After leaving Xie Lingwan’s courtyard, Ji Yanqing felt a sense of surviving a calamity, quietly grateful that years of honing his skills in brothels had sharpened his finesse to perfection.
He returned to his chambers to retrieve the box of Rose Dew Cream, then headed lightly toward the quiet courtyard in the northern part of the Wei King’s Mansion.
Since Ji Qingyan had stooped to serve as his bodyguard and maid for a day, she couldn’t keep staying in the dungeon’s “luxury single room.”
Due to her special status, Steward Mo had arranged a secluded courtyard for her. Rumor had it a maid had drowned herself in a well there years ago, abandoned by some scoundrel, her restless spirit lingering.
The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, cobwebs clinging to the eaves’ corners. Ji Yanqing frowned, approached the door, and knocked lightly twice.
Knock, knock—
Only the wind answered; Heroine Ji seemed to be asleep.
It was only the third quarter of the Xu hour—not late. Though the Yanxia Dynasty, resembling the Tang or Song eras, lacked entertainment, its mystical backdrop made this prime cultivation time.
‘Ji Qingyan, how can you sleep at your age?’
Ji Yanqing gently pushed the tightly shut door, finding it bolted—clearly to keep a certain heir from visiting at night.
With a slight push, a creak sounded as the worn wooden bolt broke, and the door swung open.
He stepped quietly inside. Under flickering candlelight, the room held only a wooden table, bamboo chair, two cabinets, and a small bed.
Looking up, he saw Ji Qingyan curled up on the bed, covered with the red cloak he’d given her, her arm as a pillow, her sleeping face unexpectedly beautiful.
[Gazing at the sleeping girl, you know this is a rare chance. After tonight, she’ll be molded entirely to your shape.]
Ji Yanqing could only call it a standard performance.
Sensing an intruder, Ji Qingyan burrowed deeper into the cloak, murmuring sleepily, “Ji Yanqing, you dog… when you humiliated me… did you ever think this day would come? From now on, you’ll lead my horse and clean my sword… a slave forever.”
Her cherry lips curved into a smug smile.
Cough, cough, cough!
Ji Yanqing furrowed his brow, coughing lightly. Though he feigned annoyance, he didn’t mind her “insolence.”
Compared to the original story’s ninety-nine-piece dismemberment, leading her horse and cleaning her sword was practically a happy ending.
Despite a Transformation Realm cultivator’s keen senses, Ji Qingyan slept like the dead. He nearly coughed his lungs out, yet she remained still, lost in dreams of dominating the Wei King’s Heir.
Unable to stand it, Ji Yanqing reached out, pinching her delicate cheek firmly.
‘In the Wei King’s Mansion, you think I’ll indulge your whims? Who’s the Heir here, you or me?!’
“Ow, ow, it hurts!” Ji Qingyan yelped, clutching her stinging cheek, instantly awake. Her phoenix eyes misted, lips pouting as she glared fiercely at the white-robed youth.
“I was worried you’d be cold, planning to send someone with extra blankets. Seems I overthought,” Ji Yanqing said.
“Hmph, in a den of vipers like the Wei King’s Mansion, I’m on edge every night, barely sleeping. If Your Highness is truly kind, return Shadow Bearer to me,” she retorted.
Ji Yanqing’s lips twitched. Leaning closer, he whispered, “In your dreams!”
As he drew near, Ji Qingyan scrambled toward the wall, clutching the cloak tightly, fearing the lustful heir might force himself on her.
“Visiting my room at midnight—what do you want, beast?”
“A free tip: next time, flatter me to the skies—call me a noble gentleman or virtuous. It’d make me feel bad enough to leave. Calling me a beast right off? If I act like one, you’ll be crying again,” Ji Yanqing said, flicking her forehead with a smile.
Ji Qingyan turned away, refusing to give him more chances to tease, snapping, “Does Your Highness not know basic courtesy like knocking?”
“You haven’t agreed to cooperate with me. Normally, captives don’t get courtesy,” Ji Yanqing said with a helpless wave.
A soft white pillow flew at his head. Fortunately, the Heir’s sharp senses let him dodge the “hidden weapon” with a nimble tilt.
“Feeling resentful? Want to talk?” he asked amiably, raising an eyebrow.
Shopkeeper Chu’s words had left Ji Qingyan distraught. She’d finally fallen into a comfortable sleep, only to be woken by this pest. Who’d be in a good mood?
“Hmph!” She rolled her eyes and lay back down.
She had no interest in heart-to-hearts with the Wei King’s Heir.
Even if grudges were settled, a martial heroine and a vassal king’s heir were parallel lines, never meeting. Bonding was pointless, only adding trouble.
Seeing her reaction, Ji Yanqing didn’t press. He placed the rouge box he’d bought for her by her pillow.
Ji Qingyan paused, suppressing her delight, feigning indifference. “You actually got me one?”
“I keep my word. If Heroine Ji agrees to work with the Wei King’s Mansion, I’ll honor my promises to you,” he said.
“No bribing me,” she said, lips pursed, pushing the delicate rouge box away, though her eyes betrayed reluctance.
Everyone loves beauty, especially young women.
“You fought for justice and punished evil by my side today. You deserve some reward,” Ji Yanqing said with a light laugh.
Her lashes trembled, but she didn’t respond.
As he stepped over the threshold, she suddenly asked, “You’ll help Weiyuan Escort Agency, right?”
“I keep my word,” he replied.
…
The night was hazy, moonlight dappled.
Weiyuan Escort Agency was silent, nearly everyone asleep, except for a flickering candle in the west wing—Miss Su’s quarters.
Dressed in a deep blue jacket and skirt, Su Ningyue bent over her desk, poring over the agency’s recent ledgers by the dim light, searching for clues to the missing black iron.
No matter how she checked, there wasn’t a single discrepancy.
That left one possibility: someone had bribed Zhechong Prefecture officials to frame Weiyuan.
But who?
Su Ningyue’s delicate hand gripped her skirt, her starry eyes thoughtful, her slender, fair neck alluring.
A soft knock came at the door.
“Come in!” she said softly, her voice like ice on snow, wondering who’d visit so late.
The door opened, revealing Tongyue in a green skirt, holding an ornate makeup box, her oval face beaming with a charming smile as she approached.
“Miss, happy birthday! This is my gift to you.”
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