secret
"cheers."
The two wine jars collided, making a crisp sound.
Mu Chengwen took a sip and sighed with enjoyment, "That's refreshing."
He then patted the person next to him on the shoulder: "Since we both love wine, let's just let this be a misunderstanding."
"We became friends after a fight."
Kesh looked at her; she was dressed in a light blue maid's uniform, which was clearly not the style of their Silver Tenon tribe.
With his neatly tailored collar and wide sleeves, he appears conservative and polite, but his personality is quite straightforward and outspoken.
That's how much effort he put into it.
Mu Chengwen squinted, then suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, I haven't asked you your name yet?"
"Kesh."
Mu Chengwen frowned: "Killed by evil? What kind of lousy name is that? Who gave you that?"
Of course, it was his father who came up with it. If he knew that these two words were interpreted like this, he would be furious.
"Fine, I'll call you Little Stone from now on." Mu Chengwen patted his chest with great pride: "If anyone bullies you in the future, come to me, I'll protect you."
When someone said they would protect him for the first time, Kesh found it quite novel and adapted well to his role as their underling.
"Since you're going to protect me, I should at least know your name."
“I…” Mu Chengwen was still cautious. “My name is Wenwen.”
"Wenwen... your name doesn't quite match your personality. How did you choose it?"
“What do you know?” Mu Chengwen waved his hand behind his back. “My brother and I, one a scholar and the other a warrior, have a very auspicious meaning.”
"It's a pity that I didn't grow up to be the well-educated and reasonable person my parents hoped for, but my brother," Mu Chengwen proudly raised his chin, "is a great general with many military achievements."
"That's amazing," Kesh exclaimed. "Then I'll have to stick close to you."
"Of course not."
We finished almost two jars of wine while chatting, and I was already starting to feel a little dizzy.
Mu Chengwen knew he couldn't drink anymore. Otherwise, it would interfere with important business.
She stood up unsteadily, almost tripping over an empty wine jar rolling at her feet, but Kesh caught her to prevent her from falling flat on her face.
She slurred, "Sister, I'm going back now. You should go back early too, or someone will catch you slacking off."
“I’ll take you back,” Kesh said.
“No need,” Mu Chengwen patiently lectured him. “How can you be so arrogant? We came here to steal some wine, and you’re going to swagger off and send me back? No way.”
"Wait until I leave before you come out," Mu Chengwen told him, then peeked out furtively before running outside.
Kesh sat leaning against the ground, holding a wine jar in his arms.
After a while, he covered his forehead and smiled.
Mu Chengwen returned to his bedchamber drunk, and chuckled when he saw everyone: "Oh, everyone's here."
Everyone was speechless: "..."
Zhu Qinghe sighed, "What's going on these past few days? Why is it so hard to get everyone together for a meeting?"
They're all constantly running around, bewitched by some random guy they meet.
"Hurry up and help her to rest, she's really a worry."
Zhu Qinghe turned Bai Qiuru's shoulder and said seriously, "Qiuru, we can't count on the others. We'll have to rely on you in the future."
Bai Qiuru: "...Can I refuse?"
Zhu Qinghe shook her head sadly.
Even with Liang Youan supporting him, Mu Chengwen was still restless, touching her face with his hand: "Oh, where did this little beauty come from? Let your older sister give you a kiss."
Liang Youan pushed away her pouting lips and cried out in despair, "Can I throw her out?!"
Hehehe—come give me a kiss~
The following day was a welcoming banquet for Prince Qi.
Yin Luoha had previously sent someone to remind them that during the break while she was getting ready, Zhu Qinghe should briefly explain the information about Prince Qi to them.
On the surface, King Qi is Yinluoha's uncle and the king's younger brother.
He actually held no real power and had been sent to live in the northernmost region as soon as the king ascended the throne.
Even so, it took several days of travel to get there, and since we missed the proper day, we had to hold a welcome banquet for him.
"I have heard that this Prince Qi was frail and sickly since childhood and rarely left his home, but he was gentle and easy to get along with."
Zhu Qinghe put on her right earring, and a drop of jade-like water gently rippled on her small, jade-like earlobe.
“If that’s the case, he’s actually a good candidate for us to win him over,” Bai Qiuru said.
Mu Chengwen pounded his head, which felt like it was filled with lead. He had drunk too much yesterday and hadn't recovered yet.
"They said they have no real power and no status, so what's the point of winning them over?"
Zhu Qinghe leaned forward and whispered, "Although Prince Qi himself doesn't have much real power, he has a good reputation. It is said that the old king doted on him when he was alive, and the old ministers below also valued him highly."
