Jiu Yue wanted to stay calm.
But her body’s reaction betrayed her.
She couldn’t even suppress her impulse, standing up abruptly to leave. "Then he probably hasn’t gone far yet, right? If I chase after him now, I should still make it in time..."
Qiu Dongfang was utterly shocked and quickly pulled her back. "Make it in time for what? Do you think Prince Ping came here alone? Who knows how many guards are lurking outside?"
Jiu Yue was seething with frustration.
The mere thought of Prince Ping slipping right under her nose filled her with the regret of missing out on a fortune.
Qiu Dongfang was genuinely alarmed by her and hastily poured her some tea. "Drink some water and cool down. Right now, our top priority is to take the ledger back to His Highness. We can discuss everything else later."
"But..." Jiu Yue hesitated.
But she had run into Prince Ping here in Yunjiang—she didn’t want to let this chance slip away.
Prince Ping was her greatest threat, and she feared that delays would bring complications.
Recalling how she had been crouched right above Prince Ping’s head earlier, Jiu Yue was fuming. Then it dawned on her, and she asked Qiu Dongfang in disbelief, "Prince Ping… does he really look that unremarkable?"
She had stared at him for so long, yet nothing familiar had flashed in her mind.
Was his face really that ordinary? For a prince, shouldn’t he stand out more???
Qiu Dongfang chuckled at her expression. "What are you thinking? Of course, he was disguised. Everyone knows Prince Ping is managing flood control in Qingnan—how could he dare show his real face in Yunjiang?"
Jiu Yue: "..."
She took a deep breath and decided that once they returned to the capital, she’d head to the training camp to learn the art of disguise.
Qiu Dongfang tried to reassure her. "Alright, alright, let’s set off tonight and return to the capital sooner... If you really want to deal with Prince Ping, why not ask His Highness for help?"
Jiu Yue gave him a skeptical look. "Sima Qing would help me?"
Qiu Dongfang: "He’s a shared enemy—of course His Highness would help... Also, don’t address him so casually. If you get used to it, His Highness will scold you again."
Jiu Yue waved him off, sipping her tea in silence.
For once, she was actually thinking things through.
She didn’t know the full extent of the feud between Sima Qing and Prince Ping... but judging from the missions she’d carried out so far, their relationship was anything but friendly.
That Feng Sheng had been one of Prince Ping’s men, and Sima Qing had still crippled him.
Maybe… it really was possible?
Jiu Yue rubbed her chin, deciding to consult Nan Xun once they returned to the capital.
"Fine," Jiu Yue conceded, suppressing the restless urge in her heart. She exhaled and glanced out the window. "Let’s leave now."
Qiu Dongfang sighed in relief. "Good! Let’s go!"
He had been afraid Jiu Yue would stubbornly insist on hunting Prince Ping down herself.
Worried she might change her mind, Qiu Dongfang moved quickly, dragging Jiu Yue along as they fled far into the night.
"Our horses are still at the inn from before. We’ll go there first—"
Before he could finish, Jiu Yue suddenly stopped in her tracks. Qiu Dongfang, who had been pulling her along, was yanked back abruptly. He stared at her in confusion, only to see excitement gleaming in her eyes.
His heart sank as he mechanically turned his head—there, parked on the main road, was a carriage.
And standing beside it was none other than Prince Ping, who had just left Song Mansion.
Qiu Dongfang: "..."
Qiu Dongfang: "You’re not thinking of..."
Jiu Yue’s eyes glinted as she smirked. "Aren’t you?"
Qiu Dongfang struggled to resist. "Not really."
Jiu Yue turned to him, understanding. "Then wait for me at the inn. I’ll catch up soon."
Qiu Dongfang didn’t dare leave her alone. What if Jiu Yue got carried away mid-fight… and ended up following Prince Ping? How would he explain that to His Highness?
So he shook his head vigorously, putting on a righteous expression. "No, I’ll stay with you! Your enemy is my enemy!"
Fired up, Qiu Dongfang started climbing a tree, preparing for an ambush.
Jiu Yue was touched—then yanked him back down. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? There are guards everywhere. You really think you can just attack?"
Qiu Dongfang: "...Wasn’t that your plan?"
Jiu Yue laughed. "I do want to act, but I’m not throwing my life away... Even if I can’t kill him now, I can at least teach him a lesson."
Qiu Dongfang watched in confusion as she pulled out ropes, hidden weapons, and powders from her bag.
"Truly worthy of Fu Yu, coming so prepared," Qiu Dongfang remarked, helping her coat the ropes with various powders before watching her swiftly weave them into a crude net.
"What’s the plan?" he asked.
The hidden guards were still lurking—the moment they struck, they’d be intercepted. Getting close to Prince Ping would be nearly impossible.
Instead of answering, Jiu Yue began smearing mud on her face.
The night was dark, the air humid, and the mud clung easily.
She wasn’t sure if Prince Ping had ever seen her real face beneath the mask, but it was better to err on the side of caution.
Qiu Dongfang didn’t understand but followed suit.
Then she dragged him out into the open, walking boldly down the road.
This was the main route into Yunjiang—even at this hour, travelers weren’t unusual.
They deliberately took a detour before turning back, walking as if they were ordinary civilians, their movements devoid of any hostility.
The hidden guards didn’t stir.
Prince Ping, still waiting by the carriage, paid them no mind. He had paused only to receive a message.
Some things couldn’t be said outright in front of the salt merchant, so he had to wait until after leaving Song Mansion to send word to Song Lan.
Feng Sheng’s downfall had left Prince Ping uneasy. With him away from the capital, his influence was limited, and he had to protect what allies he could. If his faction was dismantled piece by piece, what would he have left to fight with upon his return?
The ledger in Song Lan’s hands contained half his connections in Yunjiang—he had to destroy it before the capital caught wind of it.
But his subordinate had been gone too long, and Prince Ping grew restless. Unable to stay in the carriage, he stepped out for air.
All he could do now was hope Song Lan knew what was best for him.
Lost in thought, Prince Ping barely noticed the two passersby… until a net suddenly flew toward him.
He paused, snapping his fan shut and blocking it with lightning reflexes.
The fan itself was a hidden weapon!
Seeing the blades concealed within the ribs, Jiu Yue was mildly surprised—Prince Ping knew how to fight.
The net was sliced apart, but the powder on it scattered onto him. The hidden guards surged forward, and Qiu Dongfang urgently tugged Jiu Yue. "Retreat! Now!"
Jiu Yue shoved him ahead, ensuring he escaped the encirclement before she narrowed her eyes at Prince Ping, who was now struggling to see through the irritant.
"Audacious assassins! You’ll die for this!" the guards roared, charging.
But Jiu Yue only smiled faintly. "Shouldn’t you tend to your master first? He seems to be in quite a bit of distress."
