That night, an incredulous voice rang out in Prince Ping’s study.
“What? Fifty taels?!” Jiu Yue slammed the table and stood up. “Why not a hundred?”
The three people across from her were startled by her outburst. Mo Jin couldn’t help but retort, “A hundred taels? Why don’t you just rob us?”
This was outright extortion!
Jiu Yue turned away indignantly, crossing her arms with a cold snort. “No hundred taels, no deal.”
Nan Xun had already told her that a hundred taels was the bare minimum. Being an assassin was a high-risk profession—was her life really only worth fifty taels? Jiu Yue felt she might as well flee overnight.
She could work anywhere. It wasn’t like she had to stay in this prince’s manor. She was just biding her time until her system arrived, preparing in advance. The capital wasn’t short on powerful figures—Sima Qing wasn’t the only one.
Mo Jin was stunned by her unwavering tone.
Even Fu Yu couldn’t believe it. How dare Jiu Yue demand such a high price… Did she truly not realize she was the prince’s enemy? Wasn’t she afraid the prince might just execute her in a fit of rage?
Sima Qing stared at her silently, watching as she pouted and rolled her eyes. After a moment of speechlessness, he finally spoke. “You insist on a hundred taels?”
Jiu Yue nodded. “If you won’t pay, forget it. I’ll leave tonight.”
An assassin’s life was still a life. Cutting the market rate in half was blatant exploitation! Jiu Yue refused to be the one to break industry standards.
When Sima Qing remained silent, Jiu Yue took it as refusal. She sighed. “Guess that’s a no. Alright then, farewell, everyone.”
She turned to leave.
But then Sima Qing’s laughter sounded behind her. “This prince never said no.”
Jiu Yue’s steps immediately pivoted. Turning back, she saw Sima Qing’s strained smile and paused, offering kindly, “Your Highness, no need to force yourself. Your forced smile looks rather stiff.”
Sima Qing: “…”
He closed his eyes, downed a cup of tea, and then resumed negotiations.
“Fine, a hundred taels it is,” Sima Qing said flatly. “But you must prove you’re worth it. From now on, you’ll guard me personally, on call at all times. If you fail a mission, fifty taels will be deducted. And if I find you’re not living up to the price…” His tone darkened. “Don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
Jiu Yue: “?”
Deduct fifty taels? How many fifty taels did she even have to spare?
It wasn’t until Mo Jin and Fu Yu escorted her out of the study that she finally voiced her thoughts. “Is the prince just being stingy?”
A hundred taels was the standard rate in the industry. Why was he acting like she was robbing him?
Jiu Yue sighed, only to hear a sharp inhale beside her.
She turned and met Fu Yu’s complicated gaze.
Before she could question it, Mo Jin jumped to the prince’s defense. “Stingy? His Highness offered you fifty taels of gold upfront! And when you demanded a hundred, he agreed! All he asked was for you to do your job properly, and you—”
“Wha—?!” Jiu Yue shrieked. “G-gold?!”
“Yes!” Mo Jin recoiled but pressed on mockingly. “What did you think—ah!”
His taunt was cut short as Jiu Yue suddenly beamed at him, eyes crinkling. He stumbled back in alarm. “What are you doing? Stop looking at me like that!”
That smile was downright unsettling!
“Hey, we’re colleagues now. A little friendliness is only natural…” Jiu Yue waved her hand, then rubbed her forehead sheepishly. “My apologies. I admit my earlier attitude was… unbecoming. If I ever disrespect His Highness again, feel free to knock some sense into me.”
A hundred taels… of gold! Holy— Now she understood why Sima Qing had looked like he was being extorted—because he was!
A hundred taels of gold meant she was earning double Mo Jin and Fu Yu’s combined salaries.
In modern terms, if they each made 100K a month, she’d just demanded 200K!
Jiu Yue shook her head in disbelief.
The fact that the prince hadn’t outright kicked her out… What a saint!
Grateful, when Sima Qing summoned her back to the study that night to discuss details, Jiu Yue’s smile was more radiant than a UN peace ambassador’s.
But Sima Qing cut straight to the point: “You have three months to prove your worth.”
Jiu Yue paused.
So the earlier period wasn’t probation—it was a trial run.
Sima Qing continued, “During these three months, you’ll guard me alongside Mo Jin and Fu Yu.”
“Tasks will be assigned. If you make mistakes or fail…” He gave her a meaningful look. “There will be consequences.”
Consequences…
Something about his tone felt loaded.
Jiu Yue scratched her head but dismissed the thought.
Hesitantly, she asked, “Your Highness… have we met before?”
Sima Qing arched a brow. “Why do you ask?”
“Sometimes, the way you all look at me… it doesn’t feel like we’re strangers.”
They locked eyes for a moment.
Then Sima Qing leaned forward, studying her. “Do you think you’re just some nobody in the martial world?”
Jiu Yue blinked.
The implication was clear: You’re notorious. Of course we know you.
Oh! That explained it!
Her lips twitched, but she feigned modesty, waving a hand. “Ah, I’m just your average rogue. No need to flatter me, Your Highness.”
Sima Qing: “…”
He smirked, tone dripping with sarcasm. “‘Average,’ yet you dared demand a hundred taels.”
Jiu Yue: “…”
She quickly thumped her chest. “Don’t worry, Your Highness! I’ll make sure you get your money’s worth!”
“…” Sima Qing had no desire to prolong the conversation. With a weary wave, he massaged his temples. “Dismissed.”
Jiu Yue skipped out, elated.
Sima Qing, however, sank into thought.
The way she’d asked if they’d met… Her acting was flawless.
If this was all an act, even he had to admire her audacity. Risky, but effective.
…
Instead of returning to her quarters, Jiu Yue cheerfully sought out Mo Jin and Fu Yu, relaying Sima Qing’s orders.
“So, how exactly do we ‘personally guard’ His Highness?” she asked dutifully.
Fu Yu glanced at Mo Jin, who replied tersely, “At night, we keep watch around his chambers.”
Jiu Yue nodded. Night shifts too.
Noting their positions, she pointed behind her. “I’ll take that side. Rest assured, not even a mosquito will slip past me!”
Mo Jin: “…Go ahead.”
Once she left, Fu Yu crouched beside Mo Jin, whispering, “Is His Highness really keeping her?”
Mo Jin’s expression turned grave. “His Highness has his reasons… Perhaps he’s fishing for bigger prey.”
Behind Jiu Yue stands none other than Prince Ping.
Since he dared to let Jiu Yue step into this prince's manor, he must be prepared to have his weaknesses seized by the prince!
