Upon hearing this, Xie Lingqin seemed to be struck by a warm current, and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes. However, she forcibly suppressed them. After a moment, she stepped forward and leaned close to Zong Zhengxu, "However, there is one more thing. If you need help but cannot contact me, please ask my cousin to go to the largest brothel in the capital. That is now considered my property."

As soon as Xie Lingqin finished speaking, Zongzheng Zhao froze, his face turning pale. He stared at Xie Lingqin in disbelief, "Lingqin, you..."

"Yes, brothels make money faster than Tianxia Yiwei (a famous Chinese restaurant chain)."

Xie Lingqin continued.

Zongzheng Xu...

...

After seeing Zongzheng Xu off, Xie Lingqin went inside.

Yuwen Yao was still standing there when he saw her walk in. His gaze immediately focused on her. The usually aloof Crown Prince was now like an abandoned kitten, suppressing all his aura, just hoping that the girl would look at him more, accept him into her heart and embrace him.

However, the girl ignored him, only glanced at him, then gave Zihe an order and went out again.

...

Tianji Hall.

Xie Lingqin looked at the tightly closed main hall, which resembled a library, and then looked at Xu Yiran opposite her. "I would like to ask you for help."

"To inquire about information or to find someone."

Xie Lingqin was slightly taken aback. "The Heavenly Mystery Hall even helps find people?"

Xu Yiran smiled calmly, her expression serene and clear, "I can make an exception for you."

"You actually knew I was looking for someone."

Xu Yiran smiled, "When I pay too much attention to someone, when I love someone, I naturally learn more about her."

Xie Lingqin didn't want to waste any more time on sweet talk with Xu Yiran. She stretched out her hand, her attitude relatively good, and said, "Here's a thousand taels. I want to know where that black-robed man is."

"One thousand taels is too little."

Xie Lingqin frowned, displeased. "Xu Yiran, didn't you say we were friends? Friends shouldn't accept money from each other. But I couldn't let you lose money, so I offered to give it to you. However, you shouldn't be asking for such an exorbitant amount."

Xu Yiran gently pushed away the silver note from Xie Lingqin's hand, her expression even more displeased than Xie Lingqin's. "Friends shouldn't talk about money, but you insist on giving it to me, which is an insult to our relationship. Should I ask for an exorbitant price?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Lingqin felt depressed. She quickly took back the silver note in her hand and hid it in her sleeve. After a moment, she took a step back and showed a rare good attitude. "Alright, it was my fault. Then, please forgive me and don't hold a grudge against me, Lord Palace Master."

Xu Yiran stood with her hands behind her back, her voice tinged with a smile, "We're friends. If you act like this, aren't you just looking down on me even more?"

Xie Lingqin was speechless, and her patience waned. "Fine, my goal is simple: I need to find the Black Robe. What do you want?"

"As expected..."

Xu Yiran looked at Xie Lingqin, then suddenly shook her head and smiled bitterly, "I knew it. You only have this much patience for me. You won't be willing to give up even a little bit more."

Xie Lingqin...

"It seems that winning your heart is as difficult as climbing to heaven."

Xu Yiran gazed at the mountains, seemingly talking to herself, but her voice was not soft, and everyone present could hear her clearly.

Xie Lingqin frowned slightly, her thin face showing a hint of reluctance, but also a sense of responsibility. "Therefore, Young Master Xu doesn't need to waste his time on me. Being friends is the best thing for us."

"Look at that mountain."

Xu Yiran suddenly raised her hand, gesturing for Xie Lingqin to look at the towering mountain standing in the distance under the night sky.

"Is this mountain high?" Xu Yiran asked in a clear and gentle voice.

Xie Lingqin did not answer.

"This area used to be surrounded by mountains like these, yet our ancestors still managed to build the Heavenly Mystery Palace, hidden deep within these mountains. It's such a masterpiece, as if crafted by a ghost. So, as they say, nothing is impossible for a willing heart. Don't you agree?"

Xie Lingqin understood the underlying meaning, and her brows furrowed deeply.

"So, even if there are countless mountains in your heart, one day I will be able to break through them one by one with sincerity, I believe."

As she spoke, Xu Yiran's gaze remained fixed on Xie Lingqin, gentle as water, unwavering in her devotion.

Those clear eyes reflected distant green mountains, the starry night sky, and seemed to hold an endless vastness and breadth.

This inexplicable sense of familiarity, this inexplicable feeling that she couldn't refuse, surged back once more.

Xie Lingqin suddenly raised her hand to her forehead.

"Miss, are you alright?"

Zihe and Tridacna immediately stepped forward.

Xie Lingqin waved her hand, "It's nothing, I'm just a little hungry."

“Young Master Xu, my young lady already has the Crown Prince by her side. You, the dignified Lord of the Heavenly Mystery Hall, do you still intend to ruin someone’s marriage?”

Zihe was ultimately standing up for her own crown prince.

"Ha, just like master, like servant. This girl's mouth is really sharp. But if this was never a good match to begin with, it might not be a bad thing if she realizes it in time."

Zihe's face was tense, but she didn't know how to refute it.

Xie Lingqin had already gestured for her to step back, and looking at Xu Yiran without backing down, she asked, "Then, how can you help me find that man in black robes?"

"He is not in the capital."

Xu Yiran said.

Xie Lingqin was slightly taken aback, "Then he..."

"However, he asked me to tell you something before he left: Ning Yi was rescued by him, so you don't need to worry about her."

Xie Lingqin's eyes flickered, and she breathed a sigh of relief. However, he said "troublesome" instead of "worried".

Why? It was just a message, yet she felt that the man in black robes seemed to be angry with her.

However, there was also a moment of clarity in my mind.

If Xu Yiran could say that to her, it means that the person in the black robe was the one who trained Ning Yi back then.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!