Night raid
The two entered the mansion gate one after the other, their shadows stretched long by the lanterns under the eaves.
Xu Qingyao noticed that Xiao Zhouyan's steps were slightly heavier than usual, knowing that he was still thinking about the old story that Consort Li had mentioned.
[Host, it is advised not to develop feelings for the characters in the drama. Based on the experience of my predecessors, the outcome is usually tragic.]
Sensing the turmoil in Xu Qingyao's heart, the system reminded her.
Xu Qingyao sighed inwardly and replied to the system: I know.
But she quickened her pace and walked alongside Xiao Zhouyan: "General, regarding what Consort Li mentioned today..."
Xiao Zhouyan paused, his profile appearing particularly sharp in the night: "This matter is complicated, and it's not something you should get involved in."
“But now that I am the general’s wife, the affairs of the Xiao family are naturally my affairs as well.” Xu Qingyao looked up and stared directly into his eyes. “Besides, Consort Li’s actions were clearly aimed at me.”
Under the moonlight, Xiao Zhouyan's eyes wavered slightly. He remained silent for a moment, then finally said in a low voice, "Let's go back to our room first."
The two entered the study, where Xiao Zhouyan personally lit the lamp, the flickering flame illuminating his furrowed brows.
Xu Qingyao noticed that his fingertips were trembling slightly. This was the first time she had seen this iron-blooded general show such a vulnerable side.
"Fifteen years ago..." Xiao Zhouyan's voice was hoarse, "My father didn't die in battle, he was murdered."
Xu Qingyao's heart skipped a beat, but she simply listened quietly without interrupting.
“The delay in supplies was deliberately caused by someone; there are people in the court colluding with the enemy…” Xiao Zhouyan clenched his fists tightly. “I have been investigating this for years.”
Xu Qingyao gently grasped his fist: "So the general agreed to Yuwen Heng's request not just because of my letter?"
Xiao Zhouyan's eyes darkened, and he tapped his knuckles lightly on the table: "Yuwen Heng not only has secret letters between Mu Kun and the Western Turks, but also secret letters between the Tibetans and traitors in the court."
Xu Qingyao's pupils contracted slightly, and her fingertips unconsciously clenched her sleeves: "So the general agreed to help him seize the throne because..."
“Each gets what they need.” Xiao Zhouyan’s voice was as cold as a knife. “He used my power to eliminate Mu Kun, and I used him to obtain evidence.”
The candlelight flickered in his eyes, reflecting a chilling intent. "But how did Consort Li find out about this?"
Xu Qingyao silently replied in her heart, how else could she know? The female lead is reborn.
After leaving the female lead, she had the system check for any useful information the female lead could access.
The system's response at the time was as follows: "Found it. After returning to the Li Kingdom, the female protagonist soon became the queen consort of Yan Zhan, the regent of the Li Kingdom."
After Xiao Zhouyan's death, the Great Zhou Dynasty was quickly annexed by the Li Kingdom. Yan Zhan had fought against Xiao Zhouyan and considered him a worthy opponent. Therefore, he had someone investigate Xiao Zhouyan's father's background, hoping to put his father's mind at ease in the afterlife. Thus, the female lead would naturally know about this.
“Since Consort Li knows about this, yet tells me that it might be because…” Xu Qingyao pretended to ponder, then feigned sudden realization: “It was a test.”
“More than that.” Xiao Zhouyan tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, seemingly lost in thought. “Consort Li’s deliberate disclosure of this matter is probably more than just a test.”
“Consort Li was sent to the palace by the Second Prince, Chu Chengjing. She may be working for the Second Prince.” Xiao Zhouyan’s tone grew colder. “She may also be a spy from the Li Kingdom.”
[Xiao Zhouyan knows quite a lot. When did he find out?] The system was shocked.
Xu Qingyao was also somewhat surprised: Yes, when did he find out?
The system reviewed the previously monitored data and then fell silent.
[...Is it possible that it's because he cares about you too much? He even investigates who you meet, just to prevent it from being an assassin or a spy.]
