After glaring at each other for a while, Mei Xiyuan finally stepped back first.
She composed herself, then said with a mixture of anger and composure, "Hmph... So what if there's news? Now, apart from Shaohua Pavilion, the rest of the Prince's mansion is heavily guarded. Not even a fly can get in. We don't have that portrait of the Western Qin Guardian that we've only heard of but never seen. So how are we going to trade with him at Sihai Tea House? Your plan isn't exactly brilliant."
Mei Xiyuan glared at her contemptuously, flicked her sleeves, and then, as she walked back into Shaohua Pavilion, grumbled, "It's just a bad game, I'd rather not play it! I refuse to believe that without him, I really can't do anything to that bitch. I'm just..."
Mei Xiyuan finally stopped speaking, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back. Seeing that she seemed to be considering giving up on the plan that was almost successful, Lu Tianjiao gradually softened and stepped to Mei Xiyuan's side to explain:
"Sister, I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to say that, as you said before, only by working together can we sisters win the final victory. Otherwise, we will share both glory and loss. Besides, you've already paid your dues, and as you worried, 'how can there be honest people in a barbarian land?' It's all my fault for being careless and choosing the wrong person. I didn't even notice the wanted posters in the city. If I had known that he was a desperate criminal, I would never have dared to provoke him. Now, you've been implicated, which is a terrible sin. I doubt that Tuoba Ze will agree to cancel the deal and return the money. In the end, I'll probably end up losing both my money and my life. Twenty thousand taels of gold—that's a considerable sum! Now, we're already on the verge of disaster and have no choice but to go."
"Smack!"
Upon hearing this, Mei Xiyuan suddenly stopped, turned around abruptly, and delivered a resounding slap to Lu Tianjiao's face. She then fiercely rebuked him, "Isn't all of this your fault? How dare you speak so callously here! You claim to be His Highness's childhood sweetheart and junior sister, yet you're still stuck in this palace, unable to go anywhere, unable to gather any information. I truly regret ever cooperating with you. Useless, utterly useless! Without the Guardian's portrait, how could that barbarian have handed over that vile woman? My 20,000 taels of gold have gone down the drain! Tell me, did you do this on purpose?"
Lu Tianjiao covered half of her face, looking at Mei Xiyuan's ferocious and angry expression with horror.
Suddenly, Mei Xiyuan seemed so furious that she couldn't stand up and almost fainted. She swayed a couple of times, and Zhao Mama quickly helped her to sit down on a stone bench. While gently patting her back, she comforted her, saying, "Anger is bad for your health. Your Highness, you must take care of yourself! Miss Lu is always very clever and will surely not let Your Highness lose this game."
As Zhao Mama spoke, she subtly winked at Lu Tianjiao. Lu Tianjiao then snapped out of her daze, took out the portrait from her sleeve, stepped forward, and handed it to Mei Xiyuan, softly saying, "Sister, I'm sorry!"
"What is this?" Mei Xiyuan glanced at the piece of Xuan paper that she was handed over and asked, puzzled.
However, he still took it and unfolded it, and immediately widened his eyes to examine it: "Who is the woman in this portrait? Her hands are like tender shoots, her skin is like solidified cream, her neck is like a cicada's, her teeth are like melon seeds, her forehead is broad and her eyebrows are like moths, her smile is charming, and her beautiful eyes are bright. She is like a fairy from the heavens who has fallen to earth."
As Mei Xiyuan spoke, she glanced at Lu Tianjiao standing in front of her, and Lu Tianjiao nodded to her.
Mei Xiyuan then withdrew her gaze and continued to examine the portrait for a while, and suddenly realized: "I've heard rumors that the guardian of Western Qin is an unparalleled beauty. Could this woman be..."
“That’s right, exactly.” Lu Tianjiao seemed to have quickly forgotten the pain on his face and replied.
"Where did you get this portrait from?" Upon hearing this, Mei Xiyuan turned around in surprise and looked at Lu Tianjiao's flushed face, questioning him.
"Sister, there's no need to ask any more questions. I have my own way to overcome all difficulties and help you achieve your wish. Let's quickly discuss what to do next! We've paid such a high price; this time, we absolutely cannot let that bitch escape again," Lu Tianjiao said fiercely.
"Hmm, it seems she really can't escape this calamity this time. Alright, since everything is ready, Granny Zhao, immediately send someone to inform the Sihai Tea House that we are all prepared and ready to go over for the transaction at any time," Mei Xiyuan immediately instructed Granny Zhao.
"Yes, this old servant will go and make the arrangements immediately."
