Chapter 24 The Prince has been waiting for the young lady for a long time.

Qin Xiao's expression froze for a moment, his fingertips, holding the chess piece, paused above the chessboard, not falling for a long time.

Such harsh and hurtful words were unbearable, even for Su Ci standing to the side, let alone Qin Xiao. He had finally met a girl he liked, only to find out in the blink of an eye that she was his own sister. How many people could withstand such a blow?

He glanced at Fu Huaiqing with mixed feelings, his slightly parted lips froze when he saw the surging obsession deep in the man's eyes.

They have known each other since they were young, for nearly twenty years. Su Ci has seen Fu Huaiqing's spirited appearance when he was young, and he has also seen his decisive and ruthless methods when dealing with the maternal relatives in the court at the age of nineteen. He has also seen his indifferent and aloof expression when facing others in private. But this is the first time she has seen him with such an out-of-control look in his eyes.

A hint of hesitation flashed in Su Ci's eyes. A sudden flash of inspiration struck him as a certain thought entered his mind, and he frowned.

Could it be that Fu Huaiqing also has feelings for the second daughter of the Qin family?

Su Ci raised her eyes and looked at Fu Huaiqing, who was slowly playing with the chess pieces.

Fu Huaiqing lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze fixed on Qin Xiao, who had been silent for a long time. He raised his knuckles slightly and tapped the table lightly, saying calmly, "It's your turn."

A dull thud accompanied by a man's clear voice brought Qin Xiao, whose thoughts were wandering, back to his senses. He frowned slightly, put down the chess piece he had been holding for a long time, and said, "I know."

His words seemed to be an answer to the current game of chess, and also a response to his previous statement. Fu Huaiqing's thin lips, which had been taut, relaxed slightly as he picked up a chess piece from the chess box and placed it down.

In an instant, the long-simmering game of chess became a settled matter.

Qin Xiao glanced at Wei Shi, then put the chess piece back into the chess box: "I lost."

“Rather than saying he lost,” Fu Huaiqing raised his hand, picked up the chess piece that he had just dropped on the chessboard, and said, “it’s more accurate to say he was distracted.”

Just like his first encounter with another branch.

If Qin Xiao had paid even a little more attention to this matter, he wouldn't have waited until he returned to the capital to look for the person, only to find the place deserted by the time he arrived.

Qin Xiao understood the implication in those words, smiled indifferently, and said, "What good is it if I don't get distracted? How can a fait accompli be changed?"

Regardless of how fast he acts, what awaits him is the reality before him: the fact that Bessa is his own sister is not something he can change.

Perhaps he should be grateful for that moment of hesitation.

If it weren't for that moment of hesitation, things would have been difficult to resolve.

Listening to their conversation, Su Ci raised an eyebrow, suddenly wanting to meet this second young lady of the Qin family and see just who she was, that she could make the incorruptible Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review feel so confused, and moreover—

He glanced at Fu Huaiqing, feeling that something was off.

Biezhi, who had only returned to the mansion late last night, listened to them talking about the Imperial Academy. She wasn't very interested in the fighting and killing in the officialdom. Bored, she fiddled with the beaded bracelet on her wrist, thinking about how to find an excuse to go out today.

I wonder when this banquet will end.

She felt a little uneasy not having been by Xu Wenche's side for half a day. If something unexpected happened, all her efforts would be in vain.

"Sister." Bie Zhi tugged at Qin Wan's sleeve with her fingertips and whispered, "I have something to do and I want to go out for a bit."

"Going out?" Qin Wan frowned slightly. The banquet hadn't ended yet, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to show up if there were any other matters that required her presence later. "Do I really have to go out now?"

Biezhi nodded: "Mm."

Her eyes darted around, and her voice dropped even lower: "I have plans with someone else."

Qin Wan asked in confusion, "Others?"

Bie Zhi's eyes curved into a smile as she said, "Xu Wenche."

Upon hearing this, Qin Wan blinked and looked at her younger sister in disbelief.

Biezhi didn't know what it was like to fall in love for the first time, so she just bit her lower lip, just like in the stories. She didn't know if she was smiling shyly, so she lowered her eyelids.

