old acquaintance

"As far as I know, the surname Wenren is a rare one in Daqi. I am the prince of Daqi, and people from other countries rarely recognize me. I don't know this person either." King Ping scratched his forehead with his thumb ring and said.

Shangguan Yichen looked at Prince Ping for a long time. Prince Ping glanced at him sideways and met his gaze. He squinted his eyes and smiled back. The two men confronted each other, and the air was filled with terrifying murderous aura.

Zhong Yujing put away the paper and pen in her hand, her heart in her throat. Shangguan Yichen had a cold look on his face in the carriage, with the sword at his waist almost unsheathed, and murderous intent ready to burst out. But just now, he was able to calmly deal with King Ping and practice Tai Chi. She sighed that he was calm and composed, but now, even though he hadn't made a move, his eyes were already tense with the other party. I'm afraid in his mind, the two of them had already fought for eight hundred rounds.

Just as he was hesitating about how to smooth things over, Sun Zili stood up and chuckled dryly. "It's getting late today, and I see the snow is getting heavier outside. I'm afraid the snowy roads will be difficult to travel back home. My sudden visit to your residence has disturbed Your Highness's enjoyment of the flowers. It's really abrupt. We will not bother you any further. If there is anything you need to verify another day, I will check with Your Highness. If Your Highness remembers anything important, please let me know immediately."

Zhong Yujing sighed silently.

Shangguan Yichen retracted his aura and stood up.

King Ping brushed his sleeves and said, "Well, I am tired today too. The road is slippery in the snow, so please walk slowly." He asked the steward to see the guests off.

The three of them followed the steward out of the house. The snow had reached their ankles, and they were walking with one foot deep and one foot shallow. The steward led the way in front, and Sun Zili walked faster, following the steward in front. Zhong Yujing's cloud-head brocade shoes were a little slippery, and she fell behind. She followed in a hurry and slipped, almost falling again. The hands came over and caught her steadily. She suddenly raised her eyes and saw his warm eyes, which were completely different from his usual coldness. There were scattered snowflakes on his eyelashes, which melted in an instant and were reflected in his eyes like the Milky Way, so dazzling.

Perhaps because she was anxious and unable to walk, Zhong Yujing's face showed a rare look of confusion in panic. After she stood still, she immediately straightened her body and behaved in a dignified manner, trying to continue to move forward steadily.

Shangguan Yichen saw through her reserve and stubbornness and smiled, "This prince has always believed that people have to live their lives wearing masks, whether for identity, mission, hatred, or simply because of fate. If there is only one mask, it is still easy. Most of the time, you have to wear many masks at the same time. After a long time, not only will you be tired, but you may also slowly forget the real face under the mask... Does Jingxiang also have a mask to wear?"

Zhong Yujing lowered her eyes and said nothing.

"According to my experience, if I take off the mask from time to time, take a breath, and rest, I can still remember my true appearance. Even if others see it occasionally, it will not be disrespectful. What do you think, Jingxiang?" Shangguan Yichen looked at her sideways and said.

Zhong Yujing also turned her head to look at him.

Shangguan Yichen raised the corner of his lips, smiled and gestured to her, extending his right arm.

"Your humble servant is terrified..." Zhong Yujing bowed hurriedly and said awkwardly.

Shangguan Yichen's voice came from above, "If I take off the mask of this identity at this moment, would you, Prime Minister Jing, also take off your mask of Prime Minister, be honest with me, and relax for a moment?"

Zhong Yujing looked up at him in confusion.

"If I weren't the son of King Yao, I'd be a mere General of the Imperial Guards in the imperial court, a colleague of Prime Minister Jing. If you and I both gave up our official positions, we'd be children of emperors and generals, free from worries beyond food, clothing, and daily expenses. But when you think about it, we don't have many extraordinary qualities. From the moment we're born, we've been burdened with complex shackles, our words, actions, thoughts, and assumptions all forced to conform to the family's norms and expectations. Some are molded into predetermined shapes from a young age, never realizing they're puppets their entire lives. Others, upon realizing this, rise up in resistance, only to have the shackles tightened, ultimately forcing them to surrender. People say we're born with a silver spoon in our mouths, but that silver spoon actually locks up our own destiny."

Zhong Yujing was filled with thoughts after hearing this. He was still young, but his words were so profound and insightful, as if they were said by an older wise man. It was something that people with little experience could not have.

"In that case, Yujing and I are people who share the same suffering." Shangguan Yichen looked at her with burning eyes and blinked.

He called her by her name, which meant he was lowering himself to be close to her. If he had continued to be so rigid about his status, it would have seemed pretentious.

Zhong Yujing finally raised her left hand slowly and placed it on his right arm. This really made him feel much more stable. The two of them walked slowly in unison.

Zhong Yujing suddenly remembered and asked, "Who is the person the prince mentioned just now?"

"You mean Wenren Rang?"

Zhong Yujing nodded in agreement.

"That's a name I saw in my father's letter a few months ago. I know most of the people my father interacted with. When I saw this person's letter on my father's desk that day, I felt unfamiliar with him, so I asked my father who he was. He looked nervous and didn't elaborate, only saying that he was an old acquaintance. Today, while I was in Prince Ping's mansion, I suddenly thought of this matter and felt very suspicious, so I tested Prince Ping..."

"King Ping is hiding something." Zhong Yujing continued.

"You think so too?"

Zhong Yujing's head should be this.

Thinking of the several faces Shangguan Yichen had just shown, Zhong Yujing chuckled and said, "Your Highness and I are discussing the theory of masks. May I ask how many faces Your Highness has?" He looked at Shangguan Yichen cunningly.

"There should be a few more than the scenery!"