After Granny Zhao left, Mei Xiyuan quickly stood up, walked to Lu Tianjiao's side with a smile, took her hand, and placed her other hand on her flushed face, saying anxiously, "Sister, don't hold a grudge against your older sister. I was just flustered and lost my composure. Where did you hit yourself? Does it still hurt? Come, I have the best medicine in Dongning Kingdom in my room. I'll go and apply it for you. You'll feel better soon after."
After comforting and seeing Lu Tianjiao off, Mei Xiyuan secretly instructed Zhao Mama: "Quickly have someone make a copy of this painting and send it back to the country to give to Father. Be careful not to let anyone find out, or the consequences will be unimaginable."
...
In the dead of night, when all was quiet, Xuan Yuanhan finally returned to the Qin King's Mansion of Western Qin under the soft moonlight.
As soon as he dismounted, he hurriedly headed alone towards Chenghua Hall, lost in deep thought.
"Why are you the descendant of the Guardians? Is it really you?" Xuan Yuanhan asked himself this question again and again throughout the journey. His eyes and mind were filled with memories of the two of them, from the past to the present.
Or perhaps, not only that, they had already met before she was even born. If her birth mother hadn't protected him with her own life, how could he have survived to this day?
But he clearly never expected that the mother and daughter would both be descendants of the Guardians, people who would use their powerful and mysterious abilities to protect the true emperors of each generation in Western Qin.
This also means that, for him, she is the biggest obstacle to unifying the Lingkong Continent, his greatest enemy in this life. With her around, according to the rumors, he will never be able to achieve his wish.
To kill, or not to kill?
With this thought in mind, he unconsciously took out the sapphire blue medicine sachet again, carefully placed it in his palm, and stared at it with his unfathomable cold eyes.
Just then, Cheng Liang quietly entered carrying a tea tray. Upon seeing his master's habitual actions, he carefully stepped forward to serve the tea and asked with concern, "Your Highness, are you alright?"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanhan hurriedly withdrew the sachet from his hand and his gaze, finally letting out a breath of stale air. He then spoke sternly, "Find out for me who in the manor leaked my whereabouts!"
Cheng Liang exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness suspects that Tuoba Ze's side is connected to the Prince of Qin's mansion..."
"It's not just suspicion, it's certain. Someone in the Qin Prince's mansion must have secretly befriended Tuoba Ze and leaked Yun'er's information to him, which allowed him to seize the opportunity to abduct her. Now I finally understand completely: the most dangerous place is also the safest place. It turns out that Tuoba Ze's treacherous plot to undermine our Western Qin failed, so he has been lurking by my side, waiting for another opportunity. I was careless. I only hope that everything is still in time, otherwise Yun'er might..." Xuan Yuanhan said, seemingly afraid to continue thinking.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Liang felt a sudden sense of enlightenment and was extremely shocked. He never expected that all of this was a case of 'no matter how much you guard against it, you can't guard against a traitor within your own ranks.' But then he thought about it again and muttered to himself in bewilderment, 'Everyone in the manor has always been extremely reliable. Who on earth would dare to be bribed by Tuoba Ze?'
"Then investigate whether they are from the manor?" Xuan Yuanhan said coldly upon hearing this.
"Not from the manor? Does Your Highness mean that Miss Lu, Ling'er's grandmother, and the Princess Consort are also...?" Cheng Liang inquired.
"Investigate, leave no one unpunished, especially Lu Tianjiao and Shaohua Pavilion. We must strengthen our defenses there. Didn't you hear Lu Tianlin say that Tuoba Ze wants to use Yun'er to exchange for gold? Who else in the manor has gold besides those in Shaohua Pavilion? Remember, if we find any evidence, don't rush to alert them. Let's see what they're up to. Didn't Lu Tianlin say he didn't hear some of what he said clearly?"
Cheng Liang bowed and accepted the order: "Yes, Your subordinate understands."
After saying that, Xuanyuan Han added, "Also, have Physician Zhang come to see me."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Liang anxiously inquired, "Is Your Highness feeling unwell? Has Physician Yue examined you?"
Xuanyuan Han paused for a moment, then said, "I want to ask him what exactly happened regarding the Crown Prince's recovery from smallpox. Is it... also related to her?"
Xuan Yuanhan never gave up on the matter of her identity.
"Understood," Cheng Liang replied.
"Have you done everything I asked you to do before I left?" After a moment of silence, Xuan Yuanhan asked again.
Cheng Liang said, "The bait has been cast; let's wait for them to take the bait."
Xuanyuan Han then picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and Cheng Liang hesitated before asking again, "Your Highness, if everything is as you predict, how do you intend to handle it?"
“If what I expect is true, they…” Xuan Yuanhan paused as he spoke, his large hand resting on his knee clenching tightly, leaving the room silent.
Three days and three nights had passed in the blink of an eye. Early on the fourth day, Yi Shangyun finally opened her eyes and woke up slowly in an unfamiliar bed…
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