For a fleeting moment, she felt that giving her all ten thousand taels was not out of the master's great mercy, but simply what was right.

She's used to fighting and killing, so how could she know how to sing opera? And she had to sing in a way that made people believe it was real. It seemed like one task, but it was actually two jobs. It was really difficult for her.

After a long silence from Qin Wan, Bie Zhi quietly lifted her eyelids.

In Qin Wan's eyes, she seemed a little timid, as if she knew her request was unreasonable, but she had an appointment with someone and couldn't break it. Her silence made Biezhi seem even more timid.

It's just a banquet, mostly used as an excuse to do other things. Even if the person in charge isn't there, it shouldn't matter. Qin Wan said, "Go if you've made an appointment with someone else. Don't be late. If your parents ask, I'll explain for you."

Biezhi's eyes suddenly lit up.

Her bright, sparkling eyes made her delicate face even more charming and lively. Seeing this, Qin Wan's lips curled up slightly, and she couldn't help but say with a smile, "Go on."

Biezhi smiled brightly: "Thank you, elder sister."

She nodded slightly to the other two and hurried towards her residence.

Hearing the jogging behind her, Biezhi slowed her pace slightly, turned around to look at Huachao who had been jogging after her, pondered for a moment, and said, "You stay in the courtyard. If anyone comes looking for me, just say that I was too excited last night and couldn't sleep for a long time. I've already rested now."

Hua Chao nodded blankly, not surprised at all.

She stayed by the second young lady's side for nearly ten days and gradually realized that the young lady seemed to dislike having others follow her or serving her, and mostly preferred to be alone.

Biezhi changed into clothes that were easier to move in. Before leaving, she once again instructed Huachao on how to respond to the visitor's questions, and then pushed open the side gate of the courtyard and left.

If I heard correctly last night, Xu Wenche is hosting a banquet on the second floor of Wanghe Tower today.

Biezhi rushed to the courtyard where he was staying, quietly climbed over the wall and entered the courtyard. After checking for a while to make sure he was not in the courtyard, she then hurried towards Wanghe Tower. She had been to Wanghe Tower no less than twenty times before, and in order to avoid being recognized, she bought a veiled hat along the street and put it on.

What she didn't expect was that she would run into Prince Su.

The moment their eyes met through the veil, Biezhi stiffened slightly. Fortunately, her gaze only lingered for a moment before shifting to Wanghe Tower. She watched as Prince Su and Su Ci entered Wanghe Tower, and then stood on the street for almost half a cup of tea's time before going to the counter to inquire if there were any private rooms left on the second floor.

The Wanghe Tower, which usually requires advance reservations, was unexpectedly empty today, with only three private rooms remaining on the second floor. Bie Zhi glanced at the paintings on the counter, found a spot closest to the private room Xu Wenche had reserved, took out a silver ingot and gave it to the shopkeeper, saying, "I want the signboard in the tower. Put it up within half an hour. Otherwise, do not enter and disturb me unless I call you."

The shopkeeper smiled and accepted the silver ingot: "I will follow your arrangements, young lady."

Within half an hour, the empty table was filled with fragrant dishes.

Watching the servant leave, Biezhi stepped forward to test how tightly the door was closed. Her gaze swept over the nineteen-foot-tall cabinet inside the room, and she pushed the cabinet to block the door.

After finishing, she walked to the window, glanced at the dark street below, climbed over the window, stepped on the protruding tiles, and nimbly leaped to the window of the next room.

Bie Zhi listened from room to room, and breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Xu Wenche's voice. He bent down and sat on the wooden eaves, idly waiting outside. It seemed that the person who had made an appointment with Xu Wenche had not yet arrived. Apart from Xu Wenche's occasional inquiries, there was no other voice.

It was half an hour later when I heard the creaking of the door.

"Young Master Xu, you've kept me waiting."

When the slightly familiar voice rang out, Biezhi frowned slightly. Just as she was wondering if she had misheard, she heard Xu Wenche say, "Lord Zhang, you are too kind."

Bie Zhi pondered for a moment, somewhat unable to discern Xu Wenche's purpose in coming here.

