Jian Yang, however, gave an irrelevant answer: "Your Majesty has not yet answered why you knew I was behind the rockery."

Although the emperor did not understand how this question had anything to do with where the account book was, he still answered seriously: "I wanted to come and see you, but I found that you were not in your room. I asked the guards, and they told me that you were behind the rockery in the second prince's courtyard."

“But then again,” the emperor continued, “why do you always like to hide behind the artificial hill?”

Jian Yang: "..."

The question shouldn't be asked of her, but rather of the architects of these houses: why, in such a large courtyard, is there only a place to hide behind the artificial hill?

Jian Yang refused to answer the question, so she asked in return, "Besides the Emperor's secret guards, was there anyone else who knew I was hiding behind the artificial hill?"

The emperor nodded: "Indeed."

"Even the Second Prince doesn't know?"

The emperor thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "Of course, otherwise he would have sent people to arrest you long ago."

Jian Yang suddenly curled her lips into a smile.

"Then I'm pretty sure the account book was hidden behind the artificial hill by the Second Prince."

The emperor was stunned and looked at her in disbelief.

Jian Yang explained, "I recalled the situation at the time. The Second Prince told his advisor, 'I will take care of the things myself.' The things that he would personally take care of must be very important. After saying this, he did not go back to his room, but walked directly towards the rockery."

I initially thought he had discovered me, but when the cat darted out, I clearly heard the Second Prince breathe a sigh of relief, which proved that he really didn't know I was behind the rockery.

Carrying something important, yet heading towards the artificial hill, what did the Emperor think the Second Prince was planning to do?

The emperor had obviously considered this possibility as well, and said with delight, "He is preparing to hide something important in his possession."

Jian Yang smiled and said, "That's right. I guess there must be a secret passage or room behind the artificial hill. Your Majesty can send someone to investigate another day. I suppose the account book is in there."

The emperor was very excited and pulled her into his arms, saying softly, "Ayang, you are truly a lucky star sent to me by heaven."

Jian Yang was stunned by the sudden hug and praise, and blushed as she said, "No, no, Your Majesty, please go back quickly, Hong Guo will wake up soon."

The emperor smiled and said, "Alright, I will come to see you at another time."

The news Jian Yang brought him was such a pleasant surprise that he was eager to verify it.

Upon returning to the palace, the emperor dispatched secret guards to conduct a night visit to the Second Prince's residence to investigate whether there was indeed a secret room behind the artificial hill.

That night, the guards returned to the palace to report.

"Your Majesty, there is indeed a mechanism behind the artificial hill, but its design is extremely intricate and complex, and it cannot be opened without a key."

The emperor laughed and said, "Very well, I understand. You may leave."

At this moment, he felt even more grateful to Jian Yang.

Jian Yang was using medicine to wake up the maid Hong Guo.

When Hongguo woke up, she looked bewildered. Seeing Jian Yang sitting beside her and watching her, she thought she had fallen asleep while being lazy, and immediately knelt down in fright.

Jian Yang said calmly, "Get up. I'll let you off today because you've served me so diligently. But you mustn't do it again."

Hongguo is extremely grateful.

The following day, the emperor summoned Zhou Jing'an to the palace under the pretext of a family banquet.

And at the banquet, they poured him a lot of wine.

At the same time, he sent Jian Hong with the most skilled and ingenious mechanics in the palace to infiltrate the Second Prince's residence and prepare to pick the lock.

However, Zhou Jing'an had heavily guarded his east courtyard that day, and Jian Hong was unable to find an opportunity to sneak in.

Jian Hong was seething with anger, knowing that he probably wouldn't have a chance today, so he went to Jian Yang's room to complain.

"A-Yang, give me some of your poison powder. It's getting dark, and the Second Prince will be returning to his residence soon."

If we don't pick the lock now, it will be too late to return to the palace and report back!

Jian Yang shook her head and said, "The risk is too great, and I don't have that much powder on hand. How about this, brother, if you trust me, I'll go find you the key."

"How can that be!" Jian Hong refused without even thinking. "The Second Prince's courtyard is heavily guarded. Even I have difficulty getting in. You don't know any martial arts at all. How can I let you go?"

Jian Yang sighed and said, "Brother, I'm using strategy, not brute force!"

As the two were haggling over the price, the cries of owls came from outside.

Jian Hong's expression changed and he said, "Oh no, the Second Prince has returned to his residence."

Jian Yang immediately pushed him out the window and whispered, "Wait for my good news!"

Now that things have come to this, Jian Hong has no choice but to carry out his sister's plan.

After seeing Jian Hong off, Jian Yang immediately ran to the dressing table and began to do her makeup and dressing, while asking Hong Guo to prepare some fine wine.

She decided to use her beauty to outsmart him.

According to her plan, she would later go to the Second Prince's courtyard and get him some spiked wine, so that she could trick him into giving her the key no matter what.

No sooner had she finished dressing than Hongguo came to report, "Your Majesty, His Highness has come to see you."

Wow, she was just thinking about what excuse she could use to see Zhou Jing'an later, but he unexpectedly came to her door.

Jian Yang smiled and said, "Please come in quickly. Also, prepare two side dishes. I would like to have a few drinks with Your Highness."

The red fruit should be placed below.

As the saying goes, plans can't keep up with changes.

The food and drinks were all prepared, but Zhou Jing'an showed no interest in eating or drinking.

It wasn't that he had any reservations, but rather that he was already completely drunk.

It was like a pillow being delivered to someone who was sleepy; Jian Yang couldn't stop smiling.

Now she doesn't even need to sacrifice her looks; she might be able to get the key directly from Zhou Jing'an.

Zhou Jing'an was helped into the house by the guards, and he could barely walk.

Upon seeing Jian Yang, who had dressed up meticulously, their eyes widened in surprise.

Jian Yang felt uncomfortable under his gaze and resisted the urge to kick him out the door. She instructed Hong Guo, "You don't need to serve me here. Go and make a bowl of hangover soup."

"yes."

After Hongguo left, Jian Yang helped Zhou Jing'an sit down and added a drug to his tea to make him even more delirious, coaxing him, "Your Highness, have a sip to soothe your throat."

Zhou Jing'an, however, did not drink. Instead, he grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, caressing and stroking it as if it were a rare treasure, and finally kissed it.

Jian Yang felt a chill run down her spine from his kiss. She pulled her hand away, wiped it on her skirt, and then smiled sweetly, saying, "Second Brother, have a cup of tea."

Zhou Jing'an stared wide-eyed once again, then took the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

Jian Yang was very satisfied. She took the teacup from his hand and put it aside, but before she could turn around, she was embraced tightly.

Jian Yang froze, feeling a wave of nausea wash over her.

But she endured it for the sake of the key.

It will take some time before the drug takes effect, and during this period she must keep Zhou Jing'an calm. There will be plenty of opportunities to get revenge later.

So she suppressed her discomfort and smiled, "Second brother, shall I help you to bed to rest for a while?"