Sima Qing's face darkened as he fell silent. Jiu Yue glanced around but didn’t spot Fu Yu or Xiao Wuyou nearby. She nudged his arm with her elbow. "Are they at the inn?"
Sima Qing glanced at his tingling arm, silently sidestepping to maintain a safe distance before coolly replying, "Hmm."
Jiu Yue frowned disapprovingly. "How could you just run off like that? If something happened, none of us would know where to find you... Luckily, you ran into me first."
Sima Qing, who had deliberately sought her out: "..."
Unable to endure any longer, Sima Qing decided to cut to the chase.
"Prince Ping is about to return to the capital. I’ve decided to assign you a new mission," he said, then subtly observed her reaction.
Jiu Yue had already heard this news from Nan Xun, but hearing it now from Sima Qing’s lips made her tilt her head in surprise. "What mission?"
Was Sima Qing planning to act so soon—ordering her to kill Prince Ping outright?
But Sima Qing abruptly shifted the topic. "Did you know Prince Ping once had a shadowy, elusive expert constantly guarding him?"
Jiu Yue’s eyes widened slightly. "Really?"
Sima Qing chuckled to himself. "Of course, you’ve only just arrived in the capital. Naturally, you wouldn’t know about the past."
He leisurely studied Jiu Yue’s curious expression before continuing, "This person was extraordinarily skilled, appearing and vanishing without a trace. It took me considerable effort just to determine their gender."
Jiu Yue stroked her chin. "So, was it a man or a woman?"
"Funny coincidence," Sima Qing said, his gaze fixed on her, his tone almost gentle. "Just like you—a remarkably capable woman."
Jiu Yue nodded, hesitating before tentatively asking, "Your Highness brings this up... Does this mission involve her?"
Sima Qing’s eyes gleamed with approval.
"Precisely." His tone turned distant. "Later, for some unknown reason, she disappeared entirely. I suspect she was silenced."
"Silenced?" Jiu Yue feigned shock. "What makes you say that?"
"Mo Jin discovered a group of dead assassins in the wastelands outside the capital," Sima Qing explained. "Though we don’t know who sent them, assassins only appear when someone wants another dead."
Jiu Yue’s heart sank.
Tsk. Back then, inexperienced and in a hurry, she’d only searched the bodies and failed to dispose of them properly.
"So—" Jiu Yue paused, meeting Sima Qing’s eyes. "Your Highness means...?"
Finally, the crux of the matter.
The two locked eyes, each harboring their own thoughts.
Sima Qing spoke casually, "This is an opportunity to get close to Prince Ping. I want you to impersonate that woman, stay by his side, and act when the time is right."
Jiu Yue’s first reaction was disbelief.
In fact, she outright laughed.
"Your Highness," Jiu Yue waved a hand, finding the mission absurd. "Are you serious?"
"You just said she was silenced," Jiu Yue stared directly into his eyes. "Do you really think Prince Ping wouldn’t know whether his own subordinate is alive or dead?"
But Sima Qing raised a brow. "I believe he doesn’t... or rather, he still thinks her whereabouts are unknown."
Unknown, my foot!
Of course, Prince Ping knew her fate!
Not a single assassin had returned, and her body was missing—he definitely knew she was alive!
She still had that bounty notice—proof that Prince Ping was hunting her across the martial world!
"If I understand correctly, Your Highness wants me to be a spy in Prince Ping’s inner circle..." Jiu Yue tried to make sense of it, staring at Sima Qing in confusion. "But why must I impersonate her?"
Sima Qing emphasized, "She was Prince Ping’s most trusted confidant."
Jiu Yue: "..."
True enough.
Gaining Prince Ping’s trust was the biggest hurdle in infiltrating his ranks. Starting from scratch would take years.
But the problem was—she was that woman! Impersonate herself? Return to Prince Ping’s side?
Jiu Yue half-suspected that if she went back, she’d barely last a few days as a spy before her head ended up on a platter!
Struggling to voice her frustration, Jiu Yue fell into silence.
Who could understand her torment?!
Screaming internally, she forced a smile and attempted to refuse. "I think there are plenty of ways to deal with Prince Ping. Why not try something else? How about I just kill him outright?"
Sima Qing remained expressionless.
Jiu Yue gradually quieted.
Just as she considered fleeing that very night, Sima Qing spoke again.
"My goal has always been to kill him. Sending you undercover is merely to gather useful intelligence."
He suddenly leaned down, meeting her eye level, his tone unexpectedly accommodating. "For this mission, you needn’t follow my orders. If you wish, you may strike at any time."
Jiu Yue froze.
Then he added with a smile, "Of course, any extra gains—say, Prince Ping’s private treasury—would be a bonus."
Jiu Yue: "..."
"I won’t force you. Think it over tonight," Sima Qing straightened and strode ahead nonchalantly.
Yet inwardly, he sighed.
He couldn’t push too hard.
Her resistance made it seem like sending her to Prince Ping was akin to forcing her to swallow a fly. Whatever had happened between her and Prince Ping, it clearly left her deeply unwilling to return.
Lost in thought, Sima Qing only realized she hadn’t followed after a few steps. He turned, his gaze piercing through the crowd to meet Jiu Yue’s eyes.
Devoid of emotion, yet chillingly cold.
Exactly like the night he’d been stabbed.
For a fleeting moment, Sima Qing’s heart skipped a beat.
But just for that second.
Jiu Yue immediately picked up her crab-shaped lantern and bounded after him.
Noticing Sima Qing’s scrutinizing look, she sighed and pouted. "What if I refuse? Will you force me, Your Highness?"
"...No." Sima Qing averted his gaze first, unconsciously quickening his pace. "I respect your decision."
Jiu Yue eyed him suspiciously—why was he suddenly walking so fast, as if fleeing a ghost?!
Was he feeling guilty?
Ah—that line about respecting her choice was definitely a lie!
Rolling her eyes discreetly, Jiu Yue hurried after him.
They returned to their respective rooms. Jiu Yue tossed her things aside and flopped onto the bed.
Staring out the window at the tranquil night, her mind churned chaotically. Fragments of memories flashed until she abruptly sat up.
Something felt off...
Did Sima Qing already know she was once Prince Ping’s shadowy protector?
