Xin Jiuwei's ears burned. She had actually called out Xiao Xun's name in her dream?
"So my sister already knew..."
"I know just as much as you do," Xin Xiyao interrupted her, "including that night you and the Sixth Prince spent in Yingzhou."
Xin Jiuwei's face flushed crimson. She had clearly checked that no one was around that night...
"Don't be nervous, I was just guessing." Xin Xiyao suddenly laughed, a laugh that reminded Xin Jiuwei of how her older sister used to tease her when they were little. "But judging from your reaction now, I guessed right."
Before Xin Jiuwei could retort, a series of three long and two short knocks suddenly came from outside the secret chamber. Xin Xiyao's expression tightened, and she quickly rolled up the defense map: "Bitao, what is it?"
"Young Miss, the Marquis of Zhenbei's heir is here again!" Bitao's voice was filled with panic. "He brought a troop of guards and says he wants to see you and the Second Miss!"
The two sisters exchanged a glance. Xin Jiuwei instinctively reached for the dagger at her waist, but her elder sister pressed her hand down: "Don't rush." Xin Xiyao took a bronze token from a wooden box and handed it to her younger sister, "Go through the secret passage to Huichun Hall in the West Market and find Feng Sanniang. This token will allow her to tell you more."
"But my sister is all alone..."
"Don't worry." Xin Xiyao drew a dagger from her waist, the blade gleaming with a ghostly blue light in the candlelight. "I've applied anesthetic to the blade; it's enough to take down a cow."
Xin Jiuwei was about to say something when she heard hurried footsteps and harsh shouts outside. Xin Xiyao shoved her towards a hidden door on the other side of the secret room: "Go! Remember, no matter what happens, proceed as planned for the birthday banquet that night!"
The moment the hidden door closed behind her, Xin Jiuwei heard her sister raise her voice and say, "Your Highness, aren't you afraid of being impeached by the Imperial Censor for breaking into a private residence at night?" Her voice was weak and fearful, completely different from before.
The secret passage was longer than she had imagined, winding and twisting like a maze. Xin Jiuwei made her way forward by the faint light from the walls, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Her sister's transformation both brought her joy and pain—in her previous life, her sister had never had the chance to display this talent and courage until her death.
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