The two of them burst into laughter.

Sun Zili, who had already walked some distance, turned back to look at the two of them. The courtyard was filled with the faint fragrance of plum blossoms, lingering amidst the falling snow. He saw the distant pair, their bodies covered in snow, their hair white. Sun Zili thought, if it weren't for the impossibility of marriage for the Heavenly Official, Jing Xiang and the Little Wise King would truly be a perfect match. In this scene, a hidden shadow in his heart surfaced.

When the three of them reached the official carriage, Sun Zili said to Zhong Yujing and Shangguan Yichen, "The Ministry of Justice has sent an official to inform us that the Emperor has summoned us to the Qianyuan Palace. I believe he must have heard of our visit to Prince Ping's Mansion. We should return immediately to report."

Zhong Yujing and Shangguan Yichen got into the car immediately. The official car was bumpy all the way, not as smooth as when they came. Clear wheel marks were left on the road covered with thick snow, and it went straight to the outside of the palace gate.

Emperor Hong leaned on the dragon couch, listened to the three people's narration, slowly opened his eyes, slowly sat up, set aside the tea leaves in the blue and white teacup, blew on them, took a sip, and said, "Eunuch He——"

Eunuch He stepped forward and said, "This old servant is here."

"Please take a seat."

Eunuch He responded and gave a wink to several young eunuchs. The young eunuchs who were waiting in the four corners retreated with their backs bent and steps slow. After a while, three chairs were brought back. As the three of them sat down, a palace maid leaned over and respectfully served them with three bowls of tea.

"Come, try the tribute the Qiang Rong King sent a few days ago. I heard that the Qiang Rong people love this kind of flower tea the most. They usually drink it like water. It is made from dried flowers and spices. The process is very complicated. Yesterday, the Queen told me that she loves Yarkand flower tea very much. The fragrance is refreshing and refreshing. I also love this Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum Tea. It is fresh and elegant. Most importantly, it can reduce internal heat and dryness." Emperor Hong took another sip and hummed with satisfaction. "It is really soothing and refreshing."

The three people seated below were trying to understand the emperor's words while sipping their tea.

"Abel really knows how to enjoy himself." Emperor Hong joked.

"I remember that Uncle Ping loved collecting rare treasures. His home was filled with precious jewels and jade. I heard that Yifei had been wearing different jewelry every day since he was little. When the princes and grandchildren gathered together to play, he would often show off his jewelry, looking very proud."

As if remembering something, he asked, "Sun Shaoqing, do you still remember the blood jade you gave me when we were children? It was given by Prince Ping to your uncle, Sun Shangshu, who then gave it to you as a birthday present?"

Zhong Yujing and Shangguan Yichen both looked at Sun Zili with surprise on their faces.

"I had just turned fifteen."

Sun Shaoqing is actually an old acquaintance of the emperor!

Sun Zili's teacup trembled as it approached his lips. His eyelashes trembled slightly, and his Adam's apple rolled. But he still took a sip of tea. "I'm grateful that Your Majesty still remembers these memories from our youth."

Emperor Hong glanced at his grandson Zili and said, "The blood jade is extremely rare and precious. It was given as a birthday gift to Sun Shaoqing. I will certainly remember it vividly."

Sun Zili put down his teacup and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, thank you for your kindness. That piece of blood jade has found its destined owner. I am merely an intermediary, a bridge to help others, and to deliver it to its rightful owner."

Emperor Hong smiled and said, "Since my beloved Sun has said so, I no longer feel guilty about stealing someone else's love. I have been playing with and caressing it in my palms for all these years, feeling my warmth, and I have always treasured it in my heart."

Upon hearing this, Sun Zili bowed deeply again.

He did not sit down again until he heard Emperor Hong say, "My dear Sun, there is no need to be so formal."

"How does Kunlun Snow Chrysanthemum Tea taste?" asked Emperor Hong.

"The snow chrysanthemum is sweet and the spices are rich. The combination of the two complements each other and makes a delicious tea." Shangguan Yichen said.

Emperor Hong smiled and said, "Have Eunuch He prepare three portions. Your Highness and Prime Minister Sun Shaoqing can each take them back and savor them carefully."

The three of them said in unison: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Hong continued, "This is my first time trying this exquisite delicacy, but Uncle Ping has already tasted every flavor."

All three of them were stunned and looked at Emperor Hong in astonishment.

"Uncle Wang receives the finest treasures from the Qiang and Rong every year. He is never short of food, agate, jade, and even beautiful women. When Anuda was interrogated in prison, he spoke Chinese very fluently and answered the bailiffs very well." Emperor Hong's eyes were cold, and his casually placed hands gradually clenched into fists.

"Is there any solid evidence to prove that Prince Ping is colluding with Anuda?" Shangguan Yichen stood up angrily and asked.

"Anuda refused to admit his identity and only said that he had been coveting Daqi for a long time and had been scheming for many years. He had studied Chinese for a long time. When asked about King Ping, he refused to admit his identity!" Emperor Hong gritted his teeth.

"The Qiang and Rong people are so cunning and cruel! They are truly hateful!" Sun Zili clapped his hands angrily.

"Your Majesty, who else knows about this?" Zhong Yujing asked cautiously.

"Only Brother Jing Xiang and Sun Shaoqing are allowed to know about today's events. Not a single word can be leaked."

The three of them agreed.

Shangguan Yichen's eyes were cold, his brows furrowed, and he asked, "What is your Majesty's decision?"

"I have already placed someone in Prince Ping's mansion to keep watch day and night. Report any developments immediately," Emperor Hong said mysteriously. "This person is Yao Xian, the leader of the Black Army, whom I personally trained."