A chill ran through me for no reason

A moment later, Gu Jinghong slowly took a breath, forcibly suppressing the surging killing intent deep into her eyes.

She loosened her clenched, white fingers, her voice unusually calm: "No need. Going now will only alert them."

In an instant, Xie Yan's previously awkward expression returned to normal.

For some reason, a sudden surge of pleasure rose in his heart, a feeling that thought, "Xiao Chengyan, all your scheming is nothing more than this."

He couldn't help but point his thumb at the other room: "They're going to kill your lover at the banquet, and you're not going to care?"

Gu Jinghong leaned back in her original position, her gaze deep and unfathomable: "If the man I've set my sights on needs my intervention, then what is it about him that I've set my sights on?"

Xie Yan gleaned at least three layers of meaning from Gu Jinghong's words.

In the first layer, Gu Jinghong admits that she likes Xiao Chengyan, who is "the man she has her eye on".

Secondly, in Gu Jinghong's eyes, Xiao Chengyan is "very strong," so strong that there is no need to worry even if he goes to the "Hongmen Banquet."

The third layer, perhaps one that Gu Jinghong herself is unaware of, is that she and Xiao Chengyan have developed a certain tacit understanding based on trust, and this tacit understanding allows them to maintain trust even in emergency situations.

This third level was something Xie Yan had never achieved even after knowing Gu Jinghong for many years.

Gu Jinghong did not notice Xie Yan's change and continued, "Xiao Chengyan is not stupid. Since he dared to accept the invitation, he must have made preparations for all kinds of situations. The other party has even arranged 'insiders in the Prince's mansion,' which shows that they have been planning for a long time. If we act rashly now, we will only expose ourselves and make him more passive, which will not bring us any benefits."

He couldn't help but squint at Gu Jinghong, a faint sour feeling rising in his heart. He pursed his lips and continued to tease her.

"Gu Jinghong... are you even a woman? Your sweetheart is about to be completely swindled and left with nothing, and you can still be so calm? Do you even like him?"

Gu Jinghong rolled her eyes at him: "You don't know anything!"

She seemed to be explaining, yet also talking to herself, "Whether you like it or not is a different matter from what you should do. Impotent rage won't save anyone; it will only make things worse."

...

Five days later, at the Southwest Prince's Mansion

The prince's residence was brightly decorated, and the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air.

The guests, dressed in fine clothes, gathered in small groups and chatted in hushed tones.

"Prince Ning's birthday banquet today has truly given us a lot of face. Just look at this grand occasion..."

"It's more than just a grand affair! I heard that even His Highness Prince Jin, who hasn't shown his face in a long time, is coming in person. That's an incredible honor!"

"Shh... watch your words. This banquet today is probably going to be anything but pleasant..."

As they were whispering among themselves, the birthday celebrant of the day—Prince Ning, Zhao Qian—arrived.

Dressed in a dark brown casual suit, he entered the banquet hall from the side hall with a beaming smile, constantly bowing to the guests along the way, his posture extremely humble, showing no trace of the airs of a prince.

"It is my great honor to have you grace me with your presence, esteemed lords. Please take a seat, there is no need for such formalities!"

The quick-witted official immediately stepped forward and loudly congratulated, "Congratulations on Your Highness's birthday! May Your Highness live as long as the pine and cypress, and enjoy good health and longevity; and may our southwestern lands forever enjoy peace under Your Highness's rule!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qian's face showed an expression as if he were deeply moved.

He stopped and faced the crowd, his voice gentle yet clear: "Thank you for your kind words, Lord Li! The words 'blessings and longevity' are a gift from Heaven, and I dare not ask for them."

"As for this 'peace in the southwest'... this is my duty, and it is also the responsibility of us ministers to assist the court and protect the country! I only wish to work diligently to safeguard the land and the people, to live up to the emperor's grace and the expectations of my colleagues, so that I can... have a clear conscience."

His words were impeccable, both responding to the compliments and demonstrating his "loyalty to the emperor and love for the country," striking a perfect pose.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned to the steward and instructed, "Please reserve the seat for His Highness Prince Jin. His Highness is busy with military affairs, and it is already an honor for me that he could take the time to come. Please do not be impolite."

His words drew praise from everyone.

After giving his instructions, he took his seat at the next level of the main guest table and continued to chat and laugh with the guests around him. His words were mostly about romance, nature, people's livelihood, and the economy, making him appear as a kind, benevolent, and virtuous king who knew how to be polite and keep his principles.

However, when he occasionally glanced towards the gate of the mansion, a sharp glint flashed in the depths of his eyes, slightly revealing his excited and nervous state of mind.

Before long, a loud and steady voice rang out, almost penetrating the entire banquet hall: "His Highness Prince Jin has arrived!"

Everyone turned their gaze toward the door, where a tall figure appeared at the entrance of the Prince's mansion, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

He was dressed in a dark black robe embroidered with python patterns, his black hair tied up with a jade crown, revealing a clear and cold profile.

His face seemed paler than usual, his lips were pale, and there was an obvious sign of illness and weariness between his brows, as if he had come despite being seriously injured and struggling to stay afloat.

However, this frailty did not diminish his imposing presence in the slightest; on the contrary, it added a chilling sense of danger to him.