Xu Qingyao: Ah, this... is something she didn't expect.
Does this count as changing the plot?
It's hard to say. But the plot has already fallen apart, while the characters haven't, so... I don't know if it counts.
Over time, the system has encountered many reborn female protagonists, but in such cases, it is difficult to predict the direction of the plot.
Xu Qingyao looked up at Xiao Zhouyan: "Since the general knows that Consort Li is a spy, what are the general's plans?"
Xiao Zhouyan's eyes flickered slightly as he took out a secret report from his sleeve: "News has come from the Li Kingdom that Yan Zhan has been claiming illness for over a month and has not attended court." He tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, "But three days ago, someone saw his confidant appear at the border of the Great Zhou."
Xu Qingyao immediately understood: "He slipped away like a cicada shedding its shell? He came to Great Zhou in person?"
“That’s right.” Xiao Zhouyan’s expression was solemn. “Yan Zhan may have already arrived in the capital.”
Xu Qingyao lowered her eyes: System, check the male lead.
Okay, searching...
Yan Zhan, the regent of the Li Kingdom, is ambitious. Under his leadership, the Li Kingdom has been expanding steadily in recent years. Recently, Yan Zhan was spotted at a teahouse in the capital, simply drinking tea at the same spot at the same time every day, without meeting anyone.
What does Yan Zhan want to do?
"Then we..." Xu Qingyao was completely confused.
Xiao Zhouyan's eyes darkened: "For now, we can only wait and see."
*
The Imperial Palace, Lichun Hall.
The night was deep, and the candlelight inside the palace flickered, casting dappled shadows on the beaded curtains and gauze tents.
Shen Rou waved her hand to dismiss those around her. After all the palace maids had left, she slowly walked to the dressing table, her fingertips lightly touching the gold hairpin in her hair. Her eyes were deep and thoughtful, as if she were pondering something.
Just as she raised her hand to remove her outer garment, the candlelight in the hall suddenly flickered.
A dark shadow appeared behind me like a ghost!
Shen Rou's eyes suddenly turned cold, and she abruptly turned to the side. A flash of cold light appeared in her sleeve, and a short blade was already blocking her way.
"clang!"
The sound of metal clashing against metal rang out, sparks flew, and she used the force to step back, lightly leaping behind the screen with her toes.
"Who?!" she hissed, her voice as cold as frost.
The shadowy figure did not answer, but its attacks became increasingly fierce, each move aimed directly at vital points.
Shen Rou's eyes darkened, and the short blade in her hand flew. Her figure was like a butterfly, twisting and turning in the hall. With her clothes fluttering, she actually fought her opponent to a standstill.
After a few moves, she suddenly spun around, and silver needles shot out from her fingertips! The shadowy figure turned his head to dodge, but a strand of his hair was still cut.
"Heh." A low chuckle rang out, and the dark figure finally stopped, raising his hand to remove the black mask.
In the candlelight, a handsome yet aloof face emerged; it was none other than Yan Zhan, the regent of the Li Kingdom.
Shen Rou was taken aback, then sneered: "Your Highness, sneaking into the inner palace in the middle of the night, do you want to test the sharpness of my blade?"
Yan Zhan's eyes flickered slightly, and a faint smile appeared on his lips: "Your vigilance is as good as ever, not bad."
Shen Rou sheathed her blade and said calmly, "Your Highness has come in person, surely not just to test my skills?"
Yan Zhan approached slowly, his dark robes gleaming coldly in the candlelight. His gaze fell on Shen Rou's half-undone clothes, her snow-white shoulders faintly visible beneath the gauze.
He suddenly raised his hand, his slender fingers pinching her collar, slowly and carefully adjusting it for her. His movements seemed gentle, yet they were irresistible.
"It's chilly at night, put on some clothes." His voice was deep, and his fingertips brushed lightly against her neck, sending a slight shiver down her spine.
Shen Rou raised her eyes to meet his, a hint of mockery on her lips: "When did Your Highness become so considerate?"