The information gathered at the mountain retreat could not be false. Xu Wenche's purpose in coming to the capital was to target the Qin and Su families, and to take this opportunity to establish businesses in the capital in order to expand the Xu family's business. Zhang Yan was merely the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works and had no connection with the Xu family's businesses.

While pondering, a glimpse of the light and shadow reflected from the road caught Biezhi's eye, and she abruptly snapped out of her reverie, stepping onto the wooden eaves to dodge the arrows that were tearing through the night sky.

The dodged arrow pierced the beam, producing a dull thud.

Xu Wenche's voice stopped abruptly. He paused for a moment and said, "Go and see what it is—".

“Young Master Xu, there’s no need to worry.” Zhang Yan interrupted him, smiling as he said, “I’ll clean up your mess for you as a small gift.”

Upon hearing this, Biezhi's gaze froze for a moment.

Before she could think any further, Zhang Yan had no idea that Xu Wenche was accompanied by someone. She quickly looked in the direction from which the arrow had come, and in a moment, her gaze fell on the roof of a house thirty feet away.

There was only one person.

Before she could even get a clear look at the assassin on the roof, she saw three figures rushing toward her.

Bie Zhi frowned slightly, deftly took out a mask and put it on, then leaped onto the dark street. He had left the Qin family in a hurry today and did not carry his sword, unwilling to get entangled with the newcomers.

She quickened her pace, and the sound of her footsteps followed closely behind.

One, two, three, four, five, six!

In an instant, Biezhi's eyes narrowed. She had clearly only seen three people just now, but how could three more people suddenly appear in the distance of only half a street!

Her breathing slowed down a bit, and her gaze swept across both ends of the street.

To the west lies the brightly lit Ning'an Street, and to the east lies the quiet and secluded courtyard. Bie Zhi walked with a slight turn towards Ning'an Street. When she bumped into someone coming from the opposite direction, she pursed her lips and took a few steps back unhurriedly in front of the man. Just as she was about to turn away, she suddenly saw a tall figure coming from behind him.

Her gaze lingered, then suddenly met the deep, dark pupils of the Prince of Su. His sharp, piercing eyes pierced through the mask and landed on her face.

Biezhi was unsure of Prince Su's purpose or whether he recognized her. She only saw him raise his hand and slowly draw his sword from its sheath, and her eyes narrowed slightly.

The next instant, her raised hand traced an arc as she caught the blade he threw at her.

Biezhi gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, silently bowed to the man ten steps away, and then turned and ran towards the figure following behind her.

She didn't want to attract the attention of others, so she kept retreating deeper into the fray during the confrontation. The people sent by Zhang Yan were clearly determined to achieve their goal, and they also chased after her.

But when they chased her deeper into the area, they found no trace of the woman.

The three exchanged glances, then split up into three groups to search for the figure that had suddenly vanished without a trace.

She silently leaped down from a high branch high in the treetop, taking care of the nearest figure without a sound. She caught his falling body and casually placed him under the treetop, then slowly made her way towards the figures on the southwest side, defeating them one by one.

Looking at the figure collapsed under the tree, her tense mind relaxed a little, but then she tensed up slightly when she caught sight of the sword blade dripping with blood in her hand.

How much did he see, and why did he lend a helping hand?

Even the other branches couldn't understand it.

She stood silently under the treetop for a moment, then sighed.

When Biezhi returned, the empty street was devoid of any trace of anyone else passing by; he was gone, and no one knew where he had gone.

Ning'an Street is some distance from the Prince's Mansion.

Guards stood watch on all the streets surrounding the Prince's Mansion. As Biezhi walked along the street, the guards around her seemed not to see her at all, standing quietly on both sides.

She walked to the gate of the Prince's Mansion and looked at the plaque above the gate.

Prince Su's Mansion.

I heard that this plaque was inscribed by the late emperor when Prince Su was sixteen years old and was granted the title of prince.

A figure stood beneath the plaque; I had just seen him before.

Before long, the man came up. He cupped his hands slightly, turned to the side and gestured for her to enter, saying, "His Highness has been waiting for you for a long time."