Chapter 178: Inquiry
Xue Yuechen’s heart stirred, and she exchanged a glance with Xue Sui.
She rose, tidied her clothes, and they left hand in hand.
Arriving at the living room, they saw Princess Ruihe smiling as she looked at a hanging painting on the wall, with a maid beside her holding a pile of gifts.
“Greetings, Princess,” Xue Yuechen spoke first.
Princess Ruihe turned her head, first bowing to Xue Yuechen, then casting her charming eyes towards Xue Sui, her smile full of hidden meaning.
“After a few days, Madam Ping’an has become even more radiant.”
Xue Sui smiled slightly, bowed, and said, “Your Highness is too kind. May I ask the reason for your visit today, Princess?”
Princess Ruihe’s expression changed.
Was it her turn to ask? This Madam Ping’an was truly impolite, even more ostentatious than the Princess Consort…
Was she truly the woman her second brother doted on to the bone?
Princess Ruihe took a slow breath before smiling again, “I heard the Princess Consort is with child, and I’ve come to offer my congratulations. These are gifts I’ve carefully prepared for the unborn Heir Apparent; a small token of my regard, I hope the Princess Consort will not find them wanting.”
Xue Yuechen quickly chided with a smile, “We don’t even know if it will be an Heir Apparent yet, Princess, you are too kind.”
She gestured for Fei Cui to accept them, then ordered someone to serve fruits and tea.
“It is both my and the Prince’s fortune to have the Princess visit the Prince’s Mansion often. Please do not be so extravagant in the future.”
Princess Ruihe smiled gently, “I am alone in this world with no close relatives. It is my honor to visit my second brother often and to be on good terms with the Princess Consort and Madam Ping’an.”
The two exchanged pleasantries back and forth.
One appeared at ease, the other exuded warmth, yet both seemed to be deliberately concealing something.
Xue Sui observed calmly, a faint smile on her lips.
Princess Ruihe noticed her gaze, her eyes flickered upwards inadvertently, and suddenly swept towards Xue Sui’s temples.
“I wonder if Madam Ping’an still has that Phoenix Hairpin?”
Xue Sui’s expression was calm, and she smiled slightly, “Unfortunately, a maid lost it two days ago. If the Princess likes it, I can find someone to make another one in the same style and have it delivered to you another day, how about that?”
Princess Ruihe shook her head gently.
“There’s no need. No matter how good a new one is, it cannot compare to the preciousness of an old item. Some affections cannot be replicated.”
Xue Yuechen’s expression darkened slightly, showing a hint of displeasure.
Xue Sui smiled knowingly.
What Princess Ruihe was referring to was not an old item, but clearly an old person.
–
You Huang Ju.
Bright sunlight, carrying a warm glow, filtered through the sheer curtains and fell into the room.
Li Zhao leaned against an Arhat Couch, his eyes narrowed as he carefully examined the pills sent by Ru Yi.
The light and shadow stretched his silhouette long, casting it on the wall, like a lurking beast, somber and cold.
Lai Fu dared not look directly at his face, not even daring to breathe heavily.
“Your Highness, the water is ready…”
He cautiously offered the teacup, only to be met with Li Zhao’s cold laugh.
“Why should I accept her favor?”
Lai Fu buried his head even lower, “Madam Ping’an must be concerned about Your Highness, which is why she sent the medicine…”
“Concerned?” Li Zhao sneered, flicking his finger lightly. The pill rolled into the wooden box on the desk.
He recalled the corridor outside Ci An Hall that day, Xue Sui’s distant yet respectful “Farewell, Crown Prince,” he recalled Ru Yi’s message of “accompanying the Prince to watch the rain,” he recalled her indifference to his illness, and a sharp pain suddenly gripped his chest—
Damn Love Silk Gu!
As if stimulated, it coursed wildly through his veins.
Li Zhao clutched his chest tightly, his eyes like frozen ice.
“I don’t believe she would kindly send an antidote…”
He slowly leaned forward, staring at the pill lying quietly in the wooden box.
“That woman is full of schemes; perhaps she has dug another trap for me…”
“Your Highness!” Lai Fu, seeing fine beads of sweat on his forehead, hastily offered him cool tea.
“Please don’t anger yourself…”
“Who said I was angry?”
Li Zhao gave him a cold look and waved his sleeve. The porcelain cup on the table was swept to the floor, shattering with a crisp sound, startling the birds roosting under the eaves into flight.
Lai Fu bowed his head, silent as a cicada.
Li Zhao picked up the secret report on the desk at a leisurely pace, exuding an aura of coldness.
—It was just delivered by Yuan Cang.
“Well done, Li Yan…” He narrowed his eyes casually, his dark pupils filled with dangerous coldness. “I’d like to see what kind of play he’s putting on!”
