? You let him escape?” Huangfu Wushuang quickly walked to the riverbank, looking at the turbulent water.
“Your Highness, this river current is rapid. Those with poor swimming ability would have difficulty escaping. Moreover, this Ying Shuxie has been fighting in the Western Frontier and perhaps doesn’t know how to swim at all. Jumping in like this, he probably won’t escape death.” Hua Zhuyu said lightly.
Huangfu Wushuang looked at the river water for a while longer before leaving silently. With “Ying Shuxie’s” fall into the water, Hua Zhuyu vaguely sensed that the ambushed troops in the dense forest had also quietly withdrawn.
That Curved Brows from Sleeping Moon Tower had been huddled in the bushes during Tai’s fight. Seeing Tai jump into the river, she tried to run away. Huangfu Wushuang caught sight of her and said sternly, “Arrest that woman!”
Several guards grabbed Curved Brows and brought her over. She knelt on the grass, constantly kowtowing to Huangfu Wushuang and Ji Fengli, crying and saying she was just a woman bought from the Western Frontier. Tonight someone gave her two hundred taels of silver to play the qin, saying this would make people bid higher prices for her. She truly knew nothing and didn’t recognize that “Ying Shuxie” at all.
Ji Fengli sent people to Sleeping Moon Tower to investigate, and what the woman said was indeed true, so they released her.
How Hua Zhuyu hoped Xiao Yin would leave quickly, but having discovered her, how could he leave? He readily accepted Ji Fengli’s invitation and boarded a carriage with Dou Qianjin.
Hua Zhuyu also followed Huangfu Wushuang into a carriage. She could feel Xiao Yin’s complex gaze constantly focused on her. Fortunately, Xiao Yin didn’t expose her on the spot.
After this night’s commotion, by the time they reached Qingjiang Summer Palace, dawn was breaking. Huangfu Wushuang went to pay respects to Emperor Yan, having first humbly begged Ji Fengli not to report his midnight visit to Sleeping Moon Tower to the Emperor.
Emperor Yan received Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin in the main hall. Hua Zhuyu naturally followed Huangfu Wushuang back to their quarters.
Having not slept all night, Huangfu Wushuang went to catch up on sleep, but Hua Zhuyu was on edge—how could she sleep? With both Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin staying at Qingjiang Summer Palace, she didn’t know how she would get through the coming days.
She wasn’t sure whether Lady Bai Ma had told Xiao Yin that she wasn’t his sister. She remembered how he had looked when drunk in her room before her wedding to Dou Qianjin, and the tears he had shed.
Hua Zhuyu spent the day in anxious unrest. Near evening, she received a message from An saying Tai had escaped safely. The person in the right-side elegant room who had been bidding against Xiao Yin all night wasn’t Ji Fengli, but Rong Luo from Southern Bai Feng.
Hua Zhuyu’s brow furrowed slightly. Speaking of it, Rong Luo did indeed have the financial power to spend lavishly. His fancying a brothel woman wasn’t unusual either, but why had he coincidentally taken a liking to Curved Brows? Could Rong Luo also be colluding with certain court forces? According to An, the ambushed troops in the dense forest were very mysterious—it was unclear whose people they were!
Hua Zhuyu smiled coldly. Things were becoming more and more complex. However, at least she had seen one person’s true face clearly—Ji Fengli. He was definitely interested in “Ying Shuxie.” If not for that encounter at Liu Mo’s residence, who would have known Ying Shuxie had arrived in Yu Capital? Then among those searching for her in Yu Capital, he was definitely involved. Besides him, there should be others. Xiao Yin and Dou Qianjin had certainly searched for her secretly. Besides them, there was another force. Huangfu Wushuang? Hua Zhuyu couldn’t be certain yet, but no matter what, the truth would come to light someday.