His gaze was calm and serene as he slowly swept across the entire room. Wherever he passed, the guests involuntarily lowered their eyes, some stood up, others composed themselves, and dared not meet his gaze.

The entire hall was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

The next moment, Zhao Qian, who was in the main seat, quickly stepped forward.

"Your Highness! Your Highness! You really came?! This... this truly makes my humble abode so honored! It is an immense honor that Your Highness has graced my small birthday celebration with your presence! Your Highness, please take a seat!"

Xiao Chengyan lowered his eyes and said in a calm tone, "It is my duty to come and offer my congratulations on Prince Ning's birthday."

It was at this moment that Zhao Qian saw a woman following behind Xiao Chengyan, dressed in a lotus-colored brocade dress embroidered with orchids and clouds.

King Jin has always been averse to women, so it's quite interesting that he brought this woman to the birthday banquet for some unknown reason.

As Zhao Qian led Xiao Chengyan to the seat of honor, he asked with a smile, "May I ask who this gentleman is..."

Xuan Ru glanced at Zhao Qian, then at Xiao Chengyan, before taking his arm around Xiao Chengyan, resting her head against his side, and blinking her eyes: "I was brought by the Prince."

After speaking, Xuanru clearly sensed Xiao Chengyan's subconscious coldness and resistance.

But she didn't care and insisted on clinging to Xiao Chengyan's arm.

Let him falsely accuse her!

In the end, Xiao Chengyan glanced at Xuan Ru and withdrew his arm.

Even so, this "girl brought by the prince" was already enough to make everyone look at her with new eyes.

Even when Zhao Qian was looking at Xuan Ru, a thought flashed through his mind—could she be the girl who used explosives that the scout reported back that day?

A shrewd glint suddenly flashed in Zhao Qian's eyes—this was truly effortless! If even this girl, who was an expert in explosives, could be controlled, his chances of winning would be even greater!

The people below were exchanging glances.

"...His Highness Prince Jin actually brought female companions today?"

"Did the sun rise in the west? Wasn't it said that His Highness Prince Jin was celibate?"

"This girl looks unfamiliar. Whose daughter is she?"

"Could it be...that one from his military camp?"

Ignoring the strange looks around him, Xiao Chengyan led Xuan Ru into the main hall and took their seats without expression.

He appeared calm on the surface, but only he knew that his peripheral vision was constantly searching for a figure. He was always composed and self-possessed, so no one, including Xuan Ru, could tell that he was any different.

At the height of the banquet, Zhao Qian clapped his hands, and the music in the hall changed, becoming melodious and enchanting.

A group of graceful dancers, draped in light gauze, entered the stage and danced to the music. They were the songstresses carefully trained by "Zui Hua Yin," the most famous den of iniquity in Southwest China.

Xiao Chengyan immediately spotted that familiar figure!

Gu Jinghong!

She...she actually managed to blend in with the group of songstresses!

To appear before him in this way!

Xiao Chengyan clenched his fists tightly under the long table, while his other hand held the wine cup calmly, even seemingly accepting toasts from everyone as if it were nothing.

On the other side, Gu Jinghong also saw Xiao Chengyan.

She saw him drinking as if he didn't even see her, with Xuan Ru sitting next to him, deliberately sipping her drink with an air of composure.

She knew that Xiao Chengyan must have a backup plan, otherwise he wouldn't have brought Xuanru here so openly. He had already prepared a way to deal with this trap.

But why did she suddenly feel a chill run down her spine?

At the same time, Xie Yan, who was dressed as a woman, also saw Xiao Chengyan and Xuan Ru. While dancing, he glanced at Gu Jinghong, and then suddenly changed his original steps, turning into a dance with Gu Jinghong.

In an instant, all the dancing girls around seemed to have become backup dancers. All that could be seen was Xie Wanwan and Gu Jinghong's duet, interacting back and forth, their eyes filled with smiles.

Gu Jinghong naturally knew that Xie Yan loved playing with fire, but there was indeed a gap in their martial arts skills.

Therefore, the dance on the spot almost turned into Gu Jinghong desperately trying to distance herself, while Xie Yan pulled her closer time and time again.

With a "crack", the wine glass in Xiao Chengyan's hand shattered.

The wine inside flowed out along the crack, and Xiao Chengyan's slender fingers were also filled with the aroma of wine.

Seeing this, the maidservant quickly replaced Xiao Chengyan's cup and handed him a clean towel.

As Xiao Chengyan wiped his hands, his gaze softened and fell on Xie Yan. Zhao Qian seized upon this fleeting change, and suddenly seemed to understand something, pointing at Xie Yan.

"What is this dancer's name? Come up here and have a couple of drinks with His Highness King Jin."

Having been put in such a difficult position, Xie Yan finally went to Xiao Chengyan to offer him a toast.

All eyes were on the two of them. Xie Wanwan poured wine and held the cup in front of Xiao Chengyan. Xiao Chengyan remained unmoved, just looking at Xie Yan without saying whether he accepted or refused.

This left those around them completely baffled.

Even Xuan Ru, who was focused on her meal, forgot to chew for a moment and stared blankly at the two of them—this Xie Yan… has he gone mad! How could he be here!

Seeing the increasing number of curious gazes around her, Gu Jinghong gracefully stepped forward and took the wine glass from Xie Yan's hand.