After breakfast, Qi Yue asked permission to go out, saying she wanted to buy some poetry books at the bookstore. Xin Xiyao hesitated at first, but seeing that her daughter had been in a bad mood recently, she thought it would be good for her to relax, so she agreed, only instructing her to take a few more guards with her.
As the carriage traveled through the streets of the capital, Qi Yue gazed absentmindedly out the window. She wasn't really going to the bookstore, but rather wanted to take the opportunity to gather some information. However, the number of soldiers patrolling the streets had noticeably increased, and the atmosphere was tense, leaving her unsure of where to begin.
"Miss, we've arrived at the bookstore." The coachman's voice interrupted her thoughts.
Qi Yue got out of the car and walked into the bookstore. After casually flipping through a few poetry collections, she asked the shopkeeper, seemingly unintentionally, "The capital seems unusually lively lately. Is something important happening?"
The innkeeper, a kind-looking middle-aged man, smiled and said, "Miss, are you referring to the Northern Barbarian delegation? They just entered the city today, and they've made quite a fuss. I heard the delegation is staying at the post station and is being received by the Ministry of Rites."
Qi Yue's heart stirred. After paying for a book of poems, she asked, "Which direction is the inn in? I'll avoid it on my way home so as not to offend our distinguished guest."
The shopkeeper, unsuspecting, gave detailed directions. Qi Yue thanked him and left the bookstore. After getting into the carriage, he instructed the driver, "Take a detour near the post station. I want to see the Northern Di delegation's formation."
The coachman hesitated, "Miss, the master instructed us to avoid the delegation..."
"We'll just take a look from afar, we won't stay," Qi Yue insisted.
The carriage slowly made its way towards the post station. The closer they got to the post station, the more heavily guarded it became. Qi Yue quietly lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and saw a constant stream of carriages and horses coming and going in front of the post station, with officials from the Ministry of Rites busy receiving members of the delegation.
Suddenly, a familiar figure came into her view—Xin Suiyun! He stood on the street corner opposite the post station, dressed in ordinary civilian clothes, but his sharp eyes and upright posture made Qi Yue recognize him at a glance. He seemed to be secretly observing the delegation's every move.
Just then, a young man dressed in the attire of a Northern Di nobleman stepped out from the delegation. He was imposing and dignified, presumably the Third Prince Ashina Lu. He keenly noticed Xin Suiyun's gaze and turned to look at the street corner. The instant their eyes met, it seemed as if invisible sparks flew in the air.
Xin Suiyun neither dodged nor avoided, but instead slightly curled the corners of his mouth, revealing an almost provocative expression. Ashina Lu narrowed his eyes, his hand unconsciously resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Qi Yue's heart leaped into her throat. Fortunately, an official from the Ministry of Rites stepped forward and spoke to Ashina Lu, interrupting the standoff. When Ashina Lu looked back at the street corner, Xin Suiyun had already vanished.
"Young lady, we should head back now," the driver reminded her.
Qi Yue nodded, lowered the carriage curtain, but her heart was in turmoil. There was clearly an unusual tension between Xin Suiyun and Ashina Lu; could this be related to yesterday's conspiracy?
On the way back to the manor, Qi Yue kept thinking about this question. When the carriage passed through a small alley, it suddenly stopped, and Qi Yue almost fell.
"What happened?" she asked, regaining her balance.
The driver replied nervously, "Miss, there's someone blocking the way..."
Qi Yue lifted the carriage curtain and saw two masked men standing in the middle of the alley, holding sharp blades and their eyes flashing with ferocity. The guards immediately drew their swords and stood in front of the carriage, the two sides facing off, the atmosphere tense and ready to erupt at any moment.
"Who are you? Do you know this is Minister Qi's carriage?" the head guard shouted sternly.
The masked man didn't answer, but charged forward with his knife. The sound of clashing swords echoed in the narrow alley. Qi Yue turned pale with fright and gripped the edge of the car window tightly.
Just as the guards were losing ground, a dark figure descended from the sky. With a flash of sword light, two masked men fell to the ground. The man turned around; it was Xin Suiyun!
"Xin..." Qi Yue was about to speak when Xin Suiyun, without even looking at her, instructed the guards, "Quickly send Miss Qi back to the mansion and do not let her go out again today."
After saying that, he bent down to examine the masked men's bodies, and found a token in one of their arms. His expression immediately turned serious.
Qi Yue mustered her courage and asked, "Who are these people? Why did they attack me?"
Xin Suiyun finally looked at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "Miss Qi, it's best to mind your own business these days. There are some troublesome things you shouldn't get involved in."
The warning in his tone sent a chill down Qi Yue's spine. Could today's attack be related to the conspiracy she overheard yesterday?
Back at the Qi residence, Qi Yue, still shaken, told her parents about the attack. Qi Huaihe was furious and immediately increased the number of guards and ordered a thorough investigation.
Xin Xiyao held her daughter's hand, looking worried: "Yue'er, have you encountered anything unusual lately? Why is someone targeting you?"
After much hesitation, Qi Yue finally revealed the conspiracy she had overheard in the palace the day before, but omitted the part about meeting Xin Suiyun.
Upon hearing this, Qi Huaihe's expression changed drastically: "This matter is of great importance. I will go to the palace immediately to see the Crown Prince. Yue'er, you must not go out again in the coming days, and do not mention this matter to anyone."
After her father left, Qi Yue returned to her room, her mind in turmoil. Yun'er brewed her some calming tea and gently comforted her, "Don't be afraid, Miss. Master has already dealt with it, and those villains won't dare to come back."
Qi Yue held the warm teacup, but felt no warmth at all. She recalled the token Xin Suiyun had found and his solemn expression, and a sense of foreboding crept into her heart.
As evening fell, Qi Huaihe returned from the palace, his expression even more grave. He summoned Qi Yue to his study, closed the doors and windows, and whispered, "Yue'er, the Crown Prince has already discovered the conspiracy you overheard. The Northern Di delegation came to the capital ostensibly to offer birthday wishes, but in reality, they intended to use the opportunity to create chaos and sabotage the peace talks between the two countries."
Qi Yue asked nervously, "Then who attacked me today..."
“It must be spies from the Northern Barbarians. They may have realized what you overheard.” Qi Huaihe sighed. “The Crown Prince has already strengthened security in the capital, and Xin Suiyun is also investigating the matter with all his might.”
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
