Chapter 30 Nighttime Infiltration of the Earl of Loyalty and Diligence
Xie Qi was stunned for a moment, then looked as if he had been greatly insulted, his sword-like eyebrows furrowing deeply, "What do you mean by that, Crown Prince? How could I possibly like her?"
Judging from Xie Qi's reaction, it shouldn't be a problem, so there's nothing to worry about.
"I was just asking casually," Xiao Xuanyou said, relieved. "If there's a result later, be sure to tell me. I'll help you ask Father for an imperial decree to grant you the marriage."
Xie Qi's gloom vanished instantly, and his eyes brightened. "Is that really true?"
If there really is an imperial decree, then the Jiang family and the Earl of Zhongqin's mansion will certainly not dare to say anything more, and will no longer force Jiang Zhi to marry someone else.
Seeing his completely different attitude from before, Xiao Xuanyou guessed that this young lady must hold a high place in Xie Qi's heart.
Seeing his unknowingly flirtatious expression, Xiao Xuanyou thought of Jiang Zhi in his dream.
When I met her, she had already been implicated in the confiscation of the Earl's mansion and sent to a brothel.
That night, he was drugged, and his subordinates found a courtesan in the brothel who had never served a customer before to help him alleviate the effects of the drug—it was Jiang Zhi, who had just entered Qifeng Tower and whose name had been changed to "Cicada Robe" by the madam.
He didn't consider himself a lustful person, but for some reason, after the effects of the drug wore off that night, he developed a taste for it.
After that, Chanyi was kept by him in a brothel.
Ignoring the chaos in his mind, Xiao Xuanyou patted Xie Qi on the shoulder and said, "Of course. We grew up together and our bond is extraordinary. As long as it's something you like, I will definitely help you get it."
"In that case, I thank you in advance, cousin." Xie Qi changed his form of address, and the two smiled at each other.
Xie Qi then chatted briefly with Xiao Xuanyou about the recent events in the capital. Seeing the listless look on Xiao Xuanyou's face, Xie Qi knew that he was recovering from a serious injury and was not in good spirits, so he got up to take his leave.
Just as Xie Qi dismounted at the entrance of the Marquis's residence, a little beggar suddenly rushed up to him. Xie Qi reacted quickly, grabbing him by the back of his collar and lifting him into the air, asking, "What do you want?"
Without saying a word, the little beggar stuffed a note into his hand, broke free from his grip, and ran away as fast as he could.
The guards wanted to give chase, but Xie Qi stopped them.
He unfolded the note, a slight smile on his face.
*
Late at night, the candles in Chuntang Garden were extinguished, plunging the room into darkness. Moonlight streamed through the carved window lattices into the boudoir.
Jiang Zhi, dressed neatly, sat by the window. Hearing an extremely faint sound, she looked up and saw a black figure vault in through the window, landing without making a sound.
"Young Master Xie is indeed exceptionally skilled; the guards in my residence were not alerted at all," she couldn't help but exclaim.
"Miss Jiang has made an appointment, and I dare not disobey." Xie Qi leaned against the window frame, his black outfit clinging to his lean and powerful body, his peach blossom eyes sparkling with laughter. "May I ask what business you have with me?"
He knew from the note the little beggar had handed him during the day that it was written by Jiang Zhi.
Finally, when all was quiet at night, he climbed over the wall and entered the mansion according to the directions on the note, and sure enough, he found Chuntang Garden where Jiang Zhi was.
In the past, he had climbed over city walls and fortifications far more heavily guarded than this place countless times while serving in the Northern Army to gather information. Infiltrating the Jiang residence was as easy as entering an empty place for him.
But this was the first time he had ever entered a woman's boudoir.
The scent of sandalwood mixed with a delicate fragrance wafted over him, and he could vaguely see the canopy bed with its gold-painted intertwined branches inside. The gauze curtains hung down like light clouds, and every piece of furniture was exquisite and elegant, making him unsure of what to do with his hands and feet.
Jiang Zhi did not notice Xie Qi's unease. She simply stood up and bowed to him, saying, "I have overstepped my bounds to invite Young Master Xie to my residence tonight because I have a favor to ask of you."
Seeing her dignified expression, Xie Qi couldn't help but speak solemnly as well, "Miss Jiang, please speak."
“I want Prince Xie to take me on a nighttime raid on Earl Zhongqin’s mansion,” she said, staring at him.
Even though Xie Qi was mentally prepared, he was still taken aback by her sudden request.
This is even more difficult than simply killing Yan Wenkang.
As a military mansion, the Zhongqin Earl's Mansion was far more heavily guarded than the Jiang Mansion, and he could manage on his own.
But Miss Jiang has no internal strength, so it would be inconvenient for me to take her with me. In addition, I am not familiar with the terrain of the Zhongqin Earl's Mansion. How can I make a safe retreat?
"It's not that I'm refusing, but this is too dangerous. If there's anything, I'll go for you. Miss Jiang can wait for my news at the mansion."
Jiang Zhi shook her head. "I have to go there myself. As long as Prince Xie leads me into the inner courtyard, bypassing the guards, you can provide cover from the shadows. I'll go to Yan Wenkang's study to get something and then leave without alerting anyone else. Once we have that thing, we can find a way to bring down the Zhongqin Earl's Mansion."
Her gaze was calm, and her voice was clear and cold, like shattered jade.
“Yan Wenkang is hosting a banquet at Shuyu Tower today, so he is definitely not at home,” Xie Qi frowned in thought. “But he must have guards in his courtyard. How are you going to get in?”
Jiang Zhi blinked. "Young Master Xie, don't worry, I have a way."
Xie Qi then noticed that Jiang Zhi's attire today was quite different from usual.
She wore her hair in a bun, her makeup was glamorous and charming, and her hair ornaments were even more exquisite and gorgeous, making her look like a married woman.
“I assure you, Prince Xie, that even if I fall into the hands of the guards, I will not reveal your identity. You need not worry about me; with your skills, you will surely be able to leave safely.”
These were never Xie Qi's concerns.
He could roughly guess why Jiang Zhi was dressed like that.
But could a frail young woman, barely able to bear the weight of her clothes, really break into a military general's mansion at night without batting an eye and get what she wanted?
Enough is enough. Today I'll risk my life to accompany this gentleman.
"Miss Jiang, rest assured, whether things succeed or fail, I, Xie, will never abandon you," he said solemnly.
"Thank you." Although Jiang Zhi didn't say anything, she didn't really believe it.
Xie Qi, as the heir of the Marquis of Wuyi, represents the entire Marquis of Wuyi's mansion.
Even if Xie Qi were unwilling, he would not risk the entire Marquis of Wuyi's mansion if he were discovered.
However, he had already done more than enough by helping him infiltrate the Earl of Zhongqin's mansion; otherwise, even if he had the memories of his previous life, he would have been helpless if he couldn't get into Yan Wenkang's study.
She took the black cloak that had been prepared beforehand, put on the hood to cover most of her body, and followed Xie Qi outside.
"Miss Jiang, please hurry, I apologize." Xie Qi stretched out his arm, his broad and hot palm holding Jiang Zhi's slender waist. His Adam's apple bobbed unconsciously, and his voice was a little unsteady.
Jiang Zhi couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
She appeared calm and composed when she was advising Xie Qi, but in reality, she had never done anything like scaling walls and roofs before, and her palms were sweating.
She could only feel Xie Qi's toes lightly touch the ground, and then her body felt light, as if she were a swallow being carried lightly by Xie Qi onto the courtyard wall.
Her heart was pounding in her throat. She gripped Xie Qi's clothes tightly, barely daring to breathe.
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