Jiu Yue looked at Sima Qing with confusion but maintained a polite demeanor. "Your Highness, what do you mean by that?"
Sima Qing turned and walked behind his desk, flicking his sleeve with an ambiguous smile. "Didn’t you meet Prince Ping?"
Unable to see his expression, Jiu Yue found his tone odd but didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she eagerly stepped forward to unpack her belongings. "Yes, Your Highness! You’re really well-informed!"
"Heh. Why didn’t you leave with him? And yet you dare to come back…" Sima Qing’s voice trailed off ominously, only for him to turn and see Jiu Yue rummaging through a pile of items on the table before tossing an account book at him.
His expression instantly shifted to something indescribable.
"Why wouldn’t I dare to come back?" Jiu Yue blinked, baffled, but brushed it off and planted her hands on her hips, demanding payment. "Your Highness, it’s only the second day of the month, and we’ve already completed the task ahead of schedule! Plus, these local specialties were bought after much hardship—you’ll definitely reimburse us, right?"
Sima Qing looked up and met her sparkling eyes.
They were practically filled with dollar signs.
Sima Qing: "…"
Stunned by her shamelessness, he vaguely sensed some misunderstanding at play. After a moment of silence, he reluctantly pulled out a pre-prepared money pouch.
The hefty weight instantly sent Jiu Yue’s heart soaring into space.
"T-this much?!" She was flustered by the unexpected generosity. "Just for returning a day early? Your Highness, your reward is far too lavish, haha…"
"…Tomorrow is the third. By then, it’ll have been a full month since you entered the manor," Sima Qing couldn’t help but remind her.
Jiu Yue stopped laughing.
Ah. So it was her hard-earned wages—rightfully hers.
She shot Sima Qing a glance but still opened the pouch in front of him, counting the contents… One hundred taels.
Her eyes darted around, her expression torn between satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
Strangely, Sima Qing understood her dilemma. With another silent sigh, he retrieved a gold leaf from his waistband and slipped it into the pouch.
"Your reward," Sima Qing paused, then added meticulously, "and reimbursement."
Now thoroughly pleased, Jiu Yue securely tucked away the pouch and resumed organizing her souvenirs before pushing her luck further. "Many thanks for Your Highness’s generosity. May I take the afternoon off? I’d like to visit my dog."
Sima Qing: "…"
If he refused, would she hurl the money at him?
His gaze lingered on the weighty pouch in her hand. Eventually, he waved her off. "Return by 5:45 p.m. Also, send Qiu Dongfang to me."
Jiu Yue cheerfully retreated.
Ahhh, Sima Qing was becoming so much easier to deal with these days!
Just before leaving, she suddenly remembered something and paused. Digging through her bundle, she picked out a smaller one, turned back, and presented it to Sima Qing with exaggerated servility.
"Your Highness, a little gift for you. Don’t disdain it!" With a playful wink, she scampered off.
……
While tending to the horses, Qiu Dongfang ran into Mo Jin.
Noticing the latter’s foul mood, Qiu Dongfang couldn’t resist prying. "What happened while we were away? Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?"
Mo Jin eyed him, equally puzzled. "How can you still smile?"
Qiu Dongfang’s grin vanished instantly. "Did… something happen with His Highness?"
Mo Jin heaved a heavy sigh. "Of course His Highness is furious! Jiu Yue played us all for fools and returned unscathed—mmph?!"
Qiu Dongfang frantically signaled him to shut up while loudly calling out, "Ah, Jiu Yue! What brings you here?"
Mo Jin froze.
Jiu Yue?
He turned and saw her skipping toward them, still carrying her bundle, radiating cheerfulness.
"So this is where the horses are kept…" Jiu Yue marveled, stepping into the manor’s stables for the first time. She then addressed Qiu Dongfang, "His Highness wants to see you."
Her gaze shifted to Mo Jin.
His expression was, as always, one of sheer horror.
Jiu Yue shrugged, attributing it to his personal quirks.
"Your souvenir was picked by Qiu Dongfang," she said, tossing a bundle at Mo Jin. Then, to Qiu Dongfang, she added, "His Highness gave me the afternoon off. I’m heading out!"
With that, she vaulted over the wall and disappeared.
Left behind, Qiu Dongfang stared at the bundle still slung over her shoulder. After a moment’s thought, he patted Mo Jin’s shoulder.
"Maybe you should report to His Highness for me. I need to follow her," Qiu Dongfang muttered, his professional instincts kicking in.
Mo Jin, however, grabbed him by the collar with a deadpan expression. "Didn’t you send word that Jiu Yue had eloped with Prince Ping?"
Qiu Dongfang: "…"
He slapped his forehead. "Ah! That’s what I forgot to mention! Heavens, heavens…"
Abandoning his pursuit of Jiu Yue, he rushed off to explain to Sima Qing.
Mo Jin, left alone: "…"
Cool as ever, he slung the souvenir bag over his shoulder and strolled after Qiu Dongfang.
……
Half an hour later, three men stood in tense silence in Sima Qing’s study.
Fu Yu was the first to speak. "It seems Jiu Yue truly sees Prince Ping as an enemy."
If she didn’t stab him, she’d at least hold a grudge—her resentment ran deep.
Mo Jin cautiously added, "She has her own way of teaching lessons."
Expired aphrodisiacs and chili water? What a delightful combination.
After a long pause, Sima Qing finally spoke, his tone measured. "So these souvenirs were bought with the money from selling the horses?"
Qiu Dongfang, trembling in anticipation of punishment: "…Huh? Oh, yes. We bought them together."
Sima Qing laughed in exasperation.
He knew she was money-minded, but this was outright swindling.
"Y-Your Highness…" Qiu Dongfang began, ready to apologize, but before he could continue, Sima Qing tossed him a gold leaf.
Qiu Dongfang: "…" Was this a reward?!
He was stunned.
Sima Qing said calmly, "You’ve worked hard. From now on, there’s no need to shadow her constantly."
After this incident, Sima Qing realized Qiu Dongfang couldn’t possibly keep tabs on Jiu Yue. If she wanted to leave, she’d slip away effortlessly.
Beside them, Mo Jin hesitated but ultimately stayed silent.
"Does she truly believe she has a feud with Prince Ping?" Sima Qing pressed.
Qiu Dongfang nodded vigorously. "And not just any grudge—a deep-seated vendetta. When she learned that man was Prince Ping in disguise, her murderous aura was unmistakably genuine."
"Is that so…" Sima Qing glanced at the account book on his desk and smiled slowly. "Then let them settle it themselves."
The three men immediately grasped his meaning.
He intended to let Jiu Yue deal with Prince Ping.
"Dismissed."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Once the door closed, Sima Qing’s gaze drifted to the small, shabby bundle on his desk, his thoughts wandering.
Even if Jiu Yue’s loyalty was an act, everything she’d done for him now outweighed the stab wound he’d suffered.
What a talent. Why had she ever thrown her lot in with Prince Ping?
He let out a sigh, snapping back to reality, and calmly unwrapped the bundle... A pile of wilted flowers and plants, along with clumps of soil, tumbled out without warning.
Attached was a note: "Fresh air, straight from Yunjiang! Doesn’t the room feel instantly refreshed, Your Highness?"
Sima Qing’s chest tightened with irritation: "..."
So, he’d spent a gold leaf... just to receive a bundle of trash?
