In the stillness of the night, a crescent moon quietly climbed onto the treetops outside the window. In the guest room, Qiu Xin faced a solitary lamp, clutching an unopened letter tightly in her hand, tears falling silently.
Under the moonlight, she took out the jade pendant from her sleeve, her fingertips caressing the warm, smooth jade surface. The image of that rainy night, with that person standing with an umbrella, floated before her eyes again.
"Is Miss Qiuxin asleep?" came the maid's voice from outside the door.
Qiu Xin hurriedly put away the jade pendant: "Please come in."
A maidservant brought in some snacks: "Her Highness the Consort knew you must be tired from your journey and might get hungry in the middle of the night, so she asked me to bring you some supper."
Thank you.
In the evening, whether it was because of changing beds or being too tired from the journey, Qiu Xin tossed and turned and couldn't sleep soundly. She finally fell asleep, but was awakened by a nightmare.
In her dream, Xiuxiu saw herself crying and frowned, asking if someone had bullied her.
She shook her head, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably: "You've been so good to me, I..."
Wang Xiuxiu gently hugged her: "Silly girl, we're sisters who've been through thick and thin together. If you have any difficulties, just tell me."
Qiu Xin leaned on her shoulder, her tears soaking her clothes.
She knew what she was doing was wrong, and she wanted to tell the truth, but in the end, she was startled back to reality by the disappointment in his eyes...
——-
Inside the study of the Zhou family mansion, the candlelight flickered.
Zhou Yun'an leaned back on the rosewood couch, his fingertips lightly tapping a newly arrived secret letter.
"Did Qiu Xin successfully enter the manor?" His handsome profile was half-lit and half-shadowed, but his voice was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, news has come from the Jing Prince's residence that Wang Xiuxiu treats Qiu Xin as before, and has even personally arranged accommodations for her. On the surface, there are no signs of her suspecting anything."
Zhou Yun'an's fingertip paused, causing the candlelight to flicker: "Can't tell from the surface?"
Xiao Cheng pressed his forehead to the ground: "I misspoke, but... Wang Xiuxiu is an extremely cunning person, I'm worried..."
"Worried she's just putting on an act?" Zhou Yun'an chuckled, taking a small celadon bottle from a drawer and examining it. "Has Lu Jingze made any moves?"
"I was just about to report that Prince Jing did indeed send someone to Huanghua Town to investigate. Fortunately, our people were prepared and had meticulously prepared Mingyue Tower's accounts and records. The scout investigated for three days but found nothing and returned to the capital yesterday."
Zhou Yun'an's eyes flickered slightly as he traced the delicate patterns on the porcelain vase, then asked, "How has Qiu Xin been these past two days?"
"Qiu Xin went to look for a shop during the day, behaving as usual, but what we told her..." Xiao Cheng hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.
\"explain.\"
There has been no response for a long time.
With a "thud," the porcelain bottle in Zhou Yun'an's hand slammed heavily onto the table.
Xiao Cheng trembled and lowered his head even further.
"It seems our Qiu Xin still remembers the kindness of the past." Zhou Yun'an's voice was frighteningly soft. "Xiao Cheng, do you think such a pawn can still be used?"
Xiao Cheng forced a smile and said, "My lord, you are wise. I believe... Qiu Xin is sentimental, which makes her easier to control."
He glanced at Zhou Yun'an's expression, "As long as we find her weakness..."
"You've certainly improved," Zhou Yun'an suddenly laughed, pushing the celadon bottle towards her. "It's time to change Qiuyue's dressing. You'll have to make a trip to Chunhua Town yourself."
Under the candlelight, the porcelain vase gleamed with a faint, cold light.
Xiao Cheng understood and bowed to accept the gift: "I will take care of it immediately."
"Xiao Cheng, you watched her take it with your own eyes."
Xiao Cheng's spine stiffened instantly.
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