Seeing him about to leave, Lai Fu panicked, “Your Highness, your health…”
With His Highness’s unstable breathing and gloomy expression, going out might attract more prying eyes and unnecessary trouble…
But His Highness’s face was frosty, and he dared not advise further…
Lai Fu was racking his brain when he suddenly saw Li Zhao turn his head.
“Where’s the water?”
Lai Fu was stunned by the question, staring at him blankly.
Li Zhao: “Without water, how can I take the medicine?”
Lai Fu finally understood and happily brought a cup of warm water.
Li Zhao tilted his head back and swallowed the pill. As his Adam’s apple bobbed, he suddenly closed his eyes and snorted coldly, veins bulging on his palm…
Lai Fu’s legs went weak with fright, and he called out with a trembling voice, “Your… Your Highness?”
Li Zhao slowly opened his eyes, the bloodshot color gradually receding, and a self-mocking smile curved his lips.
“Let’s go.”
Lai Fu looked at the Crown Prince’s calm face with surprise, his suspended heart finally settling.
–
In an inconspicuous alley in Shangjing City.
There was an antique shop, simple and old, yet filled with rare treasures.
Mister Qiu, dressed in a gray linen robe, was slightly hunched over, carefully wiping a bronze beast figurine.
A copper bell tinkled under the eaves as Li Huan’s carriage slowly rolled over the blue stone slab road, stirring up a faint, elusive scent.
He stepped into the shop at an unhurried pace, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze indifferently sweeping over the shop’s furnishings.
Without a word, he added a sense of oppression to the small space.
Seeing this, Mister Qiu quickly stepped forward, a smile plastered on his face, inviting him to sit.
“Is Your Highness here for that 《Immortal Offering Longevity Painting》?”
Li Huan’s lips curved slightly, “Mister’s news is well-informed.”
“The Madam in the palace has ordered the search for art and calligraphy dealers in the capital, saying they must scour the earth to ascertain the origin of that painting. The painting is an old relic from the previous dynasty. I am also a person in the antique trade and often deal with them for items, so we are acquainted…”
Mister Qiu smiled as he served tea, and before Li Huan could act, he spoke first.
“That painting is indeed a genuine work by Ye Sheng.”
He stroked his beard, his tone very certain.
He, an antique dealer, knew everything that happened in the palace.
It was clear that Mister Qiu wanted to flaunt his close relationship with Old Mausoleum Swamp and his unknown abilities to elevate his own status.
Li Huan’s fingertips lightly traced a dragon-shaped paperweight on the desk, and he smiled faintly.
“I am not here for that painting today.”
“Oh?” Mister Qiu asked with a smile, “Please enlighten me, Your Highness.”
Li Huan’s expression was calm, his fingertips tapped the desk, and he said slowly, “What I want to ask about is… the Love Silk Gu.”
Mister Qiu stiffened, forcing a smile, “Your Highness is joking. I only understand the ways of the antique trade and deal with antiques… I have always dared not dabble in those heretical paths.”
Li Huan suddenly drew the sword at his waist and pressed it against Mister Qiu’s chest.
“Do you think I don’t know about your little dealings?”
The tip of the sword tore through Mister Qiu’s robe, leaving a bloody mark.
Mister Qiu broke out in a cold sweat, his voice trembling, “Your Highness, spare my life! Everything I’ve said is true, not a single word is false. Those soul-capturing gu, mind-bewitching gu… are just legends of the martial world, not to be believed…”
Li Huan stared at him, and after a moment, suddenly sheathed his sword.
“If I can’t even handle a martial world charlatan, how can I establish myself in the Imperial Court?”
He placed a gold ingot on the desk, “Within ten days, I want news of the Love Silk Gu. This is a deposit… after the task is completed, there will be tenfold compensation.”
His eyes were cold, carrying an undeniable authority. With that, he strode away.
Mister Qiu looked at the gold ingot of excellent purity, filled with both shock and fear.
After the carriage had gone, he hurriedly called for his trusted servant and closed the shop door.
“Quick, quick, prepare the horse! I have an urgent matter to report to the Sect Master…”
Before his words had even finished, the shop door was suddenly “clanged” open by a powerful force from outside. The servant, caught off guard, stumbled back several steps, crashing into a table inside the shop, groaning in pain.
The shop door stood wide open, and the autumn wind, carrying dust, rushed in.
Two guards entered with stern faces, standing on either side, solemn and upright.
Behind them, a tall, slender man slowly crossed the threshold. The collar of his brocade robe framed a pale, handsome face, his lips curved upwards, but his smile did not reach his eyes.
“Shopkeeper, you have good leisure.”
He said, then casually walked past Mister Qiu’s almost limp body, sat on the chair where Li Huan had just sat, his knuckles tapping the teacup that was still warm, his voice laced with laughter, but his eyes as if steeped in a cold pool.
“Confess yourself, and I will spare your life.”
See you tomorrow, dear readers~~ *heart emoji*
