After spending nearly half a month at Mingzhi Mountain, by the time Jiu Yue returned to the capital, even she had heard the news about the Prefect of Yunjiang being stripped of his property and exiled.
While escorting the dog to the training camp, Jiu Yue took the opportunity to visit Nan Xun again.
"You came at the right time," Nan Xun dropped a bombshell the moment he saw her. "Prince Ping is returning to the capital."
"What?" Jiu Yue's eyes widened in an instant.
Nan Xun picked up his teacup and said leisurely, "The floods in Qingnan are mostly under control now. The remaining recovery efforts are up to the local officials, so Prince Ping will naturally return soon."
Jiu Yue's eyes flickered as she asked, "When, roughly?"
Nan Xun saw right through her intentions. He sighed and poured her another cup of tea.
"I advise against trying to ambush him again," Nan Xun looked at her and suddenly smiled. "Didn’t you run into him last time? So, how was he? Easy to deal with?"
"...Not exactly," Jiu Yue sighed regretfully.
Admittedly, she had caught him off guard that day and gained the upper hand. But now that Prince Ping had learned his lesson, would someone as cunning as him fall for the same trick twice?
However, recalling Prince Ping’s fan from their last encounter, Jiu Yue realized something. "Prince Ping knows martial arts too?"
Nan Xun reacted nonchalantly. "What’s so strange about that? Among those playing power games in the capital, who relies solely on bodyguards? Knowing a bit of martial arts can save your life at critical moments!"
He listed several names—princes and ministers Jiu Yue had occasionally heard of during her time here.
"Of course, the elderly are exceptions," Nan Xun gestured vaguely in a certain direction. "Take that fifty-year-old Imperial Censor, for example. Can you imagine him leaping around like a martial artist?"
Jiu Yue: "..."
Her lips twitched. She tapped the table and recounted her experiences at Mingzhi Mountain before posing a burning question.
"So… Sima Qing—is it because he’s old too?" Jiu Yue felt oddly conflicted.
Twenty-five—even if not young, he was still in his prime, wasn’t he?
"His Highness the Regent…" Nan Xun sighed. "He’s an exception."
Jiu Yue stared at him curiously, eager to hear more.
Nan Xun only gave a brief explanation. "When I was little, I even saw him sparring with my father… But later, he was ambushed. By the time I left the mountain, I learned he’d thrown himself into the capital’s power struggles."
After a long moment of contemplation, Jiu Yue summed it up in one sentence: "So Sima Qing really can’t fight now?"
Nan Xun nodded.
Jiu Yue: "..."
What a tragic reality.
Protecting him just got a whole lot harder!
When Jiu Yue returned to the Prince’s residence, she happened to run into Sima Qing calling for her.
"Prepare a carriage. You’re accompanying me to the palace," Sima Qing said.
Jiu Yue froze for a moment before responding. Without even changing her clothes, she rushed off to arrange the carriage.
After waiting at the entrance for a while, Sima Qing arrived, accompanied by Qiu Dongfang.
Usually, it was either Mo Jin or Qiu Dongfang who accompanied Sima Qing to the palace. Seeing Qiu Dongfang now, Jiu Yue instinctively started climbing onto the roof of the carriage.
Sima Qing looked up at her from below. "...What are you doing?"
"Your Highness told me to accompany you to the palace…" Jiu Yue paused, studying his expression before tentatively asking, "Or… should I be under the carriage?"
Qiu Dongfang: "..."
Sima Qing: "..."
Never mind.
Sima Qing glanced at Qiu Dongfang before boarding the carriage. The latter quickly pulled Jiu Yue down and seated her outside.
"His Highness meant for you to accompany him into the palace—" Qiu Dongfang emphasized, "in a legitimate manner."
Jiu Yue immediately understood. "Then you…"
Qiu Dongfang said, "Now, I’m the coachman."
Jiu Yue: "..."
She looked down at her unchanged coachman attire. "What about this? Does it matter?"
She pointed at her outfit.
Qiu Dongfang waved it off. "It’s fine. Just pretend to be His Highness’s attendant. Only one person is allowed to accompany him into the palace each time."
"What about others?" Jiu Yue asked.
Qiu Dongfang gave her a strange look. "Others? Others aren’t allowed to bring anyone at all. Come on, it’s the imperial palace. Forget about hidden guards—you can’t even bring a blade inside."
Jiu Yue: "..."
Her lips twitched again.
To frame Sima Qing’s privilege as if he were being singled out—Qiu Dongfang was truly a talent.
"Don’t be nervous. Just protect His Highness discreetly," Qiu Dongfang added.
Jiu Yue nodded, steeling herself with full focus.
The imperial palace!
This was her first time entering the palace openly—not by scaling the walls!
Jiu Yue radiated excitement from head to toe. Following Sima Qing, she couldn’t help but let her eyes wander, taking in everything around her. Even though it was just bricks and tiles, the perspective was entirely new and oddly fascinating!
She had sneaked into the palace a few times before, but always through hidden routes, sticking to deserted areas. The grand path Sima Qing was taking now was one she had never dared to tread.
Night had already fallen, and few palace servants were around. An eerie feeling crept up on Jiu Yue. Shaking her head, she quickened her steps to stay close to Sima Qing. But just as she was about two steps behind him, the crack of a whip suddenly lashed toward her.
Jiu Yue frowned and swiftly surged forward, pulling Sima Qing several steps ahead to dodge.
The whip struck empty air, sending shattered stones flying.
Before she could even look up, a familiar voice rang out.
"Assassin! Release the Regent at once!"
Jiu Yue: "..."
Sima Qing: "..."
Sima Qing turned to Jiu Yue with a deadpan expression. "He still doesn’t know you?"
Jiu Yue was equally baffled. She looked up at the whip-wielding figure and asked, "You still don’t recognize me?"
"Why should I—" Si Shui, who had been advancing aggressively, abruptly halted when he got a clear look at the person gripping the Regent. He even took an involuntary step back.
"It’s you?" Si Shui hastily retracted his whip, eyeing Jiu Yue warily. "Why are you dressed like this?"
Jiu Yue rolled her eyes and finally released Sima Qing, glaring at Si Shui. "What, do you live by the Pacific? Mind your own business! I’ll dress however I like!"
Si Shui: "..."
Just seeing her made his backside ache. He turned to Sima Qing and offered a sincere apology. "My apologies, Your Highness. I meant no offense."
Sima Qing seemed to be in a hurry. With a dismissive wave, he continued toward the imperial study.
Jiu Yue stuck her tongue out at Si Shui before hurrying after him.
Upon reaching the study, Jiu Yue was stopped outside.
She instinctively looked to Sima Qing, who gave her a slight nod, his eyes carrying a hint of reassurance. Only then did Jiu Yue obediently wait outside.
The journey from the palace gates to the study, with all its twists and turns, had been quite a distance. Jiu Yue plopped down on the steps outside, lounging lazily.
"You’re really the Regent’s subordinate?" Si Shui appeared beside her at some point, half-hidden behind a stone pillar.