"However, he is young and not in good health, so it is normal that he cannot defeat the shrewd and experienced king."
"If we can cooperate with him, it will be equivalent to gaining the support of those veteran officials in disguise."
Liang Youan asked, "What does this Prince Qi like? How can we win him over?"
Zhu Qinghe stroked her chin: "Well, His Highness Prince Qi is skilled in calligraphy and painting, but there's no way to get those things here."
"We can only take it one step at a time."
After getting ready, Yinluoha took her to the banquet.
Their relationship is quite interesting; they appear to be husband and wife, but they are actually not close at all.
They haven't seen each other since returning from the banquet; she spent less time with him than with Shen Er.
Wait, why did I think of him?
Just as she was about to clear her mind of all distractions, she saw a figure flash past behind the pillars across the street.
She stared intently. Shen Er? What was he doing here?
The envoy from the Da Li Dynasty doesn't reside here, so what is he doing here?
She slowed her pace and put some distance between herself and Yinluoha.
The welcoming banquet was not grand. She was accompanied only by Bai Qiuru. After exchanging a few words with her, Bai Qiuru turned and left.
Yinluoha turned around and asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just forgot something."
Yinluoha didn't notice anything amiss and offered some rare words of comfort: "You don't need to be nervous, it's just a meal, and your uncle is very easy to talk to."
Zhu Qinghe seized the opportunity to ask, "Uncle? Prince Qi isn't very old?"
“Not much, only three years older than me.” Yinluoha’s tone was somewhat nostalgic. “It’s been several years since I’ve seen him. I wonder what he looks like now.”
"You'll see him soon."
Bai Qiuru lost track of the person, and Zhu Qinghe suspected that Shen Er and his group were carrying out some secret operation without their knowledge, so she sent Bai Qiuru to follow them.
However, she overestimated her physical abilities. How could she possibly keep up with a tall, long-legged, and fast-paced man?
Moreover, judging from his appearance, Chen Er's skills are not weak.
She stood on the pebble path to the left of the artificial hill, and two maids turned out from beside her.
The maids in the central royal city of the Silver Tenon tribe wore different clothes, with a bold and alluring style.
The neckline of the silk dress under the black veil was very low, and the hem of the skirt just reached her knees, revealing her bare calves as she walked.
"Sisters," she ran over, her voice anxious and trembling with tears, "my heirloom necklace is missing. I just saw a dark figure run past, he must have picked it up. Did you see him?"
The two maids exchanged a glance, and the one in front, who seemed more mature, hesitated and asked, "Are you sure that person ran this way?"
Bai Qiuru nodded affirmatively, "I saw it."
“That’s a restricted area. You must be mistaken. You’re from the Great Li Dynasty, right? We sisters are just trying to advise you not to go there. It’s very dangerous.”
“But,” Bai Qiuru bit her lip in grievance, “that necklace was left to me by my late grandmother, and it’s really important to me.”
The two ignored her and walked away.
If Bai Qiuru was unsure of Shen Er's specific direction before, she is now certain.
Since that area is a so-called restricted zone, the person must be there.
Bai Qiuru gripped her sleeve tightly and walked inside.
This is a dense bamboo forest, serene and tranquil. What danger could there be in such a place?
She walked along the path, the bamboo leaves rustling in the wind, and a deep coolness permeated the air.
Suddenly, a hint of blood mingled with the chilling atmosphere.
She felt a sudden chill and slowed her pace, hiding behind a thick green bamboo grove around the corner to peek out.
He stood there with his back to her, dressed in white, holding a sword in his right hand.
Liquid kept dripping from the sword. She looked closely and realized it was blood!
The man swung his sword again, the blade piercing flesh with a "splatter" sound.
Bai Qiuru covered her mouth in shock, but still inadvertently let out a soft gasp.
The man turned around, revealing half of his handsome profile stained with blood.
He gave way, and behind him hung a person on a wooden stake, covered in blood and motionless, with blood dripping from his body, forming a small pool of blood at his feet.
Murder...murder scene.
Even though Bai Qiuru is usually quick-witted and calm, she was frightened at this moment.
The white-robed Asura raised an eyebrow with interest and walked over step by step, sword in hand.
Bai Qiuru was so frightened that she stepped back, tripped, and fell to the ground.
When I looked up again, the person was already in front of me.
The man crouched down, his amber eyes like deep lakes, still and profound, a pair of very beautiful eyes.
His thin lips curved into a wicked smile, and his clean left hand pinched her chin.
Those fingers were as cold as ice and snow, and she felt her whole body freeze.
"You've discovered my secret." The man's tone was also cold and strange. "Tell me, what should I do with you?"
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