Yan Zhan chuckled softly, his fingers gently stroking her chin, his eyes deep and unfathomable: "Of course I have to pay extra attention to you."
His thumb stroked her chin: "Did the wind and sand of the Western Regions satisfy you?"
His voice was deep, and his gaze cut into her eyes like a blade.
Shen Rou's pupils contracted slightly, then she chuckled: "Your Highness is well-informed, even knowing about my private outings."
"On the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, you appeared in the capital of Gaochang. On the same day, Xiao Zhouyan's wife 'happened' to pass through there as well." Yan Zhan's fingertips slid down her neck to her collar. "What a coincidence, isn't it?"
A sudden night wind swept in from outside the hall, causing the candlelight to flicker violently.
Through the interplay of light and shadow, Shen Rou gazed into his abyss-like eyes: "Your Highness, have you forgotten? When you sent me to infiltrate the Great Zhou, you said—" She suddenly leaned close to his ear, her red lips parting slightly—"'If necessary, even my orders can be disobeyed.'"
Yan Zhan's eyes suddenly darkened, and he abruptly pulled Shen Rou into his arms.
She bumped into his hard chest unexpectedly, the cool scent of agarwood lingering around her nose, mixed with a familiar scent of perfume. He had indeed gone to Lanlingfang.
"Disobeying orders?" He chuckled, his palm slowly moving down her lower back, the pressure so strong it felt like it was digging into her bones. "Then tell me, why did you risk getting close to Xiao Zhouyan's woman?"
Shen Rou looked up at him, her smile undiminished: "How could Your Highness forget? You once said that if we could subdue Xiao Zhouyan, it would be a great help to the Li Kingdom."
The candlelight cast their shadows on the gauze curtains, intertwined like vines. Yan Zhan gripped her chin, forcing her to look up: "So you're recruiting him for me?" He pressed his thumb heavily against her lips, "Even secretly getting close to the Xiao family?"
Shen Rou winced in pain, but a sharp glint flashed in her eyes: "Does Your Highness know what Xiao Zhouyan holds in his hands?" She whispered in his ear, her breath sweet as orchids, "The original secret letters between Tibet and the Li Kingdom in the capital city... are hidden in a secret compartment in his study."
Yan Zhan's arm stiffened.
“My approach to Xu Qingyao was merely to pave the way for the Prince.” She took the opportunity to break free from his grasp and straighten her clothes. “I’m going to sow discord and make that incident from fifteen years ago a thorn in Xiao Zhouyan’s side.”
Suddenly, the sound of palace maids' footsteps came from outside the hall. Yan Zhan instantly spun around with her and disappeared into the shadows of the curtains.
A brief silence fell over the hall, broken only by the occasional soft crackling of the candlelight.
Chen Rou's back pressed against the cold palace pillar, his burning chest in front of her, and his suppressed breathing in her ear: "In a month, the envoy from Li Kingdom will come to Great Zhou. I want to see results."
Shen Rou's eyes flickered slightly: "Oh? Which lord has come to die this time?"
Yan Zhan chuckled softly, gradually tightening his grip on her arm: "This time, it is the Regent who has 'recovered' from his illness."
"Your Highness, rest assured, I will certainly 'entertain' the delegation well." She tilted her head back and chuckled, her fingertips hooking onto his jade belt. "Then what will Your Highness reward me with?"
Yan Zhan suddenly bit her earlobe, whispering between pain and tingling sensation, "I grant you..."
The distant sound of the water clock echoed as he disappeared into the night as he had come, leaving only Chen Rou standing alone in the broken moonlight, rubbing the bloody teeth marks on her earlobe.
Shen Rou stood still, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. She slowly walked to the dressing table, took out a secret letter from a hidden compartment, which revealed the truth about Xiao Zhouyan's father's death in battle.
“A month…” she murmured to herself, her fingertips tracing the bloodstained seal on the letter, “enough to make the Xiao family… completely turn against the royal family.”
Outside the window, dark clouds gradually obscured the moonlight, plunging the entire Lichun Palace into darkness.
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